Strengthening Emergency Management and Fostering Community Resilience in Yuma County
Primary Topic:
Emergency Management
Other Topics:
Community & Economic Development, Natural Resources
Lead Mentor:
Alice Dong
Eastern Regional Specialist, Vibrant Communities and Thriving Economies
Internship Overview:
The internship is designed to strengthen emergency management and foster community resilience in Yuma County. The intern should anticipate working for Yuma County Office of Emergency Management that located at Wray, Yuma County. The internship can be hybrid, preferably reside in Yuma County, or reside in Northern, Eastern, Northeast Colorado, within 3 hours of Yuma County. Funds for mileage reimbursement and hotel expense reimbursement are available. Moreover, the Yuma County Office of Emergency Management is willing to offer assistance in the search for housing in Wray. Because housing is limited, a hybrid design will be most likely.
Goals, Scope and Objectives:
The internship program aims to support the Yuma County Office of Emergency Management in project planning and execution, with a focus on assisting the Yuma community in developing actionable emergency plans. This comprehensive approach will contribute significantly to enhancing emergency preparedness and response capabilities within Yuma County. The following are three learning objectives. By the end of internship program, the intern will be able to:
• Complete emergency plans for local businesses, ensuring that they are well-prepared to effectively address various emergency situations (i.e. tornado shelter and fire evacuation plans).
• Develop a tabletop exercise that first responders and major stakeholders in the county can participate in. This exercise will improve collaboration between players, reveal unintended consequences, and improve speed and efficiency of response.
• Create maps and equipment inventories for use during evacuations of both people and animals to ensure their safety. (i.e. collaborating with agricultural producers to prepare contingency plans for deploying large tractors when necessary to assist in firefighting efforts.)
• Complete emergency plans for local businesses, ensuring that they are well-prepared to effectively address various emergency situations (i.e. tornado shelter and fire evacuation plans).
• Develop a tabletop exercise that first responders and major stakeholders in the county can participate in. This exercise will improve collaboration between players, reveal unintended consequences, and improve speed and efficiency of response.
• Create maps and equipment inventories for use during evacuations of both people and animals to ensure their safety. (i.e. collaborating with agricultural producers to prepare contingency plans for deploying large tractors when necessary to assist in firefighting efforts.)
With which stakeholder group(s) will the intern work?
CSU Extension, fire department, city and county administration, hospitals, schools, agricultural fertilizer companies, small businesses, law reinforcement, and Emergency Management offices of neighboring counties, and Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA).
What student learning outcomes do you anticipate and what are the opportunities for professional development?
The internship offers a rich learning experience and opportunities for professional development that can significantly benefit the intern’s future career in emergency management, public safety, or related fields.
• Emergency Planning Proficiency: The intern will gain a deep understanding of emergency planning, including the development of plans for various scenarios, such as tornadoes and fires. This expertise will enable the intern to create effective emergency plans for businesses and the Yuma County community.
• Leadership and Coordination Skills: Through the facilitation of emergency response exercises, the intern will develop leadership and coordination skills. The intern will learn to bring together first responders and key stakeholders, enhancing their ability to manage complex situations and collaborate effectively.
• Mapping and Resource Management: Working with agricultural producers to create evacuation maps and equipment lists will provide the intern with valuable skills in GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and resource management. The intern will learn how to map out evacuation routes and ensure the availability of necessary equipment for firefighting and disaster response.
• Communication and Presentation: The development and presentation of emergency plans to businesses will enhance the intern’s communication, collaboration, and presentation skills. The intern will learn how to convey critical information clearly and persuasively to ensure buy-in from the community and local organizations.
• Professional Development Opportunities: The intern will have opportunities for networking with professionals in various positions in city and county management, including emergency management. This networking can lead to connections, potential job opportunities, and insights into the industries involved.
• Emergency Planning Proficiency: The intern will gain a deep understanding of emergency planning, including the development of plans for various scenarios, such as tornadoes and fires. This expertise will enable the intern to create effective emergency plans for businesses and the Yuma County community.
• Leadership and Coordination Skills: Through the facilitation of emergency response exercises, the intern will develop leadership and coordination skills. The intern will learn to bring together first responders and key stakeholders, enhancing their ability to manage complex situations and collaborate effectively.
• Mapping and Resource Management: Working with agricultural producers to create evacuation maps and equipment lists will provide the intern with valuable skills in GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and resource management. The intern will learn how to map out evacuation routes and ensure the availability of necessary equipment for firefighting and disaster response.
• Communication and Presentation: The development and presentation of emergency plans to businesses will enhance the intern’s communication, collaboration, and presentation skills. The intern will learn how to convey critical information clearly and persuasively to ensure buy-in from the community and local organizations.
• Professional Development Opportunities: The intern will have opportunities for networking with professionals in various positions in city and county management, including emergency management. This networking can lead to connections, potential job opportunities, and insights into the industries involved.
