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County Connections - October 2023 |
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October is Fire Prevention Month!
Captain Kendra Colomb, Fire Prevention and Investigation, San Juan County Fire & Rescue
Fire Prevention Week is observed each year during the week of October 9th in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire, which began on October 8, 1871, and caused devastating damage. This horrific conflagration killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures, and burned more than 2,000 acres of land
This year's theme is "Cook with Caution"
- Be on alert! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol don’t use the stove or stovetop.
- Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
- If you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
- Keep anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains — away from your stovetop.
if you have a small (grease) cooking fire and decide to fight the fire...
- On the stovetop, smother the flames by sliding a lid over the pan and turning off the burner. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.
- For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.
if you have any doubt about fighting a small fire...
- Just get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.
- Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number from Outside the home.
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October 3 @ 4:00 pm- San Juan County Commission Meeting
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October 7 @ 7am to noon- County-wide Full-Scale Drill
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October 14@ 9am to 1pm- Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event
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October 19- ECHO Food Drive Challenge begins!
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October 21 & 22- Dumpster Days
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October 17 @ 4:00 pm- San Juan County Commission Meeting
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On Saturday, October 7, 2023, the San Juan County Office of Emergency Management will be conducting the annual full-scale drill on the campus of San Juan College. The drill scenario will include an active shooter with simulated gunfire throughout the exercise.
The drill is being planned in collaboration with San Juan College and will take place on the Farmington campus between 7:00 am and noon. First responders will be staged throughout the campus, and the drill will involve members of local law enforcement, fire departments, and emergency medical services. A select number of San Juan College employees also will participate in the drill. The San Juan College campus will be open; however, the following buildings and areas will be closed during the exercise:
• Parking lots A, B, C, F,
• Educational Services Center (Clocktower building)
• Health Sciences Center
• Henderson Fine Arts Center
• Outside of the Connie Gotsch Theatre
• Department of Public Safety
• The Health and Human Performance Center (HHPC) will be closed from 6:30 a.m. to noon. HHPC hours on Saturday, October 7, will be noon to 5 p.m.
There will be message boards in place to make sure that passing motorists know operations are only a drill.
This is part of the Office of Emergency Management’s ongoing commitment to training with local first responders. Each year, a full-scale drill is planned in conjunction with classroom training to build the capacity of first responders in the event of an emergency. In the past, OEM has partnered with oilfield companies for drills.
San Juan County’s annual drill is a valuable training mechanism for all first responders and those who may be involved in a large-scale emergency. This experience is another way San Juan County’s first responders maintain a high level of service for the citizens through a partnership with San Juan College.
San Juan County Office of Emergency Management appreciates the cooperation and partnership of San Juan College in this year’s drill.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the San Juan County Office of Emergency Management at (505) 334-7700.
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FALL into Cleaning!
 Twice a year, San Juan County gives residents FREE ways to dispose of waste that could be piling up around the house.
On October 14, the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) and Office of Emergency Management will host the annual Household Hazard Waste Collection event. From 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at the San Juan County Building In Aztec (100 S. Oliver Dr.) you can drop off household chemicals, batteries, CFL lightbulbs and used automobile fluids and more. The event is FREE, but only open to Kirtland, Bloomfield and unincorporated San Juan County residents, please bring proof of residency (Aztec and Farmington residents are eligible for curbside pickup of household hazardous waste through Waste Management, as paid for in your city bill). Go to SJCounty.net/hhw for more information.
 If you have fall cleanup that you are doing, this year there will be TWO Dumpster Days for you to dump your trash for FREE!
Because of a grant from New Mexico Clean and Beautiful and New Mexico TRUE, Dumpster Day has been expanded to two days! On October 21 & 22, County transfer stations will accept normal loads for FREE during normal business hours. See the list below for open transfer stations and hours of operation.
Hot Topics
Division Chief Tony Herrera
On September 9, The Farmington Fire Department hosted their annual 9/11 Memorial stair climb. The stair climb is done in partnership with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. These stair climbs take place nationwide. Each 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb participant pays tribute to an FDNY firefighter by climbing or walking the equivalent of the 110 stories of the World Trade Center. Individuals pay tribute not only to remember the sacrifice of an FDNY firefighter but to symbolically complete their heroic journey to save others. Through firefighter and community participation, it is ensured that each of the 343 firefighters is honored and that the world knows that we will never forget. These 9/11 Memorial Stair Climbs help the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation create and maintain programs that support fire service survivors. Support for the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb events assists the surviving families and co-workers of the 343 firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice on September 11, 2001.
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 Photo courtesy of Jessica Lazenby Photography who took MANY more photos of the event. Find her work on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessicalazenbyphotography
SJCSO Spot
On September 26, Deputy Chiefs from the Farmington Police Department visited San Juan County offices to present Letters of Commendation from Chief Hebbe to the San Juan County Sheriff's Office, the Office of Emergency Management, and PIOs Devin Neeley and Kristi Hughes.
On that fateful day, May 15, when our community faced a tragic mass shooting, our commitment to working together and helping to the best of our abilities was unwavering. These Letters of Commendation recognize the exceptional service, dedication, and relentless efforts displayed by these teams during and after the incident. We are dedicated to collaboration and serving our community with all our hearts. This recognition reaffirms our shared mission.
Our heartfelt congratulations go out to the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office, the Office of Emergency Management, Devin Neeley, Kristi Hughes, and everyone who played pivotal roles during this challenging time. Your commitment exemplifies the very best of San Juan County.
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San Juan County is Hiring!
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Are you looking for a fulfilling career where you can Build A Stronger Community?
See our current openings at SJCounty.net/jobs |
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ECHO Food Drive Challange
Each year, the Cities of Aztec, Bloomfield, and Farmington, and San Juan County join together for the biggest food drive of the year for the ECHO Food Bank. The winner gets bragging rights and the Mr. Potato Head Trophy!
This year from October 16 though November 15, there will be food collection points at city and county buildings. Drop off food to support your favorite local government and the ECHO Food Bank!
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