 In the year 2024 we experienced the formation of the independent Office of Emergency Management. Due to reorganization efforts within the County, OEM was moved from the Santa Fe County Fire Department and placed under the authority of the County Managers Office and positions added. Since then, we have submitted our updated Hazard Mitigation Plan, and our Emergency Operations Plan. We have and are attending several continuing education courses, seminars, conferences in relation to public safety and emergency management. Furthermore, 2024 saw the creation of the Directors position, which was filled by Director Brad Call, who was brought aboard with experience in emergency management from Montana and Arizona.
OEM Coordinator, Ignacio Dominguez continues with us from Santa Fe County Fire Department Emergency Management. Ignacio brings a wealth of knowledge from the Santa Fe County Fire Department and Santa Fe County Regional Emergency Communications Center.
We then established two additional positions within the department, The Communications and Outreach Coordinator and Emergency Management Coordinator.
The Communications and Outreach Coordinator position was filled by Kyle Elliott. Kyle comes to us with years of experience, as a first responder in law enforcement in Santa Fe County and public health with prior military service.
The OEM Coordinator position has yet to be filled, but we have it narrowed down to several well qualified candidates.
Also in 2024, Director Call created an Emergency Operations Plan, an "All Hazards" approach, as promoted by FEMA. He also erected the L.E.P.C (Local Emergency Planning Committee) which meets quarterly. During our last L.E.P.C. meeting of 2024, attendees approved operating by-laws and at least 40 people were in attendance. We also added several voting members to the L.E.P.C. See our website for the dates and location of the meetings for 2025.
Finally, to close out 2024, we launched this quarterly newsletter starting in the final quarter of 2024 with much more to come!
On November 24th, 2024, a brush fire was reported in Stanley, in Santa Fe County. There was approximately 700 acres burned in Stanley. Affecting roughly 30 - 50 Santa Fe County residents.
We're glad to report, no injuries or livestock loss was reported.
This was a joint response. Those who assisted Santa Fe County Fire were City of Santa Fe Fire Department, Torrance County Fire Department, Bernalillo County Fire Department, State Forestry Service, Moriarty Fire Department, Santa Fe County Office of Emergency Management.
Emergency Management opened an evacuation shelter for residents, who had to be evacuated. The center was staffed by our OEM Director, Brad Call. Thank you, Brad!
Our OEM Coordinator, Ignacio Dominguez, was on scene assisting fire crews. The evacuation order was rescinded approximately an hour later, and the fire was knocked down and no longer an immediate danger to residents.
State Forest Service then took command of the scene and continued to put out hot spots throughout the evening and continued the investigation into the cause of the fire. A preliminary investigation indicates the fire was man-made, possibly from welding going on in the area.
We would like to thank all the neighboring agencies for such a quick response, despite high winds, they all were able to extinguish the blaze without any further incident. KUDOS to everyone involved in the response. We would also like to thank residents for their prompt reporting and cooperation with the fire services. Thank you!
 On December 12th, 2024, we had multiple small brush fires along I-25 North bound in Santa Fe County, shutting one lane of traffic. The brush fires were all quickly extinguished by Santa Fe County Fire units and City of Santa Fe Fire units. Thank you for all your help! It was a successful joint effort!
 Summer 2024 was a very active monsoon season!
On June 20th, 2024, the East Mountains area, including parts of Edgewood along Frost Road, NM344, and NM14, experienced severe microbursts. There were reports of possible funnel clouds, causing severe hail and high winds. The storm caused minor property damage and temporarily knocked out electricity for thousands of Santa Fe County residents.
Central New Mexico Electric Cooperative and PNM restored power to most residents by the end of the evening and into the early morning hours.
During the monsoon season, there was reports of lower, localized flooding in some parts of the county, to include communities along NM41 and NM14 and low-lying areas. There were no reports of injuries or property damage. We will take this time to remind residents to stay away from arroyos, acequia's, washes, culverts, floodplains and ditches, and other low water crossing water ways during rainstorms /thunderstorms. Even nearby rainstorms can cause deadly flash flooding.
On November 6th through the 9th, Winter Storm "Anya" arrived in New Mexico. This was an unseasonably early snowstorm, causing lower than normal temperatures, along with record snow fall for that time of year. Winter Storm Anya took most Santa Fe County residents by surprise.
Our Coordinator Ignacio assisted Santa Fe County staff with the opening of three warming centers across the county, for residents that were without power or heating ability. In partnership with our Community Services Department, we assisted three residents, in the east mountains area, who were in need of services, and we dispatched resources to the area.
We attended meetings with the National Weather Service, New Mexico Department of Transportation, NM State Emergency Management, and City of Santa Fe partners as well, just before Anya arrived.
New Mexico State Police shut down I-25 North at El Dorado, to protect the traveling public, as storm Anya traveled northeast out of the state. I-40 was closed from Santa Rosa in both directions, causing motorists to be stranded to Clines Corners. However, there were no reports of injuries or need of services by those motorists within Santa Fe County limits.
Governer Michelle Lujan Grisham declared a state of emergency, due to storm Anya.
Santa Fe County experienced record setting snowfall 6 - 24 inches in a 36-hour period.
Some Santa Fe County residents were without power for hours. However, power was fully restored and no injuries reported.
In the rest of the state, our neighbors to the south experienced two devastating forest fires and severe flooding. The Salt Fire and South Fork Fire in Ruidoso burned more than 24,754 acres. Over 1,400 structures were lost, 50% of which were personal residences, and sadly, two deaths were reported as a result of the fire. Early damage estimates are likely in the hundreds of millions of dollars. However, recovery efforts are still ongoing, and that number could grow.
During these fires, the State (EOC) Emergency Operations Center in Santa Fe contacted our office to assist in their EOC. Our Coordinator, Ignacio Dominguez, gladly answered that call. OEM Coordinator Ignacio worked at their EOC until he was properly relieved. He showed his tireless dedication not only to the county but also to the entire state. Thank you, Ignacio!
There was also severe flooding in Ruidoso on June 30th, immediately following the Salt and South Fork fires. At least 1 million dollars in damages were caused. The New Mexico National Guard rescued at least 100 people stuck in the flooding, with few injuries reported.
On October 19th, Roswell, New Mexico, experienced deadly flash flooding during severe Monsoons. Following unprecedented record rainfall, many vehicles were swept away. Unfortunately, claiming at least two lives. The New Mexico National Guard was called out and rescued at least 280 people, hospitalizing at least 38. Total estimates report about 400 residents were rescued during the event, while flooding caused millions of dollars in property damage. The National Weather Service reports that up to 6 inches of rain was dropped in one weather event, comparable to a 100-year flood, surpassing the previous record of 5.65 inches in 1901.
|
