Cortez schools and first responders last month practiced emergency procedures and communication in case of a disaster.
Specifically, they practiced responding to a scenario of a collision between a pickup and propane truck at the intersection of U.S. Highway 491 and Main Street, said Jamie Haukeness, director of safety and facilities for the Montezuma-Cortez School District Re-1.
“Having the chance for all of us to go through this drill in ‘slow motion’ and evaluate the event in a step-by-step process was incredibly helpful to all of us,” Haukeness said.
The practice was held Oct. 24 in the high school library. It came with a detailed timetable that included the initial report of the crash, evacuations and establishment of a reunification site.
Participants in the drill included the Cortez Fire Department, Cortez Police Department, Montezuma County Sheriff’s Department, Colorado State Patrol Hazmat Division, Cortez Parks and Recreation, Cortez Dispatch Center, Southwest Health Systems, SHS Emergency Medical Services, County Commissioner Jim Candelaria, the county’s Emergency Management System and Health Department, and the school district’s board and administrative officials.
ealvero @the-journal.com