Weston County commissioners reviewed a suite of emergency-preparedness documents and discussed clarifications to who can order evacuations, where disaster debris will be taken and logistical gaps such as refrigerated storage for multiple fatalities.

The county’s emergency planner, Gilbert, summarized revisions to the debris management plan and other local emergency documents and told commissioners the most significant change was the debris destination: the county’s plan now directs certain disaster waste to the solid waste district instead of the county landfill.

The briefing covered the “who, how and where” of debris collection after a tornado or similar event. Gilbert said the county had identified collection and drop-off points and that the only material change was “changing it from the county landfill to the solid waste district.” He also noted exceptions for items the district cannot accept.

Commissioners pressed for clarity about evacuation authority and legal exposure. One commissioner asked whether signing the evacuation protocol would mean the chair could unilaterally order mandatory evacuations. Gilbert replied that the plan cites recent state statutes allowing elected officials to order evacuations and that the updated language gives the board “the authority to order an evacuation.” He also told the board that, in practice, the incident commander or first responders would initiate immediate life‑safety evacuations; commissioners would be asked to make longer-term or official declarations.

The briefing also reviewed mass‑fatality planning. Gilbert said the county’s threshold for a mass‑fatality incident is “anything that’s considered over three deaths,” and emphasized limits on local refrigerated storage for decedents. He said the county maintains memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with other Wyoming counties and the state to request refrigerated trailers or other resources rather than assuming county funding for large‑scale mortuary logistics.

Other items discussed included the continuity of operations plan (updated every two years), a family‑reunification overview (meeting points and reunification procedure), and long‑term power‑outage planning. Gilbert and commissioners described long‑term outages as those lasting “over 72 hours” and said planning focuses on fuel access for first responders, which fuel tanks are prioritized, and which businesses (for example grocery stores and fuel stations) have backup generators.

Commissioners asked for additional training and workshops. One commissioner asked for an afternoon workshop to review fiduciary responsibilities and the county’s role during disasters; another urged that the county make more public, high‑level overviews available while keeping detailed reunification plans restricted for safety. Gilbert said he would arrange trainings for the board and department heads and that the plans are routinely shared with local fire chiefs, public health and the sheriff’s office for review.

Discussion also touched on grant funding. Gilbert said he had submitted nine grants this year — including a grant application for an $85,000 generator for the courthouse — and warned that a federal government shutdown had closed some grant portals temporarily, delaying reimbursements.

The discussion ended with commissioners asking staff to tidy several administrative items in the plan drafts and to bring any substantive policy questions back for further review or as agenda items in future meetings.