Taylor County Emergency Management

08/21/2026

Emergency management is one of the few professions where success often goes unnoticed.

You don’t always see the plans, partnerships, training, and coordination that take place long before a disaster strikes. You may not see the work happening behind the scenes to help prevent a crisis from becoming something larger—or the efforts that continue throughout the response and long after the immediate emergency has passed.

Emergency management is so much more than disaster response. It’s about preparedness, mitigation, response, recovery, partnerships, and helping our communities become stronger and more resilient.

Do you know your Emergency Manager?

Take a few minutes to learn more about what Taylor County Emergency Management does and how we help prepare our community for whatever comes our way.

👉 Learn more: https://co.taylor.wi.us/departments/em/



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08/21/2026

Emergency management is about more than responding when disasters happen — it’s about planning, preparing, and building partnerships before an emergency occurs.

As we recognize Emergency Management Awareness Month, take a moment to learn more about the important role emergency management plays in keeping our communities safe.

From severe weather preparedness and emergency planning to coordination with first responders, government agencies, businesses, and residents — emergency management works behind the scenes every day to help Taylor County be ready.

A prepared community is a resilient community.

Thank you to all of our partners, first responders, volunteers, and community members who help make Taylor County stronger and safer.

August is National Emergency Management Awareness Month. Disaster...

08/19/2026

Why I’m an Emergency Manager

I didn’t set out to become an Emergency Manager at first — I grew into it because of the leaders who mentored me and showed me what this work can truly do. From my start as a volunteer firefighter in Grafton in 2004 to roles in EMS, dispatch, hazmat, and now county emergency management, I’ve learned that preparedness isn’t just about plans and equipment — it’s about people.

In the spring of 2018, severe flooding swept across southeastern Wisconsin. I saw how neighbors, churches, and organizations came together to help, and I knew I wanted to be part of that kind of response. With a small group from my church, we formed the Lutheran Emergency Response Team (LERT), a network of trained volunteers ready to assist during disasters. Today, in my role as Taylor County’s Emergency Management Director, I’m building another team — the Taylor County Medical Reserve Corps — to provide trained support during both blue-sky days and times of crisis.

I’m an Emergency Manager because I believe in building resilience before the storm clouds gather. I’ve seen how a single moment of preparation can save lives, and how coordinated teamwork can turn fear into action. Every plan I design, every drill I run, and every outreach program I lead is a step toward making my community safer.

I do this work because in an emergency, seconds matter, information matters, and people matter most. My role means being the calm in the middle of the storm — guiding, coordinating, and supporting so others can focus on staying safe.

Ultimately, I believe hope is something you can operationalize — in the evacuation plan that works, the shelter that’s ready before it’s needed, and the communities that rebuild stronger than before. Someone once invested in me, and now I get to pay it forward by helping my community stay ready, resilient, and strong.

08/17/2026

📢 Today's the Day! We Want Your Input!

The Taylor County All-Hazard Mitigation Plan Public Open House is happening today, and we invite you to stop by and help shape the future of disaster preparedness in Taylor County.

📅 Today
🕛 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
📍 Taylor County Community Center
Hwy 13 & Hwy 64 – Taylor County Fairgrounds

This is your opportunity to:
✅ Learn about the 2026–2030 All-Hazard Mitigation Plan
✅ Review proposed goals and projects
✅ Share your ideas and concerns
✅ Help identify the hazards that matter most to your community

Hazard mitigation is about taking action before disasters happen to reduce risks, protect lives, strengthen infrastructure, and build a more resilient Taylor County.

Whether you're a resident, business owner, elected official, farmer, first responder, or community stakeholder, your feedback is valuable and will help guide mitigation efforts over the next five years.

If you can't stay for the entire hour, that's okay—stop in when you can!

We look forward to hearing your ideas and working together to make Taylor County stronger and more prepared.

https://nwrpc.com/DocumentCenter/View/3918/Taylor-County-HMP-2026_DRAFT?bidId=

08/12/2026

🚨 Ever Wonder What Emergency Management Really Does? 🚨

Join us for an Emergency Management Open House & Office Hours during National Emergency Management Appreciation Month!

📅 Wednesday, August 12
🕙 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
📍 Taylor County Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
📱 Can't make it in person? Join us virtually on Microsoft Teams!

This isn't a formal presentation—it's an opportunity to stop in when it's convenient, stay as long as you'd like, and have a conversation about Emergency Management.

Come learn:
🚨 What Emergency Management does before, during, and after disasters
🗺️ How the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) supports emergency response
📡 How we monitor severe weather and coordinate emergency communications
📋 How planning and partnerships help keep Taylor County prepared
🤝 Volunteer opportunities through the Taylor County Medical Reserve Corps
❓ Ask questions and meet your Emergency Management Director

Whether you're a resident, elected official, first responder, business owner, or simply curious about Emergency Management, we'd love to meet you.

No registration is required. Just stop by anytime between 10:00 a.m. and noon!

Together, we can build a more prepared, resilient, and safer Taylor County.

08/05/2026

We are facing a national blood crisis, with summer blood donations falling to a four-year low. Your help is needed now to avoid surgery delays, postponed cancer treatments and strained emergency care.

Just three more donors at each blood drive this summer can end this crisis and stabilize the blood supply. Please don’t wait. Book an appointment to give blood now: https://rdcrss.org/4fQAcCu

08/05/2026

🚨 Your Voice Matters! Help Shape Taylor County's Future. 🚨

Taylor County Emergency Management is inviting residents, businesses, community organizations, and local leaders to review the Draft 2026–2030 Taylor County All-Hazard Mitigation Plan and share your feedback.

📅 Public Open House
Monday, August 17, 2026
🕛 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
📍 Taylor County Community Center
Hwy 13 & Hwy 64 – Taylor County Fairgrounds

Hazard mitigation is about reducing the impacts of disasters before they happen. Your input helps us identify local risks and prioritize projects that make our communities safer and more resilient.

The plan addresses hazards such as:
❄️ Winter storms
🌪️ Tornadoes
🌊 Flooding
🔥 Wildfires
🦠 Communicable diseases
⚠️ And many other natural and human-caused hazards.

Can't attend? No problem! You can review the draft plan online by scanning the QR code on the flyer and submit your comments before the meeting.

This is your opportunity to help guide Taylor County's priorities for the next five years. We hope to see you there!

08/03/2026

☕ Start Your Morning with Taylor County Emergency Management!

As part of National Emergency Management Appreciation Month, you're invited to join us for Coffee Break with the Emergency Manager!

📅 Monday, August 3
🕗 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
📍 Ziggi's Coffee
1260 N. 8th Street, Medford

This is an informal, drop-in event where you can enjoy a cup of coffee and learn more about how Emergency Management helps protect Taylor County before, during, and after disasters.

Whether you're a resident, business owner, elected official, first responder, or simply curious about what Emergency Management does, we'd love to meet you!

Stop by to:
☕ Meet your Emergency Management Director
💬 Ask questions about emergency preparedness and disaster response
🚨 Learn about emergency alerts, severe weather, and community preparedness
🤝 Discover volunteer opportunities, including the Taylor County Medical Reserve Corps
📚 Pick up free emergency preparedness resources

No presentations. No registration. Just great conversations over coffee.

We hope to see you Monday morning!

08/01/2026

🎥 What Does an Emergency Manager Really Do?

When most people think about emergencies, they picture firefighters, EMS, law enforcement, or public works crews responding to the scene. But have you ever wondered who helps coordinate it all?

This video does a great job explaining the role of Emergency Management and why planning before a disaster is just as important as responding during one.

Emergency Management is about much more than responding to disasters. We work year-round to:
✅ Identify local hazards and reduce risks
✅ Develop emergency plans
✅ Coordinate training and exercises
✅ Support first responders and partner agencies
✅ Manage resources during emergencies
✅ Help communities recover after disasters

Most of the work happens before an emergency ever makes the headlines—and that's exactly how we want it. Good planning, strong partnerships, and community preparedness help make disasters less disruptive and recovery faster. Emergency managers serve as the coordinators who bring agencies, organizations, and resources together before, during, and after an incident.

Throughout National Emergency Management Appreciation Month, we'll continue sharing what Emergency Management does and how it helps keep Taylor County prepared, resilient, and ready.

What happens if your community doesn't have an emergency manager? T...