Taylor County Emergency Management

10/23/2026

Sometimes, You Have to Ask the Right Question.

I had some great conversations at the Senior Health Fair! But I learned something important along the way: asking “What keeps you up at night?” can lead to stories, personal struggles, and the things weighing on people’s hearts and minds.

Those conversations matter, and I’m grateful people were willing to share. But as an Emergency Manager, I realized I needed to ask the question a little differently.

“What worries you most when it comes to emergencies or disasters?”

That shift helps me better understand the concerns people have about being prepared, getting help, receiving emergency alerts, transportation, or staying safe during a crisis and many more.

As I update Taylor County’s Integrated Preparedness Plan (IPP), I want to make sure the priorities I focus on reflect the real needs of our community — not just what I think those needs might be.

Emergency Management is more than responding when disaster strikes. It starts with listening, asking the right questions, and preparing with our community.

Sometimes, better preparedness starts with a better question.

10/21/2026

🎃 TAYLOR COUNTY EOC — STAFFING UPDATE! 🎃

When Emergency Management is a one-person shop, sometimes you have to get creative with staffing! 😂🧻

Meet our newest EOC specialist! Monitoring the screens, watching the situation unfold, and ready to respond at a moment’s notice.

✅ Never calls in sick
✅ Doesn’t complain about overtime
✅ Always available 24/7/365
✅ Already wrapped up in the job

⚠️ Only concern: He might fall apart under pressure! 💀😂

This spooky little scene is part of a Taylor County employee engagement activity, hosted by the Taylor County Employee Wellness Committee! 🎃👻 It’s a fun way to bring county employees together, spark some creativity, and enjoy a little Halloween spirit along the way.

Around here, we take emergency preparedness seriously… but we can still have a little fun doing it! 😂

Happy Halloween from Taylor County Emergency Management!

10/17/2026

🚨 National Move Over or Slow Down Day 🚨

💙 Taylor County, let’s look out for our own!

From our local firefighters and EMS crews to law enforcement, tow operators, and highway workers, these are our friends, family, and neighbors working to keep our communities safe.

🚗 Move over when safe and possible.
⚠️ Slow down and stay alert.
💙 Give them room to work and a safe path home.

The flashing lights you see could belong to someone you know. Let’s make sure everyone makes it home safely.

09/16/2026

09/11/2026

🇺🇸 September 11, 2001 — 25 Years Later

Twenty-five years have passed, but September 11, 2001, is a day we will never forget.

We remember the nearly 3,000 innocent lives taken that day. We remember the firefighters, police officers, EMS providers, military members, and ordinary citizens who ran toward the danger while others were running away.

We remember the families who said goodbye that morning and never got the chance to say hello again.

And we remember the days that followed—when our differences seemed smaller, our neighbors mattered a little more, and Americans stood together beneath one flag.

As an emergency manager, first responder, and firefighter, September 11 carries a special meaning for me. It is a reminder of the responsibility we carry to protect our communities, to answer the call, and to never forget the sacrifices made by those who came before us.

08/25/2026

Have you ever wondered what happens behind the scenes when disasters strike?

Join Taylor County Emergency Management for a tour of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and see where emergency response is coordinated during severe weather, large-scale incidents, and other emergencies.

📅 Tuesday, August 25
🕙 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
📍 Taylor County Courthouse
Emergency Operations Center (Lower Level)

During your visit, you'll:
🏛️ Tour the Emergency Operations Center
🗺️ Learn how emergency managers coordinate disasters
📡 See the technology used for weather monitoring, communications, and situational awareness
🤝 Discover how local, state, and federal partners work together during emergencies
❓ Ask questions and learn how Emergency Management supports Taylor County before, during, and after disasters

The EOC serves as the central hub for coordinating emergency response. It's where leaders from public safety, public health, public works, utilities, and other agencies come together to share information, make decisions, and ensure resources get where they're needed most.

Whether you're a resident, elected official, first responder, student, or simply interested in emergency preparedness, we invite you to stop by and see how Taylor County prepares for the unexpected.

No registration is required—drop in anytime between 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

We look forward to seeing you!

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=