JACKSON, Wyo. — Jackson Hole Fire/EMS recently hosted regional agencies for a two-day training course on planning and preparing for large-scale evacuation events.

Teton County said in a press release that the specialized training was led by the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), which consists of experts in firefighting, search and rescue, emergency medical services, terrorism response, hazardous materials spills, natural disasters and public safety law.

“Building good working relationships across jurisdictions is an important part in the planning and preparedness process,” JH Fire/EMS Chief Mike Moyer said in the statement. “Coordinating in advance allows us to respond swiftly and effectively when evacuation becomes necessary.” 

The 12 participating agencies examined real-world scenarios, exchanged best practices, and explored tools that assist with effective evacuations during wildfires, floods and other major emergencies. The training, which took place at the Fairgrounds on Nov. 5 an 6, is part of a larger effort to develop comprehensive evacuation plans, as outlined in Teton County’s 2024 Community Wildfire Protection Plan.

Regional agencies that participated in the training course include: JH Fire/EMS, Teton County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson Police Department, Teton Village Special Fire District, Sublette County Unified Fire, Alpine Fire District, Teton County Emergency Management, Teton County Transportation Manager, Teton County (Idaho) Emergency Management, Teton County (Idaho) Fire & Rescue, Grand Teton National Park and Bridger-Teton National Forest.

Monica is a Staff Reporter who studied journalism at Syracuse University and has been in the valley since 2015. She loves writing about the local food and bev scene, especially craft beer. When she’s not on the clock, you can find her paddle boarding, sewing, or whipping up a new recipe at home.