Virginia Starrett speaks at a preparedness event on April 20. Photo special to The R-C by Paige Shaw
The Douglas County Republican Women hosted a disaster preparedness event on April 20 at Valley Christian Fellowship. More than 100 residents showed up to learn how to be prepared in any emergency.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Post 2105 Honor Guard presented the Colors. Two DCSO K-9 handlers brought in their K-9s, Bubba, a male black and tan German shepherd cross, and Lagatha, a female yellow Labrador retriever. The crowd went wild over the well-trained, beautiful K-9s.
The first of the three keynote speakers, Sheriff Dan Coverley, a Nevada native, spoke about Douglas County having plans for the inevitable natural disasters such as fires and floods. He assured the audience that he and his deputies are always on call to our community. If you call the DCSO you will always have a deputy at your door or accident scene ready to assist.
Douglas County’s Emergency Manager Kara Easton is also a native Nevadan having spent most of her life in Las Vegas where she graduated with her executive masters in crisis, and emergency management. Easton came to Douglas County and hit the ground running in her current position in 2023 right after the Atmospheric River incident. Easton is the go-to person who oversees the emergency management program, the emergency communication center, and the telecommunications and radio division.
The final speaker, Jim Williams, has worked to organize and coordinate neighborhoods against the threat of emergencies and disasters since 2011. He has been recognized by both fire districts and law enforcement offices for his efforts. He founded a Neighborhood Watch program where there are now more than a thousand volunteer participants. He is also a key to Train the Trainer in Neighborhood Emergency Preparedness.
The Douglas County Republican Women recognized and thanked the following businesses who contributed to the success of the event: The Chocolate Shoppe, Max’s Pet Shop, Nailology, Candlelight & Roses, Nyona’s Hair & Nails, Dancing Deer in Genoa, Justice of the Peace Candidate Laurie Trotter, and Millennium Medical & Spa Suites.
The DCRW meets the first Wednesday of every month at VCF located at 1681 Lucerne St., Minden. For more information about the organization, email dcrwnv@gmail.com.
