Featured Department
New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Nearing Completion of Sheltering Initiative
.jpg)
Los Alamos residents seek shelter at an Española Red Cross Shelter during the Las Conchas Fire in 2011
As witnessed in last year’s fire season, emergencies occur that can displace entire communities. During the Las Conchas Fire, over 12,000 people were evacuated from Los Alamos County. In order to accommodate the large flow of people and the sheltering needs, resources from other counties were routed to areas surrounding Los Alamos where shelters could be established.
Because of this success, the Department of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (DHSEM) began an initiative to increase the state’s ability to deploy sheltering supplies to areas impacted by emergencies. In partnership with counties and municipalities, trailers equipped with cots, blankets, weather radios, battery-powered lanterns, and first aid kits will be stationed along the I-25, I-40, and I-10 corridors.
As a result of this new initiative, the State and local partners will be able to support an additional 3,600 individuals that may seek emergency shelter during wild fires, interstate closures, power outages, or any other emergency or disaster that could impact New Mexico.
All equipment will be operational by September 30, 2012 and available for deployment state-wide.