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We help Adams County, Nebraska, manage emergencies!

When an emergency strikes, Adams County Emergency Management wants you and your family or business to be prepared! We can help you create an emergency plan and build a survival kit for such disasters as tornadoes, floods, severe winter storms, severe drought, chemical spill, fires, and more!

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NOTICE: If you are currently signed up with CodeRed, your service will expire on July 1, 2018. If you wish to continue receiving weather warning/community alerts, you will need to sign-up for AlertSense below.

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What does Adams County Emergency Management do?

We are a department of Adams County, Nebraska, serving all of Adams County including the city of Hastings and villages of Ayr, Holstein, Juniata, Kenesaw, Prosser, and Roseland. As an emergency management agency, we do much more than monitor the weather.

Some of the many things we do include:

  • Creating the Adams County Local Emergency Operations Plan and keeping it up-to-date.
  • Helping area families, businesses, schools and industries to create emergency disaster plans and assist them in practicing the plans when requested.
  • Conducting training and drills, testing equipment, and coordinating emergency-related activities with the communities we serve.
  • Setting up an Emergency Operations Center and serving as Incident Commanders or working with the Unified Command when disasters strike.
  • Assisting the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), which is committed to improving the public’s awareness of possible chemical hazards in Adams County, and to ensuring the proper resources and planning regarding the safety of our communities is in place.
  • Serving as the Local Homeland Security Coordinator by writing and administering Homeland Security grants received by the City of Hastings or Adams County.
  • Being a resource and support agency for other emergency services, and helping area agencies in developing and conducting emergency exercises.

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Our Staff
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Ron Pughes

Director

Ron Pughes is currently the Director for Adams County Emergency Management housed in The Hastings Nebraska Fire Department.

Ron has extensive knowledge in Disaster Response and Preparedness. Recognized for his efforts in Community Preparedness, Ron, in conjunction with the group he leads, The Medical Reserve Corps has received Local, State and National recognition for Community Preparedness, Innovation and Response.

Ron has spoken and taught to Nationwide audiences on community preparedness, funding and response. As a Nationally registered Paramedic/Fire Fighter, Ron has worked closely with both paid and volunteer departments in three states for over 20 years.

Ron has a Bachelor's of Science Degree with a focus in Emergency Management and Fire Science. Ron graduated Summa-Cum-Laude from Purdue University. On his off time, Ron enjoys spending time with his wife of over 25 years and son Johnny who is Nine. Ron also enjoys volunteering, raising livestock, camping and building construction.

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Dawna Whitcomb

Administrative Assistant

Dawna has been the Administrative Assistant with the Adams County Emergency Management Agency since July of 2013.
 

Most recently, she filled the role of Interim Director of Adams County Emergency Management until Ron was hired. Prior to her time with the agency, she was employed with JBS in Grand Island as an Accounting Specialist for 12 years. She also worked for the State of Nebraska, Department of Correctional Services, prior to moving to Hastings.
 

Dawna sits on the board of the Nebraska Association of Emergency Managers as the Central Region Area Director.
 

Dawna lives in Hastings with her husband, Brad, where she enjoys music, spending time with family and friends, and volunteering at church.

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Adams County Emergency Management

1313 N. Hastings
Hastings, NE 68901

Office: 402-461-2360
Fax: 402-461-2367

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