RENO COUNTY- Reno County Commission Chair Ron Hirst signed a local disaster emergency proclamation on Wednesday, which will remain in effect for seven days.
The Reno County Board of Commissioners will vote on whether to extend it at next Tuesday’s meeting. The previous disaster declaration expired on June 30, at a time when Reno County COVID-19 cases were down to nine. With active cases back up over 600 this week, the disaster declaration will allow Reno County to procure resources from the state if needed.
A local disaster proclamation does NOT implement a mask mandate or any other restrictions on the community. There are currently 84 other Kansas counties that have an active disaster declaration in place.
A state of local disaster emergency may be declared by the Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners upon finding that a disaster has occurred, or the threat of one is imminent. The local disaster declaration shall activate the response and recovery aspects of the county’s Emergency Operations Plan. By declaring a local disaster, the county can request assistance from the state once local resources and contracts have been expended. This will ensure easier procurement of resources.
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Reno County has received pharmaceuticals, ventilators, testing supplies, personal protective equipment, non-congregate sheltering, and ventilators from the State.
If your organization is in need of personal protective equipment, please fill out and email the online form at https://www.renogov.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=139, or call 620-694-2793 for additional information.