County emergency manager outlines new Type 3 team, sheltering and plan for a regional emergency operations center

Steven Lopez, the emergency manager working under a cooperative agreement between Dona Ana County and the City of Las Cruces, told the council on April 8 that OEM is expanding regional capabilities and seeking updated governance and facilities to match modern needs.

Lopez said the office is preparing to stand up a Type 3 All‑Hazards Incident Management Team with local agency commitments and position‑specific training already underway; he described it as the first such team in New Mexico. He said the state committed $25,000 toward an upcoming training course (OEM will cover the remaining $15,000).

The city/county contract has not materially changed since 2001, Lopez and Deputy Chief Mike Daniels said, and staff recommended updating the cooperative agreement as either a joint powers agreement (JPA) — which creates clearer oversight and a director reporting to a board — or an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) that could be executed more quickly. Daniels said a JPA would provide the most clarity and transparency, while an IGA would be faster but may not secure consistent funding from all stakeholders.

On operations and facilities, Lopez said the county and state have committed funding for a new emergency operations center and administrative facility: $1,500,000 in congressionally directed spending through FEMA BRIC, $960,000 through the state's ICIP, and more than $10,000,000 in county funding. The lease is signed for property just south of the NMSU golf course; the planned facility includes a warehouse, a training classroom, a backup dispatch center that can support at least 10 dispatcher workstations, and an EOC space sized for about 100 people.

Lopez described improvements to sheltering capabilities: the County Fairgrounds has been selected as a permanent site with capacity to shelter at least 500 people and is suitable for handling animal sheltering needs (including large animals). OEM also maintains two large insulated mobile tents for isolated sheltering, and staff are meeting with the Animal Services Center to coordinate animal disaster plans.

On planning and grants, Lopez said Title Basin has been selected through a competitive process to update the all‑hazards emergency operations plan; the County Flood Commission has agreed to fund an update to the all‑hazard mitigation plan. He said OEM will intentionally begin work in the new fiscal year (July 1) to avoid crossing fiscal years on grant administration.

Budget and equipment notes: Lopez said OEM relies heavily on grants (Emergency Management Performance Grant) to cover nearly half of salary and benefits for emergency management staff. He disclosed the agency’s computers are seven years old or older; the office plans a five‑year replacement cycle and a modest WebEOC enhancement to improve data exchange with the state and White Sands Missile Range.

Council reaction and next steps: Councilors generally supported pursuing a JPA for oversight clarity while acknowledging the longer process. Staff asked the council for a recommendation to proceed; staff will return with drafting steps and timelines and will coordinate stakeholder engagement. The work session concluded with a procedural motion to adjourn, which the council approved by roll call.