Show your appreciation for emergency management

     Gov. Kim Reynolds has proclaimed Sept. 21-25 Emergency Management Appreciation Week.

     Her timing is quite perfect in acknowledging the emergency management personnel across Iowa.

     Not only have these people been helping Iowans dealing with coronavirus since mid-March, but specifically in this neck of the woods, they’ve been taking charge for those affected by the derecho in August.

     Jones County Emergency Management Coordinator Brenda Leonard has done just that.

     Brenda has attended every single Jones County Supervisor meeting since day one reporting on her department’s involvement with combating COVID-19. If she were absent at all, it was because she took a very-much-needed vacation recently. But she’ll be the first to tell you that despite being on a vacation, she still answered her phone every time it rang.

     Brenda has been working alongside Jones County Public Health when it came to COVID-19. It was her office that has literally been securing and storing PPE for those entities in need. Local hospitals, care facilities, schools, doctors offices, dentists, and more would not have received the PPE needed to conduct business and stay in business had it not been for her assistance.

     And when the derecho hit Anamosa and southern Jones County on Aug. 10, Brenda took on more work and still continued her duties with COVID.

     Brenda will be the first to tell you that the frustrating part of her job are the rules put in place, not by her, but by the state and federal government when it comes to helping those impacted by such things as a pandemic or a storm. Her hands are tied when agencies such as FEMA implements certain rules and regulations that she has to follow. Unfortunately, much of that unfair blame is placed on her and not on those directly in charge.

     Aside from COVID-19 and the derecho, Brenda’s job also entails helping county residents impacted by floods and tornadoes. Jones County and Monticello are no strangers to floods.

     According to Gov. Reynolds’ office, Iowa’s emergency managers have responded to 45 federally declared disasters over the last 30 years.

     Brenda’s job is overseen by a volunteer board who also dedicate their time to making sure people have the resources they need in a time of need following a natural disaster. So while Jones County Emergency Management is an office of one, the job is certainly not done alone.

     This week, be sure to learn more about what emergency management does locally and statewide. Know how to contact Brenda Leonard if you’re in need of her services. And thank Brenda Leonard for her tireless work ethic, working hard for the people of Jones County. (K.N.B.)