County-wide Emergency Disaster Drill Saturday

Thursday, September 17, 2015 at 12:00 AM

A simulated disaster drill, sponsored by PRAXAIR, will be held in San Juan County on Saturday (September 19, 2015).

COUNTY WIDE EMERGENCY DISASTER DRILL – Saturday, September 19, 2015

Aztec, NM – A simulated disaster drill, sponsored by PRAXAIR, will be held in San Juan County on Saturday (September 19, 2015). In coordination with PRAXAIR, San Juan County Office of Emergency Management will be testing local emergency response agencies from Farmington along with County and State agencies, to determine how well they can collectively respond to emergencies when resources are called to multiple locations throughout the county.

The simulation will take place simultaneously in four locations, the Four Corners Regional Airport, San Juan College West in Kirtland, Navajo Prep, San Juan County Emergency Operations Center in Aztec, and San Juan Regional Medical Center. Activities are scheduled to begin at 7:00am and should be completed by 1:00pm. During that time, the public can expect to see emergency responders in full gear and view police, fire, and ambulances traveling with lights and sirens to and from the four locations above. Businesses near the sites will be open as usual.

Please be aware of the increased responder traffic in these areas and contact Police and Fire Dispatch only if you are experiencing an emergency. Remember, this is only the simulation of a disaster.

The object of the drill is to create realistic conditions for responders for the best training experience possible and to determine how well prepared area emergency response agencies are to deal with a major emergency in the San Juan County area. “It is important for the County to participate in exercises such as these,” explained Don Cooper, San Juan County Emergency Manager. “It not only helps us to prepare for what to do in the event of a real emergency, but it also provides another avenue for various agencies in San Juan County to train together and continue building stronger relationships.”

The following agencies are expected to participate: PRAXAIR, San Juan County Office of Emergency Management, San Juan County Sheriff’s Office, San Juan County Fire Department, San Juan County Communication Authority, San Juan Regional EMS, City of Farmington, Farmington Police Department, Farmington Fire Department, New Mexico National Guard, New Mexico State Police, San Juan College, San Juan Regional Medical Center, Navajo Prep High School, Four Corners Regional Airport and the Red Cross.

More from Local News

SJRMC & San Juan College agree to expand Nursing Program

Full-time nursing faculty members will receive a $10,000 annual stipend on top of their base salary to enhance the program’s capacity. In addition, students will have an opportunity to enter into an agreement with SJRMC to receive a substantial $4,800 living stipend per semester,
Downtown Farmington gets National Main Street Accreditation

Historic Downtown Farmington’s performance was evaluated through assessments conducted by the organization’s personnel and board of directors, and New Mexico MainStreet, which works in partnership with Main Street America to identify local programs that meet rigorous national community evaluation standards.
Man Arrested for Fruitland Murder

Following verbal arguments at the house of Adrian Begay (age 45), De Andre Julian (age 23) left with his girlfriend, Adrian Begay’s daughter, Adriana Begay (age 21) to a nearby residence. Adrian Begay followed them to the exterior of the residence when De Andre Julian produced a handgun and shot Adrian Begay multiple times in the chest at close range.
Arrest Made in Farmington Killing

After a lengthy investigation, Ms. Greenfield’s death was determined to be a homicide and detectives identified 27-year-old Serrono Rippingale as the suspect. On June 26th, 2025, an arrest warrant for Murder (2nd degree felony) and Tampering with Evidence (3rd degree felony) was obtained and served on Serrono Rippingale.
Farmington Hires New Museum Director

“Nathan’s expertise in the museum industry, combined with his global perspective and passion for community engagement, make him a tremendous asset to Farmington,” said Christa Chapman, Director of Cultural Affairs. “We’re excited to see how his leadership will shape the future of the Farmington Museum System.”
San Juan Co. Child Contracts Measles

While the child caught measles outside San Juan County, people may have been exposed to this latest case of measles at the following locations, days and times: San Juan Regional Medical Center Emergency Room, 801 West Maple Street in Farmington on the following days and times: Monday, May 26 from 10:30 p.m. - Tuesday, May 27 at 4:15 a.m. Wednesday, May 28 from 2 - 4 p.m. San Juan Regional Medical Center Health Partners Pediatrics Clinic, 407 South Schwartz, Suite 102 in Farmington: Friday, May 30 from 8:15 - 10:30 a.m.