By Karen Gleason
Area leaders say in case of a disaster, Del Rio and Val Verde County should be able to maintain critical operations and serve citizens for at least two weeks.
That was the general consensus and the working goal of the four groups of elected leaders who met in a rare joint meeting in the Del Rio High School cafeteria on Thursday, April 15.
The meeting included Val Verde County Judge Lewis G. Owens Jr. and members of Val Verde County Commissioners Court, Del Rio Mayor Bruno “Ralphy” Lozano and members of the Del Rio City Council, School Superintendent Dr. Carlos Rios and members of the San Felipe Del Rio Consolidated Independent School District (SFDRCISD) Board of Trustees and Linda Walker, chief executive officer of Val Verde Regional Medical Center and elected members of the Val Verde Regional Medical Center Board of Directors.
SFDRCISD Board President Raymond P. Meza welcomed those attending the event, as did Lozano, who called the joint meeting “the first step in a long-term vision.”
The mayor also told the group the council has discussed the winter storm event that left thousands of Del Rioans without electric power and the city without water, pinpointing the city’s needs in emergencies and recognizing shortfalls.
Owens praised the close working relationship of the county commissioners court.
Each of the elected leaders who spoke shared stories of how they worked with other entities to overcome the challenges created by the winter weather emergency.
Meza said one of the school district’s major focuses during disaster situations is continuing to serve children with special needs who receive important services through the district.
Dr. Aurelio Laing, who sits on the hospital board, said he hoped all of the governmental entities could agree to meet quarterly to discuss their ongoing efforts.
Walker added the hospital has begun efforts, including a comprehensive internal review, toward keeping the hospital and its services fully operational during disasters. She said her administrators have identified “multiple areas” where improvements or upgrades are needed and said she looks forward to partnering with the other entities.
Lozano discussed some of the events for which the area must prepare, noting that a strong hurricane season is predicted for later in 2021 and emphasized the need for strategic planning.
Walker said she and her staff are looking at “how we can improve every department,” adding effective and uninterrupted communication is a key to successful operation during emergencies.
She also noted the hospital learned during recent emergencies that some of its generators need to be upgraded or replaced and that an independent water source and a way to pressurize that water is key for the area’s many dialysis patients.
Owens said the court already has discussed setting aside funding for generators for cell towers and noted a number of private business owners “stepped up” during the winter emergency to provide fuel and other materials.
He said the court has earmarked $1 million for the construction of a centralized food facility.
“Our thinking is that a little bit of planning now will go a long way later,” Owens told the group.
County Commissioner Pct. 3 Beau Nettleton said “everyone locally did a phenomenal job” during the weather emergency, adding, “The state and the federal government were not in a position to help us, and we have to be ready to deal with situations by ourselves for at least seven to 14 days.”
Rios suggested that each entity designate one administrator and one elected official to meet on a more regular basis and to come up with a plan to sustain the community for seven to 14 days.
“It will take all of us to do it,” Rios said.
Mayor Pro-Tem Alfredo “Fred” Carranza Jr. told the group the city council is looking at spending about $6 million on generators for its water treatment and wastewater treatment plants.
It was the consensus of those present to create an emergency operations subcommittee.
Lozano suggested the entire group meet again later in the year to assess progress.
“We need to work at becoming self-reliant, at least for some period of time,” Lozano said.
The group agreed, and the four entities are expected to meet again in August or September.
