Through this hard time, we have seen Utah's counties join together to service each other's needs of transportation, medical care, food, education and security. We have realized the amount of support and number of volunteers it takes to do everything from handling the media, directing traffic, coordinating rescue efforts and providing security for families in need.
The Utah Association of Counties would like to acknowledge and honor the heroic efforts of both Emery and Carbon counties, especially the county commissioners and the sheriff's offices that have provided a great deal of protection to the residents while coordinating elements of the rescue efforts. This disaster has shown the importance of counties coming together and protecting the families and their well-being in times of crises.
Tragedies are not the ideal way to bring people together, but Emery and Carbon counties have proven that county lines do not separate families, friends and residents. The support that everyone has shown is a clear definition of what our state values, which is offering a helping hand when someone is in need.
The security and control of the people who surrounded Crandall Canyon was vital to public safety. The Emery County Sheriff's Office, led by Sheriff Lamar Guymon, provided security with assistance from the state Department of Public Safety, the Utah Highway Patrol and the Carbon County Sheriff's Office.
The Emery County commissioners, Sheriff Guymon and his deputies divided their time and efforts among the schools, mine and medical facilities. In helping coordinate the rescue efforts, the sheriff's office had deputies at the mine site at all times to supply support materials to the command posts.
The Carbon County Sheriff's Office and Sheriff Jim Cordova provided assistance to Emery County, which included supplying a mobile command unit. They helped with security efforts in the staging areas for officials who offered their support and provided numerous updates and news.
Through periods of waiting and times of distress, the counties' workforces, like the sheriffs' offices, have done a tremendous job in handling each task.
The Utah Association of Counties shares its sympathy along with everyone in Utah and knows that our counties' hope and support for each other stretches beyond their respective borders.
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* BRENT GARDNER is executive director of the Utah Association of Counties.
