FLAGSTAFF – On November 19, 2019 Northern Arizona First Responder Agencies held their annual Winter Preparedness meeting at the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office. Agencies in attendance included Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, Department of Public Safety, Flagstaff Police Department, Arizona Game and Fish, Highlands Fire Department, United States Forest Service, and representatives from Arizona Snowbowl and the Nordic Village.
Topics of discussion included, coordinated response of the above agencies, sharing of winter specific resources, impacts of upcoming winter storms, snow play and parking issues along
Highway 180, Kachina Village, Munds Park and other areas throughout the County; and response to lost or injured recreationists, hunters, Christmas tree cutters, and skiers.
Coconino County also would like to take this opportunity to remind the public of the Winter Parking Ordinance which went into effect on November 1, 2019. The Winter Parking Ordinance prohibits parking on County roadways between the dates of November 1st and April 1st on a 24-hour basis to assist in snow removal. For more information on the parking ordinance visit
https://coconino.az.gov/1945/Winter-Parking-Information.
With winter approaching, Northern Arizona First Responder agencies want to remind all residents and visitors to be personally prepared for the conditions when traveling or recreating in Northern Arizona. This includes knowing travel routes, weather conditions, carrying emergency items in your vehicle, and being wearing and carrying appropriate clothing and gear when outdoors. Always leave detailed travel and recreation plans with a responsible friend or family member.
The Search and Rescue Unit would like to remind motorists to not blindly trust vehicle GPS or smartphone mapping tools when traveling. It is important to pay attention to road signs and road conditions to determine if the route suggested is a practical one. In many cases, especially in the winter, the GPS and smartphone apps do not take into account the weather or road maintenance and many motorists following those apps become lost or stranded due to the conditions.