Disaster Preparedness in Colorado Mountain Towns: What Every Resident Needs to Know | Ep 5

Wildfire season in Colorado mountain towns is no longer a distant possibility, it is something communities must actively prepare for. In this episode of Real Estate in the Rockies, Ashley Kappel and Jessica Chariton sit down with Chaffee County Public Health Director Andrea Carlstrom to discuss wildfire preparedness, evacuation planning, emergency communication systems, air quality concerns, and what residents can do right now to protect their homes, families, pets, and communities.Andrea shares lessons learned from the Decker Fire, explains how emergency response systems work behind the scenes, and offers practical advice for creating evacuation plans, building a go kit, protecting older adults and vulnerable neighbors, and navigating disaster recovery after the immediate emergency is over.This conversation is essential listening for anyone living in Colorado mountain communities, rural areas, or wildfire-prone regions.In This Episode:Why wildfire preparedness matters now more than everWhat Chaffee County is doing behind the scenes to prepareHow the emergency response network actually worksWhat to include in a wildfire go kitWhy evacuation plans need backup plansThe importance of Everbridge emergency alertsHow wildfire smoke impacts mountain communitiesMistakes people make during evacuationsHow neighbors can support vulnerable residentsWhat disaster recovery looks like after reentryWhy community resilience matters in mountain townsKey Takeaway:“The time to plan and prepare is not during a disaster.” — Andrea CarlstromAndrea Carlstrom has served as the Director of Chaffee County Public Health for more than a decade, overseeing programs focused on public health, emergency preparedness, behavioral health, chronic disease prevention, aging well initiatives, and community resilience. Throughout her career, she has worked across multiple healthcare settings including behavioral health, pharmacy, and hospital administration. Andrea has played a key leadership role in emergency preparedness and disaster response efforts throughout Chaffee County, including wildfire response, public health coordination, and community resilience planning.Website: http://www.chaffeecounty.orgLink to Everbridge Emergency App: https://chaffeecounty.org/departments/sheriff/communications/everbridge.php FEMA Checklist for Disaster Preparednesshttps://www.fema.gov/pdf/areyouready/appendix_b.pdfReal Estate in the Rockies is the podcast exploring Colorado mountain real estate, housing, land use, development, zoning, community growth, and mountain living in Salida, Buena Vista, Chaffee County, and communities across the Rockies.Hosted by Colorado real estate attorney Ashley Kappel and local realtor Jessica Chariton, the show brings together developers, community leaders, housing experts, investors, and local voices to break down the conversations shaping mountain towns today.Whether you’re buying property in Colorado, navigating real estate development, exploring affordable housing challenges, or simply interested in the future of mountain communities, Real Estate in the Rockies delivers real conversations and local insight from the people living and working in these communities every day.Subscribe on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify for new episodes every week.Connect with Jessica: https://jessicachariton.homesmartpreferredrealty.com/Connect with Ashley: https://www.collegiatepeakslawandmediation.com/Please share this podcast with anyone who is interested in Real Estate development, Community Conversations about living in Colorado Mountain Towns.