Winneshiek County groups are making sure the area is prepared to respond to the next emergency

Members of the "Winneshiek Emergency Preparedness Coalition" say they're working to be ready to handle the next emergency.

Winneshiek County Public Health Department staffer Nancy Sacquitne and Winneshiek County Emergency Management Director Sean Snyder have told City of Decorah officials the community has "learned several lessons" from having to respond to 2008's flooding.

That experience has made officials serious about taking the necessary training to be able to handle future emergencies.  Snyder says the budget for the Federal Emergency Management Agency's response to emergencies has been trimmed in recent years, so FEMA officials have warned communities not to expect federal help for at least three days after any emergency.

City council members are being asked to take the necessary preparedness training--either individually or as a group.