Storm shows thankfulness

They say Being an Emergency Manager, a public servant, is a thankless job — after what I have seen during this Snowstorm, I am utterly THANKFUL that I live here in Lincoln County and I work with the folks that I work with because the snow event has proven that we are a true community and that we do care about all those in Lincoln County.

During this long week, I have had the pleasure of not only working with my County and City of Libby counterparts, law enforcement and public works, but I have developed more relationships with other entities in hopes of getting a uniform message out to the residents of the county…. People like Eureka Public Schools, the Town of Eureka, Troy Public School, The City of Troy, Isaiah Williams with TFS Fire Department, The Kootenai Valley Christian School, Craig Barringer and the Libby Public School District and Flathead Electric.... all of these people and more communicated at odd hours of the day and night to make sure residents had information for travel, safety, closures, schools, etc… and it’s just very impressive to be a part of this communication strategy…

Creating the EMA Facebook page was initially started for emergency information during the 2015 fires but I cannot believe how it has taken off… I am so happy people use it, share it and send questions to it… When I see a THANK YOU from residents it really warms my heart that I am doing some good for someone, not just sitting behind a keyboard updating a post, weather update or school closure, or when I am out driving by a creek to look at it, drop off sand bags, etc… I may actually be helping, and that is what makes me smile!!!

EMA is a 24/7 job, and it is a job that I LOVE…

Thank you departments, agencies, and citizens of Lincoln County, you really make me feel that I have a home!!! Thank you to everyone!!!

Lisa Oedewaldt

Deputy Emergency Manager and Proud citizen of Lincoln County