Pikes Peak Regional Office of Emergency Management (PPROEM) officials today briefed both the El Paso County Board of Commissioners and the Colorado Springs City Council on the beginning of a multiagency project to design a regional Advanced Evacuation Plan.
The Advanced Evacuation Plan will focus on three key areas to enhance public safety for those living in the Pikes Peak region:
- Data-driven: The plan will leverage technology, including Ladris — an AI tool that supports public safety agencies with emergency planning — along with data to inform evacuation scenarios and enhance decision making.
- Locally informed: Strategies and tactics will be developed by the local agencies and organizations responsible for their implementation.
- Lessons learned: The plan will incorporate best practices and lessons from recent wind-driven wildfires, including improvements in the alert process.
“We place a high priority on continual improvement of emergency management and response in the Pikes Peak Region,” said Andrew Notbohm, PPROEM’s Executive Director. “Our region is well equipped and prepared to respond to wildfires, and this new effort will strengthen our evacuation capabilities.”
“Our approach to evacuation must continue to evolve to address the threat of rapidly moving, wind-driven fires,” said Commissioner Carrie Geitner, Chair of the Board of County Commissioners. “By leveraging technology, local expertise, and lessons learned in the advanced planning process, we can implement data-informed strategies that enhance regional coordination and help protect the safety of our residents.”
The planning effort includes fire departments, law enforcement, traffic management, and other agencies throughout the Pikes Peak Region. It utilizes grant funding from the State Internet Port Authority (SIPA).
“Public safety is one of the most important responsibilities of local government,” said Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade. “Wildfires remain the most significant natural disaster threat to our region, and that demands we be both prepared and proactive. Our investment in advanced evacuation planning and innovative operational tools reflects a forward-thinking, data-informed approach—one that strengthens our ability to respond swiftly, effectively, and with precision. At the heart of this work is a simple truth: this is about saving lives and building long-term resilience through innovation and collaboration.”
Initial stakeholder engagement across participating agencies began in late 2024. Internal training will continue throughout 2025, with anticipated completion in November 2025.
Community members can learn more about PPROEM’s advanced evacuation planning, as well as how residents can prepare before, during and after an evacuation, at PPROEM.com/EvacuationPlanning.