Wapello County Emergency Management Agency

11/03/2025

Calling All Veterans: Don’t Miss Our Mobile Distribution Event!
https://ottumwaradio.com/2025/11/calling-all-veterans-dont-miss-our-mobile-distribution-event/

10/31/2025

Contact us to help you unlock your inner superhero!

10/23/2025

Blakesburg- What in the world is that really tall pole doing by City Hall? Is it a camera? Nooo, Is it a Festivus pole? Noooo, it's the new Outdoor Warning Siren!! Mayor DeWild and the City Council has been working with us on this project. The City of Crawfordsville got a new siren and had a good one they were happy to share with a City similar to theirs. Our office was able to make the connections. Cities helping cities is the very best way to solve problems when needs arise. There are a couple small details to finish and then testing can occur. We will let you know!

10/22/2025

New CPR guidelines published today!

Need a summary of the 2025 AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC? Check out the 2025 Highlights, available in 19 languages: https://cpr.heart.org/en/resuscitation-science/guidelines-updates-and-highlights

10/17/2025

10/04/2025

Warm, dry and windy conditions mean that fires that start will spread easily. Burning is discouraged! Use caution with farm and outdoor equipment.

09/26/2025

Just the beginning as the district rolls out adoption of the Standard Response Protocol from the I Love You Guys Foundation, which has become the national standard in school safety response protocols. We are happy to advise the district in the development of their emergency plans, training and exercise. Jeremy Weller is doing a great job in his new role as Safety and Security Director. Fun fact: our Director is an OHS Alum- Class of '92. Go Dogs!

09/23/2025

We work with some pretty amazing people. Thank you to everyone who reached out with offers to help- there were MANY of you. It's always reassuring when the community rallies around a family in need.

Update: Missing Child Found Safe

At approximately 1:37 P.M., the Wapello County Sheriff's Office received a call from a parent reporting their 6-year-old, non-verbal, autistic child as missing. Deputies immediately responded to the scene, conducted initial interviews, and requested additional resources to assist in the search.

A coordinated grid search was launched on the property and surrounding areas, with the assistance of multiple responding agencies.

At 4:00 P.M., a Wapello County Sheriff’s Deputy located the child approximately 0.36 miles from the residence — about 12 feet up in a tree. The child was safely removed without incident and evaluated by ORMICS. After a medical check, the child was cleared and reunited with family.

This was a frightening situation for all involved, but we are incredibly grateful for the safe outcome.

We would like to sincerely thank the following agencies and individuals for their assistance:

Wapello County Emergency Management – for coordinating logistics and overall response efforts.

Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Henry County Emergency Management, and Jefferson County Emergency Management – for providing drone support during the search.

Iowa State Patrol – for aerial support via airplane and for deploying Officer's on the ground.

Ottumwa Police Department, Eddyville Fire Department, Wapello County Rural Fire, ORMICS, and the many citizens who volunteered their time to assist in the search.

Your swift action, collaboration, and dedication made all the difference. Thank you.

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🚨 MISSING CHILD ALERT 🚨

Law enforcement and first responders are actively searching in the 21000 block of Power Plant Road for a missing 6-year-old boy named Gus. This is just west of the Chillicothe Power Plant.

Description: Non-verbal, autistic

Last seen: Wearing only a diaper

Believed to have walked out of the residence unnoticed

📍 If you're in or near the area, please be alert and check your property, outbuildings, vehicles, or nearby wooded areas.

📞 If you see Gus, call 911 immediately. Do not wait.

Let’s help bring Gus home safely. Please share this alert with anyone in the area.

09/19/2025

Batavia Fire Department Seeking Volunteers
https://ottumwaradio.com/2025/09/batavia-fire-department-seeking-volunteers/

09/01/2025

The National Weather Service reports its the end of Meteorological Summer. Soooo bring on the pumpkin spice?

08/28/2025

Two years went by fast!