ECSO Press Release
Captain Kyle Ekker, Emery County Sheriff’s Office, received the President’s Award Thursday at the Utah Emergency Management Association (UEMA) Annual Conference. Cody Barton, Sevier County Emergency Manager and UEMA Past President, presented the award.
Ekker has worked for the Emery County Sheriff’s Office for the past 33 years. In addition to his many duties as captain over the detective division, jail, dispatch and office staff, Ekker is also the Emery County Emergency Manager and Floodplain Administrator. For emergency management, Ekker is leader of the HazMat team and dive team, and a member of the high angle rope rescue team.
Ekker has been the lead in numerous emergency management incidents over the years, most notably the Crandall Canyon Mine Disaster, the floods of 2011, the Seeley Fire of 2012 and the Trail Mountain Fire this past summer. He is also the lead in obtaining funding and managing multi-million dollar projects to recover from these disasters and to protect critical infrastructure in Emery County.
With just the right mix of law enforcement and emergency management experience, Ekker has planned and executed numerous exercises, everything from tabletop exercises to multi-day, full-scale exercises that involve and benefit community leaders, private industry, public works, search and rescue, local schools, military and first responders.
Congratulations Captain Ekker on being recognized for your outstanding efforts!