Apache County to consolidate emergency services into one department

Apache County is moving to consolidate its emergency services into one department, a change that will affect how people in St. Johns, Eagar, Springerville, Chinle and other far-flung communities reach help when weather, fires or road problems hit.

Call 3-1-1 from any mobile device or 928-333-3412 from a land line for up-to-date information in northeastern Arizona. 911 lines remain for emergencies only when the non-emergency Sheriff’s Office and Dispatch lines are down, and Smart911 sends critical information during severe weather, unexpected road closures and missing-person situations.

In March 2020, the Board of Supervisors adopted a local public health emergency resolution. The Apache County Health Department Emergency Operations Center had opened in a unified command structure to support the COVID-19 response. Archived board materials include emergency meeting items from March 12, 2019, an emergency meeting on March 20, 2020, and another emergency meeting in St. Johns on Aug. 18, 2022. Apache County’s Emergency Operations Plan says that once formally adopted, it will supersede other emergency operations plans.

In January 2023, Brian Hounshell was emergency management director and Haley Nicoll was coordinator in the LEPC contact list, with Apache County Emergency Management at P.O. Box 518, St. Johns, AZ 85936, and a phone number of 928-551-8024. Earlier contact lists named Beverly Parks as an emergency management specialist. Apache County District 2 also posts fire-season preparedness information and Northeastern Arizona Public Information System updates.

In February 2026, the Navajo Nation president’s office announced that the Navajo Nation and Apache County were strengthening an emergency response and community support partnership. In March 2023, Apache County Emergency Management and Preparedness assisted residents near Sawmill with food, and county board meetings have been held at the Emergency Services Complex.