Torrance County official’s EMT background won’t be forgotten
By Beth Hahn
Albuquerque Journal (New Mexico)
Copyright 2006 Albuquerque Journal
John Cordova was driving through the Southwest when his car broke down in Moriarty.
Cordova, just married, had been looking to leave the bigcity lifestyle of California behind when he drove through Moriarty, visiting family on a tour of Texas and Arizona.
He, his wife and four children put down roots in Moriarty in 1995, where he eventually became an EMT.
Cordova, 37, was named Torrance County’s emergency manager on Sept. 1.
Since then, his office in the county’s regional dispatch center has been a beehive of activity as he applies for grants, catches up on paperwork and makes sure county emergency departments comply with federal mandates.
But don’t expect Cordova to forget about his EMT roots. Once he’s caught up on paperwork, grants and training, Cordova plans to enroll in a paramedic course for certification.
“It’s something that I feel is necessary for the community,” he said in an interview Monday.
As emergency manager, Cordova has two goals: unity among the emergency response departments in the county and training emergency responders.
He said it is important for all county and municipal law enforcement and fire departments to know how to work together and what role each of them plays.
When an incident occurs that requires more than one department, Cordova said, he wants each law enforcement agency and fire department to know what their counterparts can supply, what their resources are and how they can help each other.
On the issue of training, Cordova said the Department of Homeland Security has several requirements for emergency responders to meet.
Law enforcement officers and firefighters must receive training under federal mandates. The training, said Cordova, is one of his responsibilities.
When a disaster or emergency incident happens, Cordova serves as a coordinator, making sure every agency has what it needs to address the situation.
If other agencies from outside Torrance County are asked to participate, Cordova said he will be the one to make sure they bring the appropriate equipment and know how to work with the other agencies.
Because winter storms are beginning to sweep through Torrance County, Cordova has been working with area emergency shelters to make sure each is stocked with supplies, blankets and cots in case Interstate 40 or U.S. 285 is closed and travelers are stranded.
Cordova said he’s enjoying his new job and the new challenges it is presenting.