Sam LeDoux
Española City Councilor
ESPAÑOLA — Española City Councilor Sam LeDoux will attend the NALEO Institute on Technology & AI in Emergency Management from June 23-24 in Bentonville, Arkansas, where Latino elected and appointed officials will examine how technology and artificial intelligence can strengthen emergency preparedness, response and decision-making.
LeDoux said the summit comes at an important time for small and rural communities, where emergency management demands continue to grow while many communities face shortages in emergency personnel.
“Small cities like Española cannot afford to fall behind when it comes to technology, especially as rural communities continue to face shortages in emergency responders and emergency personnel,” LeDoux said. “The Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Fire and the flooding in Chamita were not that long ago. These events are reminders that small cities have to be proactive rather than reactive when it comes to potential threats. Technology and artificial intelligence will never replace the people who serve on the front lines, but they can help communities plan better, respond faster and make more informed decisions when lives and property are at risk.”
LeDoux said no city dollars were used for his attendance at the summit.
“This is about bringing useful knowledge back home,” LeDoux said. “My hope is to learn from experts and other communities and identify practical ideas that can be incorporated into the city’s emergency preparedness efforts. Española may be a small city, but our residents deserve a city government that is looking ahead and preparing for the challenges that are coming.”
The NALEO Institute on Technology & AI in Emergency Management is focused on helping public officials better understand how emerging technology can support emergency preparedness, crisis response and local government decision-making.
LeDoux said he hopes the summit will provide tools and ideas that can help Española better prepare for natural disasters, infrastructure emergencies and other public safety challenges.