Yavapai County’s Local Emergency Planning Committee and Waste Management of Arizona to Conduct Full-Scale Hazardous Materials Exercise

Yavapai County’s Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), in partnership with Waste Management of Arizona, Inc. (WM) and the Yavapai County Office of Emergency Management (YCOEM), will conduct a full-scale hazardous materials emergency response exercise on September 21, 2026, at Gray Wolf Landfill located at 23355 Highway 169 (MP 11), Dewey, Arizona.

This is a planned exercise and not an actual emergency. No hazardous waste will be released, transported, or handled as part of the exercise. It is also important to note that Waste Management of Arizona, Inc., does not accept or store hazardous materials at this site.

The exercise will bring together emergency responders, law enforcement, emergency management officials, WM personnel, and other community partners to test the county’s ability to coordinate and respond to a simulated hazardous materials incident.

Unlike a tabletop exercise, a full-scale exercise places participants in a realistic operational environment where they can practice their roles, use equipment and resources, communicate across agencies, and make decisions as they would during an actual emergency.

“This is exactly why we exercise,” said Ashley Ahlquist, Yavapai County Emergency Manager. “A hazardous materials incident doesn’t stop at a jurisdictional boundary, and no single agency can manage an incident of this nature alone. This exercise gives us an opportunity to put our plans into action, work alongside our private-sector partners, and identify the strengths and gaps in our response before we face a real incident.

A key component of the exercise is the collaboration between the Yavapai County LEPC, WM, and Yavapai County OEM. The LEPC serves as an important bridge between government, emergency responders, businesses, industry, healthcare organizations, and the community. Through this partnership, stakeholders can develop stronger hazardous materials plans, improve communication, and better understand the resources and capabilities available during an emergency.

“Preparedness is built through relationships,” said Fred Heggestad YCOEM Emergency Management Coordinator and LEPC Coordinator. “You don’t want the first time your partners meet to be during an emergency. Exercises like this allow us to build those relationships, understand each other’s capabilities, and practice working together in a controlled environment.”

During the full-scale exercise, participating agencies and organizations will work through a simulated HazMat incident requiring coordinated response and operational decision-making. The exercise will evaluate areas including:

No actual hazardous waste or hazardous materials will be used during this exercise. The incident will be simulated using safe, non-hazardous materials and exercise props. The exercise will not create an actual hazardous materials threat to participants, employees, or the surrounding community.

Because this is a full-scale exercise, residents and businesses in the area of the Gray Wolf Landfill may see emergency vehicles, responders, equipment, and other activities associated with the exercise.

No action is required from the public unless otherwise directed by exercise officials. Following the exercise, participating organizations will conduct an evaluation to identify strengths, areas for improvement, and corrective actions. Lessons learned will be incorporated into future planning, training, and preparedness efforts.

For more information about Yavapai County Office of Emergency Management visit YavapaiReady.gov. To learn more about Yavapai County’s LEPC visit Yavapaiready.gov/LEPC.