Keith County Emergency Management

10/01/2026

09/29/2026

Here is the latest on the heavy rain potential.

09/11/2026

A Red Flag Warning has been issued for western and most of north central Nebraska from noon to 8 pm CDT. Additionally, there is a very conditional threat for strong to severe thunderstorms across central Nebraska.

09/10/2026

Chadron State College in western Nebraska launched a fire management option in its rangeland management degree. It’s in response to student interest and comes at a time when there is also a growing need to understand fire.

09/10/2026

09-09-2026

Yesterday, Chief Meininger had the honor of presenting awards of recognition for life saving efforts that were issued by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.

August 2026, in the Brule Rural Fire Protection district. A 911 call rang into the Keith County Communications Center for a person that had become acutely ill. Dispatcher Kelsey Decoste quickly notified Keith County EMS & Brule Volunteer Fire Department of the emergency. Brule Fire Chief Lonnie Olson, along with Paramedic Kacee Moul, and Paramedic/CFRN Leslie Peterson responded immediately to the call. Keith County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Wade Davis was also called in early for his tour to assist at the scene.

Upon arrival, the patient was found down with family present. As the team began assessing the patient, and initiating care, the patient progressed into full cardio/respiratory arrest. CPR was immediately started along with other advanced life support measures which quickly resulted in spontaneous return of circulation. Precise stabilization and careful movements, resulted in the highest of quality care, and safe transport to a local care facility.

EMS in rural Nebraska is extremely difficult to maintain financially, providing magnitudes of logistical challenges amongst other things. We firmly believe in collaboration and partnerships as we traverse the challenges of bringing the best medicine, to someone’s worst moment.

Thank you to the City of Ogallala, Keith County, Brule Rural Fire Protection District, and many others who work tirelessly together, unified to serve our communities. I know these efforts make these unfortunate moments, a little less scary for the patients, family, and patrons we are honored to care for.

Chief Meininger

(Photo Credit: Jeff Headley KC-News)

Left to Right

EMS Administrator Dave Kling, Brule Fire Chief Lonnie Olson, Dispatcher Kelsey Decoste, Paramedic Kacee Moul, Paramedic/CFRN Leslie Peterson, KCSO Sgt. Wade Davis, EMS Chief Jordan Meininger

09/10/2026

A return to above-normal temperatures and dry air will lead to increasing fire weather concerns for Thursday and Friday. At this time, the greatest threat is focused on Friday for areas west of Highway 83.

Additionally, isolated to widely scattered thunderstorms are possible across central Nebraska on Friday evening. While storm initiation remains uncertain, the background environment would support a strong to severe thunderstorm threat if development occurs.

09/09/2026

A quick return of hot and dry weather will lead to elevated to potentially critical fire weather conditions across western Nebraska this Thursday and Friday.

09/03/2026

A red flag warning has been issued for the eastern Nebraska Panhandle and portions of western Nebraska through 8 PM MDT this evening.