Codington County Approves New Watertown-Built Joint Command Post Trailer for Emergency Response
- Steve Jurrens
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - First responders in Codington County will soon have a powerful new tool at their disposal for large-scale operations. During the Tuesday, August 25, 2026, meeting, the Codington County Commissioners unanimously approved a $15,834.14 down payment to initiate the build of a new Joint Command Post Trailer from local Watertown manufacturer Team Lodge.
The mobile command center is the result of collaboration between the Watertown Fire Department, Watertown Police Department, Codington County Sheriff’s Office, and Codington County Emergency Management.
A Massive Upgrade Fueled by Homeland Security
Emergency Management Director Andrew Delgado presented the request, explaining that the county’s current 2004 mobile command unit is outdated, doesn’t suit modern needs, and is rarely deployed. Fortunately, a $75,000 Homeland Security grant will cover the vast majority of the new trailer’s final $79,170.72 price tag.
“Jointly we decided, ‘Hey, let’s come together and work together on a project like this that would help us respond to large incidents,’” Delgado told the commissioners.
The Homeland Security grant operates on a reimbursement model. The county will pay the initial down payment to begin the build; once the trailer is completed and the final invoice is paid, the $75,000 in grant funds will be deposited back into the Emergency Management budget. The remaining $4,170.72 balance will be split equally among the four participating agencies, costing each department $1,042.68.
Specs Designed by Local Law Enforcement
The design and specifications for the new unit were heavily guided by the agencies that will use it most. Delgado specifically credited Codington County Chief Deputy Brent Solum and Watertown Police Captain Steve Rehorst for outlining the strict operational requirements needed for the build.
When asked by the commission to provide a scenario where the new trailer would be deployed, Delgado highlighted both planned community events and unexpected emergencies:
· Planned Events: Coordinating large public gatherings such as fireworks displays or the End of Summer Summer Fest.
· Emergency Incidents: Serving as a shared hub during multi-agency responses to large-scale fires or hazardous materials (hazmat) emergencies.
“Anytime when there’s multiple agencies working together, it gives us shared space for coordination,” Delgado explained. “Really, you’re only limited by your imagination on what things could happen where multiple agencies would be working together.”
Existing radios from the current trailer will be transferred to the new Team Lodge unit to keep outfitting costs down. The old 2004 trailer, which is currently housed at Search and Rescue and owned by the city, will be returned to the Watertown Police Department.
Following the discussion, District 1 Commissioner Lee Gabel motioned to approve the down payment, which District 2 Commissioner Tyler McElhany seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Search and Rescue Team Expansion
In a secondary action, the commissioners officially approved the addition of William Bulfer to the Codington County Search and Rescue Team.
Delgado noted that Bulfer was a “very solid applicant” who was highly recommended by the interview committee and approved by a quorum of the Search and Rescue board. The commission’s formal approval serves as a necessary step to ensure proper insurance coverage for the new volunteer. The motion, initiated by Commissioner Gabel and seconded by Vice Chairman Randy Schweer (District 5), passed without opposition.
