Air Force veteran joins emergency planning committee

The Mineral County Local Emergency Planning Committee meets the first Thursday of each month at 4 p.m. in the County Commissioners Conference Room and is open to the public. Residents are encouraged to attend, even if only one meeting, to witness how first responders and involved citizens train and discuss scenarios for emergency situations with strategic plans for response when disasters occur. 

There’s a saying that "passing out business cards at the scene of a tragedy is not the time to make contact for the first time," so the meetings keep everyone familiar with departments and available services when needed.  

Not long ago, Eileen Iarossi and her husband Mike attended a meeting as she is the Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer (EPLO) with the Air Force. At the rank of colonel, she executes activities during presidentially declared national disaster relief operations. 

The EPLO advises FEMA Regional Operations Center, establishes effective communication, and engages in state and federal Homeland Security. Iarossi is the principal Air Force liaison for Civil Support/Homeland Security (HLS) plans, policies and procedures in support of Montana. She facilitates Air Force support primarily through on-scene augmentation for the appointed Defense Coordinating Officer/Element (DCO/DCE) during disasters or emergencies declared by the president. 

Meaning, an eastbound semi full of potatoes that overturns on I-90 near the Henderson Exit at mile marker 22 isn’t going to make her phone ring. But her presence and participation on a local level has added dimension. 

“Colonel Iarossi brings a layer of awareness to our LEPC that includes a national perspective on what some of the security concerns might be in the future, and what considerations our county may take to be more prepared if such events were to arise,” shared Amy Parks, director of the Mineral County Department of Emergency Services. “We appreciate the situational awareness she is able to provide from an EPLO perspective.”  

Iarossi has been in the Air Force for 32 years and has deployed for multiple contingencies. She enlisted in the Air Force in 1992 as a security police specialist and later cross trained into aircraft maintenance as a crew chief. 

Iarossi received her commission through the Academy of Military Science in 2002 where she was selected as a distinguished graduate and recipient of the Military Excellence Award. 

She served in the aircraft maintenance, maintenance operations officer and squadron commander positions.

After being promoted to colonel she applied for the EPLO position in Montana, in hopes to serve her final years in the Air Force to defend her homeland and the state of Montana, where her heart is. 

“I have owned property in Montana for approximately 12 years. I have been hunting and visiting Montana for about 20 years and knew I was going to retire in the wonderful town of Superior. I finally built my house almost three years ago. Though I do not attend the LEPC meetings every month I try to attend every quarter, if possible,” she said, but communication with Parks is more often. 

Iarossi jumped right in and established relationships with the LEPC and provided information and offered guidance where she could. 

“I have recommended information in regard to the homeland strategy and help educate on certain aspects that will be needed in case of a major disaster. I have participated in a local exercise with Mineral County and BNSF with the train derailment and hazmat spillage in Clark Fork River a few summers ago.” 

She has not had to deploy to any disasters in Montana to date and explained, “As a Department of Defense representative, we are considered the last in, and first out, for any disaster. The goal is to let a disaster be handled at the lowest level possible. DOD is available when the state of Montana runs out of resources. I do attend the same training and exercises with Montana county officials and build relationships and network with them. I deployed to Georgia to assist with Hurricane Ian recovery,” she explained. “I'm looking forward to the opportunity to dedicate more of my time and expertise to the LEPC once I retire,” Iarossi shared.

“While I've enjoyed supporting in my current capacity, I believe I can make even greater contributions as a non-DOD affiliated member in the future and I do feel that Mineral County does a good job in mitigating these issues as they arise with the resources they have. Mineral County is interested in discussing back up methods to communication in case of a long-term power outage. How do we talk to our county citizens, neighboring counties and the Montana Department of Emergency Services in Helena? These are items we would like to address, so this is next on my agenda,” she said with a smile.  

Originally from Virginia, “I always knew I wanted to enlist in the military. I wasn’t sure which branch to go into but decided to join when Desert Storm kicked off. I was enlisted for nine years (technical sergeant) before commissioning. 

"As for what I enjoy doing, I love hunting, gardening and just being surrounded by the mountains and the woods. I like spending time with my family and close friends. My husband, Michael Iarossi, is originally from Kansas and retired from the Air Force as a chief master sergeant. He was a maintenance superintendent before retirement. Together we have a family full of those who serve. We have three kids between us. My son, Joseph, is in the Coast Guard and currently serving in Central and South America. Mike’s son, Tony, is a Davis County, Utah Captain in the fire department, and Tavia is in the medical field. We are proud of all three of them.”