This year has been one of extraordinary momentum for the Sulzer Group. Our teams have been hard at work across the country supporting communities through complex preparedness, mitigation, response, and long-term recovery projects, and we’ve welcomed new talent that has strengthened every corner of our organization. We continued to expand our national footprint, delivering seamless project management, grants administration and technical assistance to clients navigating some of the most challenging disaster funding environments in the country. We also had the opportunity to connect with so many of you at conferences and trade shows nationwide, conversations that continue to shape the way we serve our clients with clarity, efficiency, and compassion.
This month’s Sulzer Brief focuses on winter weather, snow and ice readiness, and the practical steps communities can take to stay resilient as seasonal patterns continue to shift. While our client spotlight highlights the ongoing work in San Miguel County and the larger recovery efforts underway across northern New Mexico, this edition also looks more broadly at how municipalities, houses of worship, and nonprofit organizations can prepare for unexpected cold events, facility impacts, and operational disruptions.
From last year’s unprecedented snowfall in New Orleans to the severe freezes that affected the Gulf South and West, winter storms are no longer limited to traditional cold-weather regions. The Sulzer Group continues to support public and nonprofit partners nationwide with preparedness planning, infrastructure hardening, continuity of operations, and long-term mitigation strategies that keep essential services functioning when temperatures drop.
This issue includes practical winter-weather safety information, freeze and snow preparedness checklists, and examples of how strategic planning can reduce downtime, safeguard assets, and improve recovery outcomes. As always, our goal is to help our clients stay ahead of emerging risks and maintain steady, reliable operation, no matter the season.
Winter Snow Removal: FEMA PA Assistance
Many state and local governments are entering the heaviest months of winter weather. For clients in colder regions, our team provides snow-removal coordination and documentation services as part of their overall emergency management support. This includes ensuring the work is fully compliant for potential reimbursement, establishing proper labor/equipment records, and helping clients anticipate costs associated with prolonged winter activity.
Beyond snow removal, winter brings additional risks that can affect continuity of operations for public entities, healthcare systems, and educational institutions. Key considerations for the months ahead include:
• Protecting vulnerable facilities from freeze damage
• Ensuring generators, pumps, and backup systems are tested regularly
• Preparing for elevated flood and runoff conditions in post-fire burn scars
• Updating Continuity of Operations Plans to reflect winter weather scenarios
• Verifying insurance policy pre-checks for potential cold-weather impacts
Find additional FEMA information here: https://www.fema.gov/blog/4-tips-prepare-winter-weather-risks
Client Spotlight, City of Las Vegas, and San Miguel County, NM. Response and Support for Ice & Snow Storms- Winter Storm Anya
Last year the City of Las Vegas, NM, faced a significant winter storm-Winter Storm Anya, which brought over 35 inches of snowfall, strong winds, and dangerously low temperatures.
This storm created considerable challenges across the city, including hazardous road conditions, transportation disruptions, and the potential for flooding due to rapid snowmelt. The Sulzer Group proudly partnered with city teams and agencies to provide strategic and operational support throughout the storm, focusing on safety, resilience, and recovery.
Incident Overview and Initial Response
Emergency Operations Center Activation: The City activated its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at the San Miguel County Courthouse to centralize and coordinate all storm-related efforts. The Sulzer Group assisted in establishing communication protocols, resource allocation, and response strategy implementation to ensure an efficient and unified response.
Snow Removal Operations: With snowfall totals exceeding 35 inches in some areas, snow removal was a top priority. Our team worked alongside Public Works crews and contractors to clear main roads and ensure access to critical infrastructure. Despite heavy accumulations, essential routes were restored quickly, allowing emergency services to reach those in need.
Community Safety and Public Information
Warming Center Establishment: Given the extreme cold, three locations were designated as potential warming centers, with one officially opened to provide shelter and support to residents. The Sulzer Group supported these centers by facilitating their setup and ensuring that they were accessible to the community.
Continuous Public Communication: Throughout the storm, regular public service announcements (PSAs) were disseminated via the city’s website, social media, and local media outlets. The Sulzer Group contributed to clear and timely communication, keeping the public informed about road conditions, warming centers, and safety measures.
Coordination and Resource Management
Interagency Coordination: The Sulzer Group played a critical role in fostering collaboration among city, county, and state agencies to ensure a comprehensive response. This interagency coordination helped maximize resource utilization and streamline the deployment of personnel and equipment where they were needed most.
Resource Management: Our team assisted in efficiently allocating resources, including personnel, equipment, and supplies, ensuring that operations remained flexible and responsive to evolving storm conditions. We closely monitored the city’s infrastructure, such as the wastewater treatment facility, to address potential risks related to snowmelt and flooding.
The Gulf South: Lessons from Last Winter’s Freeze (and snow in New Orleans!)
Winter weather has become increasingly unpredictable, reaching regions that historically never prepared for freezing temperatures or snow. Last year, New Orleans experienced more than a foot of snow — a rare and disruptive event that caught many off guard and strained local infrastructure. Across the Gulf South and the West, municipalities saw similar impacts: pipe bursts, facility closures, widespread outages, and costly interruptions to essential services.
Communities that had continuity plans, emergency fuel reserves, insulated infrastructure, and pre-positioned response resources recovered far more quickly. Many are now working with the Sulzer Group to build long-term preparedness and mitigation strategies to safeguard operations for future events that no longer follow traditional seasonal patterns.
Snow and Freeze Preparedness Checklist
• Insulate critical pipes and weatherproof buildings
• Prepare emergency heating solutions for essential facilities
• Review fuel contracts and ensure on-hand reserves
• Protect fire suppression systems from freezing
• Test emergency alert systems and mass-notification tools
• Monitor real-time weather and activate staffing plans
• Secure outside equipment and protect exposed infrastructure
• Pre-position salt, brine, and sand at multiple locations
• Ensure documentation processes are ready for FEMA PA reimbursement
• Conduct an after-action review after each storm to improve readiness
Read more winter weather tips here: https://www.ready.gov/winter-weather
Pet Safety in Winter Weather
Snow and freezing temperatures don’t just affect infrastructure, they affect the most vulnerable members of our communities, including our pets. As a reminder, animals should always be brought indoors during winter storms, even in regions like New Orleans where snowfall is rare. Last year’s storm brought more than a foot of snow to the city, and even our own office dog, Bingo, was briefly outside long enough for a photo before coming back in to warm up. The Sulzer Group has long supported humane care for animals and is proud to work with clients like the ASPCA, whose national leadership in emergency response includes protecting pets and livestock during extreme weather events. Keeping animals safe is part of keeping communities safe — and should be an essential element of every winter preparedness plan.
Let the Sulzer Group help your organization get prepared
At the Sulzer Group, we know that many of these disasters cannot be prevented — but preparation makes all the difference. Business leaders and employees can take proactive steps to reduce risks, protect assets, and ensure continuity of operations. That’s where our expertise comes in.
Why the Sulzer Group?
We’re a full-service, women-owned disaster recovery firm with over $2B in managed recovery funds. Our clients include secular and non-secular private non-profit organizations, municipalities, schools, and healthcare systems across all 10 FEMA regions.
When disaster strikes, the Sulzer Group is your first step toward response and recovery. Our team specializes in preparedness planning- ensuring that when disaster strikes, you’re ready.
📄 Need help organizing your preparedness plan? Call us today at 866.767.9869 or visit www.sulzergroup.com
Careers at the Sulzer Group
We’re growing – and we’re hiring! If you’re a proactive, detail-oriented professional who thrives in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment, we want to hear from you. We’re always looking for talented and qualified people to join our team. Reach out to us anytime at: HR@sulzergroup.commlined, end-to-end support for the organizations we partner with. We look forward to sharing more in the new year as these initiatives take shape. In the meantime, we extend our warmest wishes for a wonderful holiday season. Please contact HR@sulzergroup.com
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