Photo By Daniel Marble | Fort Benning Soldiers and civilians attend the "Disaster Resilience Across the...... read more read more
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FORT BENNING, Ga. — Leaders from Fort Benning and the Maneuver Center of Excellence joined local, state, and regional leaders from across Georgia and Alabama at the Columbus, Georgia, Convention & Trade Center, July 21-22, to strengthen intergovernmental partnerships and enhance emergency preparedness across the Chattahoochee Valley.
Hosted by the Georgia-Alabama Partnership for Sustainability (GAPS), the two-day conference focused on building regional resilience, streamlining emergency response mechanisms, and fostering cross-border collaboration between the military and surrounding communities.
"The GAPS conference is all about networking and meeting your counterparts," said Karl Nagel, Fort Benning installation emergency manager. "Knowing all the people in the surrounding area and key players, and coordinating through each other, is essential."
Nagel also stressed the importance of leveraging "blue-sky days," periods of normal, everyday operations, to establish relationships, participate in table-top exercises, and conduct joint training.
While emergency readiness took center stage, leaders also highlighted how collaborative frameworks across the region create long-term mutual benefits for both the installation and civilian entities. Formal agreements, such as Intergovernmental Support Agreements, serve as one of many practical tools to reinforce these multi-state ties.
"Our portfolio consists of 24 active partnerships across 12 unique partners," said Elizabeth Guzman, Fort Benning IGSA manager. "The majority of these partners are right here in our local community—eight in Georgia and three in Alabama, along with regional agreements that benefit installations beyond our immediate footprint."
Guzman noted these collaborative efforts improve overall mission effectiveness while generating cost savings, local job creation, and shared efficiencies for both the installation and its community partners.
To solidify their shared commitment to regional safety, community leaders and U.S. Army officials concluded the event by signing the Chattahoochee Valley Regional Disaster Resiliency Partnership Agreement proclamation. The ceremonial declaration outlines shared principles focused on joint preparedness, timely communication, mutual support, continuous collaboration and long-term resilience across jurisdictional boundaries.
Signatories included Mayor Skip Henderson of Columbus, Georgia; Mayor Eddie Lowe of Phenix City, Alabama; Mayor Richard Cooley of Smiths Station, Alabama; Mayor Kevin Brown of Buena Vista, Georgia; Commissioner Chance Corbett of Russell County, Alabama; Commissioner Charles Coffee of Chattahoochee County, Georgia; and Robert Stone, Fort Benning’s executive deputy to the commanding general.
"Over the last two days, we didn't just sit through presentations — we got to work alongside our key partners in hands-on breakout sessions," said Kevin Clarke, Deputy to the Fort Benning Garrison Commander. "This conference represents a genuine commitment to roll up our sleeves and work together toward our shared goals across the Chattahoochee Valley."
| Date Taken: | 07.23.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 08.13.2026 16:28 |
| Story ID: | 572377 |
| Location: | GEORGIA, US |
| Web Views: | 26 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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