To view the meeting minutes from the most recent Calhoun County LEPC meeting, click here . The purpose of a Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) is to enhance community preparedness, response, and recovery efforts in the face of potential hazards, emergencies, and disasters. LEPCs are established at the local level as mandated by the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) in the United States. Their main objectives include: Hazard Identification and Planning : LEPCs identify potential hazards and risks that the community may face, ranging from natural disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes to man-made incidents like chemical spills or industrial accidents. This information forms the basis for creating emergency response plans tailored to the specific needs of the community. Emergency Preparedness : LEPCs work to develop and maintain comprehensive emergency response plans that outline specific actions to be taken in various emergency scenarios. These plans involve collaboration among local government agencies, first responders, public health officials, private sector representatives, and community organizations. Community Education and Outreach : LEPCs promote public awareness and education about potential hazards in the community. They provide information to residents, businesses, and organizations on how to prepare for emergencies, reduce risks, and respond effectively when disaster strikes. Public Involvement : LEPCs engage with the community to gather input, address concerns, and involve citizens in the emergency planning process. Public participation ensures that emergency plans and strategies reflect the needs and priorities of the local population. Training and Exercises : LEPCs organize training sessions and emergency drills to enhance the readiness of emergency responders, public officials, and community members. Regular exercises help test the effectiveness of emergency plans and identify areas for improvement. Chemical Reporting and Right-to-Know : EPCRA mandates that LEPCs oversee the reporting of hazardous chemicals stored or used within the community. They ensure that facilities comply with reporting requirements and that information is accessible to the public through the Hazardous Materials Safety Data Sheets (SDS). Continuous Improvement : LEPCs regularly review and update emergency plans and procedures based on lessons learned from past incidents, changes in the community's demographics, and advancements in emergency management practices. In summary, a Local Emergency Planning Committee plays a vital role in creating a safer and more resilient community by bringing together diverse stakeholders to collaboratively plan for, respond to, and recover from emergencies and disasters.

Were you impacted ? Were you impacted by the storm? Fill out the form and let us know. After you fill out the form, someone from our county's Volunteers Active in Disaster (VOAD) will contact you. Fill out the form HERE Generator Safety > Food Safety > Choosing a Contractor> Donate STAY CONNECTED Youtube See a collection of our latest PSAs and Press Conferences. Facebook Find all of our recents posts and LIVE videos here! X Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) for the latest news! Instagram Visually see what the EMA does on a daily basis! Dialing 2-1-1 connects you to a trained operator 24/7 that has access to a comprehensive database with a multitude of services in your community.

Active Shooter Preparedness Recent national tragedies remind us that the risk is real. Taking a few steps now can help you react quickly when every second counts. RUN and escape, if possible. Getting away from the shooter or shooters is the top priority. Leave your belongings behind and get away. Help others escape, if possible, but evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow. Warn and prevent individuals from entering an area where the active shooter may be. Call 911 when you are safe, and describe shooter, location, and weapons. HIDE, if escape is not possible. Get out of the shooter’s view and stay very quiet. Silence all electronic devices and make sure they won’t vibrate. Lock and block doors, close blinds, and turn off lights. Don’t hide in groups- spread out along walls or hide separately to make it more difficult for the shooter. Try to communicate with police silently. Use text message or social media to tag your location, or put a sign in a window. Stay in place until law enforcement gives you the all clear. Your hiding place should be out of the shooter's view and provide protection if shots are fired in your direction. FIGHT as an absolute last resort. Commit to your actions and act as aggressively as possible against the shooter. Recruit others to ambush the shooter with makeshift weapons like chairs, fire extinguishers, scissors, books, etc. Be prepared to cause severe or lethal injury to the shooter. Throw items and improvise weapons to distract and disarm the shooter. After Keep hands visible and empty. Know that law enforcement’s first task is to end the incident, and they may have to pass injured along the way. Officers may be armed with rifles, shotguns, and/or handguns and may use pepper spray or tear gas to control the situation. Officers will shout commands and may push individuals to the ground for their safety. Follow law enforcement instructions and evacuate in the direction they come from, unless otherwise instructed. Take care of yourself first, and then you may be able to help the wounded before first responders arrive. If the injured are in immediate danger, help get them to safety. While you wait for first responder to arrive, provide first aid. Apply direct pressure to wounded areas and use tourniquets if you have been trained to do so. Turn wounded people onto their sides if they are unconscious and keep them warm. Consider seeking professional help for you and your family to cope with the long-term effects of the trauma.

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Step 1: Empower employees and volunteers with preparedness information: Organization all-hazards plan Organization continuity of operations plan Personal preparedness information Step 2: Encourage employees and volunteers to: Sign up for Calhoun Alerts by texting JOIN CALHOUNEMA to 31002 Build self-go-bags Step 3: Host or participate in an emergency preparedness event CLICK HERE to go to the next Readiness Phase: Test

Prepare for the Worst Work Towards the Best Below are various training opportunities through local, state, and federal resources. If you you have any specific questions please email drandle@calhounema.org ARTC Training Calendar Download Here Check back for page to be updated with more training opportunities in the near future.

Step 1: Register your organization as a Preparedness Partner Participant Step 2: Sign up for Calhoun Alerts by texting JOIN CALHOUNEMA to 31002 Step 3: Encourage employees and volunteers to sign up for Calhoun Alerts by texting JOIN CALHOUNEMA to 31002 Step 4: Follow Calhoun EMA on social media Facebook Twitter Instagram Registration CLICK HERE to go to Readiness Phase 2 : Planning

Severe Thunderstorms What is a severe thunderstorm? Severe thunderstorms are defined as thunderstorms that produce one inch hail or larger and or strong wind gusts of 58 miles per hour or greater. Severe Thunderstorm Watch vs. Severe Thunderstorm Warning A severe thunderstorm watch may be issued by the National Weather Service when conditions are favorable for the development of thunderstorms. A severe thunderstorm warning is issued by the National Weather Service when either a severe thunderstorm is occurring, has been detected by National Weather Service Doppler Radar, or a reliable report has been received. Persons in the warned area should take immediate action to protect their lives, lives of others, and their property. Tornadoes can and occasionally do accompany severe thunderstorms. Treat this warning the same as you would for a Tornado Warning by taking the proper safety precautions. How can I prepare for severe thunderstorms? Remove dead or rotting trees and branches that could fall on you or your home and cause injury or damage during a severe thunderstorm. Secure any outdoor objects that could blow away or cause damage (garbage cans, etc.). Shutter windows and secure outside doors. If shutters are not available, close window blinds, shades or curtains. This will help stop glass from flying through the room in case a window is broken. What about lightning? Lightning is deadly. It can strike far away from a thunderstorm. It does not have to be raining at your location. You should take personal responsibility for the safety of yourself and your family when lightning is a threat. DO NOT allow children to practice sports or play outside when lightning is possible. Remember the 30/30 Lightning Safety Rule: Go inside if, after seeing lightning flash, you cannot count to 30 before hearing thunder. Stay inside for at least 30 minutes after hearing the last clap of thunder.

COURSE OVERVIEW: The Calhoun County Emergency Management Agency, Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce, and Jacksonville State University's Continuing Education and Outreach have partnered together to bring local businesses the Ready Business Workshop Series. Participation in this training will assist business owners and managers in identifying risks, developing plans, and taking decisive action to better prepare their employees and facilities for emergencies and disasters. Through the Ready Business Workshop Series attendees will get to hear from subject matter experts on a number of topics such as: Cyber Security, Active Shooter Response, Crisis Communications, Severe Weather Threats, Business Continuity, and other preparedness topics important to your business. Upon successful completion, participants will receive 1.2 CEU or 12 contact hours through Jacksonville State University's Department of Continuing Education. Businesses and their staff face a variety of hazards: Natural hazards like floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes. Health hazards such as widespread and serious illnesses like the flu. Human-caused hazards including accidents and acts of violence. Technology-related hazards like power outages and equipment failure. There is much that a business leader can do to prepare his or her organization for the most likely hazards. Please click the links below to see the detailed agenda and to register for this critical preparedness opportunity available in Calhoun County. Agenda Registration

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Step 1: Conduct and document exercises or drills with employees and volunteers participating for all hazards response to: Emergency Medical Severe Thunderstorms Tornadoes Floods Winter Weather Heat Waves Active Shooter Cybersecurity Step 2: Schedule date and time for program evaluation by Emergency Management Officer Step 3: Conduct and document annual/monthly exercises or drills with employees and volunteers participating. CLICK HERE to return to Preparedness Partners page