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

STAY ALERT Preparing for the worst. Working hard toward the best. Have at least 3 ways you can be alerted Having multiple ways to receive emergency alerts will help make sure you are always informed and ready to respond. LEARN MORE Ways to Stay Informed Anchor 1 RAVE ALERT SYSTEM WEATHER RADIO SOCIAL MEDIA WEATHER APPS Rave Alert is a notification system provided to you free by Calhoun County EMA. It is customizable and is the primary way we send out emergency alerts in the county. If there is severe weather in the county, the NOAA Weather Radio will go off. This is a great way to be alerted throughout the night when you may be sleeping. SAME CODE: 001015 Channel 4 During an event, our social media accounts are consistently updated. You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter). The links are below. Download local weather apps or the NOAA weather app to receive notifications about weather in your area. Click Here to Sign Up for FREE Emergency Alerts Outdoor Warning sirens Outdoor sirens are made to alert those outdoors who are in the path of a potential tornado in the area. They are NOT made to hear indoors. They only sound if they are within the National Weather Service tornado warning polygon. Sirens

GET INVOLVED IN YOUR COMMUNITY The role of the EMA is to coordinate with other agencies in the community to foster relationships and build foundations of preparedness for when a disaster strikes. The agencies are often looking for people like you to get involved in building a strong and resilient community. The purpose and responsibility of the Calhoun County RACES is to furnish communications to the public safety agencies of Calhoun County and the general public, in the event of a natural disaster or other emergency situation. Volunteers Active In Disaster (VOAD) More VOAD works towards filling the un-met needs of the community after a disaster has occurred. If your organization, church, or community group is interested in joining VOAD please reach out to the EMA. More Volunteers Active In Disaster (VOAD) The Calhoun County EMA works towards our goal of protecting our citizens through mitigation and preparedness programs, as well as through response and recovery efforts. Emergency Management Agency The EMA works to help coordinate volunteer activities to make our communities safer, stronger, and better prepared to respond to any emergency situation. It provides opportunities for people to participate in a range of measures to make their families, their homes, and their communities safer from the threats of crime, terrorism, and disasters of all kinds. If you are interested in receiving any of the training offered by the EMA or in volunteering with an emergency support group, please contact the Calhoun County EMA.

Flood Safety What do I need to know about floods? Flash Flood Watch vs. Flash Flood Warning A flash flood watch is issued when flash flooding is possible. A flash flood warning means a flash flood is occurring; seek higher ground on foot immediately. How can I prepare my home for a flood? Find out if your home is at risk for flood and educate yourself on the impact a flood could have on you and your family. Even very small streams, gullies, culverts, dry streambeds, or low-lying ground that appear harmless in dry weather can flood. Most homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. Talk to your insurance provider about your policy and consider if you need additional coverage. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) can help provide a means for property owners to financially protect themselves if additional coverage is required. The NFIP offers flood insurance to homeowners, renters, and business owners if their community participates in the NFIP. Turn Around, Don't Drown! Do not walk into or travel into water of unknown depth, or that is over your calf or hubcap deep in flooded areas. Did you know a 3 mph current of water can sweep the strongest people off of their feet? Do not drive on a flooded road! Just a few inches of water can make cars float off the road. Wait for the water to recede, or find another route around the flooding. If your vehicle stalls, abandon it immediately and seek higher ground. Do not try to go back to your vehicle. Many people drown while trying to rescue their cars.

Step 1: Designate and empower an Emergency Coordinator and supporting team for your organization Step 2: Create plans and information for your people and places for all hazards you may encounter: Emergency Medical Severe Thunderstorms Tornadoes Floods Winter Weather Heat Waves Active Shooter Cybersecurity CLICK HERE for more information and resources for Preparing Planning for your business. Step 3: Develop a continuity of operation plan in the event there is a major disruption that impacts your organization. CLICK HERE for more information and resources for Business Continuity Planning. CLICK HERE to go to the next Readiness Phase: Preparedness

DISASTER ASSISTANCE Here is a list of the following types of assistance that is available to Calhoun County residents. Please apply for assistance in the order below and apply all types of assistance as eligibility for assistance is determined on a case by case basis. STEP: 1 FEMA provides assistance to individuals and families who have lost their homes. If you are a renter or homeowner you may qualify for assistance. Apply Here STEP: 2 The Small Business Administration (SBA) provides low-interest disaster loans to businesses of all sizes, private non- profit organizations, homeowners, and renters. Apply Here STEP: 3 Apply Here Calhoun County Long Term Recovery Committee provides assistance to individuals and families to help fill needs that are not met through SBA, FEMA, or Insurance.

CYBERSECURITY PREPAREDNESS Staying Safe in a Digital World #BeCyberSmart RESOURCES Cybersecurity PDF Get the conversation started about cybersecurity with this simple PDF on Cyber Safety. FEMA Cybersecurity PDF Protect yourself against cyberattacks through prevention and preparation. Stay Safe Online Basics Learn some basic tips for cyber safety from the National Cybersecurity Alliance. WHAT IS cyber security? Cybersecurity involves preventing, detecting, and responding to cyberattacks that can have wide ranging effects on the individual, organizations, the community, and at the national level. Cyber attacks are malicious attempts to access or damage a computer system. Cyber attacks can lead to loss of money, theft of personal information, and damage to your reputation and safety. Cyber attacks are malicious attempts to access or damage a computer system. Ways you can stay safe online: Lock Down Your Login Your usernames and passwords are not enough to protect key accounts like email, banking and social media. Strengthen online accounts and use strong authentication tools- like bio-metrics, security keys or a unique, one-time code through an app on your mobile device. Keep A Clean Machine Keep all software on internet-connected devices- including personal computers, smartphones and tablets- current to reduce risk of infection from ransomware and malware. When In Doubt, Thrown It Out Links in emails, tweets, posts and online advertising are often how cyber-criminals try to compromise your information. If it looks suspicious, even if you know the source, it's best to delete or, if appropriate, mark it as junk. Back It Up Protect your valuable work, music, photos and other digital information by making an electronic copy and storing it safely. If you have a copy of your data and your device fall victim to ransomware or other cyber threats, you will be able to restore the data from a backup. Share With Care Think before posting about yourself and others online. Consider what a post reveals, who might see it and how it might affect you or others. Personal Information Is Like Money. Value It. Protect It. Information about you, such as purchase history or location, has value- just like money. Be thoughtful about who gets that information and how it is collected by apps, websites and all connected devices. Online Safety Basics Spam and Phishing Cybercriminals have become quite savvy in their attempts to lure people in and get you to click on a link or open an attachment. LEARN MORE Online Shopping It’s important to take steps to protect yourself when shopping online. LEARN MORE Back it Up Protect yourself against data loss by making electronic copies – or backups – of important files. LEARN MORE Malware, Botnets, and Ransomware The internet is a powerful and useful tool, but in the same way that you shouldn’t drive without buckling your seat belt or ride a bike without a helmet, you shouldn’t venture online without taking some basic precautions. LEARN MORE For more information and resources about cyber security visit the Alabama Office of Information Technology Website

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Social Media Toolkits Who We Are Winter Weather Introduce your team! Click here to add images, text and links, or connect data from your collection. Active Shooter Introduce your team! Click here to add images, text and links, or connect data from your collection. Severe Weather Introduce your team! Click here to add images, text and links, or connect data from your collection. Prepared to go Introduce your team! Click here to add images, text and links, or connect data from your collection. Flooding Introduce your team! Click here to add images, text and links, or connect data from your collection. Summer Safety Introduce your team! Click here to add images, text and links, or connect data from your collection. Hurricane Introduce your team! Click here to add images, text and links, or connect data from your collection. Infectious Disease Introduce your team! Click here to add images, text and links, or connect data from your collection. Heat Waves Heat can escalate quickly. Make sure you are prepared for it when it does! Click the icon to download toolkit. Preparedness Plan Introduce your team! Click here to add images, text and links, or connect data from your collection. Fire Safety Introduce your team! Click here to add images, text and links, or connect data from your collection. Halloween Introduce your team! Click here to add images, text and links, or connect data from your collection. Thanksgiving Introduce your team! Click here to add images, text and links, or connect data from your collection. Cyber Security Introduce your team! Click here to add images, text and links, or connect data from your collection. Christmas Introduce your team! Click here to add images, text and links, or connect data from your collection.

Being Prepared on the Go Being Prepared at Work: Talk with your employer about emergency plans for your workplace. If your employer offers an emergency alert or notification system, make sure you are signed up to receive information. Consider keeping a lightweight emergency kit at work. This could include things like extra medications, a change of clothing, as well as a few snacks for those days you miss lunch--or if you get stuck in your office overnight, such as has what might happen in an unexpected ice storm. Being Prepared in Your Car: Your kit doesn't have to be a large or expensive. Many of us have all these items in our home already but scattered about. Vehicle Emergency Kit: Jumper cables Flashlights and extra batteries First aid kit and necessary medications in case you are away from home for a prolonged time Food items containing protein such as nuts and energy bars; canned fruit and a portable can opener Water fro each person and pet in your car -- Keeping a case of bottled water in your vehicle is a good idea AM/FM radio to listen to traffic reports and emergency messages Cat litter or sand for better tire traction Small shovel Ice scraper Warm clothing, gloves, hat, sturdy boots, and jacket Blankets or sleeping bags A fully-charged cell phone or phone charger Flares or reflective triangle Baby formula and diapers if you have a small child Be prepared for an emergency by keeping your gas tank at least half full. If you find yourself stranded, be safe and stay in your car. Turn on your your flashers. Call for help and wait in or near the vehilce until help arrives. It is much easier for responders to find a vehicle than a person who has walked away from the vehicle.

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.