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.

Step 1: Conduct walk-throughs of the organization’s facility(s) with public safety professionals: Emergency Management Fire Department Law Enforcement Step 2: Build an organization preparedness kit, install equipment, and designate locations: NOAA Weather Radio(s) Fire Extinguisher(s) Automated External Defibrillator(s) Active Threat Defense Supplies Safer Places Evacuation Routes CLICK HERE to go to the next Readiness Phase: Share

Calhoun/Cleburne County Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster How can my church, non-profit, or community organization get involved? Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters , more commonly known as VOAD , is a coalition to rally volunteer organizations and local groups (private or public) together. The mission of VOAD is to foster more effective service to people affected by disaster through cooperation in mitigation and response and avoidance of duplication of effort. VOAD is not an operational organization in and of itself and does not directly provide assistance. VOAD does not compete with any member organization. Rather, it is a coalition of various voluntary organizations which provide their own unique disaster response skills and volunteers. These organizations share information with each other about their capabilities, resources, and special areas of expertise. VOAD works towards filling the unmet needs of the community after a disaster has occurred. If your organization, church, or community group is interested in joining VOAD, contact the Calhoun County EMA at (256) 435-0540, or one of the officers listed below. VOAD Member Organizations: Interfaith Ministries of Calhoun County All Saints Interfaith Center of Concern St. Michael's Medical Clinic American Red Cross, Mid-Alabama Chapter Calhoun County Baptist Association Piedmont Benevolence Center Community Enabler Developer United Way of East Central Alabama The Salvation Army, Anniston Corps VOAD Officers President: Shannon Jenkins , United Way of East Central Alabama Vice President: April LaFollette , Interfaith Ministries of Calhoun County Secretary: Kim Robertson , United Way of East Central Alabama

Winter Weather Preparedness Winter storms create a higher risk of car accidents, hypothermia, frostbite, carbon monoxide poisoning, and heart attacks from overexertion. Winter storms can bring extreme cold, freezing rain, snow, ice, and high winds. Are you prepared? Here are some things that you can do today to make sure you are prepared to tackle winter: Be Informed Know your area’s risk for winter storms and how you will receive emergency notifications. You can text Join CalhounEMA to 31002 to sign-up for FREE alerts for Calhoun County. Create A Plan Have a plan for what your family will do if someone becomes stranded away from home. Take Action Check your home to keep out the cold with insulation, caulking, and weather stripping. Learn how to keep pipes from freezing. Gather supplies in case you need to stay home for several days without power. Keep in mind each person’s specific needs, including medication. Do not forget the needs of pets. Have extra batteries for radios and flashlights. Create an emergency supply kit for your car . Include jumper cables, sand, a flashlight, warm clothes, blankets, bottled water, and non-perishable snacks. Keep the gas tank full. Install and test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors with battery backups Winter Weather: Advisory, Watch, and Warning A Winter Weather Advisory means cold, ice and snow are expected. A Winter Storm Watch means severe weather such as heavy snow or ice is possible in the next day or two. A Winter Storm Warning means severe winter conditions have begun or will begin very soon.

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Next LEPC Meeting Date : January 16, 2024 Time: Location: Calhoun County EMA Last LEPC Meeting Date : July 27 , 2023 Time: 10:00 am Meeting Minutes Calhoun County All-Hazards Planning Committee How does the community plan for hazardous materials emergencies? Calhoun County’s All-Hazard Planning Committee (AHPC) is a comprised of first responders, elected officials, concerned citizens, and industry representatives. The AHPC works to understand chemical hazards in our community and to prevent chemical accidents through education and planning. The AHPC helps create the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) for the county. The AHPC meets bi-yearly to plan ways to better respond to a chemical accident. The AHPC also provides a forum to address other general issues related to emergency management in our community. Any facility or business who uses, stores, manufactures, or transports one or more of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) designated Extremely Hazardous Substances (EHS) in amounts exceeding the Threshold Planning Quantity established by EPA, must report specific chemical inventory information to the State of Alabama, the All-Hazards Planning Committee, and the Fire Department whose jurisdiction the facility is located. Also, they must submit an emergency plan which details the procedures they are to take in the event that the chemicals present at their facility is released into the environment. The Calhoun County EMA is the repository for these documents for the All-Hazards Planning Committee. If you have questions about hazardous chemicals or would like more information about the AHPC, contact the Calhoun County EMA at (256) 435-0540. How can industries submit EHS (302), Tier ll, and other reports about hazardous materials? Industries regulated under the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA), SARA Title III, may submit Tier II reports using the E-Plan system by visiting this link (E-Plan charges a fee for this service): www.erplan.net For information from the Alabama Emergency Response Commission (AERC / SERC) on Alabama's submittal guidelines for EHS (302) and other requirements, visit their website at the Alabama Department of Enivronmental Management (ADEM) webpage: http://www.adem.state.al.us/moreInfo/saraIII.cnt All Tier II reports submitted to the Calhoun County EMA must be submitted to tier2@calhounema.org

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Safer Places Initiative The Calhoun County EMA has implemented a county-wide initiative called Safer Places. The purpose of Safer Places is for willing organizations to make pre-designated facilities available to the public during times of severe weather, including high wind, tornadoes, and periods of extreme heat or cold, as needed. The initiative is an alternative during hazardous weather for organizations in the community to provide safer shelter for citizens to seek refuge in a safer place than a motor vehicle, manufactured home, or other type of lightly constructed structure. The framework of recommendations for a Safer Place to meet include: 1) Availability of personnel to be responsible for opening and staffing the Safer Place 2) Accessibility for the public, including vehicle parking and handicap entrance 3) Architecturally sturdy and substantial structure, preferably with a basement or interior walls away from windows and doors. Organizations and facilities in Calhoun County interested in learning more about becoming a part of the Safer Places initiative can click the button below to register or for more information can call the Emergency Management Agency at: 256-435-0540. Click the button below if you are interested in being a Safer Place partner! Safer Places Registration

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.

Apply Now What to Expect How to Appeal FREE LEGAL HELP Tax Relief due to Storms Unemployment Assistance DOWNLOAD INFO HERE DISASTER ASSISTANCE INFORMATION Tips for Applying 1. Have social security # 2. Insurance policy info. 3. Bank account info. 4. Detail of damages- photos are helpful 5. Address & phone # 6. Annual income info Application Checklist > What to Expect After Applying Within 10 days of applying a FEMA inspector will call to ask about your disaster damage. Within 10 days of the inspector call you should receive a decision letter. Download Graphic here > When writing an appeal letter: 1. Must be filed in a paper letter within 60 days 2. Explain why you disagree with the decision 3. Include: full name, DOB & address 4. Include your 9 digit FEMA # 5. Include FEMA Declaration # (DR-4596-AL) 6. Include you or your co-applicant signature 7. Not willing to relocate or move 8. Application may be incomplete 9. FEMA requesting more information What to Expect Need to Appeal 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.