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The goal of the Calhoun County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) is to protect the health, safety, and economic interests of the residents of Calhoun County from the impacts of natural and man-made hazards. The EMA is responsible for coordinating with other local, state, and federal agencies before, ABOUT CALHOUN COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (EMA) The Calhoun County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) is tasked with protecting the citizens of Calhoun County from natural and man-made disasters. Our team is made up of highly-trained and experienced professionals who are committed to providing the highest level of emergency preparedness and response services. OUR PURPOSE: At Calhoun County EMA, we take a proactive approach to emergency management. Our primary purpose is to identify potential hazards, develop comprehensive plans, and execute efficient responses in times of crisis. We collaborate closely with local, state, and federal agencies, as well as community partners, to ensure a unified and effective approach to disaster preparedness and recovery. OUR TEAM: Myles Chamblee , Director David Randle , Deputy Director Baylee Pope , Emergency Management Officer Rachel Letkiewicz , Emergency Management Officer What does the EMA do? We provide information and resources to protect lives and property during a disaster . When first responders need extra help in an emergency, they call the EMA, similar to how citizens call 9-1-1 when they have an emergency. We do outreach and training by working with the media and using social media to help the public prepare for emergencies. During an emergency, we notify the public by using outdoor warning sirens, the Emergency Alert System (EAS), and by working with news media and social media. When a disaster happens, the Calhoun County EMA is ready to respond. Our agency hosts the county's Emergency Operation Center (EOC). The EOC is the central coordination hub during major incidents. We develop emergency plans to help the whole community prepare for and respond to disasters . We recruit volunteers and provide training to help local groups like churches and disaster relief organizations work together with first responders. We work with FEMA and Homeland Security to make sure local responders have access to the best training available. We put together emergency drills and exercises so that local agencies can test their emergency plans. In an emergency, we are the link between the county, the state, and FEMA . We work with partners like the National Weather Service to keep the community informed about hazards, how to prepare for them, and what actions to take during an emergency. We help local organizations access resources from outside the county through mutual aid agreements and the Alabama EMA. After a disaster, we work with FEMA to survey damage and help affected local residents access disaster assistance. OUR VISION: We envision a resilient Calhoun County where the impacts of emergencies are minimized through preparedness, collaboration, and community engagement. By fostering a culture of preparedness and responsiveness, we aim to create a safer environment for all residents. We strive to be the premier county emergency management agency in Alabama. The Calhoun County EMA is here to SERVE you!

The goal of the Calhoun County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) is to protect the health, safety, and economic interests of the residents of Calhoun County from the impacts of natural and man-made hazards. The EMA is responsible for coordinating with other local, state, and federal agencies before, SIGN UP FOR ALERTS PREPAREDNESS TORNADO SHELTERS STAY INFORMED Sign up for to receive emergency notifications for Calhoun County! TAKE SHELTER Know where you will go when severe weather strikes! Click here for full list of tornado shelters in Calhoun County. BE PREPARED Click here for more information on how to be prepared for any emergency. FACEBOOK FEED QUICK LINKS

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.

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

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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.

Infectious Disease Preparedness A pandemic is a disease outbreak that spans several countries and affects a large number of people. Pandemics are most often caused by viruses, like COVID-19 , which can easily spread from person to person. Preventative Actions: Avoid close contact with sick people. Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. germs spread this way. Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germ like flu. If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone for 24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. After using a tissue, throw it in the trash and wash your hands. Treatment: Most people with viruses have mild illness and do not need medical care or antiviral drugs. If you get sick with flu/COVID-19 symptoms, in most cases, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people except to get medical care. If, however, you have symptoms of flu/COVID-19-like symptoms and are in a high risk group, or are very sick or worried about your illness, contact your health care provider (doctor, physician assistant, etc.). CDC recommends prompt treatment for people who have flu infection or suspected flu infection and who are at high risk of serious flu complications, such as people with asthma, diabetes or heart disease. Additional Resources: Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) CDC Informational Series on 2019 Novel Coronavirus

Providing a blueprint to help organizations prepare their people and places for emergencies. The Emergency Management Agency (EMA) of Calhoun County is implementing the Preparedness Partners Program. The purpose of Preparedness Partners is to provide a blueprint to help organizations prepare their people and places for emergencies. The Program provides participating organizations free and critical resources including: Local Situational Awareness Alerts and Updates Checklists and information on how to prepare Individualized guidance from local emergency management professionals Physical signage and electronic logo designating organization as Preparedness Partner To successfully become a Preparedness Partner, organizations will complete 5 phases of readiness: Organizations in Calhoun County interested in learning more about becoming a Preparedness Partner can click the button below to register or you can always call the Emergency Management Agency at: 256-435-0540. Checklist Planning Partners Program No business will ever be disaster-proof. However, a business can be disaster resilient. This is the ability to withstand the impact of a disaster and continue as a strong, healthy organization.

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 REGROUP ALERT SYSTEM WEATHER RADIO SOCIAL MEDIA WEATHER APPS Regroup 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

The Emergency Management Agency (EMA) of Calhoun County is implementing the Planning Partners Program. The purpose of Planning Partners is to provide a blueprint to help organizations prepare their people and places for emergencies. This program is in partnership with FEMA's Ready Business and Do1Thing organization. The Planning Program provides participating organizations free and critical resources. This program also provides participants the opportunity to work with a local Emergency Management Professional to guide them through developing a preparedness and recovery plan. Planning Partner topics include: Local Situational Awareness Alerts and Updates Checklists and information on how to prepare Self-paced development of a Business Continuity Plan Physical signage and electronic logo designating organization as Planning Partner To successfully become a Preparedness Partner, organizations will complete a 12 step/month process and work alongside the Calhoun County EMA. Each month you will choose ONE thing to help prepare your business for disaster. Know Your Risks January's Topic How will you recover? April's Topic How will you communicate? July's Topic What does your insurance cover? December's Topic Planning Partners Program No business will ever be disaster-proof. However, a business can be disaster resilient. This is the ability to withstand the impact of a disaster and continue as a strong, healthy organization. Fill out the form to register Thanks for submitting! Submit Organizations in Calhoun County interested in learning more about becoming a Planning Partner can talk with an Emergency Manager by calling the Emergency Management Agency at: 256-435-0540 or emailing at ema@calhounema.org

CALHOUN COUNTY INTERNSHIP PROGRAM The Calhoun County EMA offers internship opportunities to prepare present and future emergency management professionals to enter the public safety sector with the basic skills needed to function within an emergency management agency. Students who intern with the Calhoun County EMA will be able to use the experience to build resumes and gain valuable networking options as well as engage in projects to gain in-depth knowledge of the field. Click for more information: Deadline for Fall Applications: Date: July 31, 2026 Time: 4:00 PM What: Application and Resume For More Information Regarding the Calhoun County EMA Internship Program: Please click on each button to gain more insight into the program and what is required of you as an intern.