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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.

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

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.

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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

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.

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

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

RESOURCES FOR COVID-19 RESPONSE Preparing for the Worst. Working hard toward the best. CDC BURN RATE CALCULATOR Keeping up with your PPE burn rate will help to stay ahead of any future needs you may have. Calculator > BATTELLE SYSTEM For more information on the Battelle system, PLEASE CONTACT David Randle at (256) 435-0540 Battelle Info > PPE VENDORS For more information on vetted PPE vendors please click the button below. PPE Vendors > MEDICAL PERSONNEL RESOURCES Hospital LTC agencies staffing: LTC Staffing > Personnel > List of medical personnel sources: EXCEL Staffing > Excel Surge Staffing DECONTAMINATION FACT SHEET For more information on using the critical care decontamination system Fact Sheet >

Contact If you have a life-threatening emergency, call 9-1-1. For current weather conditions please visit http://www.calhounema.org/weather Submit Thank you for submitting. We will read and attend to your message as soon as possible. Calhoun County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Office: 256-435-0540 | Fax: 256-435-0558 Address: 507 Francis St. W. Jacksonville, AL 36265 http://www.calhounema.org Relationships. Resources. Resilience.