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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

Heat Waves How hot is dangerously hot? The National Weather Service uses a Heat Index, measured in degrees Fahrenheit, to describe how hot it actually feels when humidity is combined with air temperature. Heat alert procedures may be issued when the Heat Index is expected to reach between 105°F and 110°F for at least two consecutive days. Children, older adults, and people with certain health conditions are more sensitive to extreme heat and may feel its effects more quickly. If you are working outdoors, be sure to follow the safety tips below to help prevent heat-related illness. How can I stay safe during a heat wave? Reduce, reschedule, or avoid strenuous activities, especially during the hottest part of the day. When possible, plan outdoor work for the cooler morning or evening hours. Drink plenty of water throughout the heat wave. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, since they can make it harder for your body to cool itself. Spend a few hours each day in air conditioning if you can. If your home is not cool, consider visiting a store, restaurant, or other air-conditioned location to limit your heat exposure. Keep your home as cool as possible and avoid closed-off rooms. Even fans or open airflow can help your body cool by allowing sweat to evaporate more effectively.

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.

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.

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

Disaster Loans Available for those impacted by the March 25th severe weather event 1. Register with FEMA 2. Find out what loans can help you 3. Apply online with the SBA Application Filing Deadlines: Physical Damage: June 25th, 2021 Economic Injury: January 26, 2022 Why its important to Apply? SBA Loan Factsheet How can SBA help? Apply for FEMA assistance Disaster Assistance Information 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.

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

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