Step 1: Conduct and document exercises or drills with employees and volunteers participating for all hazards response to: Emergency Medical Severe Thunderstorms Tornadoes Floods Winter Weather Heat Waves Active Shooter Cybersecurity Step 2: Schedule date and time for program evaluation by Emergency Management Officer Step 3: Conduct and document annual/monthly exercises or drills with employees and volunteers participating. CLICK HERE to return to Preparedness Partners page

Animals & Pets Preparedness Animal Click the links below for more information about animal preparedness. For more information, visit https://www.ready.gov/pets

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.

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

Calhoun County Situational Awareness OPEN MAP IN NEW TAB >

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!

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.

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.

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

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

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 >