Emergency manager magazine, 2008 year in review, Jan. 2009

Emergency
MANAGER
2008 Year in review

JANUARY 2009
Ready Georgia Campaign Launched
A Tornadofilled Spring Triggers Disaster Declarations
Wilkes County Residents Can Now Tune Into Weather Alerts
Spotlight on School Bus Security

Emergency Manager is the official magazine of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency
Lisa Janak Newman, Editor
Honorable Sonny Perdue Governor
Charley English Director
Donna Burns Deputy Director of Administration and Public Affairs Director
Ken Davis Public Affairs Officer
Buzz Weiss Public Affairs Coordinator
Lisa Janak Newman Editor/Graphics Coordinator
Kandice Eldon Web Coordinator
Katherine Huggins Constituent Services
Coordinator
Published by the Georgia Emergency Management Agency Post Office Box 18055 Atlanta, Georgia 30316
PHONE 1-800-TRY-GEMA
(404) 635-7000 FAX (404) 635-7205
Web site www.gema.ga.gov
You are welcome to submit original articles for publication
consideration. Please e-mail your submissions to lisa.janak_newman@gema.ga.gov

From the Director
A Busy 2008
Those of you who were around in 1994 may recall that Georgia received three presidentially declared disasters that year. One in the spring for severe storms, tornadoes and flooding; one in the summer for tornadoes, flooding and heavy rain resulting from Tropical Storm Alberto; and the third in the fall for heavy rains, flooding, tornadoes and high winds. Virtually every county was affected by one or more of those disasters.
Georgia received two presidential disaster declarations this year, compared to the three it saw in 1994, but both were declared before the year was even halfway over, and signaled an exceptionally busy and tumultuous year here in our state.
An EF-2 tornado hit downtown Atlanta on March 14, with a half-dozen more twisters touching down the following day, triggering the first declaration. Just two months later the second declaration was issued after we saw yet another rash of tornadoes on Mother's Day -- 20 twisters, in all, devastated a number of communities. In fact, one tornado, which caused heavy damage in McIntosh County, was only the ninth EF-4 tornado to hit Georgia since 1950. A third round of tornadoes hit Cherokee and Washington counties but did not result in a declaration.
Hurricane season started early, with the first tropical storm of 2008 forming on May 31, one day before the official beginning of the season. That early storm was an omen of things to come in what the National Hurricane Center described as an above average season. There were 16 tropical storms, including eight hurricanes. Tropical Storm Fay, in late August, had the greatest impact on Georgia, spawning flooding in southwest Georgia and tornadoes in central and northeast Georgia.
All of this came on the heels of an usually active 2007, in which we also saw a historic outbreak of tornadoes across the state, unprecedented wildfires in southeast Georgia, and a persistent drought. But as always, our local, state and federal partners, as well as the volunteer community and private sector were there to provide badly needed aid to the victims and to help restore damaged communities.
Our partners have also found the time to take part in a number of training and exercise initiatives, including a major two-day hurricane exercise, as well as tabletops and planning meetings on agro-terrorism, the drought and pandemic flu. Nearly 1,200 emergency managers and representatives of public safety, public health and other disciplines also took part in the 2008 Governor's Emergency Management Conference, which focused on the new challenges facing us in the years ahead. And, in collaboration with the Georgia Association of Broadcasters, we have completed a video on emergency warnings and alerts which will be valuable to the state's emergency managers, 9-1-1 officials, and broadcasters. All of these efforts have contributed -- and will continue to contribute -- to our ability to respond to disasters as effectively as we did over the past two years.
As we face the new year, we prepare for the usual unpredictability of Mother Nature, as well as some disturbing economic realities which will limit some of our plans. But I know we will continue to serve our citizens well because of the great dedication and important partnerships that define what we do.

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January 2009 EMERGENCY MANAGER

Principles for Georgia Emergency Management Agency Employees
We will be Decent, Ethical and Honorable The First Principle guides how we interact with each other and with our external customers, partners and stakeholders. As GEMA employees, we are expected to be Decent, to be Ethical
at all times and to Honor our commitments.
We will be Servant Leaders The Second Principle guides our commitment to those in need in times of an emergency. As employees of the state's emergency management agency, we are expected to always be mindful that our purpose is to Serve those in need and to provide Leadership in times of an emergency.
We will Show Up and Do Our Best The Third Principle guides our personal commitment to the Agency and our co-workers. As
GEMA employees, we are expected to make a commitment each day to "Show Up" and to "Do Our Best." Every day we make a commitment to give our best effort to the challenges we
face and to be fully present in all our actions and thoughts.
We will have an Attitude of Success The Fourth Principle guides our attitude. As GEMA employees, we are expected to approach
our responsibilities from the perspective of "How can I make this work?" by adopting an Attitude of Success.
We will embrace a Team Spirit The Fifth Principle guides our commitment to our professional careers in the field of emergency management. As GEMA employees, we are expected to embrace a Team Spirit, to respect each other as fellow professionals, to ask for and/or provide assistance when needed, and to recognize that "None of us are above doing anything asked of us" if GEMA is to be
successful in fulfilling our mission.
We will be Ladies and Gentlemen The Sixth Principle guides how we interact with the general public. As GEMA employees, we are expected to always Act as Ladies and Gentlemen and to treat others as if they were Ladies
and Gentlemen.
We will have Open Doors The Seventh Principle guides how we interact with our supervisors. As GEMA employees, we
are expected to be welcoming and have an Open Door.

2

January 2009 EMERGENCY MANAGER

Exceptional EMA

Scotty Hancock, Floyd County

Floyd County Emergency Management Director and Communications Coordinator Scotty Hancock was born and raised in Floyd County. He played high school football and attended a local college, and his devotion to his hometown is readily apparent. "Floyd County is beautiful," he enthuses. "We have a great school system and a lot of recreational activities." Now, Hancock is bringing up his two children here. "It's a great place to raise a family," he declares.
Hancock's devotion to his community is what motivates him to serve it. He joined the Floyd County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) after a seven-year stint in the Army and a subsequent seven years in local law enforcement. "I thought it would be a great way to have a direct impact on the community," he says. Hancock enjoys the excitement and unique challenges the field of emergency management brings each day. "If you're an adrenalin junkie, you don't have to skydive," he declares. "That's nothing compared to the feeling you get when you bring a missing person back to their loved ones."
Sprawling across 514 square miles with a population of 95,000, Floyd County is one of the most sizable counties in northwest Georgia. Its largest city, Rome, is at the confluence of the Etowah and Oostanuala rivers, which form the Coosa River. As a result, flooding is a constant concern for the Floyd County EMA.
The rivers pose other challenges as well. "We've had several drownings up here," Hancock says. Still, he gets a sense of satisfaction from helping people, even in tragedy. "You may not be bringing a loved one home, but at least you're bringing closure to that family," he reasons.
The county is at risk for other forms of severe weather besides flooding. Floyd County bore its share of the brunt of this spring's tornado activity. Sadly, dozens of homes were damaged
3

and one resident died when a large EF-3 tornado cut a wide swath through the county on March 15, 2008.
"That tornado really affected me," says Hancock. "It touched down a half a mile from my house, and I grew up with a lot of the folks who were impacted. I went to school with the fatality's father. It was devastating."
Emergency managers must work closely with several different agencies to ensure a successful response to any event, as Hancock is well aware. "Finding your role within those can be difficult if you don't have good relationships," he says. "You have to work hard to build trust. I think we've been successful at that."
Hancock's job has evolved considerably since he became EMA director four years ago. "It added a lot of responsibility onto the local EMA directors when FEMA was combined with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security," he says. "Law enforcement used to handle all the terrorism and bomb calls, and now emergency management is involved in all of that as a coordinating agency." The Floyd County EMA oversees a 15member firefighting team, a 50-member volunteer rescue squad, which backs up the fire department, and a robust 200-member Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).
As health professionals become more concerned about a pandemic influenza outbreak, emergency management and public health officials must work closely together to plan the response. "One of the big things that's made this position evolve is the public health and pandemic flu training we've been doing over the past two or three years," says Hancock. "I've joined with our local public health to go to different civic organizations to speak about pandemic flu and the importance of having a business continuity plan."
The most ambitious initiative he is working on, however, is an interoperability project that will enable person-

nel from dif-

ferent agen-

cies to com-

municate

with one

another over

their radios.

"Right now,

different

agencies are

on different

frequencies," Floyd County EMA Director

says

Scotty Hancock

Hancock.

"My job is to work with these agencies

to come up with best, most cost-effec-

tive solution to solve all of our com-

munications issues, and as you know,

that's not going to be easy." Once the

best solution is determined, it will be

put up for a special-purpose, local-

option sales tax (SPLOST) vote.

The Floyd County EMA has fre-

quently been recognized for its training

achievements. In 2005, Hancock

received the Georgia Emergency

Management Agency's (GEMA) Neil

J. Holton Training Award for attending

the most emergency preparedness

courses. In 2007, the Floyd County

EMA received this prestigious award

for hosting the most GEMA field-

delivered training courses the previous

year. In addition, this spring, county

commissioners recognized its EMA for

the work it did during the tornado

response. "We have a lot of support

from our elected officials," Hancock

says.

"A lot of responsibility comes with

this job, but I love it," Hancock con-

tinues. "You get to work with so many

different people. My children really

look up to me in this position.

"I'm fortunate we have a good

organization up here and good folks to

work with," he continues. "What better

job to have a direct impact on the com-

munity that you were raised in and that

you're going to raise your family in.

It's a great opportunity."

-- Lisa Janak Newman

January 2009 EMERGENCY MANAGER

In Brief

More than 60 agencies participated in the search for missing hiker Meredith Emerson.
Agencies honored for

search and rescue efforts

The Union County Emergency Management Agency, headed by Charles Worden, and a number of other public safety agencies were honored by the Georgia Senate and House during the recent session of the General Assembly for their efforts in the search for a woman who was reported missing and was later found brutally murdered in neighboring Dawson County.
Meredith Emerson went hiking on January 1, 2008, and was reported missing the following day, sparking a massive hunt in the rugged north Georgia mountains where temperatures plunged into the teens. Her body was found on January 7, 2008. Gary Michael Hilton was charged with her murder and later pleaded guilty.
Other agencies recognized for their part in the search include: Union County Sheriff 's Office, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Georgia State Patrol, Dawson County Sheriff 's Office,
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Union County Fire Department, Union County Road Department, Lumpkin County Sheriff 's Office, Gwinnett County Sheriff 's Office, White County Sheriff 's Office, Forsyth County Sheriff 's Office, Pickens County Sheriff 's Office, Towns County Sheriff 's Office, Fannin County Fire Department, Atlanta Fire Department, Gwinnett County Fire Department, Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Forest Service, DeKalb County Police Department, DeKalb County Fire Department, Dawson County Fire Department, Henry County Fire Department, Lumpkin County Fire Department, Towns County Fire Department, Forest Park Fire Department, Rabun County Fire and Rescue, Gilmer County Emergency Management Agency, Hall County Emergency Management Agency, Forsyth County Emergency Management Agency, Georgia State Defense Force, FBI, Enotah Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office, and Northeastern Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office.

Photo courtesy of Union County

September is
National
Preparedness
Month
September was National Preparedness Month (NPM) and a good reminder that we all have a responsibility in protecting ourselves, our families and our communities. Emergencies will happen, but taking action now can help us minimize their impact.
In 2008, the Ready Georgia campaign reminded Georgians to take important preparedness steps during NPM including: Get a disaster supplies kit, make a family emergency plan; be informed about the emergencies and their appropriate responses; and get involved in community efforts, such as Citizen Corps Councils. Throughout September, activities and events took place across this country and state to highlight the importance of emergency preparedness and promote individual involvement.
Ready Georgia encourages you to take a few extra minutes this month to plan in case of an emergency. Consider the following questions: Have you spoken to your children's schools about their safety plans? Do you know the evacuation plan at work? If your cell phone was inoperable, how would you get in touch with your family? Do you have a family meeting place and an out of town contact? These are just a few of the questions you should consider as you are developing your emergency plan.
By visiting ready.ga.gov, citizens can get information on how to prepare for natural and manmade disasters or pandemic outbreaks. The site's newest feature enables individuals and families to create customized Ready kit checklists and communications plans.
January 2009 EMERGENCY MANAGER

Media matters

We recently came across this interesting quote: "A still tongue makes no enemies." We have no idea who said it, although it's certainly profound and must reflect someone's memorable life experience and a bruising object lesson, but it's a sentiment that doesn't fly in our business.
As public affairs officers for the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA), our job is not to be silent. We have a story to tell about preparedness, and although we like to think we've told it quite eloquently, we apparently still have a lot of work to do and need to repeat it.
A survey conducted last year on GEMA's behalf in conjunction with the kick-off of the Ready Georgia campaign reveals that most Georgians really aren't prepared for a disaster. Regrettably, that's not a surprise, and it underscores previous surveys and research that suggest there are way too many people out there who aren't listening or, for whatever reason, have

not comprehended or discerned what we've been trying to tell them. Think Hurricane Katrina.
According to the survey, 78 percent of Georgians believe they are prepared to survive for 72 hours following a disaster, but at the same time, 80 percent say they are unprepared for a large-scale emergency. Only 44 percent believe they need to be prepared to survive on their own for more than 72 hours.
Many of the respondents have stocked flashlights and batteries, bottled water, and bandages, but most have not implemented a more thorough plan or properly stocked a potentially life-saving disaster supplies kit.
Younger, single, lower-income, Hispanics and African-Americans tend to be less prepared than others.
The findings are disturbing. There is obviously confusion and a profound lack of understanding about the threats we face and what preparation involves. There is a clear disconnect somewhere

along the line. Moreover, a sense of personal responsibility seems to be lacking.
What does this mean for us? We simply can't write it off as human nature or as the product of a mindless fast-food, sound-bite society. We'd be shirking our duties.
Rather, we have our work cut out for us. The communications process is a continuum that extends well beyond sending out a news release or standing in front of a TV camera talking about the start of hurricane season. The public must believe that our message is credible and must personalize our warnings and advice. They must decide to take action, and follow through.
Maybe that's where the disconnect begins. So we'll continue to refine and improve our skills and expertise -- and our messages. And we will hope that the public listens, learns and embraces personal responsibility. Media Matters is a new column from GEMA Public
Affairs Officers Buzz Weiss and Ken Davis.

Sugar refinery razed

The remains of the Imperial Sugar refinery met the wrecking ball in late June 2008, four months after a violent explosion at the Chatham County complex killed 13 workers.
The February 7, 2008, blast, caused when sugar dust ignited like gunpowder, occurred shortly after 7:00 p.m. and destroyed three sugar elevators. The ensuing fire destroyed other portions of the plant. Firefighters from Garden City, Port Wentworth, Pooler, Bloomingdale, Thunderbolt and Savannah responded to the initial call and the Chatham County Emergency Management Agency's emergency operations center was activated a short time later.
More than 200 emergency workers from cities and counties throughout the coastal area, along with state public safety officials, assisted in fire

and rescue efforts. Recovery of victims from the debris took more than a week.

5

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration proposed more than $8.7 million in fines against Imperial Sugar Co. for the February 2008 fire.
January 2009 EMERGENCY MANAGER

Citizen Corps Corner

Floyd County CERT

Vicki Wiles learned the value of disaster preparedness while growing up in Orlando, Florida. Hurricanes were a part of life, and every year her family went through the ritual of getting ready. These experiences remained deeply ingrained, even after Wiles moved to Georgia 13 years ago.
When Florida was walloped by an unprecedented four hurricanes in 2004, Wiles desperately wanted to return to the area to provide hands-on relief, but those who were not part of an official relief organization were discouraged from setting out on their own. "At the time, I was so frustrated about not being able to go support the hardest hit communities because self-deployment was not recommended," laments Wiles. "Unfortunately, at the time, there were no organized teams."
That was about to change. In March 2005, Floyd County's Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) held its first class. When one of Wiles' colleagues at Floyd Medical Center, a CERT instructor, suggested she take the course, she jumped at the chance. "I knew it was exactly what I needed to do," she says.
By November, her enthusiasm led Floyd County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director Scotty Hancock to appoint her CERT coordinator, where she focuses on training and outreach. She also helps organize safety events, including a smoke detector installation program where CERT members placed more than 200 smoke detectors in homes free of charge.
Federal and state guidelines require that volunteers take 20 hours of CERT training, including eight modules in emergency preparedness, fire safety, medical operations, light search and rescue operations, disaster psychology, team organization and terrorism. Training classes are scheduled approxi-

Vicki Wiles, CERT coordinator for Floyd County, learned the value of disaster preparedness while growing up in Orlando, Florida.
mately every two months and are conducted by first responders who volunteer their time and talent.
After the initial training is complete, Floyd County CERT team members are encouraged to stay involved and assist with future classes. Several CERT members have taken the trainthe-trainer course to become instructors. "We encourage members to share their knowledge with family members, civic organizations and church groups," says Wiles.
Annually, the Floyd County CERT put their training to the test by participating in full-scale exercises. CERT plays a valuable role in coordinating these exercises. They are eager and willing to act as victims, prepare fake wounds, called moulage, or assist on the exercise planning committee.
"We owe a tremendous amount of credit to the CERT team for making our exercises successful," Hancock declares.
"We really push for realism during our training so that real-life incidences are easier to handle," Wiles adds.

Those exercises immediately came in handy. Shortly after its inception, CERT team members responded to an apartment complex fire, where they rendered aid at a shelter set up by the American Red Cross and supported evacuation efforts and family reunification at a disaster recovery center.
In response to Hurricane Katrina in September 2005, CERT volunteers created disaster supplies kits, and several volunteers were deployed to the Gulf Coast to deliver desperately needed diesel fuel, feed evacuees and assist with clean-up and recovery. Others volunteered at Rome's disaster recovery center, which opened for Katrina evacuees to receive disaster assistance.
"We had a distribution center set up in an old grocery store," recalls Hancock. "Several CERT members assisted with loading and off-loading supplies, which were shipped to Mississippi and New Orleans."
In addition, Floyd County's EMA and CERT played a key role in creating Rome Kares, a non-profit organization developed by community leaders to help Hurricane Katrina victims. Now a 501(c)(3) organization, CERT members participate in quarterly meetings.
The team has been particularly busy this year. In January 2008, 18 CERT members joined the Floyd County Police Department and Floyd County EMA in a missing person search in rural west Rome. But the true test came when an EF-3 tornado roared through the county on March 15, 2008, killing one man and destroying 16 homes. Floyd County CERT immediately sprang into action, performing search and rescue, helping to set up a triage area, coordinating a rehab area for first responders to receive food and water, and helping the victims find personal belongings.
"We could not have maintained an efficient response and recovery without the help of our CERT team," says

6

January 2009 EMERGENCY MANAGER

Hancock. "The training they received was evident and was put to the test during this trying time."
On May 13, 2008, the team was recognized by the Floyd County Board of Commissioners for "their commitment and dedication to assisting the citizens of Floyd County."
Now 55 members strong, Floyd County CERT is reaching out to different segments of the community. "We have a huge need to serve the growing Hispanic population," Wiles says. As a result, nine bilingual CERT team members have been recruited, and outreach continues. In fact, the Floyd County CERT recently participated in a local Hispanic health fair.
"The CERT program is definitely growing and we want to maximize our potential to help the community," explains Wiles. "We plan to increase our preparedness outreach to various groups, including non-English populations, local colleges, long-term care facilities and neighborhood groups, through the development of a neighborhood watch program.
Wiles firmly believes that children influence their parents' behaviors and attitudes, and to help them prepare for a catastrophic event a Teen Student Emergency Response Team (SERT) was launched at Coosa High School as a part of health class curriculum. "The goal is for students to take the training received in the classroom out into the campus, community and their families," explains Wiles. Sixty students have joined the program.
"The Teen SERT program is designed to help students become more aware and prepared in the event of a disaster," Wiles continues. As the eyes and ears around campus, students are encouraged to be aware their surroundings at school and render aid when necessary."
Hancock and Wiles are excited about the CERT team's commitment and future efforts. Plans are under way to incorporate the program into the county's Local Emergency Operations Plan.
Training and recruitment, two major components of the program, will continue in 2008, with increased emphasis on developing trainers from
7

(Above) State Senator Preston W. Smith (in long-sleeved shirt) poses with a graduating Floyd CERT class after handing out diplomas. (Below) CERT trainees practice their first-aid skills and learn teamwork.

public safety agencies and recruitment of new CERT and Teen SERT members.
"Within our community, we really want to emphasize that emergency preparedness can only be realized through awareness, planning, training, practice and teamwork," Hancock concludes.

To learn more about Floyd County's CERT program, visit www.floydcountycert.org. To learn more about Citizen Corps and how to start a CERT program in your community, visit www.citizencorps.gov/cert. -- Kandice Eldon
January 2009 EMERGENCY MANAGER

Fayette County Emergency Management Agency Gets Knight-ed
By Lisa Janak Newman, Editor

For more than 10 years, George Knight has been making a difference in his community by volunteering for the Fayette County Emergency Management Agency (EMA). When Knight first signed on to volunteer, he was working as a pilot for Northwest Airlines. "My wife has been a lifelong volunteer at PiedmontFayette Hospital and with the American Red Cross and I watched what it did for her," says Knight. "As I pilot, I had stretches of days off and wanted to get more involved in my community."
He became motivated to help disaster victims after seeing people's lives get washed away during severe flooding caused by Tropical Storm Alberto in 1994, the state's most devastating disaster in history, and began volunteering with the South Metro Service chapter of the American Red Cross. There he met Fayette County Emergency Management Coordinator Pete Nelms, who introduced him to volunteer opportunities at the Fayette County EMA.
"He is my right-hand man," says Nelms.
Now retired from Northwest Airlines, Knight estimates he logs approximately 30 hours each month with Fayette County EMA, where he works on a variety of projects. "There's never something that doesn't need to be done," he says.
In 2001, he helped the county achieve its StormReady designation from the National Weather Service. StormReady is a grassroots program that helps communities develop plans to handle all types of severe weather. To be officially StormReady, a community must establish a 24-hour warning point and emergency operations center, have more than one way to receive severe weather warnings and forecasts and to alert the public, create a system

that monitors weather conditions locally, promote the importance of public readiness through community seminars, and develop a formal hazardous weather plan, which includes training severe weather spotters and holding emergency exercises.
"I gathered all the information needed for the application and talked about our notification system when assessors came here for a field visit," says Knight. "We have to recertify every three years, and I've taken care of that."
He also set up, trains users and maintains the county's emergency management and response software, which is used during crises.
Most recently, he wrote and facilitated a tabletop school safety exercise held May 30, 2008, at McIntosh High School to prepare school officials and public safety personnel for an act of violence. "It was an armed gunmen scenario," Knight explains. "One man took the principal hostage, while another held 20 hostages in the media center." To make the exercise a success, he had to work with numerous public safety agencies from different jurisdictions.
"I give Pete credit for allowing me to do these things," says Knight.
Knight also makes time to be an amateur radio operator for the National Weather Service (NWS), where he relays information from Stormspotters to a ham radio station at the NWS. In addition, he is a certified emergency manager (CEM), firefighter and emergency medical technician. Recently he became a certified 9-1-1 practitioner, where he handles nonemergency calls to take that burden off operators during severe weather. Furthermore, Knight is working to become a master CEM. To achieve master CEM status, applicants must have served a minimum of five years in

an emer-

gency man-

agement

position,

completed

the CEM

program and

fulfilled

additional

training and

program

development

initiatives.

George Knight

Knight

hopes to

complete his coursework by the end of

the year.

Knight has received numerous

accolades for his volunteer work. The

South Metro Service Center of the

American Red Cross named him

Volunteer of the Year in 1998 and in

2002, he was recognized by the

Emergency Management Association

of Georgia and the United Way.

"I have known George Knight for

more than ten years, during which time

he has volunteered countless hours to

the Department of Fire and Emergency

Services' Emergency Management

Program," says Interim County

Administrator Jack Krakeel. "His dedi-

cation to helping those in need does

not stop in Fayette County: As a Red

Cross volunteer, he has responded to

emergency events throughout the

Atlanta area, assisting victims of fires,

floods and tornadoes.

"George Knight exemplifies every

day what it means to be a community

volunteer. We are extremely proud and

thankful to have a man of his caliber

assist us in meeting the emergency

needs of our citizens."

It is not the recognition that moti-

vates Knight to volunteer, however.

"I've met a lot of great people working

disaster relief," he says. "I get so much

out of it."

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January 2009 EMERGENCY MANAGER

Wilkes County Residents Can Now Tune Into Weather Alerts
By Lisa Janak Newman, Editor

Photo courtesy of Kip Burke, Washington News-Reporter

When severe weather threatens, seconds can mean the difference between being a survivor or a victim of a disaster. For years, the emergency management community has been advising residents to tune into the NOAA Weather Radio network to hear watches and warnings, which gives listeners the critical minutes they need to take cover. While most Georgia residents have access to these alerts issued by the National Weather Service, the residents of Wilkes County were not so fortunate.
Local residents had to rely on signals from Athens for alerts, which was 45 miles away. "If it was a good day, you might be able to get the signal," says Washington-Wilkes County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director Alan Poss. However, many areas of the county did not receive the alerts at all.
Poss had been working to obtain a NOAA Weather Radio transmitter ever since the remnants of Hurricane Ivan moved through the county in September 2004, bringing heavy rain and a tornado that caused $400,000 in damage. Afterwards, Wilkes County received a federal disaster declaration, enabling Poss to apply for a hazard mitigation grant to get a transmitter that would provide coverage to all residents.
Wilkes County is large in area but has a relatively small population of approximately 10,600. About half reside around the City of Washington while the others live in more isolated areas. "NOAA Weather Radio was the way to go for everyone to receive watches and warnings," says Poss. "Ninety percent of Georgians were covered [by the NOAA Weather Radio network], but the people I was responsible for weren't. I felt like I needed to take some initiative about that."
He was particularly concerned that
9

Washington-Wilkes 9-1-1 Director Jerry Hackney shows city and state officials the county's new transmitter.

schools were not receiving the signal, even though they each had a NOAA Weather Radio. "We told schools the best thing for them to do was to turn on the television to get warnings," says Poss. "It was a bad situation."
The hazard mitigation grant paid for the bulk of the $40,162 installation costs, with a FEMA share of $30,122 and a local share of $10,040. However, that was only half the battle. The grant did not cover the transmitter's maintenance, so Poss asked the National Weather Service (NWS), which would own the transmitter, to assume that expense.
Unfortunately, due to budget constraints, the agency had recently imposed a moratorium on funding the maintenance services that support the NOAA Weather Radio transmitter network. Although the cost of the transmitter was handled, the county would have had to pay a NWS contractor to provide the replacement parts, parts repair and technical assistance. "This would have been cost-prohibitive for us," says Poss. The county simply could not afford this expense.
However, after coming this far, Poss was not going to take "no" for an answer. He appealed to the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, the National Weather Service Southern

Regional Headquarters, and, finally, U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss to convince NWS to make an exception to its rule. A flurry of letters went back and forth among the agencies.
His persistence paid off. In December 2006, NWS agreed to provide funds to maintain the equipment. The new transmitter was unveiled at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on January 9, 2008.
"This has taken a lot of time and effort to get, but we've gotten NWS to take over the maintenance costs, and that was the last thing in the way," says Poss.
Now, when severe weather threatens, the 320-watt dual-transmitter radio will blast a warning to NOAA Weather Radios throughout Wilkes County and into nearby Lincoln, Taliaferro, Warren, McDuffie and Oglethorpe counties. The equipment is housed in the basement of the Wilkes County Law Enforcement Center, and the antenna is mounted high up on the main antenna mast.
"Residents and schools are tickled to death," says Poss. "We participated in the tornado drill in February that was held during Severe Weather Awareness Week, and for the first time, every school got the warning.
"We stopped the gaps."

January 2009 EMERGENCY MANAGER

Georgia Receives National Emergency Management Accreditation
By Kandice Eldon, Public Affairs Officer

On November 28, 2007, Governor Sonny Perdue announced the accreditation of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) and the state's system of preparedness and response by the national Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP). EMAP is a voluntary accreditation process for state, territorial and local government programs that coordinate preparedness and response activities for natural and man-made disasters, ranging from tornadoes to terrorism.
There are only 16 accredited states and three local jurisdictions in the nation. "GEMA's accreditation places Georgia in an elite group," says Governor Sonny Perdue. "By meeting the stringent national emergency management program standards, Georgia has demonstrated its national leadership in emergency preparedness efforts."
GEMA is the lead agency responsible for ensuring the state's accreditation. Terry Ball, GEMA's deputy director of programs, managed the overall accreditation process. "EMAP gave us an opportunity to look at the entire agency and its functions as it relates to our response before, during and after a disaster," explains Ball. "We were able to assess GEMA's programs against established national standards."
In the EMAP standard criterion,
10

there are 58 numbered standards covering several areas of emergency management. They include operations and procedures, logistics and facilities, training, exercises, evaluations and corrective action, communications and warning, crisis communications, public education and information, finance and administration.
The accreditation process took nearly two years to complete. In early January 2006, eight GEMA employees were designated as EMAP coordinators for their respective divisions. The team began the accreditation process with an agency self-assessment, where the required standards were reviewed and all essential documents were compiled to meet accreditation requirements.
GEMA Planner Kristy Grossweiler was appointed accreditation manager to coordinate the administrative aspects of the self-assessment. She was responsible for obtaining and documenting GEMA's evidence of compliance with the EMAP standards, scheduling, and oversight activities.
"The accreditation process definitely required the support of the entire agency," Grossweiler recalls. "Over the course of eight months, the EMAP coordinators worked as a team, sharing ideas, documents, whatever was needed to get the job done."
The team conducted the selfassessment by carefully reviewing all the required standards in 15 keys areas:

program management, laws and authorities, hazard identification and risk assessment, hazard mitigation, resource management, mutual aid, planning, direction, control and coordination, communications and warning, operations and procedures, logistics and facilities, crisis communications, public education and information, finance and administration, training, exercises, evaluations, and corrective action.
Once the first round of self-assessments were complete, the team submitted Proof of Compliance Records (PCR) to EMAP. Next, EMAP assessors began to review the materials and make plans for an on-site assessment.
In May 2006, the preliminary onsite assessment, which included examining compliance documents, conducting interviews, making observations, and preparing and entering findings in the EMAP Online Assessment Tool, was conducted. In August 2006, GEMA received the good news that it met 40 of the 58 required standards and had received probationary, or conditional, accreditation. This meant that although GEMA did not meet all 58 standards of compliance, it appeared to be in a position to so do in a short amount of time.
"We were elated to receive the conditional accreditation," recalls Grossweiler. "At that point, we were more than halfway there, we knew full
January 2009 EMERGENCY MANAGER

accreditation was only a few months awa, and we were ready and willing to make the needed changes."
One of the 18 standards requiring additional attention was the public affairs outreach to Georgia's nonEnglish speaking populations. It was determined that a language line was needed to provide interpretation services for those with limited English who called GEMA for assistance. The system was soon installed in GEMA's communications center and quickly put to good use. A new Proof of Compliance Record outlining the importance of this service was created.
In August 2007, the EMAP committee returned to review the 18 deficient standards. They determined GEMA now met all required standards. Final reports and comments were sent to the EMAP Program Review committee. GEMA waited patiently for a decision.
In November 2007, Assistant Director of Operations and EMAP Coordinator Joe McKinney went to Reno, Nevada, to answer any final questions from the EMAP committee. Shortly thereafter, GEMA was pleased to learn it had received accreditation.
"GEMA worked hard over the past two years to receive this prestigious accreditation which reflects the highest standard in state and local emergency preparedness," says GEMA Director Charley English. "We appreciate this recognition and will continue to work with our local partners in providing the highest level of service to our citizens."
Even better, GEMA's School Safety program was recognized for its best practices. EMAP assessors noted that while many states have a school safety person liaison or planner, Georgia goes far and above the industry standard with our legal requirement that each public school must have an emergency plan (private schools are not required to have a plan but many voluntarily participate).
Accredited programs are expected to maintain compliance with all EMAP standards and keep proof of compliance current. Accreditation is valid for five years, after which GEMA is encouraged to apply for reaccreditation.
11

Benefits of EMAP accreditation

Provides opportunity to assess your program against established national standards.
Demonstrates discipline and accountability in regularly reviewing, maintaining and documenting compliance with standards and best practices.

Provides a common structure for review and analysis among state and local government programs nationwide.
Offers residents evidence of best efforts to comply with national standards and helps define emergency management.

CELLAR

THE STORM
Take this quiz about hurricane season.
1) What two South American countries are not at risk from hurricanes? a) Brazil and Argentina b) Brazil and Uruguay c) Venezuela and Guyana d) Chile and Guyana
2) How long after hurricane landfall do tornadoes remain a threat? a) 12 hours b) One day c) Two days d) Three days
3) What hurricane spawned the largest number of tornadoes, and when? a) Hurricane Ivan in 2004 b) Hurricane Rita in 2005 c) Hurricane Andrew in 1992 d) Hurricane Opal in 1995
4) What was the fastest hurricane, in terms of its forward speed? a) Hurricane Katrina in 2004 b) Hurricane Floyd in 1999 c) Hurricane Emily in 1987 d) Hurricane Beulah in 1967
January 2009 EMERGENCY MANAGER

Answers 1) a; 2) d; 3) a; 4) c

Get Ready, Georgia!
New campaign seeks to motivate Georgians to prepare for disaster
By Lisa Janak Newman, Editor

Photo courtesy of Michael Newman

Sammye Banker believes her family is "somewhat prepared" to face a disaster. After all, she survived Hurricane Andrew in 1992, a Category 5 hurricane that made landfall in Homestead, Florida. Now living in Gwinnett County, Banker is well aware her family of four should be ready to survive on their own for at least three days after a disaster. They have even made an effort to stock emergency supplies: They recently purchased a battery-powered combination television/AM-FM/NOAA Weather Radio/LED light/hand crank cell phone charger, and they keep a windup flashlight, first aid kit, and extra food for their dog, Zag, on hand. "In some ways, we're better prepared than most people," Banker says. However, she realizes she needs to take additional steps.
"We don't have a three-day supply of food or water," Banker admits, although she knows they should stock non-perishable food and one gallon of water per day for each member of her household, which besides herself, includes husband, Jeff, and sons Cole, 10, and Josh, 18. The Bankers also have not designated a point of contact each person should call if they are separated when a disaster strikes, and they do not have a disaster plan. "We need to create one," she says. "If something were to happen right now, Cole is here, but I wouldn't know how to connect with Jeff and Josh."
Banker is not alone. A recent statewide survey conducted on behalf of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) finds that when faced with large-scale emergencies, such as natural disasters, pandemic outbreaks or terrorist attacks, most Georgians are not prepared to survive without assistance for the rec-
12

ommended 72 hours,

though 78 percent think

they are. The survey

yielded results that

proved what many state

officials feared -- that

too many Georgians are

not prepared.

This is why GEMA

created Ready Georgia, a

new statewide campaign

that motivates Georgians

to "get a kit, make a plan

and be informed" in the

face of disaster.

Governor Sonny Perdue unveiled the campaign on January 28,

Like many Georgians, the Banker family has taken some steps to prepare for a disaster, but admit they have more work to do.

2008.

Americans to prepare for and respond

to emergencies including natural disas-

Get ready, Georgia

ters and potential terrorist attacks.

Ready Georgia uses a new Web site The goal of the campaign is to get the

(www.ready.ga.gov), funded by the

public involved and ultimately to

Georgia Department of Human

increase the level of basic preparedness

Resources Division of Public Health, across the nation.

television and radio advertising donat-

The campaign also has an educa-

ed by the Ad Council, an online com-

tion component geared specifically

munity toolkit, and media outreach.

toward children. Ready Kids helps par-

This comprehensive approach to

ents and teachers educate children ages

preparing Georgians also incorporates 8 - 12 about emergencies and how they

the efforts of volunteer organizations, can help get their family prepared. The

city and county governments and state program includes a family-friendly Web

agencies from across Georgia.

site (www.ready.gov/kids) and in-

"Preparation for a large-scale

school materials developed by

disaster can protect Georgians from

Scholastic Inc. The campaign mascot,

undue harm and even save lives," said

Rex, is also available for community

Governor Perdue. "Individuals and

appearances.

families need to be the first line of

According to the U.S. Census

defense and that means taking steps

Bureau, more than 600,000 families in

now to prepare. Ready Georgia is a

Georgia have a family member with a

valuable tool for all of our citizens."

disability, and almost 800,000

Ready Georgia provides a local

Georgians are over age 65. These peo-

dimension to Ready America, a broad- ple may require special assistance dur-

er national campaign. Launched in

ing a disaster and need to know how to

February 2003, Ready is a national

prepare. Information for these particu-

public service advertising campaign

lar groups is included in the online

designed to educate and empower

toolkit at www.ready.ga.gov.

January 2009 EMERGENCY MANAGER

The national Ready campaign launched Listo in December 2003 as a Spanish version of Ready America. Listo aims to educate and empower Hispanic Americans to prepare for and respond to emergencies. Spanishspeaking citizens of Georgia can get all of the necessary preparedness information by visiting www.listo.gov.
In addition, materials are available on www.ready.gov that highlight the key steps pet owners should take to prepare themselves and their animals. This information was developed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the American Kennel Club, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, American Veterinary Medical Association, and The Humane Society of the United States.
Ready Business, an extension of the Ready Campaign, focuses on business preparedness. Ready Business helps owners and managers of small- to medium-sized businesses prepare their employees, operations and assets in the event of an emergency.
The Ready Georgia launch was announced during a ceremony held at the Capitol to proclaim the week of February 3-9, 2008, as Severe Weather Awareness Week (SWAW) in Georgia.
Third graders from The Children's School helped present a Ready kit to the governor that included a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radio, a flashlight and a face mask, among other disaster necessities.
In addition, Jim Shortal, former director of crisis management at The Home Depot, the premiere campaign sponsor, announced the company's support of the Ready Georgia effort. To help Georgians prepare, The Home Depot will launch a charitable program to help low-income residents afford Ready kit items. The company also plans to create seasonal in-store Ready kit displays and have Ready checklists available at all Georgia locations throughout the year. During September, National Preparedness Month, Home Depot promoted preparedness awareness at its monthly Saturday Kids Workshop at all Georgia store locations.
13

On May 5, 2008, Home Depot hosted a new kind of scavenger hunt at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens to help children get prepared for hurricane season. During the event, students from the Atlanta New Century School searched for items such as flashlights, batteries, bottled water, NOAA Weather Radio and first aid kits to demonstrate that getting ready for hurricane season is easy and affordable and involves gathering just a few important items from around your house, your local home improvement store or your regular grocery store.
Survey says ... A phone survey of 300 people
completed in October 2007 indicates that those who are least prepared tend to be younger, a minority, single, and have a lower household income. Though these groups tend to be the least prepared, the survey results show that few residents are ready.
When asked if they could survive for three days after a disaster strikes, 78 percent of the state population said yes. However, 80 percent claim that they are not fully prepared to survive a large-scale disaster, which indicates confusion over what being ready means.
Even with the heightened attention given to emergency preparedness after 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina, the survey found that in reality, most Georgians have failed to take the necessary steps towards being ready for a large-scale emergency here. For instance, many people have not stocked their homes with some of the supplies needed. Most people have a flashlight, a basic first aid kit, batteries, water and nonperishable food, but lack other necessary supplies like face masks, cash and extra prescription medication.
In addition, 81 percent of respondents say they have not conducted an evacuation or fire drill with their families, while almost three quarters have not arranged a family meeting place or created a disaster plan. Sixty-nine percent have not determined an alternate shelter or put together an emergency kit for the car.
Other results highlighted Georgian's preparedness perceptions:

Only 44 percent know they should be prepared to survive on their own for at least three days. A quarter of the population believes local, state or federal help would arrive within a day of a largescale emergency strike. Ninety-seven percent believe it is important to help others during an emergency. Ninety-eight percent believe it is important to follow the warnings of local officials such as police and firefighters.
"The results confirmed that there is a great need to engage our citizens on the topic of emergency preparedness," says GEMA and Homeland Security Director Charley English. "GEMA can support local authorities in responding to emergencies after they happen, but it is up to every person to be prepared in order to mitigate the effects of disasters."
Local support Georgia's local emergency manage-
ment agencies (EMA) are an important partner in this campaign. To further introduce Ready Georgia, its components and how these tools can benefit community outreach efforts, GEMA conducted a conference training call for EMAs in early February.
The call reviewed the online community toolkit, which includes a standard PowerPoint presentation community leaders can customize for their audience, fact sheets, information about the Home Depot partnership, sample press releases, and a guide to working with the media.
"We've got the resources to help people prepare," said English. "It is important that leaders encourage people to do the right thing to protect themselves and their loved ones."
By aligning with the Ready America campaign, GEMA hopes to have a consistent preparedness message that is flexible enough to be customized for each community, yet mirrors the state and federal message.
The message is already hitting home with Banker. "We need to think a little bit more about preparedness," she says. "We'll work on that disaster plan!"
January 2009 EMERGENCY MANAGER

Turbulent Tornado `Season' Triggers Disaster Declarations
By Buzz Weiss, Public Affairs Officer

Aviolent EF-2 tornado tore across downtown Atlanta shortly after 9:30 the evening of March 14, kicking off the second bruising tornado "season" in a row for Georgia that would ultimately lead to two presidential disaster declarations for the state.
Bad weather began to move across the state late on March 14, 2008, and the Atlanta tornado was first of four tornadoes that would strike that night and on the following day, leaving three people dead in Fulton, Floyd and Polk counties and more than $13.5 million in uninsured damages to public buildings and infrastructure, most of it in downtown Atlanta. The disaster declaration (DR 1750), issued March 20, 2008, initially covered Fulton County, but was soon expanded to include DeKalb, Bartow, Burke, Jefferson, Polk and Floyd counties.
The second round of spring storms hit in the early morning hours of Mother's Day. In all, 20 tornadoes would be confirmed by the National

Weather Service (NWS) in that deadly outbreak. Four people died and uninsured damages topped $10 million. That declaration (DR 1761) included Bibb, Carroll, Douglas, Emanuel, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Laurens, McIntosh, Twiggs, Crawford, Glynn, Treutlen and Wilkinson counties.
A historic Atlanta storm The Atlanta twister touched down
in the Vine City neighborhood of northwest Atlanta and tore across city landmarks, including the Georgia Dome, the World Congress Center, CNN Center/Omni Hotel and Philips Arena. It caused extensive damage and littered surrounding streets with debris, including signs, traffic lights, sections of roofing, and furniture that was sucked through the smashed windows of hotel rooms.
The tornado continued in an easterly direction, breaking out hundreds of windows in the Equitable Building and the Westin Hotel and causing a temporary power outage and other

14

damage at Grady Memorial Hospital, where the emergency room was bracing for the worst. The storm toppled nearly 100 trees and damaged scores of monuments in historic Oakland Cemetery before causing heavy damage to the Cotton Mill Lofts, where parts of the fourth floor collapsed into the basement. It tapered off as it moved into East Atlanta, tearing off roofs and taking down trees and power lines.
The body of a man was found several days later in the rubble of the building he tried to take shelter in just blocks from downtown. Miraculously, he was the only fatality linked to the Atlanta storm, even though the downtown area was particularly busy that night.
The Hawks and Clippers were playing at Philips Arena, while an SEC game between Mississippi State and the University of Alabama was under way at the Georgia Dome. Spectators would have been leaving the Dome as the tornado hit had it not been for Alabama's Mykel Riley who, unaware of his real
January 2009 EMERGENCY MANAGER

heroics, hit a three-pointer at the buzzer, tying the game and keeping the thousands of fans safely inside, even as debris began to rain from the ceiling.
We dodged a bullet," said AtlantaFulton County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director Rocky Moore, who added that first responders did an "exemplary" job in addressing life safety issues in the hours after the storm hit.
NWS meteorologists said the storm's track stretched six miles and it was 100 to 200 yards wide, with winds of up to 130 mph. The storm effectively put the kibosh on the old wives tale that tornadoes don't hit in downtown or high-density areas.
Dozens of ambulances and other emergency vehicles, including Georgia Search and Rescue (GSAR) squads from across the metro area converged on Marietta Street, along with swarms of reporters and photographers. The story took on an added global dimension, occurring literally on the doorstep of CNN and the Atlanta bureau of the Associated Press.
Downtown streets were closed for weeks after the storm because of the danger of falling glass. And in the days following, emergency workers were reminded of the caprice of tornadoes. Rep. John Lewis' office in the Equitable Building was destroyed, while neighboring suites were unscathed. CNN Center and Centennial Olympic Park sustained heavy damage, while the Bar Association headquarters just a block away escaped even broken windows, much to the relief of officials who feared that the sealed files of accused "courthouse killer" Brian Nichols would be scattered to the winds.
Although this was the first tornado to hit downtown Atlanta, it was not the first to touch down within the city limits. The so-called "Governor's Tornado" of March 1975 cut a swath of more than 15 miles, rampaging through housing projects and warehouses before tearing the roof off the Governor's mansion in Atlanta's Buckhead neighborhood and leaving three people dead and nearly 150 injured in its wake.
15

But it's not just Atlanta
While much of the media attention was focused on Atlanta, more storms battered areas of northwest and eastcentral Georgia the following day.
An EF-3 tornado with maximum winds of 150 mph, ripped a 16-mile path across Polk, Floyd and Bartow counties just after noon. Two people were killed in this storm, including a Floyd County man, who died when his home collapsed in the face of the storm. He had stayed behind after his family evacuated.
"The tornado destroyed everything in its path," said Floyd County EMA Director Scotty Hancock. "We're fortunate it didn't affect a larger area."
Hancock said 16 structures were damaged, including five that were destroyed. He said rescuers found one family huddled in the open basement of their home where they had taken cover. Their house had been picked up from its foundation and dumped about 20 yards away.
A second person was killed instantly when her Polk County home was destroyed. Polk County EMA Director Elaine Anderson said the woman's husband was seriously injured and continues to recover.
Later that evening, an EF-2 twister hit Jefferson and Burke counties, tearing a 19-mile path. There were no fatalities or serious injuries, but at least 55 mobile homes and 185 single-family dwellings were damaged or destroyed.

Many landmark buildings, including Philips Arena, were damaged when an EF-2 tornado wreaked havoc on downtown Atlanta in March 2008. .
More than a dozen businesses and six government buildings were also damaged or destroyed. A third tornado, rated EF-0, touched down in Butts County about the same time as the storm that hit Jefferson and Burke.
Mother Nature strikes again As recovery efforts from the
March storms continued, thunder and lighting in the early morning hours of Mother's Day, May 11, 2008, foretold yet another spate of angry twisters.
The first two touched down just minutes apart in Carroll County. Both were fairly strong EF-2 tornadoes, but fortunately they were on the ground only briefly. Most of the damage in Carroll was attributed to destructive straight-line winds that cut a 25-mile path across the county. According to EMA Director Tim Padgett, more than 600 homes and over 170 businesses, including the county's emergency services headquarters, sustained moderate damage. At about the same time, two more EF-2 tornadoes were buffeting Troup and Meriwether counties.
Over the next three hours, 16 more tornadoes would strike across the state -- in Clayton, Henry, Rockdale, Newton, Bibb, Twiggs, Laurens, Johnson, Washington, Jefferson, Emanuel, Treutlen, Montgomery,
January 2009 EMERGENCY MANAGER

The tornado caused approximately $500,000 in damage in historic Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta, a city treasure. The recovery process is under way.
Toombs, Glynn, McIntosh, Tattnall, Screven, Bulloch, Wilkinson and Jenkins counties.
Bibb County was one of the hardest hit areas, with nearly 1,500 homes damaged or destroyed. Macon State College and Central Georgia Technical College sustained heavy damage. Fortunately, there were no fatalities or serious injures, although 2,119 residents went to three centers set up across the county for disaster aid.
"The storm had a tremendous impact," said Macon-Bibb County EMA Director Johnny Wingers. "And I think that NOAA Weather Radios and our outdoor warning sirens saved a lot of lives.
"We had a lot of people in tents and campers at Lake Tobosofkee, so we turned on the sirens and they were able to take shelter in restrooms and other secure areas."
Weeks after the storm hit, Wingers said emergency officials were still finding trees on buildings and were working with private organizations to help facilitate clean-up and debris removal.
In Laurens County, "the deaths had a greater impact on us than anything else," said EMA Director Don Bryant, referring to the husband and wife who died when their mobile home was overturned and destroyed. Two of the couple's grandchildren had been spending the night, but escaped serious injury.
The tornadoes showed no preference or bias, traversing the state all the way to the coast. One of the twisters hit St. Simons Island in Glynn County,
16

and an EF-4 tornado pummeled McIntosh County, causing extensive damage to the EMS building and four emergency vehicles parked inside, scuttling plans to expand the structure.
"We were ready to start construction of a 9-1-1 facility in the building the following week," lamented McIntosh County Emergency Manager Ray Parker.
The McIntosh storm, which also caused heavy damage to the county's dock and marina, was only the ninth EF-4 tornado to hit Georgia since 1950.
In addition to the Laurens County fatalities, two other people died in Barrow and Gwinnett counties when they were struck by falling tree limbs weakened by the high winds.
The third time wasn't the charm Yet a third round of tornadoes wal-
loped the state on May 20, with three storms hitting Cherokee, Washington and Hancock counties. The most serious of the three was an EF-1 twister that struck the Holly Springs area of Cherokee County, damaging nearly 900 structures. A presidential disaster declaration was requested, but was denied on June 13. The state appealed this decision.
Volunteers help Volunteer organizations are critical
to disaster response and recovery efforts, and this year's experience underscored that role as members of Georgia's Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD) worked to meet the needs of thousands of storm victims.
"The volunteers came out in a big way and provided critical human services in the first 24 hours," said AtlantaFulton County's Moore.
Over the three weeks following the March 14-15, 2008, tornadoes, the Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 391 families and assisted hundreds more through various programs. More than 300 people stayed in Red Cross shelters.
In the hours following the Atlanta tornado, Salvation Army mobile disaster units combed Atlanta's Cabbagetown and Vine City neighbor-

hoods, serving up more than 3,400 meals and snacks to emergency responders and storm victims.
Among other disaster response initiatives, Georgia Baptist Disaster Services provided nearly 40,000 meals at centers in Bibb, Douglas and Johnson counties .
Macon-Bibb's Wingers also had high praise for VOAD organizations, as well as Samaritan's Purse, an international faith-based disaster relief organization that was involved in clearing right-of-way and debris in the wake of the Bibb County storm.
State and federal aid to storm victims is also provided through disaster recovery centers (DRCs), readily accessible facilities or mobile offices where applicants may go for information about state and federal disaster assistance programs, or for questions related to their case. Some of the services that a DRC may provide include information about food stamps, unemployment and insurance, guidance regarding disaster recovery, housing assistance and rental resource information, resolution to problems, and referrals to agencies that may provide further assistance.
Following the March 14-15, 2008, tornadoes, DRCs were opened in Fulton, Polk, Bartow, Burke and Jefferson counties. DRCs were opened in Bibb, Carroll, Jenkins, Johnson, Laurens, Douglas, Emanuel, Jefferson, McIntosh and Twiggs counties in the aftermath of the Mother's Day storms.
A dubious distinction Tornadoes are common in Georgia.
In fact, the NWS reports that a total of 1,551 tornadoes have been confirmed from the time record-keeping began in 1884 through 2007. And at least 27 have been reported since the beginning of this year. Worth County holds the distinction of having 30 tornadoes confirmed since 1950, the most of any county in Georgia.
Not all tornadoes generate presidential disaster declarations. But two counties declared in this year's outbreak of storms share the record of having the most declarations issued Carroll and Polk counties, with nine declarations each since 1990.
January 2009 EMERGENCY MANAGER

New Weather Warning Methods Improve Accuracy, Quality
By Buzz Weiss, Public Affairs Officer

Severe weather warnings, issued by the National Weather Service (NWS), are coming in new packages.
In the past, weather advisories were issued based on counties or groups of counties. But as of October 1, 2007, NWS began to define warning areas by a four-sided polygon, a box-type rendering that covers smaller, more specific areas. The corners of the polygons that indicate warning areas are defined by latitude and longitude points.
NWS officials say the change was spurred by the fact that meteorological threats are not restricted to artificial political boundaries, such as county lines. They say the use of polygons will improve the accuracy and quality of warnings. It will also help emergency managers to more effectively target notifications.
For those of you who struggled with geometry, Dictionary.com defines a polygon as "a figure, esp. a closed plane figure, having three or more, usually straight, sides."
The polygons for the severe weather warnings are drawn by NWS

meteorologists based on the location of the greatest threat of severe weather. Warning software generates the text of the warning based on the parameters of the polygon.
Meteorologist Chris Walsh, hurricane program manager for the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, says with the new system, there is a higher likelihood that communities receiving the alerts will be affected by the impending weather, which will instill a higher level of confidence and reduce false alarms.
Sample polygons generated by NWS show that the actual area covered by a warning can be reduced by 50 percent or more, trimming the number of people affected by a false alarm significantly.
"When people repeatedly receive false alarm warnings, they are likely not to react to future warnings," says Walsh. "Polygon warnings allow local emergency management agencies to activate alarms in areas that are specifically affected."
Walsh says the polygon system is also more compatible with new technologies. He says, for example, that the

polygon-based warnings contain information that easily translates into geographic information systems (GIS) and data-capable cell phones.
The polygon warnings are also being met with enthusiasm by television weather forecasters, including Chris Holcombe of Atlanta's WXIATV (Channel 11).
"We have had frustrations in the past from warnings issued for an entire county, such as Fulton," says Holcombe. "We'd see a storm coming toward south Fulton, but the entire county would be warned.
"This new system is a big help to us and will help us to pinpoint who will -- or won't -- be affected by severe weather."
NWS forecasters emphasize that the storm-based polygons enable them to focus on the "true" area threatened by a specific storms. They say it will support the evolution of NOAA Weather Radio to alert areas smaller than an entire county and support the development of graphical and Webbased products that show where the greatest threat from a severe storm exists.

17

January 2009 EMERGENCY MANAGER

Sumter Regional Hospital: A Survival Story
By Marcus Johnson, Sumter Regional Hospital Marketing Director

Sumter Regional Hospital (SRH) in Americus, Georgia, once was a 143-bed hospital facility that served Sumter County and the surrounding 10-county region of southwest Georgia. However, its future was forever changed when on March 1, 2007, at 9:26 p.m., it was hit by an EF-3 tornado packing winds of upwards of 160 mph. It completely destroyed the hospital, a staple of the community for the past 50 years.
Despite losing its facility and most of its medical offices, SRH became a beacon in the face of adversity. Staff continued to provide services, demonstrating that a hospital is more than bricks and mortar; it is a group of caring and compassionate people who will do whatever it takes to serve the needs of its community.
Just six days after the storm, SRH, with the assistance of FEMA and the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA), opened a makeshift urgent care facility of MASH-like unit blue tents in the parking lot across the street from the tornado-ravaged hospital. Only two months later, a 24-hour urgent care and outpatient services facility was opened, offering a limited amount of specialty services and enabling many residents to avoid a 45-minute drive to a nearby hospital.
On April 1, 2008, SRH opened a 76-bed, 70,000 sq. ft. interim facility housing a majority of services lost in the tornado. The interim facility, dubbed Sumter Regional East, will serve as the hospital for the next three years while a permanent facility is built. In the first three months Sumter Regional East was open, Outpatient Services numbers climbed to almost the same capacity as before the tornado. Inpatient numbers also increased, and hospital officials are confident that the community will remain supportive as the recovery process continues. Our
18

To raise money for a new facility, Sumter Regional Hospital is selling souvenir bricks. Insurance agent Russ Childers poses with his in front of the remains of the old hospital, which was razed to make way for a 76-bed, 70,0000 sq. ft. interim facility, dubbed Sumter Regional East. It opened April 1, 2008.

physicians are ecstatic about having a place to see their patients and perform surgeries, knowing that they don't have to drive 45 minutes for service.
To show that the hospital and the community were down but not out, SRH launched its "Indestructible" campaign. It conveys the message while the building may be gone, the spirit of the hospital and its employees will never die. The campaign kicked off with the story of how all of the patients and employees made it through the storm without any fatalities or serious injuries, then highlighted the hospital's journey from total ruin to a brand-new interim facility.
In June 2008, Americus native and former NFL star Leonard Pope hosted Leonard Pope's All-Star Weekend to raise funds for SRH. This spring, the hospital participated in the "Win An MRI" contest sponsored by Siemens Medical Solutions. Although SRH did not receive the most votes, Siemens took note of its plight and decided to donate an MRI system to the hospital, anyway. SRH also launched a Souvenir Brick Drive, where people could purchase a brick from the old hospital

engraved with its name and the date of the storm. Proceeds go toward construction of the new facility.
SRH has received numerous awards in the aftermath of the storm. It was named Hospital of the Year by the Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals. President and CEO David Seagraves received the 2007 Robert A. Lipson CEO of the Year Award from the Georgia Hospital Association (GHA). In addition, in December 2007, SRH was one of 10 recipients of GHA's Georgia Hospital Heroes Award. For the first time, rather than recognizing just one person, this award acknowledged the courage of the entire staff who worked together to serve the community in the tornado's wake.
The hospital continues to work with FEMA and GEMA on long-term solutions, which include building a permanent facility in the next few years. Talks with an architectural firm are in progress and if all goes according to plan, ground will be broken in the next few months.
For more information on SHR or to purchase a souvenir brick, visit www.sumterregional.org.

January 2009 EMERGENCY MANAGER

Above-normal Hurricane Season Forecast Just a General Guide
By Chris Walsh, GEMA Hurricane Project Manager

Once again, this past spring, the weather wizards of the world emerged from their laboratories and proclaimed emphatically for all to hear their predictions for the 2008 hurricane season. While many promulgate their forecasts, it is an elite few that have crowds gather around their soapboxes. The most notable of these are Dr. William Grey of Colorado State University and the climatologists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric and Administration (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center (CPC). However, other oracles have recently joined their peers, including the Coastal Fluid Dynamics Laboratory at the North Carolina State University at Raleigh and the Tropical Storm Risk Consortium in London.
Recent hurricane seasons have proven that it is difficult to pin-the-tail on Mother Nature. While variances exist across the range of predictions, there was a common resounding message -- that 2008 would have an elevated number of tropical cyclones above the "average season," defined as having roughly 11 named storms, including six hurricanes and two major hurricanes -- those reaching a Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale.
Those prognosticators were right. When the counting was done and the hurricane season officially over, the Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) confirmed an aboveaverage season, with 16 named storms, including eight hurricanes, five of which were considered major.
In a recent article, Navy Vice Adm. Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Ph.D., undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere NOAA administrator, reminded us that, "The outlook is a general guide to the overall seasonal hurricane activity ... it does not predict whether, where, or when any of these storms may hit land. That is the job of the NHC after a storm forms."
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The weather wizards and hurricane gurus of the world agree that the Atlantic hurricane basin, which includes the Atlantic, the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, is experiencing a multi-decadal cycle, a longterm period of elevated hurricane activity due to a combination of atmospheric and oceanic conditions that tend to be favorable for hurricane activity. This recent cycle began in 1995 and is expected to last for 15 to 20 years.
It appeared to be alive and well this season as two named systems -- Tropical Storm Alma in the eastern Pacific and Tropical Storm Arthur in the western Caribbean -- arrived early. The official hurricane season for the Atlantic basin spans from June 1 through November 30; however, NHC began issuing advisories for Arthur on May 31, 2008.
Bertha became the first hurricane of this year's hurricane season. This storm formed July 3, 2008, and at its peak was a Category 3 hurricane, with top sustained winds of 120 mph. Fortunately, it did not impact Georgia or any other part of the United States.
Georgia is a hurricane-prone state and extremely vulnerable to all hurricane-related hazards, including storm surge, inland flooding, hurricane-force winds, and tornadoes. During the 1800's, 14 hurricanes impacted the coast; six were major hurricanes that produced significant loss of life and property. More recently, in 1994, Tropical Storm Alberto produced catastrophic flooding resulting in over $1 billion in damages and untold numbers of homes destroyed. In 1999, Hurricane Floyd threatened coastal

areas of Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas, spawning the largest evacuation in history.
This season, Georgia's most insistent tropical visitor was Tropical Storm Fay. Although she never reached hurricane status, Fay did cause flooding in southwest Georgia and spawned tornadoes in areas of central and northeast Georgia, resulting in one death and at least $6 million in damages.
While this year's hurricane season predictions offered forecasts for the number of named storms, hurricanes, and major hurricane that would form in the Atlantic basin, emergency management agencies in hurricane-prone states unanimously and tirelessly stressed that it only takes one hurricane to create a disaster. In 1992, a year with remarkably lower-than-average activity, only six named storms formed. However, the first was Hurricane Andrew, which made landfall in southern Florida as a Category 5 hurricane with catastrophic consequences. Andrew is one of only three infamous hurricanes to make landfall in the U.S. at Category 5 intensity since 1851.
The most important message voiced by the emergency management community is that disaster preparedness and resiliency begins at home. FEMA Administrator R. David Paulison says, "Americans in hurricaneprone states must get serious and be prepared. Government -- even with the federal, tribal, state and local governments working perfectly in sync -- is not the entire answer. Everyone is part of the emergency management process. We must continue to develop a culture of preparedness in America in which every American takes personal responsibility for his or her own emergency preparedness."
Visit www.ready.ga.gov for information on how to prepare for hurricanes and other hazards.
January 2009 EMERGENCY MANAGER

Photo courtesy of USACE

Georgia Tackling Drought Head-On
By Buzz Weiss, Public Affairs Officer

The drought that has slowly enveloped Georgia in its grip since early 2006 presents unique challenges, far different from last year's wildfires and this spring's tornadoes. Many lakes and reservoirs dropped to record low levels last fall. The situation has evolved dramatically since the beginning of this year and a number of initiatives are in place to better plan for future water needs. Yet, the only way we can help ensure that there is enough water to go around is to practice conservation measures.
John Feldt, hydrologist-in-charge of the National Weather Service's Southeast River Forecast Center at Peachtree City, traces the current
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drought back to spring 2006, when seasonal rains failed to materialize. That was followed by an ongoing stretch of below-normal rainfall and two relatively quiet hurricane seasons that had little impact on Georgia.
By late summer, the impact of the drought became more apparent and lake levels plummeted. The cause of the subsequent water shortage became the subject of debate, as did the amount of water being released downstream by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
In May 2007, Governor Sonny Perdue declared a State of Emergency for 85 Georgia counties and requested a presidential disaster declaration. In

addition, he sought an injunction in federal court to block the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from releasing inordinate amounts of water from Lake Lanier. Perdue also called for a 10 percent reduction in water use in the 61 counties covered by the Level 4 drought designation, along with other measures.
In February, however, the Governor eased outdoor watering restrictions while maintaining his call for reductions in use.
"Georgians have demonstrated their dedication to a culture of conservation," said the Governor. "It is important to continue to encourage conservation with the 10 percent
January 2009 EMERGENCY MANAGER

reduction, which I believe we can achieve while also supporting industries that are so essential to our state."
One of the key water resource strategies that has been put into place is the Water Conservation and Drought Relief Act of 2008, passed by the General Assembly in January and signed into law by Governor Perdue on May 13, 2008. The Act is designed to facilitate construction of new reservoirs and enhance water resource planning.
"After facing one of the worst droughts in our state's history, we are taking the necessary steps to ensure an adequate water supply that meets future needs," said Governor Perdue upon signing the bill.
The Governor also announced the approval of $281 million in loans and grants to fund water, sewer and reservoir infrastructure improvements for 64 projects across the state in fiscal year 2008.
In addition, the Governor launched Conserve Georgia, a statewide marketing and public education effort aimed at promoting the conservation of energy, land and water.
The new initiatives take on increased importance as the drought persists. State Climatologist David Stooksbury reported in early June that extreme drought conditions had spread into most of northeast Georgia. An extreme drought classification occurs when numerous drought indicators in a region are at levels expected about once every 50 years.
Other parts of the state are also affected, including the coastal plains. Record low river flows are reported across the state.
Unlike severe weather or fires that are tangible, visible and often sudden, a drought is more insidious. It develops over a period of time, over a wide area, and has a robust head start before the public can comprehend its impact.
Droughts are not frequent in Georgia, but neither are they uncommon, according to Stooksbury, who calls them a "normal component" of the climate system in the southeastern United States. Stooksbury says Georgia experiences a drought lasting three or more years about once every
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The persistent drought that has gripped Georgia since 2006 is ongoing, despite recent rain. In late July 2008, the Chestatee River near Dahlonega (left) fell to a record low. Boating has become more hazardous on Georgia's lakes, as obstructions are now nearer the surface and can cause boat damage. Some boat ramps are closed. Georgia's best chance for widespread drought relief will be tropical disturbances.

40 years. From the mid-1950's until the onset of the 1998-2002 drought, these events were relatively infrequent and of short duration.
In response to deepening drought conditions last year, the Governor created the Drought Response Unified Command to coordinate strategies and direct drought response. It comprises the agencies primarily responsible for dealing with drought issues -- the Department of Natural Resources Environmental Protection Division, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority and the Department of Human Resources Public Health Division. The group mirrors the National Incident Management System (NIMS) that mandates unified incident command.
The Governor also formed the collateral Drought Response Working Group. Comprising more than a dozen agencies, the group was tasked with developing a means to assess and respond to the drought emergency under the direction of the Unified Command.
Since November of 2007, water

use in the 55-county Level 4 drought response area of North Georgia has declined an average of 12 percent compared to the same period of the previous year, with reductions of 19 and 28 percent in April and May, respectively.
"Many local governments and water utilities are to be applauded for the work they have done to restore their water supplies and help their customers understand that conservation is the best way to battle drought," said Georgia Environmental Protection Division Director Carol Couch. "While we have been able to allow limited outdoor water use in some areas, it should not be seen as a signal the drought is over.
"While many of the smaller lakes and reservoirs in north Georgia have recovered, Lake Lanier is still in bad shape and it's a major source of water for about 3 million people, including much of metropolitan Atlanta."
For more drought information, please visit www.conservewatergeorgia.net, www.georgiaweather.net, www.cocorahs.org and ga.water.usgs.gov (no "www").
January 2009 EMERGENCY MANAGER

Photo courtesy of USACE

Spotlight on School Bus Security
By Lisa Janak Newman, Editor

School safety begins long before students enter the classroom. It starts in the chilly pre-dawn hours even before the first student boards the bus, when school bus drivers conduct their pre-trip inspections. Each morning, the 55 bus drivers in Decatur County, located on the GeorgiaFlorida line, go through a safety checklist. They walk around their vehicles to make sure security and communications equipment is working properly and to check for anyone -- or anything -- suspicious. Fortunately, says Decatur County Transportation Director Farrell Lawrence, the only suspicious characters drivers have found so far have been raccoons and other wildlife. Only after the safety check is complete do drivers begin their route.
According to Lawrence, Decatur County drivers are very concerned about the possibility of a child bringing a weapon onto the bus, especially after a highly publicized school-shooting incident occurs. School bus drivers are often the first defense in preventing a
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j
tragedy. With the right tools and training, they can quickly spot the visual cues associated with people who are trying to conceal a weapon. That's why Lawrence called the Georgia Emergency Management Agency's (GEMA) School Safety Unit to present, "Visual Weapons Screening." This program teaches methods to spot pedestrian gun violators, including inventive areas of concealment and the mannerisms criminals adopt when they are hiding weapons. The class was held in March 2008.

This is just one of many training classes GEMA offers to school transportation professionals. Other topics include general safety, bomb threat management, bullying, gangs, drug trends, incident management and severe weather procedures.
It is critical that transportation officials create a professional-development training program for school bus drivers to keep up with the latest security measures and emergency planning issues. The Decatur County school system takes this advice to heart. The system holds training classes and safety meetings once a month. "We have a mandatory workshop just before school begins," Lawrence says. "We also hold a bus safety rodeo competition to promote the safe and efficient operation of school buses in a fun, competitive environment."
In addition to general safety, GEMA recommends that all drivers should be trained on the dangers of school bus terrorism at least once annually, and new drivers should receive this training as soon as possible.
January 2009 EMERGENCY MANAGER

"School buses are easy targets because they are easily accessible, they carry high profile targets and a school bus attack would greatly devastate any community," says GEMA School Safety Coordinator Jeff Braswell.
To help school bus drivers reduce their risks and vulnerability, GEMA's School Safety Unit created, "School Bus Security: A 21st Century Approach," a video that reviews safety precautions for school transportation officials. Based on a highly successful 2005 school bus safety seminar, the video won a Bronze Telly Award. These awards honor outstanding local, regional, and cable television commercials and programs. The video is free and available to school officials upon request.
Collaboration between school officials and public safety agencies is stressed. GEMA recommends that school transportation officials work with their local public safety agencies to learn emergency planning and response techniques. This enables first responders to better prepare for bus-related emergencies. "Public safety agencies should be aware of the different bus types for hostage situations," says Braswell. "They should know if the bus
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has a kill switch and where the emergency exits are located."
To help first responders acquaint themselves with school buses, GEMA offers a field-delivered school bus extrication course that teaches bus construction, stabilization, gaining access and extrication techniques using hand and hydraulic tools.
School bus drivers also should have emergency plans in place before an incident occurs. "Take an `all-hazards' approach and plan for accidents, severe weather and acts of violence, and practice precautionary measures," Braswell advises. These include keeping parked school buses in a well-lit area behind a locked gate and removing keys from the ignition to prevent vandalism. "Plan for lower-level offenses to prevent higher level crimes," he says.
GEMA's school safety experts are available to conduct comprehensive evaluations of any facility or outdoor venue upon request to appraise it for unseen hazards. Prevention methods such as environmental design, surveillance and access control also will be discussed.
It also is critical to exercise plans in conjunction with local partners. GEMA

Exercises like this one, held in Paulding County, improve communication between school officials and first responders and test school crisis plans.
can help plan and facilitate tabletop and full-scale exercises to test schools' written safety plans. The exercises simulate real emergencies to assess the roles, responsibilities and logistics of the response community. School officials can use the lessons learned to adjust their plan.
Overall, school buses have an excellent safety record. According to the School Bus Information Council, every school day, some 440,000 yellow school buses transport more than 24 million children to and from schools and school-related activities. However, school bus drivers should not be lulled into a false sense of security. "It would be easy for a stranger to wait in the bushes and jump on the bus before the driver can close the door and take everyone hostage," says Lawrence. "One day that's going to happen, you mark my words." However, with proper training, school bus drivers can prevent this grim scenario from becoming a reality.
For more information, visit www.gema,ga.us.
January 2009 EMERGENCY MANAGER