North Jefferson News, Gardendale, AL

Top Stories

Related Photos

  • Jefferson County EMA Officer Annette Davis speaks to the Gardendale Area Rotary Club last week. Melanie Patterson

    rotary ema officer.jpg

Discussion

Add a comment on this story
July 26, 2012

EMA officer: Businesses need emergency plans

By Melanie Patterson North Jefferson News

GARDENDALE — Annette Davis believes in emergency plans.

Davis, a Jefferson County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) officer, spoke to the Gardendale Area Rotary Club Wednesday and encouraged everyone to create an emergency plan for their workplace.

Davis said four main areas are at risk during emergencies: Life, property, operations and environments.

“Think ahead. That’s all we’re urging you to do,” Davis said. “Be self-sustaining. Have a plan that will help you get through difficult times.”

Jefferson County has seen plenty of difficult times recently, with destructive tornadoes sweeping through in April 2011 and January 2012. Davis said the area is also susceptible to heavy flooding.

That is why she said businesses, as well as homes, need an effective communication plan and need to have disaster kits readily available. She also said it is crucial to exercise emergency plans before disasters strike.

“You never know where the gaps are until you practice it,” she said. “To have a plan ... and have nobody familiar with it does you no good.”

It is also important to update the plan at least once a year, she added.

The EMA has templates for emergency plans available. Davis encourages businesses and individuals to contact the EMA for help, adding that more people have been calling her office for assistance with emergency plans after the April 2011 tornadoes.

“All it takes is tome strategic planning on your part,” she said. “It’s up to you to initiate that.”

To learn more, call the EMA at 328-9162.

Text Only
Top Stories
Featured Ads
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
NDN Video
AK-47-wielding thug may be the most bumbling crook ever Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage Trout's cycle a boost for Angels Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado Kim Kardashian Flaunts Pregnant Bikini Body in Greece NBA star pledges $1M to help tornado recovery Shakira's Shocking Talent Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air GRAPHIC: Blood-Soaked Machete Killer Caught on Tape Elin Nordegren Furious With Lindsey Vonn For Parading Kids in Public Camera Captures Climber As He Loses Grip And Falls Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill DWTS Crowns a Winner Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
Twitter Updates
Follow me on Twitter