TITLE
Vote on a request to accept the StormReady Certification for Chatham County
ABSTRACT
Action Requested: Vote to accept the StormReady Certification for Chatham County
Introduction & Background: For the past year, Chatham County Emergency Operations has been striving to achieve the storm ready status for Chatham County. StormReady helps arm American's communities with the communication and safety skills needed to save lives and property before, during and after a weather event. To become storm ready an agency must have a 24-hour warning point to receive and distribute information from the National Weather Service which we have with our communications center. We must have multiple ways of receiving weather warnings and hydrometeorological monitoring. The County must have means of ensuring timely warning dissemination to their citizens. The County Emergency Operations staff has had training from the National Weather Service and has implemented several means to disseminate the information to our citizens such as CodeRed Weather Warning, and IPAWS. The Chatham County Emergency Operations department used some of the funds we receive from Duke Energy each year to purchase weather radios for the larger departments within the county to enhance the dissemination of warnings .
Discussion and Analysis: Each year our citizens cope with intense storms and dangerous weather such as severe thunderstorms, high winds, winter storms and intense summer heat. StormReady communities are better prepared to save lives from the onslaught of severe weather through advanced planning, education and awareness. No community is storm proof, but being StormReady can help save lives by educating the citizens and strengtening local safety programs.
Budgetary Impact: None
Recommendation: Vote on a request to accept the StormReady Certification for Chatham County