EMA
Emergency Management Agency (EMA)
About EMA
The Emergency Management program is based on the requirements of the Georgia Emergency Management Act of 1981, as amended December 1992. The Carroll County Board of Commissioners Chairman and Mayors of Bowdon, Carrollton, Mount Zion, Roopville Temple, Villa Rica, Whitesburg approved and created the local EMA by Resolution which was updated in June 2012. Emergency Management is the managerial function of Carroll County government, charged with creating and maintaining the framework within the community to reduce vulnerability to hazards and cope with disasters that includes all cities within the county.
MISSION
To assist in protecting Carroll County citizens by coordinating and integrating all activities necessary to build, sustain, and improve the capability to mitigate against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from threatened or actual natural disasters, acts of terrorism, or other man-made disasters in order to save lives, protect property, and reduce the effects of disasters.
Mitigation
Mitigation refers to those activities which may reduce the occurrence of an emergency or the effects of a natural or man-made disaster. Large amounts of damage can be prevented if the time is taken to anticipate and plan for these events. The impact of a disaster can be lessened as well as the speed of the response and recovery processes if planning is completed.
Mitigation activities include legislation, inspections, building codes, risk mapping, land use management, dams, structural changes and/or a local hazard mitigation plan.
Preparedness
Preparedness actions exist prior to an emergency to support and enhance disaster response. Evaluating which disasters are most likely to occur in Carroll County and formulating written plans outlining the response to each event is the first step. All emergency response personnel from all disciplines are then trained on these plans using test exercises designed as a trial for the effectiveness of the plans.
Preparedness activities include issuing forecasts and warnings, mandatory evacuations, coordination and contingency planning, local emergency operations plan, budgeting and purchasing equipment, recruiting personnel and training exercises, performing vulnerability analysis and educating the public. Another important aspect of preparedness is community awareness. It is vital that our residents know what hazards may affect their community and how to prepare for the effects. Carroll County EMA offers a wide range of classes for individuals, civic groups, community associations and day care providers. Anyone interested in receiving information concerning these classes may contact Tim Padgett, Director of Emergency Management at 770-830-5882 or e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Response
Response activities address the immediate and short-term effects of an emergency or disaster. These activities are designed to provide emergency assistance to victims of the event and reduce the likelihood of secondary damage. These activities include activation of an emergency operations center, issuing public communications and warnings, setting up a mobile communications unit, performing damage assessment, offering individual assistance and providing temporary housing or shelter.
All first response agencies within Carroll County, including the county and city public safety/support agencies have responsibilities in the County Emergency Operations Plan known as Emergency Support Functions (Serfs). Long before the disaster or emergency the agencies with responsibilities in the plan train on what they would do during all types of disastrous events. While government agencies are responding to these types of events, local Community Emergency Response Teams are providing aid to their communities.
Recovery
Recovery is the final phase of the emergency management cycle. Recovery continues until all systems return to normal, or near normal. Short-term recovery returns vital life support systems to minimum operating standards. Long-term recovery from a disaster may go on for years until the entire disaster area is completely redeveloped; either as it was in the past or for entirely new purposes that are less disaster-prone.
Recovery efforts must first look at human needs such as food and shelter. The needs are met by both government and volunteer organizations who have pre-determine plans in place to respond to major disasters and emergencies. The Carroll County Office of Emergency Management has plans in place for the deployment of volunteer organizations in the event of a major disaster such as the American Red Cross, CERT and The Salvation Army.
LEPC
Visit West Georgia LEPC for more information.
WHAT IS THE LOCAL EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMITTEE (LEPC)?
The LEPC is a group of local individuals from specific agencies and interested community members who assure that our community has the planning and resource capabilities to effectively handle chemical emergencies.
MISSION STATEMENT
To prepare citizens, industries, and local emergency response agencies for chemical accidents by developing a comprehensive community program that will benefit the entire citizens of Carroll County, including developing emergency response plans, conducting training exercises, and providing public education programs.
WHO SERVES ON THE LEPC?
The SARA Title III law requires that LEPC’s be comprised of representatives from private industry, emergency response agencies, chemical transporters, educators, environmental groups, health department, government officials, news media, and private citizens.
HOW DOES THE LEPC KNOW WHAT TO PLAN FOR?
All facilities that maintain over the specified amounts of hazardous substances in inventory are required to report that information to the Local Emergency Planning Committee, the State Emergency Response Commission, and the local fire department in their jurisdiction. This information is due on March 1 of each year with information pertaining to the previous year. These reports are called "chemical inventories" and include information about the facility's emergency coordinator, type(s) of chemical, amount(s) stored on a daily basis, storage information, and the hazards associated with each chemical listed.
PERFORMANCE MEASURES
The measure of success in government and public service organizations is how we provide and improve service to our citizens. The criteria used to measure the success of our LEPC include, but is not limited to, the following:
• Organizing and administering the LEPC
• Collecting and filing hazard data (e.g., material safety data sheets, tier I and tier II reports, etc.)
• Conducting site-specific vulnerable zone analysis
• Developing site-specific emergency response plans and standard operating procedures
• Assisting the hazardous materials response team with obtaining the necessary training and equipment
• Acquiring and maintaining emergency communications
• Developing training programs for all local emergency responders
• Developing protective action decision guides
• Acquiring and maintaining warning systems
• Analyzing evacuation and shelter-in-place time for local populations
• Promoting community toxic chemical hazard awareness
• Education the community regarding proper protective actions
CERT
Carroll County now has a total of 60 citizens who are certified to help their neighbors in the event of an emergency or disaster. CERT training started in Carroll County in July 2005 with citizens from the Fairfield Community volunteering their time to learn emergency response skills that make their community safer. The CERT program includes training in disaster preparedness, fire suppression, disaster medical operations (such as triage, treating life threatening injuries, assessment, treatment and hygiene), light urban search and rescue, team organization, disaster psychology and a disaster simulation exercise. Seasoned instructors from the Carroll County Emergency Management, Carroll County Sheriff Office, Carroll County Fire Dept, as well as West Georgia Ambulance Service, conduct the training. When emergencies happen, CERT members can give critical support to first responders (who can easily become overwhelmed in major events), provide immediate assistance to victims, and organize spontaneous volunteers at a disaster site. CERT members are also called upon to assist other counties and states during major disasters. CERT members can also help with non-emergency projects that help improve the safety of the community, such as making public presentations, assisting with public safety awareness events, and assisting with community disaster exercises. The CERT training program is provided to Carroll County citizens who are 18 years or older at no cost. Refresher training for CERT graduates is conducted.
Contact Information
Tim Padgett,
Director of Emergency Management
1000 Newnan Road
Carrollton, GA 30116
770-830-5882
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
