With Winter Weather Preparedness Week and the holidays right around the corner, I wanted to share some FEMA resources that you may find helpful. Feel free to customize them as you see fit!

Winter Weather Social Media Toolkit: https://www.ready.gov/winter-toolkit

Winter Storm Playbook: https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1423496371216-93e95c701b1f9bc95a2faacfafa03590/AP_PLYBK_WS_final_090414_508b.pdf

When the Sky Turns Gray (animated video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVpGJ_Xl__w&list=UUVrYey5SZMid_VZk9D8tYmA

Holiday safety social media toolkit: https://www.ready.gov/holiday-toolkit

Please let me know if Jones County EMA can assist you in any way.  Have a happy Thanksgiving!

For the Past 36 years Jones County Department of Fire Rescue / EMA has sponsored an Annual Photo Fund Raising Program to help purchase equipment for our Fire Department and EMA. In the next few weeks representatives will be visiting our neighborhoods going from door to door asking to support our Annual Program.  All of the representatives are bonded, licensed, and registered through the Office of Georgia Secretary of State.  The representatives are also required to render an extensive back ground check and submit a personal photo I.D., including make, year, color, and license plate number of each vehicle that the representatives will be driving.  Each representative going from door to door will have to surrender all of the said information to the Jones County Sheriff’s Office prior to entering our neighborhoods.  This fund raiser has been extremely helpful for many years by purchasing rescue tools, extrication equipment, personal protective equipment, training equipment, etc.  For every donation submitted a 10 x 13 family portrait will be given free of charge as a way of saying thank you.  All donations are tax deductible.  On behalf of the Jones County Department of Fire Rescue / EMA, I want to express my sincere appreciation for your past, current, and future support.  Please call the Jones County EMA Office at 478-986-6672 for any information needed.

Proudly Serving You,

Don Graham

Jones Co. Fire Chief / EMA Director

September is National Preparedness Month

(ATLANTA) – September is National Preparedness Month, and Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency is working with Jones County Emergency Management Agency along with other Emergency Management Agencies to ensure citizens across the state are preparing themselves and their families for natural and man-made disasters. Throughout the month, GEMA/HS is encouraging all Georgia residents to prepare before disasters strike. This year’s National Preparedness Month theme is Disasters Happen. Prepare Now. Learn How.

“As we observe National Preparedness Month, it is the perfect opportunity for the citizens of Georgia to create a personal and family plan for potential disasters,” said GEMA/HS Director Homer Bryson.

Taking steps each week toward developing a plan will increase household and community responsiveness when severe weather and other emergencies occur. The themes each week during National Preparedness month are:

Week 1: September 1-8 Make and Practice Your Plan

Week 2: September 9-15 Learn Life Saving Skills

Week 3: September 16-22 Check Your Insurance Coverage

Week 4: September 23-30 Save For an Emergency

On September 15, National Day of Action, residents are encouraged to participate in a preparedness event in their school, business or place of worship. For tips and tools to get your family and community ready for a disaster, visit www.ready.ga.gov. Additional preparedness information is also available from your local EMA director.

As part of the Office of the Governor, the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency collaborates with local, state and federal governments in partnership with private sector and non-governmental organizations to protect life and property against man-made and natural emergencies. GEMA/HS’s Ready Georgia website and preparedness campaign provides Georgians with the knowledge needed to effectively prepare for disasters. Go to www.ready.ga.gov for information on developing a custom emergency plan and Ready kit.

Don Graham, EMA Director