Emergency Management

Floyd County Emergency Management Agency is in charge of planning initiatives to prevent emergency situations, reduce vulnerability during disasters, and protecting residents from the effects of a crisis. The EMA is ready to respond effectively and efficiently to actual emergencies and to provide for rapid recovery from any emergency or disaster affecting Floyd County.

Floyd County is recognized by the National Weather Service as a StormReady Community using Code Red as one of our weather alert components.

Phases of Emergency Management

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 and levees, structural changes and/or a local hazard mitigation plan. A preventable measure, for instance, is to enforce the local building codes to minimize injuries and/or deaths due to electrical fires, falling decks or carbon monoxide poisoning.

Preparedness actions exist prior to an emergency to support and enhance disaster response. Evaluating which disasters are most likely to occur in Floyd 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. Floyd 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 Herrington, with Emergency Management at 706-236-5002 or e-mail Tim.Herrington@floydcountyga.org.

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. 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 Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) are providing aid to their communities.

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 Floyd 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.