Chatham Emergency Management Agency

Get Your HAM Radio License

2012-02-17T21:37:50Z

If you've ever thought about getting your amateur radio license, now is your chance. The Coastal Amateur Radio Society will be hosting a Technician Class Amateur Radio Operator course later this month. In the Level 1 license course, you will learn everything you need to know in order to pass the 35 question multiple choice exam. Instructors will provide 12 hours of instruction spread across four 3-hour sessions and no prerequisites are required. Attendance at all sessions is not absolutely required so don't worry if you can't make every session.

Here are the logistics:
Dates: Tuesdays - February 28, March 6, March 13, March 20
Time: 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Location: Candler Hospital IT Building - 5401 Paulsen St. Savannah
Location Map - http://mapq.st/xkQH4p
Test Session: Saturday March 24, 9:00am at Candler Hospital IT Building (it generally takes less than 45 minutes to take the test). $15 exam fee, cash or check.

The class is free; however, you should purchase the ARRL HAM Radio License Manual. This is the guide that instructors will be teaching from. You can find this book at several online sites. Be sure that wherever you order it from that you will receive it before February 28th.
Books can be found online at:

American Radio Relay League
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

To learn more about amateur radio and what radio operators do, visit the Coastal Amateur Radio Society website.

If you plan to attend the class, please contact Guy McDonald at 912-596-6804 or email him at guy_mcd@yahoo.com.

Community Notification Registration

2012-02-17T15:23:52Z

It's never been easier to stay informed of emergency situations happening in Chatham County. With landlines steadily decreasing, the effort to relay critical emergency messages to the public has expanded. Through the Community Notification System (CNS), an emergency notification system, any Chatham County resident can register his/her cell phone number or voice-over IP phone such as Comcast or Vonage and receive short, informative calls with updates and public safety alerts.

CNS is an emergency notification system used by the County and the City of Savannah that sends an automated message to residents and businesses during emergency situations. The system is designed to get public safety messages to citizens quickly and efficiently. In the past, landlines were the only lines that could receive notifications.

Landlines are already in the system so citizens don't need to register those.

Click here to register your phone number.

SEVERE WEATHER ESSAY CONTEST WINNERS SELECTED

2012-02-09T12:48:31Z

The Chatham Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) is pleased to announce St. James School 5th grader Andrea Gutierrez is the winner of the Severe Weather Awareness Week essay contest. Andrea will appear on Good Morning Savannah on WJCL as a guest forecaster with meteorologist Jonathan Myers Friday, February 11th between 6:00AM and 7AM.

Second place winner was Hunter Simpson from Hancock Day School and third place winner was Riya Patel from St. Andrew's School. The top three essays will be posted on WJCL's website and the Savannah Morning News website.

Andrea Gutierrez's Essay

Hunter Simpson's Essay

Riya Patel's Essay

CEMA received dozens of entries from students all across Chatham County and each was wonderful. A lot of thought and research was put into these essays and CEMA commends students for learning about severe weather.

Communication Tools Exercise

2012-02-08T15:45:45Z

As part of Severe Weather Awareness Week, the National Weather Service will conduct the annual Tornado Drill February 8th, 2012. In conjunction with the drill, the Chatham Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) will also test the communication tools that provide critical information to the public during an emergency.

Here is a look at what will be tested on February 8th:

•   CEMA will sound the Outdoor Emergency Warning Siren System simultaneous with the Statewide Tornado Drill which generally begins at 9am. The siren will sound for three minutes.

•   CEMA will test the County's Community Notification System (CNS) by sending out a test call to a select portion of Downtown Savannah residences and businesses. The 30 second message will start off by saying, "Exercise, exercise, exercise, this is a test of the Chatham County Community Notification System, please do not hang up." In the event of a real emergency, the CNS would be used to relay life-saving information to the entire county in a short amount of time.

•   CEMA will test the Emergency Alert System as well as the ability to override COMCAST cable stations. You will see and hear a pre-scripted message indicating the test has begun beginning around 9 am.

•   Lamar Advertising will display a statewide tornado message on each of its 16 digital billboards throughout the Savannah area. The message will run from 9 am to 9:30 am.

•   CEMA will disseminate a test e-mail to citizens who are signed up to receive CEMA Alerts and a mass fax to partners signed up to receive emergency notification through fax.

•   CEMA's website, www.ChathamEmergency.org, will be replaced beginning at 9 am with a version that would be the primary source of information during an actual emergency. It will remain up for five minutes.

•   CEMA's Twitter and Facebook pages, which serve as additional methods of notification, will be updated as well.

REGISTER FOR THE 2012 HURRICANE CONFERENCE

2012-01-22T19:21:23Z

The CEMA Hurricane Conference will be held May 1st, 2012 at the International Trade and Convention Center on Hutchinson Island. The purpose of the one-day conference is to focus on preparedness, response and recovery in the event a hurricane impacts Chatham County.
CEMA's goal is to provide attendees with the tools and resources needed to enhance current plans and provide a forum to discuss and exchange ideas to improve hurricane planning.

The CEMA Hurricane Conference is designed exclusively for public safety and emergency response personnel; it is not intended for the general public. More information on conference specifics will be released later.

Register now!

After CEMA's Hurricane Conference you can register to take part in the 2012 Emergency Management Summit and Training Sessions. The Summit kicks off Wednesday May 2, 2012 at the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center on Hutchinson Island and is hosted by the Emergency Management Association of Georgia. The Summit runs 8AM to 5PM Wednesday and Thursday and wraps up at 11AM Friday.

Special Needs Tabletop Exercise 1-27-12

2012-01-22T18:27:56Z

CEMA hosts a Special Needs Tabletop Exercise to make sure all partners are familiar with the plan which details evacuating Special Needs patients during a hurricane. (CEMA Photos)

SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK 2012

2012-01-19T21:10:52Z

Last year we were reminded just how powerful weather can be. In April 2011, 321 people were killed during a violent tornado outbreak. Much of the country was affected including the Southern, Midwestern, and Northern United States.

The devastation left upon much of the country proves just how important it is to prepare. That's why the National Weather Service, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency and the Chatham Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) are proclaiming February 6th - 10th, 2012 Severe Weather Awareness Week. It is a week for all Georgians to consider the impact of severe weather and to have a plan mapped out in case they are faced with what could be potentially dangerous consequences. Since the awareness campaign began in 1978, severe weather events in Georgia have killed at least 350 people and with continuous population growth, the potential for storms to cause death and destruction increases.
During Severe Weather Awareness Week, CEMA's mission is to help Chatham County residents understand what severe weather is and teach the importance of items like disaster supply kits and NOAA weather radios.

Severe Weather Awareness Week is a time when residents should prepare and develop a family disaster plan. The most important step is meeting with family members to discuss what members should do when severe weather strikes. Residents should write down contact numbers, learn community evacuation plans, choose "out-of-area" contacts and then practice their plans.

It will also be a good time to learn about Chatham County's Emergency Outdoor Warning Siren System. Currently there are 60 sirens, which cover 95% of the county. The outdoor warning sirens are used to notify people about hazards such as explosions and tornadoes that would require people to take action.

So remember, severe weather can happen anytime and anywhere. Will you be prepared?

Take part in Severe Weather Awareness Week Activities!

Win a NOAA Weather Radio

Essay Contest for Chatham County 5th Graders

Statewide Tornado Drill: February 8th

Communication Tools Exercise

Each day of Severe Weather Awareness Week focuses on a different topic:

Monday, February 6 - Family Preparedness/NOAA Weather Radio

Tuesday, February 7 - Thunderstorm Safety

Wednesday, February 8 - Tornado Safety (Statewide Tornado Drill)

Thursday, February 9 - Lightning Safety

Friday, February 10 - Flooding

Win a Free NOAA Weather Radio

2012-01-18T20:08:03Z

Win a NOAA weather radio during Severe Weather Awareness Week 2012!!

How would you like to win a NOAA weather radio? It's simple, just tell us why you want one.

CEMA is giving away two NOAA weather radios. All you have to do is tell CEMA why you need one. Entries can be posted on the CEMA Facebook page or emailed to klfoster@chathamcounty.org.

Submissions are due by Thursday, February 9th. You must be 18 or older to enter or have parental consent, and live in Chatham County. No purchase is necessary.

Outdoor Siren Test Scheduled for Wednesday

2012-01-03T15:11:38Z

Emergency Warning Siren Test This Week

At noon on Wednesday, January 4, 2012, the Chatham Emergency Management Agency will conduct the monthly scheduled test of Chatham County's Emergency Warning Siren System.

In the event of poor weather conditions such as rain or overcast weather, the siren test will be cancelled.

At noon on Wednesday, Chatham County residents will hear a three minute emergency tone from the various sirens located throughout the county. This monthly test is necessary to ensure that the Emergency Warning Siren System is functioning properly.

Questions or comments regarding the test can be directed to Kelly Foster at 912.201.4500 or klfoster@chathamcounty.org.

Thank you for your support!

CEMA Helps at Career Day 12-2-11

2011-12-12T17:34:22Z

CEMA's Dave Grotyohann and Kelly Foster talk to students at White Bluff Elementary during Career Day. Career Day was held on December 2, 2011 and gave students the chance to talk to a wide variety of professionals. (CEMA Photos)

2011 Hurricane Season Ends; Colder Weather Begins

2011-11-30T18:37:43Z

As the 2011 hurricane season comes to an end; winter progresses and the Chatham Emergency Management Agency reminds residents to plan for routine winter hazards. Everyone needs to get ready for winter and be prepared before temperatures drop.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released its 2011 U.S. Winter Outlook predicting that for the second winter in a row, La Nina will influence weather patterns across the country. The outlook for the south Atlantic Coast is drier than average, with an equal chance for above-, near-, or below-normal temperatures and above normal wildfire conditions. While the threats vary across different parts of the country, almost everyone, regardless of where they live, is likely to experience some type of severe winter weather at some point.

Severe winter weather can include snow or subfreezing temperatures, strong winds and ice or heavy rain storms. An emergency supply kit both at home and in the car will help prepare people for winter power outages and icy or impassable roads.

Residents are advised to take the following precautions to provide for the safety and security of their family and property during cold weather:

•   Insulate homes. Caulk and weather-strip doors and windows or cover windows with plastic. Walls and attics should also be insulated.

•   Maintain an emergency supply kit which should include a three-day supply of food and water, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, and extra flashlights.

•   Prevent fire hazards due to overheated coal or oil burning stoves, fireplaces, heaters or furnaces by installing adequate heat sources.

•   If citizens live in rural areas they should be instructed to obtain necessary supplies before the storm develops.

•   Winterize vehicles.

•   Keep pipes from freezing by wrapping them in insulation or layers of old newspaper, overlapping the ends, and tying them around the pipes. Cover newspaper with plastic to keep out the moisture.

•   When it is extremely cold, let faucets drip a bit. This may prevent freezing.

•   Know where the valve is for shutting off the water. Shutting off the main valve and draining all the pipes may prevent freezing and bursting.

•   Have emergency heating equipment - such as wood, kerosene, or coal burning stove, or fireplace - in case furnace won't operate.

•   Listen to the weather service bulletins for news of approaching storms.

Finally, everyone should get familiar with the terms that are used to identify winter storm hazards and discuss with your family what to do if a winter storm watch or warning is issued. Terms used to describe a winter storm hazards include the following:

•   Freezing Rain creates a coating of ice on roads and walkways.

•   Sleet is rain that turns to ice pellets before reaching the ground. Sleet also causes roads to freeze and become slippery.

•   Winter Weather Advisory means cold, ice and snow are expected.

•   Winter Storm Watch means severe weather such as heavy snow or ice is possible in the next day or two.

•   Winter Storm Warning means severe winter conditions have begun or will begin very soon.

CEMA CERT Newsletter

2011-11-30T15:01:54Z

Download the latest issue of the CEMA CERT Newsletter

CEMA CERT: December 2011, Vol. 1 Issue 1

View archived editions:

CEMA SAR Team Offers Hug-a-Tree Program

2011-11-30T13:52:24Z

One of the worst things for a child to experience is being lost. They are scared, often times alone, and without food and water. In 1981, the body of 9-year-old Jimmy Beveridge was found four days after he went missing. Jimmy was camping with his parents and brothers in California and he never made it back to camp. After his death a program was created to help teach children how to stay safe if they ever become lost and to give rescuers a better chance of finding them.

The Chatham Emergency Management Agency's Search and Rescue (SAR) Team is committed to reducing the number of children lost each year. SAR Team members are trained to teach the principles of the Hug-A-Tree program which is recognized by the National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR). Countless lives have been saved since the program's inception in 1981.

The concept of the program is simple; if children become lost they are taught to hug a tree or a stationary object. Children are also taught what to do if they don't have food and water and what to do if they become scared or see animals. In 1984, four-year-old Eli became lost while on a walk with his mother in California. He was found after a 23-hour search. He had seen Hug-a-Tree four months earlier at his brother's Cub Scout pack meeting and his first words to his rescuers were, "What took you so long?"

You may be thinking here in Chatham County we don't have a lot of heavily wooded areas. Of course when you get away from the more populated areas, you'll see more trees; however, this program can help children who become lost in a busy shopping mall or downtown River Street. Three-year-old Andy was separated from his mother at a Michigan shopping mall in 1985. He was found by the store manager, who said Andy insisted on hugging a tree just outside the store. His brother, a first grader, had told him to hug a tree if he ever got lost. In 1988, two boys on a school field trip became separated from their group and when they realized they were lost, they sat down. One of the boys had a whistle with him and kept blowing it until the teacher found them.

The 30 minute program features a short video, educational demonstrations and a brief question and answer session. It is geared towards children ages five through 12. The program can be taught in schools, boy/girl scout meetings and church organizations. However, in an effort to conserve the resources of the SAR Team, we ask that the program be presented to a large group of students in a general assembly setting. If you have a special event, programs will be considered on a case by case basis.

If you are interested in bringing this program to your school, event or church, please contact Kelly Foster at the CEMA office at 912-201-4500. One of our highly trained SAR team members would love to talk with your children and teach them the simple skills on ways to stay safe if they are ever lost.

Fundamentals of Search and Rescue Agenda

2011-11-23T15:51:51Z

PRACTICAL SEARCH AND RESCUE SKILLS COURSE SCHEDULE

FIRST WEEKEND - March 23 -25, 2012

FRIDAY - 7pm - 10pm

Registration/Administration/Introduction-------------------------------- .5 Hrs.

Overview of Land Search and Rescue--------------------------------------- .75 Hrs.

Search and Rescue Systems--------------------------------------------------- .75 Hrs.

SAR Incident Management and Organization------------------------------ 1.0 Hrs.

SATURDAY - 8am - 5pm

Legal and Ethical Aspects of search and Rescue---------------------- 1.0 Hrs.

Physiology and Fitness--------------------------------------------------- 1.0 Hrs.

Survival and Improvisation---------------------------------------------- 2.0 Hrs.

LUNCH

SAR Clothing ------------------------------------------------------------ 1.0 Hrs.

Safety in SAR Environments-------------------------------------------- 1.0 Hrs.

SAR "Ready Pack" and Personal Equipment----------------------- 2.0 Hrs.

SUNDAY - 8am - 5pm

Navigation ----------------------------------------------------------------- 2.0 Hrs.

Navigation Exercise------------------------------------------------------- 2.0 Hrs.

Lunch

SAR Resources and Technology----------------------------------------- 1.0 Hrs.

Travel Skills: Foot Travel for SAR Personnel-------------------------- 1.0 Hrs.

Tracking---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1.0 Hrs.

Tracking Exercise----------------------------------------------------------- 1.0 Hrs.

SECOND WEEKEND March 30 - April 1, 2012

FRIDAY - 7pm - 10pm

Search Background and Related Issues------------------------------------ 1.5 Hrs.

Search Operations------------------------------------------------------------- 1.5 Hrs.

SATURDAY - 8am - until

Rescue: Ropes and Knots---------------------------------------------------- 3.0 Hrs.

Search Operations Exercise-------------------------------------------------- 1.0 Hrs.

Lunch

Search Operations Exercise (Mapping)------------------------------------- 1.0 Hrs.

Practical (SAR mission exercise)-------------------------------------------- 4.0 Hrs.

Dinner (in the field)

Practical (SAR mission exercise).......................................................... 9.0 Hrs.

SUNDAY - 8am - 4pm

SAR Mission Practical Exercise-------------------------------------------- 2.0 Hrs.

SAR Mission Practical Exercise Critique---------------------------------- 1.0 Hrs

Lunch

Course Review------------------------------------------------------------- 2.0 Hrs.

Written Exam---------------------------------------------------------------- 2.0 Hrs.

TOTAL............................................................................................... 47 Hrs.

Practical Search and Rescue Skills

2011-11-23T15:31:03Z

This course provides knowledge concerning the general responsibilities, skills, abilities, and the equipment needed by persons who are assigned to field operations during a Search and Rescue (SAR) mission.

The course also provides the student with practical exercises in addition students are required to have the proper equipment to set up an overnight shelter. The course content includes topics in survival and support, search, and rescue and is based around the rural and wilderness environments.

The training provides a common point in training for a person new to SAR and allows them to accumulate the required clothing and equipment needed for SAR operations in their community. The course also provides practical experience during simulated SAR operations and in many cases is an excellent refresher course for the more experienced SAR worker.

This course meets the national requirements needed to become a member of the CEMA SAR Team.

After training, participants should be familiar with map and compass skills, land navigation, man-tracking, and clue identification.

The 47 hour course will held over two weekends: March 23-25, 2012 and March 30-April 1, 2012. Training will consist of both classroom instruction and fieldwork. The classroom portions will be held at the CEMA Annex Emergency Operations Center located at 295 Police Memorial Drive. Fieldwork will be conducted nearby. The full agenda can be viewed by clicking here.

Who Should Attend
•   Those interested in becoming involved or have just become involved with the Chatham Emergency Management Agency's (CEMA) Search and Rescue (SAR) Team. You must be in good physical health, like the outdoors and willing to commit to both training and immediate callout. (If you do become a member of the CEMA SAR team, you must be aware of the devotion if takes on your part and realize the commitment that goes into being an active member.)

Prerequisites
•    Good physical health
•    Availability for callout
•    IS 100, IS 200, IS 700.a, IS 800.b, IS 809

Topics
•   Review of SAR Management System
•   Fitness, Basic Survival and Survival Body Management
•   Clothing and Personal Protection Systems for SAR
•   Emergency Survival Skills
•   Improvising Environmental Hazards and Survival First Aid SAR Ready Pack
•   Nomenclature of Personal Outdoor Equipment
•   SAR Travel Skills
•   Land Navigation and Orienteering
•   SAR Resources
•   Capabilities
•   Search Philosophy
•   Estimating POD
•   Search Tactics and Searcher Skills
•   Handling Evidence
•   Review of Clue Consciousness
•   SAR Crew Responsibilities
•   Tracking Skills
•   Rope and Rescue Equipment
•   Legal Aspects for Searchers

After Completion
Upon successful completion of the course, the student should be able to:
•   Define the components of SAR operations
•   List the major responsibilities for search and rescue
•   Describe the components of ICS and their functions
•   List and prioritize the necessities of life
•   List the similarities or differences and advantages or disadvantages of the different natural and synthetic materials used for SAR clothing
•   Describe and demonstrate the function of each of the layers of clothing
•   Differentiate between a 24-hour ready pack and urban ready pack
•   Demonstrate the use of a 24-hour ready pack
•   Describe advantages and disadvantages of the equipment used for SAR
•   Demonstrate the use of personal SAR equipment
•   Demonstrate traveling skills used for his/her environment
•   Define, describe, and identify the signs and symptoms, and describe the treatment of common medical emergencies during SAR operations
•   List and differentiate between at least three types of maps used in SAR
•   Identify, define, and demonstrate the use of the topographical maps
•   Define the plotting methods or grid systems and demonstrate the ability to use them to determine the coordinates for a given point
•   Describe the parts of the compass and demonstrate the ability to use it
•   Describe the navigational functions used in map and compass
•   Demonstrate the ability to navigate during daylight and nighttime hours
•   Differentiate between the two basic categories of search tactics (Passive and Active)
•   Describe the primary types of active search tactics
•   Describe the techniques and methods used for search tactics
•   List and demonstrate at least five of the searching or tactical skills needed by field searchers
•   Explain why SAR personnel search for clues not subjects
•   List the information needed by the searcher when alerted
•   Define and demonstrate the functions of the search crew positions
•   Define track or print, sign, and step-by-step tracking as well as demonstrate the step-by-step tracking procedures
•   List at least two materials used in rope and at least two types of design used in rope;as well as list at least five of the rules of rope etiquette
•   List the different advantages and disadvantages of materials used in carabiners
•   Describe the advantages and disadvantages of at least two types of stretchers or litters
•   List at least five common radio procedures and guidelines
•   Describe the basic legal philosophy concerning searcher knowledge, training, physical abilities, equipment, discipline, and control

To register for the course please contact Kelly Foster with CEMA at 912-201-4500 or click here to register online.