Emergency Management


	Emergency Management 1380 Monticello Rd., Madison, GA 30650 Phone: (706) 342-2459 Morgan County Emergency Management Agency coordinates the efforts of the county in preparing for and responding to major emergencies and disasters. In times past, this agency was called Civil Defense because of its emphasis on preparedness for nuclear attack. The current name, Emergency Management, reflects a shift in priorities toward an “ALL HAZARDS” approach which emphasizes preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation, regardless of the cause. Morgan County Emergency Management is the local equivalent of Office of Homeland Security/Georgia Emergency Management Agency (OHS/GEMA) at the State level and Federal Emergency Management (OHS/FEMA) at the Federal level. It works closely with these agencies and others before, during and after emergencies/disasters to coordinate the protection of lives and property.


	EMA Director Gwen Ruark, Director Email Gwen Ruark


	Be Prepared Weather Safety "Are You Ready" Guide (FEMA) Disaster Preparedness CodeRED Community Notification System Signup


	Mission The mission of Morgan County Emergency Management is to make every effort to protect the lives and property of the citizens of Morgan County from all types of major emergencies and disasters both man made and natural. This mission is accomplished through a comprehensive emergency management program. One tool used is the County Emergency Operations Plan. The plan highlights the responsibilities, activities, and actions of all county departments and their response to the effects of disasters and emergencies. The mission is also accomplished by encouraging citizens to organize family preparedness plans, and to take the necessary steps to ensure their survival for the first 72 hours after a major disaster. This will allow sufficient time for assistance to arrive.

County Wide Tornado Siren Tests

COUNTY WIDE TORNADO SIREN TESTING TO BEGIN

To better serve the citizens of Morgan County the City of Madison and Morgan County will be testing the county wide Tornado Sirens On the following months and days for the 2012 calendar year. All test will be conducted at 9 a.m. if on the day of the schedule test severe weather is expected we will delay testing until the Friday of that week. For further information please contact:

Gwen Ruark, Director
Morgan County EMA
706-342-2459

Gene Porter
City of Madison Fire

706-342-1256

Wednesday February 8th (Statewide Tornado Drill)

Tuesday April 17th
June 12th
August 7th
October 9th
December 11th


	Severe Weather Awareness Week Severe Weather Awareness Week Begins Feb. 6 with "Family Preparedness/NOAA Weather Radio Day" The Morgan County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) supports the Georgia Emergency Management Agency/Homeland Security (GEMA) and the National Weather Service in observing February 6-10, as Severe Weather Awareness Week. Encouraging families to learn emergency preparedness and response procedures for all types of severe weather events is the goal of the observance with a daily focus on these topics: February 6 Monday Family Preparedness/NOAA Weather Radio Day February 7 Tuesday Thunderstorm Safety February 8 Wednesday Tornado Safety (Statewide Tornado Drill) February 9 Thursday Lightning Safety February 10 Friday Flooding (Alternate Drill Day) For more information on steps you can take to help prepare your family please visit the following websites: www.ready.ga.gov, www.srh.noaa.gov/ffc/ www.gema.ga.gov or morganga.org. Or contact Morgan County EMA at 706-342-2459


	Goals The following goals have been established to accomplish our mission: MITIGATION: Educate the public and insure they know how to receive and respond to early warning to reduce personal harm, suffering or hardship: property or economic loss: and reduce widespread disruption of routine community activities and services. PREPARATION: Coordinate and manage necessary resources and personnel; to respond when situations and events do occur. RESPONSE: Coordinate an effective response early enough in the disaster to reduce the degree of harm, suffering, hardship and disruption associated with those situations and events which cannot be prevented. RECOVERY: Timely restoration of essential services, support systems and routine operations after a situation and events do occur.


	Additional Resources GEMA FEMA Department of Homeland Security