The Knox County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) provided an update on its operations to the Knox County Commissioners, focusing on weather safety, preparedness, and awareness programs in collaboration with the National Weather Service. This report was delivered during the commissioners' meeting on January 23.
According to a YouTube video of the meeting, EMA Director James DeChant informed the commissioners about a weather and safety preparedness plan presented for the Knox County Safety Council, which is part of the Chamber of Commerce.
"We're working with National Weather Service, Cleveland right now to pilot a program for weather awareness and reporting from dispatchers," DeChant said. "We've had some interest with our dispatchers, wanting to take our sky warn training that we put on and that goes a long way with the phone calls that they receive from people during weather events to know what kinds of questions to ask, to decide what kind of cloud are they really looking at. Are they seeing a tornado? Are they seeing something else?"
DeChant also reported that the EMA and partner agencies, including the fire department, health department, hospital, and school district, participated in a tabletop exercise simulating a train crash with a chlorine spill. The final objective involved using the school as a shelter. He explained that failures during such exercises should be viewed positively as they highlight areas needing improvement.
According to Amy Seward, the EMA's information coordinator, who spoke in the video, they attended training through the International Emergency Management Association regarding K-12 reunification strategies. She said that they were proud not to have learned anything new since their existing plans aligned with what was taught.
DeChant further mentioned efforts to organize a meeting with regional emergency management agencies for the community emergency response team (CERT). These volunteers receive specialized training for tasks such as traffic control and feeding people. The aim is to deploy volunteers where their skills are most needed.
