Georgia Emergency Management Agency/Homeland Security, on behalf of Governor Nathan Deal, awarded a $20,996 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program project to Whitfield County for the purchase and distribution of 678 weather radios to serve the residents of Whitfield County.
Claude Craig, Whitfield Emergency Services director, says the weather radios will be distributed at his agency’s office at the 911 Center, 804 Professional Blvd., and during public relations events throughout the county on a first come, first serve basis to Whitfield County residents.
“We will have some available for the hearing impaired as well,” Mr.
Craig said. “We want to reach out to all of our faith-based organizations as well as small businesses in addition to the residential clients. We will begin distribution when we receive the funds from GEMA and are able to purchase the radios.”
More details will be released later when the radios are available.
“We are working with our local communities to give them the latest communication tools that are labor and time savers allowing them to focus on being ready to respond to a severe weather event,” said GEMA/HS Director Jim Butterworth.
The amount awarded includes a federal share of $15,747. The remainder will come from a state share of $2,100 and a local share of $3,149. These funds are part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s HMGP, which provides funds to state agencies and local governments for projects that reduce or eliminate the long-term risk to human life and property from the effects of natural hazards by breaking the repetitive cycle of destruction and reconstruction. These funds were made possible as a result of Whitfield County’s participation and adoption of the Whitfield County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan.
The Georgia Emergency Management Agency/Homeland Security is the lead state agency for coordination of emergency and disaster response activities. For more information on the hazard mitigation programs, visit www.gema.ga.gov. To learn how to prepare for disaster and create a custom kit and plan, visit www.ready.ga.gov or download the free Ready Georgia app. For specific risks in your community, contact your local emergency management agency.