Message from the Director

AEMA Newsletter Summer 2008 Page 9

As always I enjoy any opportunity to address the entire AEMA staff and update you all on what’s on with the agency.  The recent announcement of Alabama’s EMAP accreditation is a measure of your professionalism. While every staff member helped AEMA reach the EMAP goal, I would like to specifically thank the following people for their efforts:  Dan Isley, Bill Filter, Tim Payne, Debbie Peery, Stanley Batchelor, Bill Atchinson, Charles Williams, Phyllis Hardee, Jimmy Lee, Trea Wilson, Craig Blakely, Fred Springall, Sam Guerrera, Linda Eggler, Yasamie Richardson, Larry Patterson and Frank McCrory.

We are now in the second month of hurricane season, and we are continually monitoring the Gulf.   Governor Riley has been briefed on the preparations that are taking place to make sure Alabama is more prepared than ever.  AEMA employees have been meeting with federal and local emergency management personnel.  The agency has exercised its evacuation and communication plan.  Staging and distribution plans have been reviewed and updated. 

As you may be aware, there are challenges this year regarding FEMA’s new commodity logistics strategy.  In support of this new strategy AEMA is in the process of securing state level pre-event contracts for water, ice, MRE’s, and other life safety essential commodities.  These contracts will be designed to support the new Federal commodity strategy.  A meeting was held on July 8^th with FEMA to establish clear levels of commodity support expectations from FEMA to supplement our pre-event and emergency contract capability. 

EMPG Cooperative Agreements for FY 08 have been sent out to the counties.  As you are aware, AEMA formed a joint task force that included AAEM, ACCA, and various county directors to create EMPG guidance.   The purpose of this task force was to provide AEMA stakeholders with a clear voice to assist the agency with creating a transparent EMPG award process.  As a result of the new guidance, every county in Alabama will have the opportunity to hire a full time EMA Director.  As promised, we are also in the process of setting up a county director meeting where we can all come together and discuss any EMPG concerns or questions they may have concerning this new process. More information on this meeting will follow at a later date. If you have any questions regarding EMPG please contact either your Field Coordinator or La’Tonya Stephens.

Finally, AEMA understands that all disasters are local issues first.  It is imperative to recognize that the first line of defense starts with preparing individuals and their families.   As a result, AEMA recently partnered with ALDHS to create a series of PSA’s for television and radio. In these announcements, Governor Riley stressed the need for individuals to know their evacuation routes, have a communication plan and an emergency preparedness kit.

Again, I want to thank  all of my staff and the county directors for the work you do to ensure the residents of Alabama are safe. Friday, July 11th, we officially unveiled the newest addition to our building, as well as the renovated EOC floor. A lot of work went into making the day a great success.

 

                                                                             Brock Long, Director