EMA Encourages Residents to Prepare for Severe Weather Season
Receivers available for purchase
Hernando, Mississippi- February 23, 2011- With “Severe Weather Awareness Week” upon us, DeSoto County Emergency Management Agency director, Bobby Storey, is encouraging residents to begin preparing for severe weather that could move across the county in the upcoming spring months.
“It is important for residents to stay informed during severe weather,” Storey said. “The county uses a variety means by which weather information can be garnered including ALERT FM and NOAA weather radios.”
In 2008, the county began using ALERT FM as a means of keeping schools, business, and residents informed of impending severe weather conditions and post weather instructions. Residents can receive this important information by purchasing an ALERT FM receiver for around $40 with no recurring usage fees from Home Appliance Store or www.alertfm.com. Receivers are small, light weight, and can be programmed for county specific National Weather Service weather warnings.
“During a severe weather event, ALERT FM receivers have ability to provide residents with critical information, directly from the National Weather Service, and state and county officials.” said Jim Lowery, general manager of Global Security Systems (manufacturer of ALERT FM).
The NOAA weather radio will also allow residents to get weather information. The weather radio will alert individuals of local watches and warnings when they are issued. NOAA weather radios are available at a variety of local retailers for $30-70.
Storey also encourages residents to prepare for spring storm season by having an emergency plan and disaster supply kit, practicing drills, and knowing your location in relation to the impending storm.
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About ALERT FM
ALERT FM is owned and operated by Global Security Systems, LLC (GSS) of Jackson, Miss. It is a personal alert and messaging system that enables state and local government and private sector officials to create and send emergency information to targeted recipients. Potential information includes severe weather warnings, homeland security notices, hurricane evacuation instructions, utility notices, plant or school closings, employee notifications and traffic alerts. First responders, school officials, citizens, and businesses can receive this information based on geographic or organizational groupings through specially designed ALERT FM receivers or any device equipped with a standard FM chip. ALERT FM has been implemented at the university, state, county and multi-county levels. More than 50 million people in 14 states have access to ALERT FM technology.
Desoto AFM severe weather press release.pdf (95.55 kb)