Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Emergency Management topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
National Weather Service certifies DeKalb County as 'Storm Ready' community
Summary
The National Weather Service presented DeKalb County with a Storm Ready accreditation for meeting federal guidelines on preparedness, early warning and public outreach; county officials commended local emergency management staff.
DeKalb County received Storm Ready accreditation from the National Weather Service on a presentation at a county commission meeting. Caleb Cravens, an incident meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Nashville, presented the plaque and described the program’s requirements.
"Our mission is we provide weather, water, and climate data forecasts and warnings for the protection of life and property," Cravens said while outlining the Storm Ready standards, which include a 24‑hour warning point, multiple ways to receive and disseminate warnings, and formal emergency planning and exercises.
Cravens told commissioners the county met the program’s criteria after several months of work between National Weather Service staff and county emergency management. He singled out DeKalb County Emergency Management Agency staff for building redundant monitoring and dissemination methods. The presentation credited Charles Parker, the county emergency management director, and Brad Molineux, the county 9‑1‑1 director, for leading the local effort. Parker was not present; Senior Commissioner Jeff Barnes accepted the plaque on the county’s behalf.
County officials said the designation strengthens county–federal ties and improves readiness for hazardous weather. Commissioners thanked Parker and Molineux and encouraged constituents to recognize their work.
The accreditation does not create new local regulations; it recognizes that the county has systems and plans in place for receiving National Weather Service watches and warnings and conducting public preparedness outreach.
