Gadsden emergency services prepare for possible winter weather; fire chief outlines station consolidation and staffing plans

City emergency management and public safety officials told the Gadsden City Council they are preparing for a potential cold-weather event expected at the end of the week and outlined related departmental activity.

Derek, representing the city's Emergency Management Agency, briefed the council that the National Weather Service had identified an elevated impact area and that the city was monitoring for a cold-weather advisory. "We are looking at the possibility of a cold weather advisory. We are in an elevated impact area as it stands right now," Derek said. He said the type of precipitation — wintry mix, snow or ice — will depend on temperatures and that the National Weather Service will provide updates closer to the event. Derek…