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 said updates will be posted on the city's Facebook and Twitter pages and shared with the public affairs office.

Public Works staff reported equipment and materials are prepositioned for winter operations, including salt and snow-response gear. Council members noted the department is on high alert and reminded residents to check the city website and social channels for warming-station availability.

Public works also reported results from a recent community cleanup: the city's dumpster day collected 80.63 tons of waste, staff said.

Fire Chief Brown outlined staffing, station and operational matters. He said the department is organizing coverage for inclement weather with battalion chiefs and on-shift staffing assignments; mutual aid agreements remain in place. Brown said the department plans to consolidate Station 6 and Station 1 into a single, centrally located facility near the waterfront around the Megan Boulevard bridge area to improve coverage and water-rescue capability. "We are looking at consolidating station 6 and station 1," Brown said. He described the consolidation as a multi-stage effort with timing still under discussion: it could occur quickly or take up to two years.

Brown also discussed personnel changes: he plans to promote two personnel to lieutenant, hire five firefighters, and noted retirements and recent departures to other jurisdictions. He said the department's ISO (Insurance Services Office) rating is currently at 86; the department is working toward a score of 90 to qualify for ISO Class 1, which Brown said could produce reduced insurance premiums for property owners and increased local economic activity.

Council members and staff urged residents to prepare for the cold, check on neighbors and bring pets indoors. The mayor's office reminded the public to check city channels for warming-station locations and hours; Community Action of Etowah County is accepting assistance applications and has about $1,000,000 in grants to help low-income residents with heating costs, a councilmember said and provided the agency phone number (256-546-9271).

No emergency closures or service suspensions were announced; officials said updates would follow as the forecast refined.