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Talbot County proclaims National Preparedness Month; emergency services urge signing up for Talbot Alerts and CERT training
Summary
County emergency services staff briefed the council on National Preparedness Month, encouraged residents to register for Talbot Alerts and highlighted CERT trainings and emergency-response staffing levels.
Bridal LeCates, director of Talbot County Department of Emergency Services, and Madison Loker, the county emergency management coordinator, asked residents to use the county's alert system and take free community emergency response training ahead of peak hurricane season.
LeCates told council members, "Build a plan, build a kit, and, talk to your family and community members," and urged special attention for elderly residents who may need help preparing medication or oxygen. Loker said the department has worked "tirelessly throughout this year" to promote preparedness and encouraged signing up for Talbot Alerts at www.talbotalerts.com.
Why this matters: Emergency Services urged residents to prepare for hurricanes, floods and other sudden emergencies during September's National Preparedness Month and to use county tools that deliver urgent public safety notices.
Details and supporting context
• Talbot Alerts: Emergency Services instructed the public to sign up at www.talbotalerts.com or via the county website; the system lets residents provide phone, email and other contact preferences for alerts.
• CERT and community training: The department runs Community Emergency Response Team training and other no-cost courses; council members endorsed public participation.
• Staffing and capacity: LeCates told the council the county's EMS has 56 full-time staff and an additional 28 individuals supporting 9-1-1 and emergency services, "just shy of a 100 folks in emergency services altogether." Council members praised the department's outreach and urged residents to use the county alerts.
Council reaction and next steps
Council members thanked Emergency Services staff and urged residents to sign up for alerts and consider CERT training. LeCates and Loker said preparedness materials are on talbotdes.org and that the department will continue community outreach during hurricane season.
Ending
Loker closed by reminding residents that preparedness improves community resilience and that emergency services will continue public training and alerts: "From there, you're in our system, and we can send you notifications whenever needed."
