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Douglas County launches Alert Douglas as officials urge 72‑hour household preparedness
Summary
Director of Emergency Management James Queen outlined how Douglas County will coordinate evacuations and emergency operations, urged residents to be self‑sufficient for the first 72 hours after a disaster and highlighted the new Alert Douglas notification system that requires prior users to re‑register.
Commissioner Martin Raxton hosted an interview with James Queen, Douglas County’s director of emergency management, during a District Dialogue broadcast describing how the county prepares for severe weather and other disasters.
Queen said Douglas County is focusing on clear, consistent public messaging and interagency coordination. “We preach the first 72 hours because that’s when there's going to be trees blocking roadways, flood waters, things that are going to keep first responders from being able to get to you,” he said, urging residents to plan to be self‑sufficient for that initial period. He added: “If you're being told to evacuate, yes, you should definitely take that seriously.”
Queen described the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) as a co‑located command post where fire, sheriff, public safety and DOT representatives work with county staff and state partners (including GEMA Homeland Security) to maintain a single operational picture and uniform public messaging. He said the office keeps staff on site in bunk rooms while the EOC is activated to maintain continuous coordination.
On outdoor warning sirens, Queen clarified that the sirens are intended to alert people who are outdoors to seek shelter and are not designed to be the primary means of warning residents inside their homes. The county tests sirens on the first Wednesday of every month; Queen also noted ad hoc testing occurs and residents should heed any non‑test siren activation.
The broadcast included a county public service announcement introducing Alert Douglas, the county’s new emergency notification system. The PSA said residents who registered with the previous alert system need to re‑register for Alert Douglas at douglascountyga.gov or by scanning the on‑screen QR code and can choose how to receive notifications by phone, email or text.
Why it matters: County officials said a consistent single message, delivered across Alert Douglas, county and emergency management social media and through public safety partners, is central to keeping residents informed and safe during fast‑moving events.
The District Dialogue segment closed with Queen advising residents to keep an evacuation plan, prepare for 72 hours of self‑sufficiency and register for Alert Douglas; the program did not record any formal county actions or votes on the broadcast.
The county plans further outreach and public information about Alert Douglas and emergency procedures.
