LOCAL NEWS
Shelter in place kits will be delivered soon
01-15-2004
Shelter in place kits will soon be delivered to
Cleburne County residents who live in the protective action zone (PAZ) and
precautionary zone (PZ). Members of Cleburne County Search and Rescue will
begin delivering the kits in February.
In July, Cleburne County Emergency Management Agency began a public information
campaign to educate residents about the availability of the kits. As part
of the program, notices were mailed to residents of the PAZ and PZ. The notice
included a postage paid reply card. Residents who wanted to receive a shelter
in place kit were asked to return the card by mail. As of Jan. 5, 1,253 households
have responded.
“The good response to the mailed notices indicates that Cleburne County residents
are taking steps to protect themselves and their families in the event of
an emergency,” said Steve Swafford, Cleburne EMA director.
“Anyone who hasn’t returned the card should do so as quickly as possible.”
Shelter in place could be the protective action recommended for communities
in Cleburne County’s PAZ and/or PZ in the unlikely event of an incident during
destruction of chemical weapons at Anniston Army Depot. Shelter in place
means that residents would be advised to go inside, close all windows and
doors, and enter their shelter rooms. Residents would be advised to tune
to local emergency alert stations for more information. Local television
stations include WBRC Fox 6, WVTM NBC 13, WJSU ABC33/40 and FM radio stations
WVOK 97.9, WTDR 92.7, and WJCK 88.3.
The shelter in place kits contain materials that can enhance basic sheltering
protection. Materials include a roll of plastic sheeting, painter’s tape,
scissors, a towel, printed shelter in place instructions and an instructional
video. The kits were purchased with funds from the Chemical Stockpile Preparedness
Program.
For more information about shelter in place guidelines or other emergency
preparedness, call 256-463-7130 or visit www.cleburnecounty.org.