Cleburne News 04/28/04

LOCAL NEWS

Emergency program is tops in Alabama

04-28-2004

Your local Emergency Management Agency is working hard to educate the residents of Cleburne County, and their progress is beginning to show.

One important tasking of the agency has been to assist residents in creating preparedness plans for people living in the vicinity of the Anniston Army Depot.

Their objective was to inform individuals what actions to take in the unlikely event of a chemical accident at the depot.
In early 2004, a public opinion survey was commissioned to gauge the effectiveness of this effort.

The survey compares local EMA offices and their ability to effectively educate the public. The results are in and Cleburne County is leading the way for CSEPP awareness.

The CSEPP (Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program) community is comprised of six counties; Calhoun, Etowah, St. Clair, Talladega, Clay and Cleburne. The survey was conducted between January 26 and March 5, 2004.
Throughout the community, over 1300 random telephone interviews were performed; with 100 surveys being completed in Cleburne County.

Residents were asked specific questions concerning basic knowledge of the program, awareness of potential hazards, and familiarity of what actions to take should an accident occur. The results show that the residents in Cleburne County are well prepared.

Following the initial telephone survey, the results were compiled and analyzed by an independent advertising firm commissioned by the Alabama Emergency Management Agency, and a detailed report forwarded to local EMA offices.

Following is a summary of a select series of data based on community response:

88% were well informed/somewhat informed about actions to take.
84% said advertising they had seen/heard increased their knowledge
49% have an emergency preparedness plan
78% would know what to do if told to shelter in place

The advertising firm also provided a comparison between counties. The following are results from basic questions asked concerning interaction with local EMA offices:

Question: How well informed do residents feel they are about what actions to take in the event of a chemical accident at the Anniston Army Depot?

Well Informed Somewhat Informed Not Informed
Cleburne 61% 31% 8%
Calhoun 48% 44% 8%
Clay 47% 35% 18%
St. Clair 46% 39% 15%
Talladega 44% 42% 14%
Etowah 41% 45% 14%

Question: How many respondents are confident their local EMA would inform them of the proper actions to take in the event of a chemical accident at the Anniston Depot?

Stated Confidence of Not Confident in the
EMA Informing EMA Informing
Cleburne 89% 11%
Clay 88% 12%
Talladega 86% 14%
St. Clair 85% 15%
Calhoun 81% 19%
Etowah 81% 19%

Question: In an event of a chemical accident, how many respondents would know what to do if told by local EMA to shelter in place?

Would Know How Not Know How
To Shelter in Place to Shelter in Place
Cleburne 84% 16%
Calhoun 81% 19%
Clay 80% 20%
Etowah 75% 25%
St Clair 75% 25%
Talladega 75% 25%

In addition to these results, 86% of Cleburne County residents stated that they know how to evacuate, 73% know their emergency zones for home, work and school, and 59% have developed an emergency preparedness plan. These numbers are higher than any other county in our CSEPP community.

Local county officials have responded to the results. “Ryan Robertson, Judge of Probate, responded by saying, “I am extremely proud that our county is well informed and would like to commend our local EMA/CSEPP Office for the outstanding job of educating our citizens.” Commissioner Rex Nolen gave insight into the results, “I would like to thank the Cleburne County EMA for their hard work. The results from the survey demonstrate the hard work that the county has put into protecting the public. I believe the outdoor warning sirens, local radio stations, and the information from Cleburne EMA are our only safeguards.” Nolen also noted how essential it is that Congress and the FCC find a solution to the County’s federally regulated inability to receive satellite television from the Birmingham market area, “accessing emergency information via satellite television is crucial for residents of Cleburne County.”

In May, an additional survey will be performed in our area. This will rate Alabama nationally against other CSEPP communities, (there are eight communities in all) in other states. It will evaluate the public’s level of preparedness against baseline performance goals, providing information to help direct future outreaches.

“We encourage everyone to re-familiarize themselves with the basic principals of the CSEPP program.” said Steve Swafford, EMA Director. Following is a list of the program fundamentals:

Residents should create a family emergency plan that includes a disaster supply kit.

Learn the emergency zones for home, work, and schools.

Become familiar with the outdoor warning sirens; learn their tones and what they mean.

Have a family meeting place and out-of-town family contact in case of separation.

Know the procedures for sheltering in place and evacuation.

The CSEPP program is a coordinated and cooperative effort among federal, state and local agencies, the private citizens and volunteers that should contribute to saving lives and protecting property in the event of disaster.

For further information about the survey or help in creating a preparedness plan, contact your local EMA office at 256.463.7130.