Mission Statement

“The mission of the Spalding County Office of Homeland Security is to coordinate or assist other agencies and citizens in mitigating,
  preparing and planning for, responding to and recovering from emergencies, disasters and terrorism.”

The Spalding County Office of Homeland Security is tasked to coordinate all activities that are necessary in the protection of our citizens from natural and man-made disasters and emergencies that may threaten Spalding County, including the City of Griffin, Orchard Hill and Sunnyside. This initiative is a continual process of mitigation, planning, preparedness, response and recovery that works for the protection of lives, property and the environment of Spalding County. In the times of disasters and emergencies, the Spalding County Office of Homeland Security works as a liaison between local and state agencies for any needed resources, in addition to, working with local governments and organizations to develop disaster preparedness plans, with the enhanced training and exercise events of these plans.

• Develop and maintain local Emergency Management disaster and mitigation plans that are required by state and federal government.
• Provide 24 – hour liaison activities between local and state government.
• Provide 24 – hour point of contact for response and coordination of response activities.
• Provide liaison with local, state and federal authorities during disasters and emergencies.
• Develop and coordinate with other agencies for conducting training and exercise programs.

Develop and distribute Emergency Management presentations, literature, public service announcements and other preparedness information for civic organizations, businesses and other public forums.

Glen Polk, Director
770-527-2855
gpolk@gjbxr.com

As a result of the April 2011 tornado, Spalding County was awarded a Federal Grant in February of 2013 for the purchase and installation of two Tornado Warning Sirens.  These sirens have been placed at the Blalock and Norton Fire Stations.  These two locations were chosen due to their proximity to the historical path of these types of storms.  The installation of sirens in this path, supplements our First Call Emergency Alert System which was implemented on March 30, 2012 and helped Spalding County become “Storm Ready” certified by the National Weather Service.

To obtain the “Storm Ready” designation by the National Weather Service, a County warning point must operate under the following criteria:

• Operate 24 hours a day
• Have a warning reception capability
• Offer warning dissemination capability
• Have the ability and authority to activate local warning system(s)

These sirens are currently operational and are integrated into the counties 800 MHz radio system.  They are designed to be automatically activated by a National Weather Service Tornado Warning affecting Spalding County.  The sirens have an audible range of approximately one mile in all directions.  The siren will be automatically tested by the National Weather service at noon on the first Wednesday of each month. 

The Spalding County Office of Homeland Security will provide ongoing education for the community and public safety personnel on expectations of the system and procedures for citizens receiving these alerts.  For additional questions, please contact the Spalding County Communications System Manager at (770) 467-4253 and/or the Spalding County Office of Homeland Security at (770) 228-2129 during normal business hours.

SPALDING COUNTY OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY HOSTS 
 COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM TRAINING

The Spalding County Office of Homeland Security in conjunction with the Spalding County Fire Department has developed a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) emergency preparedness training, to promote efforts between emergency services and the people they serve. The CERT Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations.

CERT is about readiness, people helping people, rescuer safety, and doing the greatest good for the greatest number. CERT is a positive and realistic approach to emergency and disaster situations for citizens who may be on their own during the initial moments of a disaster. Knowing the right actions to take can make a difference. Through CERT training, citizens can learn to:

• Manage utilities and put out small fires; 
• Cope with the three life-threatening injuries by
• Opening airways, 
• Controlling bleeding 
• and Treating for shock; 
• Provide basic medical aid; 
• Search for and rescue victims safely; and 
• Be better prepared for emergency events.

CERT training classes are scheduled throughout the year, anyone interested in participating in these classes should contact the Spalding County Office of Homeland Security at (770) 228-2129 or complete the form below and email it to gpolk@gjbxr.com.