All Hazards Preparedness Program – Weather Ready Community

The Henderson Office of Emergency Management was recently selected by The National Weather Service (NWS) to create a pilot project called the “Weather Ready Community” (WRC). This project will be an all-hazards approach to preparedness using FEMA’s “Whole Community” concept. The WRC project will include the use of existing and developing new procedures to assess, document and recommend best practices in coping with hazards that may threaten your organization. This project aims to maximize its effectiveness by encouraging business and organizational participation throughout Henderson County over the next year as part of our continuing efforts to keep our fellow citizens informed and safe.

Here are some hazards that affect Henderson County: 

Project Goals:

1. An assessment meeting to determine an organization’s safety capabilities and needs
2. A safety walkthrough giving a full analysis of existing Emergency Action and Safety Plans
3. A Shelter Safety Evaluation Recommendations for high-risk severe weather events
4. Complete sheltering and all-hazards exercises within the facility/organization
5. A comprehensive written report of the walkthrough to include photos taken during the tour to give visual references on paper/computer
6. Follow-up visits to provide annual All-Hazards Safety Training and Safety Plan updates and recommendations

Henderson County has had its share of severe weather and other hazards which drove us to review and update our existing preparedness plans. Leading the way in this effort to create a local Weather Ready Community has the possibility for regional, state and national applications.