Message from the Director
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 Acting Director John James |
Let me begin by saying to each of you, thank you for your hard work, dedication and support of Emergency Management. The last few months have brought about several changes at AEMA and these changes have been accepted and supported by everyone involved. I was honored to be asked by Governor Riley to serve as the Acting Director of AEMA after the resignation of Mr.Baughman. Under his leadership, emergency management in Alabama had progressed to being recognized across the country as a leader in our profession. This has made my job easier in that it allowed me to further build upon the things that had already been established.
However, as with most administration transitions, we have made several changes here at the state office that I feel has allowed us to be more efficient and more customer service oriented. I believe that the experience I gained by rising through the ranks from a local EMA office, through the state system into this position, allows me to better understand the work that goes on at the local level and also how we, AEMA, can better serve the local communities. As stated in our mission statement we are here to support local emergency management programs. My goal for this agency is that we meet that expectation.
The end of the Hurricane season is nearing upon us, thankfully without an event. Each year with the onset of the season we get very aggressive in our efforts, then after a few years of no or limited activity it becomes very easy to get complacent. I want to encourage everyone to maintain that aggressive attitude and continue to build upon the very processes you have in place. To use part of an old saying, we, our plans, procedures, and systems, are only as good as their weakest links. This should serve as our encouragement to continue to update, train and exercise for the next incident.
Again thank you for your dedication to the citizens of your community and the entire State of Alabama in your work as an emergency management professional.
Sincerely,
John D. James, CEM
NEMA Conference 2007
 Response & Recovery committee meeting at the NEMA conference |
Oklahoma—The National Emergency Management Association held is annual conference in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, September 28 through October 2nd at the Renaissance Convention Center Hotel. This conference offers an opportunity for state directors and their staff to come together and discuss issues effecting the emergency management profession. Conference topics included everything from EMAC to Mitigation to Response and Recovery, just to name a few. During the mid-year conference in Alexandria, Virginia, state PIOs discussed the idea of re-enacting the Public Affairs Subcommittee. The committee met for two days during the conference and it offered an excellent forum to discuss lessons learned in recent disasters as well as a way to get to know other state PIOs. Acting Director John James attended the conference for the first time as the Director of the Alabama Emergency Management Agency. The next annual conference will be held in Portland, Oregon, September 8-12, 2008. The mid-year conference will be held in Washington, D.C, March 9-13, 2008.
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The City
If you have never visited Oklahoma City, it’s a city you have to visit. The downtown area is called Bricktown and you have several options to tour the downtown area. You can either take the water taxi, a pedicab or even a horse drawn carriage to the restaurants that line the waterway. About five or six blocks from the heart of the tourist area, you will find the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum. This museum pays tribute to the victims, survivors and first-responders who helped save lives following the fatal bombing at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. If it’s plants you love the Myriad Botanical Gardens is an attraction you will want to add to your to do list. Oklahoma City covers the largest geographical area of any city in the U.S. However, you want to note that Oklahoma has also had seven declared disasters this year alone.
New Director
 Mr. Baughman pauses for a group photo on his last day. |
CLANTON- The 10th day of August saw the end of one era and the beginning of another.
Director Bruce Baughman packed his bags and walked out of the front office of the Alabama Emergency Management Agency for the last time, but not before county directors, staff members, various associations and other agencies gave him a proper send-off. Baughman’s ending of his four and a half year career with the AEMA also ended his 32 year long career in emergency management. Baughman now works in the private sector. For those of us who attended the NEMA conference, in Oklahoma this past September, we got a chance to see and talk with him and see how life is in the non-government world. Just in case you are wondering, Mr. Baughman says he misses the EMA family.
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Certification of Local Emergency Managers
By: Pete McGough
Clanton- -Act 2007-462 became law on June 14, 2007 with Governor Bob Riley’s signature providing salary incentives and/or monetary rewards for the county program for Local Emergency Managers to meet specific professional standards.
John James, Acting Director of the Alabama Emergency Management Agency said, “Due to events such as 9-11 and Hurricane Katrina, Emergency Management has become more than just a severe weather point of contact. Governor Riley and the State Legislature have recognized this fact and established Minimum Standards and salary incentives for local EMA Directors meeting those standards. County governments can utilize the procedures in Act 2007-462 to acquire and retain competent professionals to handle the complicated planning and response to all hazards that threaten our communities.”
Twenty three local EMA Directors have submitted application packages for consideration in accordance with the procedures established by the Act. Of that number, fourteen were approved on the first review.
The requirements are: 1) Two years of college level education, ( Any person serving as a local emergency management director on June 14, 2007 shall be deemed to satisfy the college requirement providing he or she has a minimum of five years work experience as a local director) 2) Three years of work experience in emergency response, emergency management, or qualified military service, and 3) Two hundred hours of specified coursework in Emergency Management . (Any person holding an Advanced Level and has completed IS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, & 800 will be deemed to satisfy this requirement).
If you wish to be considered for this program, gather the needed documents and submit, in an organized three-ring binder, to:
Alabama Emergency Management Agency
Pete McGough
5898 County Road 41
P.O. Drawer 2160
Clanton, AL 35046
Questions about this program may be directed to Pete McGough at 205-280-2219.
AAEM Annual Conference 2007
 AAEM Annual Conference 2007 |
Orange Beach--AAEM has completed another Summer Conference and reports are that it was a great success. Nearly 200 conferees were present for the sessions and other events.
Acting AEMA Director John James said, “The Association always puts on a good conference. I was pleased but not surprised by how good a conference it was.” Mr. James felt that there was a good exchange of ideas both in session and during less formal periods. “The training was good but I always like the opportunity to met the venders and see what is out there.”
There were good speakers talking about real life issues at this conference but several people mentioned the presentation by Ned Turner, Emergency Services Coordinator in Montgomery County, Virginia. According to Mr. James, his comments on Supporting the Effort at Virginia Tech made it even more obvious that an emergency can happen at any time and anywhere and to anyone. This was more effective than any discussion of a hypothetical school shooting would have ever been. Marieke Ricketson, who was attending her first AAEM Conference, was touched by Mr. Turner’s discussion of the outpouring of support and care from the Blacksburg community in both food and emotional support.
Eddie Hicks was elected President for the 2007-2008 year.
 Sumter County Director Margaret Bishop enjoying the conference. |
Mark your calendar for the Mid-Year Conference which will be held at Marriott Shoals Hotel in Florence Feb 26-28, 2008. The next Summer Conference will be back at Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach Sept. 15-17, 2008.
Congratulations to AAEM Award Winners
Distinguished Service Award--Dan Isley
In recognition of his devotion to the advancement of emergency managements, not only within his region but across the state as well
Meritorious Service Award--Michael Johnson and Billy Green
In recognition of their notable achievements that have contributed to the advancement of the emergency management profession
Directors Award--Phyllis Little
In recognition of her outstanding leadership of Cullman County EMA and the support given to other counties and the state
Special Achievement Award—Larry Walker, Don DeJarnette, and Miriam Thornton
In recognition of their contributions to the advancement of emergency management in their communities
Public Service Award—Mayor Kenneth Boswell
In recognition of his outstanding leadership, support of emergency management, and obvious concern for the safety and well being of the citizens of Enterprise, Alabama
Pat Neuhauser Spirit of EMA Award--Max Armstrong, Blount County EMA Director
In recognition of his dedication and commitment to the service of others and his willingness to devote his personal time in order to prepare his county and others to react in time of disaster.
Volunteer of the Year--James Lumpkin, Dallas County
President’s Award--Crystal Ousley, Autauga County Deputy Director/Mitigation Officer
In recognition of outstanding service and dedication to the Association.
The following people were recognized at the AAEM Summer Conference for achieving the following professional certifications:
 Joe Maddox and the other members of the winning team (AAEM Summer Champs). |
Advanced Level Emergency Managers
Earl Alexander, AEMA
Pam Cook, Dallas County EMA
Renee Cook, Baldwin County EMA
Teresa Daugherty, Clay County EMA
Annette Davis, AEMA
Eric Jones, Elmore County EMA
Donnie Knight, Randolph County EMA
Margaret Mixon, Geneva County EMA
Anita Patterso,n Montgomery County EMA
Alicia Reed, AEMA
Justin Smith, AEMA
Rita Smith, Monroe County EMA
Kristi Stamnes, Covington Count, EMA
Rhonda Stange AEMA
Charlisa Ussery AEMA
Roy Waite, Clark County EMA
Intermediate Level Emergency Managers
Rebecca Blankenship, AEMA
Pam Broadhead, Mobile County EMA
James Burnett, Winston County, EMA
Jack Busby, Leroy Alabama
Beverly Daniel, Cherokee County EMA
Richard J. DeBlase, Mobile County EMA
Ronald Foster, Montgomery, Alabama
Robbie Richardson, Russellville Fire Department
Joyce Williams, Wilcox County EMA
Basic Level Emergency Managers
Rhonda Abbott, Dallas County EMA
David Glassman, Madison Fire and Rescue
Michael J. Holmes, Stockton FD
Donald Leeth, Mobile County EMA
Scott Porter, Fayette County EMA
Steve Shelton, Hartselle Fire and Rescue
Jessica Tomlin, Crenshaw County EMA
Wendy J. Wright, Chilton County EMA
Pickens County EMA Director Retires
Pickens County--Ray Elmore has retired for a second time after a long career serving Pickens County. He worked in the Engineering Department for 30 years and retired. He was only retired for a few months when he came back to be the Emergency Management Director and stayed for 16 years. Now, his thought is that it is time for a younger man to take the job.
He says he couldn’t have been such a success without the 17 volunteer fire departments in the county, the county coroner, the 911 Director and others. He was the entire emergency management office so he depended on them to help when he needed it. He says he likes Don Hartley but credits Stephanie Gibson, who used to be his area coordinator, with being the first person who did whatever was needed to make sure he had the knowledge and tools he needed.
The most memorable event of his tenure was Hurricane Katrina and the chaos that followed. There was no electricity in Pickens County so they had no water pumping until they were able to borrow some generators. He was grateful to Alabama Power for working overtime to get the power restored. The county never completely ran out of water but it was close.
He says, “I am not satisfied but when I look back I am a little proud.” During his tenure Ray made sure that twelve weather sirens were installed. He most recently recieved a generator grant so Pickens County will not face water pump difficulties again.
Ray is a big supporter of emergency management and will still be a volunteer. He says he will have the best of both worlds. He will be able to work in emergency management but will be able to say “no” when he wants to do something else. Now, Ray will have time to spend with his wife of 52 years, his three sons, and his seven grandchildren. His main plan for now is to go deer hunting—a lot.
Be Ready Day
 Governor Riley attending Be Ready in Tuscaloosa |
Tuscaloosa--Friday, Sept. 28, was the Fourth Annual Statewide “Be Ready Day”. This event was sponsored by the Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, the Alabama Department of Homeland Security and the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. It was held at the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office Hangar.
Responders, volunteer organizations and vendors from all over the state were present to share information with the public and with one another. The information ranged from FEMA’s display about building safe rooms as a way to be prepared to how Alabama Task Force One uses K9 units after an emergency. Area students from kindergarten to college-aged were present, some of whom toured EMA’s Mobile Command Center. Visitors were welcomed by representatives from the sponsoring agencies at a noon gathering inside the hangar. Young delegates from Be Ready Camp, which was held in Huntsville, were recognized and a video of Be Ready Camp was shown.
Governor Riley spoke of his pride in the preparation level of responders in the State of Alabama and about the need for each individual household to be ready so that emergency personnel can help those who need it most. He also spoke directly to the students present and encouraged them to use their influence to help their parents have a preparedness plan and supply kit ready in case of an emergency.
Dallas County Be Ready 2007
Selma--Dallas County EMA held a two-day event at Selma Mall on September 28th &29th to encourage disaster preparedness. Friday was Kids Day and local students enjoyed the equipment and displays that were present. According to Pam Cook, Dallas County EMA Director, over 1,000 students and several hundred adults attended.
Saturday, September 29th was Senior Adult and Family Day. Families strolled through the mall and gathered information about how to be prepared and who can help after an emergency occurs. The occasional sound of sirens from the displays outside drew the attention of children and adults. Local schools and churches provided entertainment.
Be Ready: Perry County Expo
 Perry County residents take part in their Be Ready Expo |
Marion- The courthouse square in downtown Marion may have been closed for business Saturday, October 13th but that didn’t stop area residents from attending the Be Ready: Perry County Expo. This day was designed to raise awareness in every aspect of your life. Several Samford University students were there checking blood pressure, weight and body mass index. Marion Police Department had a message about drug safety, and they even had their canine on hand for the children to meet. The exhibit that appeared to draw the most attention was the tornado/fire trailer. This simulated what a tornado feels like if you are in your home. A television station gave an update regarding a tornado in their area, and told the children to go to their safe place. The simulation was so realistic, even the blinds in the trailer started moving to simulate the wind blowing in the windows. A number of other local agencies were also present.
Corbett Takes the Next Step
Russell County- It’s another bitter sweet farewell for the EMA family. After six years of service as the Russell County EMA director, Chance Corbett has resigned to work for Auburn University as their Associate Director of Emergency Management. Corbett recalls his first budget meeting with the county commission after being hired. He says he thought he had a year to figure out if the budget they gave him would be enough and figure out what was what, and then the probate judge walked in to tell them the World Trade Center was under attack. The chairman turned to Chance and asked, “What do we need to do?” and Chance was thinking the only thing he knew about EMA is what Pete McGough was able to tell me in an hour orientation meeting. From those first days as an EMA director, Chance knew he had a lot to learn. In his own words, Chance shares the first time he activated the EOC, discussed his new opportunity and what he will miss most.
Chance recalls the disaster that taught him the most…
Hurricane Ivan was the first incident in which I was able to open the first EOC in Russell County ever. This was a big learning experience. The first responders in Russell County had never come together in a formal meeting to discuss response to disasters, and on 2 days before Ivan hit, I had 83 people in the EOC getting along as if they worked together every day. The next was the floods of Easter 2005 when we had to assist older people out of their flooded homes. I then later applied to the State EMA for HMGP funding to help acquire the homes. Today, there are 11 empty lots and every homeowner is very happy and safe.
New Opportunity…
The position is Associate Director of Emergency Management. I feel that this position will only grow in importance and there will be a lot of work to do once I get there. I have always been an Auburn fan and grew up in Jordan Hare Stadium. I feel that helping to make that campus a safer place is a priority to me and that the employees that I have met at the University will prove to be a great team to accomplish everything that is needed. Auburn has a chance to step up and build a program second to none, and I hope that one day other universities will be modeling their program after Auburn's.
What he will miss most…
In one sense I believe it will be the friends that I see every day. However, I have been told that membership in the state association and training class will be a large part of the new job. So I hope I do not have to ever say that I will miss the great people in the county positions and state positions. I hope that I will see them as much or more than I did before. I guarantee you that the relationships that I have been a part of with the fellow EMA workers across this state are in a large part responsible for this opportunity that I have been afforded.
Mobile Communication Upgrades
 AEMA employees learn about improvements to communication vehicles |
Recently AEMA employees had an opportunity to check out the mobile communication equipment and learn about the latest changes and upgrades to that equipment.
The Interoperable Communication Vehicle has been equipped with new antennae masts to increase the signal range. A new satellite dish has been installed that will deploy more quickly. Instead of taking seven to ten minutes to be ready it now takes only about three minutes. A DStar digital antenna has also been added. This antenna increases communication capabilities by transmitting to other DStar repeaters which are mainly owned by amateur radio operators or amateur radio clubs.
The Mobile Command Vehicle has had upgrades in the satellite cable and communications equipment in the vehicle. The most important one was the addition of a data dish on the roof of the bus. This will make it possible to have internet and email service as needed.
AEMA Buzz..
| Welcome to the family.. New County Directors Moving On…. Congratulations…. Dates to remember
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At a Glance
 Acting Director James conduct first AEMA staff meeting |  PA members get together for one last group shot before saying good-bye to Annette Davis |
 Craig Blakley gets a certificate of appreciation from Mr. Baughman |  Trea Wilson gets a certificate of appreciation from Mr. Baughman |
 Construction at the agency nears completion as crews began work on the landscape |  Charles Williams offers words of wisdom at Marieke's wedding shower, she was married October 20th |
 Charlisa Ussery offers a little entertainment as we celebrated John's birthday |  Congratulations to Gina Boling for winning the longest drive at the tournament |
.jpg) Acting Director John James presents Bruce Baughman with a plaque for his dedication and years of service |
Alabama Emergency Management Agency - 5898 County Road 41 - P.O Drawer 2160 - Clanton, Alabama 35046-2160