Emergency Alert Radio project awarded to Metro

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The distribution of free emergency alert radios in Calhoun, Clay, Cleburne, Etowah, St. Clair and Talladega counties is one step closer to getting underway. Anniston-based Metro Mail Services Inc. has been chosen as the project contractor.

The Project Management Committee met Sept. 4 to discuss project proposals which were based on four emergency alert radio models. After review, the committee chose Metro’s proposal which includes the distribution of Midland WR 100M Emergency Alert Radios and a public information campaign to support the project.

The Cleburne County Commission approved the committee’s choice during their regular meeting Monday. Cleburne County Executive Officer Steve Swafford serves as the project manager for the six-county initiative.

“We have chosen a proven vendor and a sound piece of equipment, both of which, I am confident will serve the public well,” said Swafford, who is also the director of Cleburne County Emergency Management Agency (EMA). “When this project is complete, citizens of our six-county region will be among the best prepared in the United States.”

Metro has been involved in the emergency management field since 1998. Metro is contracted with the Alabama EMA to manage the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program’s (CSEPP) Special Needs Population Program. Metro also operates Calhoun County’s training and distribution center for residential protective equipment.

“We appreciate the opportunity to participate in such a significant program,” said Metro owner and president Vanda Holt. “We plan to begin working immediately to educate the community about the distribution process.”

A public information campaign will begin in November and residents will receive information by mail in January. The mailer will include a postage-paid reply card. Citizens must request an emergency alert radio before the distribution deadline in order to receive one. The deadline will be advertised as part of the public information campaign.

“I want to stress this is a one-time offer. People must respond during the distribution period to receive the free radio,” said Swafford.

Phase One of the emergency alert radio distribution will begin in January 2009. Radios will be mailed to residents and businesses in Clay, Cleburne, Etowah, St. Clair and Talladega counties and Calhoun County’s CSEPP protective action zone. Calhoun County’s Immediate Response Zone will receive the free emergency alert radio during a separate phase of the project.

Residents will be able to receive alerts for different types of emergencies through the Midland WR 100M. Alerts include severe weather and civil emergencies such as a chemical release. The Midland WR 100M has Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) capabilities. SAME allows radios to receive alerts for one area or multiple areas. The radios receive alerts through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service.

“Having an emergency alert radio is a fundamental step in personal emergency preparedness,” said Swafford. “I encourage residents to complete the process by developing a family emergency preparedness plan and assembling a disaster supply kit. If you have questions about creating an emergency preparedness plan, call your local EMA. They can teach you how to be better prepared for emergencies that can affect your community.”

View Project Management Committee photo

View Midland WR100M photo

View EAR distribution timeline