Happy New Year from Lexington Emergency Management

2017 has been an exciting and fulfilling year for Lexington Emergency Management.

It’s been the first full year that we’ve been housed in the new Public Safety Operations Center (PSOC). With every new building, there have been new processes and procedures to work out and a few challenges to overcome.  But we’re learning and growing not only with the EM staff, but also our neighbors in the PSOC, the staffs at LexCall and E-911.

Here are some of the accomplishments for the year:

• New outdoor warning siren at the Raven Run Nature Sanctuary
• New outdoor warning siren at Hisle Park
• New mobile phone app – BeReadyLexington for Android and iPhones
• New alerting service for persons with hearing disabilities – DeafLink
• New satellite Internet access backup system for the emergency operations center
• New portable satellite Internet access system for remote operations
• New mobile satellite Internet access system for remote operations
• Two Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) graduations

Most important, however, is the accomplishment of staffing. Lexington Emergency Management is now at full staffing with the hiring of new CSEPP Planner, CSEPP Administrative Assistant and Emergency Management Planner.

Training is a big part of the emergency management process and that will continue with a variety of monthly and one-time training sessions for all staff and volunteers.

In 2018, Lexington Emergency Management will continue and complete some additional, important projects for Fayette County residents:

• The installation of an emergency weather shelter at the government’s Versailles Road campus
• Planning and installation of an emergency weather shelter at the government’s recycling center on Manchester Street’
• The completion of the five-year hazards and mitigation plan for Fayette County. This plan will review and investigate man-made and other hazards in the Lexington area. The plan will include ways to minimize the impact of those hazards.

Lexington Emergency Management will also continue to fine tune its efforts with the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP).  That will include participation in the annual exercise with the 9 other CSEPP counties as well as Blue Grass Army Depot civilian and US Army partners.

We wish you the best in the new year. Remember: Be Aware, Make a Plan, Build an Emergency Kit, Get Involved.