Road crews from the
Butler County Engineer's Office have been selected to participate
in FEMA's new local "Points of Distribution" program,
also known as PODs. The Federal Emergency Management Association
(FEMA) has developed the program to help local counties better
facilitate commodity distribution during times of emergency.
"Our crews teamed
up with members of Butler County EMA recently for special training
geared specifically to local needs," said Butler County
Engineer Greg Wilkens. "We continue to make significant
strides since the big windstorm of September 2008 and our Office
is happy to be part of the solution. We appreciate the opportunity
to partner with Butler County EMA on this project."
Facilitated by Butler
County EMA Director Jeff Galloway and Safety Director Utah Bailey,
the PODs program emphasizes centralized locations where the public
picks up life sustaining commodities following a disaster or
emergency. Supplies are delivered to these distribution points
which can accommodate drive-thru vehicle traffic, walk-thru pedestrian
traffic, and mass transit traffic such as bus or rail. The Butler
County Fairgrounds was picked as the central POD and the Engineer's
Office, with its experienced public works staff and close proximity
to the fairgrounds, was a logical choice to partner with EMA
in times of emergency.
Training consisted
of setup and break down procedures, proper site layout, time
and resource accounting, equipment inventories, and general safety
procedures. Traffic patterns have also been planned to promote
smooth traffic flow into and out of the POD area.
Volunteers are welcome,
according to Galloway, as workers are needed to help staff the
Butler County POD. "Any organization wishing to help staff
work shifts for our POD are encouraged to contact us," he
said. "We are looking for assistance from community groups,
churches, scout troops, and anyone else who has a desire to help
in times of crisis." The contact number for Butler County
EMA is 513-785-5810.
# # #
For more information
contact:
Chris
Petrocy, BCEO Public Information Supervisor
Greg Wilkens, P.E., P.S.,
Butler County Engineer
Phone 513.867.5744 • Fax 513.867.5849
Jeff Galloway, Butler County EMA Director - Phone 613-785-5810
