Whitfield Local Emergency Planning Committee - LEPC

09/01/2026

🇺🇸🛡️ 𝗦𝗘𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥 𝗜𝗦 𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗗𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗛! 🛡️🇺🇸

This year’s theme, 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆, reminds us that preparedness starts with each of us—and that when we prepare together, we help make our families and communities stronger and safer.

Throughout September, we proudly join partners across Georgia and the nation in sharing 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆.𝗴𝗼𝘃 preparedness tips and encouraging everyone to make preparedness a priority.

🏠 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻 for your household.

🎒 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗸𝗶𝘁 with essential supplies.

📱 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘀.

🤝 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆, 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗻𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗯𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲, 𝘁𝗼𝗼.

Emergencies can happen with little or no warning. Taking a few simple steps 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 one occurs can make a 𝗕𝗜𝗚 difference when it matters most.

💙 This National Preparedness Month, let’s make sure 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘆 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆!

Learn more about preparing for emergencies at www.ready.gov/stand-ready.



—En Español—

🇺🇸🛡️ 𝗦𝗘𝗣𝗧𝗜𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗥𝗘 𝗘𝗦 𝗘𝗟 𝗠𝗘𝗦 𝗡𝗔𝗖𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗗𝗘 𝗟𝗔 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗜Ó𝗡! 🛡️🇺🇸

El tema de este año, “𝗟𝗼𝘀 𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗱𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗲𝘀𝘁á𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗼𝘀”, nos recuerda que la preparación comienza con cada uno de nosotros y que, al prepararnos juntos, ayudamos a que nuestras familias y comunidades sean más fuertes y seguras.

Durante todo el mes de Septiembre, nos unimos con orgullo a colaboradores de Georgia y de todo el país para compartir consejos de preparación de 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆.𝗴𝗼𝘃 y animar a todos a hacer de la preparación una prioridad.

🏠 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘂𝗻 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻 para su hogar.

🎒 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘂𝗻 𝗸𝗶𝘁 𝗱𝗲 𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮 con suministros esenciales.

📱 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝗮 𝗱ó𝗻𝗱𝗲 𝗼𝗯𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗰𝗶ó𝗻 𝘆 𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗮𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀 durante una emergencia.

🤝 𝗔𝘆𝘂𝗱𝗲 𝗮 𝘀𝘂𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗿𝗲𝘀, 𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗼𝘀 𝘆 𝘃𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗼𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗶é𝗻.

Las emergencias pueden ocurrir con poca o ninguna advertencia. Tomar algunas medidas sencillas 𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝘀 de una emergencia puede marcar una 𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗡 diferencia cuando más importa.

💙 Este Mes Nacional de la Preparación, ¡asegurémonos de que 𝗲𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗱𝗼 𝗱𝗲 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝗲𝘀𝘁é 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗼!

Obtenga más información sobre cómo prepararse para emergencias en www.ready.gov/stand-ready.

08/27/2026

🚨 𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗦𝗧 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗦: 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗖 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗢𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗬! 🚨

The September class is FULL — BUT the Region A North Georgia Healthcare Coalition is excited to sponsor another FREE Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC) course, November 3–5 in Chatsworth!

📅 November 3–5, 2026 | 8 AM–5 PM
📍 Murray County Public Safety Training Center
🎯 FREE to Public Safety Personnel
🙌 No prerequisites required!

This 𝗧𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹𝘁𝘆 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲 (𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗖) course, presented by Valkyries Austere Medical Solutions, is an intensive, hands-on training that focuses on lifesaving care in high-threat environments, including hemorrhage control, treating wounded responders and safely moving victims. CEUs and POST credit are offered.

⚠️ SPACE IS LIMITED — REGISTER SOON!

👉 Register: https://training.gema.ga.gov/TRS/courseDesc.do?sourcePage=courseSearch&cofId=77696
🌐 Learn more about Region A: https://garegiona.org

Please SHARE with first responders who may benefit from this valuable training opportunity!



—En Español—

🚨 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗠𝗘𝗥𝗢𝗦 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗗𝗢𝗥𝗘𝗦: ¡𝗡𝗨𝗘𝗩𝗔 𝗢𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗗𝗔𝗗 𝗗𝗘 𝗖𝗔𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗔𝗖𝗜Ó𝗡 𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗖! 🚨

La clase de septiembre está LLENA, PERO la Coalición de Atención Médica de la Región A del Norte de Georgia patrocinadora otro curso GRATUITO de Atención Táctica de Emergencia para Heridos (TECC), del 3 al 5 de noviembre en Chatsworth.

📅 3–5 de noviembre de 2026 | 8 AM–5 PM
📍 Murray County Public Safety Training Center
🎯 GRATIS para el personal de seguridad pública
🙌 ¡No se requieren prerrequisitos!

Esta capacitación práctica se enfoca en técnicas vitales para brindar atención en situaciones de alto riesgo. Se ofrecen créditos CEU y POST.

⚠️ ¡EL CUPO ES LIMITADO — INSCRÍBETE PRONTO!

👉 Inscripción: https://training.gema.ga.gov/TRS/courseDesc.do?sourcePage=courseSearch&cofId=77696
🌐 https://garegiona.org

¡Comparte esta oportunidad con los primeros respondedores que podrían beneficiarse de esta capacitación!

08/18/2026

⏰ IT'S TIME! ⏰
🎈 REGION A HEALTHCARE COALITION MEETING 🎉

📅 Tuesday, August 18, 2026 • 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

📍 Dalton Trade & Convention Center, 2211 Tony Ingle Parkway, Dalton, GA 30720 🏛️

⌚ Executive Committee members meet at 9 a.m.

🙌 Who is it for? Healthcare Coalition members + community leaders from 9 counties in North Georgia —


💪 Why attend? Because emergency preparedness saves lives!
🎤 Hear key updates, share ideas, and build powerful partnerships for a stronger, safer region.

🍽️ FREE lunch for all registered attendees + informative presentations + excellent opportunities to connect 🎟️

🙌 We look forward to seeing everyone who registered there!



--En Español:

⏰ ¡ES LA HORA! ⏰
🎈 REUNIÓN DE LA COALICIÓN DE ATENCIÓN MÉDICA DE LA REGIÓN A 🎉

📅 Martes, 18 de agosto de 2026 • 10 a. m. – 1 p. m.

📍 Dalton Trade & Convention Center, 2211 Tony Ingle Parkway, Dalton, GA 30720 🏛️

⌚ Los miembros del Comité Ejecutivo se reúnen a las 9 a. m.

🙌 ¿Para quién es? Miembros de la Coalición de Atención Médica + líderes comunitarios de 9 condados del norte de Georgia —


💪 ¿Por qué asistir? ¡Porque la preparación para emergencias salva vidas!
🎤 Escucha actualizaciones importantes, comparte ideas y crea alianzas sólidas para una región más fuerte y segura.

🍽️ Almuerzo GRATIS para todas las personas inscritas + presentaciones informativas + excelentes oportunidades para conectar 🎟️

🙌 ¡Esperamos ver allí a todas las personas que se inscribieron!

08/17/2026

A front moving through Tennessee on Monday will spread scattered thunderstorms into north Georgia during the afternoon and evening. A few of these storms may become strong to severe, with damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph being the primary threat. Storms will also produce frequent lightning and locally heavy rainfall.

08/17/2026

🌡️High temperatures will remain in the 90s each day this week, with the highest heat index values (105-110 degrees) forecast on Monday and Tuesday afternoons.
⛈️Isolated to scattered storms are forecast on Monday, followed by a brief decrease in storm chances in the middle of the week.

08/12/2026

📅🤝 𝗜𝗧’𝗦 𝗡𝗘𝗫𝗧 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞!
🏥 𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗔 𝗡𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗚𝗘𝗢𝗥𝗚𝗜𝗔 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗧𝗛𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚

We’re almost there! ⏰ Join us Tuesday, August 18, for our next Region A North Georgia Healthcare Coalition Meeting, as healthcare, public health, emergency management, EMS, hospitals, long-term care, and community partners come together to strengthen healthcare preparedness across North Georgia. 🤝

📍 Meeting Details
🗓️ Tuesday, August 18
📍 Dalton Trade & Convention Center
🕙 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
🥪 Lunch will be provided! (Please let us know of any food allergies when registering.)

⭐ Executive Committee Members
Executive Committee members will meet separately beginning at 9:00 a.m. This earlier meeting is for Executive Committee members only.

✅ 𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗜𝗦 𝗥𝗘𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗥𝗘𝗗!
If you haven’t registered yet, now is the time! Please register through the Training Registration System (TRS) so we can ensure an accurate count for meeting materials and lunch.

🔗 Register here:
https://training.gema.ga.gov/TRS/courseDesc.do?sourcePage=courseSearch&cofId=76177

🤝 Please share this invitation with colleagues and other professionals who may benefit from learning more about the Healthcare Coalition.

We look forward to seeing everyone NEXT WEEK! 💙💚

— En Español —

📅🤝 ¡𝗘𝗦 𝗟𝗔 𝗣𝗥Ó𝗫𝗜𝗠𝗔 𝗦𝗘𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗔! 🏥

Acompáñenos en la próxima reunión de la Coalición de Atención Médica de la Región A del Norte de Georgia, donde profesionales y colaboradores se reunirán para fortalecer la preparación de atención médica en nuestra región.

🗓️ Martes, 18 de agosto
🕙 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
📍 Dalton Trade & Convention Center
🥪 Se ofrecerá almuerzo.

✅ Es necesario registrarse a través del Training Registration System (TRS):
https://training.gema.ga.gov/TRS/courseDesc.do?sourcePage=courseSearch&cofId=76177

¡Esperamos verlos la próxima semana! 💙💚

08/09/2026

From the US National Weather Center in Peachtree GA:

Scattered thunderstorms are ongoing across parts of North GA. Keep an eye to the sky if you're outdoors.

And remember...when you see a flash, DASH inside!

🏡⬅️🏃🏽‍♀️⬅️⛈️



—En Español—

Del Centro Nacional de Meteorología de EE. UU. en Peachtree City, Georgia:

⛈️ Hay tormentas eléctricas dispersas esta tarde en partes del norte de Georgia. Si está al aire libre, ¡manténgase atento al cielo!

Y recuerde... si ve un relámpago, ¡corra adentro! ⚡

🏡⬅️🏃🏽‍♀️⬅️⛈️

07/28/2026

07/23/2026

Congratulations to Christina Byrd! 🤩🥳

Byrd selected as new Deputy Director of Gordon County EMA, assumes duties August 1

(Calhoun) – Christina Byrd has been selected as the new Deputy Director for the Gordon County Emergency Management Agency. She will assume her duties beginning August 1.

Byrd began her emergency management career in 2012 as a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteer before becoming an instructor and program coordinator. Since joining emergency management full time in 2020 with Whitfield County, she has supported complex emergency operations, coordinated multi-agency responses, and contributed to planning, training, public education, and large-scale exercises.

Among Byrd’s signature accomplishments is the creation of a Place of Worship Safety Seminar, which is an interdisciplinary preparedness initiative combining emergency planning, Stop the Bleed, Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE), disaster psychology, and faith-based resilience. The program was later recognized by FEMA as a case study in its Engaging Faith-Based and Community Organizations Planning guidance.

In May 2026 Byrd earned her Bachelor of Science in Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management from Arkansas State University. She holds the designation of Georgia Advanced Certified Emergency Manager, Communications Unit Leader, as well as being an active member of the International Association of Emergency Managers, serving on the Emergency Management Association of Georgia Legislative Committee, and participates on the Georgia Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster Long-Term Recovery Committee.

“Christina will be a great asset to not only the public safety family in Gordon County but to our community as a whole. She brings with her a hard work ethic along with a passion for and dedication to the profession,” according to EMA Director Courtney Taylor.

Outside of work, Christina enjoys spending time with her husband, Cody, their daughter, Makenna, and her bonus son, Jasper.

“I am honored to join Gordon County EMA and look forward to working alongside Director Taylor, first responders, elected officials, partner agencies, and residents to build a safer and more resilient community,” stated Byrd.

“I believe that a community is as strong as the people and the bonds between them. We can do great things for Gordon County when we work together for it's good on the blue sky days and then recover better together after the storms.”

Byrd assumes the position after former Deputy Director Wendy Saylors resigned earlier this year.

07/23/2026

Sharing from the :

Protect yourself and your family from Cyclosporiasis by practicing safe food preparation every day.
Small steps in the kitchen can make a big difference. Learn more: bit.ly/44Q7Hjn

——— Español ———

Protéjase usted y a su familia de la ciclosporiasis practicando una preparación segura de los alimentos todos los días.
Pequeños pasos en la cocina pueden marcar una gran diferencia. Obtenga más información: bit.ly/44Q7Hjn