The Public is Welcome to Join Tonight’s Meeting of the Starke County Organizations Active in Disaster

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Members of the Starke County Organizations Active in Disaster or COAD will meet tonight at 5:30 p.m. CT.

Facilitated by Starke County EMA Director J. Nier, members of this organization are working to develop a local network of individuals who will be ready to act when a disaster strikes.

The group met for the first time back in April, where some government officials, church leaders, members of the medical community and other concerned citizens discussed the areas that need improvement when it comes to disaster response in the county. Continue reading →

Starke County COAD Addresses Inconsistencies with Communication Systems Utilized by Emergency Personnel

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

When Starke County COAD met for the first time Tuesday night, a question from one of the county’s amateur radio operators prompted a discussion about the communication systems utilized by the county’s emergency personnel.

Hamlet Fire Chief and Starke County Council President Brad Hazelton explained that some emergency personnel, such as the Sherriff’s Department, use radios that run on the 800 megahertz spectrum while others, like the fire departments, utilize very high frequency, or VHF technology. Hazelton said, “We can talk to EMS, because they’re VHF and 800 but the police are only 800 and we’re only VHF.” Continue reading →

Starke County EMA Director Holds First Community Organization Active in Disaster Meeting

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Starke County Emergency Management Agency Director J. Nier hosted a meeting with community members who interested in participating in a group focused on local disaster preparation and response efforts.

Church representatives, members of the medical community and concerned citizens were among the individuals who attended the first Community Organizations Active in Disaster or COAD meeting on Tuesday night.

Director Nier explained that Starke County COAD was actually established a while ago. However, she said when she took the position in October of last year, the group had been inactive for some time. During the flooding event in February, she realized that there were certain needs that were being unmet so she’s attempting to revive the organization. Continue reading →