Don McKinnon, executive director of the Jones County Emergency Management Agency, was recently chosen to serve on the Southeast U.S. assessment team for the National Weather Service. The nine member team was formed following the historic flooding of the Atlanta, Ga., area. McKinnon is the only EMA director from across the United States on the team.
According to information provided, the purpose of a service assessment is “to assess the external services and international operations of the National Weather Service, which are national in scope and service related.” The teams conducts interviews with NWS personnel, local emergency managers, political leaders and media representatives and reviews documents to determine the following:
• What happened during the emergency event — in this case, major flash flooding and river and stream flooding affecting a large land mass in the metropolitan Atlanta area
• How well the NWS and its sub-agencies (WFO, RFC, NCEP, etc.) performed in all phases of the event
• Which practices worked well and which do not
• What actions will improve performance during future events
“Participating on the National Service Assessment Team is a great opportunity to positively affect life safety and mitigate damages in future disasters as our findings and recommendations are forwarded across the NWS organization and to emergency service providers,” McKinnon said. “It is our great hope that citizens will heed warnings not to venture onto flooded roadways either in vehicles or on foot during flash flooding and stream and river flooding such as occurred in the Atlanta area.
“We work hard to educate the public on the dangers associated with various disaster situations and prepare our emergency service providers with information, which will help them effectively manage an event,” he added. “If the results of the hard work that this team put forth results in saving just one life, then it will have been worth all of the time spent and resources expended.”
A national service assessment may be conducted if there is significant impact on the economy of a large area or population, a significant number of fatalities and/or injuries requiring hospitalization occurs, extensive national public interest or media coverage develops or there is an unusual level of scrutiny of NWS operations. In the case of the Atlanta flooding, 10 individuals lost their lives and 17 counties were declared Presidential disaster areas with tens of millions of dollars in reported losses.
The team met October 12-17 in Peachtree City, Ga., and conducted extensive and exhaustive reviews of data, interviews and deliberations. The team is developing information for a draft report of their findings. Following staff reviews of the findings, the NWS will publish a final report which will be released for distribution.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Photo/Submitted
McKinnon chosen for NWS assessment team
Only EMA director selected
- Local News
-
-
Parents outraged
“It’s a sad day in East Jasper.” Those were the words of several parents who came out to the Heidelberg Multipurpose Complex Wednesday evening.
-
Jones Co. native killed in Jackson accident
A Jones County native will be laid to rest this weekend after a fatal crash in Rankin County.
-
Ellisville earns state-wide award
The City of Ellisville has yet another award under its belt.
-
New No. 5 fire station ready
A ribbon cutting ceremony will be conducted today for the City of Laurel’s newest fire station.
Nearly 70 years after the construction of it’s original building, the City of Laurel’s Fire Station No. 5 has a new home. -
Annual ‘Gift of Sight Day’ being offered
About nine people will receive free eye procedures as the Southern Eye Center in Hattiesburg observes its annual “Gift of Sight Day.”
-
Students participate in Arbor Day event
Local residents celebrated Arbor Day for the planting of trees at several local schools.
-
Arbor Day set for Feb. 10
The City of Laurel is recognizing Arbor Day and Laurel Mayor Melvin Mack has proclaimed Friday, Feb. 10th, as Arbor Day in the City of Laurel.
-
JCJC’s student health fair focusing on prevention
Jones County Junior College students recently had the opportunity to discover the true meaning of Benjamin Franklin’s motto, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” at the college’s Student Health Fair. Hundreds of students took advantage of the opportunity to learn about a wide range of topics including behavioral problems, nutrition, fitness, and foot care.
-
Aspiring to greatness
The Rev. Leander Bridges was the keynote speaker at Jones County Junior College’s Black History Program Tuesday.
-
Arrest made in bomb threat
A 19-year-old Jones County Junior College student was arrested Tuesday in connection with a bomb threat to a building on the school’s campus earlier in the day.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
