Dickson County is certified as severe StormReady

Officials with the local National Weather Service office recognized Dickson County as a StormReady community last week.

The designation means emergency personnel and public places, like schools and government buildings, are equipped to communicate severe weather potential and warnings to the masses.

Krissy Hurley, NWS Nashville warning coordination meteorologist, conducted a press conference June 24 afternoon at the Dickson County Emergency Services building on Cowan Drive to announce the county’s StormReady certification.

Hurley noted the county’s emergency personnel are “well-informed” and “in the know.”

“They’re in constant contact with the weather service,” she said. “If severe weather hits, they’re prepared.”

Brittney Whitehead, NWS Nashville meteorologist, explained the StormReady classification requires weather radios in public buildings; and county emergency officials to host a yearly weather spotter class with the weather service.

“It’s a partnership with the weather service and emergency services to keep people safer, and prepared in case of severe weather,” Whitehead said.

Rob Fisher, Dickson County EMA/Safety director, described the communication, coordination and weather tracking involved at the local level.

“All emergency personnel are linked together to be notified at the same time,” he said, “and we push that information out to schools and Nixle and Facebook.

“We get the signal from (the weather service) and push it out to everyone,” he added.

The EMA building is equipped with a weather measuring system, he noted, and all emergency personnel “coordinate heavily” during potential severe weather. Central Dispatch and local ham radio operators also track the weather and share information.

“No one office or person can do this alone,” Fisher said during the press conference. “It takes everyone.

“I think it’s a great achievement for Dickson County, but not just for Dickson County, but for everyone,” he added.

Hurley reported becoming StormReady was “not an easy task,” but a personnel transition at the local NWS office stymied Dickson County’s declaration.

Fisher’s predecessor as EMA director applied for the designation two years ago.

Dickson County’s application “slipped through” the cracks after an NWS Nashville official moved to another office, Hurley noted.

Fisher asked Hurley about the hold up three weeks ago, Hurley explained, and then she “made it a priority” to recognize Dickson County as soon as possible.

“Congratulations… You are StormReady until 2018,” Hurley said during the press conference.

The StormReady certification must be renewed every three years.

Several public officials attended the press conference, including county Mayor Bob Rial, Schools Director Dr. Danny Weeks, Sheriff Jeff Bledsoe, Dickson Police Chief Rick Chandler, County Emergency Communications Director Paul McCallister, Dickson Fire Chief Richard Greer, Ambulance Service Director Donny Bear and local ham radio operators.

For more information about Nixle email and mobile alerts, go online to https://local.nixle.com.

Local weather information also is posted on the Dickson County Emergency Management Facebook.com page.