Meeting Type: BCC Regular Meeting
Meeting Date: 7/2/2024
Item Status: New
From: Tom Tyler, Director Baldwin County EMA
Submitted by: Amanda Thweatt, EM Specialist Baldwin County EMA
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ITEM TITLE
Title
Memorandum of Understanding for Safer Places Program
End
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Approve the use of the Memorandum of Understanding for Safer Places Program between Baldwin County Commission (Baldwin County Emergency Management Agency) and facility owners to provide predesignated areas for citizens seeking a safer place to shelter prior to and during severe weather events.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Background: Alabama Safer Place Act (AL SB43, 2021-165) was approved and signed into law by Governor Kay Ivey on April 7, 2021, requiring Alabama Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) to “develop [uniform] guidelines for the volunteer designation of safer place facilities throughout the state to offer protection to individuals seeking a safer place during severe weather events.
These guidelines were approved in January of 2023 and sent out to the Emergency Management Agencies to begin work for their counties.
Once approved, Baldwin County EMA will use the MOU for approved facilities to become a partner with Baldwin County as a Safer Place.
The facility owners will have the option to open their facility for short term use in the event of severe weather in Baldwin County (i.e., severe thunderstorms, tornados, straight line windstorms) for citizens to seek shelter in a facility more stable for these conditions than their home. It will be up to the facility owner to determine when they open and for how long they remain open for these conditions.
Previous Commission action/date: N/A
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Total cost of recommendation: N/A
Budget line item(s) to be used: N/A
If this is not a budgeted expenditure, does the recommendation create a need for funding? N/A
LEGAL IMPACT
Is legal review necessary for this staff recommendation and related documents?
Yes
Reviewed/approved by: Brad Hicks, County Attorney - May 20, 2024
Additional comments: N/A
ADVERTISING REQUIREMENTS
Is advertising required for this recommendation? N/A
If the proof of publication affidavit is not attached, list the reason: N/A
FOLLOW UP IMPLEMENTATION
For time-sensitive follow up, select deadline date for follow up: N/A
Individual(s) responsible for follow up: Baldwin County EMA staff will begin application process with facility owners and bring signed agreements to the Commission to be approved.
Action required (list contact persons/addresses if documents are to be mailed or emailed): N/A
Additional instructions/notes: N/A