Smith County Community Preparedness Night

TYLER — The Smith County Emergency Management Office is hosting a Community Preparedness Night to educate residents about the importance of being prepared for a disaster. According to a news release from Smith County, the free event will be held from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, August 7, at UT Health Northeast in the amphitheater of the main building.

Smith County Emergency Management Coordinator Brandon Moore will talk about recent disasters, preparedness and public education, supporting vulnerable populations, training opportunities and hazard mitigation. They will talk about how you can volunteer with Smith County CERT, how to provide input in the county’s Hazard Mitigation Plan, and signing up for life-saving disaster alert systems.

Smith County CERT

The Smith County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is a citizens corps emergency response team made of neighborhood citizens.

CERT volunteers are trained to help respond to disasters.

Public Input for Hazard Mitigation Plan

As part of the ongoing development of the Hazard Mitigation Plan, Smith County is seeking your valuable feedback. This plan aims to enhance our community’s resilience to various hazards, including natural, technological, human-caused, biological, and social and economic risks. Click here to take the survey.

Mass Notification System

In partnership with East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG), Smith County is offering enrollment in the Rave mass notification system. This system allows emergency managers with Smith County to notify citizens of necessary information in times of local emergency or disaster. From imminent threats to life and safety, to sheltering information, the county has you covered with Rave. In addition, citizens may sign up for other notifications including weather alerts from the National Weather Service. Sign up here.

State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry

The State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR) program is a free registry for people with disabilities and/or people who need special assistance during an emergency, such as evacuating your home or during a prolonged power outage. If you are disabled, medically fragile, or have functional needs such as limited mobility, require transportation and/or medical assistance or have communication barriers, you need to register each year, so local emergency responders have your latest information. For more information, click here.

For more on Smith County’s Emergency Management Office, click here.