Latest news with #PulaskiCountyEmergencyManagement
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
How to donate, volunteer to help Somerset tornado victims
SOMERSET, Ky. (FOX 56) — After several days of severe weather and widespread destruction, southern Kentucky is in the clear this morning to continue its cleanup efforts. It's a task that community members said demands time and help. 200 buildings were destroyed here in Pulaski County, and as people start the long road to recovery, officials are calling on their fellow Kentuckians to not let them do it alone. As the storms first hit, the Somerset-Pulaski County special response team started with initial response and recovery, trying to get to help people and then set up an incident command post. But now the team is calling on the help of the community to collect and distribute supplies to those in need. Pulaski County officials declare curfew until further notice: 'No exceptions' Donation organizers said they're looking for anything from cleaning supplies to trash bags to water bottles. Somerset-Pulaski County Special Response Chief Steve Woods says the community has stepped up to serve one another during this devastating time, noting that the help needs to continue further out than a week or two after the tragic tornado. 'We're blessed. The community and volunteers are incredible with the support that we're getting from everybody involved,' said Chief Woods. 'The biggest problem that I see is everybody helps the first couple days. But we need to keep this going for the next few weeks. So, trying to be ready for that.' City leaders said they are asking for volunteers to help with clean-up efforts. Anyone looking to donate can drop off supplies between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday to Friday, at the Somerset-Pulaski County special response headquarters. Pulaski County Emergency Management Director Chris Mason says that multiple law enforcement agencies have come in to help from all over the state. He adds that while nothing could have prepared residents for what came through on Friday, a command center was set up at the Pulaski County area technology center to help better the county's response. Mason says it's a crucial resource that will help protect people. Pulaski County community members offer free services for those in need 'It was pretty devastating. But, I think, in light of some of the stuff I saw around the rest of the state, I think we were pretty blessed,' said Mason. 'Things like this, I think, are going to help us just get that much stronger and be that much more prepared so that as events like this happen, we can, you know, respond even more effectively.' So far, US 27 is still blocked off to community members, and utility crews are working to get power restored for business owners to assess their damage. Mason also adds that the FEMA process will take time because they are still working on damage from the floods earlier this year. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Red Cross hosts ‘Sound the Alarm' in Pulaski
PULASKI COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) – Pulaski County wants to 'Sound the Alarm' and raise awareness on home fire safety prevention. The 'Sound the Alarm, Save a Life' campaign is a day-long event being hosted by the American Red Cross to install free smoke alarms across the country. At 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 29, volunteers with the Pulaski County Emergency Management, Pulaski County Fire and Rescue, Pulaski Fire Department, VDH, and partners with the American Red Cross and other community organizations with be at the Central Gym. Be prepared! Have and practice an escape plan and practice! Download the . Roanoke Fire and EMS shares important burning safety guidelines Test your smoke alarms monthly by pressing the test button You should hear three beeps, letting you know the alarm is working. Don't hear the beeps? Then it's time to change the batteries, if your model requires them. If your smoke alarm is 10 years old, it's time to get a new alarm because the sensor becomes less sensitive over time. Fire Extinguisher Safety Consider having one or more working fire extinguishers in your home. An extinguisher rated 'A-B-C' is recommended for home use. Many fire extinguisher models are designed for one-time use and cannot be recharged. Get training from the fire department or a fire extinguisher manufacturer. Fire extinguishers from various manufacturers operate in different ways, and there is no time to read directions during an emergency. Only adults should handle and use extinguishers. Install extinguishers high on the wall, near an exit, and away from heat sources. Extinguishers should be easily accessible to adults trained to use them and kept away from children's curious hands. Heat may make the contents less effective or cause the extinguisher to lose its charge more quickly. If you try to use a fire extinguisher on a fire and the fire does not immediately die down, drop the extinguisher and get out. Most portable extinguishers empty in 8 seconds. Look at your fire extinguisher to ensure that it is properly charged. Fire extinguishers will not work properly if they are not properly charged. Use the gauge or test button to check that there is proper pressure. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for replacing or recharging fire extinguishers. If the unit is low on pressure, damaged, or corroded, replace it or have it professionally serviced. Roanoke Fire & EMS share tips on fire escape plans & safety: Learn more Before you begin to fight a fire with a fire extinguisher, be sure that: Everyone has left or is leaving the home. The fire department has been called. The fire is small and not spreading. Your back is to an exit you can use quickly. There is not much smoke in the room. Cooking Fires: Cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home fire injuries. Home fires are more likely to start in the kitchen than any other room in your home. Unattended cooking causes nearly 90 percent of all kitchen fires. Cooking was the cause of 36% of all structure fires in 2002 The number of home fires the American Red Cross has responded to has risen 10% since 000. Every two and a half hours, someone is killed in a home fire. In a typical year, 20,000 people are injured in home fires. Having a working smoke alarm reduces one's chances of dying in a fire by nearly half. Sign up for your free fire alarm installation today by visiting by calling 540-987-6355, dialing 711, or by scanning the QR Code below. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Active wildfire in Pulaski County closes Millers Creek Road, 5 acres
PULASKI COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) – The Pulaski County Emergency Management is reporting an active wildfire in the Millers Creek Road area near Gatewood. Units are on scene and are working to contain the fire and Millers Creek Road will be closed until further notice. Seasonal 4 PM Burning Law begins Feb. 15 Smoke may be seen and smelled by residents throughout the county today. No homes are threatened at this time and there are no reported injuries. According to the Virginia Department of Forestry, the fire is approximately five acres in size. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Pulaski County Emergency Management gets residents ready to weather any storm
PULASKI COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) — Southwest Virginia took a big hit when Hurricane Helene swept through in September. That was followed closely by flash flooding in February's winter storm. Brad Wright saw it all as Pulaski County's emergency management coordinator. 'That's two events within six months of each other that caused damage to our community, damage to homes,' he said. 'We had lives threatened and at some point in time we had to do some evacuations.' That's why Wright was at the Charles & Ona B. Free Memorial Library Wednesday, showing residents how to pack a 'go bag.' It's about three days' worth of emergency supplies in case you need to evacuate. Wright recommends having water, non-perishable food, a first aid kit, medications, documents, and pet food. Pulaski County Emergency Management conducting prescribed burn in Hiwassee Having items like these ready is the first step of the International Association of Fire Chiefs' 'Ready, Set, Go!' program. ''Ready' means when there's an event, wildfires or flooding or something like that in the forecast, and folks need to have their stuff together like the go kit,' explained Wright. 'Then if it elevates more, we go to the 'set' status. You're there, you're vehicle is backed into the driveway, you're loaded up, everybody's on the same page in the household, you know where you're going to have to go if the evacuation warning does come. Then 'go' just means that it means go. That's not the time to be worrying about packing up everything.' Pulaski County residents can also sign up for CodeRED alerts. 'That is how we are able to put alerts out to the community to tell folks to evacuate or shelter in place,' said Wright. 'But it's only as good as people use it. People have to sign up for it.' You can create an account, add some contact information, and select what emergency alerts you want to receive, including tornados and flash floods. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Pulaski County hosts go bag and emergency preparedness meeting
PULASKI COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) – The Pulaski County Emergency Management will be hosting a Go Bag and Emergency Preparedness on Thursday. The meeting will be on March 19 at 5 p.m. at the Dublin Library to prepare residents on evacuation preparedness, and you can sign up to receive CodeRed Emergency Alerts. Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center receives first-ever rare Eastern Spotted Skunk Community members will have the opportunity to learn about what is in a go bag and why it is important along with code red alerts for the county and what to do in situations. Those in attendance will get a go bag to prepare for different situations. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
