City of Atlanta Emergency Preparedness Programs
A 2007 proclamation issued by the White House declares the month of September as National Preparedness Month.
There are numerous things that you and your family can do to be prepared in the event of an emergency. The City of Atlanta hosts ongoing preparedness programs to empower its residents to respond quickly and accurately in the face of emergencies.
Below are some programs within City of Atlanta departments that you can join. Be ready to spring into action when necessary!
- Atlanta Citizens Emergency Response Team (ACERT)
Since 2005, the Atlanta Fire Rescue (AFR) ACERT program has provided emergency preparedness training to hundreds of Atlanta residents. Residents receive training in fire suppression (small fires), light search and rescue, disaster psychology, basic first aid, CPR and disaster medical triage. For more information or to schedule a training session for your organization, call 404.853.7060 or visit their website.
- The Atlanta Police Department (APD) hosts the Citizen's Police Academy, National Night Out and crime prevention seminars for Atlanta residents. The Citizens Police Academy provides 30 hours of training to Atlanta residents that cover a wide variety of police-related topics. For more information on crime prevention seminars and other tips visit website.
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APD Crime Prevention Unit
This unit has recently begun a series of workshops that promote personal safety in all situations. Workshops include school bus safety, pedestrian safety, banking safety and a personal safety program for senior citizen residents. In October, APD will host a series of public safety workshops to the public. Workshop dates are on Saturdays, October 13, 20 and 27. For more information, or to register for one of these programs, please contact Director Juanita Smith at 404.853.4280 or jusmith@atlantaga.gov.
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The Department of Watershed Management (DWM) keeps residents prepared for emergencies with informational safety tips in its monthly bill inserts. The department urges residents to compile a safety kit of supplies that will last for three days in the event of an emergency. Kits should include water, food, a battery-powered radio, flashlight, and a first-aid kit. For more safety prevention tips, visit www.ready.gov
The Difference Begins with Us: 2007 City Charitable Giving Program
City of Atlanta employees ventured out of their City Hall offices yesterday to the Atrium where many signed up for another year of charitable giving through Friendship Club 2007, an annual employee giving program that provides money to hundreds of Atlanta non-profit and charitable organizations.
Adopting the theme, “The Difference Begins with Us,” the campaign will be ongoing now through November 2, 2007. City employees can make a one-time donation or a bi-monthly payroll deduction in perpetuity to the local charity of their choice. More than 400 charities (many of them affiliated with the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta) have partnered with the City on this initiative.
“As our city grows, so do human needs. There’s never been a better time to make giving a priority than right now,” said Joe Morris, Deputy Chief of Staff and Friendship Club board chair.
The 2007 Friendship Club goal is $280,000 in annual contributions. In 2006, the City raised approximately $255,000; this amount exceeded the yearly program goal of $215,772.
“Our goal is for total giving,” said Morris. “We need the number of employees who give to continue to grow.”
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Hands-on Intern Program Teaches Community Development to Atlanta Students
The Mayor's Office and the Atlanta Police Department (APD) recently completed a successful intern program that partnered college students with AmeriCorps to complete economic and community development projects in Weed and Seed communities.
Interns worked on community-based, criminal justice projects identified by the Office of Weed and Seed. Weed and Seed communities include Mechanicsville, Pittsburgh, English Avenue and Vine City. Intern program partners were Clark Atlanta University, Georgia State University and Hands on Atlanta.
Interns became familiar with the City’s Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative and developed community agency partnerships. Each submitted weekly work plans and attended applicable community meetings based on assignments. Interns were selected based on proven experience in grassroots community mobilization, affordable housing initiatives, project development and community-based, micro-enterprises.
For more information on the Office of Weed and Seed, visit here. For more information on the APD, visit www.atlantapd.org.
APD Chief Pennington joins college interns who participated in a joint intern program with APD, Mayor's Office of Weed and Seed and AmeriCorps. Pictured (front row, l-r) Phinda Traore, Lanine Toote, Gabrielle Davis, Nelson Stewart. (Back row) Karen Rogers, director, Office of Weed and Seed; Tierre Brooks; APD Chief Richard Pennington; Pierre Gaither. |
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NOTICE: Williams Street Lane Closes for 14th Street Bridge Replacement
The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) recently announced that Williams Street in midtown Atlanta will be reduced to one lane of traffic beginning Monday October 1 and will not re-open until summer 2009.
The Williams Street lane closure is part of an ongoing project to replace the 14th Street Bridge over the Downtown Connector to relieve congestion at the 14th Street interchange. The improved bridge will feature two new exit ramps from the interstate: southbound to 10th Street and northbound to 17th Street.
Williams Street traffic will shift to a single lane between 10th and 16th streets. Motorists will be diverted at 10th Street to West Peachtree Street north to 16th Street and at 16th Street back to Williams Street. The detour will include enhanced turn lanes on and off West Peachtree Street from 10th Street and to 16th Street.
This marks the first phase of construction projects in the Downtown Connector corridor. These projects include re-surfacing I-75/85 (during summer 2008) and replacing the 14th Street Bridge (scheduled to be complete in spring 2010).
For more information, please visit www.dot.state.ga.us.
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If you operate a business in the City of Atlanta, you're required to have a business license. But what's the process for getting one? This "how-to" video will walk you through the process. Click here to go to Video On Demand (VOD) webpage to watch the news conference.
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Rave Reviews!
- Isabel Gates Webster Park has been selected City of Atlanta Park of the Month for August 2007 by Park Pride. Located at 265 Peyton Road, Isabel Gates Webster Park is 15.69 acres of green space. The park was selected based on the favorable condition of its lawns, flowers and shrubbery. The goal of the Park of the Month program is to feature the efforts undertaken by the Office of Parks, community partners and volunteers toward maintaining and improving the city's 348 parks.
Isabel Gates Webster: August 2007 Park of the Month. |
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Upcoming Events & Volunteer Opportunities
- Lake Allatoona needs your help! On Saturday October 13, the Army Corps of Engineers will host The Lake Allatoona Cleanup from 9 am – noon. Let’s work together to protect the peace and serenity of Lake Allatoona. Currently, the shoreline of Lake Allatoona is littered with old tires, bottles, Styrofoam, and trash that pollutes the environment and creates hazardous conditions. Transportation will be provided from City Hall East at 8 am on the day of the event and lunch will be provided after the cleanup. Registration deadline is October 1. For more information, contact Quandus Burns at 404.392.3366.
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Job Announcements
With the City of Atlanta’s online application system, you are able to create an account and select a Username and Password and then log in to your account.
After your account has been established, you can create an application by clicking on the “Build Job Application” link. Once your application is completed, it will be stored in the system and can be used to apply for future job openings. To get started by viewing current open positions, click here.
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Weekly Features
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