(Monticello, Ga.) The Georgia Emergency Management Agency-Office of Homeland Security (GEMA) today presented a $1,000 check to Jasper County Fire Chiefs Association on behalf of WSB-TV and Midland Radio Corporation.

“In these difficult economic times, we are grateful to WSB-TV and Midland Radio for supporting organizations that help communities respond and recover from disaster,” says GEMA Director Charley English.

The donation is a part of a statewide Severe Weather Radio promotional campaign, which encourages people to arm themselves with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Radios. These radios are the best way to hear watches and warnings from the National Weather Service, even if they are issued in the middle of the night. The Severe Weather Radio campaign also raises funds for local charities that help Georgians in times of dangerous weather and aids other critical community needs.

“Jasper County has an all-volunteer fire department, and these volunteers are truly a special group of individuals,” says Ed Westbrook, director of Jasper County Emergency Services. “Our firefighters selflessly respond to the daily emergencies of their fellow citizens, giving up time with their own families to protect others.”

The volunteer firefighters responded to two tornadoes that touched down locally on February 18, part of a severe weather system that ravaged North and Central Georgia, spawning 11 tornadoes and causing one death and at least 22 injuries. Governor Sonny Perdue on February 20 issued a State of Emergency for Hancock, Jasper, Thomas and Warren counties. 

Local resident and volunteer firefighter Jeff Johnson and his wife, Jasper County EMT Michelle, were personally impacted when a tornado destroyed their home and killed one of their horses.

Jasper County Emergency Services will host a chicken barbeque and Womanless Beauty contest on May 16 to raise funds for the family and help them rebuild their lives. 

The chicken barbeque will be held at Station 3, located at 185 Hwy 212 West in Monticello, between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., while the Womanless Beauty Contest will be held at the Jasper County Primary School, located at 495 Hwy 212 West in Monticello at 7:00 p.m. For more information, call Melissa Slocumb or Ed Westbrook at (706) 468-4930.

“Volunteer firefighters selflessly respond and tend to the daily emergencies of their fellow citizens, giving up time with their own families to help others in need,” says Westbrook. “Please help us assist them in their time of need.”

Jasper County Fire Chiefs Association handles all fund-raising events for Jasper County Fire Services, including the annual “Give Burns the Boot” and  “Empty Stocking Boot” drives. The Association has recently established the Firefighter Relief Fund to assist volunteer firefighters in times of need.

GEMA is the lead state agency for coordination of emergency and disaster response activities. For more information on GEMA, visit www.gema.ga.gov.  To learn how to prepare for disaster, visit www.ready.ga.gov.

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Post Office Box 18055 - Atlanta, Georgia 30316-0055
Phone (404) 635-7000 or toll-free in Georgia 1-800-TRY-GEMA - Fax (404)635-7205
www.gema.ga.gov
www.ready.ga.gov
www.georgia911.org