The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Police Department has teamed up with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help commuters and employees prepare for winter weather. From extreme cold to freezing rain to ice and snow, winter weather in metro Atlanta is not uncommon. However, a 2016 FEMA survey found that only 45 percent of respondents had an emergency plan that they had discussed with their families, even though 80 percent of Americans live in counties that have suffered weather-related disasters since 2007.
As part of a public awareness campaign, MARTA Police will share daily winter weather tips in conjunction with FEMA on their social media sites during Georgia’s Winter Weather Preparedness Week which takes place from December 3-7. Additionally, the MARTA Police Department’s Emergency Preparedness Unit will be sharing this information with all MARTA employees. The goal of this campaign is to get employees and commuters better prepared for winter weather by encouraging them to take action by learning about the daily themes.
“We hope that our new partnership with FEMA will encourage our employees and transit riders to make a winter weather preparedness plan,” said MARTA Police Chief Wanda Y. Dunham. “Preparedness is key to making sure we avoid exposure to winter hazards.”
“We all need to work together to effectively prepare for winter weather and other emergencies,” said Gracia Szczech, Regional Administrator for FEMA’s Region IV, which includes Atlanta. “I appreciate MARTA Police taking the lead to educate their employees and riders about winter weather preparedness.”
MARTA is the first public transit agency in the nation to work with FEMA during the National “Preparathon” for Winter Storm Safety.
