EMA's Motz discusses projects

Jason Motz, new emergency management agency director for Marshall County, has hit the ground running since coming on board about a month ago.

Motz has been setting up classes where members of the community can receive training as volunteers.

The Homeland Security class set for October 14-16 is filled, he said.

A Stop The Bleed class, sponsored by the Mississippi Emergency Services, will be offered. It trains individuals how to apply pressure bandages and tourniquets and class members get free kits when they complete the class.

Stop The Bleed, a Department of Defense program, trains and certifies individuals to control severe bleeding until first responders arrive.

Motz now is working with the Forest Service to obtain equipment the county can use.

A mobile Command Post, a Forestry trailer, has been made available to the county. He said the trailer is versatile and can be used for multiple options. The 911 coordinator can use the command post which has a extra console which can be obtained from Forestry for $100.

“It would be very good as a backup for continuity of communications,” Motz said.

It can be used for dispatch and fire departments can receive calls. Motz said Forestry has requested two mobile Command Post trailers.

A mobile command post trailer is a specialized mobile unit, often on a trailer chassis, used to provide a centralized hub for emergencies like wildfires and other natural disasters. The trailers offer integrated communication, workstations, equipment storage and power generation to facilitate incident command, team coordination, and decision making in the field. They are equipped with technology such as satellite communication, weather stations and external workstations to support diverse forestry and emergency management operations. Key features are satellite communications, 5G wireless hubs and other systems to ensure reliable connectivity in remote areas.

District 5 supervisor Ronnie O’Neil Bennett made a motion, and the board approved obtaining a mobile Command Post, if one is available, which can be used for any type of disaster.

Motz said the county keeps the trailer and then can send in for a title after one year.

District 4 supervisor George Zinn III said he heard about a crisis center that had property it would donate in Hattiesburg.

Motz said a special needs shelter, a very large facility, can be obtained from the state.

Buildings and Grounds

Simpson Stroupe said the Youth Court facility, to be located on South Market Street in the former Reynolds Funeral Home facility, is ready for occupancy. All that is left to do is put up handrails on the access ramp.

Bennett said the county needs to get the phone system moved over.

Stroupe said the washer/drier and stove hookups have been installed, as requested.

He said he thinks his crew has found where rainwater has been coming in at the courthouse that has been damaging the walls. Workers are trying to fix those leaks.

The mortar in the copings on the roof that direct water away from the walls is being resealed with a concrete or silicone material that will expand. He said the copings are being cleaned to make sure the fill material will adhere to the coping.

Stroupe reported on the flooring at the courthouse that has sunk because of deteriorating floor joists. He is getting quotes from companies that are willing to work on it.

“They act like they really want to do it,” he said of the company that is showing interest in the project. “At least we will know a figure of what we’re getting into.”

The big row of files in the Chancery Clerk’s office will have to be moved while the work is being done, he said.