Family Emergency Plan/Weather Radio Project 2024

Tipton, Iowa - National Preparedness Month is observed every September in an effort to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time. 

As a part of this month-long observance of preparedness, Cedar County Emergency Management is launching a new program to encourage preparedness among Cedar County residents. Beginning September 2, 2024, Cedar County Emergency Management Agency is offering residents of Cedar County the opportunity to receive a free weather radio upon the completion (and sharing) of a Family Emergency Plan. This program is limited to current residents of Cedar County, Iowa and has been made possible through a generous grant from the Community Foundation of Cedar County. 

To be eligible for a free weather radio, a Cedar County resident must obtain and complete a family emergency plan, using templates provided by Cedar County Emergency Management. Printed templates are available at Cedar County Emergency Management Agency Administrative Office (1410 Cedar Street, Tipton), or copies of the template can be obtained through the Cedar County EMA website at  https://ema.cedar-county.org/weather-radio-project . To receive a weather radio, the completed family emergency plan must be presented, in person, by head of household or designee, at Cedar County Emergency Management Agency, 1410 Cedar Street, Tipton, IA.  Unfortunately, those Cedar County residents who have received a weather radio from Emergency Management in the past are not eligible to receive a weather radio from this grant cycle.  

“This program has the potential to provide another layer of preparedness for dozens of Cedar County families,” commented Cedar County Emergency Management Director Jodi Freet. “We are excited to be able to offer these radios to our residents with the completion of a family emergency plan.”

Freet noted that this program limits one free weather radio per household, residence, address, family and/or dwelling, and that the number of radios available is limited. Radios are offered on a first-come, first-served basis upon presentation of the Family Emergency Plan at the Emergency Management Agency Administrative Office; radios cannot be shipped, and family plans cannot be presented to Emergency Management in an electronic format. 

For more information on the Weather Radio/Family Emergency Plan project, residents can either visit the webpage for Cedar County Emergency Management at https://ema.cedar-county.org/weather-radio-project or call the Emergency Management office at 563-886-3355.