Press Releases

(ATLANTA) – The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency announced the appointment of Chief of Intelligence, Linda Criblez, to Deputy Director of Homeland Security, effective March 16. In her new role, Criblez will help oversee and coordinate homeland security and intelligence activities for the agency.

(ATLANTA) – The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency, in partnership with the National Weather Service, recognizes March 6-10 as Flood Safety Preparedness Week. The week encourages all Georgians to act now to prepare for flooding before it happens.

(Athens, GA) – The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency, in partnership with the Georgia Department of Education, is hosting the 2023 Georgia School Safety & Homeland Security Conference on June 19-21, at The Classic Center in Athens, Ga. The Georgia School Safety and Homeland Security Conference is the state’s premiere and longest-running conference for school safety.

(ATLANTA) – At the direction of Governor Brian P. Kemp, on Feb. 15, the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency requested an increase in the federal cost share for FEMA Public Assistance programs to 100 percent for Spalding County and Butts County, in response to the severe storms and tornadoes that impacted the state on January 12, 2023. To date, costs for debris removal and emergency response in the hardest hit areas exceeds $15 million.

(ATLANTA) – The Major Disaster Declaration for the January 12 severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes has been amended. Pike County residents are now able to apply for Individual Assistance, while Crisp County is now eligible for Public Assistance.

(ATLANTA) – The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency, in partnership with the National Weather Service, encourages Georgians to learn and understand the threats of severe weather as well as prepare for various weather events during Severe Weather Preparedness Week on Feb. 6-10.

(ATLANTA) – Businesses and residents affected by the severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes on January 12 in the seven Georgia counties can now apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. SBA will also open a Business Recovery Center at noon Thursday, January 19, at the Spalding Senior Center to assist Georgians applying for SBA disaster loan assistance.

(ATLANTA) – Governor Brian Kemp has announced residents in seven Georgia counties affected by January 12 severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes are now eligible to apply for disaster assistance. The disaster declaration signed by President Joe Biden covers Butts, Henry, Jasper, Meriwether, Newton, Spalding and Troup Counties for individual and public assistance.

(ATLANTA) – The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency is working with state partners and communicating with local officials in preparation for the inclement weather heading Georgia’s way this week. Governor Kemp issued a State of Emergency for all 159 counties in Georgia that goes into effect Wednesday, December 21. The declaration makes state resources available to local governments and entities statewide.

(ATLANTA) – The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency named Melissa Slocumb as the Training and Exercise Manager. She previously served as a Training & Development Specialist with GEMA/HS for six years.