June 9, 2024
By:
Charlie Parker, Smithville Fire Chief and Dekalb County EMA Director, has announced that a special security alert system will be used at this year’s Fiddlers’ Jamboree for the first time.
“Ready Ops system will enable Emergency Management to send out a text or phone call to all crafters, food booth vendors, Jamboree Board, and the stage announcers. This will enable us to get the word out quickly about an approaching storm or any other security issues,” said Chief Parker. “This system will also include a map of all the emergency shelters, which will be pushed out to all vendors during the Jamboree. We also work closely with the National Weather Service to try to keep up to date weather information during the event”.
Kim Luton, President of the Smithville Jamboree stated “We really appreciate Chief Parker bringing in another system to notify folks in a split second of any incoming weather. Last year, a rough storm came in fast with very little time to notify everyone. This will help so much in that crafters can pack up, brace their tents as well as food booth vendors shutting down what they need to.”
The storm shelters during the Jamboree will be City Hall, First United Methodist Church, and First Baptist Church. If there is anyone who would like to be included in the Ready Op system, such as downtown businesses, please notify Chief Parker at Dekalbtnema@gmail.com. Send your name, organization or business, cell number, and email. If you need to speak to someone, call Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree at 615-597-8500.