Jamestown  (CSi)  Stutsman County Emergency Manager Jerry Bergquist is winding down his 32 years of service, heading for retirement, and he’s working with his successors.

On Wednesday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, Jerry said he will be on hand at his office the next few weeks, giving advice to the newly hired Stutsman County Emergency Manger, Andrew Kirking, and Assistant Emergency Manager, and Communications Administrator, (former 9-1-1 Coordinator title) Riley Schafer.  His official retirement will come near the end of June this year.  He said after that he will be available to consult with Andrew and Riley.

 

On our show, Andrew said he comes to Jamestown, following education in Emergency Management at NDSU, and recently the Pembina County Emergency Manager for eight years.

He noted he’s continuing to stay up to date on technology changes, while learning “in the field,” and receiving advice and training on the job from Jerry Bergquist.

 

Riley Schafer said has a degree in Business from Valley City State University, and then decided to go into law enforcement.  He spent two years as a sheriff’s deputy in McHenry County, ND and then a year as a Stutsman County Sheriff’s Deputy.  He’s also been in contact with FEMA officials, learning information from them.

He said he decided to apply for the Assistant Stutsman County Emergency Manager, Communication Administrator as he and Andrews Kirking were approved to be hired by the Stutsman County Commission.  He and Andrew are also working together now for future adventures in both of their positions.

Jerry Bergquist also reminded viewers and listeners that the week of April 26t has been designated, “Severe Summer Weather Awareness Week,” for the entire state of North Dakota.  This annual event is intended to remind the public of the dangers associated with severe summer weather including lightning, high winds, large hail, flash floods and tornadoes. All of which, can cause severe property damage, personal injury, and even death.  It is also the opportunity for family to discuss what they will go and where the will meet to be safe during a severe weather event, if they are separated, between home, work, school, or other activities.

Those living in mobile homes should also have arrangement made to head to a safe structure.

Stutsman County Emergency Manager, Jerry Bergquist says, as part of the awareness week activities, Stutsman County will conduct a tornado exercise that will begin at about 11:15 a.m. Wednesday, April 28th. The exercise will simulate what occurs locally when a tornado warning is issued by the National Weather Service.

The tornado exercise will be testing internal notification procedures county-wide along with siren activation capabilities.  Sirens will be activated in many area communities including the Cities of Jamestown, Buchanan, Cleveland, Medina and Streeter.  In most communities, sirens will be activated for approximately 3 minutes.

Because the National Weather Service will not directly be involved with the exercise, the simulated warning will not be broadcast through the National Weather Service all-hazards weather radio system.  The Emergency Alert System (EAS) for local AM/FM radio stations and cable television providers will not be activated. The Stutsman Alert’s notification system powered by Everbridge will also not be activated for this test.

The most common reason a community’s warning sirens are activated is to warn the public of a possible tornado.  However, sirens could also be activated to alert the public of other types of events that could be a danger to the community.