By By Steve Gillespie / staff writer
Oct. 6, 2002
Clarence Butler had his hands full the past two weeks preparing for Tropical Storm Isidore and Hurricane Lili.
Butler is director of the Lauderdale Emergency Management Agency and coordinator of the county's volunteer fire departments.
As a guest of The Meridian Star's editorial board, he also gave an overview of the volunteer fire departments, explained the role of LEMA and what preparations were made for incoming storms.
He said volunteer firefighters and volunteers with LEMA serve as storm spotters.
He also said trained emergency medical responders are in place throughout Lauderdale County and the city of Meridian, mostly through fire departments, and act as the first line of medical response along with Metro Ambulance.
Butler also discussed the Mississippi Department of Transportation contraflow plan for evacuees from the coast and the mission of LEMA.