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Jefferson County Emergency Management Agency
SAFER PLACES

What is a Safer Place?

A Safer Place is a facility that has received the voluntary designation of 'Safer Place' from the Jefferson County EMA through Alabama Act 2021-165. This designation allows a facility to serve as a place of refuge during severe weather but does not mean that the facility is a FEMA-rated saferoom or community shelter. 

Who can apply to become a Safer Place?

Any facility that is open to the public such as businesses, churches, community groups, municipal buildings, etc. are all eligible to apply to be apart of the Safer Places program in Jefferson County. The Safer Places program does not apply to residential buildings. 

To apply to designate your facility as a Safer Place, use the link below for our online application.

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What Do I Need to Apply?

  • Three (3) people Identified to be a 24/7 contacts for your facility.

  • A signed Copy of the Safer Places Guidelines

  • A signed copy of the Shelter JeffCo Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

  • At Least three (3) exterior photos of your facility

  • Photos of your parking lot and any specifically marked parking areas for persons with disabilities 

  • At least three (3) photos of the room(s) or area(s) that you would like to utilize as the Safer Place

  • A facility floorplan that clearly indicates the following:

    • Which parts of your facility that you would like to utilize as the Safer Place

    • What floor of your building that the room(s)/area(s) are on

    • Where you would like people to enter and exit your facility
      *this does not have to be an architectural set of blueprints for your facility

  • Your facility's severe weather plan (if applicable)

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