Independence County officials are preparing for a surge of visitors expected for the April 8 solar eclipse. Earlier this month, the Independence County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) unveiled the “Independence County Incident Action Plan,” outlining how various agencies will collaborate during the event.
The plan prioritizes clear communication. Multiple radio and equipment upgrades have been made for dispatch, law enforcement, fire departments, and emergency management services, according to the plan. Additionally, the county has requested a mobile cell tower from AT&T for potential deployment in Batesville and surrounding areas. To establish a backup communication layer, the county has also trained with local ham radio clubs.
Incident command structures will be utilized, with designated radio contacts at each location to streamline communication. Area fire chiefs will relay information to dispatch and OEM.
For rapid response, a Mobile Command Unit will be strategically positioned in the north-central part of the county. Additionally, OEM will deploy ATVs and UTVs to fire departments in case traffic congestion hinders traditional emergency vehicles.
The Independence County Sheriff’s Department will focus on traffic flow and service calls, while the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) will monitor heavy traffic areas and have crews stationed around the county with supplies. Traffic signals will be manually operated if needed, and ARDOT has confirmed no roadwork will be active during the eclipse. County road crews will be divided into four quadrants to address any debris or obstruction removal.
Hospitals and emergency medical services are also ramping up. Vital Link, Survival Flight, and White River Medical Center (WRMC) will have increased staffing levels. WRMC will have additional security, medical supplies, and food on hand.
Fire departments plan to staff most stations and act as local ambulance pick-up points.
Police departments from Batesville, Newark, and Pleasant Plains will be active, assigning officers for traffic control, security, and service calls.
To assess crowd density, OEM has coordinated with the Civil Air Patrol for aerial surveillance between Bald Knob and Sharp County.
The Arkansas State Police has contracted with Independence County as a fueling point in case of shortages. Additionally, state troopers will begin tagging and removing unattended vehicles from roadways and rights-of-way on April 5 to prevent congestion on April 8.
According to GreatAmericanEclipse.com, the total solar eclipse visits Arkansas on April 8, 2024 beginning at 1:45 p.m. local time with the final exit of the Moon’s shadow from the state at 2:00 p.m. Through Arkansas, the speed of the Moon’s shadow will accelerate from about 1,700 miles per hour to about 1,850 miles per hour.
To read more about the April 8 eclipse from NASA, click here.
Image: NASA
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