By Kyle Johnson—
DELAWARE COUNTY INDIANA—With the eagerly anticipated Total Solar Eclipse of April 8th,2024 a little over a month away, the Delaware County Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (DCEMA) has been diligently preparing to ensure the safety and well-being of residents and visitors during this extraordinary celestial event. Over the past year, DCEMA has engaged in comprehensive planning efforts, including attending state-wide seminars and conducting multiple meetings with local agencies and government representatives to address the potential impacts of the large influx of skygazers into the county.
Recognizing the need for proactive measures, DCEMA will activate and staff the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) on April 8th. A Policy Group consisting of key members of local public safety agencies and elected officials will join DCEMA personnel to monitor the event as it unfolds, ensuring swift and coordinated responses to any emergent situations. The members of EMA’s Volunteer Support Corps will also be on hand to assist in the community as needed.
One vital component of DCEMA’s strategy involves the mobilization of Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) volunteers. These dedicated community members will be strategically positioned at key locations throughout the county to monitor and report traffic issues in real time to the EOC using HAM radio frequencies. Leveraging a web-based application developed in collaboration with the Delaware County Office of Information and GIS Services, RACES volunteers will log reports directly into an online map. This information will feed into a centralized dashboard, monitored by the Policy Group in the EOC and 911 Communications Center, to keep responding agencies informed of any traffic issues that may impact emergency response efforts.
The dashboard integrates live traffic feeds from additional sources, including WAZE maps and ESRI/HERE Live Traffic Services that will provide comprehensive real-time data for enhanced situational awareness. The EOC will also be monitoring INDOT’s TrafficWise System for State Roads, US Highways, and Interstates. This multi-jurisdictional effort ensures seamless coordination and communication among all stakeholders involved in managing the eclipse event.
In addition to the efforts of RACES volunteers and public safety agencies, DCEMA encourages the public to actively participate in monitoring traffic conditions. A dedicated reporting form has been made available to enable residents and visitors to report significant or unusual traffic congestion directly to the dashboard. The public reporting form can be accessed at https://arcg.is/0m4aKS0.
We want to remind the public to only call 911 for emergencies —reporting traffic congestion through 911 is not appropriate. Keep 911 lines free for actual emergencies.
As excitement builds for the upcoming Total Solar Eclipse, Delaware County EMA encourages everyone to start making plans for April 8th and to anticipate potential traffic congestion on that day. By working together with community volunteers, public safety agencies, and the public, DCEMA is committed to ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all during this celestial phenomenon.
DCEMA has published a PSA video created with the help of our community partners that includes tips on how the community can plan to be as safe as possible during the eclipse. You can view the video above.
The video is also available through the DCEMA social media pages, the county website, and YouTube account.
