AMU Emergency Management Public Safety

EDM Wednesday Briefing: Alabama Police Officer Killed in Line of Duty

By
alabama police Arsenault

Emergency and disaster management briefing for June 3, 2020: Tropical Storm Cristobal becomes third named storm of the season; two active military servicemembers were shot and killed in what may be a murder-suicide at an Air Force base in North Dakota; a man is dead after an explosives-rigged ATM explodes in Philadelphia; a fiery crash killed two young boys who took their grandparents’ car for a joyride; the Sawtooth Fire prompts evacuations as the fire scorches nearly 21,000 acres; no tsunami threat was issued for Hawaii after a strong earthquake struck Chile; communication cards have been developed in West Virginia to help EMS communicate with the hearing-impaired and others with disabilities; and an Alabama police officer was killed in the line of duty after being shot multiple times Tuesday evening.

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1) Tropical Depression Three strengthened into Tropical Storm Cristobal on Tuesday, lashing Central America and Mexico with heavy rainfall and life-threatening flash floods. The storm is now located about 25 miles northwest of Ciudad del Carmen, Mexico. It has sustained winds of 60 mph and is moving west at a slow 3 mph. Cristobal is the third named storm of the 2020 season, setting a record for the earliest third named storm in the Atlantic basin.

2) Two active-duty military servicemembers were killed in a shooting at Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota on Monday. Emergency services on the base responded to a dormitory at about 4:30 a.m. and found the two airmen. According to reports, the two servicemembers were the only ones involved in the shooting, which may have been a murder-suicide.

3) A man is dead after an ATM rigged with explosives detonated on Tuesday morning in Philadelphia. The man was rushed to the hospital by first responders, where he later died. There were alleged reports of similar explosions elsewhere in the city, reportedly labeled by the city commissioner as coordinated and organized.

4) Two young boys are dead after taking their grandparents’ car for a joyride over the weekend in Missouri. The boys, aged 6 and 7, were killed in a fiery crash when the car they were driving veered off the road and after becoming airborne twice, rolled over and caught fire. According to reports, the children were not wearing seat belts and were pronounced dead at the scene.

5) The Sawtooth Fire, ignited by lightning Saturday night in the Tonto National Forest west of Phoenix, Arizona, has now grown to at least 21,000 acres and evacuations were ordered Monday morning. Multiple air resources are supporting nearly 300 firefighters by dropping retardant and water on the raging wildfire. The fire is actively burning in grass and brush near the 2019 Woodbury Fire area. Residents should be prepared to evacuate and monitor the Pinal County Emergency Management Office for warning or evacuation notices.

6) A strong 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck about 29 miles south-southwest of San Pedro de Atacama, Chile, at 3:35 a.m. local time on Wednesday. The quake struck at a depth of about 59 miles and was centered in a rural location in the state of Antofagasta. Although the strong quake was located somewhat near the Pacific Ocean, no tsunami warning was issued for the Hawaiian Islands.

7) Communication cards break barriers for individuals with hearing impairments or other disabilities that make it difficult for them to speak or communicate. A nonprofit organization in West Virginia has worked with EMS and other disability support organizations in the state and developed comprehensive and concise communication cards that are available for download. The cards allow individuals with disabilities to touch the cards to communicate needs and issues. In addition, the cards provide helpful communication tips to EMS and other medical professionals so they can receive assistance more quickly.

8) A police officer in Alabama was shot and killed in the line of duty Tuesday evening. The incident occurred at a Super 8 Motel in Moody, east of Birmingham, when police arriving at the motel were met with a barrage of gunfire. The officer, Sgt. Stephen Williams, 50, was shot multiple times. Two suspects, a man and a woman, are currently in custody.

 

Kimberly Arsenault serves as an intern at the Cleveland/Bradley County Emergency Management Agency where she works on plan revisions and special projects. Previously, Kimberly spent 15 years in commercial and business aviation. Her positions included station manager at the former Midwest Express Airlines, as well as corporate flight attendant, inflight manager, and charter flight coordinator. Kimberly currently holds a master's degree in emergency and disaster management from American Public University.

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