Dubois County commissioners on Nov. 3 moved to pursue a countywide emergency-alert capability and enacted a burn ban in separate actions intended to address immediate public-safety concerns. EMA Director Tammy Humbert requested the county purchase an implementation tool for FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS) to enable alerts across the county. Commissioners agreed to support forwarding the request to the County Council on the condition that a formal usage policy is adopted.

County 911 representative Stuart Wilson underscored the operational rationale for the alert system by citing the presence of 77 hazardous-material sites in the county and heavy rail traffic that passes through Dubois County. Officials framed IPAWS as a technological step to reach residents quickly during industrial incidents, rail accidents, severe weather, or other emergencies that pose immediate danger to public safety.

Requiring a usage policy before moving forward reflects commissioners’ concern for clear governance and oversight of a system that can broadcast emergency messages to broad audiences. Adoption of a policy at the County Council stage would set parameters for when and how IPAWS would be activated, how messages are drafted and vetted, and how the county balances prompt public notification with the potential for alert fatigue. The request will now be considered by council members, who will weigh budget, training, and policy implications.

Also at the meeting, local fire chiefs requested a countywide burn ban, which commissioners enacted. The ban is aimed at lowering the risk of uncontrolled fires during a period of conditions that local emergency responders judged to be hazardous. For residents, the burn ban generally means restrictions on open burning and outdoor debris fires until authorities lift the order; enforcement and exact terms will be administered by local fire departments and county officials.

In other business, Commissioner Chad Blessinger outlined plans for use of opioid settlement funds as part of a potential match grant led by JRAC in coordination with the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), CARES, and other agencies. The discussion signals county efforts to leverage settlement dollars for broader programs by pairing local funds with state-managed grant opportunities, a strategy that could expand treatment, prevention, or recovery services depending on the final grant design and partner contributions.

The Nov. 3 actions emphasize the county’s dual focus on immediate hazard mitigation and longer-term public-health funding strategies. County residents should monitor upcoming County Council agendas for the IPAWS funding request and check with local fire departments for details and enforcement of the burn ban. The measures will require interagency coordination, clear policy frameworks, and ongoing public communication to ensure their intended benefits for Dubois County communities.