HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – The Pennyrile Area Development District held their first meeting of the year on Monday, Jan. 13. Amy Frogue, Community and Economic Development Director, announced a newly hired Disaster Resiliency Coordinator and the acquisition of drone units to assist with disaster relief.
With a grant from the Economic Development Administration, PeADD was able to purchase drone units for nine emergency management officers in the Pennyrile area, including one for Christian County. Currently, the drone units have been ordered but have not yet been delivered. Once the units arrive, the officers will undergo proper training first, before receiving the drones.
“Drones can play a significant role in disaster response and mitigation, including rapid damage assessment, search and rescue operations, access to inaccessible areas, mapping and situational awareness, incident and disaster monitoring through aerial surveys, post-disaster recovery planning, as well as many other applications,” Frogue told Christian County Now.
Disaster Resiliency Coordinator
After the December 2021 tornados, Judge Executives of the Pennyrile Region expressed the need of a Disaster Resiliency Coordinator to PeADD. With a recent grant from the Economic Development Administration, PADD posted the job in September 2024.
PeADD hired Jaime Embry for the position, who will work from the Hopkinsville office. According to Frogue, the position will focus on disaster planning, mitigation, and funding opportunities to foster collaboration among cities and counties within the area. They will also assist with FEMA documentation if needed.
“The Disaster Resiliency Coordinator can work closely with individual communities to assess their specific needs and goals,” said Frogue. “They can then help identify funding programs that align with these goals, providing tailored advice on which opportunities are most suitable and how to maximize the chances of securing funding.”