Kentucky Emergency Management (KYEM) will activate the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) in Frankfort and a Regional Response Coordination Center (RRCC) in Hopkinsville, in support of the upcoming 2017 Solar Eclipse which will occur on Monday, Aug. 21.
The SEOC, in conjunction with the RRCC, will activate on Saturday, Aug. 19, to coordinate local, state, federal and private sector partner operations during the much-anticipated global event. The Eclipse is scheduled to cross 14 states in the US, with ground zero running from near Carbondale, Ill., to Hopkinsville. Hopkinsville will experience a total solar eclipse lasting up to 2 minutes and 40 seconds, one of the longest periods in the US.
The RRCC will be staffed with local, state, federal and private sector partners who will track status reports from all critical infrastructure sectors in the region. Should the need arise, the RRCC will be ready to assist with resource requests within the 21-county event area.
Michael E. Dossett, Director of KYEM, stated “This event is a premier opportunity for Kentucky and our many local first responder groups to showcase the most exciting two-minutes, 40 seconds in astronomy, welcoming visitors to a safe and enjoyable environment. Hundreds of thousands of people will visit our great Commonwealth seeking the viewing opportunity of a lifetime. It is our mission in preparedness to ensure their safety and provide support to our local communities in making that happen.”
Officials remind citizens and visitors to make sure they are prepared for the upcoming event. Following is a list of safety procedures to follow:
1. Ensure you have an emergency kit for your family and car in case you are stranded
2. Pack plenty of water for high heat temperatures during events; drink plenty of fluids – increase your normal fluid intake regardless of your activity level
3. Wear appropriate clothing and sunscreen.
4. Apply an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered insect repellent such as DEET, picardin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus or a para-methane-diol or 2-undecanone.
5. Be sure your hands clean to avoid sickness and spreading of germs – if soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.
6. Ensure eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewers meet the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 12312-2 international standard for eye and face protection products intended for direct observation of the sun (homemade filters or ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, are NOT safe for looking at the sun); telescopes with solar filters can be used – never look through a telescope without a solar filter on the large end of the scope – never use small solar filters that attach to the eyepiece as found on some older telescopes.