Following last weekend’s storms that rocked Dallas County and the state of Alabama, having an effective plan in place has become increasingly important.

In an effort to stay one step ahead of harsh weather conditions, the Selma Dallas County Citizen Corps will join more than 226 community emergency response teams, neighborhood associations, disaster animal response teams and local governments in participating in the Formidable Footprint – A National Neighborhood Exercise.

The exercise, Dallas County Emergency Management Agency director Rhonda Abbott said, is more important than ever during the spring.

“The severe storms and deadly tornadoes that have swept across the nation recently illustrate the ongoing need to be prepared and practiced before the next warnings are posted,” she said. “The Formidable Footprint series gives us an opportunity to test and review our capabilities so we can support our community should dangerous weather strike.”

The program, set for Saturday, April 30, will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Dallas County EMA office, located at 102 Church St.

The three-hour seminar will focus on a tornado scenario and is the fourth in an on-going series of national disaster exercises.

The Formidable Footprint series of neighborhood exercises are specifically designed for local organizations such as Community Emergency Response Teams and faith/community based organizations that work to support the disaster caused needs of community and neighborhood residents during and following a disaster.

The internet-based training is free of charge and all community-based groups are welcome to participate.

The deadline to register for the seminar is April 27. For more information, contact Abbott at 874-2515.