Crisp County Sheriff’s Office

CORDELE– Crisp County will be receiving a grant to fund a Thor Guard Lightning Detection System at Georgia Veterans State Park. The system is an integrated warning system for lightning. The sensor continuously monitors the atmosphere’s electrostatic energy and evaluates the potential for lightning within an area. When the system determines a hazardous condition, the air-horns and strobe lights provide necessary alerts.

After discussions with Colonel Henderson of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources – Georgia DNR during the recent Summer Safety Campaign, an idea was born to have such system at the park. Over 685,000 people go through GA Veteran’s State Park each year for various, leisure, camping, and recreational purposes. Sheriff Hancock, Director of Emergency Management for Crisp County felt that the addition of the Thor Guard Lightning Detection system would provide additional safety measures and warning capabilities to those that frequent the park. Jason Smith, manager of Coral Hospitalities, the entity that oversees the facilities at GA Veterans State Park, agreed to be a Partner in the efforts to provide this extra layer of protection to those that enjoy the park. Georgia Emergency Management Agency/Homeland Security Director, Homer Bryson will also be partnering in this endeavor. Sheriff Hancock was able to reach out to Georgia Emergency Management Agency and receive a 100% grant to cover the cost of the Thor Guard Lightning Detection System. It is partnerships such as these that assist in the efforts of protecting our citizens. Sheriff Hancock would like to give credit to all of these partners and their participation in this project and looks forward to the installation of the Thor Guard Lightning Detection System shortly.