Tornado Alerting Systems: Protecting Your Business 

Tom Bedard is an Implementation Manager and Meteorologist at AccuWeather for Business. In this role, Tom is responsible for integrating AccuWeather’s business services into their client’s business continuity and emergency preparedness operations. He leads a team of technical support and emergency preparedness specialists who provide AFB clients with onboarding, training, and enterprise support.

Tom holds a bachelor’s degree in Meteorology from Penn State and has previously worked as a FEMA course developer, FEMA course instructor, and risk management analyst. He has been an active volunteer firefighter/EMT for over a decade, regularly works with local emergency management agencies, and serves as a search and rescue K9 handler for human remains detection. Tom was the 2019-2021 Chair of the American Meteorological Society’s Committee on Emergency Management.

Jeff has over 30 years of experience in consultation, auditing, safety, education, and insurance. He is a Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Professional Environmental Auditor (BEAC), Certified Safety Management Professional (CSMP).

He received his Bachelor of Science from Murray State University in Murray KY.

Jeff is a Senior Corporate EHS Manager-Compliance with Shaw Industries one of the leading flooring manufactures in the United States with over 100 locations in the US and Internationally. He developed and managers the Business Continuity Plans for 100 facilities. Jeff oversees all Safety Programs with specific emphasis on the Fire Protection and Emergency Planning and notification programs. He has been worked in both pre and post Tornado incidents and has been a Trained Tornado Spotter for 40+ years.

He is a Professional Member of the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP)and has served on the ASSE Region VII Executive Committee and has been Chattanooga Area Chapter President.

He is a regular speaker at Local, State and National Safety and Environmental and Emergency Management Conferences Jeff is currently serving as Chairman of the Whitfield County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), Chairman of the Catoosa County Juvenile Court Review Board. Cherokee Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America Risk Management Committee, UL Standards Technical Panel for Flammable Liquid Storage Cabinets, Catoosa County, GA Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), Gordon County, GA Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), the Cherokee Council of the Boy Scouts of America Risk Management Committee, North Georgia Healthcare Coalition Executive Committee, and Looper Speech and Hearing Board of Directors.