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NATCHEZ — In a post-mortem of sorts, Emergency Management Agency Director Robert Bradford asked for help from the county supervisors in manning the Adams County Safe Room during times of emergencies.

The county opened the Safe Room Monday night as a warming station due to the winter storm that came through the area on Tuesday.

The county closed its offices and schools were closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Bradford said his employees, because they designated essential, worked long hours with little to no relief while the Safe Room was open.

“During these times, my staff is the only one that helps,” he said.

Bradford asked if some or all county workers could be designated as essential workers in order for them to be sent to work in the Safe Room when it is opened.

“That way, when we close county offices because of inclement weather, that would make it part of their scope of employment and some of the county employees could be sent there to help. We really need some help. It’s rough on my staff,” he said.

County Attorney Scott Slover said designating all county employees as essential would not be a lawful move.

Supervisors Ricky Gray suggested that Bradford and his staff build a bank of volunteers who could be called on to help during times of emergencies, and suggested only one of Bradford’s employees would be needed at the Safe Room to manage the situation.

Bradford said he has tried for 11 years to recruit volunteers to help, but it has not worked.

While Bradford’s emergency management workers have historically been the ones who man the Safe Room, they should not be doing that. He said they are needed elsewhere during times of emergency.

Gray insisted that the community and church members would show up to help during times of need if they are appropriately organized and notified.

Supervisor Angela Hutchins and Wes Middleton questioned why the county did not re-open for business on Wednesday when the winter storm had passed.

“There is no reason the county offices should have been closed on a bright, sunny day,” Hutchins said.

Robby Dollar, road department manager who is part of the committee that determines closures, along with Bradford and liaisons from the city and the Natchez Adams School District, said that the decision was made on Monday based on the information available to them.

District 1 Supervisor Wes Middleton said the county needs to develop a system to let employees know when to check their county email in order to change those plans along the way when the situation changes.

“We need a way to change those decisions on the fly,” Middleton said.