Article: William Stokes

DEAF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT SHEDS NEW LIGHT ON EMERGENCY WARNING SYSTEMS (Deer Park, TX) – Partnering with the Deer Park Independent School District, the City of Deer Park held its annual Student Government Day in April 2023. For the day, students were matched with City Directors and Leaders to shadow and learn from.

William Stokes, a junior-year high school student, shadowed Emergency Manager Jamie Galloway for the day. During his time with Jamie, William noticed a gap in emergency preparedness for the deaf community.

William, who is deaf himself, suggested a solution: installing flashing lights on emergency sirens. He suggested that the installation would be beneficial for the deaf community, allowing them to be alerted to Shelter-in-Place orders.

Recognizing the need, Jamie Galloway conducted research on equipment and installation pricing. After gathering the necessary information, William presented his proposal to the City Council on May 16, 2023, and the purchase and installation of the lights were approved during the meeting. Funding for the sirens will be provided by the Local Emergency Planning Committee.

During his presentation on May 16, William stated, "I didn't see anything (in the emergency plan) that was accessible for deaf individuals during an emergency and deaf people need access (to some form of notification)

Pictured from left to right: Erin Stokes - mother, William Stokes - son, City Manager James Stokes - father

during emergencies. So, I held on to that thought," said William, "I want to thank Jamie for doing research and for finding a strobe light for the siren towers. I really do appreciate that. Thank you so much."

"The addition of the strobes was minimal and within the budget of the project," Galloway said, "The replacement of the aged system will allow for the integration of newer technology and monitoring of the system.”

Proud dad and City Manager James Stokes stated, “I am an extremely proud father. William came up with this idea by himself at Student Government Day, advocated for himself and those with hearing disabilities, then prepared diligently and gave a great speech to our City Council. It shows young people can make a huge difference in their community.”

Assistant City Manager Sara Robinson stated, “To see and experience this type of advocacy and engagement amongst our youth was heartwarming. This student made a real impact for our community and beyond, and we are all humbled to serve Deer Park alongside this bright young gentleman as well as his peers. Thank you, William Stokes, LEPC, and DPISD!” William Stokes' recommendation to install flashing lights on emergency sirens is a crucial step towards ensuring that the deaf community is kept safe during emergencies.

It's important to note that the deaf community often faces significant challenges when it comes to accessing vital information during emergency situations.

Pictured from left to right: Councilwoman Sherry Garrison; Councilman TJ Haight; Councilman Tommy Ginn, City Manager James Stokes; Deer Park High School student William Stokes; Mayor Jerry Mouton, Jr.; Councilman Bill Patterson; Councilwoman Georgette Ford; Councilman Ron Martin; Assistant City Manager Sara Robinson

In addition to installing flashing lights, there are several other measures that can be taken to ensure that the deaf community is included in emergency planning and response efforts. Some of these measures include: • Providing emergency alerts via text message or mobile app notifications • Hiring sign language interpreters to communicate critical information during public briefings • Creating emergency information videos with captions and sign language interpretation

Pictured: William Stokes presenting to Deer Park City Council

By taking these steps, we can ensure that the deaf community is not left behind during emergencies and that everyone has the information they need to stay safe.

MORE ABOUT STUDENT GOVERNMENT DAY Student Government Day is an event that allows high school students to experience the inner workings of local government. It's an opportunity for them to gain insight into the roles and responsibilities of various city officials while also learning how decisions are made at the local level.

Throughout the day, students have a chance to ask questions, participate in discussions, and even attend meetings to see firsthand how local government operates.

For many students, the event is an eye-opening experience that helps them better understand the importance of civic engagement and public service. Students who participate in Student Government Day often leave with a newfound appreciation for the hard work and dedication that goes into running a city, and some even consider pursuing careers in public service as a result.

Pictured from left to right: Mayor Jerry Mouton, Jr.; William Stokes: Emergency Manager Jamie Galloway