The tornado outbreak that hit Alabama on April 27, 2011, was a life-changing moment for ABC 33/40 Chief Meteorologist James Spann.

“That was a day many of us can remember,” Spann said. “The death toll was 252, and that was simply inexcusable. It was a horrifying thing for us.”

Spann was the guest speaker Tuesday at the Chilton County Chamber of Commerce luncheon where he spoke about several different topics including tornadoes, weather sirens, snow, and Twitter.

Spann said after the tornado outbreak in 2011, he has worked with his team to educate others on the importance of adequately preparing.

“What good am I to people if I don’t communicate effectively?” Spann said. “One area I have been working to educate others on, and will continue to educate them on, is the siren mentality, because it is killing people.”

Spann spoke about a 16-year-old female who died during a tornado in 2012 due to “never hearing the weather siren.”

“Sirens have a purpose, but they reach a limited number of people,” Spann said.

Spann encouraged individuals to purchase a weather radio, or use weather apps for smart phones, and to purchase helmets to avoid being hit by pieces of debris from storms.

“People die in strong tornadoes due to being hit by pieces of shrapnel,” Spann said. “I know it sounds silly to wake your child up at 3 a.m., and put them in the bathtub with a helmet on, but you never know what you might be faced with. We simply don’t know when the next outbreak will be.”

Spann has spent 36 years as a television weather anchor where he received an Emmy Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in 2001.

In April 2010, Spann was named Best Weather Anchor in Alabama by the Associated Press, an award he has received 13 times.

In recent years, he has developed the title of “best Tweeter” due to the large number of fans following him on Twitter.

“I have to ask, how many people in the room follow me on Twitter?” Spann asked the crowd. “It looks like only two people have their hands up, so we will have to work on that.”

Spann said during his spare time, he likes to speak to different groups of people across the state to bring encouragement to business owners.

“I want you to be positive about this state, and all of the great things that are happening right now,” Spann said.

Spann offered three points that would help businesses succeed including, having a passion for your job, having integrity and having a servant’s heart.

“If you latch on to these three things, I firmly believe your business will be successful,” Spann said.

Spann referenced the Jan. 28 storm, which hit many parts of Alabama with ice and snow, where some businesses in the state reached out to those who were stranded.

“It was a humanitarian crisis,” Spann said. “But, as bad as the forecast was, it was encouraging to see people helping other people. There were many businesses that could have just closed their doors, and many of them did. It was the businesses who stayed open though and took the approach to serve others that people will remember.”