Compiled by Cheryl Glaubinger
After the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, local governments mobilized to strengthen America?s hometown security.
Cities developed emergency response centers, trained emergency personnel, educated citizens and developed contingency plans.
City leaders leveraged federal and state funds, when available, to support and expand local initiatives, public-private partnerships and regional cooperative efforts to increase emergency response capabilities in their communities.
For more on this or other subjects of interest, NLC members may contact the librarians at MRS at 202-626-3130. They may also access the Examples of Programs for Cities collection through the City Knowledge Network at www.nlc.org. Call MRS for details.
Portland, Ore.
Population: 529,121
Program Name: Connect and Protect
Address: City of Portland, Bureau of Emergency Communications, PO Box 1927, Portland, OR 97207
Contact: Carl Simpson, Director, 503- 823-0911
E-mail: carl@ci.portland.or.us
Portland?s Connect and Protect program provides a secure, automated and reliable information-sharing system between various city departments. Developed through a joint venture by the city?s Bureau of Emergency Communications and a private/public partnership designed to accelerate the development and adoption of technology for homeland security, the program helps protect lives and property through efficient information sharing. Through the program, key individuals within emergency management operations, as well as first responders, homeland defenders, critical infrastructure providers and other public safety stakeholders share information in real time with one another. The effort earned the program one of five finalist positions for the 2004 Mitretek Innovations Award in Homeland Security.
Source: Portland 9-1-1 program selected as finalist for Homeland Security award. LOCal Focus, (Oct. 2004) p25, Salem, OR: League of Oregon Cities.
Arlington County, Va.
Program Name: Mobile Command Center
Address: Arlington County, 1425 North Courthouse Road, Arlington, VA 22201
Contact: Capt. David Herbstreit, 703-228-4097
The Arlington County Police Department has a 39-foot mobile command center that is outfitted with state-of-the-art communications, operations and surveillance equipment. The center is self-sufficient and can operate as a mobile public safety headquarters for several days without refueling. It is used in the event of a significant critical incident such as terrorism, a natural disaster, barricaded suspects or missing children. It is also used during large planned events such as festivals. The $650,000 vehicle was purchased with a grant from the federal State and Local Emergency Preparedness program.
Source: Arlington unveils mobile command center. Virginia Town & City, v39 n4 (Apr. 2004) p7, Richmond, VA: Virginia Municipal League.
Columbia, Tenn.
Population: 33,055
Program Name: Maury Hazardous Operations Team
Year Started: 2003
Address: Maury Haz-Ops Team, One Courthouse Square, Suite 13, Columbia, TN 38401
Contact: Chief Mark Blackwood, 931- 375-1010
E-mail: mblackwood@maurycounty-tn.gov
Columbia led the effort to create the regional Maury Hazardous Operations Team, responsible for planning, preventing, responding to and mitigating chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or explosive incidents through the use of special operations and tactics. The partnership, comprised of the fire department of Maury County and the fire departments of the cities of Columbia, Mount Pleasant and Spring Hill, enhances service levels through specialized training and equipment. It improves both citizen safety and first responder safety. The total cost to equip the team is $300,000, with a large portion of funding from Homeland Security Grants. This program was featured in City Showcase 2003 at NLC's Congress of Cities in Nashville, Tenn.
Source: 2003 City Showcase Appli-cation
San Jose, Calif.
Population: 894,943
Address: City of San Jose OES, 855 North San Pedro Street, San Jose, CA 95110
Contact: Dr. Francis L. Edwards, director of emergency preparedness, 408-277-4595
E-mail: frances.winslow@sanjoseca-.gov
San Jose has a comprehensive and far-reaching civil defense plan to respond to terrorist and other large-scale emergency incidents. Coordinated by the city?s Office of Emergency Services, and developed with the full participation of the mayor, council and department heads, the plan includes separate protocols for handling both nonterrorist disasters, like industrial accidents, and terrorist incidents that frequently require more forensic investigation. While much of the plan is kept secret, it is known to involve the stockpiling of antibiotics to fight disease outbreaks and the use of gas detectors and robots to handle hazardous chemical releases. Also under the plan, doctors at area hospitals keep bioterrorism manuals on hand to help them quickly identify symptoms that point to a hazardous substance attack. Support of the San Jose Metropolitan Medical Task Force, a terrorism response unit that includes police, fire and medical personnel, is part of the plan as well. The plan is funded by millions of dollars from the city as well as $1.4 million from the federal government.
Source: Civil defense: thanks to a career safety analyst, San Jose?s terrorism response plan has become a model for the nation. by John M. Glionna, Los Angeles Times, November 4, 2001, Los Angeles, CA: Times Mirror Company.
Morristown, Tenn.
Population: 24,965
Address: City of Morristown, PO Box 1499, Morristown, TN 37814
Contact: Eric Carpenter, Director of Emergency Management, 423-581-6225
E-mail: ecarpenter@co.hamblen.tn.us
Following the events of Sept. 11, 2001, Morristown officials created a strategy to enhance multi-agency preparedness and build upon existing emergency response plans and procedures. Efforts include the appointment of a full-time emergency management director, the addition of a mobile command post, the formation of a safety committee, the reorganization of the Local Emergency Planning Committee and police officer training in domestic and international terrorism. This program was featured in City Showcase 2003 at NLC?s Congress of Cities in Nashville, Tennessee.
Source: 2003 City Showcase Application
Denton, Texas
Population: 80,537
Address: City of Denton, 215 East McKinney Street, Denton, TX 76201
Contact: John Cabrales, public information officer, 940-349-8509
E-mail: John.Cabrales@cityofdenton.-com
In an effort to enhance emergency preparedness, Denton has various emergency communication initiatives to coordinate an effective response to a crisis event. The Public Information Office worked closely with other city departments on emergency communication processes to improve the efficiency of internal communication within the city, address the exchange of timely information with various organizations, and enhance communications to citizens. Using a reverse 911 system, the city manager can communicate almost instantaneously with the city?s management team with one phone call. A different communications system allows city administrators to receive text messaging during an emergency situation. After September 11, 2001, the city developed an Emergency Preparedness Guide to educate citizens on what they can do to prepare for disasters. Denton won the 2002 Texas Municipal League Municipal Excellence Award in the Communications, over 25,000 population category.
Source: 2002 Texas Municipal League Municipal Excellence Award Application
Niagara Falls, N. Y.
Population: 55,593
Year Started: 2003
Address: City of Niagara Falls, Fire Headquarters, PO Box 69, Niagara Falls, NY 14301
Contact: John Jacoby, Fire Chief, 716-286-4725
E-mail: rhorn@falls.niagara.ny.us
Niagara Falls has a master plan for dealing with a potential terrorist attack. The plan consolidates the cooperation of businesses, health and housing representatives, police, firefighters, the Red Cross, bridge and power authorities, Border Patrol, school administrators, clergy and community leaders to build a consensus, identify and solve problems and reduce fears within the community. A Community Engagement Committee meets regularly to review and update emergency procedures within each group, eliminating overlap and increasing the response efficiency of the city. As a focus of tourism and international trade, the plan addresses Niagara Falls? need for timely action in emergency situations.
Source: Consortium?s engagement provides 'wake up call' for Niagara Falls. Community Links, (Feb. 2004) Washington, D.C.: Community Policing Consortium.
Charlotte, N. C.
Population: 540,828
Program Name: Advanced Local Emergency Response Team
Address: City of Charlotte, 228 East Ninth Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
Contact: Jeff Dulin, deputy chief, 704-336-8503
E-mail: jdulin@ci.charlotte.nc.us
Charlotte-Mecklenburg County has an Advanced Local Emergency Response Team (ALERT) program that is comprised of firefighters, hazardous materials technicians, SWAT, bomb technicians, paramedics, Sheriff?s deputies, physicians, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Transportation Security Administration, Environmental Protection Agency and emergency management personnel. The role of the ALERT is to train and prepare for biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive events and to deal with the response and recovery of such an event. There are over 120 personnel assigned to the ALERT. Training is done on a monthly basis and all members are cross trained in certain areas of responsibility.
Source: Homeland improvement. by Sydney J. Freedberg Jr. National Journal, v34 n37 (Sep. 14, 2002) p2606-12, Washington, D.C.: National Journal Group, Inc.
Pacific Grove, Calif.
Population: 15,522
Year Started: 1997
Address: City of Pacific Grove, Fire Department, 600 Pine Avenue, Pacific Grove, CA 93950-3317
Contact: John Crocker, station captain, 831-643-3110
E-mail: JCrocker@pgfire.com
The Pacific Grove Fire Department and the nearby Naval Postgraduate Institute formed a partnership to develop a plan of first response to large-scale terrorist attacks. It is critical that local teams be prepared for the first few hours after such an incident, since it takes time for federal help to reach the scene. The partnership developed several response models, each based on a different terrorist scenario. It then held simulation exercises for each one. Each model utilized help and equipment from nearby cities.
Source: Partnerships in preparedness: a compendium of exemplary practices in emergency management, volume III. (Oct. 1998) p15, Washington, DC: Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Sugar Land, Texas
Population: 63,328
Year Started: 2001
Address: City of Sugar Land, PO Box 110, Sugar Land, TX 77478
Contact: Dannie Smith, fire chief, 281-275-2854
E-mail: dsmith@sugarlandtx.gov
Immediately following Sept. 11, 2001, Sugar Land committed to strengthening its emergency management capabilities by convening an emergency preparedness task force. The task force recommended a number of initiatives, many of which were implemented: establishing an emergency management office, updating the city's emergency plan, heightening security at Sugar Land Airport, designating both a permanent and alternate Emergency Preparedness Center, and upgrading the fire department?s hazardous materials response capabilities. Sugar Land also mailed a brochure to every home in the city explaining how to create a ?homesite emergency plan.? Included in the brochure is a hotline number, to be activated during an emergency situation, which residents can call to obtain the most current information on the unfolding situation, and rescue and recovery efforts.
Source: Sugar Land tries to alert residents to procedures during emergencies. by Charles de Mangin, Houston Chronicle, June 20, 2002, Houston, TX: Houston Chronicle Publishing Company.