City council forms 'disaster council'

Last night, city manager Linda Kelly outlined to a rapt city council the city’s current level of disaster preparedness. In her report, she considered plans, staff training, emergency operations center, equipment and community awareness efforts. Among her recommendations was that a disaster council be assembled to work on all aspecta of disaster preparedness. Members of the public pitched in with suggestions.
Herb Goelenpaul said, “You might put out a survey as to how many people have responder certifications?” He offered that he was certified, and reminded council members that they’ll want to have radios on the right frequency to contact the coast guard. “They have helicopters, and in a disaster, you always want to have helicopters.” He also asked whether the city had a phone system so that if you were called and not home, the call would relay to the next, and then the next all the way down. Cynthia Scarborough of the Vintage House Senior Center told the council that Vintage House has an agreement with the Red Cross to act as an emergency shelter, and that all their staff is trained in CPR. She said she is delighted to see the city moving forward on this and would like to work with the city. Kristen Armstrong, board member of the Red Cross, said she was happy to see the city manager putting together a committee and would support it.
Mayor Joanne Sanders said, “I’m confident the responsibility is ultimately with the government. I know that when disaster happens, people do rely on the government to be prepared on their behalf. I’m not sure everybody needs to be on the council, but once the council is formed, maybe we can divide up the neighborhoods. People need to know where to go, for help.”