Emergency - Ramping Up Emergency Preparedness

Stephen Watts, Battalion Chief, Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue

Like other localities across the country, the September 11 attacks were a wakeup call for Howard County, Maryland. Located about 25 miles from Washington, D.C., and 20 miles from Baltimore, county residents could be affected by a terrorist incident in either of these municipalities, as well as in its own community.

In order to meet the health consequences of such a disaster, The Community Emergency Response Network (CERN) was formed by the Foundation in close coordination with Howard County government.

Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge has said, "Americans should be prepared in their homes, neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, places of worship and public places from the potential consequences of terrorist attacks. [They] should support local officials, including in police departments, fire departments and community health centers, who are often the first to respond . . . ."

The Department of Homeland Security recently gave national recognition to CERN, citing it as a "Smart Practice" in its national publications and outlining its community-wide model to thousands of cities and communities across the U.S. And in a major editorial, the Baltimore Sun said that CERN is "a local model worth wide study and emulation." CERN is composed of approximately 40 members including front line responders and representatives of numerous community organizations. Chaired by Horizon Foundation President & CEO Richard Krieg, new safeguards are being developed to support the county's first line responders. They include upgraded planning capabilities by local institutions, enhanced communications, tabletop exercises to test local readiness, volunteer training and deployment and expanded shelter capacity.

Special attention has been paid to the provision of information on disaster response, the needs of public schools, the roles of nonprofit providers and working with private organizations such as the Columbia Association. CERN activities fall under and are functionally integrated with the county's Emergency Operations Center.

"Because of our location just outside Washington, we are compelled to make sure that every possible resource is in place and that our citizens know their options in the event of an attack," says County Executive James N. Robey.

In the event of a terrorist strike or severe natural disaster, citizens and local institutions may be out of contact with government for 48-72 hours. Community resilience depends on knowledge about major contingencies, prior planning, taking reasonable precautions and citizens helping one another.

CERN's mission is to spearhead the development of a community-wide disaster response plan to ensure optimum preparedness in the event of a terrorist attack. It supports government disaster planning through coordination of the emergency plans and resources of participating members. CERN functions include planning, a high level of inter-agency coordination, the development of tabletop exercises, disaster plan review, shelter planning and communications enhancement.

"Although now officially designated by FEMA as a Citizens Corps," says Richard Krieg, "CERN also functions as an organization corps. The intent is to bring relevant organizations to optimal readiness and resiliency levels."

Fire Chief Joseph Herr believes that CERN will enhance the efforts of the county's first responders and "make the community safer, stronger and better prepared for preventing and handling disasters of all types."