A committee was formed to assist us in preparing both professionally, and personally, for the next disaster. Our first priority is to assess the situation, determine the scope of the emergency, and make a plan. The E.O.C. is the designated location for information gathering, disaster analysis, and decision making. It is staffed by members of our management team, including the Police Chief and the City Manager. Their objective is to preserve life, minimize damage, and obtain speedy recovery.
Training is an important part of our disaster preparedness.
Chaos is expected in an emergency, but can be bettered handled when our dispatchers have had training and a basic plan to follow. To assist our staff in accomplishing these tasks, we participate in a annual disaster drill with all city departments. In addition, dispatchers are provided with disaster training utilizing experts within the city. Each work station in our Communications Center is equipped with an emergency backpack. They each contain a hard hat, safety glasses, work gloves, rubber gloves, light sticks, evacuation plans, and work schedules.