Emergency manager magazine, Summer 2005

Emergency Manager is the official magazine of the
Georgia Office of Homeland Secunty-Georgia Emergency
Management Agency
Lisa Janak, Editor
Honorable Sonny Perdue Governor
Mike Sherberger 01rtJCtor
Lisa Ray Public Affalfs Dlfector
Ken Davis Public Affalfs Officer
Buu Weiss Public Alfalfs Coordmator
Lisa Janak Mult1-Med1a Coordinator
Kandice Weech Web Coordmator
Katherine Huggins Constituent Srrv1ces
Coordinator
Published by the Georgia OHlce of Homeland Secunty-Georg1a Emergency
Management Agency Post Office Box 18055 Atlanta, Georgia 30316
PHONE 1-800-T R Y-OE MA
(404) 635-7000 FAX (404) 635-7205
Web site www.ohs.state.ga.us
You are welcome to submit original artJcles for publication consideration. The deadline for the fall issue Is August 15.

From the Director

Change is the Only Constant

,_,I. .:.;,,...

.

ill Ga1ls asru1dy ob\enc:d, M\V/c alway\ O\'C:r<..~tinmc the thangc tllJI will occur in 1he next 1wo yt-ars and undcrc:stim:nc the ch.111gc: 1ha1 will occur in 1hc nc\t ten." fo pu1 Mr. GJcc<.' com-

~

ment into pcrspcclivc, a dcc.1dc .1go. who could lu\'c imaginl-d that we:

would be carrying a single wireless devicc 1ha1 provide~ phone. lnternct and e-mail cap.1bilitiC:\, no1 10 mention 1001~ co help us organiLe our ,1ddrC:\\ book-., c.ilcndm .md t.isk liscs? Yee. those of us who

have embraced this ncw ccchnology would probably find i1 difficult 10 function wichour i1.

One thing i!. certain: Change i\ .1 com1.111t. Within the emergency management community,

change 1s no1 only acccp1c:d, but wc:komed. Shonly after 9/11. 1he Department of I lomdand

Security was csrablishcd 10 prov1dc a unifying core for the \.bl n.monal network of organia1ion\

and insmutions involved m )Ct.unng our nauon from bo1h natural md man-made incidents. We

embraced 1his organiL.ing principle on 1hc \Cate level as wc:ll and otablished the Georgia Office of

I lomc:land Security.

The fact that change h.lS come to 1hc (,corgia Emcrgcncy Management Agency (GE~I/\) i\ no

~urpri~c:. With the threat> to our nation and \lace ch.1ngmg over 1hc: past few )'C3~. our pnonucs

have .ii~ changed. Our funding mc;ims have cenamlv changed. And with chat. our name has

changed. GEM;\ has been merged into 1he ~me'~ Office of I lomc:l.ind Security, Jlong wi1h the Gcorg1:a

lnformauon haring :and Analym Center (G ISAC). The: muh i~ the Georgia Office: of Homc:l.1nd

Securuy - Gcorgia Emergency f\ fanagement Agc:ncy (0115-GLMA). \V/ich our re-branding c:Erom.

you will see a new look on our Web me, our lcuerhc:td, our vt'hiclc:s, and even hear chc change in

the W3)' We an'1wer the phone:, As we have forged ahead over the last ~cveral months, i1 has bccoml' clc:ar cha1 our new identi-

ty accur:udy depict~ chc ongoing l.'voluuon th.u h;ti marked our profc:ssion sincl' 1hl' Cold War and

che days when we: operated under 1he Civil Defense umbrella.

Our name change nor only underscores the time<, 1ha1 we live in, but abo reflect~ the consis-

tency and compacibility of our cfTom with cho~e of chc: federal government and our state counter-

parts. h also validates 1he Mall-haurd~" approach chac Mimulacc:<. coll.1boracion and allows us 10 more

effccli\'dy identify and c:vahmc thre.m. and be bcuc:r prepared 10 respond.

lk assured 1hac wi1h our new name comes a rcnewcd commicmc:nl ofservice: ro our citizens and

a reidinCM 10 venture down nC\\ roads.

1

Summe r 2005 EMERGENCY MANAGER

Under the Dome

T he g.l\d, in the 1lou\e and \<nate signaled Msme die on \larch ~I. the 39th d.l) or thl\ )'C".U\ leg1)tUi\'c session. Ir \v.lS J dJy earlier thJn the 40 days allO\\ed br l.1w an Jrguably ))'mbolic gcstur~ - bm it was a p.ut or a much larger newly written chapter m C.eorgia\ rich and rivermg poliual hi\tOI').
Continuing J shift in power sparked by Republican Governt>r onny Perdue's election in 2002. the I louse joined the Senate under GOP le.1dersh1p when the Gener.ii As~emblr con\'ened. The rransformauon also \;JW 1he decuon or Rep.
or Glenn Richardson of Dalla' a\ Speaker
the I louse, the third person to hold the post in three yC"ar), in )harp (.Ontr.t\t to the nearly ~0-ye.ir uninterrupted tenure of former peaker Tom \ lurph\".
The 2005 2006 term rcOectcd a ncarrccord rurno\'er m membership. with 44 Ill:'\ rcprcscncau\'es and 21 ne\\ \eoator<> taking their oath or onice. It w;u the Georgia Crcner.al A\M'mbl} ' largC"\1 group of frC'lhmen lawmJkel"\ smce the fim postWatergate election of 1 9~4.
l...lwmaking and public policy I) about procC\s, however. and the 2005 \C'>sion 1urned out to be comiderabl) more producthe and prolific rhan man) observer.. h.ul predicceJ. In fac t, ne.trl) 3.000 bill\ and re,oluiion\ were droppt.J in the I lome .md en.ue hoppers rhi\ )e\Sion. far above the average or 2.500. About 15 percent of the mc;uure~ introduced cleared both hou~~ and went m the Cro\'ernor for his signature.
g.1 1 reforms The bill of greatest mterC\t co the
Georgia Onice or Homeland Se(.untyGrorg1a Lmergem:y Man.igcment Agen0 (OHS-G I MA> this yeJr \\,t~ 1IB 170, a comprehensive measure th.it reform~ and update> Gemgia\ 9-1-1 law.
Concern .1bou1 9-1-1 reform hJ) been a looming 1\suc: for \everal ve:m and was iniually addre\s(..J 1n 1h" 1c:rm m JIB 148. which wa~ designed to ensure
or accountability in the u~e 9 l I foe:,,
0 11 -Gl:.MA successfully opposed the bill. however. became 1t would have required

financial rc:pom to be \Ubmiucd co the .tgc:ncy. although 1t h.u no rc:gul.uor or enforcement power<> Jnd j, not qualified m
perform audits. A )CCOnJ bill, JIB 174, addrc,,cJ c..cll
phone: billing procedures. but \\,L\ 'iddincJ in fuvor of lhe broader 11 B 1...0, ~ptlmured
by Rep. John Lunsford of McDonough. The bill clanfies the term "place: of
primary u~e" a~ the cu\1tm11.:r\ home or business addr~. and allows Zip Code 1 4 .md Federal Information Proc~\ing \ptem (FlP ) codes to be u~ed for clanfie.won. The purpose i~ 10 emurc 1ha1 1hc revenue\ from dic 9-1-1 fee are carm.uked for 9- 1- 1 ~rv1ccs m thc counf} ''hcrc the cmwmer 11\'es. It also rcquiro local gu\unmem\ m file rc:pom on 9-1-1 collc:c11on' and cxpcnso 10 the \late: .iudnor.
In addition. multi-juri\<Jiction.tl 9-1-1 authoricio will bc gr;anceJ .1 ,alc, 1.tx
cxcmplion, a break curremly cnjoycd by
narc and local government\. The 1ax hre.ik will not onl) help local t.1.Xp.1yer\, hut will encourage smaller loc.al ~ovemment\ to ~h.trc the cost o( oper.i1i11g ju1111 'Y'lelll\. The bill clarifie~ cost recO\'C:r)' for provider,, capping it Jl 45ct per ?-1-1 ch.arge. ha,ed on the currcm formula of JOc: for c.ich
dollar collc:ctctl. The m.mmum

9-1 l fee: i\ 1.50 per line. In Jddition, r~proentall\ell ofboth w1rclc:~ and l.inJline prm 1der~ will be added to the st.Jtc\ 9-1-1
\J, 1\-0f\ Bo.ird. JIB 4~0. which passed in the \\.lmng
day' of the '>C'\ion, \\J!i the product of c:xh.tu\l1vc di!>CU$\ion and debate Jmong reprcsent.lli\'e) or OHli-G r ~ I A. rhe A~~oc1J11on Count) Comm l\~ione" of C.eorgi.1, local 9-1-1 m.10.1ger\, .111d rcprC'>c:lllatl\'C\ of V3riOU\ wirdc" \en ice providers.
A wmpanion mc:a\ure e)tJblhhcJ a ~pec1.i.l leg"lauvc: ~rudy commmcc, '' h1Ch \\ill cumine other i~uo. including the U\C or 9- 1-1 rC\'CflUC) 10 fund lhc purchJ\1.. of mceropcr.iblc: comm11n1catmll\ equipment and the levy of 9-1- 1 fc:n on p~1laid '' irde~ plans. The: panel will procnt it~ rcptm lCl the 2006 General \.'\Cmbly Ill January.
3-1 -1 eyed, Levi's Call changes blocked
t\ bill .iimed ar letting lcxal officiJb dip into 9-1 l coffel') co help fund J-1-1 non emergcnC\' government phone ser\'ice rai\ed \()fie cauuon naS' and \\a\ hdtl Ill commmcc. B I I3 would ha\'c p.wcJ the w.1)' for \Urplu.' 9-1- I re\'ellUe\ r.ti~ed h) locJI go\'crnment.~ 1hJ1 fully fund their cmt.rgency communication~ W\tcnH through ?-1- I fee) lo be ~hificd to che non cmergencv operations.
Although there h \Upport for 1he crc.iuon of ~-1-1 ~tems, there: I\ \trong oppo\11100 re> di\'erting 9-1-1 rC\enuc' hl\\Jrd Jn~ other project, C\en high pnorm iniriati\'C\ 'uch as interoperable (.Ommumcuions.
~eral communitie. around 1hc: \tJte arc m the prcxe'' of ~ubli,hing J-1-1 \)'\terns 10 handle non-emergency R>(jUe~t' for as\i\rancc and information
Anoihcr bill rh.it \parked ctmcern w.i.' H B -94, a larc cntry in rhe lcgi,lali\'c derby th.it would h.i\'e apandcd G1..-orgi.1's le\ i\ (all mMmg child progr.1m m include: \eJrchc' for \OOlC: m1,smg aduli\. l'he mt.'3\Ure drew qu1tk opposiuon. however, hcc.tu\c: it ha.\ the: potential m der.t1l the .1grcement bcl'\'(.'Cn 01 IS-GLMA. the <.,Rf,

EMERGENCY MANAGER Summer 2005

2

and the (,corg1.1 \\,oc1.11ion of

BroadcJ..\ler~ under \\ hich the Ic\1!1 Cill

program opc:r.HC\

l.e, ' ' Call I\ prcd1cJ1cd on 1hc

volunt3f}

agr<'.cmClll

or

thl'

\l.U<'.

0
S

hro.1tlc.i~1t'r.. m Jtr m1,,111g ch1IJn:n Jlercs.

whkh .:ire 1-.\uc:J on 1hc Jvcrage of oncc a

month. RroJdc.mcr' \\tiulJ likeh h.ilk .ti

airing the aJdi1ionJl mh~ing JJulr alem

rhe bill rcmamcd Ill comn1111cc \\hen the

~~\Ion aJ1ournc:J.

Pardons and Paroles arrests
S1a1e Pudon\ anJ i>.uole officer.. will be givcn foll arrc:,1 powcf\ undl"r H B .?89. The oflicer' arc PO\ l-cer11fic:J, but were: rt.">tncted co .trre\ling only the parol~ they supc:rvt\c un1il l.m yc-ar when their .urc<.t power\ were temporarily expanded during the G-8 Cunfcrcncc JI \c.1 hl.mJ. rhc l.iw pa,~cd chi, )'car will m.1kc the expanded arrC\t .m1homy pc:rm.lllcnt.1llowmg the Pardom and Parole\ worker\ to .t_\\l\t other SIJtC law cnlorccment agcm:ie<., J' wdl ;t( loc.il police anJ ,hcriO, Jep;mmcnt~.

Public building mapping
t\ pmpo\al 10 require the computcritcd nupping of all public buildin& for U"<' by fiN rC\ponJcr~ i' cxpectc:J to be the \UbJcc1 of \tud\ h\ \I.Uc lawm.ikcr.. 1hi\ n:.ir. \B 2.B ''ould alw mandJlC 1h;i1 0 11\ .(,l MA dc\'clop anJ maintain J dJtab.1-.e wuh thl\ 111forma11on. The hill ra1'c' a number of quC\t1on\, however. not the lea\I of which i' 1he cost of undertaking \uch J project l'he ~pon\Or 11.1~ agrcc<l to meet wich reprC\emativc:<. of OHS-GJ'MA. public ,,,fctr .1gertt1C\, anJ cuy anJ county official\ over 1hl' next \everal month' to lOM1dcr the lnll\ huu~. Bua \\'lm

Local EMAs are Elected to Office
~l.in;igmg di~~1cr' i' ..1 good primer for dect1\e office. And 1hrc:c loc""".11 emcrgcmy managemeru officul~ rook rha1 plunge l:hl November. 'IY.o
of rhe nrnl) dectc:J \;Ounty commi sioncc arc Pum;am County l"~IA clircdm \\'l~lcy Willi, anJ 1\.. igg,
Countr deputy director Don.1IJ HoyJ. A third EMA director. John Womble of
faam County, \\.L\ :.tl\O dcctcJ to hi\
lc><.".11 commi"ion, b111 \teppcd a'idc in 1he wake ofcontrmerw about rc1aining hi~ F~\tA pm1.

Exceptional EMA

Howard Willis, Augusta-Richmond County

T o the n311on. Richmond Count\' h perhaps bt'<it known as the home of 1he Master's Golf 1nurnament.

However. in (,eorg1a. the count} aho 1s

known as a leading manufacmring hub due

m 1u chemical plants, paper and textile

mills. military inmlla1ion Jnd 01her indus

1ry. Bccau~t 1he<.e fa< ilitic~ ha\'c toxic \Uh

sranct">, Richmond Coumy also h.u the

dubious distinction of being No. 2 in hu-

ardous chemical production in Georgia.

Nc\tlcd in rhe Sa\;mnah River Valley.

Richmond County 1~ m'>Cepiible m flood

ing, panicularly 1he older mfr.i.\lruccure in

downtown t\ugmtJ. However. ( 'h1ef

I loward Willis. d1rcccor of the t\ugm1a

Richmond

Count\

l- mcrgencv

Management AgenC) (EMA) and 1111cnm

director of 1he t\ugu\ta R1chmonJ fire

Dcputmcm, 1s more concemc:J about ac'"i

denu involving h;u;irdom m.11eriah within

the councy or in nc;irh\ \ou1h ( .uolma.

where 1he a\"annah Raver \11e (SRS)

nudcir power pl.mr i\ loc.uc:J.

Richmond Coumy\ economy t\ grow

ing. and where econonm: Jevclopmem

goo. people follow. t\ccording 10 Willis.

the councy\ popuhtion h.1.\ mcn:a\cd 10

250.000, up fmm 200,000 I5 ytar.. Jg<>.

On weekdays 1he population \Wclh w

375.000 as comm111tf\ nuke rhcir \\,1y lo

Augusras sprawling mdmmal complexe\.

Unbeknownst 10 them. the~ mil)' he \hJr

ing che road with h:u.udous nwerial\ that

arc being 'hipped through the COlllll)'.

Tramuranic nudtar W.blC 1s regularly

tran:.pom:J through Rachmlmd County

from R..\ co 3 fcder.il facilm 111 C.ul,bJJ.

NC'\ M~1co. as pan of the \X'a\le f<,0l.11ion

Pilot Plant cleanup program. In addumn,

l') freight trains chug through the heart of

the county each Jar. \Ome carrying pmen

tiallv dangerous cargo.

Hazardou' ma1cri.1' i' not onl) on the

ro.ic.h .ind r.til\\Jy\: it i, produ'-c:J 111 tht

county's numerou' m.mufacmnng faciliue\.

Pcx,I chemicals \Ucha' chlorine and 'odium

hydroxide, as wdl as anhydrous ammonia

.md ammonium n11ra1e, whic:h .ire 11\CJ to

make fcniliicr~ and l'xplo,iw\, Jrc com-

Chief Howard Wllhs. AuoustaRichmond County EMA
monl}' producc:J. while ni1rou' :u.id. \UI phunc acid and hydrochloric acid arc com mon b\ product\ of the coumy\ paper milk
All rhe)C chemicals could mean a recipe for d~1cr. Fonun.11cly, howc;'\cr, Chief Willis works hard 10 develop good rcla11omhip' w11h inJus1ry official\, a panner<.lup 1ha1 has c"ol\'cd o'er 1hc pa..11hr" decade\. 'Thirty-three year<> ago. industry didn't w.rn1 us on-\itc." says \'\/illi~. "Now, we talk 10 '>afe1y man:tgef\ regularly. \'\/e've taken 1ht barricf"I down."
I he proof i:. in the pudding. Mmt indmme<> m Augusca or jIDt over the border 111 \ou1h Carolina rhar ~mrc or use danger ou' chemical' belong 10 the Communu' Awarcne\\ and Emergency Respon\e (CAI R) group. which works "uh local government official . hospirals and fi~t rt'\ponder.. to prepare for and rc'pond to a huardou\ m.itcnal~ incident. The group sends emergency l'C'ipon\C team~ and equip ment \Uch ,\\ chemical fo.im. which c.in supprc~ a possible cxplo~ion or lire. or pro 1ec11,e chemicJI ~uit~. upon reque\I. \lcctin~ arc held quJrtcrly.
RcprocnlJlive~ from major comp.min .ii\(> an: on 1he Local l:.mcrgency Planning Committee. which ~ervc J( a lia1~on between re,iJcnL~. governmem and inJu,. 1ry in planning emergency response ac1ivi

3

Summer 2005 EMERGENCY MANAGER

lies. furthermore, all indumies tile chemic.!l invenrory rcpom with the AugustaRichmond County EMA.
"We: have: a good ceam of people. whether its industry or govc:mmcnr," 'i.3)'\ \X'illis. "I can - and do - call on chem day or nighr."
In face, he called on 1hem at around 2:30 a.m. on January 6, 2005. after learning a Norfolk Southern Corp. freight train carrying poisonous chlorine gas went ofron a sidetrack and i.lammcd into :i parked rrain near the Avondale Mill~ plant in Graniteville, Sourh Carolina. The impact caused chrce cars 10 derail and begin leaking
and a subscquenc 14-car pileup. Because chlorine v:ipor i\ heavier chan
air, the gas remained close 10 the ground
and did nm dissipate. Thb proved deadly for some workers who fled the plant immediately after che crash.
" \Vic los1 nine people," Willi.~ laments. MBur if ic were durtng 1he day. we could have lose hundreds."
Approximately 5.500 people within the 1wo-milc Mho1 1onc:" :iround chc acci-
dent were evacuated for m.-arly three weeks. Arca ho~pirals were quickly fllk-d wich more
than 250 people who were 1rca1t.-d for exposure co chlorine g:i.~.

In the early morning hours of January 6. 2005, a freight train carrying chlorine hit a parked locomotive and derailed in GranlteVJlte, South Caroltna. creallng a massive pileup (top, nght bottom right). Poisonous chlorine gas began leakmg. resullmg in nine deaths and the evacuation of more than 5.000 people. Six hazmat teams from South Carolina and Georgia were called tn
The CAER group was at the scene wirhin 45 nunu1cs, $3}'S Willis. T hen Aiken Counry herifT Mike Hunt requested Willb' 3.\Si\1ancc coordin.uing local, Mate and federal agencies. "It took a 101 of coordination." !>3)'!> Willi~. He was in Granittville for nine days, mostly working wirh ha7.-mat teJms.

Cartoon by Ed Westbrook, Jasper County EMA Director

O HS-GEMA Area AJ l-hazards Council Granc EvaJuarion Team
EMERGENCY MANAGER Summer 2005

"My job was co ~upporr them and make sure chcy had chc proper equipment. food ... whatever 1hey needed," ~y~ \Villi\.
Six ha1-mat teams from Georgia and South Carolina were: paired with local\, who knew the: arc:i. The crews worked 12hour ~h1frs cleaning up 1he me:, conducting housc-co-hou~ sweeps of 1he neighborhood 10 check for pcoplt' and shu1ting down power. They al.\o fcd pee~ th.u were inadvcrtencly left behind in the ev.icuacion fn:nL)'
AJrhough he was voted by his peers as 1he ~ sc.~1 of the Best.~ an award given co emergency scrvkcs pcr;onncl 10 rt."Cogru.u: excc:pcional ~crvicc, Willis sa~ ht prefer; working behind the ~'enc\ and i\ quick w dcflc:ct any praise for his efforu. Instead, he commend~ the people with whom he works. ~we communicate rc:ally wc:ll.w he
53}"' - l1111 Janak
4

In Brief

Top OHS-GEMA Posts Filled by Agency Veterans

Two agency ve1erans have been promoied to rop leadership pom with the Office of Homc:land ccuriiy-Gcorgia Emergency M:magcmcni AgenC}' (0115GEMA). Charley English, of Fayeneville, h~ been named a.~btant dirc:cwr of the agency. Charlie Dawson, of Peach1rcc Ci1y. succeeds English as director of operalio n~.
As as:.i~rant agency director, English will be responsible for chc day-to-day management of all aclivitics within OH GEMA, including opcralions, planning. finance. haard mitig;uion, grants management and terrorism preparedness.
As director of opcraiions, Dawson will ~pccifically oversee planning. 1raining, fidd programs, school safecy. radiological emergency preparedness, 1hc s1:uc opcralions and 24-hour communic:uions centers and informacion 1cch11ology.
English joined 0 11 -GEMA in 1996 as a pan of the Olympics planning 1cam, and has lxcn din.'.Clor of opc:raiions since 1999. He has coordinated the ~1a 1e's response to seven presidentially declared disasters :ind numc:rou5 SC:ltcs ofemergency

issued by the Governor. A vet

eran of cwo decades in public

safety, he wa.~ responsible for

1he m.magement of Georgia\

I 0 regional police academics

during his tenure with the

Peace Otlit:e~ Stand.m.b and

Training (POST) Council.

Prior ro that, he worked wi1h a

Clayton Counry law enforce-

ment agency and served as a

regional police academy dircc-

1or. l..as1 summer, he became one of 1he nation\ lirsc recipient~ of a master's degree in

OHSGEMA assistant director Charley Enghsh (left) and operations director Charles Dawson (right)

Homeland Securil)' under a

Oper.uions Center. He left brieOy co ht-ad

program sponsored by 1hc: u.. 1he Georgia Oepanment of

Dcpanment of I lomdand eC\lriry and Tr:mspomuion's ll ERO progrnm and then

conducted by the Naval 1>o'>tgraduate returned 10 0 11 -GCMA as field opera-

chool.

rioru director. Prior co joining O HS-

Dawson beg<1n his can.-cr wuh 0 115- GF.MA, Dawson ~rved for 20 ye<trs as 3n

GEMA in 1998 :i.s medid trainer in the officer in che U. . Army Medical

!Udiological Emergency Prcparedne~ Dcpamncm. He is a gr-adua1e of Gt'Orgia

&-ccion and chen as operncions support ca1e Univcrsi1y and has done graduate

manager. responsible for rhc opcrarional work ar Webster Univer<>lt)' and Central

readinc\S of O HS-GEMA's S1.ue l\lichigan Univermr.

Need Drives Unique Partnership

Rcali1ing cherc i\ \lfcngth in number,, B.1ldwin, Ja,per, Putnam. Wa:.hington and Wilkin,on c.ouncic... .1long with the citie-. of Milledgeville and Sandcrwillc:, pooled their rt"ource\ to
crc:.m: Oconee\ Regional H.&lmat .md Weapons of Ma~.. Destruction (\'\'MD)
Rc:.pon'c: Tc:1m for Area 3.
The c;onccpt ''~ the br;iinchild of Jasper County Emergency ~bn.igcmc:nt 1\gency (EMA) director Ed We~tbrook, ~sisted by Ba.ldwin Councy fire chief md EM1\ dir~tor Jerry smoke}" Vt-al. 1he idt-a \\l;l.l; co pool resour<.o .and per>nnd and rhcn work mgcrhcr 10 crc.uc 1he grant and .tpply," s.l)'S Vt"'.i.l.
The H.11-m.ar/WMD Regional Tc.im \\'.l' origin.all)' fundcJ by ~cvcral combined

The Oconee Regional Hai-mat and WMO Response Team demonstrates that great things can llappen when people WOfk together.
grants totaling approximate!)' $616,000.
lo dace, Arca J tll"'lt rc:\ponJcr' have
l'C'Ccht-d wmc equipment, induding two decomaminacion vchic;I~. re<>pon\e rrailcl"'I. dC\.ttcd lighting .md gc:ncr.nor unit... protective: suit~. C\vo-line deconcaminarion uni1~. brc.aching apparnru' and moni1onng dcvicc\. The latest approved grant funding

of s2n,500 will provide the ll"Jffi \\ ith d ha1-nur idencific.nion ')'\tcm and an imcroperablc communic.uions \chicle.
"\X'c: .arc n:ry hJpf!f hue we an: -.1ill a work in pro~~.w "4p Veal.
hrc:lightel"\ an- no\\ lxing tr.ained to hnome hu-mat technidans. Each coumy mu\t have .1 minimum of~;, rechnici.in' per juri~iction . rh~ technidam arc rcquin-d to complere 80 hours or tr.iining. Once: all the 1r.aining j, complete:. Arc:.1 .i will ha.\'C: approxima1dy 60 tr:Uned 1hnicians. Al~. rherc: will be additional pc:r
wnnd u.iin<..J ar thr opcr.uion.11 lcvd. The regional re..pon'e team ha~ the
'uppon ;mJ J~\i\tJnce of more than 200 additional fire. emergency medical service.\ and law enforcemcnr ~rsonnd .

5

Summer 2005 EMERGENCY MANAGER

Disaster Professionals Recognized at 2005 Governor's Emergency Management Conference

Three emergency man.igcmenr Jgcncy professionals were recognized during 0 11 -GEMA's Governor\ Emergency ~lanagemcnt Conference, held April 27 29, 2005. ar 1he lmern:uional Trndc and Con\'ention Center in a\'3nnah.
Cherokee County emergency manage mcnt specialist Robert L. Kennedy com pieced more than 200 hours of intensive training to become a Master Cenific<l
Emergency ~lanager. In addition, Jesse
RusryK and<'rs, director of the Burke County Emergency Management Agency (EMA). received the Neil Holton Training Award for :mending the mosr rraining classes last year. David Murphy and Jackson County EMA .also received the award for hosting 1he m<>51 fidd-ddivercd
COUl'\e5.
Once .1gain the conference was a huge success. with a record number of sponsors and aucndccs.
Mark your calendars for next year's conference
The da1~ for the 2006 Go\'crnor's Emergency Management Conference have been scheduled. Mark your calendars for ~lay 3 - 5, 2006. nie conference will .1gain be held at International Trade and Convention Ccnccr in a\'annah. Look for more details on tht' 0 11 -GEMA Web site ar www.ohs.srarc.ga.us.

Governor Sonny Perdue presents DaYld Murphy with the Nell Holton Tratnlno Award (left) for hosung the most field-deltvered courses at the 2005 Governor's Emergency Management Conference. The Governor also presented Jesse Rusty Sanders with the Netl Holton Training Award for compleung the most training classes (mtddle). and he recogniZed Robert L Kennedy tor becoming a Master Certified Emergency Manager (fight).

Columbia County MOC Gets Trial Run

The Columbia Counry Mobile Operations Center (MOC) will be put ro thc test during a full-scale haz-mar rranspon:nion exercise in lare July.
The exercise will involve the evacuation of approximately 28 Riverside Flementary School "'studcnu during a school bm haz-mat incident in order to mt the school's family rc:unific-.nion plan. The MOC will serve as the command post for 15 local, state and federal agcnc1n.
The $448.620 st:ncof-rhe-an mobile 9- 1- 1 and incident command center \\a~ purcha.~d through a Homeland Security grant. n,e unit has the capacity ro hou.~ a supervisor and six disp;uchcrs and contains a variety of equipment to suppon difft>ttnt agencies. including weather .stations, rwo-way r.tdio communication systems. a high rc~olu1ion c.imcra. F.mcrgcncy Alert

Some people have said Columbla County s MOC rides llke I cadilllc, but It contlins highly sophisticlted equipment.
System activation equipment, mobile phone lines and additional interoperable radios for Arca 3 counties.
"We arc very excited about the MOC ad its capabilities: said Columbia Count)' Emergency Managcment Agency director Pamela 1uckc:r. "This vehicle should eliminate interoperability issues bctwccn agencies during an incident....

EMERGENCY MANAGER Summer 2005

6

EMA Director Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

for more than 40 y1.-al"'I. Billy Miccham ha~ St"rved ~ Upson County's emergency management ;1gcncy director. \X/he1ht-r 1Jc111g a corn.ido, hurm:.mc llr flood. he has maimained J high lcvc:I commicmc:nr to the community. In honor or his year\ of~Cf\'ICC, :O. litc.ham r1.~iwd the 'lbom.urnn-Up~on Councy Chamber of Commerce's Lifetime Achievement Aw.ud ar the Chamber'~ 58rh Annual Dinner last full.
Ml've crvcd Up~on County all these yem bccau~ I enjoy helping the pc()ple of chc commun11y. working wich \'Oluntcc~
:md the dcpanment hc:ids or local governments." ).l)~ Mitcham.
Government ()fficial~. busin~ leaders
and emergency managemenr personnel attended the dinner in celebration of ~litcham~ pn.-srigiou~ :tw.ird.

Tnomas1onUpson County EMA director Billy Miieham (left) accepts the Thomas1onUpson County Chamber of Commerce's Lifetime Achievement Award, whlcil was presented by Sheriff Don Peacock

Heavy Duty Truck is Welcome in Ware County

from left Ware County assistant hre chief Jesse Jordan. county manager Gall Boyd, county commissioner Marshall Monk. chairman Ralph Tyson commissioner Kathy OaVis comm1ssionerelect Louis Hemn. county Clerk Pam Gibson. and fire chief Jimmy Brown were on hand to receive the countys heavy rescue truck when 11 amved last fall

\X~1rc: Counry\ he.ivy n:l>Cuc cruc.k. whic.h W:t!> purd1a\c:J through a U. . Dc:p:mmcnt of Homeland Security's Olllcc for Domestic Prcparedncs!> Homd.Uld ecuricy gr.me,'~ ru.e<l recent I)' to extricate ~1.vcral victi1m during an accident involving cwo tractor trailel'\ and .1 vehicle. "If \\C did not have this truck rc:tdilv .m.:c:ssible. it would have taken a
longc:~ time ro a\Si\t the ;iccidcnt victims."

says Ware County Emergency Man.1gemcm Agency dim.tor Jonathan Daniell. "It is now a vital part ofour re...ct1c cAom."
&juipmcnr includes a 10,000 wan light tower. the jaws oflife. :in air b:ig sys1c:m, rope rescue c.-quipmem and trench rescue kit. It will r~pond rn any r<.-qucst, as wc:ll J\ wc-apom ()f m~ dcstruc1ion incident:. within che 21 councics in Area 8.

7

Governor
Appoints New
Member to
9-1-1 Advisory
Board
On M.1y 23. 2005. (, o ,. c r nor Sunn\' Perdue Jnnounccd the appointment uf Ro> Ja.mc\ Middlebrook,, Conyer... ,i.; the county government rcprc\entative on the: 9-1-1 Roy James Middlebrooks Advi,ory Council. Middlcbroo~ j, J member of the :\d.mca Regional Commi'l.Sion. the Rockd.Uc Ki\\Jni~ Club. American lA:glon Pmt --. and the Georgia Peace OO'ice~ Association. I le alq) q:rv~ on the Rockd.1lc:/Dc:Kalb Farm Bureau board of di~"Ctor\, and i$ J charter mem~ of the Gcorgi.t t~\CKiJtion of Li" l!nforccmem Fir~arm\ lnstructo~. He will fill 1hc p<>-ition pn:viou)ly held by Clurlouc Na\h from (.;winneu Count).
The Governor\ 9- I -1 Advi,ory Committee wa\ e'tabli,hed under Se11J1c: Bill 5..2. initially inmx.luc.eJ to permll 9- I I \urch.1rgc-. on wirclc:f cellular tdephon~~. igncd in10 law in April of 1998. the legi\l,uion 'hilted re.,pomibilicy for 9-1-1 training and
or cquipmem Mand.trd\ to the Office:
Homeland 5c:1;urity-Georgi.1 Emergency ~fan.tgement Agency (01 lS-GFMA). Advisory C-0mmirtee member. include rcrrc,entaCi\C) from che A...soc.i.uion Counc:v Commi,,ioner. <>f Georgia. the
Gc:or~i.1 Municipal A~ociauon and
101.al government. OHS-GFMA dm~aor Mike 5hc:rhcrger M:f\e 3.~ cluirmJn of the Committee and 011 -GF.~ft\ 9-1- 1 coordinator Hain<: Sc:~ton ">c:rvci. .u the liaison to che Com mince.
Summer 2005 EMERGENCY MANAGER

Homeland Security Position Paper
fJy Phillip Wrbher. Director Chatham County Emergency Mcmagement Agency

Last fall. I an~dcd a roundtable disCU)Sion led by Department or Homeland c.-curiry Under Seema!) for Information Analysis Jnd lnfr:uiructure Prou:ction Fmnk Libutti. The comments. ~uggescions and issues broughc forward bv participanu arc '>imilar IO those broughr up in almost all homelJnd c.-curicy discimions I have mended \111cc October 200 I. The emergency rc.~pon~ communiry's pnm.iry concerns fall imo three main are:u.
lntdligcnce information sharing and managemcm lncrcru.c or response capabil iry/ funding and dimiburion Delivery or scrvict'S
Intelligence and information sharing and management
In the fi r..t days following che terrorist attack or eptcmbcr 11 , 200 I, the emergency response: community met to ~ure each other and our neighbor.; chac we were ready tO respond tO whatever mar lay ah ~d. \Vic affirmed our commitment to share information and intelligence.
Unfonunatcly, thi~ has met \\~th limir1..-d succc:ss. According co Under euctal")' Libutti. intelligence and information sharing and management mmt be delivered locally and is ~st accomplished through a formal organiation w11h full-time staff.
tatc and federal officials have been more ~ucccs.\ful in chis arena by e<.tabli~hing the Georgia Information haring and Analysis Center (GISAC), whidt gathers. processes, and disi.cminatc~ intelligence. Ir' fuJl-1ime $CalT comprises personnel from Georgia law enforccn11:m agencies a~ well a\ rhe Office or Homeland Sccuricy-Gcorgia Emergency M.m.1gemcm Agency. GI AC's org:inil:ltional structure and oper:itional detJils arc available for m'iew.
Using G ISAC as a model to e!.rahlish similar organizations on a regional level would help improve the efficiency or the information-~haring dTorts of the local rcspom.c community. One way to create regional G I ACs would be 10 have the Mate

Phillip Webber. Chatham County EMA
coordinate the staffing, direction and control. Another war would ht." to have foe.iii handle logi~tics, but include: a i,ratc reprcscnmive. Regardless, regional G ISACs should ht." t~cabli)hcd ;111d sr:ilTcd by local. smc: and fodc:r:il parmcrs that tr:iin. exercise and work C<>gcthcr co provide a $<.';unless delivery of service.
Managing information is anochcr key area of interest. Although multiple public and private information m.magcmcnt sy~ tcms cxbr aero~ all disciplint-'S, a primary operating system ~imilar co the Joint Regional Information Exchange System URll:.5) should ht." adoptl'd. It ach11..-ved overwhelming success .1S the primal")' consolidated intelligence tran~mi)Sion m1..-dia and informarion management tool during 1he June 2004 G-8 ummit.
Increasing response capability/ funding distribution
Regional All-hJtards Councils arc respomible for improving response CJpability and providing recommendations on how to disseminate federal funck The~ councils bring togcchc:r communicy IC"Jders and key 1:011~uencc manJgcrs to develop prc:parcdn~. response and recovery strate gics for aJI disa5cers, both naLUral and manmadc, for their region.
This bottom-up concepr has perfom1ed well primarily due to the n:Jlit)' that local responder\ weft' under-trai111..-d and under-equipped to meet their exi1>1ing area\ or ~ponsibil i ty. and consequently

EMERGENCY MANAGER Summer 2005

unprepared to meet the demands or a po)t 911 I America. The local emergency responSt community has efficiently used federal grant doll.1rs to incn.~ r~pon~c capability. However. in ordt'r to maximi1e \.'ITc:cuven~ an<l efficiency. our capability must increase in keeping wirh a regional, :.rate and national strategy.
Regional baseline st:1ndards should consider \ulncrability and Jcceptable levels of response capability. Delivery of ~rvicc through rcgim1al re,ponsc strategics and mutual aid i~ csscmiaJ. \Vic mu~t m.lucc or eliminate the compcti1ion for funding among the emergency rt<ipono;c community ac all levels.
Delivery of services
Conduccing vulnerability assessmcnu and identifying critical infr35uucturc is an ongoing process. However, rcgiom 1hroughout Georgia have been identified as most vulnerable or target rich. Through effective planning. program development and placement of enhanced imdligcncc and n.-sponsc capabilities, citi1ens throughout the state or Georgia will be better served, regardlt:M of the limitatiom of rhcir local tax ba.~c.
FY 05 State Homeland Security Grant Awards Announced
Crane aw:uds from chc U.S. Department of HomdJnd ecurity (OH S) Office for Domestic
Prcparc:dne~ COOP) Smc Homdand Security Program mraJing $21.38 million have been announced for 151 IOC1I
governmenb in Georgia. T he program, part of a . 1.66 billion package announced I.be December, i' designed 10 fund first M>ponders and support ~rate and local resources nc:cQS.lry to pn.-vcnt, r~pond and recover from acb of cerrori'ITTl and orher disasrcr\. A lisr of gram rccipien tt. cm be found under "tcaturc<l lssuC)" on rhe OH -GEMA \Y/eb site ar www.ohs.si:.1ce.ga.us.
8

By Niclt LAy. Dirrl'tor lownJa CounlJ 9-1-1/Emngency MaMtnnmt Cmln'

0

n 1hc morning or M.w 3, 2005. J m.m driving nc.u \Ome r:ulroad track$ JU\I nonh of ValJo\1a.

Georgia. called 9 1-1 when he nouceJ that

~park.\ \\ere ~pra\'ing fmm untler .1 r.uln>ad

car on a \ot11hhounJ freight train. ju\t \t.-C

onJ~ after 1he (.Jll1.1kcr informed 1he cJller

ch;ic che I ownJe, Councy 9-1-1 /

FmcrgcmC\ \lan.1gcmcnt (. cn1cr would

report 1hc mcidcnc 10 1he r.ulroJd. the c.tllcr

ydlcd 1h.t1 1he l.m wen conung off the

track..

The momentum of J r.1ilro.1d train i\ :t\\~lmc. \ rcl.ui\'dr fa" cram. ''"h loaded

cars, crushC\ C\'cnthing 111 it' ''t)' when 11

le.we. th<' lrJCk\. hfu.-cn of 1h1s trains 85

cJr<> were lo:tded when i1 derailed.

Bedlam cnrncd. \red 1r.11.k, wen:

ripped from 1hc tic' and rw1\ml like \tr:tnd\

9

or wire. Rock., d11s1 and dirt created a huge
lerhal doud thac darkened che sky around chc wreckage. Derailed cars Jug up 1he rail bed. and some C3l"S were pu\hcJ olTthe rail
road nght-ol:way bv the sub~uent pile up and into tht' r:mh or nearb) home .
Bcfo~ the tram came to a ~IOp. htl\\'
c:-.er, emergency rcspon'<' \t'f\'icc-. (fire. 1a,,
enforcement and ambulance~) \\ere dis-
patched and en route to 1hc: \Cene. (all\ 1.mcd pouring mco the 9-1-1 center. ~lost
caller' rcponcd soybeans evenwhere.
Annwlly. wmc 60,000 railrnad car carrying huarJous matcnal pa~ through
Lowndes Counry and ValJosra. Ahhuugh 1hc 9-1 I caller~ were unable to idcnufy any
haardous material placards on the Jer.tilcd cars or any ~e~ coming from rhc ~J~. the I owndc' Cou111y 9-1-1/lmergcncy

Managemenr Center wa~ not raking anr chance\. A nearby school was :ilcned to the po\sib1l11v or haZ:lrdous material, and Jdmini\lra10~ were urged to bring all srudenu and ~t.uT iruide until further norice.
Incident Command was quickly ~1ab li~hed on ~enc, and che emergency opcr:t uons center was activated to suppon the on-~ene commander, to coordinate w11h the rJilroad and Georgia Office of I lomebnd ecurity-Gcorgia l:.mergency ~ lanagement Agency, and co keep local appomted .md elected officials informed. To everyone's relief. it was confirmed char
no hazardous material was involved the der:ulcJ cm were carrying only soybeans. lhc scene quickly became one of ~carch
and rescue to account for telephone workc" and oth..:~ who were aJong the crack..
Summer 2005 EMERGENCY MANAGER

\X'i1h 1he .miv.il of J

tr.ick' ;md reopen

senior railro:id offi-

the line. I lopper

ci.il. 1he lnciden1

Cll' \\ere pu~hed lO

Comm.ind evolved

1he \ide J~ "ork

into .1 Unified

crew~ laid 1r.1ck.s.

Comnund sirucmrc.

I he \U)hcan

fhe local media rap1JI) J~enJeJ on 1he sue I lowe\'er,

de.in-up ~Jn .is
'" J.\ 1hc: rcpllu:-
mem rr.11..ks wcrc: 111

the: I O\\ nde. Counl}

pl.lee .. .mJ WJ\ .1

public informJtion

whole lot eJ\ler

ollicer had arrived on

rhJn thl dc.111 up

~cenc: immediatd}

of hat.udou' ctlm-

;af1er the lim rcpom

mod111c th.11 Jl'e

of the dcr.11lmeot ltl

mon:<l d.111\' on

m;tnJge public mfor-

rhesc rrack.s would

m.111C>n <m bch.tlf of

have

been!

the: inc1den1 com- When 14 cars of afreight train 1umped the tracks 1ust nonh ot Valdosta, 1t caused some damage and rnJnder. This rapid frightened onlookers. Fonunatety. the train was not carrying hazardous materials. and no one was hun

Withou1 h.iurdous material being

publK information

111\'0l\'ed, .1nd with

mponse helped the me<l1.i ~fdy obr.un accur.ue ~ ronC". and im.1g~ that portrayed emergency rC'\p<>n\C \Cf\ICc~ '' responding .1ppmpna1cly and dTcuivdy.

roJd, with I ownd~ Counry prov1d111g wh.11cver further \Upp<>rt was needed l"he lil")t pnonry 111 rcco\'ery was ro open 1he r.ul line. The r;iilm.1J brought in '' n.""tking crews. equipment .rnd supplie~ from

mo~t of the "rcckage on the railroad righ1-of-w.1\. the min der.ulmem \\J\ re.illy jusr a big wreck for l<XJI cmergcnC) ~pomc servile.
If your 1unsdiciion nllm experience

Wi1h 1hc scene SJfc, comrol of rcCO\' J.1ck.sonville Jnd Atl.irua, and crew~ worked one. tram derailment\ go a whole 101 bcucr cry opcr.111on~ was turned mer ro thc rail- through the ncx1 18 hour.; ro replate 1hc with )(l) beam

EMERGENCY MANAGER Summer 2005

10

Another Busy Hurricane Season on Tap
B_y Buzz \\:'tvis~ Public AjJizirs Coorrl11u11or

G corgi.111' wuld h1.: looking Jr .1 repc.u nl b" ye.tr\ hnmmg hum' me ,C,l\lln, 1f '-.1111111.11 ( kc.1111( .ind A1mcl\phc:ric AJn111mrr.11ion (\;(MA) we.1thcr forct.l\lcf\ .ire 11111.irgct. I he}' \\.lrll o(yet Jnmhcr ahoH...m:r.1gc Atl.1111ic hurri-

c.mc \CJ\4.lll for .!005, "i1h I.! 10 15 rwm:d

..iorn1,, induJing "vcn to nine hurril':lnc:., rhrl"C co five of which arc likdr 10 llC
C.ucgory 3 or higher. The hurrk~111e ~.i,on
i~ cxpcc1cd to follow the rC'ccnt crc:nJ of higher th.in nornul \lorm :mh ity.
Ml"om:J\ler umfidcr1't th.11 1hi\ "ill llC

Jn :.tt:tiH hurrit::.int \C".l'>t>n i' \W) high." 'JP rc:cireJ Vke ,\Jm. Conrad C.

l .1urenb.11..hc:r, under.c:cre1Jry of 1..ommer1..e JnJ \;() \ \ .1dminim-.11nr.
!'he lorct::.l~l for .in a1..tive \C:J\On i' bJsetl on .1 Mmuhidc1...id.tl" p.1ucrn. wh11..h

mcteorologi\I' 'I.I} hJ' favored Jbovc:-normJI \C.t\oll\ 'inu 191)5 In 1:11..1, Jll hut two

of th1. l.t\t ten \cJ\om h.t\e bc:c:n Jhon;

norm:il. .md lour of 1hme vc.H' produ1..cd 111ne or more hurm.anc:,. \JOA\ .1ho 1..1tc\

the alN:ncc of a \lrong 11 \l1110 or I a '1i11.1 during the I.ma ll.llf of the \C.l\Oll .1\ .1 harhinger o( .m a1..tiH: yc.ir.
The i.;urrcnt trend i' in ,[urp uintr.m to the hdo\\ normal ~J,ons recorded from

1970 to I')1)<!. I lurrii.;.me e'pcrt" \Uf,gt"\t 1ha1 cropii.;JI \\c.11hcr .11.:ti\'i1y rum in C)-dcs

ofabour .:!5 year' 'itlme \\e.uher rC',e.uchcr. 1..ontenJ th.11 the .!01h i.;cntur), nurkcJ by only fi,e minor hurricJnC'S .tlon~ GcmgiJ\ :\tl.1nti1. w.1,1. \\:t\ .rn :ihcrr.11i1111.
An :lltivc hurri1.:anc \C'.l.,on i' not, ho\\

ever. Jn inJic.uor of ho\\ m;iny hurrit.mn

or tropic.al 'mrm' ''ill mah lanJfall 011 1h1.

L .~. co.mlinc '!or d"-' the d.11c of the.' \c.'J

\Oil\ tlll'>C( i11J1l.llC how hll\\ the: \Cil\llll

will llC.

.

C1eorgi.1 j, \'Ulner.1hl1. 1n '""m' m.1k ing l.1nJIJll on both the t\tlJntit JnJ Guff

1.oam. Although mo\t of the ''rm' th.u hJve 1mpJ1.1cd 1hc \tJtC' 1...1mc from the Gulf: c.corgia\ t\d:intic rnJ\I ,, nm unmunc, even rhough 11 h.1, hcc:n I()"' ye.1r. ~incc :i major hurric.ine h;t\ m.1dc l.111dt:all .ilong that .irc.-.1. In 1:1e1. ,t,11e dimJtologi\t I).1\'IC.l ~roc.>k,bury "1p 1h1. \l<Hm ' 11rg1. from an Atlantic hit would ha\'e .1 dc\J\t.11
ing impJu on Georgia\ COJ\l:i.I rnmmuni-
rie. llCcausc of the i.;ul'\ed '"'IX' of thl' rn.\\t
anJ thl' long \hJllm' conunem.il 'hell: ~ Gcorgiam prepare for thi' yc.ar\
hurric.tnc: '>t"'.tM>n, tht1 ,till h.i,t 'i\'iJ mcm ori~ of the hvpcr.1c1iw hurricme \C'.t\on of
2001. "hen 15 n.1mcd \tom1' formed in the \lonh \danric h.uin. E.idt JJy in
Augu" and September \Cenml tu hring more rcpon~ of menJdng mnnu 1hrc.itcn ing the southc.i~t.
Tropic.ii Storm) Bonnie. ~lermint .111J ~1.mhew, Jnd Humcan1.-.. Alex, Charley. Franc~. G:mon, Iv.in .md Je.mne imp.u..1eJ the Urmcd St~llC\, mggcnng 1hc n.iuon\ l.irgc\I narural-di~'ler rc\pon'c ( 'h.trlev, Fr.m1.c\, h .111 .md Jc:.mnt wcrc: m.11or hum c.111c~. d:1.$SificJ :u Catt.-gory ~ or .ib<wc on the: l)aflir-Simp'>llll Hurri~.ine ~ll.1lc. In J
C.11cgory ' \torm, maximum wmd \pt:C<.ls h11 at Jeaq 111 mile' per hour and d.imagc: i' cxtcn~i\'C', with \Olllc \trui.;tur.il danlJP,C' to \mall rniden1.~ and miliry huilJing,. han.
''i1h .i lift"\pan of l:! Jap. mengtltcneJ into a Catq?Or. 5 hurricane on 1hrcc \epa r.ltC' occ.i~io~ hclorc mJking it, licr1..c I.indfall nc;ar <..ulf Sho.11,, Abbam.1, J\ .t Category 3 qorm
FluriJJ cnJcJ up t.iking mui.;h of the brum of \ 1othcr '\Jturt'\ t\iry. \X'hc-n ( 'h.lflt'), rr.lllCC\ Jnd Jc.-.111nc: \IJmmcJ llltO
the Sunshine State:, thev c.m\CJ unpre"e Jcmed damage. \nd. ;although h.111\ C)e n1Jde bndfall in neighborinp. Al.tb.1m.1, it\ w1ntl~ nvagccl 1hc I lorida panh.indk The

onh ocher \lJtc to have expericni:1."tl thi\ level of hurric-.inl' :icnviry \Ya\ Ic\a' rn
1886. Wh1k l'loriJa \\JS hardbt hir. Georgia
wok more th.m ih ,h.trc ofl.m year\ tropi cJI t>c:Jtdown. I lurricam:s t:rancc~. IV;tn, and Jc.-.inne c.mi.cd more than S10 million d.un.1ge .1rou nd the Hare and left I 3 fatJh tic' in their \\Jkc- Smc- and local otncial~. and \oluntecr worke~. labored m the Gcurgi.i Office of I lomebnJ ccuriry(,eorg1.1 l'.mi:rgcnl\ M.in.igemcnt Agenl"\' (01IS-t.E.\li\) StJle operation\ center for
2.' day,.
Unul 2001. Hurric.-Lne Andrew \\.l\ the modern \torm that all Atlantic hurn-
i.;anc: '>l."J'om \\ere mC".uurcJ agaim1. Th.it 1991 killer \turm devaslJled wuth florid.i anJ ~ameJ S16.5 billion 111 d.im.igc. Bur 1hc 200-i ~cJSon~ cumularivc damage O\'cr,hadow\ char figure. The: N.uion.tl I lurri1...inc Center (NHC) in M1am1 C\Cimate~ the four major stonns cau'<!d more
1h.111 4:! billion 111 damage acroi.' the Southeast.
'\!I IC dirc1.tor MJx \1.tyfidd ob~rvcd tllJl 2004 will now bc chc yC':lr ag.iim1 which .111 future \CJ,ons will be ml.."J.\urcd <1.nJ Lh.11 1hc: \ourhc.L\tcrn United States will mo\l likely not ce a n:occurn:ncc .inytime 'oon. 1 don't think [2004's active stornt ~.uon) is going to be: dimini~hcJ for a long. long time," ~\'\ Mayfidd. Thi, is rc-Jlly
unprecedented. \X'e arc not going to li\'e 10 \Ct' chi, agJin. not 111 our lifetime."
In fau. ~tati\tia. indicatC' that 2001 w.1' an anomaly in ccrm~ ofLmdfallmg hurriCJnc,, dc,pitc the ucnd toward more Jcti\'e scawns. r\cc.:ording to NOAA. 60 hurricJne' mJdc.: l.mJfall in Florida Imm 1899 to 2003. This translaces into .ibout one hurric-Jne ever. two year.. in Hond.1 O\'cr a ~p.m of more th.m I00 yc:a~.

ll

Summer 2005 EMERGENCY MANAGER

How Do Hurricanes Get Their Names?

H J\ c yllu ever won<lc:red abou1 rhc \) \tC:lt\ u-.cJ f~1r n.1ming hurri cJnc\1 \X here Jo tho\e nJme) come from. JO\'\\J\ > \'\ 111 \\c h.1,c ro 'ullcr
chrough another 1lurmanc Andre\\ or
HurricJnl h Jn?
I lurricanc\ med to be dc,igr1Jtcd h\ J
'Y'rcm of l.1111udl" longirude. whith W.t\ J great wa} for meteomlog1\t\ ro 1rai.:k 1hem. Ho\\e\c:r, once the public b~.rn rc:nrving storm \\ an1111g\ .111c.l 1rying to keep lr.Kk of a pJrcicul.1r \mrm p.uh. thl\ qu1Ckly got
confu,mg. A much ea\ic:r W\ll"m m track
and remember \\J\ nc:cJec.l. In 19'; ' 1he Na1 ion.11 Wc.uhcr CX-rnce
p1c.keJ up on 1he hatm of Na,.11 mc11:omlc>gbts of n.unmg \!Orn\\ after womc:n. I he lis1 fcJmn.-d onh \\Omc:n' n.rmn un11l 197'). when men\ JnJ women\ nam(') \\ere
altc:rna1t-d foe.la\. the ll\l " m.11111.iineJ and upda1ed b, the \X'orld ~lctc:orologtcJI
Organi1a11on. Bec.1u'c hurricane\ often o~..ur at the umc time, offici.1[, J.\',ign shon. Ji,tin1.ti\'e rum~ to the ~corm' 10 J\oid confu~ion among weather ~ta1iom, co.~cal b.nc\, Jnd ,hip~ .at ~.1. A \tOrm must \Ian a\ .1 troprt:JI depre,~ron Jnd moH' on 10 become J 1rop1C.1l \torm before rt j, given
a name:. A \torm r\ gi\'en J n.1me once: "'
wind~ rc.1eh .m rnremny of ~9 mph Six li\I ~ .ire mcJ in ro1.11ion for s1orm\
in the Atlantic. In .tddition to the Atl.rntic li\t of nam~. thc:rc .uc: 1en other li~rs correponJmg to mher \lorm-pmnc: rcgmm of the \\OrlJ. rhe.c lrm rot.Uc. one C:'Jth )'C:.U.
The l i~1 for 2005 \rorm n.1mc:' wall nor be: rcu~ Until 2011. rhc name\ get rcc\'clcd
cJch time 1he ll\t come<. up, ''"h one exccpt10n: storm\ \O de\ a~1J1rng 1hJ1 rcming rhc: nJmc r\ in.1pproprr.ttc:. In this
O\t'. 1hc: nJmc: r' ukcn oO 1hc: li,t ,and
another n.lme is used to rcplJlc: 11 f-or
example:, there: \\ill nm he .mother
I lurric;ine \nJn.....,, bc(;JU\C :\nc.lrcw ha\ been replaced h\' Alex on the: Ii"
\XI athout further Jdo, hc:rc " the Ir~! of
\rorm name, tor the: usxommg \CJSOn: Arlene Bret. Cind). Denni\, hnih, Franklin, Gen. I IJrvey. Irene. jo\c, KJtrinJ, Lee:, Maria, N.tte, Ophelia, Philippe. Ri1J,
ran, I.tmmy, \'rncc: .mtl \'\film.1.

By Buzz \~iss Public Affairs Coordi11111or
7alt~ 1Jiu qui& 111111 S ifyouiT rratlyfor '1umran~ pastm.1
I) All bu1 two hurricane KaJOru 0\-cr the pu1 dc:adc ha'-c bttn abo~ normal. Wlu1 ~re 1he two accptions? 01) I)9- :mJ 1002 b) WO I and 1002 1.:) 1996 and 1998 d) l 9'J9 and 1003
2) incc 1995, how many hurricanes ha~ formed each year. on average? a) 5.5 b) 6.0 c) 7.8
d) 105
.J) How would Georgia's long con1inental shelf affect the 11orm surge
if a hurricane hi1 our cou1? a) h would reduce 1hc torm urge b) h woulJ incrusc 1hc ~torm surge c) h \\oulJ have no afTcct on the ~corm urge d ) h would prolo ng 1hc: ~torm urge 4 ) Wlu1 pm:cn1 of hurriaMrcla1c:d dca1h1 occur in inland aras?
a) I 5 percent
b) 22 pcm-nt c) 63 percent di 85 percent

EMERGENCY MANAGER Summe r 2005

12

Lightning Kills:
One tJ?ike, You're Out!
By Km D1111is OHS-GEMA Public Ajfoirs Officer

E'er\ \pring Jnd \ummer people throughout the United ' mes face Jn rn1..reJsed ri,k from 3 very d.mgerou\ and powerful wuru.'. ltghtnmg. \Vhilc at c.m mike \'CJr round. lightning\ pnm.m
se.t\on here in GeorgiJ is sprang Jnd
\um mer B~J On documented CJ.\O O\'el" tht
p.ut _,O yc.ir... lightning kills an a\cr.igc c.Jf 6- people J vear an cht' U.5. \urpmangl)" 1orn.1doc'i c;Jmc Jn JVC'r.tge of 65 dcJtlu per )'e.1r and hurric.mes d3im an average of 16 de.uh' .111nu.1lly.
1lowc\'er. becJusc litthtning usualh d.1im\ onh one or two victim\ Jl a rnne, Jnd bc\.JUSC' lightning docs not c.tusc m.t\) dotruc;rion ldt in thC' ''a.kc of com.idoo or hurricJne'i, l1ghtn1ng gcneralh rct:cl\'C\ much I('\~ ;mcnraon thJn the more dt'>truc ti\'c wcathC"r-rclatcd killers. That. wuph:d with tht fact th.11 few people reallr undcr!>tand che danger\ of lightning Jnd don't au prompd) co protect their lives. properry .md chc live\ of orhcr., illmrrnte) thJc education i, 1ht kc) to olving the problem of risk) bcha,ior chat leads ro people bC'ang mm:k h~ lightning.
Unfortunately. the ancrcase in the JffiOUlll of time people >penJ OUtJc.xm happens to coinc;1de with the month\ when thun<ler.mrm\, which produce l1ghtnmg, mo\I of1C"n occur. On average, I0 percent of mike viccim\ du: and ""'O percent of mike \urvi\'Or\ ,ufler \criou' pernuncnt di\Jbiliucs.
At le.l\t, 1""' people ha\'e been k1lk.J and pcrhJp' hundrb han lx"Cn 1n1urcd by lightning in C.eorg1J since l'r8. L.ist ve.ir alone, lighrnang killed livc C...rorg1Jns and in1urt.-d a1 least 20 othc:rs. fatal lightning ,1rike\ <X:\.urrcd on two <lat~ in 2004. On MJ\" 17, 2004, two construcuon workers died in \ep.1r.11e incident' in Fulton .111d

Paulding cou n1i1..~ and cm June 27, 2004, thrt.-c died and ix othe~ were injured after hcing \Cruck during a weekend outing at
. Lake Lanier in I lall County. Fonunateh.. there ha\'C no1 hccn .tm
lightning fatalitic\ rcponcd an 2005 in the ~me through June I .
The 30-30 rule Use the 30-.~0 mle where ,i,ibilicy is
good and 1hcrc i~ noilung ob)tructing your view of J thunderstorm \'(then you sec lightning. count the time until you hear thunder. If that time 1s 30 se<onds or less. the rhundcmorm I\ ''11hin 6 mile<. of you Jnd I\ dangcrou'i. \t.-ck ,helter 1mmcdi;irdy. fhe chreat of lightning continues for a much longer period 1h.111 mmt people realii..c.
Wai1 .11 le.t\t 30 rnan11tc<. af1cr 1hc la>1 d;ip of thunder bcfon: le.wing shelter. l)on'1 he fooled by sumhine or blue \ky! If it i'

cloudy or oh1eus .ire obscuring your vi)1on, get imidc immcdi.udy. It i' .ilwav\ \.lier Ill t.tke prct:.tutions than to waic.
Outdoor activities: Minimize the risk of being struck
During 1he summer, people take aJ\'ant.1ge ol the \\arm \\cathcr 10 cnJ<>)' J multi1ude of outdoor rc:cremonal Jctiv111es. Pt.-ople involvt:d an acuvitics \Uch J.\ boat ing. \wimmmg, fi,hing, bicycling. golfing, jogging. w.1lking. hiking, cJmpi ng, or
working 0111 of door.. aJI need to take chc
appropriate Jc11ons in a timdv manner when thundemorm~ JpproJt:h. \'(!here orgamied 'll<>m JCU\'itics take plaet. coachC\, umpire<0, rcft'rco, or camp c;oun,clul"\ mu't protct.1 the \Jfct) of the panic1pant\ by ~topp111g the acnvitics sooner. so chat the panicapJnt\ and 'JlCCfJtol"\ can gel to .l \.tfe plac;c hefore 1h~ lightning rhrc:it becomes ~1gni fic3nt. fo reduce chc th re-JI of de.uh or

13

Summer 2005 EMERGENCY MANAGER

Student Emergency Response
Training Is Implemented at
Gilmer High School
By Mnry Amt Dowd-Sussman, Public !nformntion Officer Gilmer County Fire and Emergency Mnnttgement Agmcy

in1ury. 1hose in charge of organilcd ou1 door activities should develop and follow a plan ro keep parricipants and ~pec1:11ors :.afe from lightning.
Indoor activities: Things to avoid
Inside homes. people must also avoid activities which put their lives at ri~k from a possible lightning :.trike. A:. with the out door activities, chcsc activities should be avoided before, during. and after storms. In panicuJar, people should stay away from windows and doors and avoid concacr with anything tlm conduclS clcc1riciry. People may also want to take cerrain actions wdl before 1hc storm to protect property within rhcir homes, such as clC"Ctronic cquipmenr.
Helping a lightning strike victim
If a person is struck by lighrning, medical care may be needed immediately co save che person's life. Cardfac arrest and irregularities, burns, and nerve damage arc common in cases where pt.-oplc arc SlfUck by lightning. However, with proper rrcac mcnt, including CPR if neccssal)' mos1 victims survive a lightning strike, although che long-ccrm eff'ecu on their lives and the lives of furnii)' membm can be dcvascacing.
For more information abour lighming safery, visit the ational Weather Service Web site ar \vww.noaa.gov/ lightning.html.
Cobb County PD Is
CA LEA-certified
The Cobb County Police Dcpanmenc has bn cenified by the Commi~ion on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). The department is one of onlr 35 of Georgia's more than 700 law enforce ment a~ncic:s to meet the 446 CALEA standards and t"arn the prestigious cercificuion .

T here's .m emergency and you arc sranding 1hcrc watching, frozen in your

1racks. Your mind is full ofques-

tions. Whal should I do? How

can I help?

Surely someone will be here

soon?

lnsccad of raking aciion.

you srand there, wondering. You

know you should hdp. but your

inner voice is saying, kif only I

knew what 10 do, I would help.

I don'1 know what to do!" Many

individuals wam to help their

famil)' neighbor, even them

selves in :an emergency, bur they back away due to lack of 1rajniog.
Lasr spring at Gilmer High

Giimer High School drama students model their newty created m1uries: They tearrn!d the moutage technique lo create "victims !or a disaster exercise !hat Is part of the Teen SERT program

chool in Ellijay, Gcorgi:a, mem

the curriculum. Rc!prescncativcs from emer

bers of 1hc freshman class were introduced gency man:agemem, emergency medical

to Srudc:nr Emergency Response Training services, the fire deparrmeni, police and

(SERT) through cheir hcalrh class. The goal sheriff's depanmeni and counselors deliver

of this program is to prepare: students to portions of the classes. Orama and thcarcr

make informed decisions when fuccd with a srudencs ace om a mock disasrer where sru-

crisis, emcrgency or disaster. The ERT dcnts use rhe skills learned in the

componcm of Lhc hc.ilth class covers basic classroom.

first aid, rccogniz.ing injuries, fire safel}'t

Gilmer County has had iu share ofdis-

disaster management, team building, tcr asters in recent y~rs. Lase eptcmber, the

rorism aw:m:ness and careers in public county was declared a disaster Jrc:2 due to

:.afety.

flooding by che remnants of Hurricane

Gilmer High chool, which has abou1 Ivan. Power was off in pan~ of 1he county

l ,200 student~. is the fim school in for over thrt-c days aher the rivers receded.

Georgia to incorporate the SERT curricu Many fumilics were isolated and unable to

lum into the health class. we want our 1ravcl, as roads and bridges were washed ~tudc:ncs ro be prepared for emergencies our. Neighbors walked through the woods

and disasters. thus making our community to share food and clean water wi1h 1hose

safer... says principal Randy Parson. less fonunate. The addition of the ERT

"Providing an education that reaches them curriculum ar Gilmer High chool provides

co be safe a1 home and school and robe able the community with even more citizens

to assist others in need is paramount with who arc ready ro respond. Arc you ready?

the ERT program. It's a powerful. hands-

For more informacion about ERT at

on learning situation."

Gilmore High. conracr Beverly Turner,

Public safcl) personnel from the: com Gilmer High School counselor. at

munity assist rhe classroom teachers with (706) 276.5080.

EMERGENCY MANAGER Summer 2005

14

hc:lp the Cobb County Emergency Management Agency with Prc-Ha1ard Mitigation pla1ming. while in Columbia County. CERT ''oluncc:ers :wist wich ~t-arch and rescue operations. training exercises, sp1.il events. speaking envgemencs. Jnd the: mobile operation center.
io provide CERT teams with the equipment with they need. ropon'.>C trailers .ire now available in every GE~IA region. The 7'x 16' traile ~. each purchased for $14.500 wich federal funds, will carry generators, encry tools. NOAA weather radios. CPR mannequin,, cribbing. medical supplie~ and other cquipmcnl. They can be found :u the: White County Emergency Managemc111 Agency (EMA). Lee Counry Fire Departmcnr. Columbia Counry EMA. Jonci. Counry EMA. Liberty Count)' EtvtA, Gordon County EMA. Fulton Counry Fire Department, and Atkin~on C'.ounry EMA. omc individual public s:ifcry agencies, including the Amcricu~ Fire Oep:inmc:nt, have also purchased the units.
To find our if there is a CERT program in your area. or to find out how co srnn a CERT program. conracc your local EMA director. t0 find a tr:iiner in your community. plt':l.S(' contact the State Citizen Corps program manager 1hro11gh the Georgia Citizen Corp~ Web site at www.gacitiu:ncorps.org.

T he Community E.mcrgcncy Response Team (CER'll. one of five program~ that foll under the Citizen Corp~ umbrella. i~ growing aero~ Georgia. CERT prepares individu:il\ 10 help chcmsdv~. their fumilic5 and rhcir neighbors in rhc wake ofa c:it:ucrophic dis:mcr by te:iching chem basic prcparednc~ :ind r~ponsc skills that arc imporrant 10 know when emergency \Crvict'S :ire noc .ivailablc. 'llicse volumccr tt-ams work wirh their community's public safcry pe~onnd and arc intt-gratcd into the chain of command.
The Office of Homeland ccurityGcorgia Emergency Management Agency (OH -GEi\tA) h.u crcaccJ a tr:iin-thcrraincr ("rrt ") program for inmuctors lO replicate the CERT program in their com munilics. The training cour..c compri~ ~ix rnodul~. including diuster preparedness. fire safecy. disa~ter medical oper.11iom. light

\C:lrch ;md rescue. team organization and disaster p~chology modules. To date, 16 TIT trainings h:ive been conducct-d, creating a cadre of 318 trainers.
Th1.~c rrainers h:ivc taught approximately .30 classes in 83 counti~ throughout the st:tte. People who go through CERT craining report chat they have a bet ter understanding of potential thre:ns to their homes, pfact<s of business .md community. and they lmow what sreps to take to reduce rhe dTt.-cts of rhcse hazards.
Many local emergency responders have found rhat CERT i$ t'Xactly wh.tr they
need lO extend their profl-ssional rt-ach before and during a crisis. In thc Cicy of Morrow, volunteers norm:illy ~i\t with community rclalions. However, when Tropical corm Ivan 51ruck last full. thC')' hdped operate J.n emergency shelter. contribming nearly .3.000 hours of St'rvicc overall. In me1ro Atla111a, CERT voluntcc:~

15

Active CERTs in Georgia
Sumter County City of Plains Ciry of Morrow Chatham Counry Columbia Counry Cherokee: County Towns Counry Lee Counry Dawson Counry Clinch Counry Ciry ofAmericus Alma-Bacon C.ounry Cobb Counry Ciry of Adanu (Georgia National Guard) Macon Counry Augu.\ta-Richmond Counry Piere~ County Fannin Counry aayton Counry City ofAlphamu Gwinnett County DeKalb County FEMA Region IV
Summer 2005 EMERGENCY MANAGER

E.irlicr 1hi~ yc.ir, four 1crron I\ wen: CJ.ugh1 conducting \urvcillJnce on the Five Points Tower in downtown AdJnca. The cc:rrori~t\ were planning to u<,e
J luge vehicular-impro\iscd c:xplosi\c device: to dri"c 1hrough the from doors of the: building and hnng it down, causing 1hous:i.nds of c:isu.1ltie:., crippling Georgia's CGOnomy. instilling fc::ir and crc::iling a lack
of confidence m the: go"ernmc:nt m pro1cct1ng irs ci1i1.cn\. Luckily, rhe plot failed.
Rumor h:u It chac these tcrrorim wen: active Red Cell members. People arc wondering. wha1 in the: world i\ J Red Cell? I lo\\ did we get 11, .tnd how Jo we gc:t nd of 11? Is i1 some kind of new we.ipon?
Red Cell 1~ Al-Qaed.1 operative: rraining/simulJlion managed by the Terrorism Emergency Response and Preparedness d1v1"on (TFRP) of the: C.c:orgia OO'icc: of I lomeland Sc:cumyGeorgia Emergency Management Agency (01IS-CF.Mt\) m .1Jd rdism into various mining and cxcrci)e scenario~. Although OHS-GEMA\ Red Cell program 1~ still in llS infancy, the m1l1tary has pronded thi~ l)pe of mining component for deod~. Incorporating Red Cell play imo training and exercises no1 only adds reali\m, but it better prcp:are\ everyone to prevent and respond co cerromm in the s1.i1e.
There: arc: rwo et)mponem 10 the Red
Cell progmm: passive and active teams. P.i<>~1ve tt::lm member\ kick ofT .1 1raining C'\clll or c:xerci'>t' b\ having "tc:rromt tell l:m c:nforccmcnc and other lim ropondc:rs .1bou1 the: graphit. dc:t:iib of how 1hc:y plan to kill American~. Specific rob might include:

Red Cc:ll \Cen.uio developer :md wrirer for exc:rci~~
Opposing force briefer for tra1111ng and exercises. 1 his briefer would be: t.i1lored co the focu.\ of 1he event. \ctive 'lc::im membc:f\ p:iruc1pate in functional or full-M:alc cxc:r,1\c: ~ bad guy\: typic.illy .l\ \urveillancc and probing for1:es, bur rhcy could go as far a.c, tcrrorisr .mJck player\. Specific rob m1gh1 include: urvc:illmce .md probing operJ1he bl.1mic exm:mm :iu:ickc:r for runctional or full-~lc aerci\c Right wing "Bubba .11tJckc:r for runetionaf Or full <;ealc cxerct\C Red Cell mcmbcrs muse conunually .mend rr.un1ng cou~c:s to hone their skills. l'hl'} mus1 al,o s1ay abre-JS1 of 1hc hucsr 1rc:nd~ in 1c:rrori\m, including terrorist COUl'CS or action JnJ preferred methods of .lltJCk. It is wonh nOling th.u 'pcc1al care mu\c be excr"'>Cd when ac11vc: team' arc 111tegra1c:d into exercise \Cenarios. Recommended Red Cell curriculum includes:
Red Cell oriemation - f"h" I-hour couf\c describe"\ 1hc: stare program.
Red Cell opcnuive seminar Dl..,igncd to 1cach 1c:rroris1 1c:chniqucs and a11ack mcthodolog1<" and include\ a 'hon block of umrurnon 111 Acung I0 I.
urveillance de1ection cour e Normally dc:\lgnecl to help sircct l.tw enforcement officer) or prh'Jte security to be Jblc: to rccogn11c: \\ hc:n their f.mlit\ or ..a:tor I!> under mrvc:illance.
Th rear and risk assessment course - Usu.1lly dt"Signed for facility rnan.tgers and local l.H, c:nforcc:mcn1. hut it

OHSGEMA school safety coordinator Kerth Sumas lrequently acts as a role-player dunno Red Cell exercases. somellmes posing as an Islamic extremist attacker His input adds reahsm
I\ U\cd in chi' curriculum to provide Red Cdl members with W3)'S 10 defeat 1he S('.CU riry me~ure!i CO\'erc:d in the coul'\c.
Domestic terrorism course CO\'Crs group\ opcr:iling an 1hc: United S1.110, ~uch " I .one Wolf. BubbJ Bombc:~ and the KKK.
Consideration of others em1na.r I 10 2-hour ~minar to ensure the particip.lnls Jon'1 gc:t c.1rric..J Jway with the roles. Ruic' of l!ngagemcnc will be
\U~t'~led.
Oh. by the \'"')" che scenario descnbc:d JI 1hc bc:ginnmg of this amclc \\J~ pan of an Jnu-rerrori'm workshop for airport ntJnJgcrs. held 111 late 2004. llm year, two Red Cell \uicide homlx~ added reali~m 10 an11-1crrorism 1rJining wuh 1he Ailanta PolKe Dcpanmcnt. In Jddition. .i north \ilant.i coumy med J domotK terrorisr Rc:d Cell role plJyc:r for an innovative improvised cxplmivc device Kcnario.

EMERGENCY MANAGER Summer 2005

16

17

Summer 2005 EMERGENCY MANAGER

W en there 1~ a medical emercncv rct1u1rang 1mmed1a1e mpon~ b) 1r.11ned people ''uh proper equipment, cvcr)'h<i<lr know\ to clll 9- I -1 .rnd help will 1m1.intl) be on the WJ).
\X1irh chc \Jme concept an mind. Georgia\ Office of I lomd.md ~uri1y Gc:org1a ( mergency ~bnagement Agcnc\' (OHS-GFM \) h;i\ crcm:d J pmgr.im 1ha1
will dispatch J craincd .ind equipped tewl of homd.md \Ccurir) profC,"\.\lonJI~ .mywherc: in the ~1.uc:.
rhe Counter 'Jerromm Ta~k force
ccrrl-) projcc1 " ;m uncomplkJted but
potent concept designed 10 ensure that the \I.lie i\ prepared to qutckly rc,pond lO locJI, rc:giona.I or smewide terrorism thrl'at\. I he program'~ mis\ion " w detcc;t, deter .rnd
pn.-vcnt tcrrorbl pJ.m,. The conccpr beg.tn to rake form in
mid-2004, when the 1crromm alcrr s1Jtus was a1 its highcsr point since ~p1cmber 200 I. "The cataly,t for the progr.1m wa\
che increased 1hrC"Jt level," explains Mike herbergcr, director of 01 IS GEMA. "\Vic rccogniu:d 1hJ1 we needed to ~t.ibli'h prcvencive measure\ that would en.ible us to deter or 1n1errupt terromt plot~ by providing operational \upporr to loc.il Jreas wuh threatened infr.utructure: 1\t:cording to herbcrger, the key i' uking acuon before a

MG I AC is in the bmin~~ of h.rndlang ter-
rori,t-rel.ttcd informa1io11 1hat .1rTcct' Georgia. So ir's a namral nexr step to h.lVc them manage the: ClTI- progr.im.M
GISAC director Bob I lardin Jgreo. "I think GI AC i~ an the ~t p<muon to accomplish th1' qu1ckl}. he ~)' It " .i natural t'Xlcnsion of what \\e do. It'~ the
operational c<lmponent of Gl\AC.. The staff immcdiatdJ began to pre-
pare: opcrarional and stJfllng pl.im for .i pilot program, wh1i;h ended m lebruarr 2005. "\Vic began working on a countertc:rrorism rc:spon~e program that would u11 li1c teams of exi~ting ~rate l.iw enforcement perwnnd who could be qutc.klr deployed, .\.1)'S Ilardin. Tlm resulted an a 15-page preliminary operarion' plan.
The: conccptuJI model used the phr.t.\e Counter Terrorism Response Tc.1m. Thi~ "~ later changed tO ClTI- to he more consistent with current homeland dcfcn~ terminology.
Cl TF's mission 1s to c"<p.ind and enhance sccumy ar any of the \tare:\ cmical anframucture (Cl) and kC) .l'-\Ct (IV\) ~llC$, or at any other me: or event rhat " identified JS having an abnormal!\ high potc.nual for being targeted by tc:rrorim. 11.trJin c:xpl.tim. A CTrF team can be dcplovc:d ba.\Cd upon imellagcnce tha1 indicates a

particular ~itc or event is under incrca.\Cd rhrc.u of a11.1ck by terrorim.
lo m3kc 11 more difficult for terrorim to conduct pre-oper.uionaJ mrvcillance or launch .m;ick.s from the immedia1e vic1nar)' of Cl/KA targets. GI AC will work closely \\1th OHS\ Buffer Zone Pro1c<.tion Plan (B/PP). BZPP helps government agencies .ind prh.uc indumy develop cffc:uive prc-
venme mcasum. The Crn project is
intended m "bndge the gap" unnl BZPP is full) implemented.
'Jrained, experienced sme law enforcement .igcnts were ..dcctcd ro be pan of (. I 11. rc:im members include Georgia \1.itc P.mol troopers. Georgia Department of Natural Resources conscr\"ation range~. Gcorgi.i Bureau of Investigation special

terrori$t .inack occur...

responding 10 intcllige1m~

proactivdv rJther than

l'C.lCl ivd).

herberger emphasi1es

th:n thi' ini11.111w fall, an line

with the overall 0115-

GFMA cOon 10 be a \up

ponivc re)ourcc to loul gov-

ernment\. "We w.lnt people

ar the locJI ti~t rC'lpondcr

levels 10 know th~ rc:<>ources

arc :ivaiiahit. " he "1Y'

The ball was pa.<.~d to

the Georgia lnformmon

haring .tnd \n.tl)'\I) Center

(GI A() for .icuon. ( ,l<\A(.

1s Georgia OH -(. l MA'

terrorm-rclated an1cll1gcncc

gathering .tnd Ji~\Cmin.111on

component

According

to

hc:rbergcr. turning to

G ISAC' for rhe pl.in w.l\ ,l

natural lit. " I he traggcr

point for action is the intcl11 gcncc: information we: obtJin 1hrough C. l\AC.M he \JY'

The CTTF includes members from several state agencies who can be qu1cldy deployed when mlrasrructure IS threatened All have
speciahzed tasks. although they work toOether Rangers lrom the Department or Natural Resources manage all CTTF waterway
secu11ty and operahons (above). whtle the state SWAT leam 1s specially tratned to handle qu1Ck tactical resolullon (below)

EMERGENCY MANAGER Summer 2005

18

agcncs. 0115-GEMA and GJSAC personnel and cxplo~ivc ordnance di~po..al experts. The G1:orgia Public afocyTr:Jining Center provides spcci.11 training so ccam~ can
respond to a "idc range ofpotential scenarios. from weapons of m:lS) dc:scruction to convencional cxplo!>i\e devices.

be in place ... 10 prorc..-cc our fellow cirizen~ and secure critical infomrucrurc," said Georgia Governor ormy Perdue when he introduced the concept to the public late la.st yc:ir. I le added that personnel would be bcm:r prepared 10 re\pond to potential threats anywhere in Georgia.

Specially trained Georgia State Paro! unns provide h1ghV1slb1hty concentrated patrols and site secunty to srtes
cm. that may be at nsk of a terrorist attack (above) Once GISAC launches a they coordinate their eflons with
the FBI/Joint Terrorism Task Force and the U.S. Department ol Homeland Secunty (below).

GISAC manages operations and coordinate:.., continuoll!tly with the FBI/Joint ' terrorism fask Force UITF) and the U.. Department of Homeland Securicy ( L)HS) during all phases of activ:nion.
The decision ro deploy a CTfF will be made by the 0 11 -GEMA dirccror. who confer~ wich the Governor. "In the event of a peciflc threat, these re~pome tt:am$ will
19

"Prior t<> deploying an entire tJsk force, we'd ~nd .in advance team to the sice to assess rhc s1mation and determine what rc..-!>ourccs are m.-cdcd." says Hardin.
The Jdvancc team will go co the area of the "rhrcatened !>itc" to: I} bc..-gin coordinJt
ing rhe crrF deployment wicb chc on-sice
secumy manager and locJI and regional publit.: s.ifcty offici.il~; 2) make logistical

and financial arrangements for the deployment; 3) coordinarc funding for the cask force and rhe local .tnd region.ii public ~!C ry a.\Sct... for the long-term site security operations: and 4) begin a~essing and. poccntially, enhancing the emergency response and management ~ecs in the area of rhc thrc..-atened site.
"Evcmually, chc advance ream should be able to provide an operations plan template 10 assist the loc:il or regional St-curicy and public safety entities in organi1.ing and supporting their sccuricy1 operations for the site," I lardin explains. Low-key i.urveillance, high-profile patrolling or augmcntation of local sccmiry forces att among a wide range of potcnriaJ tacrics the task force could employ.
While the entire CTTF may deploy to a thrc:uenc..'ti sicc, depending upon the circumstances. one or rwo of the componenrs may be selectively deployed, or each of the componems may ht- deployed ac difTercnr rimes. thereby ph.asing in dilTcrenr "layers" of protective measures.
Hardin seres.~ that these teams aren't inccndcd to be occupying forces and sray in an area for extended periods of rime. They are meant to get into the affccred area quickly, help secme the sire uncil more permanent forces cm be brought to bear, then transition back our, reconsolidatc and prepare ro re.deploy cl...ewhere, if ncccssary.
herbcrgcr emph:i.sizc.., thar local ftrsc responders will still be in charge of their
local rc..-sponse effom. and thac the crrF is
nor intended to usurp chcir auchoricy. "We'll ai.k loc-JI authorities how they want to opcr:Jte," he says. "We want to know about the local relationship~ between organit..:uions ~o we'll know how bcsr co support them...
During the G-8 Summic held in June 2004, a similar conccpr was te~rccl using multi-agency response toms. According co Sherbcrger, it worked very wdl. kThey played a key role in a~uring lhal potential chrc:ats or incidcnrs were addressed quickly and efficiently," he say~. "With C l-rF we've taken a liUCc~ful concept a srep furrhc:r ro help deter tcrrori~r anadcs."
One advantage: to 1he progrnm is thal tr will be supported by local and Cedcral rc.~ourccs. kldcally. rhc local and regional public s:ifery agencies will be able to ucilizc off-ducy personnel to augment i.ite security, and can pa) them with :;upplcmcntal funding from DH ,"says Hardin. OH -GEMA will coordinate supplt'mental funding with DllS.
Summer 2005 EMERGENCY MANAGER

Personnel rrom Ille Georgta Bureau or 1nves1tgal1on and 111e Department of Natural Resources providll secunty operations 1n woodland areas

Funding follow-on opcra11ons locally i~ an important f<':lturc to make this a susrninablc: dTort. According to a survey rccendr released by Amnic1m City 1md
Co111try magazine, money is what loc:tl gov-
ernmcms nt.-ed most co ~upport their home: land securicy efforts. evency perceni of du. 900 cirics and counties responding co rhc: survey say funding was their biggest home land security problem. 111c rhrt-c main 2005 funding go.ils they identified arc improved communications, protecting first responder) from hv.ardous materials and concrolling access to public fuciliucs.
Another advanrage of rhc: ClTI is
that necessary cquipmc:nc will be: prc:)lockcd by GI AC.
Ml'll have compatible commun1cuion'

equipmcnr in stock ready to pull .tnd use,M Hardin s:iys. MOthc:r specialized equipment has been purchased co equip rhc: cask force for their v:arious missions. They'll be Jble to train and use rhc: equipment conscamly because they'll have it available." This is a ~ubt le: but cxcrcmc:ly vic,11 point, being com
forcable wuh thc: cquipmc111 rhrough train ing long before it's needed in action.
0 11 -GEMA has made: chc: commit ment to make chc: CTfF program pcrmanem, Sherbcrgc:r co nfirm~. MAs our military and international imdligencc :b$Ct~ wage: 1he war Oil terrorism Oil foreign banlcfields. we: here in Georgia musr nm only imagine the unimaginable - we muse prepare for it," he sr rcsse~. M\X'e must presume ch.11 1cr rorim arc: planning atracks in Gcorgi.i, and

we must prepare co repel and defeat them. An aggrc~sivc, rapid. and wdl-pl:mncd rt-sponsc: co terrorist threats could prevent auacb or, at least, mitigate consequence and could erve co discourage fiuurc cerrorisc activities in Georgia.M
He says that GI AC will be taking the
$how on chc: road. going to major mecropolican regions wich a confcrc:nce-forma1
prcscmation of the ci-rF program. The lim focu~ will be: on high-risk arCJs.
WThe task force members will be on the ground when there is imminent danger." l>ay Shcrbcrger. wit\ imporram that rhe public know thac Georgia 1s commiuc:d lO fighting 1crmri~m and char we have a robust system that we can \tand up if
needed.~

EMERGENCY MANAGER Summer 2005

20

New Class Teaches Parents How Their Kids Can Use the Internet Safely
By Matt Robms, Area School Safety Coordi11a1or

ccording to the

ll.:1rcnts should al~ make

Census Bureau, more

sure children arcfulJy check

han halfofAmerion

the full add~ of :i Web site

homes own at least one com-

before typing it into a browser.

puter. Moreover. nine of

For instance, a Web sire with

every I0 school-age children

Mwhitc house., in the tirle could

had access co a computer in

take users 10 either the

2000, with 80 percent U\ing

President's offici.11 Web me or

a computer at school.

a parody of ir.

Technology has changed chil-

dren's lives, with students

Online predators

logging onto the Internet for

Online predators establish

educnional activiti~. gamC\,

contact with kids through con

chamng and e-mail.

\'erutions in chat rooms,

I lowcver, the lntcrner ha.\ itS dark ~1de, and children face many risks from people

An 1ncr .JS'HJ r'1,rnr.r ul >ids t'.J.e .ire"'~ to computer<, Wt11 1e 111.111, id tr.end!,
ste' pro. 1th' t'tl1" ,l!11Jn.11 1n!ormJt1on .Hlel "nt,.rt.1 nmen! children I.ice 111,Jn, risks

instant messaging, e-mJil, or discussion boards. Often thC) will ply cbeir cargecs with

who prey on them. Wirh a linle know-how, parem~ c<&n play an impor

for the computer. This way. parent~ can

attention, afTcaion and kindnrn to rry ro gradually seduce

rant role in pro1ccting rheir children from ghc themselves an admini~trator account them and will devote considerable lime.

the pirfalls of cnme :md with full control over 1he computer, and, an money and energ) to this effon. Predators

\'1C11m11..11ion.

turn g1,e children limited user accouncs keep up with the btot music :tnd fad~ and

wuh restricted con1rols. Limned u~r; can listen to and ~ympath1zc with kid~' prob-

Objectionable content

not change ~stem mungs or install new lems. They also try co case young people's

The Internet is acce \ible by many hardware or \oftwarc, including mos1 inhibition~ by gradu:illy introducing ~exu.11

applicarions, including J Web browser. games, media players and chat programs content into their conversations or by

e-mail and onlme char programs. All of Parents also cm adius1 security scnings in showing them \Cxually cxplicn material.

th~ may expose children to objccuonable the Web bro\\..Cr, ensuring thJt children Predators mav C'\""Jluate the kids thC} meet

marerial. Pomograph\, violence and hate can only access trus1ed, secure sites, ;mJ ~ onlinc for future facc-to-F.ace contact. l:..ich

have found an accommodating home on where kids go onlinc by checking their year. ch1ldrc:n .1n: abducted. scxuJ.JI} ~uh

the Internet. \VhiJe some Web ~ire require Internet history.

ed and killed by people they meet online,

use~ 10 emer a birrh dare for .1cc~. this

Commercial parental control sof1warc and these c.1i.es continue to grow wuh t"ach

ccurit)' can be easily bypa~scd. 01her sire\ providing more comprchcnsive options .ilso pa.~sing day.

ma\ expo~ u~r; ro illicit ma1cnal as soon 1\ available. This software usually includC"\

Adolc.scenrs arc most vulncrJble to

3.5 the page loads.

features ~uch a.s \afe search. which filters being approached by online predators.

Internet service pro,iders (I P)) offer out undesirable SC-Jrch results, Web filter- ThC) arc eicplonng their sexuality, bccom-

m.my w.ty~ to pro1ect children. One of the ing. which blocks t1ues1aonable marer1al. mg more independent. and looking for new

best dt'fenscs against mappropriJte content 11mc management. which limiis the umcs relationships outside tbe famil)'. Under the

is 10 block i1 before it gets to children, and of day :10J :imt)Unt of time children c.m illusion of anonymiry - Jn illusion

there arc numerous ways co do chis. 'llCnd onlinc, and privacy pro1cction. !>ome because Internet use cm be tracked - they

Con1ent adviwrs and parcnc;il controls pcr- software uso lim to block unsuitable Web are more likd) ro rake risks onlme ''i1hou1

mu parenu 10 monitor :and restricr their addro~. Keep m mmJ. howt'.\er, thJ1 fully undemanding the possible

children\ usage. Moreover. some I Ps these programs must be updated on a regu- co~uenc~.

enable pJren~ to crca1e multiple account\ lar basis to keep current.

To hdp kith avoid becommg a v1ct1m,

21

Summer 2006 EMERGENCY MANAGER

p.trcncs should 1alk to them

pans of the Inierner, copy-

about sexual preda1ors and

right and licen~ing issues,

po1en1ial onlinc d:rnger~.

protecting on-line privacy,

Young children should stay

pedophiles and rheir

out of chat rooms. fu chil-

grooming merhods. and

dren gee older, parents can

computer

hacki ng.

dirc:c1 them coward well-

Participants also learn abou1

moni1ored kids' cha1 rooms,

sofrware filtering and block-

but make ~urt- you know

ing tools, how 10 sean:h 1hc:

which ones they vi~il. Even

lmcrner and their own

teens should use monitored

compmer ro sec what their

ch:11 room~.

child has been doing. and

Many cha1 rooms offer

how to cffcciivcly monitor

Mwhisper" area~ where users

and sc:l mies for their child's

can cha1 one-on-one, and

on-line experience~.

moni1ors can'1 read 1hc:se

0 1IS-GEMA has J

conver:.:uiom. Children

team of nine trained

should never leave the cha1

ins1ruct0rs who will offer

room's public art-a to enter

the lnrcrnct and Your Child

1he "whisper" areas.

free of charge throughoul

Whc:n your children arc

An easy way for parents to make sure their children are not surfing somewhere they

the srarc at DTAE campuses

young, 1hey should share the

shouldn t 1s to walk by tile computer occasionally when they are onhne

beginning in March 2005.

family e-mail .1dd res.~ rather

This course provides parcn~

than have 1heir own c:-mail accounts. As they get older, ask your ISP to sec up a ~cparate e-mail addrt-ss, bu1 rour children's mail can sriU reside in your account. Make sure you have passwords co all accounu, including e-mail and chat, so you can occasionally monitor chem. Tell your children 10 never respond co instant messaging or e-mails from scrangers.
Identity theft

ing until che criminal has already innicted substanrial damage on their ~ets, cr"-dic and reputation.
To avoid being :.cammed. parents should reach cheir children nor ro pose any information on the lnremet or respond ro any unsolicited e-mails. Names. birth da1cs, wcial J.l'CUriry numbers, cvc:n names of your child's school can ace lS a catalyst fo r criminals co gni n more information tnd conduc1 criminal activity in your name.

31 all levels or computer skills, whether whey have med a computer extensively or never before. the rools and techniques for 1racking rheir child's computer activiry. For more informa1ion, call O H -GEMA\ chool afety Unit a1 (404} 635-7000 or visit www.ohs.srare.ga.us.
Rules for online safety
Establish rules for the computer and lmcrnel use and post chem near the:

ldenticy theft is a serious problem.

Ir is worth nocing char some commer-

compu1er.

According to the Federal Trade: cial parcnial control software will nor allow Move 1hc computer oul of bedrooms

Commission. individuals :ind companies personal information, such as phone: numlose billions of dollars every year due 10 it. bers, addrO:>C:S, or credi1 card information.

and orher private areas and imo public a reas, such as rhe kitchen or living

The 1nternet has become a gold miJ1e for chieves who steal personal information, and too frequemly children arc easy prey.

to be scm through e-mail or inseam messaging.
Often companies will requo1 chat you

room, where acuvmes can be monitored by an adult. Walk by the computer occasionally

Parenis have: received large: credit card register products or request services onlinc.

when your child is online. This is a

bills and even had co 1ake second mongages If you do so, be sure ir is over a secure con-

good deu:rrem for teenagers who don't

because their children revealed personal nection to a secure source. If you arc noi

want you to know what they arc doing.

information while on the lmerner. Often. sure, do nor send this information over the

Teach children never ro reveal personal

this information is obcained through sur- Internet. These activities can usually be veys passed around in friendly sounding e- conducted over 1he phone or 1hrough rhe

informarion ro anyone online. Ask your children for the names, Web

mails chacask seemingly innocent questions mail. such as, "Whar's your favorite color" and

si1cs and char rooms rhey have been visiting. In addition, check che history

"When is your birthday"? With enough idenrifying informarion,
a criminal can cake over thar individual's identity and use it ro apply for loans and credit cards, make withdrawals from bank accounts and use telephone calling cards. If the criminal rakes steps co ensure that the bills and bank scatemenrs arc sent ro an address orher than rhe victim's, the victim may noc become aware of what is happen-

New class for parents
The Georgia Office of Homeland Securiry-Georgia Emergency Management Agency (OHS-GEMA) has partnered with rhe Oeparrmenc of Technical and Adult Education (OTA) ro offer Tiu lnrenier and Your Chi/J, a 7-hour, hands-on 1raining course. co parents and educators throughout Georgia. h covers rhe basics of computers and how they work, various

in your Web browser 10 verify what siu'S your child has accessed. Set rcsrricrions on computer cimc. Promoce open communication wi1h your children and enforce rules when violations occur. Install anti-virus, privacy software and blocking 1oolbars to keep tracking software and unwanted pop-ups off your computer.

EMERGENCY MANA<iER Summe r 2005

22

OHS-GEMA Posr Office Box 18055 Arlama, Georgia 303 16-0055
1-8 00 -TRY-G EMA www.gema.scarc.ga. us