September is National Preparedness Month

A recent U.S. Conference of Mayors report indicates that many cities in the U.S. are still not prepared for a disaster. In response, the former head of the Natural Hazards Center wondered: “How many citizens must die?” in last week’s Time magazine.

One state, Washington, has experienced floods, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, the WTO riots, and the only apprehension of a live terrorist. It has taken a very pro-active role, and installed a high tech solution for emergency preparedness.

Washington has created a statewide crisis management system (CMS) to protect buildings, schools, and other critical infrastructure. The system gives police, fire, and other first responders instant access to key information that allows them to respond faster, more effectively, and in a coordinated manner.

The CMS system contains tactical plans, floor plans, satellite and geospatial (GIS) imagery, interior and exterior photos, staging areas, hazardous materials quantities and locations, utility shut-offs, and evacuation routes for key facilities statewide. The technology is also certified by the Department of Homeland Security under the SAFETY Act, which gives users powerful liability protection in event of a terrorist act.

Two weeks after the system was installed, a gunman walked into a local high school and began shooting. Using the CMS system, police were able to contain the gunman in 12 minutes and evacuate 2,000 students in less than 20 minutes. The only person injured was the gunman.

If more states adopted Washington’s pro-active approach to emergency preparedness, thousands of lives could be saved in major disasters.  

Jim Finnell, president and CEO of Prepared Response, Inc., is a former paramedic and emergency preparedness expert. He is currently working with state legislatures across the US to establish statewide preparedness systems. In a typical day he deals with politicians, emergency planners, police and fire captains, and former FBI and CIA agents. Jim is extremely knowledgeable on what Time magazine calls our “Culture of Unpreparedness,” as well as solutions to help solve the problem.

 

Mr. Finnell is available for interviews on Friday, September 1, 2006.

 

Gary Sabol
Public Relations Manager
Prepared Response, Inc.
206.223.5544
gsabol@preparedresponse.com