GT EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: Orange County, Calif., May Be Successful Model for Interoperable Communications Systems

The assertion that all responders from cities within one county should share an interoperable communications system really isn't debatable in the United States. The delays caused by a lack of interoperable communications between fire and police at the World Trade Center on 9/11 are common knowledge. But many counties still struggle to persuade first responder agencies in cities to agree on uniform system specs.

Their concerns are serious. In 2003, the National Task Force on Interoperability outlined five obstacles to achieving county interoperability. The task force blamed:

• aging and incompatible equipment;
• fragmented budget cycles;
• limited and fragmented planning and coordination;
• limited and fragmented spectrum; and
• agency resistance to uniform equipment standards.

However, four years before that report, Orange County, Calif., managed to connect all of its responders in 31 cities on the same 800 MHz trunk radio system. The system supports more than 17,000 radios and averages about 55,000 transmissions daily. The trunk system uses 81 channels and has nearly 400 talkgroups.

FIREHOUSE: Atlanta Seeks to End Police, Firefighter Cuts

The Atlanta City Council unanimously agreed Thursday to look for money in the city budget to end recent cuts in work hours for police officers, firefighters, 911 operators and corrections officers.

The idea comes largely in response to growing concerns in Atlanta neighborhoods that crime is becoming a severe problem. Although Police Department figures show violent crime declined by 9 percent from 2007 and 2008, the recent shooting death of a bartender in southeast Atlanta has sparked complaints from residents about crime and whether the city has enough police officers.

NY TIMES: Helping Keep a City Clean, and Maybe Safer

ROSEVILLE, Calif. — Gary Garcia probably knows the early-morning rhythms of the streets here in this city just north of Sacramento better than anyone besides his fellow garbage truck drivers. Anything that breaks the morning pattern is obvious to them, which makes it easy for the garbage collectors to perform an added job — eyes for the police.

LACONIA CITIZEN: Emergency services head steps down

Meredith's emergency management director for the past 25 years is stepping down and will be replaced by the chief of police.

The selectmen accepted Steve Bennett's resignation at its meeting Monday evening. Bennett had submitted his intent to resign on Dec. 17.

Bennett had served in the position for the past 25 years, starting as the civil defense director and then as emergency management director. On Dec. 17, the town received a letter from Bennett resigning his position effective Jan. 1, 2009.

The emergency management director coordinates emergency management preparation and gives direction in a widespread emergency. Bennett helped compile the town's first emergency plan and has helped revise the plan, with the latest update in 2002.

Co-interim Town Manager John Edgar said he discussed the matter with the members of the hazard mitigation committee, including several department heads involved in emergency management issues.

"We concur with Steve Bennett's observation that the position of emergency management director is far different from what it was 25 years ago and that a new director must be able to make the time commitments required of this position," Edgar said in a staff report to the board. "We believe this appointment should be internal and come from the safety services/emergency management services professions."

Edgar said the matter was discussed by Police Chief Kevin Morrow and Fire Chief Ken Jones, resulting in the agreement that Morrow should fill the position. The respective chiefs are already involved in emergency management planning and it was viewed to be more efficient for the director to be directly involved in emergency services.

"Police and fire, we're first responders," Morrow said. "It doesn't matter what department you're in, we work as a team."

Selectman Colette Worsman expressed concern about how much the position would add to Morrow's work load.

Edgar said the position would "add a level of management" for Morrow, though he is already fully involved in the emergency planning process.

"I think it's pretty typical that the police chief and fire chief is involved," Edgar said. "I don't think that this is outside the norm."

Worsman said another option might be to have a separate individual take the position to provide a wider view of emergency management. Selectman and Deputy Fire Chief Chuck Palm said he worked for a town with a similar system and "that did not work well at all."

Edgar said members of any department and the public can give feedback as part of meetings of the hazard mitigation planning committee and the chiefs are available to the public.

The board unanimously approved Morrow as the emergency management director. The board also expressed its appreciation to Bennett for his work and will discuss how best to show that appreciation.

SUN HERALD: Ocean Springs builds $9M Public Safety Complex

OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. -- Ocean Springs will build a $9 million complex to house its emergency operations center, police and fire departments and a new courthouse.

Much of the Public Safety Complex funding comes from a community development block grant and a tax levied on food and drinks that passed December 2007. The remaining cost will be funded through other sources, such as court fees.

Mayor Connie Moran said this week that construction could begin in April.

STATE JOURNAL: Controversial public safety building complete

The city of Frankfort's $12-million public safety building, now occupied for several weeks, is complete with the controversial "Emergency Operations Center" coming online Friday.

City officials have yet to stage a ribbon-cutting for the building, though Mayor Bill May told The State Journal Friday during a tour of the facility there may be a ceremony this week.

The structure, which drew fire from local candidates campaigning for city offices in November elections, now houses the city's police and fire departments, a dispatch center and an emergency command operation for use in disasters.