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Florida's Best Practices:
City and Member County Responses M - O
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Town of Manalapan
Mayor William E. Benjamin, II
Manalapan Emergency Management Response
The Manalapan Public Safety Department is participating in the formulation of a countywide group to standardize protocol and resources to handle domestic security issues. All public safety officers are receiving training in incident command and weapons of mass destruction matters. The town has also applied to use Local Block Grant Funds to train personnel to participate in a multi-agency emergency response team.
Contact Person:
Clay Walker, Public Safety Director
Town of Manalapan
600 S. Ocean Boulevard
Manalapan, FL 33462
Phone: (561) 585-9477
E-mail: cwalker@manalapan.org
City of Melbourne
Mayor John A. Buckley
Melbourne Emergency Management Response
Since September 11, 2001, the Melbourne Police Department has taken steps to enhance and ensure its preparedness, and that of the community, for the eventuality of terrorism. Working in concert with other key city departments, a response manual for terrorism-related incidents was developed. Key buildings in the city were inspected for security and some upgraded security measures were enacted. Police Department personnel have been issued protective suits for response to chemical or biological incidents.
The Police Department has increased its citizen volunteer program. These volunteers help with daily tasks that will free up sworn officers to be available for patrol. The volunteers have also been provided with cars and radios for communication directly with dispatch. The volunteers have been trained to do daily checks of key city infrastructure and to report tampering or suspicious activity.
Department personnel have received preliminary training in the Incident Command System and additional training is planned in the near future. The Police Department is working closely with the Melbourne Fire Department to ensure cooperation and understanding of differing roles and priorities during crisis situations. Melbourne’s water treatment plant operations have conducted training with police officer first responders in response techniques to chlorine gas leaks. The Melbourne Police Department also has representatives assigned to local, regional and federal terrorism task forces.
Contact Person:
Commander Steve Mimbs
Melbourne Police Department
650 N. Apollo Boulevard
Melbourne, FL 32935
Phone: (321) 409-3361
E-mail: smimbs@melbourneflorida.org
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Town of Melbourne Beach
Mayor Mark Crispen
Melbourne Beach Emergency Management Response
Education:
Created and distributed flyers on handling suspicious packages and mail for residents.
Utilized town publications to inform citizens on emergency preparedness.
Training for Officers:
Weapons of mass destruction.
Incident command training.
Personal protective equipment training – including new videotape.
Planning:
Provided input into countywide disaster plan.
Townwide emergency directory published.
Townwide threat assessment was completed and forwarded to terrorism task force.
Grants:
Obtained grant funding for purchase of gas masks.
Task Force:
Participate in county and regional task forces.
Participate in information sharing systems.
Contact Person:
Patrick Haran, Interim Chief
Melbourne Beach Police Department
507 Ocean Avenue
Melbourne Beach, FL 32951
Phone: (321) 723-4343
E-mail: melbournebeach@flcjn.net
Miami-Dade County
Mayor Alex Penelas
Miami-Dade County Emergency Management Response
In Miami-Dade, the events of September 11, 2001, crystallized the need for a comprehensive homeland security strategy and galvanized county officials’ desire to make it happen. The Office of Emergency Management used the president’s budget proposal as well as his State of the Union message to develop A Proposal for a Division of Homeland Security in the Office of Emergency Management. The proposal, approved by the county manager, is now the blueprint for anti-terrorism planning in the county.
The plan has been carefully conceived to ensure all efforts yield maximum security benefits at the least possible financial and social costs. The Division of Homeland Security is operational and moving on dual tracks, developing protocols, procedures and setting goals, as well as establishing alliances with the numerous agencies involved in anti-terrorism planning.
The division’s strategic plan has six primary critical initiatives: 1) train and equip the county’s first responders; 2) protect the county’s critical infrastructure; 3) improve intelligence gathering and application; 4) develop procedures to improve information sharing; 5) obtain and manage state and federal terrorism grant funding; and 6) improve coordination and effectiveness of proposed federal community-based initiatives. The broad heading of “critical infrastructure” includes not only buildings, but also the infrastructure of the county’s information technology, including computer networks and the Internet.
To align the division with the county’s federal partners and to garner broad-based community support, officials established a Citizen Corps Council. Members of the Citizen Corps Council include leaders from law enforcement, fire and emergency management offices, businesses, school officials, faith-based groups, public health organizations, and mental health and educational groups. Future participants may include representatives from non-profit organizations, community foundations and other institutions with local presence and the ability to build capacity.
The council is responsible for developing a community action plan that would include a local assessment of infrastructure vulnerabilities, possible threats, available resources, and how to best organize and expand local efforts. The community action plan will also coordinate the community-based prevention and preparedness efforts.
Miami-Dade County has realigned its Local Mitigation Strategy Working Group with the Citizen Corps Council. The working group already meets the representation required to make it successful. A counter-terrorism initiative was added to the countywide mitigation strategy at the first meeting of the council.
Miami-Dade County has a very strong community preparedness plan for natural and man-made disasters. It also has a great deal of experience, knowledge and success in mitigating terrorism, as well as dealing with its consequences. Although the county has not experienced events to the magnitude of September 11, 2001, it has been the target of assassinations, bombings and civil unrest instigated by regional and international terrorist groups. As recently as 2001, Communist agents sent by Fidel Castro to infiltrate and disrupt life in Miami stood trial in federal court. Through continuous improvement in planning, the county is uniquely qualified to lead the nation by serving as a model in the development of a local homeland security program.
Contact Person:
Chuck Lanza, CEM
Director
Miami-Dade Office of Emergency Management
9300 N.W. 41 Street
Miami, FL 33178
Phone: (305) 468-5403
E-mail: clanza@miamidade.gov
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City of Miramar
Mayor Lori C. Moseley
Miramar Emergency Management Response
The City of Miramar has taken a multi-faceted response to the tragedy of September 11, 2001. Homeland security and the continued operation of the city’s government services has become an immediate and major priority.
Initially, city management placed full-time police security in all city facilities to ensure the continuity of its full-service operation. City management then identified the need for a citywide approach to threat issues. A board was formed to deal with the “new” issue of homeland security and to strengthen the lines of communication between departments. The city established a major incident/terrorism response plan, which clearly defines the overall responsibilities for each area of city government and established a unified command system.
City of Miramar facilities have been reviewed for security weaknesses and additional funding was supplied to enhance the facilities. Additionally, this funding will be utilized to ensure all response personnel receive the appropriate training necessary for efficient and effective handling of terrorist incidents and disaster preparedness requirements.
Broward County has responded by setting up a multi-jurisdictional terrorism task force and the Miramar Police Department has assigned officers to act as representatives. The county’s task force, working in conjunction with federal law enforcement agencies, targets potential threats and follows up leads in our local area. The Fire and Police departments have also attended periodic countywide briefings, which are designed to receive and disseminate information between county agencies regarding data and directives pertaining to law enforcement activities as well as intelligence relating to disasters or emergencies.
Contact Person:
Captain Keith Dunn, Executive Officer
Miramar Police Department
8915 Miramar Parkway
Miramar, FL 33025
Phone: (954) 602-4027
E-mail: kdunn@ci.miramar.fl.us
City of Mulberry
Mayor Robert Wheeler
Mulberry Emergency Management Response
The City of Mulberry has undertaken several terrorism preparedness programs. A section has been added in the city’s emergency operations plan that covers response to weapons of mass destruction (WMD) incidents and assigns a city department to be the lead. This also covers short- and long-term response and recovery.
The Mulberry Fire Department has developed a task force to deal with urban search-and-rescue in the event of widespread damage. This team is modeled after the FEMA teams. This team can respond and set up a base of operations with communications and equipment to search and do heavy rescue operations for up to 72 hours without outside help. This team is available to any city through mutual aid upon request.
The city has also trained city responders in weapons of mass destruction with the fire and police chiefs attending the executive-level program on WMD response. The Fire Department has also implemented a program that updates preplans every two months on target hazards.
The city updated its security at all city buildings and water plants. It also limits the request for information on any city department by having the requesting person talk directly to the department director. The City of Mulberry will continue to make changes as needed in order to ensure the safety and security of its citizens.
Contact Person:
Mitch Carmack, Chief
Urban Search & Rescue Coordinator
Mulberry Police Department
P.O. Box 707
Mulberry, FL 33860
Phone: (863) 425-2912
Fax: (863) 425-1694
E-mail: fireusar89@aol.com
City of North Bay Village
Mayor Alan Dorne
North Bay Village Emergency Management Response
The North Bay Village Police Department is continuing with both in-service and external training for weapons of mass destruction (WMD). The current Miami-Dade Emergency Operations Center serves as a command-and-control center for natural disasters. It will also serve as a command-and-control for WMD incidents that are multiple jurisdiction or large exposures. The Police Department can handle local responsibilities. Marine vessels will have to be obtained in order to facilitate any major waterway evacuation of residents. The North Bay Village Police Department is a participating member of the Blue Lighting Strike Force, which incorporates homeland security. Additional resources, if needed, can be obtained from the strike force members. Any significant event will require outside assistance from county, state or federal agencies.
Contact Person:
Irving Heller, City Manager
Or
Lonnie Cantor, Assistant City Manager
City of North Bay Village
7903 East Drive
North Bay Village, FL 33141
Phone: (305) 758-2626
Fax: (305) 756-5809
E-mail: irv.red.heller@juno.com
Lonnie Cantor: cantor1048@aol.com
North Bay Village Police Department: nbvpd@aol.com
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City of North Miami Beach
Mayor Jeffrey A. Mishcon
North Miami Beach Emergency Management Response
Subsequent to September 11, 2001, several measures were already being planned regarding the protection of city assets and personnel. In light of the millennium and potential issues that may have transpired, several key targets in the city were evaluated and a security/vulnerability assessment was performed on those facilities. Recommendations were made to private companies and utilities on improving their security systems, and increasing their awareness.
A comprehensive security/vulnerability assessment was performed on several facilities throughout the City of North Miami Beach, including City Hall, the Police Department and the Norwood Water Plant. Most of these plans are still awaiting funding from the city to be implemented.
A comprehensive training program has been implemented in the Police Department with training continuing in vital areas such as weapons of mass destruction (WMD), incident command systems, hazardous waste operations and emergency response (HAZWOPER), and contagious blood-borne pathogen programs. Tabletop scenarios are talked about and played out in training to make response as realistic as possible. A vaccination program has existed for years within the city, however, those officers that have not updated or taken advantage of the vaccination program are being encouraged to do so.
The North Miami Beach Special Response Team has updated their equipment in response to potential terrorist incidents including new gas mask filters for nuclear biological and chemical issues. Training has also been provided on procedures for clearing potential areas of secondary explosive devices. The Special Response Team has also trained within city facilities to become familiar with the layout of the buildings, and to address specific issues that may arise in a terrorist incident. Specialized training is also being hosted at the North Miami Beach Police Department so that other local teams can participate in this training. The North Miami Beach Special Response Team has combined forces with United States Customs Special Response Team and others to address homeland security issues in the Port of Miami. Training of massive-scale incidents has taken place, with cruise ship and freighter assaults already completed. Additional freighter and large-ship assault courses are going to be held at the Port of Miami, hosted by our agency.
Intelligence information is being disseminated to officers from various sources. The Communications Division forwards special terrorist threats and information to officers, and two officers forward information received from intelligence sources to other officers.
Equipment is being purchased to facilitate safer responses to potential WMD incidents such as protective suits, upgrading the filters in Road Patrol gas masks, and other decontamination equipment for use by officers in the field.
A database is being implemented that tracks symptoms of illnesses of officers and provides a medical database for officers to consult on WMD or any nuclear, biological or chemical agent. This system also tracks mass reporting of these symptoms regionally for report to the Centers for Disease Control should an extraordinary amount of similar reported symptoms develop.
Although much still needs to be done, the City of North Miami Beach is off to a very good start in preparing, protecting and mitigating a terrorist attack.
Contact Person:
Detective Nelson Reyes
North Miami Beach Police Department
16901 N.E. 19 Avenue
North Miami Beach, FL 33162
Phone: (305) 949-5500
E-mail: Nelson.Reyes@nmbpd.org
City of Okeechobee
Mayor James E. Kirk
Okeechobee Emergency Management Response
The City of Okeechobee now has in place a committee of the following departments: Okeechobee City Police, Okeechobee Sheriffs Department, Okeechobee Health Department, Okeechobee Hospital, Emergency Management, and the city and county administrators. In the event of an incident the committee would gather and make the plan of action as one unit.
Okeechobee has had several incidents, including a bomb threat and anthrax scare, at which time the committee convened to develop a plan of action. The city has used the incident command system with the Police Department, as they are the first on the scene.
The city administrator and county administrator wrote a joint article for the local newspaper to assure the residents of the community. The city has the full support of local officials and they believe Okeechobee is on top of any threat that may come along.
The Fire Department and some police officers took part in a 2-day course from the Ocala Fire College on weapons of mass destruction. All of the city’s first responders are HazMat Level 1 and 2 certified and will be trained as HazMat technicians within the next year.
On October 24, 2002, in conjunction with the St. Lucie HazMat Team, Okeechobee conducted a drill that included several different segments, including terrorism, a train that struck a school bus, a fire on a box car, and two tank cars that were leaking some type of chemical. With this type of training the city was able to pull from all of its resources and have a real test of its ability to respond.
Prior to the training mentioned above, Okeechobee hosted the U.S. Army Reserve 44th, which provided biochemical training. Three days before the drill, the 44th Reserve worked with those involved in the exercise, including hospital personnel who received many of the victims.
The City of Okeechobee has received extensive training by pulling together resources, including approximately 200 people from 12 counties, along with CSX Corporation, the Florida Division of Forestry, and the Mobile Advanced Communications Unit from the Florida Fire Chiefs Association, the 44th Army Reserve and the Local Emergency Planning Committee 7.
Contact Person:
Keith Tomey, Fire Chief
City of Okeechobee
55 S.E. 3rd Avenue
Okeechobee, FL 34974
Phone: (863) 467-1586
E-mail: okeefire@okeechobee.com
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City of Orlando
Mayor Glenda Hood
Orlando Emergency Management Response
In the aftermath of September 11, 2001, the City of Orlando has had tremendous success in implementing its emergency preparedness plans because of its concerted effort to tackle these new challenges regionally. As our colleagues in New York City and Washington, D.C., have told us time and time again, we must face these new threats as a team, and no one entity should have to operate in a vacuum. The following are highlights of Orlando’s best practices:
Shortly after 9/11, Mayor Glenda Hood appointed four individuals from Orlando’s police, fire and emergency management teams with expertise in hazardous materials, intelligence and planning, to create the city’s first Terrorism Task Force. This select group of professionals advises the mayor in matters of terrorism preparedness and expedites all courses of action in these areas.
Mayor Hood serves as chair of Gov. Bush’s Domestic Security Advisory Panel, and the city is an active participant in the Regional Domestic Security Task Force for the Central Florida region.
Orlando is now home to an $11 million, state-of-the art emergency operations center, which houses the Terrorism Task Force and the city’s emergency management team. The center is equipped with multiple redundant communications systems, a computerized resource and incident tracking system, and state-of-the-art audiovisual presentation systems. Additionally, all city computer systems have backup at this site.
The city developed and implemented a full-time Comprehensive “All Hazard” Emergency Management Program focused on all potential threats – natural and man-made.
Orlando has had many unique training opportunities as a result of its selection to participate in federal grant programs, including the Nunn-Lugar-Domenici Department of Justice Exercise and Equipment Program. This unique program assists the city in fulfilling equipment and training needs and provides exercises to validate response plans developed through this program. This program focuses on a regional approach, including all levels of government from the municipal to the federal level.
The Metropolitan Medical Response System Grant funded by the Department of Health and Human Services is helping the city develop medical response plans for large-scale disasters. This program takes a regional approach to include the surrounding jurisdictions (six neighboring counties).
The city is currently in the process of developing a template for a unified command. This system will be critical for the city to respond to a large-scale weapons of mass destruction event in a timely and efficient manner. Key first response leadership participating in this unique public-private partnership include the Orlando Police and Fire Department, Orange County Sheriff and Fire departments, Reedy Creek, and the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority.
The City of Orlando has developed a plan for the evacuation of the downtown business district. The city recognized a need after 9/11 to be able to conduct an orderly evacuation of the downtown business district. Once the need was established, multiple agencies prepared a plan. A tabletop exercise was held to validate the plan. Individual response agencies conducted functional exercises to hone their response capabilities. The culmination point was a full-scale exercise testing the plan, and capabilities to execute the plan. The city continues to test portions of the plan as part of the current exercise plan.
After a visit with President Bush and hearing his call for more Americans to volunteer, Mayor Hood established one of Florida’s very first Citizens Corps Councils. The group of nearly 50 community leaders meets regularly to advise the mayor about volunteer opportunities for citizens and looks at ways to partner with the variety of other volunteer organizations in the region.
Orlando was the recipient of a $1.2 million grant from the National Corporation for Community Service to help expand its volunteer homeland security efforts that fall under Citizens Corps, such as Citizens for Neighborhood Watch and Citizens Emergency Response Teams (CERT). The 3-year funding will assist the city in doubling its number of Neighborhood Watch teams and tripling its CERT force.
The city’s emergency management team is actively providing training courses and direct assistance to area businesses and neighborhoods to help them prepare for, respond to and recover from acts of terrorism or other disasters. The program includes business-continuity planning and business-disaster planning.
The city has developed a city-specific local mitigation strategy to determine specific measures that will either reduce or eliminate the effects of a natural or man-made disaster. This unique public-private partnership is especially useful for providing eligibility and potential match for future federal grants.
Contact Person:
Richard Comerford, Emergency Manager
Phone: (321) 235-5264
E-mail: Richard.comerford@cityoforlando.net
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City of Ormond Beach
Mayor Fred Costello
Ormond Beach Emergency Management Response
In response to the attacks on America of September 11, 2001, the City of Ormond Beach has taken a number of steps to improve emergency preparation procedures. First, city officials increased disaster simulations for all department heads in order to provide an opportunity for departments to improve their ability to respond to emergency incidents. Second, a citizen information forum involving representatives from the city’s Police and Fire departments, FBI, County Health Department officials and local medical personnel were conducted. Third, the city obtained an emergency management grant for the procurement of a mobile command and communications post to ensure the provision of city services and provide a mobile command center for city functions.
Additionally, city officials provided training to emergency responders and city personnel in weapons of mass destruction and incident command. The City of Ormond Beach has also taken an active role in the Regional Domestic Security Task Force and conducted security surveys of political and religious facilities throughout the city.
Contact Person:
Michael R. Longfellow, Assistant Police Chief
City of Ormond Beach
City Hall
22 S. Beach Street
Ormond Beach, FL 32174
Phone: (386) 676-3502
E-mail: Longfellow@Ormondbeach.org
City of Oviedo
Mayor Thomas G. Walters
Oviedo Emergency Management Response
Police Department:
Trained the Oviedo Police Department in weapons of mass destruction.
All officers are scheduled to attend Incident Command System Training prior to January 2003.
Have ordered personal protection equipment suits for the city’s police officers.
Joined the Seminole County Terrorism and Homeland Security Task Force.
Fire Department:
Acquired a State Bureau of Emergency Medical Services grant towards the purchase of personal protective equipment.
Acquired a FEMA grant to purchase radio equipment to facilitate radio communications with surrounding fire/EMS agencies.
Enhanced current Disaster Response Logistical Trailer available throughout the State of Florida.
Increased firefighter terrorism training.
Contact Person:
Officer Travis Cockcroft
Oviedo Fire Rescue Emergency Management
400 Alexandria Boulevard
Oviedo, FL 32765
Phone: (407) 977-6146
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Alphabetical Listing of City and Member County Responses
| Best Practices Intro | A - C | D - G | H - L | P - R | S - W | Additional Resources |
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