Local governments to handle disaster relief

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October 8, 2008

<b>Homeland Security directing collaboration between counties</b>

by Kevin Lilly Pharos-Tribune Wed Oct 08, 2008, 10:47 AM EDT

In case of a disaster such as bioterrorism, pandemic flu or flooding, state officials want counties to combine resources.

The plan by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security is to formally structure each of the state’s 10 districts and put the initial responsibility of disaster response into the hands of local officials. District 4 administrative coordinator Janet Buche discussed the initiative on Monday with the Cass County commissioners.

In 2005, homeland security split the state into 10 districts in an effort to increase collaboration between counties in response to disasters, both natural and manmade.

“Post-9/11 and post-Katrina, it’s become obvious that we do need to be able to stand up on our own locally and take care of ourselves until additional help can arrive from farther away if need be,” Buche said.

Starting this year, the Department of Homeland Security is asking local officials to split districts into three elements, the first being a planning oversight committee that provides an executive level of support to the other elements.

“They will provide oversight for the activities conducted by the district planning council and the district task force,” Buche said.

The committee will be comprised of each president of commissioners from the nine counties, plus the mayor from the largest city in each county.

District 4 consists of Benton, Carroll, Cass, Clinton, Fountain, Montgomery, Tippecanoe, Warren and White counties.

The council will be comprised of the EMA director from each county, as well as one person who is appointed by commissioners and a person appointed by the mayors.

“So, three persons from each county in the district will serve on the district planning council — equal representation from each county, which is very important when we’re talking about discussing where money is spent,” Buche said.

Buche referred to the district task force as the “boots on the ground.” The task force would form specialized teams for mass casualty and public health.

“They could respond within the district,” Busche said. “At times, they may be called upon to respond within the state and possibly to a Katrina, a Gustof, Ike, etc.”

Buche reminded the commissioners that local government would maintain control over their own jurisdiction, as well as the amount of resources it provides to other counties in a particular disaster.

District 4 field coordinator Reg Shireman spoke to importance of the structuring initiative.

“You all as county executives will be the key ingredient to establish priorities for the counties in our district,” Shireman said. “One of the goals of the administration is to minimize duplication of equipment, training and so on for the responders in your counties. So, it is very, very critical that you as executives and the city executives participate and have input into this program.”

The first meeting of all county representatives is Oct. 28. The agenda includes reviewing bylaws, appointing members to the council and establishing chairpersons for the oversight committee.

Kevin Lilly can be reached at (574) 732-5117, or via e-mail at kevin.lilly@pharostribune.com

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<b>Homeland Security directing collaboration between counties</b>

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