News Room
October 5, 2001 Joint Public Oversight Hearing on District of Columbia Preparedness (Cont.)
One thing our trip to New York did reinforce is the need to have comprehensive, well-thought-out plans to support not only the initial responders, but also the entire range of individuals touched by events such as these: the victims, their families, the other agencies that take part in the rescue and recovery efforts, neighbors, school-children … the list goes on. In other words, I think our plans need to build the type of support network that will enhance the safety and effectiveness of the initial responders, while creating a broad safety net for those who come in behind us.
For the MPD, there are a few critical areas we are focusing on, as we work to update and improve our emergency response plans.
- Equipment is certainly critical, especially given the potential threat posed by biological or chemical attack. Like police departments in major cities across the country, we are now looking to upgrade the clothing, masks and other protective gear we issue to our officers - particularly those in specialized assignments that would be among the first responders to these types of critical incidents. As we continue this process, I think we need to look to the military and other parts of the federal government for standards and other guidance.
- Training is another critical area. In fiscal 2000, we provided all sworn members of the MPD with a basic, four-hour training on weapons of mass destruction, as part of their regular in-service training. But we need to do much more. So we are now in the process of putting together a three-year training plan that will build on the basic "awareness" course with more specifics on how to handle "bio-chem" and related events.
- The World Trade Center attacks demonstrated the importance of communications - both primary and backup - in events such as these. New York, like most cities, relies on a single vendor for its telephone service - in this case, Verizon. When Verizon's main switching station in lower Manhattan was rendered inoperable, telephone communications for the Police Department broke down. We need to be looking at backup providers - and backup procedures - to help us operate when the primary provider goes out.
- I mentioned traffic earlier. Our Department is working closely with the District Division of Transportation to first develop an evacuation plan for the District. Then, we will be going to neighboring jurisdictions to ensure that our plans are coordinated with theirs. This is a regional issue, and we must deal with it in a comprehensive, regional manner.
These and other changes are being incorporated into a new General Order that updates and improves our basic Emergency Response Plan. This order establishes different levels of emergency situations, and includes a matrix of decisions and activities that will occur within each level. We are also in the process of developing more detailed Standard Operating Procedures for major operational and support units. These SOPs will put the overall plan into action.
As I mentioned earlier, this type of planning is important, and the MPD is working hard to ensure our plans are comprehensive, creative and meaningful. At the same time, I don't want members of our Department or members of the community to be lulled into a false sense of security, just because there is a new and improved plan.
There are no "rules" for the type of heartless attacks that occurred on September 11th. And because of that, there can be no hard-and-fast "rules" for how police officers and other first responders will react. Responding to the threats we face today will necessarily entail a great deal of quick-thinking, ingenuity and improvisation on our part. Our emergency response plans will play an important role in ensuring that we can respond as safely and effectively as possible - and that our officers will have all of the support mechanisms in place to carry out our unique and heroic responsibilities to the community. Thank you very much.
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