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Chair Carey wanted to know who would be responsible for this and Jack Ball <br />said it would be Emergency Managements' responsibility in Orange County. The <br />Emergency Management Specialist has been coordinating some evacuation means <br />with our local public employees, bus companies and even rails. This is in the <br />preliminary stage at the current time but they are identifying those needs as far as <br />needing to evacuate. They want to be able to have whatever resources are available to <br />aid us in this endeavor. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis mentioned the school systems and their buses and Jack <br />Ball said the school superintendents were also involved in this planning. <br />Commissioner Jacobs would like to see more detail on these evacuation plans. <br />He said they need to have realistic plans particularly in the case of something <br />happening at Shearron Harris and only having a 30-minute warning. He feels these <br />plans need to include a Sheriff's deputy stationed with the gas tankers, etc. so that we <br />will be up to speed based on Hurricane Katrina observations. <br />Jack Ball responded that they are not depending on FEMA to come in and "fix <br />it". They were able to send several employees into the Hurricane Katrina affected area <br />and Lt. Steve Newton will speak to his observations and some of his learning lessons. <br />Evacuation is just one way to protect the citizens depending on the severity of the <br />incident. Sheltering in place may be the more appropriate methodology. He said that <br />their plan is just a guideline and they need to be innovative in dealing with all <br />emergencies including communications. We are trying to plan for the worst so we can <br />hope for the best. Jack Ball listed some of the preparation they have made in getting <br />information and assistance to the citizens. Some of these include presentations at <br />various group meetings, working with Social Services (particularly regarding citizens with <br />special needs), meeting with facilities to help with their response plans, sharing literature <br />in English and Spanish with groups. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis asked for the shelter guide card to be shared with <br />everyone. He asked if the back-up plan for the 9-1-1 Center that was put into place <br />several years ago was still in place. Jack Ball said that this is still in effect and the UNC <br />Communications Center is also a part of the plan now. Commissioner Halkiotis asked <br />about issues with water, food, emergency generators, and emergency gas and are they <br />all in place. Jack Ball said yes. Commissioner Halkiotis said that citizens need to hear <br />that all this is in place now so that they do not have to depend on the State and Federal <br />Government to do everything for them. He said that he feels good about what <br />Emergency Management has put in place. <br />Commissioner Foushee asked what the plan called for in the absence of <br />electronic communications. Will there be locations to disseminate information to the <br />citizens? <br />Jack Ball responded that one of the things they would do is activate the <br />Emergency Access System (EAS) which gives them state-wide access to all the radio <br />transmitters in the state giving information out across the public air waves. He said that <br />is a citizen was in their car there would be broadcasts coming across the radio. He said <br />that they recommend that everyone have abattery-operated radio so they can tune in to <br />