Agenda - 03-20-2001-5c - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: March 20, 2001 Action Agenda Item No. ~J -G ' SUBJECT: Acceptance of Grant far Planning for Consequences of Terrorism DEPARTMENT: Emergency Management PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): 1/31/01 Grant Award Notification ~- =- 1/05/01 Grant Proposal from Emergency Management Director INFORMATION CONTACT: Nick Waters, ext 3030 TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 968-4501 Durham 6887331 Mebane 336-227-2031 PURROSE: To accept a federal grant that would reimburse the County's Department of Emergency Management up to $40,000 to develop a plan and training program for Domestic Terrorism Preparedness. BACKGROUND: Terrorism is defined as "the use of force or violence against persons or property in violation of the criminal laws of the U.S. for the purpose of intimidation, coercion or ransom". In recent years, there has been an increase nationwide in these types of events, including the World Trade Center bombings and school shootings. These events typically involve the use weapons of mass destruction [bombs, automatic weapons, chemicals or biological] to cause damage, injuries, and loss of life. Response to incidents resulting from terrorism and weapons of mass destruction must be well thought out. These incidents cannot be handled as routine calls because of the unique hazards they pose to the responders. Plans must be developed for the responders and potential target facilities, such as schools and government buildings, as places of mass gatherings. The County has been notified by means of the attached grant award that it will receive $40,000 in federal funds that will be used to upgrade the County's Multi-Hazard plan to include an element related to Weapons of Mass Destruction. The County's Emergency Management Department serves as the hub in all major emergency events in the County. In addition, it provides centralized training for responders and agencies that may be involved in responding to these events. This grant will enable the deparkment to hire a temporary employee with specialized knowledge in this subject matter to accomplish the training and planning goals. The planning and training would involve all emergency responders, law enforcement, both school systems, UNC-CH, UNC Hospitals, and selected county and municipal departments. It is estimated that this project would take approximately one year to complete.