Just in case, are we ready?

La Crosse Tribune, Sep 11, 2005 by Springer, Dan, Simmons, Dan

Could it happen here?

The question invaded the thoughts and disrupted the sleep of many Americans in the days and weeks since four passenger planes turned into enemy missiles, killing 2,985 people on a quiet morning four years ago today.

Now, with the nation entrapped in another catastrophe - this one the work of nature - the question emerges anew: could it happen here?

Since Sept. 11, 2001, much has been done to plan for disasters and shore up deficiencies exposed during the response to the tragic events.

The Department of Homeland Security - a federal agency formed in the wake of the attacks - has contributed $697,647 in grant money to La Crosse County.

The money went to police and fire departments throughout the area to provide emergency workers with better equipment and more training.

More than terrorism

La Crosse County Emergency Management Coordinator Keith Butler said a committee decided long ago to concentrate on more than terrorism when choosing where the money would be spent.

"Knowing that we're not a likely terrorist target, they took it one step further and said we don't want things that are going to sit on the shelf for a possible terrorist attack 15 years down the road," Butler said. "We want equipment in the hands of our responders they can use on a daily basis that will also enhance their building response, to terrorism."

To date, 32 agencies have received Homeland Security funds to purchase equipment. The largest amount, $200,000, went toward revamping a donated bus into a mobile dispatch and command center, Butler said.

That bus is a near replica of the dispatch center located in the basement of the La Crosse County Courthouse. It offers room for three dispatchers who could continue to do their work if, for whatever reason, the courthouse is unusable, Butler said.

According to Butler, each state controls how they want to spend what they receive from the federal government.

In Wisconsin, officials in the state Emergency Management office, along with the governor's office, allocates how much money will go county. Then, each county decides how that money should be used, Butler said.

In La Crosse County, a 10-member committee - made up of representatives of fire, law enforcement, medical emergency, public works, volunteer organizations, municipalities and business leaders - reviews applications and chooses whichitems to purchase.

The committee looks at the history of the department; the overall need for the equipment; if there's a way to share with another community; and if, the equipment is compatible with what's used elsewhere in the county.

Throughout the process, the county is expected to keep detailed records of money received and items purchased. During an annual audit, the state asks to not only see the county's records but also see the items that have been purchased, Butler said.

Changes since 9/11 not only helped bring a large amount of equipment into the county, they allowed several public service agencies to expand programs, Butler said.

Those include the Emergency Response Team, Collapse and Rescue Team, Hazardous Materials Team and Mass Casualty Disaster Team.

Since La Crosse County has a regional Emergency Response Team - known as SWAT teams in some places - Gov. Jim Doyle recently provided the county with a $180,000 assault vehicle known as a BearCat - an acronym for Ballistic Engineered Armored Response and Rescue Counter Attack Truck.

After receiving Homeland Security money through the federal Office of justice Assistance, Doyle decided to buy vehicles for each of the regional Emergency Response Teams, La Crosse sheriffs Capt. Mike Horstman said.

The loans underscore the importance of a regional response to disaster, whether by human or natural causes. Mutual-aid agreements between municipalities and La Crosse county allow the shared use of emergency personnel and equipment.

That becomes particularly important in light of the disparities in funding. Holmen, for example, received just $15,297 in Homeland Security grants. But it doesn't mean the village is illequipped to deal with a catastrophic event.

"Our first call would be to the county emergency preparedness folks," said Mike McHugh, Holmen police chief.

From there, the emergency management teams would arrive on-scene to help with rescue and recovery, in frequent contact with McHugh. "They provide the necessary manpower and equipment, and I provide a local contact to run operations through," McHugh said.

BY THE NUMBERS

Homeland Security grants for area counties, 2005 Homeland Security grants have dropped dramatically since the initial distribution in 2003, Grant amounts for local counties in 2005 include:

CRAWFORD: $19,063

JACKSON: $17,929

LA CROSSE: $65,489

MONROE: $32,234

TREMPEALEAU: $24,497

VERNON: $25,109

Homeland Security grant allocations, La Crosse County

2003: $427,605

2004: $204,553

2005: $65,489 (projected)

The Onalaska example

Onalaska fire and police departments have received $119,124 in Homeland Security grants. Fire Chief Paul Menches said the city focused on obtaining equipment that could be used both in daily firefighting tasks and in emergency management situations.