Galveston serves as a model for emergency preparedness | 01.19.2007 | 07:18:06 | Views: 6937 | ID: January 19 '07: Participating members of the public and private sectors as well as community response leaders gathered in Galveston, Texas this week to laud the city's efforts at emergency preparedness. Specifically, the National Council on Readiness and Preparedness presented a Best Practices Award for disaster planning to the city's Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas the Houston Chronicle reported. Mayor Thomas received the award after her emergency planning for the city in 2005 during the worst hurricane season on record. Through Thomas' efforts, the city of 60,000 was safely evacuated during Hurricane Rita. "The city's disaster plan also gained notice because it deals with the aftermath of disaster and how to get private business as well as city government back in operation," the Chronicle reported. Thomas' plan also included efforts for evacuating the 3,200 handicapped and disabled citizens who rely on others for transportation to a safe place during a disaster. NCORP's Chairman, former Republican Governor James Gilmore said Mayor Thomas' efforts have made the city prepared for any disaster. "If you are prepared for a hurricane, you are, practically, prepared for a terrorist event," Gilmore said to the conference of first responders, city officials, emergency management teams and community leaders.
Copyright ©2007 TheBreakingNews.com. All Rights Reserved. No reproduction in part or full without prior written permission.
|