Community Panel Highlights Local Emergency Plans

Author: Elizabeth Logue Managing Editor

Those afforded the responsibility of protecting Addison County are not relying solely on Vermont's numerous mountains to protect its inhabitants from terrorism. Last Thursday, Addison County Emergency Planning hosted a forum on terrorism for the citizens of and students currently living in Addison County. The event, though sparsely attended, included brief statements from a broad scope of leaders in the state and county.

The sentiment shared by those most integrally involved in the protection of Addison County amidst the recent terrorist events was a need for members of the community to be prepared for anything. Edie Poland, director of Addison County offices of the Vermont Department of Health and a member of the Vermont State Terrorism Task Force, said Addison County began planning for terrorist and disaster prevention well before the events of Sept. 11.

The State Terrorism Task Force informed the community of the work done to increase lab capabilities, raise awareness in the community and plan for hospital decontamination procedure in the event of a biological or chemical attack.

Poland said that while the events of Sept. 11 served to reinforce that these issues require attention, the Task Force has been working with the same fervor as before the World Trade Center collapse and the more recent outbreaks of anthrax.

Vermont State Police Lieutenant Robert "Butch" Casey explained to community members that each of these organizations — whether part of law enforcement, fire safety, medicine or terrorist prevention and planning — have "designated certain people and organizations [to respond] in the event of a disaster."

The State Police, Casey said, would specifically be responsible for securing the Vermont-Canadian borders, federal buildings and transportation hubs within the state, as well as coordinating with the National Guard and military, should a terrorist attack affect this community.

The former deputy fire chief of Vergennes, Ray E. Davison, addressed community concerns about capabilities of the fire departments in Addison County. Davison stated that there was more than enough manpower to combat a disaster, but that the poor quality of equipment was a more pressing issue.

Davison, however, said that Vermont fire departments were consulting with U.S. Congress to receive federal funding to improve equipment capabilities. Davison said that equipment upkeep "is a federal responsibility."

Dr. Will Porter, M.D., stated that Porter Hospital is on heightened alert because of the more real possibility of biological or chemical warfare, but stressed that since we are "living in a rural existence … an act of terrorism is highly unlikely."

Nevertheless, Porter reported that Porter Hospital is "well organized" and would be able to rise to the challenge of protecting and treating the Addison County community.

Porter also said that all doctors in Vermont were given information on anthrax diagnosis, treatment and prevention.

Middlebury Police Department Chief Tom Hanley closed the panel discussion stressing that community awareness is even more important than all the preventive and preparative measures being taken at a local and state level. Hanley said, "Terrorism has been around for 200 years. It's meant to evoke panic, fear and advance political agenda."

Most importantly, Hanley said, Addison County citizens must live their own lives safely, justly reminding attendees that thousands more lives are lost in car accidents each year than in the World Trade Center and Pentagonattacks.

While Hanley acknowledged that the events of Sept. 11 have prompted the American people to be more aware of terrorism and national security, he stressed that the best action this community can take is to "get educated," and to live our daily lives safely.

"Fear and panic are our worst enemy," said Hanley.