1996-08-15 Emergency Meeting
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 25
HURRICANE BERTHA CRITIQUE, AUGUST 15, 1996PAGE 537
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met in Special
Session on Thursday, August 15, 1996, at 7:00 P.M. in the Assembly
Room of the New Hanover County Courthouse, 24 North Third Street,
Wilmington, North Carolina.
Members present were: Commissioners William A. Caster;
William E. Sisson, Jr.; Vice-Chairman E. L. Mathews, Jr.; County
Manager, Allen O'Neal; County Attorney, Wanda M. Copley; and Clerk
to the Board, Lucie F. Harrell.
Members absent were: Commissioner Sandra Barone and Chairman
Robert G. Greer.
Vice-Chairman Mathews called the meeting to order and
expressed appreciation to all persons present for the excellent job
performed in protecting the public safety during Hurricane Bertha.
He advised that the purpose of the meeting was to critique the
emergency activities that occurred before, during, and after the
storm.
Director of Emergency Management, Dan Summers, presented the
functions of the emergency plan and requested comments from
representatives of the different agencies.
Transportation: Lieutenant Colonel Gregory M. Griffith, U. S. Army
1033rd RTU, advised that during emergency events, the Army RTU was
responsible for coordinating transportation needs, including mass
transportation or special needs. During Hurricane Bertha, the
major transportation need was to move people in and out of
shelters. The coordination of providing vehicles was well carried
out; however, finding drivers after the storm was a problem. On
July 11, 1996, the 1033rd RTU Unit was requested to staff the EOC
and complied to this request with staffing before, during, and
after the storm. He stated, in his opinion, the coordination
within EOC was excellent.
Communications: Mr. David Lane, representing Bell South, advised
that Bell South had an Emergency Preparedness Plan in place and
reported when Hurricane Bertha arrived, the plan was implemented.
Generators and extra crews were brought in immediately to repair
lines and restore phone service. Bell South was pleased with the
response by the recovery crews. One new responsibility was the
provision of a Bell South representative in the EOC. This
representative was extremely helpful in coordinating safety issues
with Carolina Power & Light Company. Priority communications were
well covered with the exception of one link on the 911 tower, which
will be reviewed for future emergencies. As to the Media Center,
it was found that a Bell South representative should have been
located in the Center after the hurricane to assist the public with
questions about restoring phone service. He advised this issue
would be reviewed and included in Bell South's Emergency
Preparedness Plan.
Mr. Tom Matheson, a representative of the National Weather
Service, expressed concern for information having to be retyped on
weather statements issued before being forwarded to the EOC. He
advised that the Weather Service had worked for two years to
improve this response without success. He complimented the ham
radio operators for the excellent job performed in relaying the
latest weather reports to the EOC and stated without this
assistance, the latest weather bulletins would have been delayed
for at least thirty minutes before being received by the EOC.
Emergency Management Director Summers explained that in North
Carolina DCI cannot be used for transmitting hurricane warnings;
whereas, in South Carolina there is limited use of DCI during
emergencies.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 25
HURRICANE BERTHA CRITIQUE, AUGUST 15, 1996PAGE 538
Mr. Andrew J. Atkinson, the Public Information Officer and
Deputy County Manager, commented on the effective operation of the
Media Center during Hurricane Bertha and reported Press Releases
and phone responses were handled efficiently. He made the
following recommendations:
(1)The need for more fax lines.
(2)The need for more telephones in the Media Center so that all
persons staffing the Center can respond to incoming calls.
(3)The need for Bell South and Carolina Power and Light Company
to establish emergency response telephone numbers so the
public can call directly without having to call the Media
Center.
(4)More emphasis should be placed on the importance of having
representatives from the governing bodies at the Media Center
before and after the storm so better communication can occur
among the five local governments.
Vice-Chairman Mathews commented on the importance of training
persons working in the Media Center and suggested that when the new
County Public Information Officer is hired in January, 1997,
training sessions should be scheduled for all persons working in
the Center.
Mr. Tom Lamont, WWAY TV-3, complimented the Emergency
Management Staff for an excellent job performed in protecting the
public. He commented on the three different areas of news coverage
prior to the storm, during the storm, and after the storm, and
stated it was imperative that accurate information was broadcast to
the public. He expressed concern for the incident that occurred at
Snow's Cut bridge with reference to beach access and suggested the
possibility of developing a media policy relating to re-entry into
the beach communities with the use of pool photography to show the
residents pictures of the damage so they will understand why the
beach communities have not been re-opened. In closing, Mr. Lamont
advised that communication could always be improved and stated that
Channel 3 would be glad to work with the Emergency Management
Department in reviewing ways to eliminate any inconsistencies in
reporting.
Emergency Management Director Summers advised that a Pleasure
Island Planning Committee had been appointed and meetings were
scheduled to review and coordinate a re-entry policy for Carolina
Beach, Kure Beach, and the unincorporated area of the beach
communities. It is hoped that many of these problems will be
resolved with a unified re-entry policy.
Vice-Chairman Mathews advised that Chairman Greer had
recommended an hourly or periodic report from the beach communities
to the Media Center so the residents of the beaches could be
accurately informed about the severity of the storm and the amount
of damage that was actually occurring on the beaches. This
procedure would better inform the public, and hopefully reach the
out-of-town news media that tends to exaggerate the facts about
damage.
Commissioner Sisson complimented the local media for excellent
coverage of Hurricane Bertha. He reported the citizens were well
informed and the coverage greatly assisted the County in
protecting the public safety. He expressed concern for the
coverage on the national level, which greatly exaggerated the
damage from the storm and upset many residents and their families.
He suggested implementing the recommendation offered by Chairman
Greer and requested Staff to develop a system to better communicate
with the national media.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 25
HURRICANE BERTHA CRITIQUE, AUGUST 15, 1996PAGE 539
Mr. Mark Boyer, a reporter with WGNI/WMNX-Coast, expressed the
following concerns: (1) receipt of information from the Media
Center in a timely fashion; and (2) the inconsistent information
received from persons working in the Media Center. He recommended
implementing a procedure that would avoid discrepancies in the
information being disbursed.
County Manager O'Neal responded that he was aware of the fact
that inconsistent information came from the Media Center. He
advised that Staff was in the process of reviewing this matter and
changing the schedule so that incoming workers would arrive fifteen
minutes earlier to be briefed on the latest information being
released.
Mr. Bill Murrill, the Emergency Coordinator for the Amateur
Radio Emergency Services, reported the delay of weather information
to the EOC was a problem; however, the amateur radio operators,
through a direct line to the National Weather Service could
transmit the latest weather bulletin within three to five minutes.
He complimented the EOC and the Media Center for an excellent job,
and reported that one antenna for the Amateur Radio Emergency
Services was lost during the storm.
Public Works & Engineering:
Mr. Ed Fare, representing the City of Wilmington, reported
that overall he was pleased with the way the City's infrastructure
responded during Hurricane Bertha. The drainage system worked
well, and the streets were re-opened within 48 hours with traffic
signals in operation. He complimented the EOC and the Media Center
for an excellent job in protecting the lives of the public through
an efficient evacuation. Appreciation was expressed for the manner
in which the damage assessment and clean-up activities were handled
by the County Staff after the storm.
Emergency Management Director Summers reported the
establishment of a Recovery Center in the auditorium at the Health
Department had been a major improvement in handling damage
assessment. He advised that in future events, it would be
beneficial to hold a short, post recovery debriefing session each
morning among the key agencies for three or four days after a storm
to provide a daily exchange of information.
Director of Environmental Management, Ray Church, reported a
plan was developed two years ago to have contracts in place with
debris grinding companies and a Public Notice ready to advertise
for receipt of bids to dispose of vegetative debris. This plan
allowed the County to open debris disposal sites one day after the
storm and award a contract for debris removal four days after the
storm. He complimented the Emergency Management Department for an
excellent job in carrying out the emergency process and stated he
was pleased with the manner in which the clean-up activities had
been handled.
Assistant County Manager, Dave Weaver, congratulated Director
Church for the outstanding job performed in handling debris removal
and the promptness in which the public was informed about disposal
of trees and yard debris. He commented on the need for more
generators in the pumping stations and advised that all new pumping
stations coming on line would he equipped with a generator.
Commissioner Sisson expressed concern for the fly-by-night
debris disposers and stated future elected officials should
consider developing a committee to study implementing some type of
regulation to avoid excessive charges to citizens for tree and
debris removal.
Fire Operations: Mr. Gene Kidd, representing the Wilmington Fire
Department, reported the communication between the EOC and
Wilmington Fire Department was excellent. He suggested that
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 25
HURRICANE BERTHA CRITIQUE, AUGUST 15, 1996PAGE 540
representatives from Carolina Power & Light Company and the gas
companies should be in the EOC to assist the Fire Department when
responding to fire calls associated with live power lines or
leaking gas lines.
Mr. Phil Kouwe, the Fire Services Administrator for New
Hanover County, reported the fire stations became regional response
centers and he presented the following recommendations:
(1)Advance planning of supplies for the Volunteer Fire Stations
to house work crews. During Hurricane Bertha, there was an
inadequate supply of bedding and food supplies in the fire
stations.
(2)In future events, the Fire Services personnel in the EOC will
use a laptop computer programmed with a fax modem to disburse
information more quickly.
(3)The County should consider enhancing the 800 MHZ System to
broadcast audio updates of the storm's progress back to the
EOC.
(4)Increased communication should occur with Carolina Power &
Light Company crews after the storm to assist the Volunteer
Fire Departments with responding to tree fires.
(5)Conflict areas between the N. C. Forestry Service and the
County's authority to issue a burning ban should be studied
with a regulation in place that is agreeable to all parties
involved.
(6)Improvement of telephone communications between the Chiefs of
the Volunteer Fire Departments and FEMA, which can be
accomplished through voice mail.
In closing, Mr. Kouwe reported he was pleased that the
Volunteer Fire Departments were fully staffed and remained
operational throughout the storm, including the fire station on
Highway 421 North.
Mass Care: Mr. Michael Thompson, Disaster Chairman for the Cape
Fear Chapter of the American Red Cross, reported overall he was
pleased with the manner in which the shelters were opened and
operated. He complimented the Department of Social Services, the
Health Department and School System for their assistance in
operating the shelters and presented the following items of
concern:
(1)Establishment of a policy to better handle news reporters
interviewing persons in the shelter. During Hurricane Bertha,
a problem was experienced with protecting the privacy of other
persons during news interviews.
(2)Additional cots and blankets are desperately needed for the
shelters.
(3)Generators are needed for all schools that serve as shelters
during emergencies. Frequently, the shelters are hot and
without lights or the ability to prepare hot food. This type
of situation could have created some serious problems.
Further discussion was held on the need to purchase
generators. It was generally agreed that switches should be placed
in the schools so generators could be connected when the shelters
are activated. County Manager O'Neal advised that Staff would
review whether to purchase additional generators or prepare rental
contracts in advance so that generators could be provided to the
school shelters during emergencies.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 25
HURRICANE BERTHA CRITIQUE, AUGUST 15, 1996PAGE 541
BREAK
Vice-Chairman Mathews called a break from 8:10 P.M. until 8:20
P.M.
Ms. Chris McNamee, an employee of the Department of Social
Services (DSS), reported that 80 DSS employees manned the shelters
that housed 400 citizens under difficult situations because of the
lack of generators and no provisions for the special needs
population. She presented the following recommendations:
(1)The provision of generators for each shelter.
(2)Use of trained personnel from the Health Department and
Southeastern Center in the shelters to handle the special
needs population, including mentally ill persons. Employees
from the Department of Social Services were required to take
care of special needs patients without the necessary training.
(3)Provide adequate batteries, diapers, and other supplies to the
shelters. Employees of the Department of Social Services had
to purchase these supplies.
(4)Reassess the persons using the shelters and provide
transportation to the homeless population. Many of the
homeless persons stood under the parking deck during Hurricane
Bertha. The County may wish to consider establishing a
specific location in the downtown area for this vulnerable
population.
Emergency Management Director Summers responded there was no
easy way to handle special needs during a disaster. He advised
that Staff was working on a plan to better address the special
needs population in the shelters.
Dr. Art Costantini, Director of the Southeastern Center,
reported the Southeastern Center was not represented in the
shelters because Staff had not been invited or included in the
emergency planning process. He advised that the Southeastern
Center had the necessary resources to assist with special needs and
stated with official authorization, he would be glad to keep the
Detox Center open to handle persons with mental illnesses and
substance abuse problems during emergency events.
Deputy County Manager Atkinson reported on the number of calls
received from persons living in the inner-city who did not have
transportation to the Trask Middle School Shelter. He recommended
a review of how transportation can be provided to these
individuals.
County Manager O'Neal commented on confusion between the Trask
Middle School and Trask Auditorium at UNC-Wilmington and
recommended working with the news media to be sure that Trask
Middle School is properly identified when broadcasting the opening
of the shelter. Apparently, some people went to Trask Auditorium
and Chancellor Leutze provided shelter to these individuals.
Mr. Bill Hance, representing the New Hanover County School
System, expressed concern for the following items:
(1)The need for generators in each school shelter.
(2)The need for a clear delineation of authority among the Red
Cross, Department of Social Services, and School System when
the school shelters are activated.
(3)Future planning for medical supplies to be delivered to
shelters. During Hurricane Bertha the medical supplies of the
schools were used.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 25
HURRICANE BERTHA CRITIQUE, AUGUST 15, 1996PAGE 542
(4)Future planning for food and supplies to be used in the
shelters. Some of the food was old and could not be used.
(5)Rotation of the school shelters. Also, with a Category 4
storm the schools could be closed for months, which would
create a lack of child care. Both of these items should be
considered when reviewing the County's emergency plan.
In closing, Mr. Hance reported the schools should be more
involved in the planning process for emergencies because of the
following reasons: (1) to assist school personnel in better
understanding how to proceed once the shelters are activated; and
(2) properly plan for shelter use in the design of the new schools
being constructed.
Further discussion was held on better management of the
shelters. County Manager O'Neal reported on the need to have some
employees from the Property Management Department in the shelters
and EOC to handle minor electrical and maintenance problems. He
advised that Staff would be reviewing all of the comments received.
RESOURCE SUPPORT: No comments were received.
HEALTH AND MEDICAL: Ms. Betty Creech, a Nurse Director of the New
Hanover County Health Department, commented on the provision of
medical care in the shelters and presented the following
recommendations:
(1)Designation of a Shelter Manager to avoid confusion.
(2)Additional equipment for special needs such as wheel chairs
and dedicated equipment for persons with special medical
problems.
(3)Employees from the Southeastern Center should be in the
shelters to assist with emotionally ill and substance abuse
patients.
(4)More nurses are needed in the shelters.
(5)All institutions with patients in the shelters should have
accompanying staff.
(6)Physicians should be available to answer questions about
persons with special medical needs during disasters.
(7)The Health Department should work more closely with the Red
Cross in advance planning for opening of the shelters.
Ms. Barbara Bisset, New Hanover Regional Medical Center
Emergency Services Director, complimented the Emergency Management
Department for an excellent job in providing agencies with
information on emergency situations. She reported the "Storm
Watch" video had been used to train hospital personnel and advised
that the Emergency Room had sufficient medical supplies and
personnel to handle injuries that could be sustained during a
Category 4 or 5 storm. She emphasized the importance of everyone
understanding that a severe storm could create a loss of lives and
severe injuries. As to special needs, she would suggest that New
Hanover County appoint a Crisis Intervention Team to meet and
develop a policy to be followed in handling persons with special
needs during emergency events.
URBAN SEARCH AND RESCUE: Mr. Mark Scott, ERP&M, complimented the
Emergency Management Department for performing an excellent job
during Hurricane Bertha. He recommended developing teams with
volunteer firemen trained in search management and tracking to
assist with rescue efforts. Also, engineering support should be
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 25
HURRICANE BERTHA CRITIQUE, AUGUST 15, 1996PAGE 543
provided to assist with collapsed structures during the rescue
efforts.
Mr. Marcus Benson, a Sergeant with the New Hanover County
Sheriff's Department, commented on the need to move utility service
trucks through traffic when coming into the County to restore
electricity and phone service. He advised that traffic delays
occurred during the recent storm, and the Sheriff's Department was
in the process of reviewing how to escort a convoy through incoming
and out-going traffic before and after a hurricane.
Mr. Tony Caudle, Town Manager of Wrightsville Beach,
congratulated everyone for performing an excellent job,
particularly Bell South and Carolina Power & Light Company. He
expressed appreciation to the New Hanover County Emergency
Management Department for the efficient manner in which the
emergency procedures were carried out before, during, and after the
storm.
Vice-Chairman Mathews made the following recommendations:
(1)Immediate notification of the Media Center telephone number to
the key County Departments when the Center is activated.
(2)Until County offices are closed, pertinent information should
be provided periodically to the key County Departments so
correct information can be given to the public.
(3)After the Media Center is closed, pertinent information about
clean-up activities should be forwarded immediately to the key
County Departments.
Director Summers expressed appreciation for the comments
received and advised this type of critique would be helpful to the
Emergency Management Department in addressing problem areas. He
requested all persons present to fill out the Hurricane Bertha
Questionnaire and return or fax the form to the Emergency
Management office. He complimented the agencies for their
cooperation during the storm and stated without this dedicated
effort, the emergency plan would not have been so effective.
ADJOURNMENT
Vice-Chairman Mathews expressed appreciation to the persons
present for the informative remarks received, and stated, on behalf
of the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners, he would like to
thank each individual agency and person for the cooperative manner
in which they worked with the County in carrying out the emergency
plan.
Vice-Chairman Mathews adjourned the meeting at 9:28 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Lucie F. Harrell
Clerk to the Board