Emergency management at the ready for Kyle
by MOSES LEOS III
After the recent tragic events in Moore, Oklahoma and the Bastrop fires of 2011, questions about Kyle’s and Buda’s readiness for natural, or manmade, disasters surfaced.
Both cities are confident that current measures will ensure preparedness for whatever is thrown their way.
In Kyle, the days of using a tornado siren to warn citizens of impending disasters is a thing of the past. Today, an automatic dialing system is the primary method for disseminating public information.
The system, called “Code Red”, can deftly speed through thousands of numbers to notify Kyle residents.
“The Code Red system can make several thousand p
hone calls per minute, ten to 20 thousand calls per hour,” said Kyle Assistant City Manager James Earp. “Any one on the (council) staff can trigger it.”
The system uses a database of information from utility companies. In addition, citizens can register for updates via the Code Red. However, the system often has phone and cell numbers that are not up-to-date. Earp was adamant about the public keeping contact information current.
“(Database numbers) change as people move in and out of the city,” Earp said. “As people’s numbers change, people need to make sure their information is current.”
The plan
When a local emergency happens, such as flash flooding or a small tornado, the city council and their emergency management teams spring into action. For these situations, the council convenes at Kyle City Hall.
If a larger disaster befalls the city, such as a wildfire or severe tornado or flood, the city moves the meeting site to the Public Works building along 150 East. Restrooms with showers and a full kitchen give emergency management a way to stay longer if needed.
The role of the city council varies based on the type of disaster. During smaller, localized events, the council delegates tasks to ensure public works and utilities are handle
d. In the event of a flood, one of the more prevalent emergencies in the region, the council takes steps to monitor and close off low water crossings. The installation of gates on Burleson Street and Lehman Road provide an easier way for authorities to close off those areas.
However, a larger emergency, such as a tornado event along the lines of Moore, OK, or the Bastrop fires, changes the role of the council. Under that scenario, only the mayor can delegate tasks, as she or he has unilateral control of the city.
“The city council does not have a role in those disasters,” Earp said. “The mayor becomes the Emergency Management coordinator, unless they assign a representative. They have the ability to declare a state of emergency.”
If the event is on an even larger scale, the city then turns the power over to Hays Co
unty. For something more widespread and catastrophic, emergency response goes to the state, then to the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA).
Recently, Kyle has undergone training in the National Incident Management System (NIMS), which is guided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Until last year, the city had no true emergency plan to follow.
The NIMS program is a national initiative that provides a comprehensive approach to any disaster. It gives a set of concepts, principles and management procedures for effective operation during a crisis.
According to Earp, department heads in Kyle will complete NIMS training by June 14.
Outside of a few localized events, Earp is relieved the city has not used either of the Emer
gency Operation Centers to their full capacity. With floods, tornadoes and wildfires being the three most likely disasters to fall upon Kyle, Earp is confident the city will be ready to meet those challenges.
“We are lucky and blessed to not have been struck by a major tornado, or major flood that takes many lives,” Earp said.
Emergency management in place for city of Buda
by MOSES LEOS III
Like Kyle, Buda is prepared when it comes to severe weather emergencies. The city has systems in place to ensure the public is notified in case of an emergency.
When an emergency happens, Buda residents can be notified through the Emergency Notification System Cellular Telephone Interface, or a Reverse 9-1-1 system. This system goes through the log of numbers provided by residents, giving them information on events that may cause imminent danger to property or lives.
Buda is able to do this through the Capital Area Council of Governments (C
APCOG) Emergency Notification System (ENS). Residents can sign up their cell phones online with the CAPCOG ENS, which sends the messages when necessary. These notifications are sent out via local safety officials.
The city also has the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) as well. The IPAWS system works much like the CAPCOG ENS, where a message is sent out to cell phones. However, IPAWS works with cell phone providers to automatically send out emergency notification messages, without the need for citizens to sign up for it.
“The City of Buda is currently working to train personnel and get [IPAWS] fully in place,” said Mike Beggs, Buda Public Works Director and Emergency Management Coordinator, in an emailed response.
Citizens can also receive emergency notifications via the Alert Center on the city website. Residents can subscribe to get messages, where the emergencies are listed by category.
Once citizens are notified, the city government then goes to work. All sixty-seven full time staff members in the city are trained in the National Incident Management System (NIMS). According to Beggs, city employees hold 205 NIMS certificates.
The primary location for the Emergency Operations Center is Buda City Hall council chambers. If that is not usable, the Public Works Department office becomes the secondary locale, with a possible third option being one of the three Buda fire stations.
Once in place, city employees assess the severity of the event at hand. They monitor weather patterns via the Texas Department of Emergency Management; emails sent from this department keep the council and city government up to date on changing conditions.
“There are also two Weather Bug monitoring stations located at the Office of Emergency Management and Buda Police Department,” said Beggs.
The city also coordinates with the Buda police and the Buda Fire Department, along with the Hays County Office of Emergency Management, in the event of a large-scale disaster.
Use of a coordinated command system then takes precedence. Buda utilizes the Incident Command System during Emergency Management Operations. Buda employees are required to have a minimum of ICS 100 and ICS 700 certification within the first 180 days of employment. This system is in place to ensure Buda can respond to any type of emergency.
The ICS is an interdisciplinary system, and can meet these challenges:
• Meets the needs of a jurisdiction to cope with incidents of any kind or complexity
• Allows personnel from a wide variety of agencies to meld rapidly into a common management structure with common terminology.
• Provide logistical and administrative support to operational staff
• Cost effective by avoiding duplication of efforts and continuing overhead
• Provide a unified, centrally authorized emergency organization
