A Call for Public Action - Do you Care About Emergency Management Training

So now the latest attacks on me are coming through one of the Pacific City Council Members. It seems a certain City Council Member is questioning my attending Emergency Management Training and how this is in the public’s interest.  I believe that most people should understand the value my taking training has brought this city, but let’s entertain him a bit.

When I took over as Mayor we had a ¼ page boilerplate emergency management plan that was as realistic as BP’s Gulf Coast Oil Spill Plan.  We now have a very comprehensive document that not only meets, but exceeds Federal requirements.  We are now training staff and citizens to meet the goals of our plan and to meet the requirements of State and Federal Laws.  And if that is not enough, following the floods of 2009 our city activated a response that was 2^nd to none in helping our neighbors that were impacted by this flood.  So has it been a value to our citizens that I take Emergency Management Training? I will let them decide.

Now a question I have for this Council Member.  Homeland Security Presidential Directives 5 and 8 established certain requirements for local jurisdictions including requirements for elected officials (who are members of the policy group) to take ICS training (Incident Command System).  In addition the City of Pacific’s NIMS compliance plan, adopted with the CEMP last January (and voted on by him) again requires All Council Members to be trained to a certain level in ICS and sets a timeline for meeting that training.  How come this Council Member has not met any of those requirements?

Now this Council Member has made attacks against me behind closed doors.  I want this played out in the open.  I have no problem defending my taking classes and in fact most people I have talked to are glad that I do take the time to do so.  I think it is time for the citizens of this city to stand up and let council know what they think.  Write letters, come down to meetings, and make your voice known.  Do you want a city where elected officials do nothing to prepare this city or one where its elected officials work proactively?

Letters can be addressed care of the:

Pacific City Council President

100 3^rd Ave SE

Pacific, WA 98047

Public Comment is taken at the beginning of each regular meeting (2^nd and 4^th Monday’s)