What’s measured Using a survey designed by the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute with input from task force members who worked on this report, county officials in the region addressed evacuation plans and disaster preparedness. Survey questions concerned reverse 911 systems, radio interoperability, disaster training, disaster response and evacuation plans, mutual-assistance agreements, and related topics. Reverse 911 systems provide a quick means of notifying a large number of homes and businesses of an emergency affecting them. Radio interoperability ensures that personnel from different disciplines and different jurisdictions can communicate with each other during a disaster. Disaster training for public safety personnel can include conducting mock disaster drills and regular training in disaster preparedness. Having a comprehensive disaster response plan clarifies roles and responsibilities across agencies and disciplines and helps identify areas needing improvement, as does having an evacuation plan. Mutual assistance agreements identify personnel, supplies or other emergency items that may be provided cross-jurisdictionally during a crisis. Having them in place prior to the need for help cuts red tape and response times. Why it’s measured As concerns about terrorism, natural disasters and chemical spills or fires have increased in recent years, public safety officials have geared up to ensure timely and effective response to disasters. The Charlotte region has several issues of particular concern related to disaster preparedness and evacuation — the magnitude of the number of potential evacuees, the presence in the region of the McGuire and Catawba nuclear plants, and Charlotte’s status as the second-largest financial center in the United States. Indicator results As of 2007, all fourteen of the region’s counties have a disaster response plan fully in place, all have mutual assistance agreements with neighboring counties, and all have held a mock disaster drill in the last year. All counties except Anson (92.9 percent of all counties) have regular training sessions in disaster preparedness for emergency personnel. All counties but Anson also have an emergency response team for disasters involving chemical, biological or nuclear weapons. Eleven counties (78.6 percent of all counties) have radio interoperability for emergency personnel both within their county and with surrounding counties. Anson and Cleveland counties have partial or limited radio interoperability. Ten counties have an evacuation plan fully in place (71.4 percent of the counties); Cabarrus, Chester and Stanly counties have a limited or partial evacuation plan in place, and Anson County does not currently have an evacuation plan in place. Ten counties have a reverse 911 system in place (71.4 percent of the counties); four other counties reported they either do not have a system (Cleveland, Lancaster and Union) or have a partial or limited system in place (York). Evaluation The region is well-prepared for many disasters and can quickly let its citizens know about impending problems. In general, the region’s most densely populated counties and those at highest risk of man-made disasters seem to have the highest level of preparedness. Connections Government is a major connection because most preparation and training has to be set up, handled or paid through government agencies. Another connection is health. The preparation and planning related to this indicator is to help minimize injuries and deaths resulting from a disaster and its aftermath. Housing and transportation also play key roles because evacuation and disaster plans require key knowledge of neighborhoods and transportation infrastructure. In case of a mass evacuation, will the roads handle the volume? In case of emergency extrication (as with New Orleans residents and Hurricane Katrina), does the Charlotte region know where houses are and what are the best ways to reach them?
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