Sesno Reports: Target Washington
David Robertson
Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments
Wednesday, February 25, 2004; 12:30 p.m. ET
"Target Washington," the hour-long premiere of the public affairs television show Sesno Reports, considers the threat of terrorism from a practical point of view: If terrorists strike again, how should Washington area residents manage their homes and families? What can residents expect from their schools and hospitals? Have authorities from the region embraced new ideas and intergovernmental cooperation to protect the public? The show will follow a town hall meeting format and participants include Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, Montgomery County Executive Doug Duncan and Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerry Connolly.
Show participant David Robertson, executive director of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, was online Wednesday, Feb. 25 at 12:30 p.m. ET, to discuss "Target Washington" and the National Capitol Region’s preparedness in the event of a terrorist attack.
"Target Washington" airs Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 8 p.m. ET on WETA. Sesno Reports is a new public affairs series exploring issues, opportunities and challenges facing the National Capital Region and the nation. The series is hosted by Frank Sesno, veteran journalist, former CNN Washington bureau chief and GMU professor of public policy and communication.
The transcript follows.
Editor's Note: washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control
over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.
Washington, D.C.:
Recently, we have seen an attack on the Moscow subway resulting in multiple casulties. What is our regional council doing about the Washington's Metro to prevent a similar attack?
David Robertson: WMATA is the organization that runs the metro rail and metro bus systems. WMATA is an active member of COG's regional planning council and has developed specific information for rail and bus passengers to aid passengers in an emergency situation. WMATA has also begun to install special sensors to detect chemical or biological agents. Lastly, WMATA has greatly stepped up its regional planning, training and exercises to enhance its preparedness. It also is seeking federal funding for further enhancements.
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Washington, D.C.:
What will be done to alert Washington, D.C. residents in the event that an attack has occurred requiring "shelter in place" or other action? In particular, what will be done if something happens in the middle of the night, when most people don't have the TV or radio turned on?
David Robertson: Several of the local governments have already purchased and started to use so called "reverse 911" systems. This allows a local government to send a recorded telephone message city- or county-wide, or to a targeted neighborhood, for example a chemical spill area. Using reverse 911, citizens could be "called" during the middle of the night or anytime, to alert them to a hazard or emergency situtation. All local governments are considering expanding this service and using federal funds to purchase added capacity to connect more households.
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Waldorf, Md.:
My comment is that I hope that the disaster planners are considering the less populated counties of southern Maryland when making plans and distributing funds. In case of a chemical or nuclear attack that would require evacuating beyond the immediate D.C. area, I am concerned that our only exit -- the two-lane Harry Nice bridge that leads into Virginia -- will become overwhelmed especially if residents from D.C. and Prince Georges counties decide to evacuate through southern Maryland, too. A growing number of D.C. workers live in Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary's counties, which are not technically part of the D.C.-metro area, but are just as vulnerable to terrorists. As residents what can we do to make sure our counties & localities get appropriate Federal funds for disaster planning and emergency services?
David Robertson: The regional planning underway at COG is primarily targeted to local governments in the immediate National Capital Region, e.g. DC, suburban Maryland and Northern Virginia. The questioner is correct that the next tier of jurisdictions are also affected, and may be called on to provide shelter for evacuees as well as coordinate response. Maryland and Virginia officials working with COG are actively representing their interests. Also, there is some attention being paid to re-defining the National Capital Region for homeland security to include other jurisdictions, Frederick County, Maryland for example. Cong. Bartlett of Maryland has introduced legislation that would explore these options.
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Silver Spring, Md.:
As a daily Metro subway rider I would like to hear more about what riders should do in the event of an attack on the rail transit system. E.g. -- what should we do/expect if there is an explosion, the lights go out, and we're underground?
Thank you!
David Robertson: WMATA runs the metro rail and bus systems and has developed specific safety information for its riders. They have published a flyer that should be available at station kiosks or on the WMATA website.
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Washington, D.C.:
What should district residents do to be reasonably prepared in the event of a terrorist attack? Is there something we should continually do?
David Robertson: All residents should have a personal family preparedness kit, with water, non-perishable food, e.g. energy bars, battery operated radio, etc. The Red Cross is an excellent source of information on what should go into your home or office kit. Families should also have a plan for how to reach other family members, where to meet if you are initially separated. Families should exercise the plan and periodically make sure the kit contents are fresh, batteries go bad after a while. Ideally, you can keep handy telephone numbers and web sites for quick reference.
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Potomac, Md.:
Can you identify the municipalities that have instituted a reverse 911 program?
David Robertson: Arlington County has purchased the service and is using it currently. The District has purchased it on a pilot basis, I believe, but is seeking to rapidly expand it. You might want to check with your local government web page for additional information. All local jurisdictions are looking to embrace this technology and make it readily available as quickly as possible.
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Arlington, Va.:
Will local governments do anything (like sirens or something similar) to let us know that a terrorist attack is taking place and we should turn on the TV for more information?
David Robertson: Area local governments have re-examined the use of sirens, but generally have concluded that in densely urban or suburban areas they are of marginal value. The reverse 911 alternative previously discussed is a technology that many emergency managers believe is more promising and can reach people in a variety of ways, e.g. landline telephone, cell telephone, fax, pager, email, etc.
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Hillsboro, Va.:
Terrorism is psychological warfare, and often, more people are impacted psychologically than physically by a terrorist attack. People are afraid, angry, or sad. What efforts are being taken to help people prepare psychologically (or mentally) for terrorism? Not including information about ways to prepare psychologically does a major disservice to the citizens of this country. By not addressing the psychological impact of terrorism, which is a major goal of terrorism, we leave the people of our country unprepared to cope with their reactions to a threat or to an attack, and that weakens us. A well-rounded preparedness and recovery plan should include mental health information. Is this being addressed, and how much of a priority is it?
David Robertson: This is an excellent question and one that COG's regional planning has begun to address. We have brought together the health and mental health professionals who caution that the impact of terrorist acts or the threat of terrorist actions is widespread, not just on those directly impacted. Mental health services and other counseling need to be tailored to community needs and be a part of a seamless continuum of services. Health and mental health considerations are part of the Regional Emergency Coordination Plan developed by COG and adopted by all area member local governments.
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Lets be real:
The fact is that a major strike of the "induce fear" proportions we hear from this Admin would kill a lot of people, period.
If there's some heavy biological or chemical, there's really nothing anyone living in the city or near burbs can do. The roads are way to tight for even the best planned escape set up. And you're kidding yourself if you think that a plastic and duct taped closet is going to help. In the event of a real attack you'd suffocate before the emergency was over (assuming you could make it airtight and effective).
So stop worrying, go outside and play in the sun. If it happens, it happens. If it doesn't it doesn't. This is the price of living in a large coastal city. You want safety? Move to a non-target/non-population dense location like Wyoming.
David Robertson: The National Capital Area is certainly an area of elevated risk, as Secretary Ridge said yesterday at a WETA television program, Target Washington. The challenge for all our citizens and businesses is to make sure we are well prepared, but do not let the threat change our basic way of life. Also, what we learned in the domestic terrorist bombing in Oklahoma City a few years ago, is that terrorism can strike anywhere, urban, surburban or rural.
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Annandale, Va.:
I am an employee of the Department of Homeland Security. My husband works for the Department of State. We lost a friend/neighbor in the Pentagon on 9/11. We have developed a family communications plan and have supplies in our home as well as in our offices in Washington, D.C. We are the parents of a 10 year-old who attends a Fairfax County Public School (FCPS). We are concerned about a very real disconnect between our family planning and the school system's regulations. FCPS have NO emergency supplies on hand because they posit that "they will never have children in a shelter in place environment for more than a few hours." Parts of Fairfax County had no safe water for days after the hurricane in September, yet no drinking water is stored on location at FCPS. Secondly, school regulations PROHIBIT elementary school students from having a cell phone or pager in their possession -- but middle and high school students may have them, if they are turned off during school hours. One aspect of our family communication plan involved the purchase of text-messaging capability, because phone lines were jammed on 9/11. However, the FCPS school system precludes our daughter from being fully engaged in our family's communication plan, because she can be suspended for having a phone/pager in her possession while at school. Despite our best efforts to take responsibility for our own "family security," we are not confident that our child's welfare/safekeeping is adequately addressed by the county school system.
David Robertson: Attention to the safety of children in schools is an important part of the region's preparedness plan. Almost every parent has said that the safety of their children is the first thing they consider when preparing for or responding to an emergency situation. While all of the schools have plans for caring for children in the event of an emergency, most of the plans currently assume that care will be needed for a relatively short period of time, e.g. a few hours, but certainly not days. Area schools are developing common standards of care and supplies, and instituting communications plans so that parents know how they may contact their school officials and/or children.
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David Robertson: Thanks for the interest in homeland security in the National Capital Region. The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) is an association of 19 local governments in the region. We address a broad range of policy and technical issues, but none more important than homeland security since 9-11. Our Regional Emergency Coordination Plan has provided a framework to aid local, state and federal agencies improve planning, training, exercise and equipment. While progress has been made, clear, consistent citizen focused information remains a high priority. Washingtonpost.com is an excellent portal for information, as well as federal web sites, ready.gov, and state and local government web sites. You may also visit the COG web site, www.mwcog.org. I appreciate your questions and the opportunity to share with you the work of area local governments to improve preparedness and response.
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