washingtonpost.com: Good morning, and welcome to Viewpoint. Our topic today is disaster preparedness. James Lee Witt will be unable to join us this morning. Witt is currently en route to Louisiana to accompany former President Clinton on an appointment in Louisiana. Barry Scanlon, Senior Vice President and Partner at James Lee Witt Associates (JLWA) will be joining us, along with Jay Fisette, chairman of the Arlington, Va., county board, to discuss emergency planning. Let's begin!

Barry Scanlon and Jay Fisette: Jay: Good morning. Thanks for having us.

_______________________

Barry Scanlon and Jay Fisette: Hi this is Barry Scanlon, James Lee Witt Associates. Unfortunately, James Lee needed to travel to Louisiana to work with Governor Blanco.

Thank you for having us online today.

_______________________

Falls Church, Va.: Now that my emergency plan is made and ready, I'd like to take the next step and see wheter my home and community buildings are built strong enough to withstand a storm. How do I find out if they are, and how should they be strengthened, whether they are old or new?

Barry Scanlon and Jay Fisette: Barry: Contact your local building code official and ask them what code they have adopted. James Lee is also CEO of the International Code Council, the world's largest issuer of building codes. So you are on the right track. While individual preparedness is important, the more people who let their local building officials know how important strong building codes, the better.

_______________________

Fairfax, Va.: After seeing the evacuations in Texas, I doubt highly that our transportation system could handle an evacuation of that magnitude. What are your assessments of how well our local governments and transportation systems are prepared to handle something of a catastrophic nature?

Barry Scanlon and Jay Fisette: Clearly the experience of evacuation in the Gulf region had many problems. First, let me say evacuation is highly unlikely considering the range of emergencies or incidents likely to effect the Washington Metro area. However, the advantage here is a mass transit system. Far more likely is the recommendation to be directed to stay put/shelter in place. A regional emergency preparedness plan that includes an evacuation plan already exists. Elements of this plan have been practiced even as recently as the Fourth of July celebration on the National Mall. This is not to say it is perfected and we will make adjustments based on the problems experienced in the Gulf.

_______________________

Waterford, Va.: Recalling the exodus on foot from DC following 9/11, what sort of plans are in place regarding mass transit should there be another form of terrorist attack?

Barry Scanlon and Jay Fisette: Jay: Through the Metro Washington Council of Governments a regional emergency preparedness plan was first adopted on Sept 11 2002 and continues to be updated on a regular basis. One element of the plan is an evacuation plan. Though, as I said earlier, evacuation is far less likely in our region than being directed to shelter in place. Please refer to the COG website at www.mwcog.org where you can find the detailed plan.

_______________________

Brunswick, Md.: Do you have any advice about disaster planning and pets? I heard so many stories of people who had to abandon their pets when they went to shelters or people who didn't evacuate because they couldn't take their pets. What extra precautions should pet owners be taking to ensure the safety of their beloved animals?

Barry Scanlon and Jay Fisette: Barry: I see a couple of questions on pets. Please visit the Humane Society website and the Red Cross website - they have great steps you can take to protect you and your pet. In your emergency supplies, remember to have enough food and water for your pet up to three days.

Also, talk to your local officals and ensure that shelters can take pets. If they can't take pets, contact your vet or your local human society to see if they have shelters or locations available for pets.

_______________________

Arlington, Va.: I live in North Arlington off Spout Run. In the event of a government announcement that we need to evacuate, I expect every road away from the Metro area to be saturated with traffic and at a standstill -- we saw what happened when people tried to evacuate Houston during the recent Hurricane Rita. Even now, during a normal rush hour, the roads in Washington barely move (particularly I66). So, evacuation is really not an option. Does the "plan" include this reality? Also, shouldn't each city block or large apartment building have county appointed "building captains/block captains" to serve as information providers -- this would help stop rumors and panic. Thank you. P.S. Jay, you do a terrific job.

Barry Scanlon and Jay Fisette: Jay: First, thanks for the compliment. Now to the question. While evacuation would clearly be a challenge, it is possible given enough time, for example it is likely that all lanes on I-66 would be turned into outbound lanes doubling the capacity. However, as I've said in earlier responses already, the likelihood of evacuation is very low compared to the likelihood of being asked to shelter in place.

Within Arlington, we have developed a Citizen Corps Council that has played a very active role in educating the community about emergenecy preparedness, promoting personal awareness and the development of personal preparedness plans. I fully agree that the more aware and informed people are in advance the less anxiety they will have in the event of an incident.

_______________________

Chuck Husak, Washington, D.C.: The knowledge and skills one needs to survive a hurricane are very different from those that would help survive, say, a dirty bomb. Is "emergency preparedness" too generic a concept to cover all these different scenarios?

Barry Scanlon and Jay Fisette: Barry: I think emergency preparedness is a good term because they are similar steps you can take to help you prepare for any type of man made or natural disaster. The knowledge and skills you should have is to know how to stay put/stay safe in your home for up to three days. Have enough food and water to take care of yourself and your household and know how to get a hold of loved ones during an emergency. THese simple steps will help you in you had to shelter in place for a dirty bomb or if you were preparing for a hurricane to hit the Washington, DC area.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: Hello: How much water do you recommend storing per person, and what's the best way to store it? When stocking up for Y2K, I had bought plastic gallon jogs of water, which, after a few months, collapsed in on themselves.

Barry Scanlon and Jay Fisette: Barry: Great question. You should have enough water for three days. It is recommended that you have at least one gallon per person per day. My water is stored inside a closet. If you buy bottled water, the bottles should not collaps and the water will last for a very long time. If you use other containers (plastic jugs - it is not recommended you use milk jugs) you will need to replace that water every six months -- just like you check your smoke detector.

_______________________

Arlington, Va.: Gentlemen:

Thanks for all of your good work.

I have read recently that the Arlington County Board is considering installing emergency sirens throughout the county. As a native of the Midwest where these were common and used for tornado warnings, with success, I wholeheartedly support this action. I worry that something manmade or natural could happen in the middle of the night while we're all unaware and unprepared. Mr. Fisette, could you please understand the delay for this low-cost, sensible solution? Thanks, and please support this initiative.

Barry Scanlon and Jay Fisette: Jay: Arlington has taken the lead regionally in proposing a pilot initiative of small scale siren system to be funded with federal emergency preparedness funds. I support this. Public notification is a critical element of a complete emergency preparedness system -- one that reaches as many people as possible. There are, however, many issues to be considered before I am convinced that a regional siren system is the best or only mechanism for accomplishing notification of the public. Siren systems have been improved and may provide an effective technology but we won't know until a pilot project has been implemented and assessed.

I appreciate the effectiveness of sirens in the midwest regarding tornadoes. Yet the threats and the realities of the Washington Metropolitan Area are significantly different.

Arlington was the first jurisdiction in the region to initiate our Arlington Alert system, which provides real time notification via cell phone, telephone, pager, email and fax (your choice) simply by registering your devices online on the County website. It takes one minute to register. It's a good start while we further explore sirens and or other comprehensive notification systems.

_______________________

Arlington, Va.: On your question about supplies for pets and people. Do you think the old standard rule "food and water for three days" is valid anymore. Some of those people in New Orleans didn't have food and water for a week!! Do we need to change recommendations to a week?

Barry Scanlon and Jay Fisette: Barry: Great question. The rule is still valid but it is worth reconsidering in light of Katrina and Rita. If you live in a high risk-disaster prone area, such as California, Florida or the Gulf Coast, it is recommended that you have 5 - 7 days (some emergency management folks have recommended 2 weeks!) worth of food and water. Three days is the minimum we recommend people have--if we get folks to store that amount, we know that we are that much closer to having folks in the National Capital Region even more prepared.

_______________________

Waldorf, Md.: One of the preparedness lists that came out after the anthrax scare was that people should have an emergency kit all prepared, and in that kit should be (among the medical supplies and first aid stuff) a supply of cipro and/or one of the "cillins' (doxycillin?). How does one get a presrciption for one of those? I very much doubt my doctor will give me a prescription "just because" I want to keep some on hand.

I'd also like to have a extra week's supply of my heart and diabetes meds (nothing unusual--just actose, plavix and altace)--but if I put away a stash, I come up short at the end of the month and the insurance and pharmacy won't allow me to refill until a certain time period.

How does the average citizen solve these two dilemmas? (And presumably your emergency stash of drugs needs to be renewed every year or two, so whatever your solution is, we'll all have to re-do it a year or to from now.)

Thanks.

Barry Scanlon and Jay Fisette: Jay: Let me take a crack at it. First, we do not recommend stockpiling cipro, the cillins, or any medications that you do not require on a regular basis. As for your second question, we recommend speaking with your personal physician and trying to get enough sample medication to meet your emergency kit need of at least three days of medications. I think the concern you raise about insurance policy prohibiting refills is a problem and should be addressed. That should probably be addressed at the national level. I've run into this same problem with my cholesterol medication when I've gone on vacation.

Thanks for the question and good luck preparing your personal emergency kit.

_______________________

Chicago, Ill.: How can I find out what my city's emergency plan is ... or if there even is a plan? Is there an effective way of pressing my local government to make one, or communicate it?

Barry Scanlon and Jay Fisette: Barry: Contact your local Emergency Management Agency-they are responsible for maintaining/testing/exercising and communicating the City's emergency management plan.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: Since in the event of a day-time emergency it is unlikely that we will be able to get to our homes to get our emergency supplies/food, etc., do you recommend that we keep an emergency kit in our cars or work desks? What should we include?

Barry Scanlon and Jay Fisette: Barry: Good point. Yes, it is good to have supplies at home, at work and in your car--since you never know when a disaster may strike. Keep a copy of your family/household communications plan in your car and at work. Check with your company and ensure that there is food and water to take care of employees if they had to stay there overnight. In your car, you can put a go kit with water and food to last your for a day if you get stuck and can't make it home. It is also helpful to have a basic first aid kit in your car.

_______________________

Alexandria, Va.: I've seen the wonderful ads from the "Be Ready. Make a Plan" campaign -- as well as the personal preparedness plans. What prompted this campaign?

Barry Scanlon and Jay Fisette: Jay: I sit on the Regional Emergency Preparedness Council which includes elected officials, business leaders, non-profits and public sector emergency preparedness professionals. The elected officials have taken the lead in pressing for public education and public notification efforts. It has been our view that these two elements of a regional plan had been overlooked and not received sufficient attention. We heard it from constituents time and time again and we listened.

We directed that a regional public education campaign be developed to coincide with Emergency Preparedness month, which is nationally designated for September. While much coordination has occurred among the local, state, and federal governments, this campaign is meant to engage individuals in emergency preparedness as well. Everyone has a role, government can't do it all. Individuals need to take some personal responsibility as well.

Thanks. Got your Plan filled out? www.makeaplan.org

_______________________

Houston, Tex.: Katrina and Rita really opened my eyes to the need for readiness and preparedness in the event of a national disaster, a company disaster and a family disaster. As the patriach of a large family what counsel do you have for heads of households to ready and prepare their households for a loss (death) or tragedy?

Barry Scanlon and Jay Fisette: Barry: As the head of your family and household, it is important that all members of your family/household have a copy of your family communications plan. This plan should have a list of phone numbers on how to reach family members at home/work/cell. Also important, you should list an out of state contact number that everyone knows to call if you get separated. Many times during a disaster, it is impossible to make local calls--due to cell towers being down or the local phone system being overloaded. Often times it is far easier to call someone out of state. THis is really important in light of Katrina and Rita where family members were separated and did know who to contact to let them know where family members are or if they are ok. When you create this plan, sit down with your family/household and discuss the plan. Make sure everyone knows what to do if there is a disaster or if you get separated. Also - designate a place to meet outside of your neighborhood just in case you are not allowed to return home.

And, of course, store enough food and water for at least three days so if you need to stay put at home, you can take care of yourselves until help arrives.

_______________________

Arlington, Va.: In the event of a bad terror strike in the DC metro area, there could be a serious economic shockwave, in particular connected with the inflated real estate market.

Does Arlington or other jurisdictions have a plan in place to address this contingency? For that matter, do Arlington gov and residents ever convene predict threats (as Pentagon / DHS, etc do)? Good work Jay.

Barry Scanlon and Jay Fisette: Jay: You've asked a difficult question. The short answer is no. We don't have a specific contingency plan for dealing with the economic impact of every particular scenario. On the other hand, we have our own experience of responding to the aftermath of 9/11, and recognize the need to look forward and respond to the various economic fallout. For example, Reagan National Airport is a huge economic engine/catalyst for the entire region and remained closed for weeks following 9/11 while all other airports in the country had reopened. A broad based coalition of local governments, our congressional delegation, the business community, and others coalesced and ultimately succeeded in making the case to reopen the airport.

Federal and state assistance was available for businesses affected and we accessed or assisted in accessing those funds rapidly. The business community is well represented on our Regional Emergency Preparedness Council and is taking the lead on educating businesses about their need to plan to develop continuity plans. I believe this information is available through the www.mwcog.org site or the Washington Board of Trade's website: www.bot.org.

Since 9/11 the region has conducted numerous joint exercise, both tabletop and field exercises.

_______________________

Arlington, Va.: Where can I find a list (online or otherwise) of emergency or underground shelters to flee to in case of a hurricane, tornado, etc?

Barry Scanlon and Jay Fisette: Jay: We have pre-planned for a number of shelters within the County. We do not publish a list of them because they would only be opened on a situational basis. We do not want people to plan on a specific shelter because it may have been compromised by the incident at hand. We would announce available shelters as the need arose through the media and the Arlington Alert system. You can register for Arlington Alert on the county website at www.arlingtonva.us.

_______________________

Arlington/DC: I just wanted to submit that the Nonprofit Roundtable of Greater Washington recently published 'Working Together When the Worst Happens: Nonprofit Emergency Preparedness in the National Capital Region,' a report that describes the efforts between 20 organizations — including 18 nonprofits and two local government agencies — to coordinate disaster response and recovery services in the National Capital Region.
(www.nonprofitroundtable.org)

Barry Scanlon and Jay Fisette: Jay: Thanks for the good work and information.

And as I sign off, let me leave you with a final suggestion to everyone:

Preparing for a natural disaster or terrorist attack takes just a few simple steps. By having the right supplies, knowing where to get information and having a written plan for you, your loved ones and your pets, individuals in the National Capital Region can do their part to protect themselves and their families.

A personal preparedness plan is designed to help you keep all pertinent emergency information at-hand so no matter where you are, no matter what you are doing, you will have the peace of mind to know that you are prepared, visit www.makeaplan.org. Take the time now.

Bye!

_______________________

Harrisburg, Pa.: I found a recent magazine article on emergencies enligthening, because, while dirty bombs and earthqukes and hurricanes are tragic and threatening, the media has brought us to fear that many will die and there was little we could do about it. It make me realize that while thousands who are unprepared or in the wrong place at the wrong time could die, it is possible to be prepared and act wisely. Yet, the one scenario that could lead to mass death would be a nuclear plant meltdown. Living in Harrisburg, we already have been through those fears. What are the best protections for a nuclear disaster?

Barry Scanlon and Jay Fisette: Barry: You are right - there is a lot risk we face. Some of the the best protections for a nuclear disaster are for any type of disaster--enough food and water for three days. In your case - you should also designated a safe room in your house. Go to the FEMA website (www.fema.gov). There is a great video about sheltering in place - which is one of the most important actions you can take if there is a threat of any type of emergency--chemical, nuclear or natual disaster. This video and information will tell you about how you can designate a "safe room" in your house--an interior windowless room. It will also detail the necessary supplies you will need.

One more thing - Be ready - Make a plan!

_______________________

washingtonpost.com: This wraps up our discussion. Barry and Jay, thank you for answering our questions.

_______________________