[E-updates] City of Lawrence September newsletter now available online at www.lawrenceks.org

Fri Sep 14 08:20:33 CDT 2007

The September 2007 edition of the Flame newsletter is now available
online at 

www.lawrenceks.org. The text of the September edition is below.

The Flame - "We Have Tomorrow - Bright Before Us, Like A Flame." -
Langston Hughes

City information is available online at lawrenceks.org and on cable
Channel 25. The FLAME is published by the City Manager's Office, City Of
Lawrence * P.O. Box 708 * Lawrence, Kansas 66044

September 2007

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In This Issue:

- Tornado Cleanup Improves Lawrence Preparedness

- FAQ's

- Lawrence City Services: Satisfaction above the National Average

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Tornado Cleanup Improves Lawrence Preparedness

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Participation in the Greensburg clean-up has helped make Lawrence more
prepared in case of an emergency.

~ David Corliss, City Manager 

On May 11, 2007, Lawrence Douglas County Fire Medical Chief Mark
Bradford assumed command of 300 individuals directing the cleanup and
recovery effort in Greensburg, Kansas. Seven days earlier, a 1.7 mile
wide F-5 tornado had destroyed nearly every building in town. The storm
killed nine residents and left the entire community of 1,885 homeless
and in need of food, water, shelter and basic services.

"When I arrived, the city was gone," said Bradford. "As the initial
on-site commander, there were multiple challenges that needed to be
addressed."

With thousands of emergency responders and volunteers from neighboring
cities and counties, as well as state and federal agencies either on the
ground or on their way, Bradford set about to establish a clear,
functional chain of command. Problems were identified and prioritized. A
plan was developed to coordinate personnel, equipment and supplies to
accommodate the daily arrival and departure of workers and volunteers.

Greensburg was the county seat. The tornado had destroyed not just a
city, but much of the county's resources as well. Not only were
businesses and homes demolished, but so was much of the equipment needed
to restore basic services. Local individuals who would normally be
responsible - planners, inspectors, trash removers - faced personal
challenges with families left homeless by the storm.

"We had to do very basic things like identifying streets and putting up
signs before work could get underway," said Bradford. "You don't really
think about it, but when familiar landmarks are gone, even lifelong
residents have problems identifying where they are."

Lawrence emergency responders have trained extensively for just this
sort of emergency. On site, Chief Bradford was responsible for
implementation of the National Incident Management System. Developed by
the Federal Emergency Management Agency, NIMS allows responders from
different jurisdictions and disciplines to work together efficiently.
Individuals are assigned by specific jobs and can be reassigned,
replaced, or released as needed. 

The NIMS model provides flexibility to grow and shrink with the demands
of a specific emergency, minimizing the strains placed on the back-home
obligations of participating jurisdictions. "Greensburg was a success
because the Incident Command System worked. FEMA didn't have to
micro-manage like it had in New Orleans," said Bradford.

When Bradford returned to regular duties in Lawrence a week later, he
was replaced as Incident Commander by a second Lawrence emergency
responder, Fire Medical Deputy Chief Bill Stark. Over the period of
several weeks, Bradford and Stark were joined on the ground by ten
Lawrence police officers.

"Every day we experienced real-world applications for the information we
learned during training," said Chief Stark.

"Lawrence is proud of our emergency responders," said David Corliss,
city manager. "These efforts allow Lawrence to be a good neighbor, and
provide our first responders with invaluable hands-on experience. The
clean-up of Greensburg, and more recently of the Coffeeville flooding,
has helped make Lawrence more prepared and ultimately a safer
community."

The City of Lawrence will receive reimbursement for man-hours and
expenses from the Kansas Division of Emergency Management and FEMA.

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Frequently Asked Questions                        

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Q: What help is available for disabled family members needing
transportation?

A: Lawrence Transit offers services to individuals who, due to a
disability, are unable to use the fixed-route bus system. With a minimum
of three days notice, approved riders and their companions can travel on
the T-lift for $1.50 per rider for a one-way trip. Apply for service
online at lawrencetransit.org/tlift.shtml or call (785) 312-7054 to
learn more.

Q: How do I establish a neighborhood association for my area?

A: Any group of neighbors may establish a neighborhood association.
While the city does not regulate or manage associations, a registry of
associations and contacts is maintained by the city. To see if your
neighborhood has an association, visit: 

lawrenceneighres.org/neighborhoodcontacts.shtml. If your neighborhood
association is not listed, you can register online at:
http://www.lawrenceplanning.org/index-NH-register.shtml

Frequently Called Numbers

Fishing Licenses - (785) 296-2281

Tree Trimming in Public Right of Ways - (785) 832-7979

Block Parties - (785) 832-3308

Reserve a Shelter/Gazebo - (785) 832-7920

Parking Tickets - (785) 832-6190

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Lawrence City Services: Satisfaction above the National Average

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The 2007 DirectionFinder citizens survey performed in Lawrence by ETC
Institute has been conducted in 135 comparable communities located in 24
states. The survey allowed Lawrence to compare its results with similar
communities in the region and across the nation.

While the Lawrence results highlighted areas in need of continued public
attention like east-west traffic flow and street maintenance, the survey
clearly revealed that in many areas Lawrence residents are more
satisfied with the quality of city services than residents in comparable
communities. To view the entire survey results, visit: lawrenceks.org.

======================

our mission :  We are committed to providing excellent city services
that enhance the quality of life for the Lawrence community.

_____________________________

Lisa K. Patterson | Communications Manager

City of Lawrence

PO Box 708 | Lawrence, KS 66044

(785) 832-3406

fax (785) 832-3405

lpatterson at ci.lawrence.ks.us

www.lawrenceks.org

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