Twister taught lesson about communications on The Murfreesboro Post

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By: By Lisa Marchesoni, Senior Writer

Twister taught lesson about communications

Roger Allen shows the tornado's path.

Cellular telephones jammed when people spread the news about a tornado ravaging Southridge subdivision Jan. 24, 1997, making it difficult for emergency responders to communicate.

Roger Allen, who commanded the emergency operations at the scene, said emergency workers couldn't communicate with each other because they didn't have access to each other's radio frequencies.

Communications were so critical because the tornado damaged homes on Kimbro Road, Southridge, South Church Street, Smyrna, Mona Road and La Vergne, in all areas of Rutherford County. The tornado touched down during rush hour at dusk, causing more problems with traffic and visibility.

"One of my biggest frustrations was probably the inability to know who was coming to help and did everyone who needed to know know," Allen remembered.

Allen tried to contact people through the sheriff's office but kept losing contact because of the demand.
"The chaos was lack of communications," Allen said.

Since then, the Emergency Management Agency now headed by director Allen has improved communications during disasters, training for emergency workers and civilians, equipment and technology. He's added plans for support groups like the American Red Cross, Salvation Army and Southern Baptist emergency response to provide food and other services for victims.

"If the same level of tornado hit again, we are better prepared," Allen said. "We have highly equipped vehicles that can maintain communications and not run into the same problems."

Some of the improvements include:

· Communications: Emergency workers' radios are equipped with multiple frequencies so firefighters can communicate with law enforcement officers. During disasters, Emergency Management can take control of cellular telephone lines. A computer generated and satellite phone system allows emergency workers to communicate.

· Training: Paramedics and first responders underwent cross training for search and rescue of collapsed buildings. Law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics and rescue squad volunteers trained together.

One major improvement developed through the Emergency Medical Services' highly trained Special Operations Response Team. Paramedics assigned to the team are certified in searches in large areas and confined spaces, high angle responses, swift water and hazardous materials. They also provide medical care in emergencies. The team works 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Murfreesboro, Smyrna and La Vergne firefighters, along with county volunteer firefighters, became trained as first responders for medical emergencies.

More than 50 people volunteered and trained to become part of the Citizens Emergency Response Teams. They help in medical response, fires, search and rescue until emergency workers arrive. La Vergne trained citizens as well.

The emergency workers operate under a unified established incident command system.

· Equipment: The SORT team acquired equipment geared to specific emergencies. The Emergency Management Agency obtained a Mobile Command Center with the capabilities to communicate with any agency with the latest computer technology.

· Technology: The Global Positioning System gives emergency workers the capability to identify property, the address, owner and value. The system was used in the May 2003 tornado at Walter Hill where workers documented damages quickly.

· Emergency Operations Center: Because of the tornado, EMA houses the center at its office on West College Street. "We have command and control where we can set up emergency operations," Allen said. The leadership and management gather to coordinate a complete and quick response to any kind of disaster.

But voids still exist.

"One of the biggest voids I see in overall response capabilities for the county and the four cities…is getting the technology into each response vehicle," Allen said.

He would like each vehicle to have a computer network to find maps and other relevant information but the cost would be in the millions of dollars.

The city of Murfreesboro added computer systems in police cruisers and fire engines. Some volunteer fire departments are receiving grants to add similar computer systems.

"I feel as technology changes, we have to change to improve the capabilities to serve citizens," Allen said.

He believes leaders of the cities and county have improved emergency responses tremendously in the past 10 years.

"I cannot stop a tornado from dropping out of this sky," Allen said, but added, "I can plan, prepare, train and get everyone on the same sheet."

Lisa Marchesoni may be reached at 869-0814 or at lmarchesoni@murfreesboropost.com.

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Member Opinions:

By: nashvillen on 1/14/07
Under the Technology bullet, it was a Geographic Information System or GIS that was used for the damage assessment.

Just a clarification. Thanks for the great article Lisa.

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