If a terrorist attack occurs in this region aimed at the overall population "it is impossible to evacuate this area with the infrastructure we have. We know that."
Those were the words delivered by Mark Penn, Alexandria's Emergency Management Coordinator last Saturday during a Forum on Homeland Security at Goodwin House on Filmore Avenue. But he assured the assembled audience, "If we are ready for anything that may happen in Alexandria, man-made or nature-made, we are ready for terrorism."
Joining Penn as a speaker at the forum, sponsored by the Alexandria League of Woman Voters, was David Robertson, executive director, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. A 16-year veteran of COG, he became director in 2003. Since 9/11 he served as project director for COG's homeland security and emergency preparedness planning efforts. Moderating was Kay Youngflesh, National Capital Area, League of Women Voters.
"Local elected officials need to work together to find regional solutions to regional problems. When 9/11 happened each area helped each other, Alexandria, Arlington and Fairfax County. It's all about mutual aid," Robertson emphasized.
"What didn't work so well on 9/11 was communications. After the attacks we established an ad hoc task force to better coordinate mutual aid efforts. Known as the Regional Emergency Coordination Plan it put in place Regional Incident and Coordination Procedures or RIC," Robertson explained.
"We used RIC during Hurricane Isabel. We also know we are a very interdependent area," he stressed.
"But you are in the best area of the country as far as homeland security is concerned," Penn told the crowd. "Although we are at the center of the target we have the most assets in the nation to counteract a terrorist attack."
Penn joined Alexandria government after working for Arlington County Fire Department for 30 years where he was Fire/EMS Captain, Deputy Coordinator of Emergency Services, and Hazardous Material Coordinator. He managed Arlington's Emergency Operations Center during the 9/11 Pentagon attack. His position is an element of the Alexandria Fire Department.
Legislation has been introduced in Congress to encourage regional emergency preparedness planning, according to Penn and Robertson.
"Most federal money has been flowing to the local government level. But, we need money at the regional level. They have now identified critical regional areas. Number one on that list is the National Capital Region," they said.
"We were all raised with the thought of running from danger when it occurs. That needs to change because it could lead to running into danger. In an unknown emergency situation it is best to stay put until the situation has been evaluated," Penn advised.
"Stay put first, unless whatever has happened has hit you personally. Next, tune in," they told the audience of seniors gathered in front of them.
"We have used Urban Security monies to purchase a cache of radios. I would advise everyone to have a NOAA [National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration] all-weather radio. It is an essential element of general information equipment," Penn insisted.
He suggested groups of neighbors get together to make large purchases of such radios which, he noted, can lower the per item price substantially.
IN STRESSING THE NEED for improved communications, they pointed out, "After any event, natural or otherwise, the largest failure is always communications. We have done a good job with agencies. Fire and police departments are extremely well equipped and trained. But, we have not done a good job with average citizens in communications."
This is now being corrected through the Citizen Corps Council and the CERT programs, according to Penn. "Government can't provide everything in any disaster situation. Citizens have to be prepared personally to survive for a few days until government aid can get to them," he said.
"One of the great things about Homeland Security is that it builds neighborhood structures. Neighbors helping neighbors," Penn said.
He predicted, "There will probably be an attack before the elections this fall somewhere in the nation. Our intelligence information indicates it might be a biological attack.
"The good news is that now we are getting regular information and briefings. This didn't happen before 9/11. When the alert level raises and lowers we are given very specific information as to why."
Penn acknowledged, "Much of this information dissemination is not happening in other areas of the country. By November we hope to have a system in the city [Alexandria] to send instant information through telephones, e-mail, and other means." Alexandria will kick off a media campaign this fall to heighten preparedness, Penn said.
IN ANSWER TO a question concerning a potential biological attack, Penn explained that a regional medicine plan is in place. "It has been tested and it works exceptionally well," he said.
"We have a system called disease surveillance. This enables us to first determine who is vulnerable and then determine what needs to be done," Robertson said.
"We also have exercises to test the plan. Alexandria has had exercises every year. The next one is planned for June. There will ultimately be a total exercise involving all City agencies," Penn assured.
Returning to the need for a potential evacuation, an audience member inquired, "Will there be preselected evacuation points?"
"We have identified the best routes. But we have not developed a regional plan. Such things as host centers have not been developed. We don't have agreements in place with other areas to act as host centers."
When asked what radio or television station to tune in to in the event of an emergency, Penn explained, "WTOP is the coordinating station for our messages. However, we are working on getting our own station in Alexandria. It's not a big ticket item. Arlington already has one. It only cost about $19,000."
There was a concern about the water supply. Penn assured the audience, "The water supply is absolutely safe. Our system is closed, not subject to open reservoirs. It would also take a very large quantity of a biological agent to pollute the water supply."
But Penn did reveal his greatest concern regarding another terrorist attack. "What I fear most is the suicide bomber. It's the easiest to hide and pull off," he insisted.
"A simple backpack bomb carried into the Mall of America on Thanksgiving weekend and detonated would cause national havoc. It would put our economy in the toilet for a year because it would dampen Christmas shopping nationwide," he warned.