Communication problems biggest issue for U.P.
Communication problems biggest issue for U.P.
By LAYLA ASLANI, DMG Writer
HOUGHTON — In an emergency situation, people are often concerned for their own safety, much less the safety of the entire Upper Peninsula. One organization, the U.P. Regional Homeland Security Planning Board, is on it.
The State of Michigan Emergency Management Homeland Security Division has announced the disbursement of the fiscal year 2006 State Homeland Security Grant. Region 8, which covers the entire Upper Peninsula, has been awarded $1,740,879; which breaks down to $1,143,039 for State Homeland Security Projects and $597,840 for Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Projects. Houghton County will act as the fiduciary agent for the grant.
Each of the 15 counties in the region has a local planning team comprised of representatives from different fields such as public health, public works and law enforcement. These planning teams identify gaps relating to homeland security and make recommendations for projects that protect against, respond to and recover from emergencies. These emergencies can include anything from forest fires to hazardous material spills to terrorist attacks.
Each local planning team sends their recommendations and a representative to the Regional Homeland Security Advisory Board. Regional Board Chair Tim McKee said that board is working to identify projects that will utilize the federal resources and generate the highest return on the investment in increasing the region’s level of preparedness. He said projects under consideration include first responder personal protection equipment, improved planning and training and development of mutual aid agreements.
Jack Dueweke, the Houghton and Keweenaw Emergency Services coordinator who serves on the Houghton and Keweenaw local boards, along with the regional board, said problems identified locally have to do with communication.
“Inoperable communications is probably the biggest bug-a-boo that Houghton County has seen,” he said.
Dueweke cited that the VHF system in Houghton County and the 800 megahertz system in Keweenaw County need upgrading. He also said the NOAA weather system, which delivers weather information via radio frequencies, needs to be expanded to cover gaps in southern Houghton County and in northern Keweenaw County.
Dueweke said that many flatter areas have warning sirens in case of emergencies, but because of the varied terrain and sparsely populated areas of the Upper Peninsula, the NOAA weather system is best for relaying weather and other emergency information to citizens who have NOAA weather radios that pick up the signal.
“Most of our emergencies are weather-related, they’re a great tool,” Dueweke said of the NOAA weather radios which are available locally at Radio Shack and Wal-Mart.
Dueweke is optimistic the projects they have submitted will be approved.
“I think we’ve done a pretty good job of submitting those projects and being able to demonstrate that they have a regional flare,” he said. “We’re looking forward to seeing some of these projects getting done.”
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