County better prepared; has long way to go

Julie Yates

Mayes County’s hazard mitigation planning committee considered the effects of severe winter storms in last week’s meeting.

Ron Flanagan, planning consultant for the county, urged county officials to look into acquiring generators for critical facilities.

“A lot more of them have generators today than they did two years ago,” said Johnny Janzen, Director of Mayes County Emergency Management. Janzen said the ice storms of the last two years “have really opened some eyes.”

All county offices have backup generators, and a number of water districts and fire departments. Locust Grove Police Department bought a generator, and Pryor Police Department bought a bigger one.

Janzen said the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) purchased their generator through grants.

“Though we’re better prepared, we still have a long ways to go,” Janzen said.

Flanagan referred to

generators as a preventative measure, one of the most important steps government facilities can take.

Flanagan said a lot of developers are installing generators into home plans. He said thought must be put into the power requirements before a generator is purchased, and what portions of the building will need to be powered.

Generators are crucial for critical facilities, such as city halls, dispatch centers, fire departments, EOCs and community centers. Wiring and transfer switches are needed for generator hookup.

Flanagan said private critical facilities should at least consider seeking grants for wiring and transfer switches. Nursing homes, financial institutions, and designated or potential emergency shelters will need a concrete pad and the wiring and switches to operate a generator during a power outage.

In power loss, nursing homes drain emergency responders because the patients cannot be easily relocated. If the facility has no way to heat the building, patients must be transported and then provided with adequate care.

Flanagan said there is legislation at state level, not yet passed, to require elder care facilities to have a generator. Flanagan said grants are available for such facilities to acquire generators.

Another idea Flanagan presented was giving emergency vehicles first priority at fuel stations.

Janzen said Mayes County District 1 recently bought a new fuel tank, which is stationed at

the county barn in

Adair. Janzen said Commissioner Alva Martin is planning to set up the fuel tank so emergency management has access to fuel in critical situations.

District 2 is building a new county barn in Chouteau, and Janzen said Commissioner Darrell Yoder plans to set up his new fuel tanks the same way.

Flanagan said all critical facilities in the county should be inventoried. Officials should determine the size of generator

needed, and what fuel is more appropriate for that facility. The generator must be maintained.

Flanagan said a county cannot afford to have its communications systems down.

“Pre-planning is financial responsibility,” said Flanagan. “Prices may escalate in emergency

situations.”

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