The nation is on heightened alert this weekend for the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Allen County is no exception.
“It’s important for all of us to be aware and prepared,” said Pam Beasley, the county’s Emergency Management Services director. “This is a good opportunity to stress being prepared for any emergency,” including those involving severe weather.
“It also is a good time for people to update their ‘to go kit,’” she added.
Such a kit is an accumulation of things that would be helpful if power were out for a extended period or a disaster, natural or manmade, isolated a person or family.
The recommendation is to have:
— At least a gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, same with non-perishable food;
— Battery or hand-cranked conventional and weather radios;
— Flashlight and extra batteries;
— First aid kit, including a whistle to signal for help;
— Dust mask, towelettes, trash bags, simple tools, cell phone with charger.
Beasley said prescription drugs, baby items and pet food also should be available as appropriate for individual families.
“It’s also a good idea to have cash and change, sleeping bag and blankets,” as well as other things handy that would replicate normal day-to-day activities, she said. “Mainly, people need to be responsible and alert.
“I can’t stress citizen preparedness enough,” she said.
While no specific alerts having to do with terrorist activities have been issued for this area, Beasley pointed out that being in a rural and sparsely populated area in comparison to the metroplexes doesn’t make Allen County immune to terrorist activity. Some scenarios paint such places as preferred targets because of the anxiety it would cause.
“Homeland Security and the FBI have issued an alert for small planes that may be used in attacks on 9/11,” Beasley observed.
The alert said that small planes are the most accessible and can be flown from private airports under radar. If loaded with explosives or chemicals, they can do major damage in a city or community celebrations, it noted.
The alert also stressed citizens should be observant and report to authorities — a 911 call here would suffice — any unusual activity or requests.
“Not only should you be aware of small aircraft, but if you see vehicles, vans or trucks in your area that are not normally there, report them to authorities and let them investigate,” Beasley added.
ANGIE MURPHY, emergency dispatch supervisor, said she and her employees also would be on heightened status for the 9/11 anniversary and would participate in an observance Sunday morning.
“We will sound an alert tone and request a moment of silence in memory of the brave Americans who lost their lives that day,” Murphy said, although emergency radio traffic at the specified times would preclude any observance.
The observances will occur at 9:59 a.m., when the first tower collapsed, and 10:28 a.m., when the second tower collapsed. The broadcasts will be on all channels.
Murphy said the center would operate with its usual compliment of dispatchers on Sunday.
