December 10, 2007, Canton, MI - Canton Public Safety continues to expand its emergency preparedness though the department’s Emergency Management Unit.  Canton has always had an emergency plan in place, but over the last several years, has turned this plan into a full-fledged emergency management program. 

In 2005, Canton hired a part-time Emergency Management Planner to enhance its already existing emergency management plan.  The goal was to strengthen planning efforts concerning homeland security, update Canton’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC), increase public education and outreach programs, and work on obtaining Homeland Security grant money.  These efforts were not intended to re-invent the wheel, but enhance what was already in place.  Planning to respond to tornados, ice storms, blizzards and power outages is very much the same as planning to respond to a terrorist event.  Successful incident management and coordination of resources are key in all such type of events.

The department first focused on updating the EOC and purchasing equipment to supplement their Emergency Operations Plan.  Through the efforts of the Emergency Management Unit, Canton obtained $175,000 from the 2005 Wayne County Homeland Security Grant to enhance the EOC and the department’s Mobile Command Unit.  Examples of how the money was spent include:

•GIS (Geographic Information System) software and equipment.  This equipment allows for accessibility of aerial photos, maps of utility systems, fire hydrants, etc.
•Radios for field response, damage assessment teams and the EOC
•Equipment to ensure communication interoperability (providing backup systems and assuring different types of radios can communicate with each other)
•Infrared camera for the Mobile Command Unit
•Generator for the Public Safety Headquarters, which also houses the EOC
•Computers for the EOC and Mobile Command Unit
•Updated telephone system for the EOC 

Canton’s Emergency Operations Center is now equipped with state-of-the-art technology, providing the Emergency Management Team with the capability to fully direct & manage any emergency situation that may occur. 

In addition to the new equipment, Canton has become a National Incident Management System (NIMS) compliant community.  The department received $21,000 for NIMS training, which allowed all EOC personnel to attend an intense 4-day workshop on incident command.  This program is mandated nationwide to assure all agencies are “playing on the same field.”  For example, if we were having an incident in Canton, first responders coming to help from other agencies would interconnect with our equipment, training and procedures.

This past year, Emergency Management launched a public campaign called “Do 1 Thing,” designed to assist residents in preparing their homes for an emergency.  “Do 1 Thing” provided monthly suggestions on a variety of things to do, store and purchase for an end result of home preparedness.  Monthly suggestions were made available on the department’s website, Canton’s FOCUS newsletter and Canton Community Television.  “Do 1 Thing” for preparedness suggestions are still available on Public Safety’s new website, www.cantonpublicsafety.org.

Future plans for the Emergency Management Unit include the development of a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program.  This program would be incorporated into the department’s new Community Watch Program, and would train teams in CPR, first aid, light search and rescue, etc.  These neighborhood teams would be called upon at the very onset of an event to assist citizens in their area until first responders arrive.

According to Public Safety Director John Santomauro, “Our greatest fortune will be that of never needing to activate the Emergency Operations Team.  But should a disaster of any level ever occur, we want to be as prepared as possible to maintain control and safety, while minimizing loss of property and life for the residents and businesses in our community.”    

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