The events of the past few weeks have caused citizens to reassess their own personal safety and to expect local government and community agencies to be prepared to respond in the event of a local biological or chemical attack. In response to these concerns the Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County recently assembled representatives from the local government, university, public school system, medical community, and military to evaluate local readiness and review communication capabilities. This local readiness team included representatives from the Athens-Clarke County Manager's Office, Fire Department, Emergency Management Agency, Police Department, Clarke County School System, University of Georgia, Athens Regional Medical Center, St. Mary's Hospital, Northeast Health District, and Navy Supply Corps School. The readiness team noted that while no community is immune from an attack there is no indication that the Athens-Clarke County community is a high priority for terrorist activities. Some comfort may be taken in the fact that to date terrorist activities have focused on targets with national or world significance.

The readiness team inventoried local response resources and determined that key elements are in place to provide an appropriate response should a biological or chemical event occur. In reaching that conclusion, the team reviewed the following: 1) current protocols being used by local public safety agencies to respond to citizen calls and actions the agencies would take should an actual event occur; 2) coordination of medical resources among providers and local emergency agencies; 3) actions taken to ensure water supplies and other public utilities are properly protected, 4) heightened alert by health officials to ensure food supplies for public events are protected, 5) support and expertise, probably not available to many other communities, the University and the Navy Supply School are prepared to provide if called upon.

The readiness team identified several areas it will continue to monitor and work to improve. Among those are continued enhancement of the Hazard Materials Team response capabilities, need for additional communication equipment at some medical facilities, and ensuring that the public has a clear understanding of how to access resources when needed.

The readiness team encourages the public to be vigilant but maintain a normal daily routine with confidence that a professional and skilled network is in place which will appropriately respond should a terrorist event occur.

W. Alan Reddish, ACC Manager
(On behalf of the Local Readiness Team)

• Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County
  • Manager's Office
  • Fire Department
  • Emergency Management Agency
  • Police Department
• Clarke County School District
• Athens Regional Medical Center
• Northeast Health District
• St. Mary's Health System
• U. S. Navy Supply Corps School
• The University of Georgia
  • Public Safety Division
  • Environmental Safety Division
  • Health Center
  • Division of Finance and Administration