ML20054H712
| ML20054H712 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Indian Point  |
| Issue date: | 06/16/1982 |
| From: | Bohlander F WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20054H706 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8206240354 | |
| Download: ML20054H712 (2) | |
Text
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l TESTIMONY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY COMMISSIONER FEANK C.
BOHLANDER DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Indian Point Emergency Drill Statement of Qualifications and Drill Critique My name is Frank C. Bohlander and I am Commissioner of Public Works of the County of Westchester.
I have held this position for eight years and possess a degree in civil engineering and a professional engineer's and land surveyor's license in New York State.
I am responsible for the supervision of the Department of Public Works in Westchester County with approximately 450 employees and having responsibility for road and bridge mainte-nance, building maintenance, design and construction of all facilities, operation of the airport, solid waste and traffic safety.
As an offshoot of these responsibilities, commensurate responsibilities in connection with the Indian Pcint evacuation also fall within my responsibility and under the direction of the County Executive.
This would include but not be linited to road maintenance, demolition clearing of obstacles, traffic control, transportation and utility maintenance.
During the recent drill to determine capabilities of municipalities in coping with an actual emergency, I observed several shortcomings which can be identified in detail as follows:
1.
Communications within the radio room could be measurably improved.
The noise level generated by many of the volunteers in undisciplined transmissions adversely affected emergency communications.
We recommend th t those assigned to operate in the radio room be given detailed training and instructions upon what their function is, and what proper radio procedures are.
No such training has ever taken place, nor did the consultants attempt to provide any ongoing instructions during the drill.
Many of the volunteers appeared compelled to continually transmit to justify their "importance" to the drill.
We recoacend that consideration be given erecting partitions within the room as sound barriers, and providing operators with head sets and noise cancelling mikes.
2.
Confusion surro'inded some instances where County and local Police contacted both local and County Road Mainte-nance directly requesting barricades at certain areas.
Neither County Publi: Works nor Police had clear knowledge of the status of such requests.
We recommend that
" war room"y County and local Police be channeled to the requests b Police, thence to Public Works.
8206240354 820616
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PDR ADOCK 05000247 T
PDR l
Pagn 2 3.
Confusion surrounded the transport of wheelchairs from an evacuated nursing home to a place designated by the Department of Hospitals.
Subsequent requests for return of the wheelchairs, by the Department of Transportation, indicated the evacuees were being taken to a location other than their wheelchairs.
4.
Several types of communication forms were distribute '.
No instructions have ever been given as to how, whet, and why each form is to be used.
5.
Personnel participating from the Division of Road Maintenance have never been given adequate training by the consultant.
Their response in an actual event remains questionable.
In conclusion, it is my recommendation that concerted effort be made if'this program is to succeed in developing a more intense training program covering all personnel who will be involved.
This appears to be the most critical aspect, with the supp ying of equipment a close second.
In this regard, I would recommend su ficient geiger counters and radiation indicators as well as cleansing areas for contaminated personnel.
All other equipment is standard for most public works departments.
Respectfully submitted,
/0%ll Yu
/ ank C. B'ohlander
^
ommissioner of Public Works