Tornado Cleanup Improves Lawrence Preparedness
Participation in the Greensburg cleanup has helped make Lawrence first-responders more prepared in case of an emergency.
– David Corliss, Lawrence City Manager
On May 11, 2007, Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical Division Chief, Bill Stark assumed command of well over 1,200 individuals working to cleanup in Greensburg, Kansas.
Seven days earlier, a 1.7 mile wide EF-5 tornado had destroyed nearly every building in town. The storm killed nine residents and left the entire community of 1,885 homeless and in dire need of food, water, shelter and basic services.
With over a thousand emergency responders and volunteers from neighboring cities and counties, as well as state and federal agencies on the ground, Stark set about to establish a clear, functional chain of command. Problems were identified and prioritized. A plan was developed to coordinate personnel, equipment and supplies and to accommodate the daily arrival and departure of workers volunteering or on loan from neighboring communities.
“Every day we experienced real-world applications for the information we learned during training,” said Chief Stark. Returning to duty in Lawrence on May 18, Stark turned over command to a second Lawrence emergency responder, Fire Medical Chief Mark Bradford.
“When I arrived, the city was gone,” said Bradford.
As the county seat of Kiowa County, the tornado destroyed more than just an entire city. It had wiped out much of the county’s resources and limited availability of key personnel. Along with businesses and homes, much of the equipment needed to clean up and restore basic services was demolished. Local individuals who would normally be responsible – planners, inspectors, trash removers – faced personal challenges with families left homeless by the storm.
“We had to do very basic things like identifying streets and putting up signs before work could get underway,” said Bradford. “You don’t really think about it, but when familiar landmarks are gone, even life-long residents have problems identifying where they are.”
Lawrence emergency responders have trained extensively for just this sort of emergency. On site, Chiefs Bradford and Stark were responsible for implementation of the National Incident Management System (NIMS), using its Incident Command System (ICS) to direct the recovery and cleanup. Over several weeks, they were joined in Greensburg by ten Lawrence police officers.
Developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), NIMS allows responders from different jurisdictions and disciplines to work together efficiently. Individuals are assigned by job type and can be reassigned, replaced, or released as needed. The NIMS model provides flexibility to grow and shrink with the specific demands of each emergency, and helps minimize the back-home strain placed on jurisdictions by staff participation.
“Greensburg was a success because the Incident Command System worked,” said Bradford. “FEMA didn’t micro-manage like it had in New Orleans,”
“Lawrence is proud of our emergency responders,” said David Corliss, city manager. “These efforts allow Lawrence to be a good neighbor and provide our first responders with invaluable hands-on experience. The cleanup of Greensburg and more recently of the Coffeyville flooding, has helped make Lawrence more prepared and ultimately a safer community.”
The City of Lawrence will receive reimbursement for man-hours and expenses from the Kansas Division of Emergency Management and FEMA.
Frequently Asked Questions
What help is available for individuals with disabilities needing transportation?
All City buses are lift-equipped for passengers who use wheelchairs. Lawrence Transit System offers services to individuals who, due to a disability, are unable to use the fixed-route system. Certified riders can travel on the T Lift for $1.50 per rider for a one-way trip. Apply for service online at lawrencetransit.org/tlift.shtml or call (785) 312-7054 to learn more.
How do I establish a neighborhood association for my area?
Any group of neighbors may establish a neighborhood association. While the city does not regulate or manage associations, a registry of associations and contacts is maintained by the City. To see if your neighborhood has an association, visit: https://lawrenceks.org/pds. If your neighborhood association is not listed, you can register online at: https://lawrenceks.org/pds.
My neighbor’s lawn hasn’t been mowed in weeks. What can I do?
To protect safety and avoid blight, city ordinance prohibits property owners from allowing weeds and vegetation to grow taller than 12 inches – trees, shrubberies and ornamental plantings excluded. After proper notification, the City may mow or remove vegetation. Property owners will be charged for removal. Make complaints to the Planning and Development Services Department at (785) 832-7700.
Frequently Called Numbers
Fishing Licenses – (785) 296-2281 Tree Trimming in Public Right of Ways – (785) 832-7979 Block Parties – (785) 832-3308 Reserve a Shelter/Gazebo – (785) 832-7920 Parking Tickets – (785) 830-6190
Lawrence City Services: Citizen Satisfaction Above Regional Average
The 2007 DirectionFinder citizens survey performed in Lawrence by ETC Institute has been conducted in 135 comparable communities located in 24 states. The survey allowed Lawrence to compare its results with similar communities in the region and across the nation.
While the Lawrence results highlighted areas in need of continued attention like east-west traffic flow and street maintenance, the survey revealed that in many areas Lawrence residents are more satisfied with the quality of city services than residents in comparable communities. To view the entire survey results, visit lawrenceks.org/2007_citizen_survey