By SUE MAKI
County Council Candidate
The current global pandemic crisis we are experiencing proves that no community is immune to the potential hazards of life. Whether it be a blazing fire in a high-rise office building; a tornado swooping into an outdoor concert; or – what we are currently experiencing, a global pandemic. Such possibilities cause me to think of our first responders and how important it is that they be highly trained to deal with all types of disasters. And the importance of a coordinated response managed through an emergency operations center.
Yet, just a few years ago, in 2015, our Hamilton County Council voted to reject a solid plan put forth by our county’s public safety organizations – who had worked with and secured partial funding from the Township Trustees, mayors, city and town councils – and had the support of the County Commissioners for the construction of a new public safety training facility. The City of Westfield was to contribute the land and was to play a key role in operating and maintaining the facility.
Despite its enormous amount of support, this County Council voted against funding a portion of the facility. The reason? They claimed fire safety was a township function. While this basic premise is true, the need for emergency preparedness, training and response capabilities is a concern of the whole County and is growing along with our population. County government is the natural connector of our communities and its leadership in emergency preparedness is obvious. The centralized 911 center and the need for a County Emergency Operations Center shows the role the County should play.
I’ve spoken to government leaders and public safety officials across the County and it is clear to them that the need for a centralized public safety training facility still exists; the idea has not gone away. These leaders have told me they are hopeful that a new County Council, one that supports the needs of our brave first responders, will take office and reverse this short-sighted decision.
Centralized training in a single location would greatly enhance the ability of our emergency personnel to respond effectively during a disaster. It would also eliminate the need to travel 35 miles away for training, as they do now, taking with them equipment that is not available to be used in Hamilton County until they return.
When I ran for Hamilton County Council two years ago, I supported a county-wide public safety training facility, and I continue to do so. Our physical safety and well-being is one of the reasons so many want to come to live here. I will make it a top priority once again.
Sue Maki is running for an At-Large seat on the Hamilton County Council. Learn more about Maki at ElectSueMaki.com.