Columbus has responded to the war by safeguarding its citizens against potential terrorist attacks. A new Emergency Operations Center in the Columbus Division of Police will respond to crisis situations affecting campus and the Columbus community.
Sherry Mercurio, a spokeswoman for the Columbus Division of Police, said the center, located on the first floor of the Columbus police headquarters, is prepared in case of an emergency. Staff at the center has been present 24 hours a day since the first 72 hours of war.
“The Emergency Operations Center is basically a clearing house for internal information and works as a command center for the fire, police, and health departments,” Mercurio said.
The center is run by Sgt. Tim McVey. Trained in the military, McVey has experience dealing with large events around Columbus – he was involved with “Red, White, and Boom,” the Fourth of July celebration; and the Ohio State versus Michigan football game.
Other staff working in the center received planning and organizational training. Extra staff was appointed to cover shifts since the war with Iraq began.
The Columbus Division of Police has also made staff available in case of an emergency.
“The Emergency Operations Center also gives the law enforcement officials a chance to figure out what manpower needs to be put where. If a situation occurs on campus, the center is the place where all actions are coordinated to deal with it,” Mercurio said.
The center, which has been active for almost two weeks, the center is monitored through the cooperation of eight or nine different state agencies.
In addition, the Disaster Field Office was set up in March to help the state respond to winter storm disasters. The office is joined with federal counterparts to assist in the response to terror.
The federal government’s security advisory level has been raised to a potentially dangerous orange. The Department of Public Safety provides a set of recommendations for actions the state is advised to follow to ensure safety across the nation.
Dick Kimmins is involved with the State Government Emergency Management and is also a staff member at the Emergency Operations Center. He said the state is taking necessary precautions against terror.
“There are other actions being taken to prepare the state for a response to terrorist attacks. The Highway Patrol increases security around the state by increasing security measures at weigh stations throughout the state and taking many other precautions,” Kimmins said. “Some of these precautions and actions may look invisible to the general public, but they are occurring.”
The state has also heightened security around places like bridges, chemical plants, and nuclear power plants – all potential targets for terrorist attacks. This is a requisite step to provide extra protection and security for the citizens.
“The state implements general security measures to try to ensure their citizens’ security,” Kimmins said. “However, our crystal ball is not clear enough to be sure of exactly where or how a terrorist attack will occur.”
Still, some students feel threatened that the war in Iraq may increase their chances of becoming a victim of terror. Some students have expressed their fear – especially those who traveled out of town last week for spring break.
“The heightened security in the airports made me feel safer, but also left me feeling more nervous than usual to travel,” said Corinne Sibly, a senior in finance. “Students and citizens appreciate the extra precautionary measures taken to both prevent and respond to terrorist attacks. But, I think there is a large consensus to hope for a quick war that will end soon because of the anxious and fearful feeling it leaves us with.”
