Village officials discuss emergency response; trustees skip meeting
by JILL SCHMELZER Reporter

During the Nov. 30 Village Board work session, officials set a special meeting to be held this past Monday to discuss the emergency response techniques used during the first few days after the October storm.

Mayor Mary Lowther, Administrator Sally Kuzon, Deputy Treasurer Lynda Juul, Department of Public Works Crew Chief Michael Parker and Director of Emergency Services Jim Zymanek gathered at 5 p.m. Monday in Village Hall to discuss what worked and what didn't during the cleanup process.

Lowther raised the question, "Where are the trustees? I am very disappointed they did not feel it was important to attend this meeting."

The officials held the meeting despite the lack of trustees in attendance.

The first question raised regarded the Federal Emergency Management Agency reimbursement and its changed policies since Hurricane Katrina.

"It's a lot more frustrating, because it is being handled differently," said Zymanek, who is estimating the cost of damage to the Town of Amherst and submitting a request for reimbursement to the agency.

"We'll be through our budget process by the time the reimbursement comes through," Lowther said, noting this could cause some financial obstacles during the budget process.

Village and town volunteers lacked cots and generators in those first days after the early winter storm knocked out power, downed trees and blocked roads, forcing stranded residents to seek assistance from shelters.

One big issue people faced was the home health care recipients who needed oxygen, dialysis and other medical supplies requiring electrical outlets. Also, shelter operators are not trained health care providers.

"We knew special needs issues were up-and-coming things," Zymanek said, noting that prior to the storm, emergency service coordinators were discussing ways to improve the techniques.

Lowther raised another question, this time regarding the inability to use power for nearly 10 days.

She noted that the lack of telephone service made it difficult for people who may have needed help to communicate with others. Village officials also had problems contacting residents and each other.

Zymanek said Amherst and Williamsville were lucky because of the low death count. The town had two fatalities, whereas the village had zero. He also noted that there were no electrocutions despite the downed live wires.

The next topic was road clearing. "I think we did very well," said

Zymanek, noting that the village streets were opened as soon as possible because of downed power lines.

Residents need more education on personal preparedness for the first 72 hours following a natural disaster, Zymanek said. During those first three days, emergency response crews need to get a grasp on how to begin relief efforts.

Lowther said the village lies within the town, but the information didn't trickle down to the appropriate officials at a fast enough rate.

"Number one, if we get anything like this again, you should be brought into our Emergency Operations Center," Zymanek said. The center was headquartered at the Amherst Police Station.

Instead of the village having its own EOC, there should be a joint one so everyone is aware of the steps being taken to resolve the problem areas, he added. Travel bans should be issued

jointly by the town and village, rather than one statement issued and then another two hours later, Zymanek said.

"Even if it's just the first 72 hours, sit at the table with us," Zymanek said.

Zymanek asked the officials to be proactive and call to ask where a meeting is being held if another storm should rip through the region.

Some improvement areas the team is reviewing include having the American Red Cross train volunteers as Red Cross trainers, Zymanek said.

Officials also found that they should research the generator power at the municipal building, located at 5565 Main St.

They are also looking into hosting seminars and issuing pamphlets about 72-hour preparedness techniques.

e-mail: JSchmelzer@beenews.com