FY2011 Arlington Fire Department Annual Report FY 2011 | Page 34

The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is
responsible for protecting lives, property, and the
environment by mitigating, preparing for, responding
to, and recovering from natural and man-made
disasters. As a high-profile community, with two
professional sports venues, two major amusement
parks, a State university, a private college, a
community college, an airport, national call centers,
and manufacturing facilities, Arlington has to be
prepared for any risk.
OEM has aggressively pursued grant funding through
the Urban Areas Security Initiative, Metropolitan
Medical Response System, State Homeland Security
Program, and the Citizen Corp Program. Arlington has
been awarded over $25 million in Homeland Security grant funds since 2005 to enhance preparedness,
response, and recovery capabilities. Coordination and administration of these programs lies within the Office of
Emergency Management.
Fiscal 2011 was a busy year for OEM for natural disasters and significant special events. Whenever severe
weather threatens the City of Arlington, OEM monitors the developing weather situation and communicates with
the National Weather Service and trained Arlington Storm Spotters to determine if there is a need to activate the
outdoor warning sirens. When emergency conditions exist, OEM activates the Emergency Operations Center
(EOC) as the central coordination point for public safety response and recovery in the City. During these
emergencies, OEM coordinates with local, state and federal agencies to assist in bringing the City back to predisaster conditions.
When Fiscal 2011 began, OEM was still in recovery mode from Tropical Storm Hermine and the resulting flood
of several neighborhoods and condominium communities situated near Rush Creek. OEM worked closely with
Fire Rescue, Public Works, Community Services, Building Inspections, and Police, to assist with the city‘s
recovery. OEM also coordinated with Tarrant County Emergency Management and the Texas Division of
Emergency Management for a potential Presidential Declaration request by the State of Texas.
Significant special events spotlighted the City of Arlington to our nation and the world. The 2010 World Series
was not only a first for the MLB Texas Rangers, but was also a first for Arlington public safety. The World Series
tasked the Office of Emergency Management with the areas of command and control, resource coordination,
and significant special event planning. As important as this event was, it served as a ―real world‖ training and
exercise event for the upcoming Super Bowl XLV that would occur in a few months. Many new protocols and
procedures were established for the World Series and became proven methods that were utilized for the Super
Bowl. A final ―dress rehearsal‖ was conducted utilizing the NCAA 2011 Cotton Bowl. Final planning decisions
were put in place for the Super Bowl as a result of best practices observed during the
Cotton Bowl.
Arlington‘s Office of Emergency Management was the central planning and
coordination point for the five Area Commands hosting NFL Super Bowl venues leading
up to and during the Super Bowl. Normal operations were challenged by a heavy snow
and ice storm during the week leading up to game day. Arlington‘s Emergency
Operations Center ran dual activations for the Super Bowl and the weather emergency.

Working Together to Make Arlington Better.

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