FY2012 Arlington Fire Department Annual Report FY 2012

Fiscal 2012 was a busy year for the Office of Emergency Management (OEM). OEM is responsible for coordinating public safety response operations as well as protecting lives, property, and the environment by mitigating, preparing for, responding to, and recovering from natural and man-made disasters. Normal duties for OEM staff include conducting monthly outdoor warning siren tests, mentoring newly promoted Fire Department personnel on OEM roles and responsibilities, updating Arlington Emergency Management Plans, conducting training classes for our Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) citizen volunteers, facilitating response training for public safety, fulfilling citizen requests for public education preparedness presentations to civic groups in Arlington, and participating in numerous regional committees for public safety planning and response activities, as well as Homeland Security grant management. Fiscal 2012 started with the activation of the EOC for the 2011 World Series. OEM was well prepared for this event as the City had hosted many significant special events in the previous 24 months, including the NBA All Star Game, Super Bowl and 2010 World Series. Unfortunately, the Texas Rangers did not win the Series, but the overall public safety operation was a success. A few months later, in the second quarter of Fiscal 2012, an unexpected event occurred that highlighted the problems a train can cause for transportation in our city. In February, a train derailed blocking several intersections and causing serious traffic problems for Arlington commuters. The EOC was activated for a period of time, but fortunately the issue was resolved quickly and order was restored. Two months later, a significant weather event occurred that involved the entire City, but fortunately only affected a small portion of Arlington citizens. On April 3, an F2 tornado touched down in Arlington, damaging or destroying over 500 homes and businesses. The EOC was activated immediately before the storm reached our borders and we were able to sound the outdoor warning sirens to alert citizens of the approaching tornado. Fortunately, only minor injuries occurred as a result of the tornado and the EOC was able to coordinate local, county, state, private and volunteer resources with the goal of returning the city to pre-disaster conditions as quickly and efficiently as possible. DUTY / HONOR Working Together to Make Arlington Better. / COMPASSION 38 / EXCELLENCE

FY2012 Arlington Fire Department Annual Report FY 2012 | Page 38