City updates disaster plans

Diana Sahagun

Thursday, Sept. 27, 2001 | 10:20 a.m.

Las Vegas has finalized its latest emergency operations plan, which includes the city's response should it be the target of a terrorist attack or is affected by some other type of disaster.

Mayor Oscar Goodman, Councilman Michael McDonald and other city department heads on Wednesday reviewed final revisions to the city's emergency plan. The final version will be forwarded to the City Council for approval in October.

McDonald recommended that the city establish a mobile command center, which it would use if the current location -- in the headquarters of the Las Vegas Fire Department -- is struck.

In New York, the command center, where city officials would have met in the wake of any emergency, was in one of the World Trade Center towers.

"I think everyone is on alert," McDonald said. "But we shouldn't live in fear."

Deputy City Manager Steven Houchens proposed adding a section to the plan that addresses air quality issues in the wake of disaster in Las Vegas. In New York, experts are periodically testing air pollution levels to ensure cleanup crews are safe from asbestos and harmful dust.

Las Vegas Fire Chief David Washington said the department has a good supply of filtration masks, similar to those given to pedestrians after the attacks in New York.

Another portion of the plan assigns new responsibilities to the city auditor in the event of an emergency, and creates assessment teams, which would analyze damage to government buildings.

Tim McAndrew, the city's director of emergency management, also created new checklists to be used by the city manager and other administrators.

"It's very timely," McAndrew said of the city's plan. "We've been working on this plan all along; it really does enable us to adopt the enhancements.'