Brewer leaders preparing for disaster response

BREWER – If a chemical spill occurs in town or if an airplane heading to Bangor International Airport ends up crashing into the city, Brewer leaders want to be prepared.

“We’re beginning the process of putting in place some procedures in the event of an emergency or disaster,” City Manager Steve Bost said Wednesday.

City councilors have decided to update the crisis management plan for the city to ensure it encompasses everything from pandemic flu to catastrophic airplane crashes, Fire Chief Rick Bronson said Wednesday. The plan covers such items as hazardous materials, hurricanes and school threats.

The new all-hazards plan will be designed as a unified, multiagency response plan, Bronson said.

For security reasons, “part of the emergency operations plan will be secret and other parts – [such as] the pandemic flu parts – will be public,” said Bronson, who is designated as the city’s emergency management director.

The council, Bost and Bronson met behind closed doors at the end of Tuesday’s City Council meeting to begin discussing the all-hazards plan and creating an ordinance to establish a local emergency management agency.

The federal government is requiring all communities to create and approve an all-hazards emergency operations plan this year in order to continue federal funding, and by October 2007 will send inspectors to check on municipalities, Bronson said.

“We hope by midwinter to have that ready,” he said.

During the regular meeting, the board also:

. Issued a resolution of respect for the late Louise Holyoke, a city election official for more than 40 years, for her years of service to the city, and a resolution recognizing Lawrence “Bud” and Jean Lyford for donating a new sign to Brewer High School.

. Accepted $546 in donations for the Recreation Department, $500 from forfeited funds from a recent court case involving the Brewer Police Department, a deed from Paul Carey and Janet Munro for a portion of Park Avenue East for a public street, an easement for a hydrant on Green Point Road, and the transfer of a parcel of land near Liberty Drive to Scott Commercial Property.

. Accepted and dedicated Liberty Drive, a new road located off Parkway South.

. Authorized an agreement with the owners of 54 Elm St. to use the site for Brewer Fire Department training.

. Set the joint City Council and school committee meeting for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 21, at the Muddy Rudder.

. Approved a liquor license for Siam Golden at 347 Wilson St.

. Purchased a 2007 Ford F150 pickup truck for the Water Department for $21,651 and a 2007 Sterling LT8000 dump truck for Public Works for $101,438.

. Appointed Jeff Bryant to the parks and recreation advisory commission.