Funding was on the minds of most public safety officials who gave testimony Thursday at a meeting of the New Jersey State Assembly’s Homeland Security and Preparedness Committee, which was held in Jersey City.
The committee, chaired by Assemblywoman Joan Quigley, had its meeting at the Merrill Lynch Building downtown. The committee heard testimony from representatives from the police departments of Jersey City and Hoboken on operational improvements since the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. Common to almost all the speakers was need for more funding for increased safety and community preparedness.
Lt. Michael Louf of the Jersey City Office of Emergency Management outlined a number of programs that have been initiated by the municipality since 9-11, including the establishment of a joint radio frequency for all Hudson county emergency operations.
"During the 9/11 crisis, we had a crisis in communication," said Louf, noting the destruction of the World Trade Center cut off the main communication towers for many emergency units in New York and New Jersey. Consequently, rescue units had to use a number of different radio frequency bands, creating communication problems.
"The police, fire department and rescue units have been moved to 400 megahertz from 125," said Louf. "We would like to see this spread to the entire county. It would be good to have everyone on one band."
Later in his presentation, Louf highlighted the need for funding for local emergency preparedness to come from outside the municipalities.
"We are out of money and we can’t go any further," said Louf.
Louf noted that almost all Jersey City police and fire workers had completed anti-terrorist and anti-chemical/biological weapons training. As reported earlier, a small panic occurred in the Jersey City area last year during the anthrax scare when people reported white powder coming off newspapers which resembled anthrax spores. Louf stated it was in fact a silicate powder sprayed on paper to keep ink from running.
"The city has also hired 60 new police officers," Louf stated. "They will be put on regular patrols, including the riverside areas. We plan to hire between 40 and 60 more police officers in November."
Also mentioned by Louf was the creation of the Community Anti-Terrorism training program, which Louf described as being in its early stages of formation. According to Louf, the citywide program will educate residents on how to spot individuals or packages that seems suspicious.
Improving logistics
Jersey City Police Director James Carter commented on the need to improve rescue effort logistics in light of Jersey City’s participation in Sept. 11 rescue efforts.
"On Sept. 11 we had 5,000 volunteers at Exchange Place and we had to have a way to move them," said Carter. "It could have been a logistical nightmare."
Coordination of rescue efforts and communication is also essential, said Carter.
"Since the attack came from the air, we needed to check all exit routes," Carter stated. "This meant checking tunnels and roads. If we need boats, we would have to reach out to get boats. If we needed helicopters, we don’t have them, so we would have to reach out for those, also."
Carter also suggested the video taping of disasters while they happen.
"When something is happening, you’re too busy working on relief efforts," said Carter. "With the video, you can look back and see what was done wrong."
Hoboken Deputy Fire Chief August Schwartz echoed Louf and Carter’s comments, adding that Hoboken has recently upgraded it hazardous materials emergency unit.
"It is a very heavy burden for a community to purchase equipment to ensure its safety," Schwartz commented, adding that help was needed from outside the municipalities.
Schwartz noted that communities on the Jersey side of the Hudson do not possess fireboats. Schwartz suggested the purchase of small fireboats, designed to carry injured people and fight fires.
Representing Bon Secours and Canterbury Partnership, which operates St. Mary Hospital in Hoboken and Christ Hospital in Jersey City, Dr. Angelo Caprio emphasized the hospitals’ need for more funding. Caprio, the chairman of the partnership’s disaster management committee, noted the hospital system had recently trained 250 employees in the management of biological, chemical and radiation casualties.
"In addition, we have recently purchased three full TVI decontamination units, respirators and masks and disposable post decontamination suits," said Caprio.
Due to handling victims of the Sept. 11 terror attack, Caprio said the hospital system lost $4 million in revenue between uncompensated surgeries and admissions.
"There was over $650,000 in direct expenses and we have received only $277,000 in grants," said Caprio.
Caprio added the hospital network would be working with lobbying agencies to get federal funds to make up for the loses.
Committee member Assemblyman Gordon Johnson asked if any federal agencies would be involved with the upgrading process for the security in the Hudson River municipalities. Carter said a federal agency would oversee some of the operations.
"I don’t want to mention the particular agency because I have not taken it before the city council yet," said Carter.
Chairman Quigley assured the security officials who had gathered that their testimony would be considered by the committee in regards to state funding.