Emergency Operations at Wrightsville

Emergency Operations...
Why is this an important issue for TOWB?

At stake here is the Town government's ability to function through the challenges of catastrophic emergencies. Hurricanes, Tsunami, Tornado, Blackout, Grounded Ships and Marine Spills are all in the realm of possible. Not your every day occurrence (Thank God). Being able to cope with such events is a matter of planning, training and capabilities. This is how you minimize loss of life and property and enable getting life back to a normal. While the TOWB has an Emergency Operations Plan that is aligned with State, County and neighboring communities we have a few key elements that makes us more vulnerable to failure.

Wrightsville Beach is at sea level... we are surrounded by water...we have one bridge to get us to the mainland...any major tidal surge (whether hurricane or tsunami based) could catastrophically level us...in whole or in part.

The current TOWB plan is to move temporary government emergency operations to the attic of the First Citizens Bank, off Eastwood Road. Generally you don't go to the attic in a hurricane!This location may suffice in minor storms but, what is critical to understand, is the buildings structural design integrity for storms and that the surrounding area is not prone to flood. If the Town Government needs to evacuate, from the bank, there is no place to go...essentially the Government disbands until some time on the future. It is fundamental that you don't occupy a building that is not designed to handle the forces (the Attic???)...you evacuate!

So what does that mean...disband the government? It means, there is no government. We are each on our own! It means, that sometime after the storm we can hope that the TOWB Government can get back together physically and re-institute themselves and get Emergency Recovery Operations underway. As both Alderman Bill Sisson and Holiday Inn Owner Consultant Sue Bulluck have stated...Communication before, during and after is critical to minimize our loss.

The issue on the table for the TOWB Board of Alderman is deciding to fund the town's participation in the New Hanover County Emergency Operations Center.
The EOC is a storm proof designed facility (off Racine near Home Depot) capable of withstanding Category 2-3 storms. It is a leading edge communication center and it hosues both New Hanover County and City of Wilmington Emergency management staff. Proximity, Communication, Coordination..get the picture?

This is a contentious issue and has been for sometime. Previous boards have all sought other options to avoid paying the price, but to no avail. The options are nil and the County EOC represents a viable solution.

There are 3 options on the table:

1. Pay upfront $70k
2. Finance $70K at low interest (through the county or otherwise)
3. 10 year least (+/-)

There is not a 4th option to sustain the status quo it risks too much.

Thus far the current Board has not been able to agree on one of these options. The solution is at hand. It is no longer valid to let this issue drift as the consequences of not properly managing a catastrophic event are of life and death  and billion dollar magnitude. The video (in 2 parts) of this Alderman meeting where they fail to reach a decision will show you the stonewalling, living in the past, not stepping up to responsibilities and dealing with this strategic matter.

You can decide from this video who are the serious government officials and who are not. To use a George Will expression "it would take and expertly used precision calipher to determine" which of the 3 muddling Alderman demonstrate  the most ignorance, arrogance and stupidity on this matter.

You can not hide from the reality of the threat potential we face 

as a beach community... because the 

ocean is where hurricanes and tsunamis 

are born and amplified!

Video stream of TOWB BOA Mtg Sept 13, 2012 
Part 1 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovNP7dxVREw

Part 2

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAzG8R7CDvI&feature=player_detailpage

Don't let our world unravel. Thanks for reading. Please make a difference, contact our town government and let them know where you stand on strategic issues.

Neal Briggi and  the many members and supporters of the Henderson League for the Environment & Responsible Government

Further Relevant Emergency Management Information Below:

1.)YouTube Time Lapse of EOC during Hurricane Irene
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9tLbmaw1UY
2.)New Hanover County Emergency Management
http://www.nhcgov.com/em911/Pages/default.aspx
3.)New hanover County Emergency Operations Plan (pdf 118 pages)
http://www.nhcgov.com/EM911/Documents/NHC%20EOP%20AUGUST%202011.pdf
4.Emergency Simulation Event in NHC Emergency Ops Center
http://www.wwaytv3.com/2012/05/01/1-month-to-go-emergency-agencies-practice-for-hurricane-season#.UGL_pbJlTa4
5.)New Hanover County Tsunami Ready Plan
http://www.townofkurebeach.org/Data/Sites/1/media/emergency/TsunamiReadyPlanNHC031008.pdf
6.)Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
https://www.citizencorps.gov/cc/showCert.do?id=43901
    "The New Hanover CERT Program's mission is to assist citizens in
becoming self-sufficient for up to 96 hours following a disaster"

Lost Toys, Priceless Shells ...Back to school

All good things come to an end.... or perhaps not!

Family Beach Vacation "Sand Hole Digging 101"
Copyright Noah Bridges

      That about does it for the pleasant summer, family vacations, at the beach. It has been so nice this summer seeing the young kids enjoying this special place. Watching them learn new things at the beach like, perfecting their sand castles, boogie boarding, and swimming. Can't forget snorkeling, skim boarding and surfing. Oh, and shelling and fishing of course.

      With the exception of the notable three day holiday weekends, the beach has been relatively uncrowded and clean, water quality and temperature fantastic. No major jelly fish invasions, loud radios etc. Of course, a number of those tent/ canopies got themselves airborne and permanently bent out of shape, only to be retired to the fate of the blue beach barrels. (remember they are not considered recyclable!)

"Tube Walk"
Copyright Noah Bridges

"Skim Boarding"
Copyright Noah Bridges

"Surf Casting"
Copyright Noah Bridges

"Kowabunga"
Copyright Noah Bridges

"Beach Strollering"
Copyright Noah Bridges

      I feel thanks are in order; first for the families who vacation here and show respect for the beach & our community; secondly for the  TOWB police force, under our new Chief Dan House, they have committed to uphold the quality of life here in Wrightsville.

Priceless Shells Found At Wrightsville Beach!

      I had the pleasure to watch two young brothers, on their last day of vacation, snorkeling just within the surf break and sandbar. They each struggled with their masks and snorkels and flippers and getting it all to work in harmony. Foggy mask, water in the snorkel, ill fitting flippers, their frustrations were ginormous... and then like crossing a threshold it all came together, as if nature had thrown a switch. It all began to work and they were able to focus on the world below the waves.

"Novice Snorkeler... Expert Adventurer"
Copyright Noah Bridges

      Suddenly, as the sandy bottom swirled with each wave passing overhead, it wasn't scary, those tiny fish weren't monsters and the shells on the bottom, well,  they were now to become there own individual treasures.

       Later, as they left the water with hands full of their new found booty, I overheard the one brother ask the other what he thought the shells might be worth, he replied "let's ask grandpa". Well I heard that conversation too. Grandpa said in calm knowledgeable voice "those shells are priceless". He knew well, this summer vacation and especially their new found success at snorkeling would be with them for a lifetime.

        

Delayed Reaction to Salt Air

      I'm sure many of you readers have deep fond memories of vacations. Vacations  have a way of sticking with us and being a part of who we are through life.

      I remember my childhood summer vacations taken on the "Jersey Shore". No! not the un-reality TV version we see today, but at nice beach towns not much different than Wrightsville.... when the families are around. Each summer, as we were crossing the causeway to the beach leaving the real world behind, my father would say.."aah! smell that salt air...that  will make you sleep tonight".

"Boogie Board & Boarder at Rest"
Copyright Noah Bridges

      As a kid I never understood it, but I have since figured it out. My dad never took a nap that I could recall except on summer vacation, Lying on the beach blanket, "out like a light". He always said it was the salt air, that made him do it.. And as for us kids, we ran full out all day at the beach... and I mean full out. We were never bored and never resting. No TV on vacation after dinner, just great beach & family time... and then our heads hit the pillow, and we were out like a light.

       I guess we had a delayed reaction to the salt air.

Lost Toys

"Lost Toys....Yard Sale!"
Copyright Noah Bridges

      As Wrightsville transitions into the college season, you can see the decreasing family presence.

             U-Haul trucks and trailers abound and student renters with all their stuff and immature behaviors inundate the community. Soon, all that will be left of that calmness of the summer, will be the ghostly remains of lost beach toys materializing from the sand with the changes of the tide.

       Of course it is not only students and it is not all students, that are a part of the negative elements of this transition  But the reality is; the atmosphere changes and not for the better. Drunkin, noisy, crude, rude and lude behavior is not acceptable in our community. These rental properties should not be competing for the "Animal House Award". Chief House and his police force are committed to our quality of life. The Chief has undertaken an ongoing community outreach to solidify his commitment and broadcast the message. So all you wild renters this autumn, beware you have been so notified. Do not assume, what you got away with last year is business as usual this year.

Perhaps this latest incoming herd of  renters, will be more mature and reflect  the values of their family vacations as a child and they will treat our island community with the respect we all deserve . We can certainly pray they do.

Oh I almost forgot  they also seem to lose their toys on the beach. I found some just yesterday. Aluminum & Glass Beer and Wine Bottles & Cigarette Butts.... not to forget shirts, socks and undergarments of all varieties. Yuk! 

"This is against the Law at WB"
Copyright Noah Bridges

WAKE UP & WISE UP!

BTW, you can reach Chief House to register your kudos and comments at dhouse@towb.org

Thanks for reading,

Noah