As the United States prepares for possible war with Iraq, governmental entities, like the City of Arlington, are taking steps to increase security for citizens and employees.

Significant actions have been taken in recent years to prepare Public Safety personnel with the necessary training and equipment. In 1998, Arlington began participating in terrorism response training conducted by the U.S. Department of Defense. Fire, Police and medical personnel have been trained to respond to acts of terrorism involving chemical, nuclear and biological agents. The Fire Department has also acquired detection and decontamination equipment.

Arlington is one of five cities in the Metroplex to participate in the United States Department of Health and Human Services’ Metropolitan Medical Response System. This program improves the responsiveness of the medical system in Arlington to terrorist attacks. In addition to training, the program provides additional protective and communication equipment for Public Safety personnel. Other steps that have been taken include:

• Increasing security at critical facilities.
• Developing alternate strategies for Police and Fire staffing ensuring the availability of special units.
• Enhancing communications with State and Federal officials.
• Updating the City’s Emergency Operations Plan.
• Conducting emergency operations exercises with elected officials and key City staff.
• Participating in County and Regional Emergency Preparedness Efforts.

Other steps that will be taken immediately by the Police and Fire Departments will include:

• Conducting regular meetings with Public Safety personnel and other employees that staff the Emergency Operations Center to assess threats and modify response and staffing levels as needed.
• Encouraging City departments to remind all personnel to be alert and inquisitive about unusual or suspicious activities in their work areas.
• Refining plans to enhance security and to respond to specific threat information.
• Coordinating with the City’s Office of Communication to provide safety and preparedness information to the public.