Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) conducted a project designed to determine what role it might play in assisting local governments in dealing with emergency preparedness issues in the aftermath of a manmade disaster resulting from terrorist activity. The project was funded through USDA. Community forums were used to collect viewpoints and perspectives on the unique role VCE could play in providing Homeland Security educational assistance to local governments and key professionals involved in the protection of residents from a terrorist attack. Using this information, VCE has taken steps to position itself to play a key role in addressing this important issue

Grisso, Robert

Lambur, Michael

Miller, John “Rusty” H

English

Clemson University: TigerPrints

The Journal of Extension Volume 44 Number 1 Article 3 2-1-2006 Extension's Role in Homeland Security: A Virginia Perspective John “Rusty” H. Miller Virginia Tech, rustym@vt.edu Robert Grisso Virginia Tech, rgirsso@vt.edu Michael Lambur Virginia Tech, lamburmt@vt.edu This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 License. Recommended Citation Miller, J. H., Grisso, R., & Lambur, M. (2006). Extension's Role in Homeland Security: A Virginia Perspective. The Journal of Extension, 44(1), Article 3. https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/joe/vol44/iss1/3 This Feature Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Conferences at TigerPrints. It has been accepted for inclusion in The Journal of Extension by an authorized editor of TigerPrints. For more information, please contact kokeefe@clemson.edu. 	 JOEHOME JOURNAL GUIDELINES ABOUT	JOE CONTACT NATIONAL	JOB	BANKCurrent	Issues Back	IssuesFebruary	2006	//	Volume	44	//	Number	1	//	Feature	Articles	//	1FEA1Extension's	Role	in	Homeland	Security:	A	Virginia	PerspectiveAbstractVirginia	Cooperative	Extension	(VCE)	conducted	a	project	designed	to	determine	what	role	itmight	play	in	assisting	local	governments	in	dealing	with	emergency	preparedness	issues	in	theaftermath	of	a	manmade	disaster	resulting	from	terrorist	activity.	The	project	was	fundedthrough	USDA.	Community	forums	were	used	to	collect	viewpoints	and	perspectives	on	theunique	role	VCE	could	play	in	providing	Homeland	Security	educational	assistance	to	localgovernments	and	key	professionals	involved	in	the	protection	of	residents	from	a	terroristattack.	Using	this	information,	VCE	has	taken	steps	to	position	itself	to	play	a	key	role	inaddressing	this	important	issue.	IntroductionDo	you	remember	what	you	were	doing	around	10	a.m.	on	September	11,	2001?	This	is	a	day	wewill	long	remember.	Given	the	current	environment	related	to	the	aftermath	of	September	11,2001,	Cooperative	Extension	may	be	in	a	unique	position	to	provide	educational	assistance	relatedto	the	consequences	of	terrorism	because	of	its	strong	presence	in	local	communities.	What	roleshould	Extension	play?	What	is	needed	in	the	way	of	educational	assistance?	These	wereimportant	questions	that	Virginia	Cooperative	Extension	(VCE)	sought	to	answer	in	this	project.EDEN	(Extension	Disaster	Education	Network)	developed	a	USDA	project	to	identify	educationalneeds	in	the	area	of	homeland	security.	As	part	of	accomplishing	that	task,	EDEN	conducted	twonational	surveys,	one	from	Extension	educators	working	in	field	offices	and	one	from	agriculturalproducers	(EDEN,	2002).	The	results	of	the	surveys	indicated	a	need	for	Extension	to	be	involved	inthis	arena	by	setting	up	an	informational	system	to	provide	state	and	local	governments	a	way	toinform	and	educate	the	public	in	homeland	security	matters.Building	upon	this,	VCE	conducted	a	project	that	was	designed	to	determine	what	role	it	might	playin	assisting	local	governments	in	dealing	with	emergency	preparedness	issues	in	the	aftermath	ofa	manmade	disaster	as	a	result	of	terrorist	activity.	The	project	was	funded	as	a	special	projectthrough	USDA.Extension	can	play	a	critical	role	in	coordination	of	activities,	not	just	during	a	disaster,	but	alsobefore	a	disaster	occurs,	and	in	the	period	of	long-term	recovery	after	consequence	managementJohn	H	"Rusty"	MillerPh.D.	StudentDepartment	of	Agricultural	and	Extension	Educationrustym@vt.eduRobert	GrissoProfessorBiological	Systems	Engineeringrgrisso@.vt.eduMichael	LamburProfessor	and	HeadExtension	Program	and	Curriculum	Developmentlamburmt@vt.eduVirginia	TechBlacksburg,	Virginiaactivities.	Local	governments	are	actively	engaged	in	safeguarding	their	counties	and	cities	andmost	of	all	protecting	their	citizens.	Many	county	and	city	major	facilities	require	upgradedsecurity.	Local	officials	as	well	as	the	citizens	they	represent	need	additional	information	forplanning	emergency	preparedness	and	implementing	and	managing	emergency	plans	in	case	of	adisaster.	Extension	could	play	an	important	role	in	providing	this	type	of	assistance.PurposeThe	purpose	of	this	project	was	to	collect	viewpoints	and	perspectives	on	the	unique	role	VCEcould	play	in	providing	Homeland	Security	educational	assistance	to	local	governments	and	keyprofessionals	involved	in	the	protection	of	residents	from	a	terrorist	attack.	Using	this	information,VCE	could	position	itself	to	play	a	key	role	in	addressing	this	important	issue.MethodologyCommunity	forums	were	identified	as	the	appropriate	data	collection	method.	They	were	usedbecause	they	provided	a	way	to	bring	key	individuals	together	to	discuss	VCE's	potential	role	inHomeland	Security.	By	identifying	local	individuals	who	have	a	stake	in	homeland	security	andfacilitating	the	discussion,	VCE	could	be	a	catalyst	for	effective	community	problem	solving.VCE,	through	its	local	Extension	Leadership	Councils	(ELC),	held	five	community	forums	todetermine	the	need	for	educational	assistance	in	manmade	disasters	resulting	from	terroristattacks.	ELC's	are	composed	of	a	diverse	group	of	salaried	and	volunteer	staff	who	truly	own	anever-changing	Cooperative	Extension	program	in	their	planning	area.	The	ELC	assumesresponsibility	not	only	for	identifying	the	needs	and	concerns	that	exist	in	their	planning	area,	butshares	a	commitment	to	determining	solutions,	implementing	them,	and	evaluating	and	reportingresults.	The	diversity	of	the	ELC	enhances	discussions,	deliberations,	and	actions.	In	addition,	thereis	a	recognition	that	each	person	on	the	ELC	brings	unique	experiences	and	information	that	willcontribute	to	the	Extension	educational	programming	process.The	purpose	of	the	community	forums	was	to	collect	participants'	viewpoints	on	the	kinds	ofterrorist	attacks	they	considered	a	threat	to	their	community	(both	directly	and	surrounding),	thekinds	of	preparations	if	any	that	were	already	underway	to	deal	with	these	threats,	and	the	kindsof	educational	assistance	that	would	be	needed	by	the	community	(citizens	and	professionals).Data	were	collected	from	community	forum	participants	through	the	use	of	eight	key	questions.Invited	participants	for	this	study	included:Representatives	from	local	government	(counties	and	towns,	elected	and	administrative);Public	safety,	local	and	state	law	enforcement,	and	emergency	management	personnel(including	coordinators,	fire	and	rescue);	School	personnel	(public	and	private);Health	care	system	personnel	(hospitals,	health	departments);Nonprofit	sector	personnel	(Red	Cross,	Autumn	Care	of	Suffolk,	Salvation	Army);State	agency	personnel,	including	Extension	and	ELC	members;Transportation	system	personnel,	including	the	Chesapeake	Bay	Bridge	Tunnel;Court	system	personnel;	andFaith	community	personnel.A	total	of	122	people	participated	in	the	forums.Five	community	forums	were	conducted	from	May	through	August,	2003,	in	the	following	locationsin	Virginia	(Figure	1):	the	Eastern	Shore	(Accomack	and	Northampton	Counties),	Powhatan	County,Prince	George	County,	City	of	Suffolk,	and	Abingdon	(multi-jurisdictions	–	southwest	Virginia).Figure	1.Location	of	Community	ForumsThe	number	of	participants	by	site	follows:Eastern	Shore	–	32Powhatan	County	–	20Prince	George	County	–	10City	of	Suffolk	–	16Abingdon	–	44At	the	Suffolk	and	Prince	George	sites,	questions	were	posed	directly	to	the	participants	by	afacilitator,	with	all	responses	recorded	on	flipcharts.	The	number	of	participants	at	the	EasternShore,	Abingdon,	and	Powhatan	sites	was	of	a	size	that	participants	were	divided	into	smallgroups.	A	facilitator	posed	questions,	with	each	small	group	responding	to	the	questions	within	thegroup	and	recording	their	comments	on	a	flipchart.Community	Forum	ResultsA	summary	of	key	results	by	question	is	presented	below.Question	#1:	What	Kind	of	Terrorist	Attacks,	That	May	Happen	Anywhere,Concerns	You	the	Most?Participants	at	all	sites	mentioned	similar	kinds	of	attacks:	Biological	and	chemical	events,disruptions	to	systems	(utilities,	communications,	and	transportation),	contamination	(water	andfood),	and	explosives.	In	addition,	participants	at	the	Abingdon,	Prince	George,	and	Suffolk	siteswere	concerned	about	"something"	happening	at	large	public	events.	The	Eastern	Shore	andSuffolk	participants	were	concerned	about	an	attack	on	the	ports	and	military	bases	in	the	area.Questions	#2	&	#3:	What	Types	of	Attacks	Are	You	Most	Concerned	AboutThat	May	Happen	Here?	From	the	Created	List,	What	Are	the	Top	Three	YouAre	Most	Concerned	About?Responses	to	these	questions	mirrored	responses	to	the	first	question.	But	when	participants	wereasked	to	choose	the	three	types	of	attacks	they	were	most	concerned	could	happen	in	theircommunities,	there	were	differences	among	sites:Abingdon	–	Contamination	of	water	supply,	including	reservoir,	rivers,	and	streams;	disruptionto	transportation	system	(road/bridge/dam	destruction);	and	attacks	at	public	events	(theraces	at	Bristol,	schools,	other	public	events)Eastern	Shore	–	Disruption	to	the	transportation	corridor,	including	the	Chesapeake	BayBridge	Tunnel,	with	disruptions	to	the	following	systems:	communications,	nuclear	war	fallout,biological	and	chemical	attacks,	including	the	use	of	agricultural	chemicalsPowhatan	–	Disruptions	at	mass	gatherings	(schools,	racetrack,	military),	attack	on	chemicalplant,	attack	on	Surry	Nuclear	PlantPrince	George	–	Disruption	to	air	navigation	system	(located	in	area),	disruption	to	publicutilities	and	communications	system,	including	computersSuffolk	–	Biological	(something	happening	elsewhere	and	moving	into	area),	contamination	offood	and	water	supply	(fallout	from	Surry	or	shipyards),	and	Suffolk	being	used	as	a	target	asa	diversion	to	a	main	target	elsewhereQuestion	#4:	To	Your	Knowledge,	What	Preparations	Are	Already	Under	Wayin	Your	County/City/Community	to	Deal	with	an	Attack	and	Its	Aftermath?All	sites	reported	enhanced	planning	efforts	since	the	September	11,	2001	event,	with	moreserious	attention	given	to	potential	targets.	There	are	local	Emergency	Planning	Committees	in	alljurisdictions.	Emergency	operations	plans	are	in	place,	and	mock	drills	are	being	held.	Schoolshave	developed	crisis	plans.	Health	Departments	working	with	hospitals	and	other	health	relatedorganizations	have	plans.	In	the	eastern	part	of	the	state	it	was	mentioned	there	are	transportationplans	on	how	to	"move"	the	people	in	the	event	of	a	disaster.	Shelters	and	distribution	centershave	been	identified.	The	nonprofit	sector	and	the	faith	communities	(at	some	sites)	have	alsodone	planning.	Sites	also	reported	the	purchase	of	enhanced	equipment/communicationssystems/weaponry	and	plans	for	purchasing	additional	items	when	additional	funds	becomeavailable.Several	sites	reported	educational	efforts	that	had	been	directed	to	the	general	public.	In	theSuffolk	area,	there	is	CERT	training	that	provides	information	on	how	to	help	families/neighbors	inemergency	situations.	The	Health	Department	and	Red	Cross	have	done	training	for	civic	groups.Civic	groups	have	been	asked	by	fire	and	police	departments	to	assist	in	passing	information	on	toothers.	VCE	has	provided	education	on	farm	security	and	pesticide	storage	statewide.	In	general,the	public	was	more	open	to	the	receiving	of	information.Although	participants	reported	enhanced	coordination	among	interested	parties,	there	was	alsosurprise	at	the	amount	of	planning	that	was	ongoing	in	sectors	not	known	to	them.	Multiple	planshave	been	developed	for	the	same	geographic	area	focusing	on	separate	segments	of	thecommunity,	i.e.,	law	enforcement,	health,	civic	involvement,	faith	communities,	nonprofit	sector.Participants	often	commented	that	there	needed	to	be	a	coordinated	effort	where	all	planningentities	would	meet	at	least	yearly	to	compare	plans	and	efforts	for	better	coordination.	It	wasacknowledged	that	the	two	segments	that	appeared	to	be	involved	in	cross-sector	planning	wereemergency	management	and	law	enforcement.Questions	#5,	#6,	&	#7:	Do	You	Feel	a	Need	for	Information	on	Preparing	forDealing	with	Attacks	and	Their	Aftermath?	To	Whom	Should	the	InformationBe	Directed?	In	What	Form	Do	You	Think	the	Information	Should	Be	MadeAvailable?At	no	site	did	the	participants	feel	the	need	for	additional	information.	The	sense	was	that	theinformation	is	readily	available	either	from	their	state/federal	counterparts	or	from	other	sourcesvia	the	Web.	An	observer	at	the	Abingdon	forum	representing	a	local	newspaper	stated	she	couldnot	get	the	information	she	thought	she	needed	for	distribution	to	the	public.However,	participants	at	all	sites	felt	there	was	a	need	to	provide	information	to	the	general	public.As	one	person	stated	at	the	Suffolk	site,	the	information	that	the	public	needs	is	available,	but	itmay	not	be	in	a	form	(written	in	a	technical	manner	or	at	a	too	high	educational	level	or	it	containstoo	much	information)	that	is	appropriate	for	the	public.	A	participant	in	Abingdon	stated	thatsome	information	is	only	available	to	key	officials/agencies/organizations	and	the	public	would	nothave	access	to	it.	It	was	felt	there	wasn't	a	need	to	create	any	new	information	but	to	get	availableinformation	in	a	form	appropriate	for	distribution	to	the	public	and	coordinate	its	dissemination.Question	#8:	What	Do	You	See	as	Extensions'	Role	in	Supporting	the	ExistingEfforts	When	Dealing	with	Preparation	for	an	Attack	or	Following	One?There	were	differences	in	responses	by	site:Abingdon	–	4-H/youth	programming	–	develop	a	volunteer	force	to	work	on	homeland	securityactivities	(provide	curriculum	and	projects	on	disaster	preparedness,	prepare	youth	foremergency	response);	serve	as	a	central	information	agency	(pre-event);	act	as	a	liaison	toother	agencies;	compile	all	emergency	plans/efforts;	post-event	–	assist	emergency	servicesby	providing	education	and	disseminating	information;	assist	in	developing	volunteereducators	in	neighborhoods	patterned	after	civic	defense	units	of	the	1950-60's;	prepareinformation	on	food	preparation/food	safety	in	times	of	disasters,	pesticide	certification,	assistwith	damage	assessment	(agriculture),	facilitate	forums	for	citizens	and	governmentsEastern	Shore	–	organize	and	create	an	information	publication	in	partnership	with	allagencies	relative	to	terrorist	attacks,	serve	as	an	education	resource,	utilize	statewideExtension	system	for	information,	develop	materials	for	mass	distribution,	coordinate	withother	agencies	to	develop	public	information,	hold	educational	meetings	for	general	public,educate	youth	through	4-H	and	the	schools,	provide	information	to	agricultural/farm	laborpopulationPowhatan	–	relay	information	to	the	public,	damage	assessment,	public	awareness	andcommunication,	public	meetings,	training,	assist	other	organizations	such	as	the	Red	Crosswith	shelter	setupPrince	George	–	provide	information	to	deal	with	incorrect	or	misleading	information,	usenetwork	to	get	information	to	children	and	families,	use	the	Extension	network	to	identifyfunds	from	federal	government	to	obtain	grants	to	support	planning	and	implementationeffortsSuffolk	–	reach	people	in	rural	areas	with	information,	training	provided	on	use	of	food/watersupplies	particularly	for	families	living	with	well	water,	water	issues	relative	to	a	safe	supplyfor	livestock,	use	of	the	4-H	program	to	get	information	out,	using	sentinel	animals,	i.e.,chickens	as	the	"canary	in	the	mine"In	summary,	five	key	points	were	identified	that	have	implications	for	Extension's	involvement	inhomeland	security.1.	 Since	September	11,	2001,	all	jurisdictions	have	enhanced	their	planning	efforts,	but	it	hasprimarily	been	done	within	"vertical	silos,"	with	each	sector	of	the	community	doing	their	ownplanning,	either	linking	into	their	state	systems,	e.g.,	the	Health	Departments	or	standingalone.2.	 Participants	were	often	surprised	at	the	amount	of	planning	that	has	taken	place	or	iscurrently	being	done	within	their	communities	by	various	entities.3.	 Participants	acknowledged	the	need	to	"coordinate	the	plans"	among	all	those	that	have	orare	developing	plans.4.	 Participants	did	not	see	a	need	to	develop	new	information,	but	they	did	see	a	need	to	takeexisting	information	and	convert	it	into	a	form	that	is	appropriate	for	use	by	the	generalpublic.5.	 There	was	variance	among	sites	as	to	the	role	that	Extension	can	play	in	supporting	existingplanning	efforts,	although	all	saw	Extension	as	providing	information	to	the	general	public.Extension's	Role	in	Virginia:	Next	StepsAs	a	result	of	these	efforts,	a	Web	site	<http://www.hlseduc.ext.vt.edu/>	has	been	establishedwith	the	goal	of	developing	materials	that	agents	and	local	emergency	response	groups	can	use	toaccess	and	prepare	for	man-made	disasters.	A	community	action	plan	and	implementationstrategies	will	be	the	primary	driver	for	this	site.	The	site	will	also	contain	resources	and	ideas	tostudy	and	test	as	the	community	acts.	The	materials	will	aid	in	the	interaction	of	sharing	thecurrent	agency	plans	for	homeland	security	and	how	they	will	impact	the	total	action	during	anemergency.	The	Extension	agent	will	be	viewed	as	one	of	the	potential	facilitators	of	these	localaction	and	development	plans,	pulling	resources	and	the	expertise	from	the	community	andhelping	to	identify	potential	overlaps	of	missions	and	potential	gaps	in	responding	and	preparingfor	man-made	disasters.AcknowledgmentsThis	project	would	not	have	been	possible	without	the	hard	work	and	dedication	of	Judy	Burtner,who	set	up	and	conducted	all	of	the	forums.	Presented	at	the	EDEN	2004	Annual	Meeting,"Building	Relationships	with	Agencies	and	People,"	October	12-14,	2004,	The	Penn	State	-Conference	Center	Hotel,	Penn	State	University	State	College,	PAReferencesEDEN,	Extension	Disaster	Education	Network.	(2002).	2002	Eden	Homeland	Security	Survey	[On-line].	Available	at:	http://www.eden.lsu.edu/hs_surveys.aspCopyright	©	by	Extension	Journal,	Inc.	ISSN	1077-5315.	Articles	appearing	in	the	Journal	become	the	property	of	theJournal.	 Single	 copies	 of	 articles	may	 be	 reproduced	 in	 electronic	 or	 print	 form	 for	 use	 in	 educational	 or	 trainingactivities.	Inclusion	of	articles	in	other	publications,	electronic	sources,	or	systematic	large-scale	distribution	may	bedone	only	with	prior	electronic	or	written	permission	of	the	Journal	Editorial	Office,	joe-ed@joe.org.If	you	have	difficulties	viewing	or	printing	this	page,	please	contact	JOE	Technical	Support©	Copyright	by	Extension	Journal,	Inc.	ISSN	1077-5315.	Copyright	Policy

Extension\u27s Role in Homeland Security: A Virginia Perspective

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Extension\u27s Role in Homeland Security: A Virginia Perspective

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