
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, October 25, 1995                   TAG: 9510250029
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: KATHY LOAN
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

WHO SHOULD COORDINATE IN EMERGENCIES?

Q: Currently the sheriff is the county's emergency and disaster operations coordinator. Would you support the Board of Supervisors hiring or appointing a person to do the job of emergency and disaster coordinator specifically? I refer here to predisaster planning and agency coordination, as well as operations during a large emergency or disaster. - Alan Raflo, Blacksburg.

Montgomery County's sheriff serves as emergency services coordinator, while in neighboring Pulaski County that job is held by a county employee, who coordinates reaction to floods, storms and other disasters.

Garnett Adkins, Independent: "I think that that job should be handed over to the fire chief."

Doug Marrs, Republican: Marrs is in favor of anticipating emergencies, but said he would have to know more about the current situation before deciding who should hold that job. "Whether it should be the sheriff, I don't know."

Jerry Olinger, Democrat: "I don't think there's a need for that right now," he said. But he said there is a need for a fire and rescue or public safety coordinator to oversee fire and rescue volunteers and purchases. That person could probably fill the role of emergency coordinator, too, he said.

O.P. Ramsey, Independent: "If that person could do a better job, absolutely I would support it."

To ask a question of the Montgomery County sheriff or commonwealth's attorney candidates, come to Thursday's candidates forum at 7 p.m. at Falling Branch Elementary School in Christiansburg. Index cards will be provided for citizens who want to write questions to the candidates. A moderator will ask the questions.

Keywords:
POLITICS

by CNB