INFORMATION #2 10-08-2001River
Fire Department
415 Jacks0n Avenue
Elk River, MN 55330
October 3, 2001
David Berglund
433 Irving Avenue #5
Elk River, Minnesota 55330
Dear bfr. Berglund:
On behalf of the City of Elk River and its Emergency Management Division, I would like to
thank you for your letter dated September 16, 2001, referencing the events of September 11,
2001. As Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director for the City of Elk River,
September 11, 2001, had a tremendous impact; not only personally but also on every
member of the Elk River Fire Department. At this time I would like to update you on the
City, of Elk River's preparedness for possible terrorist activities within our community.
I have met and conferred numerous times with Utilities General Manager Bryan Adams
about the safeguarding of the water supply within our community. All well houses have been
or are currendy monitored with a security system in case of any potential intruder break in.
Safeguarding of our water supply has always been a "number one" priority for the water
department.
Your mention of an evacuation plan within our schools is a very important one. I have
consulted with administraton from Independent School District #728 and raised concerns
about security and evacuation plans at each and every school within the system. The district
has been working with the Minnesota Department of Emergency Management (IDEM) to
safeguard our schools for students. DEM has on its website, for your review, under schools
and emergency preparedness, a planning guide for schools that has been shared within the
State of Minnesota. If you would like to refer to the DEM website, the address is:
~vxvw.dem.state.mn.us.
I would like to address your concern regarding suspicious people or activity within our
community and who a citizen should contact to report such suspicious activity. There are
two ways within our community to report suspicious activity/people. First of all, if it is an
immediate need, you obviously should call 911 and report the suspicious person/activity.
Secondly, any suspicious person/activity may be reported to the Elk River Police
Department by calling (763) 441-2324. Your questions will be answered by an on-duty
sergeant or by the assistant police chief.
Phone: 763.441.4919
F~cx: 763,441.3299
www. ci.elk-rivermn
Your letter also refers to the importance of discussing terrorism with our children. The
coming weeks and months for our country are going to be stressful and it is important to
discuss terrorism and deal with disasters impact on our children. Talking to children about
terrorism can be particularly problematic since prodding safety guidelines to protect them
from terrorism is difficult. Parents can help their children by talking to them and also by not
overexposing them to the news coverage of terrorist events. Children don't need to be
overwhelmed with information but adults should answer questions about terrorism by
providing understandable information and realistic reassurance. It can be very difficult for
adults to talk to children about disasters or adults may not recognize that their children may
be feeling distress over tragic events. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
has devoted a website to children. The website offers advice on how parents can discuss
terrorism with their children and also includes general guidelines on dealing with disasters
impact on our nation's young people. The address for the site is www.fema.gov/kids.
I would like to thank you for the letter stating your questions and concerns regarding the
City of Elk River's preparedness from a terrorist activity or threat. Our city's emergency
management professionals continue to work closely with Sherbume County Emergency
Management and the State Departsl:ent of Emergency Management on terrorism concerns
and its potential threat throughout the State of Minnesota. If you have further questions,
please feel free to call me at the Elk River Fire Depa~ux~ent at (763) 441-4919.
7 /
Fire Chief
City of Elk River