Prudent emergency planning

Re: Counties balk at judge's wish for 5 storm shelters for court, April 28.

The idea of providing shelter for public servants' families during hurricanes or other disasters - natural or man-made - did not originate in the 6th Judicial Circuit's requests for emergency operational shelters.

In 2000, Gov. Jeb Bush's "Hurricane Evacuation Task Force's Report" stated "there are numerous state and locally managed facilities that could . . . provide a refuge for their own employees and families." It should go without saying that overburdened government employees will perform more efficiently during stressful times if they are relieved of the responsibility of worrying about their families.

Locally, the city of Largo has followed the task force's suggestion and provides shelter for the families of emergency workers.

The leaders of the three equal branches of government - executive, legislative and judiciary - should constantly evaluate how we're providing for our employees. That evaluation must include caring for the safety of emergency workers and their families when those workers are called upon to provide extraordinary services. Following last year's spate of hurricanes, the Florida Supreme Court mandated that all 20 of the state's judicial circuits should review and update their emergency preparedness plans.

During that update, the 6th Circuit developed its plan for providing emergency shelters in Pasco and Pinellas counties and presented that concept to the appropriate county officials. The plan dealt with many things besides providing shelters for emergency response teams, and some of these things seemed to be acceptable to all involved.

One thing is certain: Not one part of the plan called for special treatment of anyone. It did not call for providing shelters for public employees instead of providing shelter for any member of the public. It did not call for providing shelters to public employees that are more elaborate than are provided to any member of the public.

What the plan did call for is providing operational shelters for part of one branch of government so that the public will have access to important government services during and immediately after an emergency. Just a few examples of important functions that only the judicial branch can provide include injunctions for protection against domestic violence, orders regarding emergency blood transfusions and surgery for children, orders to protect children who are being abused, and authorizing law enforcement to take certain actions. Additionally, the plan should make all judicial services available to the public faster than without the plan.

In times of emergency, minimizing the negative impact upon the public is a worthy goal for all branches of government. Given what the state has just experienced, it is something that we should discuss and explore.

The circuit's proposal was presented as a way to operate the courts with a minimum of disruption during emergencies. In the time of chaos, the judicial branch of government will be an important part of restoring our communities to some form of normality.

This proposal was sent to numerous local officials for discussion and debate, knowing full well that they have to make decisions based on applying available resources to prioritized needs of the entire population. We recognize that like most plans involving more than one entity, this one might require some negotiation and refinement.

The Pinellas and Pasco commissions sometimes have tough decisions to make in regard to deciding what's best for our counties. Those commissions and their respective administrators have always been diligent in carrying out their responsibility to provide for the facility needs of our courts.

I am certain they will continue to act professionally and responsibly when they assess the need for emergency operation shelters.

David A. Demers, chief judge, 6th Judicial Circuit, St. Petersburg

[Last modified May 7, 2005, 01:02:18]