Revised April 26th, 2024
SCA editors view the city council meeting and work session videos. Our mission includes promoting transparency and accountability by evaluating council discussion and decisions. So, we took note when CM Sanschagrin made a nondescript suggestion at the Feb. 26 meeting, that the Council discuss the existence of Shorewood’s Crisis Management Plan (CMP). The context of his comment and question, reveals that as a newer councilmember, he had not been made aware of a CMP. Neither had we!
Severe Weather Awareness Week
Mayor Labadie quickly educated him that there is indeed, a “plan.”
- According to Labadie, the mayors of the five cities* came “together with the “chiefs**” and determined that the mayors defer to the chiefs in the management of any disaster.”
“…our policy in response is that the mayors of the cities…defer to the chiefs.” –Labadie
- She did not say how affected residents should respond during an emergency.
- Nor did she elaborate on the details of the CMP, or offer a source to learn more.
The mayor’s strong, yet vague, response piqued SCA’s curiosity. We noted that a CMP is not on the City website. It does show up on the South Lake Public Safety Department website under “Emergency Preparedness.”
- The plan on the site includes these words “Private citizens can and should also prepare for emergencies.” What has the City, or any local agency, done to educate us about such preparation?
- The CMP info refers to a training drill in 2009, which may imply the report needs an update.
- One of the main contacts is listed as EFD Fire Chief Scott Gerber, who resigned in 2019. Has SLPSD done anything to educate the public?
- According to former Public Works Director Larry Brown in 2022 (click the link and scroll down to his response), “Shorewood City Hall serves as a secondary Emergency Operations Center and potential media hub for emergencies.” Who is responsible for communicating this to residents?
Shorewood should be prepared for a variety of potential emergencies, including natural disasters, power outages, and human-caused emergencies like hazardous waste spills or terrorist actions. Preparation and resident awareness are key components of effective crisis management.
Crisis Management Planning needs to be:
- Added to a city council meeting agenda for public discussion;
- Addressed with a plan for 2024 and beyond, or if the council fails to do so;
- Brought forward from by concerned citizens for their input, education and participation.
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*Shorewood, Greenwood, Deephaven, Tonka Bay, Excelsior
**Chiefs of Police and Fire ↑
