RESOLUTION NO. RS2003-36

A resolution requesting the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhoods, the Mayor’s Office of Emergency Management, the Metropolitan Police Department, and the Metropolitan Fire Department to study the feasibility of creating a program similar to Seattle’s Disaster Aid and Response Teams.

WHEREAS, the City of Seattle, Washington has established a program called SDART (Seattle Disaster Aid & Response Teams) that functions as the city’s all-hazard personal and neighborhood preparedness program; and

WHEREAS, the primary goal of SDART is to help citizens properly prepare to be self-sufficient for three days following a serious disaster; and

WHEREAS, the SDART teams consist of neighbors who are trained and organized to respond to basis needs following a major disaster; and

WHEREAS, Neighborhood Preparedness Meetings are held periodically to train and prepare the neighbors and printed materials regarding personal and home disaster preparedness are distributed to individuals; and

WHEREAS, detailed materials regarding SDART were obtained from the Seattle Emergency Management Office and are on file in the Metropolitan Council Office; and

WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the citizens of Nashville and Davidson County that the Metropolitan Government study the feasibility of implementing such a program in Nashville, Tennessee.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as requesting the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhoods, the Mayor’s Office of Emergency Management, the Metropolitan Police Department, and the Metropolitan Fire Department to study the feasibility of creating a program similar to Seattle’s Disaster Aid and Response Teams.

Section 2. That the Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a certified copy of this Resolution to Mayor Bill Purcell, to Michelle Cummings, the director of the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhoods, to Richard Byrd, the acting director of the Mayor’s Office of Emergency Management, to acting Police Chief Deborah Faulkner, and to Fire Chief Stephen Halford.

Section 3. That this Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Jim Shulman