A resolution requesting President George W. Bush, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, and the Davidson County Congressional Delegation to require all states and municipalities to prepare detailed disaster plans, and requesting the Mayor's Office of Emergency Management, the Police Department, the Fire Department, and the Health Department to formulate a specific plan for the evacuation and relocation of Nashville residents in the event of a natural disaster or terrorist attack.

WHEREAS, the devastating aftermath of hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and parts of the Gulf coast evidenced the fact that state and local governments are inadequately prepared to handle mass evacuations of people; and

WHEREAS, although the federal government has been criticized for its slow response to the Katrina disaster, state and local governments should be required to prepare detailed evacuation plans in the event of a natural disaster; and

WHEREAS, over the past four years, the Metropolitan Government has received more than $9.6 million in state and federal money for disaster preparedness and homeland security functions; and

WHEREAS, the Mayor's Office of Emergency Management has utilized some of this federal grant money to prepare a disaster plan for the Metropolitan Government; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Government review its existing plan and make any changes necessary to ensure that there is a specific plan in place for the mass evacuation and relocation of Nashville residents in the event of a natural disaster or terrorist incident.

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 President George W. Bush, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, and the Davidson County Congressional Delegation to require all states and municipalities to prepare detailed disaster plans, and requesting the Mayor's Office of Emergency Management, the Police Department, the Fire Department, and the Health Department to formulate a specific plan for the evacuation and relocation of Nashville residents in the event of a natural disaster or terrorist attack.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a copy of this Resolution to President George W. Bush, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, to each member of the Davidson County Congressional Delegation, to Mayor Bill Purcell, to Richard Byrd, the director of the Office of Emergency Management, to Police Chief Ronal Serpas, to Fire Chief Stephen Halford, and to Director of Health Dr. Stephanie Bailey.

Section 3. That the Mayor's Office of Emergency Management, the Police Department, the Fire Department, and the Health Department are further requested to respond to the Council as to the feasibility of and/or action taken in compliance with the request stated in Section 1 hereof within sixty (60) days from the adoption of this Resolution.

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: Ludye Wallace