State has taken steps in case of disasters

Ohio is not typically prone to such natural disasters as what Texas is experiencing with Hurricane Harvey, and according to an analysis by CoreLogic, Ohio doesn’t even make the Top 10 states for natural hazards. However, Ohio does experience its share of disasters, both natural and those caused by man.

Ohio has taken steps in case of a disaster to either keep businesses running or get things back to normal as soon as possible through the Ohio Public Private Partnership program, or OP3.

OP3 is a program administered by Ohio Homeland Security, a division of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, with a goal of serving Ohioans before, during and after a disaster.

“ODPS relies on strong partnerships between citizens, government, higher education and private business to strengthen these partnerships across the state,” according to a fact sheet on the OP3 program.

The OP3 program was created by the ODPS as a way to provide current information and situational awareness on not only disaster prevention, but also response and recovery efforts in the case of a disaster to state agencies and business executives. This allows decision making and allocation of resources that will best support the needs of impacted communities.

Goals of the OP3 program include:

• Assisting both public and private sectors in returning to normal operations following a disaster,

• Providing situational awareness to program members when imminent threats are present,

• Building a comprehensive network of businesses, associations and state agencies that are able to participate jointly in disaster prevention, planning, response and recovery efforts.

The program was formed in 2012, after the derecho windstorm left thousands without power in the middle of a heatwave.

The ODPS looked to develop new tactics to better serve Ohio residents following disasters, whether natural or those caused by man.

The program uses the Homeland Security Information Network, a U.S. Department of Homeland Security online information sharing portal, as a way to securely share needed information with the program members.

The program’s website, www.homelandsecurity.ohio.gov/op3, features many links useful in case of disasters, such as electrical outage maps, weather alerts for Ohio issued by the National Weather Service, and Ohio Emergency Management Agency Emergency Operations Center situation reports.

The site also offers guides for employer and family member emergency preparedness, such as building an emergency kit, making a disaster plan, surviving tornadoes or excessive heat, fire safety and more.

According to Dustyn Fox, spokesman for Ohio DHS, the OP3 program is primarily for businesses as a means of providing partnerships to obtain needed information and supplies in times of emergency.

One example given by Fox is the case of a power outage where a home supply store may be selling out of generators. A call then can be placed, notifying others that this store may need to restock its supply quickly. Or they may call one of the partners in the program, requesting supplies such as water or equipment for an area impacted by disaster.

OP3 currently has 515 members and is always on the lookout to add new businesses, Fox said.

Another benefit offered by OP3 is emergency partner credentialing. This service is an in-house service. Ohio is the only state to offer it free of charge.

For areas of disaster cordoned off by law enforcement or the Emergency Management Agency, credentials from the ODPS can show the officers that the person has a valid reason to be requesting access to the area, such as delivery of supplies, equipment or medication. Law enforcement can verify the person’s credentials using the computers already in their vehicles. The OP3 program is just another way for Ohio to be prepared and deal with disasters.

“This is different than (the Federal Emergency Management Agency) and Red Cross, this is another layer of assistance,” Fox said. “This is another layer of information, another way to share knowledge, another layer to help minimize the impact on areas of disaster in Ohio.”

Fox believes speed of information is the key in responding to disasters. The quicker they can provide the information, the quicker they can respond in those areas.

“With the disaster challenges we face today, it is critical that the public and private sectors work together to build a safer Ohio for all citizens,” ODPS Director John Born said on the organization’s website.