Hillsborough County Asserts Role In A Storm (local governments raise questions after Katrina)

Tampa Tribune ^ | September 14, 2005 | MARK HOLAN and ELLEN GEDALIUS

[Cincinatus' Wife]

TAMPA Hillsborough County officials exerted their authority Tuesday, declaring they would be in charge if a hurricane or other disaster strikes.

The message appeared to be aimed at Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio.

"We are the entity that's in charge. We will exercise that duty," Hillsborough County Administrator Pat Bean said during a news conference at the county's Emergency Management Center on E. Hanna Avenue.

Her remarks came a day after she canceled, for the second time in less than a week, a meeting with Iorio to discuss hurricane preparedness. Bean left open the possibility of a one-on-one meeting with Iorio but also suggested she wants to meet with other local officials.

Bean said she called the news conference because she wanted residents to understand the chain of command in Hillsborough.

After Hurricane Katrina, Bean said, "there was no certainty about who was in charge" in Louisiana.

Bean's authority comes from state law and from a 1994 county ordinance that designates the county administrator as emergency management director during threats to public safety. The administrator carries out the decisions of a seven-member policy group composed of the sheriff, three county commissioners and the mayors of Hillsborough's three cities.

Bean assumed the emergency management role last year as four hurricanes raked across the state. During Hurricane Ivan, she denied Iorio's request to hold a news conference in the emergency operations center. Bean said she wanted information to come from one source.

Iorio said Tuesday that some emergency responsibility still rests in her hands. She said Tampa residents could blame her if an emergency response didn't run smoothly.

"If a major hurricane were to hit, it would be viewed locally and nationwide as a disaster for the city of Tampa," Iorio said. "I take my responsibility of keeping the citizens of Tampa safe very seriously. It's my responsibility as the mayor."

She said meeting with Bean is "the only common sense thing to do."

Though the city and county governments are often at odds, Bean dismissed suggestions that she is locked in a power struggle with Iorio.

"I have all the power I can stand," Bean said. "I don't need any more."

She said none of seven county commissioners ordered her to cancel the meeting with Iorio.

Plant City Mayor John Dicks said he has confidence in Bean and county emergency officials.

"Each city is going to look to what they are providing, as well," Dicks said. "We are going to make sure our plans are up to snuff."

Temple Terrace Mayor Joseph Affronti said he hasn't asked for any meetings with Bean or Iorio.

If the county becomes overwhelmed, then state and federal agencies will be called for help, Bean said. She said Hillsborough has strong ties to the governor's office and state emergency officials.

One of the biggest problems in New Orleans, and a major concern expressed by Iorio, is how to evacuate poor or frail residents without their own transportation.

Bean said the county has agreements with HARTline and the public school system to bus residents to emergency shelters on 10 evacuation routes. She said officials are exploring how to expand the service.

Sheriff David Gee, Fire-Rescue Chief Bill Nesmith, Emergency Management Director Larry Gispert joined Bean at the news conference.

County government has a duty and an obligation to be prepared, Bean said.

"We know what we are doing," she said. "But we are not sitting back just because there is a plan."

[dawn53]

Though the city and county governments are often at odds, Bean dismissed suggestions that she is locked in a power struggle with Iorio.

Same in Pinellas...the county calls the shots, and mayors/city governments follow.

Has to be that way because of many municipalities in one county, each municipality with it's own mayor and city council...it would be a nightmare if the county EOC was not in charge.

County EOC sets down the orders, cities follow and it worked very well last year.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Each town is like a little fiefdom.

It's good the country is taking the reigns.

And mayors need to be on top of what their specific needs will be.

[Ruth A.]

Iorio said Tuesday that some emergency responsibility still rests in her hands. She said Tampa residents could blame her if an emergency response didn't run smoothly.

Why would anyone want to know who to blame? This sounds like a failure mindset.

[libertylover]

"If a major hurricane were to hit, it would be viewed locally and nationwide as a disaster for the city of Tampa," Iorio said. "I take my responsibility of keeping the citizens of Tampa safe very seriously. It's my responsibility as the mayor."

Except by Democrats, who would see it as an opportunity to blame Bush.

[mewzilla]

Maybe the pecking order should be codified at the state level in all states.

[G.Mason]

"Hillsborough County officials exerted their authority Tuesday, declaring they would be in charge if a hurricane or other disaster strikes."

I am a county official, hear me roar. Simply pap for local public consumption.

With Jeb Bush as governor, and as past experience has shown, the governor will lead those "officials" through these storms.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Yes. No leader she.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

I imagine they're talking in all states about this.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Yes. The governor will speak for the state but local elected officials and citizens need a game plan. The local government needs to be clear about what their citizens need.

[I_dmc]

Almost sounds like Bean is Republican and Iorio is Democrat.

[Old Grumpy]

It's fairly obvious that when the "big one" hits here in Tampa, the downtown area will be swamped, as it's right on the water, but they just keep right on building down there.