City examines security plans

By By Thomas Tingle
Record Managing Editor
A citywide plan that would protect the residents and employees of Madison in the event of a terrorist attack is under way.
Madison City Councilman David Buschmann, who chairs the city's Homeland Security Committee, said plans will include improved safety in the city's public buildings and area emergency agencies will be available for assistance.
"All of us hope, along with everyone in America, that we will never be a recipient of a terrorist attack. However, this area is pretty high on the list of possible targets, #17, because of Redstone Arsenal and the Browns Ferry Nuclear Power Plant, as well as Huntsville International Airport and the Intermodal Center because it is a port of entry."
The Homeland Security Committee consists of Madison Police Chief Dan Busken, Acting Madison Fire Chief Greg Garner, Grant Writer Cheri Martin, Whitey Bressette, general manager of the Water and Wastewater Department, Water Department Superintendent Mark Hobbs, Madison Emergency Management Department Director David Glassman, Public Works Department Director Skip Adkins and Charlotte Rumore, aide to the Madison City Council.
"We will work with the Emergency Management Agency officials and with public safety servants all over North Alabama in the event that something happens," Buschmann said. "Mayor Jan Wells is having a security assessment done of city buildings to improve safety in our public buildings."
Buschmann said once the plan is completed, the plan would go before the Madison City Council for its approval and funding. It will be available for the public to view upon its completion. Buschmann said a grant would be sought from the Homeland Security funds made available by the State of Alabama.
"We hope that nothing ever happens that warrants the need to initiate the plan, but if something was to happen in Huntsville, or in a neighboring county or community, we have to be able to sustain ourselves," Buschmann said. "We have to be prepared to interact with our neighboring cities, counties and the state, but we also have to be prepared right here at home in Madison."