2008 Woodie Awards
Homeland Security in Humboldt
Millions have been awarded to fund North Coast emergency services
Joseph Clerici
Issue date: 1/23/08 Section: News
On first glance, Dan Larkin's office looks and feels more like a bomb shelter.
The windowless cement box of a room sits beneath the Humboldt County Courthouse. It's about 20 feet below street level and clearly reveals the purpose of the facility: to withstand disaster.
Larkin is the head of Humboldt County's office of emergency services. From this facility, Larkin supervises the coordination of a plethora of agencies from law enforcement to fire to emergency medical personnel. Since 9/11 and the implementation of the Department of Homeland Security, things have changed in Humboldt County. And a coming change in the way homeland security funding is distributed could help or hurt the North Coast's ability to prepare for a crisis.
Despite its relative obscurity, the North Coast has been identified by the state as a potential target for terrorism. And in contrast to the dreariness of their surroundings, Larkin and his staff are noticeably cheerful. "Overall, Department of Homeland Security has helped us a lot," Larkin said. "It's been a good thing for us."
Jay Alan, Deputy Director of Communications for the Governor's Office of Homeland Security said, "Since you are on the coast, there are border issues. Also, there is a port which could be vulnerable."
Alan said the main categories that Humboldt County received funding for were developing a training center, increasing medical preparation, and increasing preparation to deal with explosives.
Since its inception, the federal Department of Homeland Security has provided over $2 million in funds for emergency preparedness projects in Humboldt County. These funds are first allocated to the Governor's office of homeland security in Sacramento, which divides the money between California's counties.
The Humboldt County approval authority body, a committee of five officials, mediates between local agencies and the state Office of Homeland Security for the funding to back projects which meet criteria set by the federal Department of Homeland Security. In all counties, this group is comprised of a county sheriff, a city police chief, county and city fire chiefs, and a public health official.
The windowless cement box of a room sits beneath the Humboldt County Courthouse. It's about 20 feet below street level and clearly reveals the purpose of the facility: to withstand disaster.
Larkin is the head of Humboldt County's office of emergency services. From this facility, Larkin supervises the coordination of a plethora of agencies from law enforcement to fire to emergency medical personnel. Since 9/11 and the implementation of the Department of Homeland Security, things have changed in Humboldt County. And a coming change in the way homeland security funding is distributed could help or hurt the North Coast's ability to prepare for a crisis.
Despite its relative obscurity, the North Coast has been identified by the state as a potential target for terrorism. And in contrast to the dreariness of their surroundings, Larkin and his staff are noticeably cheerful. "Overall, Department of Homeland Security has helped us a lot," Larkin said. "It's been a good thing for us."
Jay Alan, Deputy Director of Communications for the Governor's Office of Homeland Security said, "Since you are on the coast, there are border issues. Also, there is a port which could be vulnerable."
Alan said the main categories that Humboldt County received funding for were developing a training center, increasing medical preparation, and increasing preparation to deal with explosives.
Since its inception, the federal Department of Homeland Security has provided over $2 million in funds for emergency preparedness projects in Humboldt County. These funds are first allocated to the Governor's office of homeland security in Sacramento, which divides the money between California's counties.
The Humboldt County approval authority body, a committee of five officials, mediates between local agencies and the state Office of Homeland Security for the funding to back projects which meet criteria set by the federal Department of Homeland Security. In all counties, this group is comprised of a county sheriff, a city police chief, county and city fire chiefs, and a public health official.
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