Managing the Chaos
When disasters hit the coast, Rupert Lacy flies into action.

By Nick Cumberland

Emergency Management Homeland Security Agency (Civil Defense) has made many changes in the past 3 years following Hurricane Katrina. “It is really a group effort since Katrina,” Lacy said. “Everyone is well aware of the what a disaster can do and what we have to do as a community to work together.” The agency handles any major emergency that affects the citizens of South Mississippi. “We always watch for any type of natural or man made disaster to be able to enact the resources we need to protect the citizens.”

The command center, which houses over 30 stations for local agencies, is equipped with 6 different forms of communication, television, and internet/intranet access. “We have satellite phones, and Hamm radios to continue our communications during a disaster, said Lacy.”

Lacy began his involvement with the agency while working in law enforcement for the last couple of decades. Working in several liaison positions gave Lacy a leg up when the Harrison County decided to hire a Deputy Director for the agency under former Director Gen. Joe Spraggins. With the departure of Spraggins, Lacy applied for the director position and was given the job by the

Harrison County Board of Supervisors. “I have now been on both sides of the Emergency Management Agency’s roles by working in law enforcement and as a firefighter. I feel I will be able to understand the ins and outs and real life situations of the job extremely well.”

Since January, Lacy has found himself at the helm of the 911 Commission as well as the Emergency Management Agency. With upgrades in technology, counties and municipalities are continuously looking for better ways to communicate between governmental agencies. “The job is challenging as technology is changing,” Lacy said. “We are trying to consolidate a lot of the communication services, but we have to continue to operate within our fiscal budget.” An explosion of internet based phones and cell phone usage have left the 911 services with growing traffic, but less funds to operate due to the inability to collect 911 fees. “We are currently trying to address the loopholes in the laws that allow these forms of communications being able to access the 911 service without paying the fees that help keep 911 running.”
The Emergency Management Agency has also completed repairs or replacement of 99% of the River monitoring systems. “Anyone that has a computer can go to the Harrison County homepage and see real time data from our three major rivers in Harrison County. We also have our automated call system for those individuals who live directly on the river for fluctuations in river levels.”

With the recent appointment of Judge Stephen Simpson to head the Department of Public Safety, Lacy sees it as a positive for our coastal communities. “The good thing for us is, Simpson knows the direction we want to go. We feel Simpson will listen to us, and help the agency accomplish their goals. Judge Simpson has a very challenging job ahead of him.” Simpson was most recently a circuit court judge for the counties of Harrison, Hancock, and Jackson counties until his appointment by Governor Haley Barbour.

With FEMA having a more prevalent presence on the coast, Lacy sees the ability of FEMA to communicate as its biggest hurdle. “The director being able to directly brief the President would help the agency.” After Katrina, the former FEMA director was dispatched to New Orleans and left the main relief agency addressing the president through someone relaying a message. “Having a good staff relaying information from the disaster area to Washington where the director could address the President face to face could help reaction times and size,” said Lacy.
Katrina left a permanent scar on the emotional and physical landscape of the Gulf Coast. Lacy seems to think that Katrina gave us some positives that helps heal the scars of the devestation. “A lot of people here were challenged to learn a new job immediately following Katrina and it gave us a better understanding of our systems. It did not matter what your lifestyles was, everyone had to work together.”

With the coast prepared for what experts are calling a “busy” hurricane season, Lacy and his staff are prepared to react immediately if the Coast has to face another major hurricane, not if but when. “We live on the water’s edge and it’s not a question of if but when. Each storm has its own characteristics. We have to realize that no matter what we have experienced we have to be careful whenever we are faced with another major hurricane.”