Emergency Response

Before the World Trade Center attacks, natural disasters and human accidents tested the problem-solving mettle and innovative spirit of the engineering community. Today, the shadow of domestic terrorism has added a complex dimension to the engineer’s role as a first responder.

In recent months, State and Federal agencies have grappled with the most effective approach for weaving homeland security into the national fabric. Airport security has been stepped up, news reports update changing threat conditions, and even intelligent highway systems caution drivers to report suspicious activity. While such measures are highly visible, the challenge facing engineering professionals is less apparent. The threat of domestic terrorism has triggered a new approach to emergency response, and the experience of local engineers will play a crucial role in the readiness equation.

Managing Contingencies—“Everyday, our engineers and scientists partner with State and Federal agencies to design systems that make it easier to manage the unexpected,” notes KCI Vice President Thomas G. Sprehe, PE. “In the past, KCI has helped the City of Baltimore create an automated GIS database of its sanitary and storm sewer infrastructure. We’ve monitored air quality and removed hazardous materials, like asbestos, from key facilities. We’ve been on call to inspect structures for flood damage. We’ve even prepared a white paper for the City on emergency response options following 9/11.

“But looking forward, we want to help local municipalities and State agencies design systems with built-in features for managing operations in a potential crisis,’” Sprehe explained. ” Right now, we’re in the process of developing modeling protocols for a local municipal water supply system that will allow on-scene operators to isolate any area of the system, providing a real-time look at critical elements and a way to shut down parts of the system, if necessary.”

Communication Facilities—The terrorist attack on the Pentagon overloaded the communications system linking local government operations in Washington, D.C. For the past year, KCI has been working with the D.C. Office of the Technology Officer on mapping and designing a secure, closed fiber optic network to connect more than 350 D.C. Government buildings. “The network will link a variety of services, including police and fire department personnel, during any contingency,” explained KCI Project Manager George A. Prygocki. “A fiber optic network offers redundant paths,” added Joseph J. Siemek, PE, KCI’s Public Utilities Chief, “so the message will go through even if part of the system is damaged.”

Transportation Infrastructure—As homeland security is integrated into the nation’s infrastructure, transportation engineers are adding safeguards into the design process. On the Baltimore-Washington Maglev project, for instance, the KCI-Parsons Brinckerhoff team is developing a security plan for Maglev, focussing on stations and tunnels. “In the future, engineers will not only have to design transportation systems, we’ll also have to consider the security measures to protect them, and that adds a whole new dimension to projects,” noted project manager and former KCI President and CEO Jack Kinstlinger, PE.

Military Facilities—Working under contracts with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, KCI has inspected bridges at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky; Ft. Riley, Kansas; Ft. Stewart, Georgia; the U.S. Military Academy at West Point; and other military installations. “We’ve had occasion to recommend closing two bridges, in recent years,” notes KCI Bridge Engineer Michael K. Rice, PE. “And when a closure impacts training at an Army facility, it’s considered an emergency situation requiring a rapid response.”
KCI also gained considerable expertise in managing the unexpected while designing infrastructure and physical security for the 44,000-acre Greater Sandy Run Area at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, NC. “We worked in some difficult terrain, bordering live-fire areas for tanks and infantry,” notes KCI Vice President James W. Blake, PE. “but we made sure that the improvements would not impact the base’s training goals and schedules.”


© KCI Holdings 1994-2006