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by Russell J. Decker, CEM
The "Ice Storm of 2005" started as a major freezing rain incident on January 5th that deposited nearly two inches of ice over the entire county resulting in downed trees, power lines, and the loss of electricity, phone and other utilities to an estimated
37,000 homes and businesses. Two days later a significant snowfall event left an additional four inches of snow in Allen County, further complicating clean up and power restoration efforts.
 The storm impacted every township, village and city in Allen County and clean up estimates were staggering. On the morning of January 6th, County Commissioners met in a special session in the county's Emergency Operations Center where they passed an Emergency Resolution declaring a "State of Emergency". Their declaration was soon followed by similar declarations from Ohio Governor
Bob Taft and President Bush.
A week later, most residents had their power restored and a massive clean-up operation began countywide. Ohio Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency assisted the county by providing state resources (ODOT crews) to assist with clean up and financial assistance to local governments to reimburse a portion of the extraordinary costs of emergency response and clean up. In all, an estimated 566 miles of debris needed to be removed at an estimated cost of more than $3 million!
"It was an incredible example of neighbors helping neighbors," explained county homeland security and emergency management director, Russ Decker. "This was only the second presidential declared disaster in our county's history, and we made it through with no serious injuries and no deaths."
 The American Red Cross operated eight shelters at the storm's peak, providing more than 3,400 meals for residents and overnight lodging for 537 persons. While some clean up and repair projects continue in to 2006, most work was completed by year's end with eligible projects being funded through reimbursement grants from FEMA for 75% with another 12.5% special disaster grant from the Ohio Department of Public Safety and Ohio EMA. After reimbursements, it is estimated local government will spend an estimated half million dollars for the storm everyone will recall for years to come as the"Ice Storm of 2005"
Two new Deputy Directors have been appointed by Director Decker to the Office of Homeland Security Emergency Management.
GENE DAVIS is a Fifty-year veteran of the fire service and former Perry Township Fire Chief. In addition to his duties with the OHSEM, Gene continues as Fire Investigator for Perry Township and as a volunteer firefighter with the Westminster Rural Fire Department.
SCOTT FESSLER is a twenty-two year veteran of the fire service, starting as a volunteer  firefighter with the Bluffton Fire Department in 1983. He joined the Elida Fire Department as a volunteer in 1984 and as
full time paid firefighter in 1988. In May of 2004, Scott graduated from the Ohio Fire Executive program. Scott currently serves as Assistant Chief at the Elida Fire Department and is coordinator of the Allen County HAZMAT Team.
Allen County’s Cost Recovery Program continues to help local fire departments. The program, permitted under Ohio law, allows for the countywide Emergency Management Agency to seek reimbursement from parties responsible for the unauthorized release of hazardous materials.
Since the program began in 2001, just over $35,000 has been recovered and reimbursed back to responding agencies. Local departments and agencies that received funds through this program include: Allen County EMA, Bath Township Fire Department, Beaverdam Fire Department, Delphos Fire & Rescue, Elida Fire Department, Lima Fire Department, Lima-Allen County Paramedics, and the Shawnee Township Fire Department.
The National Weather Service re-certified Allen County, Ohio as "Storm Ready" in October of 2005. Steve Eddy, Warning Meteorologist of the Northern Indiana office of the National Weather Service, made the announcement.
"Storm Ready" is a national program that encourages and recognizes local communities for taking a proactive approach to improving hazardous weather operations. “You (Allen County) should be very proud that you have made the efforts to be as prepared as possible should a natural hazard strike,” stated Eddy in a letter to Allen County Commissioners.
Allen County originally became certified in 2002. Jurisdictions awarded the "Storm Ready" distinctions are required to apply for re-certification every three years. This latest certification is valid through the end of 2008. Allen County is one of only eight Ohio counties to be so recognized. Other counties in northwest Ohio include Auglaize and Van Wert.
 Agency director Russ Decker was recognized several times in 2005 for professional excellence:
In March, Russ was awarded the prestigious "Excellence in Public Service Award" from the Ohio Chemistry Technology Council.
Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas Moyer appointed Russ to the court’s Advisory Committee on Court Security & Emergency Preparedness in September. He currently serves as chairman of the subcommittee on Continuity of Operations.
In November, Russ was elected by his peers to serve as President of IAEM Region 5 where he represents emergency managers from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin on the Board of Directors of the International Association of Emergency Managers.
An effort that began back in 1994 with the donation of five sirens to Allen County from the BP Lima Refinery and Chemicals Plant wrapped up in early 2005 with the installation of the system's 46th siren in Delphos. Total project cost was nearly $1 million with less than 25% of those costs coming from local jurisdictions and the county general fund. The majority of funding came from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants and from U. S. Department of Homeland Security funds. 
"This program is reality today because of partnerships," explained Russ Decker, director of the Allen County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management. Partnerships among all levels of government and the private sector as well. Forty percent of all siren locations in our system are on private property, and many of those private sector partners like Kewpee Hamburgers, Limaland Motorsports Park, and Rudolph Foods even pay the electric bill to power the sirens."
The final phase of the project began in 2004 and concluded in late 2005 requiring the purchase and installation of 23 sirens at a cost of more than $21,000 each. The final phase was paid for 100% through a grant from the U. S. Department of Homeland Security.
Sirens are now located in every village, township, and city in Allen County. Locations of the sirens were determined by the local fire departments.
Greg Sneary Sam Bassitt Dan Reiff
– Russell J. Decker, CEM
– Sheila Hullinger
– Dave Webb, Doug Litsey,Gene Davis, Scott Fessler, Paul Harris and Fred Fassel
– Anne Decker and George Dunster
– Fred Vobbe
– Joni Palumbo
Kevin Bruin, Chairman
Chief Lanny Bailey, Vice Chairman
Jim Bame, Dan Beck, Carol Bertrand, John Brookman, Ted Brookman, Shane Cochrane, Dave Collins, Steve Faul, Jim Foust, Tim Haniford,Clete Hoersten, Jim Hutson, Bill Kelly, Doug Litsey, Tom Mazur, Jed Metzger, Tom Metzger, Jim Michael, Pat Miller, Todd Numbers, Dan Protsman, Jeff Ramey, Clint Rolland, Jon Solomon, Tom Thompson, Trevor Violet, and David Wagner. |
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John Brookman, Chair
Russ Decker, Vice Chair
Lt. Jerry Morris, Coordinator
Chief Lanny Bailey, Chief Jim Foust,
Chief Mike Stout, Chief Greg Garlock,
Sheriff Dan Beck, Lt. Ken Koverman,
Greg Berquist and Merle Miller. |
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| Hazardous Duty Robot (w/ trailer) |
$250,000 |
| Mass Casualty Response Trailer (fully stocked) |
$60,000 |
| Emergency Decontamination Systems |
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$75,000 |
3 single user portable units
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$35,000 |
| Special Operations Equipment (w/ trailer) |
$60,000 |
| Hazmat Chemical Level “A” Suits (36) |
$30,000 |
| Portable Air Monitoring Equipment |
$50,000 |
| Remote Air Monitoring System |
$40,000 |
| Emergency Lighting & Generators (14) |
$40,000 |
Outdoor Warning Sirens (23)
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$400,000 |
| Tactical Response Vehicle |
$30,000 |
| Bomb Squad Response Vehicle |
$25,000 |
| Interoperable Communications Equipment |
$100,000 |
| Explosive Detection Canines (4) |
$41,000 |
| Bomb Technician Protective Suit |
$17,000 |
| Emergency Services Response Vehicle |
$30,000 |
| Remote Meteorological Monitor |
$10,000 |
| Public Safety Generators (5) |
$75,000 |
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$1,368,000 |
Chief Lanny Bailey (Rescue/EMS)
Sam Bassitt, County Commissioner
Dr. Gary Beasley, Coroner
Daniel W. Beck, Sheriff
Russ Decker, Homeland Security/EMA
Chief Jim Foust (Fire & City of Lima)
Chief Greg Garlock (Law Enforcement)
Russ Holly (Township Trustees)
Joe Martz (Industry)
Mayor Gerald Neumeier (City of Delphos)
Tim Piper, County Engineer
Chief Jeff Ramey (Hospitals)
Dan Reiff, County Commissioner
Dave Rosebrock, Health Commissioner
Greg Sneary, County Commissioner
Juergen Waldick, County Prosecutor
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Director Decker Recognized for Professional Excellence