KLC Direct Line: Prudent Planning by the KY Pool Helps KLC Members
February 12, 2009
Twenty-one cities and municipalities in Western Kentucky had emergency generators on-site within hours
KLC Insurance Services program provides disaster recovery service at no cost to member cities. Twenty-one cities and municipalities in Western Kentucky had emergency generators on-site within hours of the January 27 ice storm thanks to a new statewide disaster planning initiative being noted by FEMA and state leaders as an exemplary program.
The generators supported storm rescue and recovery efforts and powered city halls, civic centers, 911 command centers, community shelters, water plants and more.
"Agility Recovery was literally a lifesaver," said Arthur Byrn, mayor of the City of Mayfield. "They brought us generators that not only powered city hall, but also our emergency shelters and water plant. People had a warm place to sleep and clean water to drink. Our ability to recover made all the difference in the world."
The disaster planning initiative was finalized in late 2008 by the Kentucky League of Cities Insurance Services (KLCIS) and Agility Recovery Solutions. In essence, the program provides vital ancillary services, such as communications and power, in response to disasters or disruption of business.
The program is the first partnership of its kind in the nation between a municipal league representing cities and a disaster response provider.
Reprinted from KLCIS press release, 2/12/09:
Kentucky cities utilize Agility Recovery for both proactive continuity planning and, if needed, disaster recovery. Agility continually works with the cities to plan for interruptions caused by natural and manmade disasters. Planning initiatives address critical areas like emergency communication plans, alternative office and administrative space, technology replacement, employee continuity and more.
“We were drawn to the flexibility of the program,” said Sylvia Lovely, executive director and CEO of Kentucky League of Cities. “In the case of January’s ice storm, our cities really needed generators, and they got them. But in the event of a tornado, fire, or even a server failure, our cities will need other tools. And they have complete access to the resources they need because of this disaster recovery program.”
“We didn’t expect our first experience with Agility to be a state-wide natural disaster,” said Bill Hamilton, executive pool administrator/chief insurance services officer with the Kentucky League of Cities. “We learned a number of good lessons for going forward, but what we do know is that this is a solution that helped people and allowed our cities to restore government more quickly.”
