Rossford formulates policy on evacuations

11/14/2006

Rossford soon will have an emergency evacuation policy firmly in place after city officials put the finishing touches on a draft submitted to city council last night.

The city recently began revamping its emergency plans after a Columbia Gas of Ohio pipeline was struck Sept. 30, causing about 30 residents in the Glenwood Avenue and Santus Drive area to be evacuated from their homes for nine hours.

The ordeal was marked by frustration from residents about a lack of communication with the city.

The new procedure will fix the communication gap by establishing two different command posts: one at the incident and the other at the city's administration building.

Residents can stay informed about a situation by talking with a councilman who will be the designated liaison between the city and its residents or by calling a city phone number to hear a recording telling them where they can go for shelter.

The Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority also will be called to provide a bus for shelter or temporary transportation.

After city officials have a chance to make suggestions, the plan will be tweaked at council's next safety committee meeting before it goes to the full council for approval.

In other action, council approved changing the zoning on about 20 acres of property in the Crossroads of America from agricultural to planned commercial use. The zoning change is yet another small step to allow Bass Pro Shops to build a $50 million store just off State Rt. 795 where I-75 and the Ohio Turnpike come together.