By By JESSICA SIEFF / Niles Daily Star
BENTON TOWNSHIP – In Iowa, multiple communities are still reeling from devastation that has come from tumultuous weather conditions that have ravaged the state, subsequently causing massive flooding throughout the central portion of the nation, including parts of Michigan and Indiana. The images of whole communities who have lost their belongings and their homes resonate with similar communities like Niles.
Recently, the Berrien County Sheriff's Department invited members of the press to tour their facility in Benton Township in an effort to provide an inside look at the departments capabilities – both known and new. As a regional response unit in the state of Michigan, the Berrien County Sheriff's Department has been able to utilize grants for the operation and acquisition of multiple pieces of equipment both physical and technological – to benefit an extensive list of law enforcement teams.
The deputies who gathered at the facility for the presentation were excited, most notably, about an up and coming mobile command unit and dispatch center. The department acquired a recreational vehicle that is being renovated into the mobile unit. "We'll be able to communicate through that vehicle," said Chief Deputy Samuel Harris.
The unit will provide the capabilities to utilize live scans and breathalyzers as well as processing. Beneficial for large scale events like busy races at Red Bud's Track and Trail, that draw in large crowds. Or in the case of a high threat incident such as a bomb threat or act of terrorism, the unit could be the central hub of operations for deputies of the Berrien County Sheriff's Department and a way to keep in contact with officials at the Benton Township or in St. Joseph.
The Berrien County Sheriff's Department was also eager to promote their Hazmat team. The team also consists of a mobile unit that provides the department the ability to set up decontamination sectors and showers, providing adequate protection using air monitors and stay ahead of mother nature, and its effects on a possible Hazmat situation.
"We have a portable weather station right here," said Deputy Chris Corteville. Rather than working with delayed weather data such as wind speeds and patterns, which could have a significant effect on specific situations, coming from nearby stations, Corteville said the technology within the Hazmat mobile unit allows him to "get the weather information right from the scene."
The equipment has proved convenient and necessary. "We average about 12 -14 calls a year," Corteville said. The most recent call came just last week, when a call was made to report a fire at Niles Chemical Paint. Services by the Hazmat team were called off once the fire was found to be contained and not a toxic threat. But Corteville added that, "we're up from the previous years," and estimates that the department has responded to 14 already this year.
"Say we had the storms that are going through Iowa now," said Captain Mike Bradley. The department, he explains, is equipped enough to build a makeshift shelter, provide triage and replacement clothing.
Being a regional response team explained Sheriff Paul Bailey, means that the department can go anywhere in the state. But with a population sitting not far from two nuclear plants – many might consider themselves lucky to have this equipment so close to home.
Closing the door on a trailer full of supplies, Bradley added, "it covers everything else we'd have to cover or plan for, for terrorism." A situation the department is not unfamiliar with. "We've always had to meet a terrorism element," said Bradley. "Being so close to D.C. Cook… we just didn't call it terrorism."
Being so close to cities like South Bend and Chicago, added Bradley, leaves the city of Niles especially in need of precautionary measures for the "spontaneous evacuation of a large population."
"We're just blessed to be able to do this," said Bailey.
Equipment used during wintry conditions, a snow ambulance and snowmobiles were also showcased along with the department's dive team units. According to Bailey, department deputies were responsible for all the bodywork done to the dive team's departmental truck, which holds lockers and equipment inside. "We have everything we need when we go to a site," said Lieutenant Don Goulooze.
"Normally, by the time we get to a scene, we have two guys suited up and ready to go," added Harris. An area is also set up within the truck to deal with any testing the team might need to conduct. "You can do everything in here you can do in a lab," said Lieutenant Goulooze. He estimates a total of 12-14 calls for the dive team per year as well.