NEW VAN CARRIES CITY'S DISASTER RESPONSE PLAN

During an earthquake, tornado, chemical spill or any other disaster, Cape Girardeau now has a command center on wheels.

A new city mobile communications van was on display Wednesday at the West Park Mall in observance of National Public Works Week, which ends Saturday.

The 1985 1-ton Chevrolet van was from an Army surplus vehicle into a high-tech command center. The purchase price for the van was $1,500, and the conversion process cost a third of the purchase price of a new van.

Ronald Schlosser, technical specialist, said the van can be by the fire and police departments for disasters and emergencies, and will be used "just in case" at special events.

"It is something that the city has needed for a long time," he said.

The van is equipped with low- and high-band radios, a generator, a computer workstation, a TV and VCR, drinking water storage and pump, maps and federal/city disaster plans, a PA system and strobe lights.

Schlosser said the VCR is especially important. "We can film a disaster situation, such as a train derailment, and review the situation and go over it," he said.

The vehicle is scheduled for use during Riverfest in June.

Other city equipment displayed included a specialized truck for viewing sewer lines and a new recycling truck.

The city can find trouble areas in sewer lines using a camera and television screen. Randall E. McLain of the stormwater and sewer department said the city has used the vehicle for the past four years.

The two new recycling trucks are Kann side-dump trucks, which will speed up the collection time for recyclable materials.

Inside the mall, displays on recycling, solid waste, composting, transportation and wastewater treatment were featured.

Assistant Public Works director Tim Gramling said the displays were set up to encourage the public see the equipment and get to know city employees as well.

Pam Sander, solid waste coordinator for the city, said she hopes the exhibit will encourage the public to recycle more.

"We have added materials to the recycling pickups. Junk mail and residential mixed paper, such as notebook paper, copy paper, and stationary paper, can now be saved," she said.