The Anniston Army Depot tightened security and workers at the chemical weapons stockpile suspended operations following this morning's plane attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.Officials have long feared a plane crash on the chemical weapons bunkers, saying it is one of the few events that would pose a threat from the stockpile to the surrounding community.
"It becomes very real," Lt. Col. Bruce Williams, Army commander at the stockpile, said of the plane attacks.
Williams said he has suspended operations for the day and taken added security precautions.
"We already have very strict security measures," he said. Williams said his superior officers have authorized him to mobilize more personnel if needed.
Calhoun County's antiterrorism community isn't a stranger to disasters. In previous emergencies, personnel from the chemical school at Fort McClellan trained the New York Port Authority, which runs the airports in New York, for a chemical or terrorist attack. In another case, Atlanta authorities came to the chemical school in 1995 when there was fear about the potential of chemcial terroist attacks the Olympics.
The industrial side of the depot has also heightened security, but work continued as normal, said spokeswoman Joan Gustafson. She said she could not elaborate on the added precautions.
The Calhoun County Emergency Management Agency activated its Emergency Operations Center in Jacksonville following the attacks. Mike Burney, director of the Calhoun County EMA, said the measure includes calling in officials from local law enforcement agencies, fire departments, National Guard, Civil Defense and amateur radio operators in case the phone system goes out.
Burney said he is asking the public to stay calm and stay alert.
One of the most visible faces of the federal government in Calhoun County was on an increased state of security as a result of Tuesday morning's events in Washington and New York.
The Center for Domestic Preparedness, which falls under the Department of Justice, increased security as a result of Tuesday morning's events and waited by the television and phones trying to get any information they could.
"What we're doing, like all federal facilities is that proper security precautions are being taken," said L.Z. Johnson, director of the Center for Domestic Preparedness. "We're observing the same thing you are, other than what we've seen in the media."
All media requests for informa-tion were directed to the Office of Congressional Affairs in the Office of Justice Programs in Washington, but the office was most likely evacuated, Johnson told The Star Tuesday morning.
Anniston authorities also restricted access to Fort McClellan, leaving only Baltzell Gate Road open.
While Anniston police were patrolling fort roads, the city of Anniston was checking into the possibility of postponing this evening's City Council meeting and budget hearings.
"We're on a heightened state of alert, and we're keeping a close eye on all state and federal buildings and all the schools," said Anniston Mayor Chip Howell.
Johnson said some CDP staff members that belong to Urban Search and Rescue Teams and Disaster Assistance Teams had been mobilized for response and recovery to the disaster.
Johnson also said there were several emergency responders currently training at the center. CDP staffers were trying to get them back to their homes in Washington and New York as soon as possible.
The center's Emergency Operations Center was also working closely with the Calhoun County Emergency Management Agency's Emergency Operations Center in the wake of the day's events.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the people in Washington and New York," Johnson said. "A great number of people trained at the center, we just hope that they're safe."
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