Command Post gets Trial by Fire

From the Office of the Chief of Police
Arthur C. Snellbaker Sr.

Contact:
SGT. MICHAEL C. TULLIO/P.I.O.
Public Information Officer
Phone# (609) 347-6472
Fax# (609) 347-8377
Pager# (609) 525-6976

ATLANTIC CITY NJ, JANUARY 26, 2002- The Atlantic City Police Department's new mobile
command center got its first tactical deployment today, during a multi-alarm blaze that destroyed several buildings in the 1000 block of Atlantic Avenue.

Police and firefighters responded to a smell of smoke in the area of Virginia & Atlantic Avenues around 11:15 AM. It was then discovered shortly afterwards that a raging fire was burning in a liquor store at 1004 Atlantic Avenue.

The fire quickly spread to a five-story apartment building on the corner of Virginia Avenue. Firefighters evacuated the entire block, and only one minor injury was reported During the 8 hour blaze.

It became necessary to evacuate several hundred senior citizens from two nearby complexes, due to heavy smoke being carried by wind into the complexes. Atlantic City Police, Firefighters and EMS personnel evacuated the senior citizens to nearby Resorts Hotel Casino, where they remained for most of the evening, until the blaze was brought under control.

The mobile command center, which was purchased in 2001, served as the command post for police operations at the fire scene.

Its ability to be brought into critical incident scenes quickly and providing communications, planning, and tactical placement of the on-scene commander in close proximity to the incident, assured a smooth operation without further injury to the public or emergency personnel.

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