Nutter unveils Phila. disaster plan

Be prepared, Philadelphia.

Mayor Nutter yesterday announced two tools to help Philadelphians survive a major crisis - a city evacuation plan and a regional emergency text-alert system.

"We want you to be prepared if an emergency occurs," Nutter said.

The evacuation plan - the result of a yearlong study of Philadelphia neighborhoods - details what routes people should use to get out of Philadelphia in an emergency situation. A series of maps explain what roads will be used for pedestrians, public transit, private cars or emergency vehicles.

"You need to know what roads to take if you're walking or driving," said MaryAnn Marrocolo, deputy managing director for emergency preparedness.

For example, Broad Street will open to both pedestrians and cars, but the Ben Franklin Bridge will be open only for pedestrians.

The evacuation routes are available for download at www.phila.gov/ready or or you can get one by calling 877- READY-11. Copies will also be at public libraries next week.

A separate evacuation plan was released for people who work in high-rises. It lists 14 locations, like parks or sports fields, and assigns specific high-rises to evacuate to each location.

"We're making sure we have a proper way to move those folks to safety," said Marrocolo.

City officials ask that residents study the evacuation plans and that they a supply kit in case they must stay home during an emergency - and a "go bag" to take upon evacuation.

"I will be developing a 'go bag' over the course of the weekend," Nutter said. "We do want people to take this seriously."

City and regional officials yesterday also announced a regional emergency text-alert system - ReadyNotifyPA - which will allow authorities to send text messages to people in Philadelphia, as well as Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware and Chester counties.

Messages could be about weather emergencies, government or court closings, Amber alerts or wanted persons, said Marrocolo. Some messages will be sent directly by police, some from other government agencies and some from emergency management.

She said that text messaging works better during emergencies, because texts operate on a smaller bandwidth and can still get through when phone lines are jammed.

"On 9/11, I was able to send text messages," she said.

Officials stressed that this is a regional project and that people can sign up for alerts from more than one county. To enroll, go to www.readynotifypa.org or text your county code - BUCKS, CHESCO, DELCO, MONTCO and PHILA - to 411911.

The $900,0000 alert system was financed by Homeland Security funding.

Nutter said he has received text messages, but rarely sends them. But he added: "on the Olivia front [his wife], I'm very familiar with the cost of text messaging."