Richmond unveils new mobile command unit - NBC12.com - Richmond, VA News

Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones unveiled a new resource Sunday to help the City respond, should conditions get really bad in Hurricane Sandy.

The City's new mobile command unit is essentially an emergency operations center that can come to you. It brings the resources and disaster response to the hardest hit areas.

"It's going to help us coordinate activities and we're particularly interested in having this as we get ready for Hurricane Sandy," said Mayor Jones.

Jones is assigning the unit a lofty mission.

"This is going to be the eyes and ears and mobility for us to provide resources," he explained. "It will help hopefully save lives."

The unit is equipped with high-def cameras to survey the scene. It has a conference room, computers and, most importantly, a communications network that should not fail during a storm.

Communication is high on the priority list right now. The city started sending out emergency information Thursday, so it wouldn't see the same kind of issues experienced during Irene.

"Last time, they talked about the fact that people didn't get information but when the power was out it was impossible for them to get information," Jones added. "And so the earlier we start and the more proactive we are, the better people are prepared for the incidences that we have."

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