Manitowoc County’s Radiological Reception Center is now under the control of Two Rivers.
The building is situated on Highway 310 and would serve as a command center in the event of a mass evacuation due to an issue at the Point Beach Nuclear Power Plant.
Former Fire Chief Bill Manis explained to the city council that if an emergency were to occur, trained Two Rivers firefighters would be dispatched to the center and would provide assistance to those in need.
“If they would like to be scanned for radiation, they can go to the reception center,” he explained. “Or if they need any type of help, such as housing, what to do with pets, general information, all of the people there are staffed at that single location to provide help for anyone in the evacuation zone.”
Manis says the Manitowoc County Emergency Services Department was looking for a person or group of people who would provide 24/7 coverage in the event of an incident.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency also conducted an inspection of the center.
“We actually did very well,” he noted. “We got an A+ with our inspection with FEMA. They were very happy with what we had together along with Manitowoc County to provide services not only to the citizens of the City of Two Rivers but anybody in that evacuation zone.”
Other duties the team would oversee include coordinating with health team leaders on radiological issues, coordinating law enforcement, and providing status reports to the County Emergency Operations Center.
The site will also be used for practice drills in case of an incident.
The county is also compensating the department for being on call by paying $1,000 a month for providing their services.
The city council unanimously approved the agreement.
