Disaster Plan Gets Boost
A national firm will help Omaha firefighters create an emergency response manual for the First National Tower
Responding to an emergency at a skyscraper can be daunting for firefighters.
A visit from a disaster-planning firm will help lessen the load for Omaha firefighters in the event that a fire, natural disaster or terror attack should strike at the city's tallest building, the First National Tower.
Matt Stuckey of Virginia Beach, Va-based Massey Disaster Planning will be in Omaha next week to begin work on an emergency response manual for the skyscraper.
Stuckey will compile information and create diagrams of the structure's water supply and its ventilation, alarm and elevator systems.
"In a high-rise building, there are just a number of questions that have to be answered immediately (in the event of a disaster)," said Stuckey, a retired district fire chief. "What we try to do is just answer any question that could come up before the Fire Department comes to an emergency."
Stuckey said First National Bank hired the firm to complete manuals for the 40-story tower, which opened in 2002, and two of the bank's adjacent buildings.
Massey Disaster Planning has completed manuals for buildings in 61 cities, including John Hancock Center in Chicago and the Empire State Building in New York.
During the process, which will take about six months, Stuckey will work with Omaha fire officials, including Assistant Chief John York.
York said the Fire Department already has in place disaster plans and escape routes for First National. The Massey plans will be more in depth and will help employees be aware of the essential building systems.