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MINNESOTA CHAPTER <br /> ® American Public Works Association <br /> Dear Local Government Leader: <br /> What if a major tornado, windstorm, or flood hit your area today? "I <br /> Would you have enough manpower and equipment to cope with such events? <br /> Experience has shown that no single organization is able to adequately deal <br /> with these situations. To help overcome this problem, the Minnesota Chapter <br /> of the American Public Works Association (MPWA) , has concluded that a new <br /> cooperative approach would be very beneficial to most local government or- <br /> ganizations . <br /> The solution would be for the government agencies to set up mutual aid <br /> assistance groups around the state to provide the basis of aiding each other <br /> when such major events occur. ' Police and fire departments have used similar <br /> approaches successfully for many years. Such aid would be done totally on a <br /> voluntary basis with no one being required to provide either manpower, nor <br /> equipment to any other organization, unless they chose to do so. <br /> By entering into a joint cooperative agreement now for the use of other or- <br /> ganizations, personnel and equipment, you will be prepared for fast action. <br /> You would have information already available showing what equipment others <br /> own, who to contact (including after working hours), and be able to move at <br /> once, without red tape delays. The cost of operating such associations is <br /> anticipated to be extremely small . <br /> Please review the accompanying model resolution and mutual aid agreement, or <br /> give it to the appropriate individual in your organization. I hope that it <br /> will explain the proposed approach. If you have any questions, please list <br /> them with the tear-off portion of the next page, contact any of the committee <br /> members, or attend the fall meeting of MP{VA scheduled for November 17 and 18, <br /> Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. <br /> Please do not put off consideration of this idea on the assumption that it <br /> would not happen to you, the feeling that others would not actually help with <br /> your problem, or that it would not be useful . First-hand experience in my <br /> community, as the result of a tornado in11981, demonstrated very clearly <br /> that it can happen to you, others do have resources and a willingness to <br /> assist, and being ready and prepared is a tremendous help. <br /> • <br />