DATE: Tuesday, September 30, 1997           TAG: 9709300225

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B5   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY STEVE STONE, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: NORFOLK                           LENGTH:   46 lines

NORFOLK'S DISASTER COORDINATOR TAKES STATE JOB

After six years as Norfolk's top disaster and emergency official, Troy H. Lapetina is moving to a state post.

Lapetina, 34, has been named by Gov. George F. Allen director of the Virginia Department of Fire Programs. He will assume the post Oct. 13.

The Department of Fire Programs is charged with coordinating state and local fire services and training localities and volunteer fire departments. It is based in Richmond and has five field offices with a statewide staff of more than 30.

During Lapetina's tenure in Norfolk, the city has intensified its preparations for disaster, with increasing emphasis on the recovery phase that would follow a major event, such as a hurricane. The city has also played a key role in the push for a more regionalized approach to disaster preparations.

``We've accomplished a tremendous amount,'' Lapetina said. ``Our level of preparedness for the city has increased, and I think the awareness level of the community has been heightened.''

Lapetina leaves to his successor the task of completing a $600,000 upgrade of the city's 911 system.

Also undecided is whether the city will move to replace its current emergency operations center, which is located in a renovated building susceptible to flooding in even a minor hurricane. Old Dominion University has offered to incorporate a disaster-survivable facility into a planned campus expansion.

The city also is in the process of hiring a second deputy coordinator. Presently, Jim Talbot is the only deputy.

Under the new system, the second deputy would be directly responsible for day-to-day management of the communications center for police, fire and emergency medical services. Talbot, a recognized national leader in disaster planning, would focus entirely on emergency management programs.

Plans to establish a post for a regional disaster planner are ongoing.

``One of the things I hoped to accomplish that I never got was elevating the 911 dispatchers to a point where they'll receive the same benefits as police and fire'' personnel in retirement and compensation, Lapetina said. ``They have a tremendously stressful job, but it's not in the public eye.''

Previously, Lapetina was a firefighter with the Williamsburg Fire Department for seven years. He was also an acting captain and emergency dispatcher.

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