City Takes Over Rubbertown Hotline, Fischer to Meet With Residents

Louisville MetroSafe has assumed responsibility of the Rubbertown Community Action Line after a chemical plant failed to update residents about a recent explosion.On Monday, a blast at Carbide Industries in west Louisville caused a fire that resulted in emergency crews advising residents to stay in their homes and close their windows as a precaution. The incident never posed any chemical danger to the neighborhood, but several residents were upset that they weren’t quickly notified about the nature of the fire. A phone service created to warn people about chemical incidents was not updated.Mayor Greg Fischer said Metro Government will purchase an alert system that can be used citywide to keep the public better informed about emergencies.“This will ensure that there is no lag time in communication,” he says. “MetroSafe operators can react in real time and record messages on the RCALL line so the public may call for details.”The city will begin seeking proposals for the purchase of a notification service that can be used citywide with updated technology that would alert citizens about emergencies though a variety of measures, including text messages.Fischer also announced that he will meet with residents at 7 p.m. Monday at the Southwick Community Center to discuss ways to improve the notification system. For people in the west Louisville neighborhood who were frustrated with the initial response, the Fischer administration is acting swiftly to correct the problems.“That's some real good news,” says Charles Pope, a Rubbertown resident. “And I'm very excited about the mayor wanting to meet with the people in the neighborhoods about that problem. It's a very good reaction. The thing about it is the mayor we had before didn't react as quick as Mayor Fischer. And (Fischer) shows a concern for the people in the community and I really like that."