Challenge nation san jose

To Frances Edwards-Winslow, San Jose's director of emergency preparedness, the case of the airborne confetti illustrates how a well-trained team responds quickly and thoroughly to threats to the public health.

Edwards-Winslow said. As anxieties grow about terror attacks -- be it anthrax or anything else -- cities across the country are looking for the most efficient ways to handle potential crises. In Turlock, Calif. San Jose, which has developed an elaborate response plan to anthrax, sarin gas, smallpox or nuclear attacks, among other horrors, is considered ahead of the game, one of the cities the United States Department of Health and Human Services considers a model for the nation.

Just how San Jose has prepared for terrorism is a secret. Its emergency plans and techniques and even the location of its operations center are known only to its members -- and to other emergency managers who can see its guides on a secure Department of Defense Web site. But Dr. Edwards-Winslow, who has a doctorate in public administration and has worked in emergency preparedness for 18 years, did offer some hints as to what it takes to ''have some level of comfort'' in being prepared for catastrophe.

Money is crucial. The city has also bought equipment. For example, San Jose rescue crews have detectors that warn if a biohazard has been released, and the police have robots with special monitors and grips to perform tasks too dangerous for humans. The biggest cost is training, ''because unless we have an adequately trained staff all the equipment in the world won't do us any good,'' Dr. San Jose began its antiterrorism planning well before Sept.

Because the city, with a population of ,, is one of the nation's 27 largest, it was eligible to participate in a federal antiterrorism program. The program, which began in , helps cities form task forces to respond to emergencies involving weapons of mass destruction -- chemical, biological or nuclear. For more information, or to sign up to receive the daily creativity challenges, visit www. More than 1, individuals and organizations took part in the festivities, and the WeCreate hashtag continues to be used today to highlight creativity across the city.

We also really appreciated that participating was very easy. Partners helping to plan and design the WeCreate festival include: Aimusic. The campaign was inspired by Creating Connection , a national initiative to change social norms so creative expression, arts, and culture are embraced as a recognized, valued, and expected part of everyday life.