City of Berkley Joins National Effort to Promote Infrastructure Security and Resilience

Media Contact: Torri Mathes, Community Engagement Officer; tmathes@berkleymich.net; 248-658-3333

Berkley, MI – November 16, 2020 – November is Infrastructure Security Month. The City of Berkley has committed to participate in Infrastructure Security Month to focus on the importance of our Nation’s critical infrastructure and the responsibility to keep our critical infrastructure and our communities secure and resilient. Public-private partnerships leverage our shared commitment by identifying vulnerabilities and mitigating risks through maintenance, protective programs and training.

Mayor Dan Terbrack stated: “We do have our share of challenges, beginning with infrastructure needs. Preserving and upgrading our infrastructure is always going to be a priority, including roads, water, and municipal buildings. The residents of Berkley approved a millage in November of 2018 to allow our Department of Public Works to initiate a plan for maintaining our local roads on consistent basis, beginning with our lowest rated roads. You have seen the beginning of this project with the road repair that were completed this fall. In addition, the cities Information Technology Department is working diligently to ensure that all City information assets are secure.”

Infrastructure Security Month is also a time to think about how each of us can contribute to the security and resilience of the Nation’s most essential services and functions during this time of transition. These include:

  • Instant access to information and communications
  • Safe, clean drinking water
  • Reliable transportation
  • Agriculture that supplies plentiful year-round food
  • Chemical security for plastics, electronics, medicine, and fuel
  • Election systems and infrastructure

Berkley also supports the OneWater campaign initiative started by the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG), which has a goal of informing everyone of easy ways to keep the lakes clean and all the water and sewer line infrastructure clear as well.

Some easy ways to ensure the pipes are clear and our infrastructure is free to move clean water effectively include:

  • Avoid flushing “flushable” wipes, it can clog sewer pipes.
  • Don’t rinse grease into your drains, it will cause blockage all through the pipes.
  • Keep fertilizer away from storm drains, it contaminates waterways.
  • Plant a tree; it can absorb lots of rainfall, preventing runoff into storm drains.
  • Clean up after pets; keep their dirty business out of storm drains.

Our Nation relies on critical infrastructure for how we travel; communicate with our friends, family, coworkers, and customers; conduct business; handle money; obtain clean, safe food and water; and conduct additional important daily functions. Managing risks to critical infrastructure involves preparing for all hazards, reinforcing the resilience of our assets and networks, and staying ever vigilant and informed.

America’s national security and economic prosperity are increasingly dependent upon critical infrastructure that is at risk from a variety of hazards, including cyberattacks. Critical infrastructure security and resilience requires a clear understanding of the risks we face and a whole‐of‐community effort that involves partnership between public, private, and non‐profit sectors.

Just as we all rely on critical infrastructure, we all play a role in keeping it strong, secure, and resilient.

For more information about Infrastructure Security Month, visit berkleymich.org/ismonth or cisa.gov/ismonth.

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