Arlington's emergency management program is one of the nation's top 50 "most creative, forward thinking, results-driven government programs," according to Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government.

The County was named one of 50 semifinalists for the prestigious Innovations in American Government Awards -- often referred to as the "Oscars" of government prizes.

"Arlington has created a cross-disciplinary approach to homeland security, combining police, fire/EMS, public health, 911-communications, Red Cross, and citizens to prepare for, respond to, and mitigate disasters and terrorist events," according to an Innovations in American Government Awards' release.

The semifinalists are now eligible to win one of six $100,000 grants. The awards, now in their 18th year, are a program of the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard's Kennedy School, administered in partnership with the Council for Excellence in Government.

"As a community that was directly impacted by the 9-11 terrorist attack on the Pentagon, we've made great strides in preparing for any future incident," said County Board Chairman Jay Fisette. "In addition to staff, our citizens have taken a leading role in these new initiatives."

Said Stephen Goldsmith, director of the Innovations in American Government Awards: "These 50 programs -- which touch the lives of so many people across the street and around the world -- offer a very compelling snapshot of what is right, good and uniquely innovative in American government at every level today."

The programs were chosen from a pool of more than 1,000 applicants for their novelty and uniqueness, effectiveness in addressing important problems, significance and the potential for replication by other government entities.

Eighteen finalists will be chosen from the 50 and announced in April. The Innovations in American Government National Selection Committee, chaired by David R. Gergen of the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard and including former Maryland Lt. Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, former San Diego Mayor Susan Golding, and former member of the U.S. House of Representatives William Clinger will choose six winning programs, which will be announced on July 27.

More information about the awards is available online. KW