[May 24, 2012] Coordination, planning a must in preparation for Obama visit Tweet May 24, 2012 (Newton Daily News - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Newtonians who looked to the sky this week could have caught a glimpse of United States Black Hawk helicopters rehearsing in formation. The exercises are in preparation for a visit by U.S. President Barack Obama, who will tour TPI Composites today. Terri Rock is a spokesperson for TPI Newton and one of the event's coordinators. She said that today's visit will involve hundreds of planners, spectators and special guests. The wind blade manufacturer has had to alter production schedules to accommodate the presidential visit as well as conduct meetings with employees who will be hearing the president's remarks. "I've seen a lot of buzz here at TPI, especially when the employees saw the helicopters come in," she said. "Whether you're a fan of Obama or not, to bring a sitting president to Newton is pretty special." Rock said facility workers and administrators had to clear out an entire section of the manufacturing floor to make room for the president's staging, signs and media needs. She was responsible for coordinating 50 community volunteers who took part in assigned duties from 12:15 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. TPI also was able to secure tickets for their workers and their families to see the president. City officials also have a major role to play during a presidential visit, with that responsibility falling most heavily on law enforcement. Newton Police Chief Jeff Hoebelheinrich's department has been involved with security measures for visiting dignitaries for many years. He said that Newton being a hot spot of political candidates has prepared his department for these types of events on a smaller scale. Officers do not receive additional training to secure a sitting president, but more preparation goes into the logistics of travel, traffic control and security. "We've done this before many times," he said. "Obviously, when the president comes it's at a larger scale, but we know what's expected of us and what we need to do around the community to make it safe for the visiting dignitary." The department works in tandem with the U.S. Secret Service to set up travel routes for the presidential motorcade and landing sites for potential helicopter arrival. The advance team arrived on Tuesday and briefed the police department on the president's plans. This is Obama's second trip to Newton as a sitting president. During his 2009 stop at Trinity Structural Towers, the president flew in to the manufacturer's complex. Hoebelheinrich said that it takes Newton police, the Jasper County Sheriff's Office and the Iowa State Patrol to secure a presidential visit. Every uniformed officer of the NPD will be working in some capacity. City officials are not allowed to release Obama's specific transportation plans, but it's not only city employees who are affected by today's visit. "We know that we need to keep those roads clear for his safety, so we travel to those locations in advance to make sure those businesses and residents know there will be a traffic disruption," Hoebelheinrich said. "Some streets will be completely closed while he's in town." This week, police have been combing neighborhoods near TPI, explaining to residents and business owners the specific interruptions and road closures that might occur in their area today. The main route, the Newton chief said, has to be backed up by contingencies. According to Hoebelheinrich, the backup planning is the most difficult part of presidential security. "There is absolutely no number you can put on manpower because it depends on how many business or residents you have to block off," he said. "If he (Obama) lands at a place like the airport and talks to people there, then we don't have to worry about any motorcade. If he drives all the way from Des Moines, then we have to make each one to the intersections that he goes through safe. It just increases and decreases depending on the site." Obama will gives his remarks today at TPI at 4:15 p.m. The event is closed to the public. The Newton stop is followed by a campaign-style rally at the Iowa State Fair Grounds in Des Moines where no tickets are necessary to attend. ___ (c)2012 the Newton Daily News (Newton, Iowa) Visit the Newton Daily News (Newton, Iowa) at www.newtondailynews.com Distributed by MCT Information Services [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]