Unit 6 Final AssignmentHM500: Crisis And Emergency Management Fundamentals

Prof:  Stacy Peerbolte

March 22, 2015

Executive Summary

The purpose of the Pleasantville City Emergency Operations Plan is to establish an organizational structure, policies, and procedures for responding to a natural emergency such as the earthquake which hit nearby Blissville. This Emergency Operations Plan has been developed to mitigate potential threats which would endanger the lives of the people of Pleasantville City.

The mission of the Pleasantville City

Emergency Operations Plan:

1. Save lives

2. Preserve order

3. Protect the environment

4. Protect infrastructure

5. Restore normal operations

Introduction and Overview of the Environment

The recent earthquake which hit nearby Blissville unexpectedly has caused the Pleasantville City local government to reevaluate their preparedness plan. Earthquakes have the potential to cause catastrophic consequences, and the primary consideration needs to be that of preservation of life, welfare and emergency shelters, and the restoration of resources such as water, electricity, sewage and natural gas services.

Objectives:

Provide a concept of operations and identify the roles and responsibilities for each responding department within Pleasantville City.

Define the procedures necessary for rapid communication between City departments and the public in the event of an earthquake related emergency.

Identify what actions can realistically occur between a few hours and possibly up to a few days to mitigate any adverse impact that this event may have on the community.

Confirm consistency with Federal, State, County, and other local governments’ emergency response plans and operations.

Ensure compliance with Federal and State laws pertaining to emergency management and for people with disabilities.

Emergency Management Elements

Any well thought out Emergency Operations Plan takes into account the four major elements of such a plan; preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation.

Mitigation Plan

The focus of mitigation is to look for long-term solutions for reducing the impact of a disaster on an area. Those people involved in mitigation can include "land-use planners; construction and building officials, both public and private; business owners; insurance companies; community leaders; and politicians (George, 2010, pg. 70)."

Tools of Mitigation:

Building Codes, warning systems, public education, hazard identification, hazard mapping, insurance, land-use planning, the use of design and construction applications, financial incentives and structural controls (George, 2010, pg. 72).

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) can provide earthquake maps to help identify areas that are most vulnerable.

The HAZUS methodology, a tool that was developed by FEMA in the 1990s and available to the private sector, can help to also identify potential losses such as economic loss, physical damage and what impact the event will have on society in general (George, pg 73).

Preparedness Plan

Identify all available resources in order to utilize them in the event of an

earthquake.

Encourage the public to develop disaster plans and first aid/survival kits.

Preparedness: Educate

• Educate the population about their risk of having an earthquake and help them to know what to do in the event of an earthquake.

• Do a walk about the home and identify all potentially hazardous items; secure those items that may fall or doors that may open and eject their contents.

Note: Various adhesives, straps, hooks, latches, and other safety devices can be gotten at most local hardware and home improvement stores.

Practice the ShakeOut earthquake drill (www.ShakeOut.org)- this is probably the most important step in learning how to survive an earthquake

Develop a communication plan.

Response Plan

Agencies from the Local, County, State levels up to the Federal government will need to be contacted; such as the National Guard, FEMA, Red Cross.

Set up triage tents for those who are injured.

Have mental health professionals available to help those affected cope with the disaster, especially children.

Use the local media to keep people apprised of the status of the situation.

Recovery Plan

It's important to monitor local media sources to stay informed of resources such as housing, food, clothing, etc. that may come available to assist in the recovery effort.

Agencies available to help:

• American Red Cross• Salvation Army

• Other Local volunteer organizations

• FEMA• CERT

These organizations can provide shelter, food, supplies and can also help assist in clean-up efforts.

The Federal government can be called in to help with temporary housing, low-interest loans and grants.

Communications Plan

The key to any effective emergency management system is communications. Different agencies need to be able to relay information between responders and agencies as well as keeping the public informed about happenings and other pertinent information.

Set up emergency walkie-talkies, extra batteries, cell phones, land lines.

Besides having common communications equipment in an emergency situation such as an earthquake, all responders need to be working together and this requires communication between different agencies, as well as the different people involved in the recovery effort

Support Documents

Risk Maps

U.S. Geological Survey

FEMA’s National Response Framework

County Health Department

CERT

Emergency Call lists

FEMA

Governor

National Guard

Red Cross

The Salvation Army

Hospital

Public Works

Resource lists

National Guard

NIMS (National Incident Management System

The Red Cross

The Salvation Army

Churches

Schools

Hospitals

Private citizens

References

California State University. (9/10/10). Emergency Operations Plan. Retrieved from http://www20.csueastbay.edu/af/departments/risk-management/ehs/files/pdf/Emergency_Operations_Plan.pdf

City of Los Angeles. (October 28, 2009). EMERGENCY OPERATIONS MASTER PLAN AND PROCEDURES. EARTHQUAKE ANNEX. Retrieved from http://emergency.lacity.org/stellent/groups/departments/@emd_contributor/documents/contributor_web_content/lacityp_013160.pdf

FEMA (n.d.). America's Prepareathon. How to prepare for an earthquake. Taken from http://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1408632135401-3d0521fa59d0dd4016e82f08fe7f3732/PrepareAthon_EARTHQUAKES_HTG_FINAL_508.pdf

FEMA. (02/12/2003) Seeking Disaster Assistance. The Federal Role. Retrieved from http://www.ready.gov/seeking-disaster-assistance