Mitigation

Activities that either prevent the occurrence of an emergency or reduce an organization’s vulnerability in ways that minimize the adverse impact of a disaster or other emergency are examples of mitigation.

Specific hazard mitigation plans are prepared following a disaster. They reflect the current risk analysis and mitigation priorities specific to the declared disaster. Mitigation planning also includes a review of ways to eliminate or reduce the impact of future disasters.

Preparedness

Normal Operations

This Plan is considered to be in effect at all times to provide authorization to accomplish essential emergency preparedness activities. The preparedness phase involves activities undertaken in advance of an emergency. These activities will provide operational capabilities and improve effective response to disasters. Actions such as:

• Developing and revising disaster plans and hazard analyses
• Writing mutual aid operational plans
• Training response personnel
• Improving public information and communications systems
• Conducting exercises to validate the planning process

Are all examples of the planning activities conducted under this phase.

Those individuals and departments assigned emergency responsibilities participate in developing and maintaining current Standard Operating Procedures and checklists for the support of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Elements of these procedures include:

• Provision to support, maintain, staff, direct and control organizational resources during the time of a major disaster
• Specific emergency actions that will be assumed by staff and designated successors during emergency situations.
• Circumstances under which successor emergency authorities would become effective, and when they would be terminated.
• Current department personnel notification/recall rosters procedures and the means to implement. This should include a communication system to implement call-out rosters for personnel assigned to the EOC, support functions and field response team.
• Establishment of a system for communication to the EOC, Public Safety dispatch and to manage organizational resources, response field personnel and maintain contact with the EOC during emergencies.
• Developing mutual aid and other support agreements with appropriate local and state agencies and vendors
• Reporting of damage assessment information (casualties, damage observations, evacuation status, radiation levels, chemical exposure, etc.) to the EOC during an emergency
• Support of cleanup and recovery operations following disasters
• Training of assigned response staff and organizational volunteers to augment the performing of emergency functions

Increased Readiness

Organizations should take appropriate actions to increase readiness as a crisis begins to develop. Actions taken during the buildup of a crisis situation are designed to increase an organization's ability to respond effectively to a disaster. Organizations should consider increasing their readiness for an emergency upon the issuance of a credible, long-term prediction or advisory that could impact the County or State, or a rapidly deteriorating international situation that could lead to a possible attack upon the United States. Actions to be accomplished during this phase include but are not limited to:

• Inspections of critical facilities
• Reviewing and updating emergency plans and Standard Operating Procedures
• Updating resource lists
• Mobilizing resources
• Testing warning and communications systems
• Disseminating accurate, timely, emergency public information
• Recruiting of additional staff and Disaster Service Workers

Response

Pre-Impact

When an organization's emergency management organization recognizes the likelihood of a pending disaster, actions should be taken to save lives and protect property. The response phase is activated to coordinate emergency response activities.

The level of response necessary will be determined to meet the pending emergency. If the situation warrants, or upon notification from the County’s Emergency Management Organization, a full emergency will be declared.

Actions:

• Disseminating warning, emergency public information, and other advice and action instructions to the public
• Surveying and evaluating the emergency situation
• Marshaling, allocating, and positioning personnel and equipment
• Mobilizing necessary resources
• Activating the EOC using established guidelines
• Evacuating the facility if necessary

Immediate Impact

During this phase, emphasis is placed on saving lives, gaining control, and minimizing the effects of the disaster. Immediate response actions will be taken by emergency responders and may include mutual aid, local government and Operational Area responders.

Actions:

• Activating Incident Command Posts and the EOC
• Issuing emergency instructions to the affected community

 

Immediate Emergency

If an emergency occurs without warning, the EOC will be activated as rapidly as conditions permit.

Actions:

• Conducting evacuation and/or rescue operations as required
• Issuing emergency instructions to the affected community

Sustained Emergency

As the emergency continues, assistance is provided to victims of the disaster and efforts are made to reduce secondary damage. Regional or statewide mutual aid may be provided to assist with these efforts and response support facilities may be established. Resource requirements will continually change to meet the needs of the incident.

Actions:

• Providing for the care and treatment of casualties
• Collecting, identifying, and disposing of the dead
• Providing for the mass care (food, lodging, etc.) needs of displaced persons

Recovery

At the onset of an emergency, actions are taken to enhance the effectiveness of recovery operations. Recovery is both a short-term activity intended to return vital life-support systems to operation, and a long-term activity designed to return infrastructure systems to pre-disaster conditions. Recovery also includes cost recovery activities.

As soon as practical following a major emergency, normal management of operations should be restored. If major damage has occurred, the recovery aspects of this Plan will be implemented to coordinate planning and decision-making for recovery and reconstruction efforts.

Actions:

• Implementing health and safety measures
• Protecting, controlling, and allocating vital resources
• Restoring or activating essential facilities and systems
• Enforcing police powers in controlling the locations
• Establishing access controls, erecting traffic barricades, etc.