Public Information & Alerts

Transcription

1 Public Infrmatin & Alerts Apprved, Mdc Cunty Disaster Cuncil January,

2 1. Purpse and Scpe 1.1 Purpse 1.2 Scpe 2. Situatin and Assumptins 2.1 Situatin 2.2 Assumptins 2.3 Plicies Table f Cntents 3. Cncept f Operatins 3.1 Overview f Public Infrmatin 3.2 Overview f Alert Systems Califrnia Warning System (CALWAS) Telephne Emergency Ntificatins System (TENS) Emergency Alert system (EAS) Emergency Digital Infrmatin Service (EDIS) Operatin Area Satellite Infrmatin System (OASIS) Califrnia Law Enfrcement Mutual Aid Radi System (CLEMARS) Web-based Applicatins and Scial Netwrking Dr-t-Dr Ntificatins Cmmunity Infrmatin Meetings Public Address Systems Cellular Ntificatin Systems 3.3 Alerts and Accmmdatins fr Special Needs Ppulatins 4. Organizatin: Cntrl and Crdinatin 4.1 Rles and Respnsibilities Office f Emergency Services (OES) Department f Health Services Department f Scial Services Law Enfrcement All Cunty Departments ` City f Alturas Vlunteer Fire Departments 4.2 Mitigatin Pre- Disaster Planning 4.3 Preparedness Training and Exercises 4.4 Respnse 4.5 Recvery Dcumentatin 5. Administratin 5.1 Infrmatin Cllectin and Data Analysis 5.2 Lgistics - 2 -

3 5.3 Finance (Fr additinal infrmatin see, EOP, Sectins 7, 8 & 9) 6. Appendices 6.1 SOPs Department f Scial Services Operating Prcedures fr ntifying at-risk clients (TBD) Department f Public Health s Operating Prcedures fr ntifying at-risk ppulatins 6.2 References 7. Annex Develpment and Maintenance - 3 -

4 Public Infrmatin and Alert Annex 1. Purpse and Scpe 1.1 Purpse The purpse f the Mdc Cunty Public Infrmatin and Alert Annex is t guide participating agencies t efficiently and effectively alert and infrm the residents f the cunty in the event f an emergency. Alerting and warning is the prcess by which gvernment entities ntify and alert the general public t the threat f imminent catastrphe and/r the disseminatin f emergency instructins 1.2 Scpe Success in saving lives and prperty is dependent upn timely disseminatin f warning and emergency infrmatin t persns in threatened areas. Lcal gvernments and agencies are respnsible fr warning the ppulace in their jurisdictins. This plan is intended t clarify rles and respnsibilities and t ensure a crdinated respnse when this plan is activated. The gal is t prvide a framewrk that is cnsistent with lcal plicies, meets the needs f clients and cmmunity, and satisfies the requirements f the Incident Cmmand System (ICS), Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS), and the Natinal Incident Management System (NIMS). 2. Situatin and Assumptins 2.1 Situatin If an alert is activated, than ne, r all f the fllwing cnditins has ccurred: 2.2 Assumptins The Directr f Emergency Services, r designee, has been mnitring an incident and have declared an alert. The City f Alturas has activated its EOC and has submitted a resurce request fr services. During emergencies, the public needs timely, accurate infrmatin abut the situatin and apprpriate instructins regarding prtective actins that shuld be taken t minimize injuries, lss f life and damage t prperty. Emergencies may develp slwly (e.g., severe winter strm) allwing sufficient time t effectively disseminate infrmatin t the public. Other emergencies may ccur suddenly (e.g. earthquake and hazmat release) hindering staff s abilities t infrm the public. The need fr warnings differs frm the need fr infrmatin based n the - 4 -

5 2.3 Plicies immediacy and ptential fr life-saving actins Pwer utages may disrupt radi, televisin, Internet, and ther utlets that are needed t effectively distribute emergency infrmatin. Language, disability, cultural, and ther factrs affecting the ability f citizens t receive and understand emergency messages requires that the infrmatin be prvided in multiple frmats and thrugh a variety f means. An emergency respnse will require a multi-agency, multi-jurisdictinal respnse. Incident Cmmand System (ICS) will be utilized as utlined in Mdc Cunty s Operatinal Area s Emergency Operatins Plan. All first respnders and fllw-up emergency respnse persnnel will be trained within the parameters and resurce capabilities f the peratinal area. It is assumed that Mdc Cunty s Emergency Operatins Center has been activated and will crdinate and supprt emergency respnse. A single warning disseminatin system is nt capable f effectively warning everyne in the cunty and any alert will be a multi-system apprach. The plicies, prcedures, and prvisins f this plan are applicable t all agencies and individuals having respnsibility fr emergency respnse. Prcedures as utlined in the Mdc Cunty Operatinal Area Emergency Operatins Plan will be fllwed. 3. Cncept f Operatins 3.1 Overview f Public Infrmatin The cllectin and disseminatin f accurate and timely infrmatin t the general public will be a pririty in all incident actin planning. The Emergency Operatins Center under the directin f the Directr f Emergency Services r designee will versee all public infrmatin statements. The Public Infrmatin Officer (PIO), nce activated by the EOC Manager, will be respnsible fr develping and releasing infrmatin abut the incident t the news media, t incident persnnel, and t ther apprpriate agencies and rganizatins upn the final apprval f the EOC Manager. The PIO will als establish an area fr media relatins and press/media briefings. This may be at an alternate lcatin as apprpriate. Shuld a request be made fr turs r pht pprtunities, the PIO will crdinate thse requests thrugh the EOC Manager and the Incident Cmmander. The PIO will als insure that infrmatin fr public disseminatin is made available n the internet via the cunty websites upn final apprval f the EOC Manager in cnjunctin with the Incident Cmmander

6 3.2 Overview f Alert Systems Alerting and warning is the prcess f ntifying gvernment entities and the general public t the threat f imminent danger. Depending upn the nature f the threat and the ppulatin grup at risk, a warning can riginate at any level f gvernment. Success in saving lives and prperty is dependent upn timely disseminatin f warning and emergency infrmatin t persns in threatened areas. Lcal gvernments are respnsible fr warning the ppulace in their jurisdictins. Cunty fficials accmplish this using a number f different methds, frm frmal warning systems t dr-t-dr ntificatin. While each methd is unique in its applicatin, each shares a cmmn purpse f maintaining clear and accurate disseminatin f infrmatin Califrnia Warning System (CALWAS) This system is part f the Natinal Warning System (NAWAS). It is respnsible fr infrming, cmmunicating, alerting and ntifying lcal gvernments, Operatinal Areas and state fficials f natural r human caused emergencies. T meet this respnsibility, the Warning Center is equipped with telephne, data and radi systems that include the Natinal Weather Service (NWAS), Califrnia Law Enfrcement Telecmmunicatins System (CLETAS) and Califrnia Law Enfrcement Radi System (CLERS). The system has the capability f utilizing message switching cmputers, Emergency Digital Infrmatin Service (EDIS), CISN and the Dialgic Autmated Ntificatins System. This list is nt inclusive f all utilized systems as it is updated as technlgy changes Telephne Emergency Ntificatin System (TENS) The TENS system is an emergency ntificatin system that can be activated by the Mdc Cmmunicatin Center under the directin f the Sheriff/Directr f Emergency Services r designee. Using a Gegraphical Infrmatin System (GIS) interface and cmputer autmated dialing fr land line phnes, the TENS system can ntify and send ut recrded infrmatin t listed and unlisted telephne numbers in a specific area. The entire cunty is cvered by this system s an area-specific activatin is pssible. Once fully activated, the TENS system can als be used t ntify members f select registries, such as cunty gvernment, schl district, and ther emergency ppulatins as needed Emergency Alert System (EAS) The EAS system is used t prvide warning, emergency infrmatin, guidance instructins and news f a manmade r natural threat t public safety, health and welfare and is designed fr the bradcast media t disseminate emergency public infrmatin. The EAS replaced the Emergency Bradcast System in EAS enables any radi statin t autmatically put a warning message ver the air withut any human interventin. Whether the statin is attended r nt, the system can be activated. Because EAS has the ability t prvide a - 6 -

7 message digitally, it may be carried by televisin and cable televisin cmpanies. This system uses the facilities and persnnel f the bradcast industry n a vluntary basis. EAS is perated by the bradcast industry accrding t established and apprved EAS plans, standard perating prcedures, and within the rules and regulatins f the Federal Cmmunicatins Cmmissin (FCC). The FCC gverns the EAS natinwide and appints a chair fr each state t versee the EAS system at the state level. Typically activated by state r reginal Cal EMA fr regin r state-wide emergencies, lcal EAS activatin may be apprpriate and may be authrized by the Mdc Cunty Sheriff/Directr f Office r Emergency Services/designee r Mdc Public Health Officer Emergency Digital Infrmatin Service (EDIS) This system is prvided by Cal EMA as a methd t assist the media in prviding visual messages t the hearing impaired. Gvernment agencies utilize EDIS fr the distributin f warning and emergency infrmatin t the media and t the public utilizing cmmercial bradcasting channels Operatin Area Satellite Infrmatin System (OASIS) The OASIS prject, funded under the Earthquake Hazards Reductin Act f 1986, was established t create the mst rbust cmmunicatins system pssible using leased transpnder space frm cmmercial satellite peratrs. The result is the establishment f a system which allws virtually uninterruptible cmmunicatin between state, reginal and peratinal area level EOCs. OASIS is a system that cnsists f a cmmunicatins satellite, multiple remte sites and a hub. A high frequency (HF) radi system and a satellite cmmunicatins netwrk were cnstructed t link all 58 cunties with State OES and ther state agencies fr disaster cmmunicatins as well as day-tday traffic. The system, which uses technlgy similar t cellular telephnes, has 60 channels. When a user picks up the line, the system autmatically searches fr the best available channel Califrnia Law Enfrcement Mutual Aid Radi System (CLEMARS) CLEMARS was established t prvide cmmn plice radi frequencies fr use statewide by state and lcal law enfrcement agencies during perids f man-made r natural disasters r ther emergencies where inter-agency crdinatin is required. It perates under apprpriate FCC rules and regulatins and is administered by Cal EMA. The system establishes fur pririties: Emergency peratins f law enfrcement agencies, primarily - 7 -

8 mutual aid activities Emergency r urgent peratins f abve, invlving a single agency Special event cntrl activities, generally f a pre-planned nature and generally invlving jint participatin f tw r mre agencies; r tw r mre plice divisins such as CHP, etc. Drills, rehearsals, cmmand pst exercises, and like activities shall be cnsidered as Pririty III activities. When n traffic f a higher pririty classificatin is in prgress, agencies participating in CLEMARS may utilize the frequency fr lcal cmmunicatins as a secndary means f cmmunicatin Web-based Applicatins and Scial Netwrking Mdc Cunty will utilize scial media, cunty websites, and ther web based systems t ntify the public. Mdc Cunty, as well as the Office f Emergency Services (OES), have web pages; OES als has a Facebk page as well as a Twitter accunt Dr-t-Dr Ntificatins Depending n the nature f the emergency, especially in rural areas, this may be the mst effective methd f alerting the ppulace. It will be crdinated and facilitated by the EOC, but be the respnsibility f the lcal fire jurisdictins Cmmunity Infrmatin Meetings Cmmunity-based meetings are an effective tl fr getting infrmatin t peple wh need it the mst and wh appreciate the pprtunity t clarify their understanding by asking questins in persn. Updates n the emergency s impact, descriptins f available resurces, financial assistance, and future plans by respnders can be effectively explained during cmmunity meetings. These meetings are mst apprpriate fr areas that are islated frm ther media by the emergency r fr incidents where effects are lcalized Public Address Systems Mst law enfrcement vehicles and fire trucks are equipped with public address lud speaker systems that can augment ther ntificatin systems Cellular Ntificatin Systems The peratinal area is explring affrdable ptins t acquire an Emergency Alert System that will ntify/alert cellular phne users that are registered, as well as accessing the reverse database. At this time Mdc Cunty des nt have a means f ntificatin that specifically targets cellular phne users

9 3.3 Alerts and Accmmdatins fr Special Needs Ppulatins Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is required that the Emergency Operatins Plan makes every reasnable accmmdatin fr thse residents and visitrs with special needs, bth befre and during an emergency. It must be understd that a disaster, by its very nature, degrades the availability, quantity, quality, and timeliness f public services. Resurces and services will be at a premium, and under accepted emergency management practice, must be allcated fr the greatest benefit f the entire ppulatin. Family members, caregivers and ther prviders shuld be supprted t the extent pssible. This can imprve the services delivered and reduce the demand fr specialized services prvided by respnse agencies. This is nt intended as a cmplete list, but illustrates the measures in place t prmte equitable service t all. In crdinatin with the Office f Emergency Services, it is the respnsibility f Mdc Cunty s Departments f Scial Services and Public Health t prvide plans fr the alert, welfare check, evacuatin, and care & shelter f these specialized atrisk ppulatins. Each cunty department has prcedures in place t ntify thse with specific needs which will include all f the same services ffered t the general public; hwever, fr at-risk ppulatins it may include individual phne calls and/r hme visits. The 2010 census estimate fr special needs ppulatin is apprximately 2,400 individuals in Mdc Cunty. Special Needs Hearing Impairment Supprt Measures 711 Califrnia Relay Service 911 CAD System accmmdates TTY telephnes Apprpriate services may be prvided at lcatins fr public briefings and shelters. Visual Impairment Mbility Impairment Cgnitive Impairment The telephne emergency ntificatin system prvides auditry warnings, infrmatin, and updates. Transprtatin resurces shuld include wheelchair accessible vehicles and assistance. Existing supprt will be prvided fr family members and caregivers. Limited services may be available t small grups

10 Mental Health/Substance Abuse Impairment Every effrt will be made t accmmdate their special needs in shelters, but pririty will be given t accmmdate them within familiar surrundings. Medically Fragile Age-related Dependency Lw English Language Prficiency r Literacy Althugh thse with in-dwelling devices, special equipment, r ther special needs shuld d whatever they can t maintain their nrmal systems, limited supprt may be available t assist them in an emergency. Dependent children and senirs will usually be served best by their familiar family members r caretakers. Thse effrts shuld be supprted t the extent pssible. Unattended individuals r small grups will be accmmdated within available resurces. Freign language interpretatins services fr Spanish and ther languages is limited within the cunty. Every effrt will be made t accmmdate this ppulatin. Medically Equipment Dependent Ttal Special Needs Ppulatin Individuals in this categry are dependent n xygen, insulin, life supprt medicatins, r life supprt equipment. Lcal fire departments alert and check n their ppulaces with special needs. They crdinate with Public Health s SAFE system which is a data base f thse with special needs. Alternate shelters r spaces within general shelters culd be necessary fr additinal privacy r accmmdatins made by sme evacuees physical, develpmental, r ther special needs. 4. Organizatin: Cntrl and Crdinatin 4.1 Rles and Respnsibilities Office f Emergency Services: (When ntified by the Directr f Emergency Services r designee that an alert will be in effect.) Cmmunicate with the Sheriff s Office n existing prtcl in effect fr Mdc Cmmunicatins Center 911-Dispatch. Analyze needs fr effective dispatch respnse. Set gals and bjectives in preparatin fr an Incident Actin Plan. Activate emergency alert systems

11 Cntact the Departments f Scial Services and Health Services that an alert is in effect and t activate their special needs ntificatin prcedures. Prepare public infrmatin releases utilizing applicable cmmunicatin systems. Depending n the situatin, cntact vlunteer fire departments t d dr-tdr ntificatin. Utilize cmmunity supprt grups such as the Sheriff s Psse and ther rganizatins t assist in ntificatin and/r respnse t individual s needs Department f Health Services: Public Health and Behaviral Health Mdc Cunty Department f Health Services is respnsible fr ntificatin f thse clients and agencies that wrk with persns with special needs. The department utilizes the SAFE data system that is annually updated t track persns with special needs r wh may be at-risk. After initial ntificatin, Public Health Nursing will fllw prcedures as detailed in the Mdc Cunty Public Health Department All Hazards Disaster Manual, 2006: Department f Scial Services: Mdc Cunty Department f Scial Services (DSS) is respnsible fr ntificatin f their clients and agencies that wrk with persns with special needs Law Enfrcement: Law enfrcement may cnsist f multiple agencies: Califrnia Highway Patrl, Mdc Cunty Sheriff s Office, Alturas Plice Department, and ther reginal law enfrcement agencies. In an emergency event, law enfrcement will functin under the Incident Cmmand System. Respnse t the incident will be crdinated thrugh the Incident Cmmand pst with crdinatin supprt frm the Emergency Operatins Center as needed. Duties may be varied: dr-t-dr ntificatin, rad clsures, etc All Cunty Departments: Depending n the nature f the event, ther departments such as public wrks, rads, envirnmental health, etc. may be utilized t respnd as needed. During a disaster, all public emplyees at the cunty and state level are autmatically designated by the Califrnia Emergency Services Act as Disaster Service Wrkers City f Alturas:

12 Within the Mdc Cunty Operatinal Area, by prir agreement, the City f Alturas will alert and warn the ppulatin within the city; hwever, depending n the incident level, the City may be part f a Unified Cmmand within the Incident Cmmand Pst, r may request as a resurce that the alert ntificatins be made by the Mdc Cunty Cmmunicatins Center under the directin f the Sheriff/Directr f Emergency Services r designee Vlunteer Fire Departments Within Mdc Operatinal Area there are thirteen vlunteer fire departments. These departments knw their ppulace and will be integral in ntificatins fr bth alerts and infrmatin within their jurisdictins. They wrk clsely with OES t crdinate respnse. 4.2 Mitigatin Pre-disaster Planning Assessment f existing alert system and maintenance f systems Cntinue planning and implementatin f multiple systems t imprve redundancy; i.e. EAS, lcal media, radi transmissins, vlunteer agencies, scial netwrks, HAM radi peratrs, the Internet, etc. (List is nt inclusive f all resurces.) Crdinatin with reginal systems thrugh Cal EMA t assure interperability Crdinate with Public Health and Scial Services t activate their Standard Operating Prcedures (SOPs) fr ntifying at-risk clients. Have SOPs n file with Dispatch. Assess and mdify existing emergency prcedures thrugh training and exercises. 4.3 Preparedness Training and Exercises Wrking with Mdc Operatinal Area, first respnders, vlunteer agencies and cunty emplyees will cntinue t train and exercise the emergency peratins plan, annexes and departmental standard perating prcedures. 4.4 Respnse: Synpsis f the Incident Sheriff/Directr f Emergency Services r designee has assessed the situatin and the need fr public infrmatin and/r an alert. The Emergency Operatins Center has been activated. A Public Infrmatin Officer has been designated

13 Public Infrmatin Officer will fllw the checklists in the Functinal Annex under the directin f the EOC Manager The EOC will determine the alert message and ne r mre f the fllwing methds t alert the public Emergency Alert System (EAS) NOAA Weather Radi TENS System - Reverse 911 Cellular reverse 911 when adpted Internet Resurces: Cunty website, OES website, OES Facebk Public Address Systems and Public Ntificatin Bards (Public Health and Surprise Valley Hspital) Public Health and Scial Services ntificatin prcedures Dr-t-dr ntificatin All warnings issued t the public shuld include the fllwing infrmatin: A brief descriptin f the hazard Gegraphic extent and lcatins included in the warning Duratin f the warning Prtective actins recmmended Public Infrmatin and Alert messages will be updated as needed. 4.5 Recvery 5. Administratin When clear, factual and trustwrthy infrmatin is prvided in warnings, the public is mre likely t take the prtective actins listed in the warning. Fllwing the initial warning perid, less urgent public infrmatin is ften needed Dcumentatin Prcedures and dcuments will fllw thse utlined in the Emergency Operatins Plan and Functinal Checklists as listed in Part II. The fllwing sectins (5.1, 5.2, & 5.3) will fllw prcedures as utlined in The Emergency Operatins Plan: Sectins 7, 8, &

14 5.1 Infrmatin Cllectin and Data Analysis 5.2 Lgistics 5.3 Finance 6. Appendices 6.1 SOPs Department f Scial Services Operating Prcedures fr ntifying at-risk clients Department f Public Health s Operating Prcedures fr ntifying at-risk ppulatins 6.2 References