Pierce County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan EMERGENCY SUPPORT FUNCTION (ESF) 14 DISASTER RECOVERY

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1 EMERGENCY SUPPORT FUNCTION (ESF) 14 DISASTER RECOVERY ESF COORDINATOR Pierce County Department of Emergency Management PRIMARY AGENCIES Pierce County Citizen Corps Disaster Survivors Advocacy Team Pierce County Department of Emergency Management Pierce County Public Works and Utilities Pierce County Economic Development Division Pierce County Planning and Land Services Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department SUPPORT AGENCIES Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer Pierce County Facilities Management Pierce County Housing Authority Pierce County Aging and Disability Services I. INTRODUCTION A. Purpose B. Scope This ESF is intended to provide an overview of the short- and long-term disaster recovery process. This ESF provides guidance for county agencies in concert with other jurisdictions, citizens, non-governmental organizations and businesses to expedite recovery of the greater community to a nominal pre-disaster condition. Support Annex 8 of this Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan is the Pierce County Long-Term Disaster Recovery Plan, which provides much more detail than is included in this ESF. This ESF forms the foundation for the county and its external partners in overcoming the difficulties inherent in post-disaster recovery. This ESF covers both short-term and longterm recovery issues. The plan is intended to form a foundation that can be used to guide the county s recovery from any of the myriad disasters that may occur beginning with the restoration of critical functions, services, vital resources, facilities, programs and infrastructure and continuing through long-term recovery. II. POLICIES A. Pierce County will act as the coordinator for county-wide recovery operations in the aftermath of emergencies or disasters that impact the county. To do this the county will, as necessary: ESF 14: Long-term Recovery/September of 10

2 Form joint partnerships with other jurisdictions, governmental agencies, and private-sector organizations to form a cohesive response to the community s needs. Coordinate with other entities that housing, feeding, and support needs for individuals and families affected by the incident. Collect preliminary damage assessment (PDA) information from all jurisdictions to assist with a Stafford Act disaster declaration. Set up the applicant agent meeting for all jurisdictions in the County. Set up disaster recovery centers (DRCs) in conjunction with the Washington State Emergency Management Division (WA EMD) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Support mitigation measures to ensure that future emergencies will not have the same ill effects as the immediate one. Work with the Disaster Survivors Advocacy Team (DSAT) to provide disaster case management to impacted residents. Activate the Pierce County Disaster Recovery Task Force after major events that require a broad vision of how the County will recover from those events over the long term. III. SITUATION A. Emergency/Disaster Conditions and Hazards The Pierce County Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA) is the foundational document for all emergency planning in the county. The HIRA delineates in detail natural and technological hazards as well as anthropomorphic hazards such as terrorism or riots. The HIRA can be found in the Pierce County Department of Emergency Management database. B. Planning Assumptions The basic assumption upon which this ESF is predicated is that the Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA) provides an accurate picture of Pierce County s vulnerabilities. Other assumptions include: Recovery will not recreate the same community that was in existence prior to the disaster. Substantial federal assistance will be made available to Pierce County in the event of a presidential disaster declaration. ESF 14: Long-term Recovery/September of 10

3 Many organizations and businesses, such as utility companies, have their own recovery plans that will assist them in their recovery and that of the community. Normal operations by law enforcement, fire departments, medical providers, and other emergency personnel may be delayed or hindered for a period of time. With just-in-time inventories, many businesses will not be able to supply basic necessities for a period of time after some disasters and many of them could go out of business due to lost revenue. IV. CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS A. Overview This ESF defines the roles of government, private sector and non-governmental organizations in promoting recovery. Its intent is to reinforce the principle that short- and long-term recovery activities quickly emerge from initial response operations. B. Relationship to Response Operations Actions to promote short-term and long-term recovery should commence concurrently with response operations if possible. In any event, steps to promote recovery shall commence as soon as life-saving efforts are completed. In the wake of a disaster or emergency EOC leadership will set priorities for recovery of critical functions, services, vital resources, facilities, programs and infrastructure. Evaluation of the incident s impact on the public occurs throughout the response phase and influences the direction of recovery operations related to individuals and businesses. Damage assessment activities begin in the response phase and are intended to support functions such as mapping locations of damaged property and the subsequent application for federal disaster assistance funds. (See Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, Support Annex 2: Financial Management, for additional information on short-term recovery. See also Support Annex 8: Recovery Plan of this CEMP.) C. Short Term Recovery Short-term recovery begins early in the response phase and is focused on restoring critical services and infrastructure such as utilities, government operations, medical services, transportation routes, cleanup, debris removal, abatement of dangerous buildings and providing support to residents and businesses. 1. Pierce County s component agencies including Emergency Management, Public Works, Planning and Land Services, and the Sheriff s Department have Continuity of Operations Plans (COOP) that will be activated, if necessary, in the wake of an emergency or disaster to ensure continuity of critical functions, programs and services and facilitate the restoration of critical infrastructure. ESF 14: Long-term Recovery/September of 10

4 2. The Citizen Corps Disaster Survivors Advocacy Team will be activated as soon as possible through the Citizen Corps EOC liaison in recognition of the Corps key role in short-term recovery for individuals and families by fulfilling unmet needs. 3. The PC EOC, through its Joint information Center (JIC), will disseminate information about the government response to the disaster. The JIC will also provide information about the FEMA disaster assistance registration process and about specific local, state, and federal programs for citizens and small businesses (Individual Assistance). The EOC will also transfer citizen telephone calls for assistance with unmet needs to the Citizen Corps liaison or to members of the Disaster Survivors Advocacy Team. 4. The Damage Assessment Center (DAC) will be activated in the PC EOC to receive telephone damage reports from homeowners and businesses and requests for assistance from the public. Calls to the center will be catalogued and, as necessary, transferred or referred to the appropriate agency such as the Disaster Survivors Advocacy Team. The DAC is a key early step in acquiring information necessary to obtain a presidential disaster declaration. 5. PC DEM will deploy a Recovery Field Team to meet with residents, elicit information on damages, distribute information on recovery issues relevant to the public and provide residents with a visible indication that their government is working to help them recover from the disaster. 6. Pierce County Public Works and Utilities is the lead agency for public works emergencies involving sewers, solid waste, water, roads, dikes and levees, and ferries and traffic operations. Public Works conducts preliminary damage assessments and makes emergency repairs to restore critical functions, infrastructure and services. 7. PC DEM and the EOC will assist all county departments, contracted cities and towns, public safety stakeholders, outside agencies, and relevant non-profit organizations in the initial requirements to assist the state in obtaining a Presidential Disaster Declaration and subsequently receive the aid that comes with it. 8. Upon occurrence of an emergency or disaster, the E administration program manager and staff shall report to the EOC to begin coordination with the telephone companies and the public safety answering points (E dispatch centers), primary and secondary, for the restoration of E service. There is a backup E dispatch center at the Pierce County EOC. 9. The on-scene Incident Commander, ESF 8 agencies and organizations work cooperatively with the Tacoma - Pierce County Health Department and the Disaster Medical Control Center (DMCC) to coordinate EMS and hospital activities in an emergency or disaster. 10. Pierce County DEM will coordinate the opening of a Disaster Recovery Center with the FEMA and the Washington State Emergency Management Division. ESF 14: Long-term Recovery/September of 10

5 11. Planning and Land Services will do safety evaluations of structures and tag them as required using ATC-20, ATC-45 or other relevant damage evaluation standards. D. Long-Term Recovery Long-Term Recovery is focused in a larger sense on establishing a new normal for an economically sustainable Pierce County. Components include rebuilding public infrastructure, ensuring adequate housing stock, coordinating delivery of social and health care including mental health services, refined land-use planning to include mitigation goals and lessons learned from the disaster, support for business to help the economy rebound and maximal utilization of federal and state aid to recover disaster costs. Because long-term recovery is a partnership among all segments of the community, the Pierce County DEM Director will identify DEM staff who will be involved in this process in partnership with the cities and towns, the private-sector and non-governmental organizations to begin work on recovery priorities. The Pierce County Executive can activate the Disaster Recovery Task Force - representing a broad cross section of the community - to help shape a vision of how Pierce County will emerge from the disaster. 1. Many of the processes included in Short-Term Recovery continue under Long-Term Recovery, albeit with different priorities and emphasis. For example, emergency road repairs made during or immediately after the response phase might suffice for a time, but will ultimately need to be brought up to normal road standards during the Long- Term Recovery phase. 2. The Pierce County Economic Development Division will help obtain and administer small business financing programs as necessary; function as liaison and problem solver for business with local, state, and federal entities; and assist business with relocation within Pierce County. 3. The Citizen Corps Disaster Survivors Advocacy Team (DSAT) will provide disaster case management for individuals and families with unmet needs. In a large disaster incident, the capacity of the team to provide such services will likely be exceeded, in which case a waiting list will be established. The DSAT is designed to quickly integrate into federal disaster case management programs brought into the county by the FEMA and other federal government agencies. 4. OptumHealth Pierce RSN, a private company contracted with the state Department of Social and Health Services, is responsible for delivering disaster mental health services in Pierce County. 5. Pierce County Planning and Land Services, (PALS) in consultation with DEM, will work to ensure that permitting for reconstruction takes into account the disaster mitigation goals of the county. PALS in consultation with the Pierce County Economic Development Division will also take steps deemed appropriate to speed economic recovery such as deferring permit fees and fast-tracking permits by ESF 14: Long-term Recovery/September of 10

6 V. RESPONSIBILITIES working with utilities to allow construction to commence prior to restoration of utility infrastructure. 6. The Hazard Mitigation Committee, comprised of representatives from several Pierce County agencies, will document activities to reduce future impacts in the disaster zone. A. Primary Agencies 1. The Pierce County Department of Emergency Management (PCDEM) will take the lead role in coordinating recovery operations. PC DEM and the PC EOC will: Coordinate the various governmental entities recovery efforts through the collection and dissemination of information, coordination of resource logistics and the facilitation of inter-governmental/departmental communication. The EOC is the focal point for triage and prioritization decisions regarding the restoration of critical services and infrastructure such as utilities, government operations, medical services, transportation routes, cleanup, debris removal, abatement of dangerous buildings and providing emergent support to residents and businesses. Collect, compile and coordinate damage assessment information from public, private and business sectors. This information will be used to support the state s effort to obtain a Presidential Disaster Declaration, which makes available a wide range of federal funding. (Detailed information on the process of seeking a Presidential Declaration including links to standard operating procedures can be found in Support Annex 8 of this plan.) Coordinate meetings among local public jurisdictions, Washington EMD, and FEMA to fulfill the documentation requirements for obtaining federal recovery program assistance. Provide support services to the Citizen Corps and its Disaster Survivors Advocacy Team through the provision of a PC DEM liaison and by providing space in the EOC during the response and recovery phases of a disaster. The PC EOC call takers will refer citizen calls for help with unmet needs to the advocacy team. Provide shelter to displaced Pierce County residents. Provide a seat in the PC EOC for a business liaison to help coordinate special needs of businesses and industries after a disaster. 2. Pierce County Public Works and Utilities have broad short- and long-term recovery responsibilities after an emergency or disaster and is the lead for ESF 3 of the PC Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan. In the wake of an emergency or disaster, PC Public Works and Utilities are responsible for: ESF 14: Long-term Recovery/September of 10

7 Inspecting transportation infrastructure, flood control and sewer utilities, county facilities and other appropriate structures for structural integrity and safety and returning them to functionality. Clearing debris from roadways. Providing damage assessment information to the Pierce County Department of Emergency Management. Making temporary repairs to essential facilities. Assisting in traffic control by providing barricades and signage as necessary. Serving as lead agency for debris assessment, removal, and disposal/recycling efforts. Coordinating the Solid Waste Division activities with the PC Department of Emergency Management as necessary. Providing event specific disposal assistance to the public when applicable and when the need is identified. Demolishing unsafe buildings. 3. Pierce County Economic Development Division will: Function as liaison and problem solver for local business in its relations with local, state and federal government entities. A division representative will sit at the PC EOC when activated to serve as business liaison, as necessary. Provide a representative to the Pierce County Disaster Recovery Task Force. Participate and advise in the obtaining, distributing and administering capital dedicated to long-term economic recovery. The funds could be in numerous forms such as venture capital, community development financial institution funds or community development block grants. Assist firms in the wake of a disaster with relocation/reconstruction from the siteselection and planning stage, through financing, permitting, and development. Advise PC government on the impact permitting has on economic recovery. 4. Pierce County Planning and Land Services will: Coordinate hazard mitigation activities with input from PC DEM as the activity relates to land use planning and natural resource management. ESF 14: Long-term Recovery/September of 10

8 Inspect buildings in the wake of incidents that could damage structures and placard them to indicate habitability status. Conduct geo-technical inspections as necessary to ensure soil and slope stability. Speed economic recovery by taking steps deemed appropriate such as deferring permit fees and fast-tracking permits by working with utilities to allow construction to commence prior to restoration of utility infrastructure. Enforce county building codes to ensure the safety of newly constructed and rebuilt facilities. Abate hazards in existing buildings. Work closely with the PC Department of Emergency Management, Economic Development and the Disaster Recovery Task Force in matters of building inspections, tagging unsafe structures, issuing permits, code enforcement and helping citizens by providing information to facilitate the return to their homes, if possible. 5. Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department is the lead agency for the coordination of public health services. The Health Department is the lead agency for ESF 8 in the Pierce County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan. A Health Department representative will be present in the PC EOC, if requested. TPCHD: Oversees and coordinates the care of the sick, injured and deceased resulting from an emergency or disaster. Promulgates and enforces emergency sanitation standards for proper disposal of garbage, sewage, and debris. Responds to and mitigates public health risks from infectious disease or hazardous material spills. Oversees the safety of drinking water and food. Coordinates and mobilizes medical resources in an emergency or disaster. Coordinates pre-hospital, hospital and medical facilities. Provides input (as does Pierce County Human Services) on the coordination of mental health services for the public and health and medical personnel in collaboration with lead mental health provider OptumHealth Pierce RSN. ESF 14: Long-term Recovery/September of 10

9 Provides ongoing systems and methods for community surveillance with the goal of mitigating and reducing the impacts from local or regional events that could affect public health in Pierce County. Provides public health messaging and subject matter expertise to the JIC. Ensures emergency shelters meet sanitation codes. Coordinates public immunization and prophylaxis. Coordinates distribution of Strategic National Stockpile medications and equipment. Coordinates alternate care facilities for triaging and treating people during a public health emergency. Coordinates planning and development of ESF 8 response plans and procedures with county health and medical partners to proactively prepare for future disaster events. B. Support Agencies 1. Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer, in the wake of a disaster causing damage to homes and businesses, will assess structures and reduce assessments where appropriate due to the destruction or a loss of value to a property. 2. Pierce County Facilities Management will: Preserve the value of county real property assets in the wake of disaster. Activate procedures to identify and prioritize maintenance and repairs. Begin the process of either renovating or replacing damaged buildings. Participate in the process of finding replacement space for county offices. Secure county-owned facilities by assessing damage, and searching and locking buildings, perimeters, etc. 3. Pierce County Housing Authority can: Administer federal housing funds granted in response to the incident. Provide access at fair-market rental rates to vacant units in the buildings the Housing Authority owns. ESF 14: Long-term Recovery/September of 10

10 Provide a limited number of Section 8 vouchers (rental subsidies) to disaster survivors meeting income criteria depending on funding and availability. 4. Pierce County Aging and Disability Services respond to the needs of high risk populations. The agency will: Provide information to older adults and persons with disabilities on available services and help connect them to those services. Provide case management to help older adults and disabled people remain independent and in their homes or living situations. Participate in the Pierce County Citizen Corps Disaster Survivors Advocacy Team. Provide input (as does the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department) on the coordination of mental health services for the public and health and medical personnel in collaboration with lead mental health provider OptumHealth Pierce RSN. VI. REFERENCES Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment Long-Term Recovery Plan VII. TERMS AND DEFINITIONS See Appendices 1 and 2 VIII. ATTACHMENTS None ESF 14: Long-term Recovery/September of 10