EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN - Wells · 2020-03-18 · City of Wells Emergency Operations Plan December 2019 4 BASIC PLAN a result of an emergency. This allows for the scalable operation

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS

PLAN

City of Wells, Nevada

2020

County Emergency Operations Plan

ii

APPROVAL AND IMPLEMENTATION

City of Wells Emergency Operations Plan

APPROVAL AND IMPLEMENTATION

The City of Wells Emergency Operations Plan, (EOP), utilized the “Whole Community approach to emergency management and planning. As such, the EOP update process included residents, emergency management practitioners, organizations and community leaders, and government officials collectively understanding and assessing the needs of their respective communities and determined the best ways to organize and strengthen their assets, capacities and interests. The Emergency Operations Plan has been reviewed and approved by the City of Wells Board of Council.


December 2019 3 BASIC PLAN

BASIC PLAN

I. INTRODUCTION

An emergency operations plan (EOP) is a component of an emergency management program

that establishes the overall authority, roles, and functions performed during incidents,

emergencies and disasters. The objective of the Emergency Operations Plan is to reduce the

possible consequences of an emergency by preventing loss of life and injuries; reducing damage

to infrastructure, buildings, and homes; accelerating the resumption of normal daily life activities,

to protect the environment and be resilient.

II. PLAN SUMMARY

This EOP:

• Assigns responsibility to organizations and individuals.

• Sets forth lines of authority and organization relationships.

• Describes how people and property are protected.

• Identifies personnel, equipment, facilities, supplies and other resources.

• Identifies steps to address mitigation concerns during response and recovery operations.

• Is flexible enough for use in all emergencies.

• Helps personnel and providers operate as a team in an emergency.

Pursuant to Authorities listed below, the City of Wells EOP is the master emergency operations

document for the City of Wells in the prevention of, preparation for, mitigation of, response to,

and recovery from an emergency or disaster. The EOP describes strategies, assumptions,

operational objectives, and mechanisms through which the city will mobilize resources and

conduct activities to guide and support communities’ efforts through preparedness, response,

recovery and mitigation.

The EOP is designed to be flexible, adaptable and scalable. It articulates the roles and

responsibilities among City, State, and Federal emergency officials. The EOP includes the Basic

Plan and Annexes. These annexes provide stand-alone documents, supplemental plans,

standard operating procedures and guides that will provide more detailed information to assist

emergency management officials and others in implementing the EOP.

The EOP is organized as follows:

Base Plan: Describes the process for preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation

activities of local agencies, private volunteer organizations and non-governmental organizations.

Emergency Support Function (ESF): This section describes the 10 ESFs, which serve as the

primary mechanisms for providing assistance at the local level. Not all ESF may be deployed as



a result of an emergency. This allows for the scalable operation depending on the situation and

the nature of the incident.

Subject Mater Experts (SME): Subject Matter Experts (SME) are identified as individuals

whom possess the critical knowledge regarding an area, which may be affected or can assist

due to the incident, emergency and/or disaster. i.e. National Weather Service.

A. All-Hazard Planning

City Emergency planning uses an all-hazards approach to planning. All-hazards planning

is based on the premise that the consequences of disasters are the same regardless of the

hazard, and most of the functions performed during emergency situations are not hazard-

specific. Hence, the most efficient approach to planning is to plan in some detail for the

tasks required to carry out basic emergency functions that may have to be executed

whether a disaster is caused by a natural, technological, or man-made hazard. Hazard-

specific plans for unique threats are developed to supplemental all-hazards plans.

B. Purpose

It is recognized the cities within Elko County take care of their own and many emergency

actions are performed as a matter of course. This plan serves to provide a formal

framework within which the City can execute emergency operations in extraordinary

circumstances where defined guidance is necessary for effective and efficient service

provision.

The City of Wells is required to ensure awareness of, prevention of, preparation for,

mitigate of risks, respond to, and recover from an emergency or disaster in order to provide

assistance that saves lives, and protects health, safety and property. These emergency or

disaster situations my range from a small, localized event to a large scale event which

requires a presidential declaration.

The purpose of the City of Wells Operations Plan is to:

• Develop and maintain an all-hazards planning approach.

• Create the general framework of planning for preparedness, mitigation, response

and recovery activities.

• Reduce the vulnerability of people and their communities, including the loss of life or

injury, or the damage and loss of property resulting from natural, technological, and

man-made disasters, by developing effective preparedness, mitigation, response,

and recovery plans.

• Describe emergency management role in supporting first responders during an

emergency or disaster.

• Provide public warning and communications during impending emergency and

communicate internally before, during and after an event occurs.

• Describe how survivors will be cared for including health and medical services.



• Describe the types of disasters which are likely to occur in the City of Wells from

local emergencies, to minor, major or catastrophic disasters.

• Describe the mechanisms to deliver immediate assistance, including direction and

control of intrastate, interstate and federal response and recover assistance.

• Create and maintain a system that integrates, adopts, and applies (where

applicable) the tenets of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) to

ensure its interface with the State and National Response Framework (NRF) to

maximize the integration of incident-related preparedness, mitigation response and

recovery activities.

C. Scope

The Emergency Operations Plan establishes a concept of operations spanning

emergencies from initial monitoring through post-disaster response and recovery. It

defines interagency, departmental and community response including the incorporating the

critical edits in the National Preparedness Goal, including lessons learned from real world

events.

D. Whole Community Preparedness

It is the City’s intent to have a system for emergency operations planning and response that

fully involves the whole community. FEMA’s Whole Community initiative encourages

jurisdictions and response agencies at all levels to involve a wide array of public, private-

sector and non-governmental sector agencies that represent the full spectrum of personal

needs in the emergency operations plan.

III. AUTHORITIES

A. Authority of Local Emergency Management

Authority for the establishment and activities of state and local emergency management

organizations is derived from Chapter 414 of the Nevada Revised Statutes, as amended.

B. Compliance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990; September 2010-March 15, 2012, is

incorporated into emergency preparedness plans. This law prohibits discrimination on the

basis of disability. The Cities approach to effectively address the needs of persons with

disabilities, and the needs of individuals with access and functional needs in emergency

preparedness plans is to establish a process to pre-identify resources which may be used

to fulfill requests from these individuals for reasonable accommodations they may need in

emergency situations.

Functional Needs Support Services (FNSS) are defined as services that enable children

and adults with or without disabilities who have access and functional needs to maintain



their health, safety, and independence in a general population shelter. This may include

Personal Assistance Services (PAS), durable medical equipment (DME), consumable

medical supplies (CMS), and reasonable modification to common practices, policies and

procedures. Individuals requiring FNSS may have sensory, physical, mental health,

cognitive and/or intellectual disabilities affecting their capability to function independently

without assistance. Additionally, the elderly, women in the late stages of pregnancy, and

individuals requiring communication assistance and bariatric support may also benefit from

FNSS.

The City of Wells will make every effort to comply with Title II of the Americans with

Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws related to emergency and disaster-related

programs, services and activities for individuals with disabilities and with access and

functional needs.

Definitions

Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ): The phrase “authority having jurisdiction,” or its

acronym AHJ, is used in a broad manner, since jurisdictions and approval agencies vary,

as do their responsibilities. Where public safety is primary, the authority having jurisdiction

may be a federal, state, local or other regional department or individual.

Emergency Operations Center: Is a central location where agency representatives can

coordinate and make decisions to control and coordinate necessary resources when

managing an emergency response.

Emergency Situations: As used in this plan, this term is intended to describe a range of

occurrences, from a minor incident to a catastrophic disaster. It includes:

Incident: An incident is a situation that is limited in scope and potential effects.

Characteristics of an incident include:

Involves a limited area and/or limited population.

Evacuation and Sheltering-in-Place is limited to the immediate incident area.

Warning and public instructions are provided in the immediate area, not community-wide.

One or two local response agencies or departments acting under an incident commander

normally handle incidents. Requests for resource support are normally handled through

agency and/or departmental channels.

May require limited external assistance from other local response agencies or contractors.

For the purposes of the NRP, incidents include the full range of occurrences that require an

emergency response to protect life or property.

Emergency: An emergency is a situation that is larger in scope and more severe in terms

of actual or potential effects than an incident. Characteristic include:



i. Involves a large area, significant population, or important facilities.

ii. May require implementation of large-scale evacuation or sheltering-in-

place and implementation of temporary shelter and mass care operations.

iii. May require community-wide warning and public instructions.

iv. Requires a sizable multi-agency response operating and an incident

commander.

v. May require some external assistance from other local response agencies,

contractors, and limited assistance from state or federal agencies.

vi. The EOC will be activated to provide general guidance and direction,

coordinate external support and provide resource support for the incident.

Emergency Large-scale The existence of conditions of disaster or of extreme

peril to the safety of persons or property within the territorial limits of City of Wells,

which conditions are, or are likely to be, beyond the control of the services,

personnel, equipment, and facilities of the county and which requires the

combined efforts of other political entities.

Emergency Local (Small-scale) An event which requires response of

emergency forces over and above normal working functions, but which is

manageable within local capability.

b. Disaster: A disaster involves the occurrence or threat of significant

casualties and/or widespread property damage that is beyond the capability of the

local government to handle with its own resources. Characteristics may:

i. Involves a large area, a sizable population, and/or important facilities.

ii. Require implementation of large-scale evacuation or in-place sheltering

and implementation of temporary shelter and mass care operations.

iii. Require community-wide warning and public instructions.

iv. Require a response by all local response agencies operating under one or

more incident commanders.

v. Require significant external assistance from other local response

agencies, contractors, and extensive state or federal assistance.

vi. The EOC will be activated to provide general guidance and direction,

provide emergency information to the public, coordinate state and federal

support, and coordinate resource support for emergency operations.

Major Disaster Any natural catastrophe or, regardless of cause, any fire, flood,

or explosion, which in the determination of the President causes damage of

sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant major disaster assistance to

supplement the efforts of state and local governments and disaster relief

organizations in alleviating damage, loss, and hardship.

2. Evacuation: The act of evacuating. To leave a dangerous place or remove someone from a dangerous place. To withdraw from a site or building in an organized way especially for protection organized, phased, and supervised withdrawal, dispersal, or removal of civilians from dangerous or potentially dangerous areas, and their reception and care in safe areas.



3. Entity: A person, organization, or group with mutually accepted accountability who is

responsible for having jurisdictional authority for the incident.

4. Functional Needs Support Services: (FNSS) are defined as services that enable

children and adults with or without disabilities who have access and functional needs to

maintain their health, safety, and independence in a general population shelter. This may

include Personal Assistance Services (PAS), durable medical equipment (DME),

consumable medical supplies (CMS), and reasonable modification to common practices,

policies and procedures. Individuals requiring FNSS may have sensory, physical, mental

health, cognitive and/or intellectual disabilities affecting their capability to function

independently without assistance. Additionally, the elderly, women in the late stages of

pregnancy, and individuals requiring communication assistance and bariatric support may

also benefit from FNSS.

5. Functional Needs Populations: Also referred to as Special Needs Populations, this

describes members of the community who have needs before, during and after an

emergency incident in functional areas, including, but not limited to: maintaining

independence, communication, transportation, supervision an medical care.

6. Hazard Analysis Summary (THIRA Methodology): A comprehensive research and

review of relevant documentation and assessments, including the most recent Elko

County Hazard Mitigation Plan to develop a baseline of threats, hazards identification risk

assessment. The top five threats and hazards are identified for further analysis of its

consequence and impacts. The exception to this are based on the heightened awareness

and current threat of active shooter, active assailant and terrorism events. The Elko

County Hazard Mitigation Plan is a document published separately from this plan.

7. Hazardous Material (Hazmat): A substance in a quantity or form posing an unreasonable

risk to health, safety, and/or property when manufactured, stored or transported. The

substance, by its nature, containment, and reactivity, has the capability for inflicting harm

during an accidental occurrence. Is toxic, corrosive, flammable, reactive, an irritant, or a

strong sensitizer, and poses a threat to health and the environment when improperly

managed. This includes toxic substances, certain infectious agents, radiological materials,

and other related materials such as oil, used oil, petroleum products, and industrial solid

waste substances.

8. Incident of National Significance: An actual or potential high-impact event that requires

a coordinated and effective response by an appropriate combination of federal, state,

local, tribal, nongovernmental, and/or private sector entities in order to save lives,

minimize damage, and provide the basis for long-term communication recovery and

mitigation activities.

9. MACS: Multi-Agency Coordination System provides support, coordination, and assistance

with policy-level decision to the ICS structure managing an incident, and should be both

flexible and scalable to be efficient and effective. MACS defines business practices,



standard operating procedures, process, and protocols by which participating agencies will

coordinate their interactions.

10. Shelter-In-Place. Shelter-in-place is the action of seeking immediate shelter indoors,

following a release of hazardous materials to the outside air or in anticipation of extreme

weather conditions, and awaiting further instructions. Taking appropriate shelter is critical

in times of disaster. Sheltering is appropriate when conditions require that you seek

protection in your home, place of employment or other location when disaster strikes or

the situation requires sheltering for your safety. The hazardous materials may be

chemical, biological, byproducts of a fire (smoke, ash, etc.), or other harmful contaminant.

During extreme circumstances, sheltering-in-place could also include additional

precautions, such as turning off fans, air conditioning, and forced air heating systems, to

reduce any potential for air contamination in the event of a chemical or biological release.

Shelter-in-place may be required due to acts of an active assailant at a place of work or

school.

11. Special Facilities. Certain facilities which house or serve populations that cannot care for

themselves during emergencies and/or require unique support services. Such facilities

include:

a. Schools and day care centers, where students require supervision to ensure their

safety.

12. Unified Command: An organization established (1) to oversee the management of

multiple incidents that are each being managed by an ICS organization and incidents are

multijurisdictional or (2) to oversee the management of large or multiple incidents to which

several Incident Management Teams have been assigned. Sets overall strategy and

priorities, allocates critical resources according to priorities, ensures that incidents are

properly managed, and ensures that objectives are met and strategies followed.

IV. SITUATION AND ASSUMPTIONS A. Situation Overview (Types of Incidents)

Wells’s unique mountainous geography, valley floors, and physical location in the western region of the United States, creates vulnerabilities to many natural hazards, including earthquakes, drought, flooding, wildland fires, and severe weather emergencies, including heavy snow/and/or extreme cold. One of the major industries in the county is mining. Long Canyon gold mine is located less than 25 miles from the city. Support mechanisms and transportation routes for several hazardous



materials are through Wells. Interstate – 80 runs through the entire county from border to border. Releases and spills of hazardous materials within Elko County are of great concern.

B. Threats, Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA)

Overall planning begins with the Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) process. THIRA provides a comprehensive, consistent approach for identifying and assessing risks and associated impacts. Based on a combination of experience, forecasting, subject-matter expertise, and other available resources, Wells developed a list of threats and hazards that could impact the City. Each threat and/or hazard included in the THIRA challenged at least one core capability. Top Four Threats and Hazards Identified for City of Wells are: 1. Wildland Fire 2. Hazardous Material Spill 3. Earthquake 4. Flooding

C. Planning Assumptions

The following planning assumptions are made and apply to this plan:

1. General Planning Assumptions:

a. Wells will continue to be exposed and subject to the impact of the hazards

described above as well as lesser hazards and others that may develop in the

future.

b. It is possible for a major disaster to occur at any time and any place. In many

cases, dissemination of warning to the public and implementation of increased

readiness measures may be possible. However, some emergencies occur with little

or no warning.

c. Emergencies and disaster will result in one or more of the following: injury and/or

loss of life; damage or destruction to public and private property; disruption of

utilities (electric, telephone and water) and daily life activities; displacement of

persons and families; disruption of local services (sanitation, EMS, fire and police);

shortages of temporary or permanent housing; damage or destruction to public and

private records; impacts on the environment; and social and economic disruption.

d. Wells may request mutual aid assistance from Elko county through the Nevada

Emergency Management Assistance Compact (NEMAC) and utilizing the Nevada

Intrastate Mutual Aid System. It takes time for external assistance to arrive and

provide help, thus, it is essential for the local government to be prepared to carry

out the initial emergency response on an independent basis.

e. All emergencies and disasters are local, but may require state assistance.



f. The most effective resources during emergencies and disasters are survivors. They

are first on the scene and provide instant assistance to other survivors.

g. Achieving and maintaining effective community preparedness reduces the

immediate demands on response organizations. This level of preparedness

requires constant public awareness and education programs to ensure people take

appropriate advance actions to reduce their vulnerability during at least the initial 72

hours following an emergency or disaster.

h. Proper mitigation actions, such as floodplain management, defensible space, can

prevent or reduce disaster-related losses. Detailed emergency planning, training of

emergency responders and other personnel, conducting periodic emergency drills

and exercises can improve local readiness to deal with emergency situations.

VI ORGANIZATIONAL ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The City of Wells’ emergency management structure is designed to be flexible to accommodate

any incident response and recovery requirements regardless of size, cause or complexity.

A. LOCAL – INCORPORATED CITY GOVERNMENT

Wells should be prepared to:

1. Maintain an emergency management program at the city level, which involves all city

government agencies, private, non-governmental, and volunteer organizations that

have responsibilities identified in their city comprehensive emergency management

plan.

2. Develop a city emergency management plan consistent with the existing county

emergency management plan.

3. Declare a city “state of emergency” and requesting assistance from the county.

4. Coordinate emergency response efforts within their political jurisdiction.

5. Activate mutual aid agreements among municipalities within the city and county in

accordance with the Nevada Emergency Management Assistance Compact

(NEMAC), Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), and other mutual

aid agreements.

6. Provide evacuation shelter facilities when required during a state of local emergency

or disaster. Through the school districts, the City shall provide facilities and

necessary personnel to staff such facilities and may utilize trained volunteers. The

school district provides transportation assistance in an emergency evacuation shall

coordinate the use of its vehicles with the City Manager.



7. Maintain costs and expenditure reports associated with emergencies and disasters,

including resources mobilized as a result of mutual aid agreements.

B. The Board of Council will:

1. Carry out appropriate provisions of the Nevada Revised Statutes, in addition to local

ordinances and/or codes.

2. Declare and terminate an emergency or disaster at the City Level.

3. Encourage cooperation between local emergency services agencies, facilities and

other applicable organizations.

4. Provide policy direction and control when requested by the City Manager in dealing

with emergency or disaster that occurs in an area where the City has jurisdiction and

responsibility.

5. Encourage cooperation of agencies, business, and citizens to mitigate an emergency

or disaster.

6. Upon the recommendation by the City Manager, issue and distribute as appropriate,

a local proclamation declaring a State of Emergency or termination of a State of

Emergency.

C. The City Manager will:

1. Report to the Emergency Operations Center upon activation and assist in the

direction and control of the major emergency or disaster.

2. Ensure representatives for Emergency Operations Center staff as designated (e.g.

Finance, Public Works, etc.) report to the EOC upon activation to provide direction

and control should they be requested by the Emergency Manager.

3. Function as the official City Spokesperson and/or Public Information Officer or ensure

that an information officer is in place.

4. Provide administrative support for the local, state, and federal emergency response

agencies where the City has jurisdiction and responsibility.

5. Ensure means are available within the jurisdiction to gather necessary information,

e.g. fuel storage facilities, major distributors and end use status, during the

emergencies and disasters.

6. Provide general assistance to the state in minimizing the adverse social and

economic aspects of energy supply disruptions by encouraging recommend

conservation programs both in the public and private sector.



7. Implement direction, control, coordination, and policy making functions as necessary

to provide for optimum protection of public health and safety within the City’s

jurisdiction.

8. Implement emergency policies / ordinances / resolutions as appropriate on behalf of

the City.

9. Assure the protection of public documents and public facilities during the emergency

or disaster.

D. The City Manager/Local Emergency Manager will:

The majority of emergencies and disasters are local and are handled locally by first

responders. The local emergency manager has the responsibility for coordinating

emergency management programs and activities including:

1. Managing resources before, during and after a major emergency or disaster.

a. Taking inventory of personnel and material resources to include the private-

sector sources that would be available in an emergency.

b. Identifying resource deficiencies and working with appropriate officials on

measures to resolve them.

2. Conducting activities related to the key components of emergency management.

a. Coordinating the planning process and working cooperatively with

organizations and government agencies.

b. Identifying and analyzing the potential impacts of hazards that threaten the

jurisdiction.

c. Conducting threat/hazard and risk assessments.

d. Coordinating a review of all local emergency – and disaster-related authorities

and recommending amendments, when necessary.

3. Coordinating with all partners in the emergency management process, to ensure they:

a. Are aware of potential threats to the community, including establishing a

system to alert officials and the public in an emergency or disaster.

b. Participate in mitigation and prevention activities.

c. Plan for emergencies and disasters using an all-hazards approach, including

establishing and maintaining networks of expert advisors and damage

assessors for all hazards.

d. Conduct effective recovery operations after a disaster.

e. Advise and inform partners about emergency management activities.

f. Partner’s in the emergency management system should include:

i. Fire Services



ii. Police/Law Enforcement Services

iii. Emergency Medical Programs

iv. Public Works

v. Volunteers and Voluntary Organizations

vi. Private and Nonprofit Sector Organizations

vii. Other groups involved in emergency activities

viii. Citizens

4. Coordinate local planning, preparedness activities, and the maintenance of these plans.

a. Coordinate the development of the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP).

b. Coordinate with private industry for use of privately owned vehicles,

communication, or other resources deeded for evacuation management.

c. Select staging areas or routes for pickup of persons without transportation.

d. Assure as required, the transportation of emergency workers into and out of

hazard areas.

e. Coordinate overall hazardous material incidents or accidents with local

emergency responding agencies, state emergency responding agencies,

federal emergency responding agencies, private emergency responding

agencies and any other agencies responding to the incident or accident.

5. Activate the EOC when required.

6. Manage the EOC, develop procedures for its operation, and conduct training for those

who staff it.

a. Select and equip an alternate and/or mobile EOC. Select and equip a mobile

command and communications unit.

b. Ensure that a system is developed and implemented to manage information

(including internal messages) pertaining to the emergency and disseminate it

to other levels of government, the public and private sector.

c. Acquire maps, status boards and other display services for the EOC, which

identify high hazard areas and pre-selected control/monitoring points.

d. Ensure that an events log (casualty and health concerns, property damage,

fire status, size of risk area, scope of hazard, number of evacuees, radiation

dose, etc.) is compiled and displayed in the EOC throughout the duration of an

emergency.

e. Provide for acquisition/stocking of food, water supplies and other equipment

necessary for the effective operation of the EOC/staff.

f. Provide for acquisition/stocking of EOC administrative supplies and

equipment.

g. Establish and equip the EOC to include primary and backup radio

communications (fixed and mobile).

h. Identify personnel/agencies having resources to support EOC responsibilities.



i. Develop a schedule for testing, maintaining, and repairing EOC and other

emergency related equipment.

j. Develop and maintain the EOC Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

including an activation checklist and notification/recall roster.

k. Alert staff and activate EOC (for 24-hour coverage if necessary) when notified

of potential/emergency situations.

l. Ensure that EOC staff acknowledge and authenticate reports.

m. Ensure staff and officials that briefings are conducted periodically during the


n. Establish and maintain coordination with other jurisdictional EOCs as

appropriate.

7. Ensure EOC deactivation includes equipment is restored to a “ready” condition and

EOC supplies are replenished.

8. When a hazardous material incident or accident occurs on any roadway or fixed facility

located in the City, the Emergency Manager should coordinate the cleanup efforts with

the state or federal environmental protection association requirements.

a. The Emergency Manager should always evaluate the hazardous material

incident or accident to ensure all safety precautions are being taken to protect

all the emergency responders on scene and the citizens in the county.

b. Coordinate a training program on hazardous material incidents with the

private, local and state emergency services departments who will be

responding to any hazardous material incident or accident in the county.

9. Develop mutual aid agreements with neighboring jurisdictions.

10. Coordinate overall damage assessment operations with various departments.

11. Ensure agencies / organizations begin maintaining expenses records at onset of

emergencies or disaster.

a. Maintaining liaison relations with facility emergency coordinators to ensure

availability or current information concerning hazards and response to an

incident.

E. Emergency Management Functional Groups

An integrated approach to emergency management is based on solid general management

principles and common theme of protecting life and property.

It provides direction so that participants can begin working together with all of the principals in

the network. The structure outlined below will be implemented in the Emergency Operation



Center (EOC). This structure should not be confused with the Incident Command Structure

that emergency responders use for tactical field operations.

The functional groups are meant to support field operations and not to be involved in tactical

decision making

• Policy Group: This is an informal and flexible grouping of experienced public officials

representing City. They develop emergency policies, as required by the disaster

situation, discuss the economic, political, legal and social implications of both the

threat and the response to determine the best general approach to the situation.

• Field Response Group: This group includes the fire, law enforcement, medical,

military, and public works units that normally would be on the scene of the incident.

F. State Government Roles and Responsibilities

If local resources are inadequate to deal with an emergency, the Emergency Manager, at

the direction of the City of Wells Board of Council, will request assistance from the

Nevada Division of Emergency Management. State assistance furnished to local

governments is intended to supplement local resources and not substitute for such

resources, including mutual aid resources, contracts.

1. Requests for state assistance should be made to the Nevada Division of

Emergency Management through the NDEM Duty Officer, located at the NDEM

State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) at 2478 Fairview Drive, Carson

City, NV.

a. 24/7 Emergency Duty Officer # (Primary) 775.687.0498

b. 24/7 NHP Dispatch # (Secondary) 775.687.0400

Upon a request from a local jurisdiction, the state response consists of providing support

to local emergency-disaster operation efforts. However, response by state agencies may

occur when first response capabilities are part of the agency’s regular mission and/ or

when they are identified as the primary or sole response resource. Responding state

resources will assume an appropriate role within local government’s Incident Command

System (ICS).

The Nevada Division of Emergency Management provides overall coordination and

support with federal, state, tribal and local governmental agencies to assure the

necessary deployment of resources and accuracy of information through a

comprehensive emergency management program.

G. Office of the Governor

The Office of the Governor exercises overall direction and control of state emergency

response activities (Chapters 414, 415, 415A and 416 of the Nevada Revised Statues.)



H. Emergency Support Functions

This section provides an overview of the Hybrid Functional-Emergency Support Function

(ESF) structure for coordinating the City’s response and support to an incident,


The Incident Command System provides for the flexibility to assign Emergency Support

Function (ESF) and other stakeholder resources, including SMEs, according to their

capabilities, tasks, and requirements to augment and support the other sections of the

EOC in order to respond to incidents in a more collaborative and cross-cutting manner.

Each agency or department assigned an ESF role will designate an ESF coordinator as

the individual with management oversight for that particular ESF. The coordinator has

ongoing responsibilities throughout the preparedness, response, and recover phases of

incident management. There may be additional agencies and/or departments that will

provide support for the ESFs.

The following agencies and departments are assigned as the lead agency or department

for an ESF. As such each assigned agency is responsible for continued review and

maintenance of assigned EOP ESF supporting documents. All suggested revisions will

be submitted to Elko County Emergency Management Office for approval.

ESF 1: Transportation NDOT/ECSD/City Public Works Dept.

ESF 2: Telecommunications & IT Elko Central Dispatch

ESF 3: Public Works & Engineering City of wells Public Works/Planning

ESF 4: Firefighting City of Wells Volunteer Fire Dept

ESF 5: Purchasing City of Wells Finance Dept

ESF 6: Public Health and Medical Services Med Ex One/ Wells Medical Clinic/NNRH

ESF 7: Mental Health NV Dept. of Health and Human Svcs

ESF 8: Hazardous Materials Elko County Fire Protection District

ESF 9 Energy Wells Rural Electric Cooperative

ESF 10: Public Safety and Security Elko County Sheriff’s Office

Basic roles and responsibilities of each ESF include, but are not limited to the following: ESF-1 Transportation: Coordinates the City level response, including state level response on state roads, to transportation infrastructure issues, mass transit, and the movement of commodities for disaster response. Coordinates City and civil transportation assistance for Wells, voluntary organizations and perform any emergency or disaster assistance missions. Assess damage to the transportation infrastructure, analyzes the effects on the City roads and monitors the accessibility of transportation capacity and implements traffic controls are required.



ESF-2 Telecommunications and Information Technology: Ensures the provision of City communications (data, telephone and radio) supports local response efforts. ESF-3 Public Works and Engineering: Provides technical advice and evaluation; engineering services, contracting for construction management and inspection; contracting for the emergency repair of water and wastewater treatment facilities, potable water, ice and emergency power; damage mitigation and recovery activities following a major disaster or emergency. ESF-4 Firefighting: Manages and coordinates firefighting activities, including the detection and suppression of fires in the city, and provides personnel, equipment and supplies in support of firefighting operations. ESF-5 Purchasing and Resource Support: Supports the County and EOC during the response phase of an emergency or disaster which includes obtaining emergency relief supplies, office space, equipment, supplies, telecommunications, contract services, transportation services, security services, and personnel required to support response activities. ESF-6 Public Health and Medical Services: Manages local resources for further response to public health and medical care needs during or following a major emergency or disaster. ESF-7 Mental Health and Developmental Services: Coordinates crisis counseling assistance to victims and first responders. This function usually extends well into the recovery phase following response. ESF-8 Hazardous Materials Response: Provides support in response to an actual or potential discharge and/or release of hazardous materials following a major emergency or disaster. ESF-9 Energy: Gathers, assesses and shares information on energy system damage and estimates the impact of energy system outages within the affected area. ESF-10 Public Safety and Security: Provides law enforcement support during an emergency or disaster. Coordinates with the FBI and City officials in the suspected or actual incidence of a terrorist attack. Coordinates with other local entities in the event of mass demonstrations, celebrations, civil unrest and other events where crowd control is necessary.

I. Federal Government Under the National Response Framework (NRF) and other federal emergency plans, the

federal government may provide assistance to a State upon the request of the Governor or

when primary federal jurisdiction is involved.

Federal assistance to supplement state and local government response efforts.

J. Volunteer and Private Sector Organizations: Volunteer and private sector

organizations provide assistance as outlined in their respective charters, bylaws, or

agreements with government agencies. Tasking is provided through the ESF’s that typically

have a vested or common interest in daily activities



The private sector represents a large percentage of the economic activity of Wells.

Considering and engaging the private sector in all stages of planning and implementation is

critical for a successful response by local government to emergencies, disasters or

catastrophic incidents. In addition, business is in the unique position of understanding the

impact during and after an incident to supply chains, and the massive re-leveraging of

resources and assets to recover, stabilize, and restore confidence in, and reconstitute parts

of the economy.

VII CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS

The objective of the City of Wells Emergency Operations Plan and Program is to protect public

health and safety and preserve public and private property.

A. General

1. It is the responsibility of City of Wells to protect public health and safety and preserve

property from the effects of all hazardous events. The City has the primary role in

identifying and mitigating hazards, preparing for responding to and managing the

recovery from emergency situations that affect the local communities.

2. It is impossible for government to do everything that is required to protect the lives and

property of the population. Local citizens have the responsibility to prepare themselves

and their families to cope with emergency situation and manage their affairs and

property in ways that will aid the government in managing emergencies. Wells will

assist their citizens in carrying out these responsibilities by providing public information

and instructions prior to and during emergency situation through the Emergency

Management Office.

3. Local government is responsible for organizing, training and equipping local emergency

responders and emergency management personnel, providing appropriate emergency

facilities, providing suitable warning and communications systems, and for contracting

for emergency services. The state and federal governments offer programs that

provide some assistance with portions of these responsibilities.

4. This plan is based on an all-hazard approach to emergency planning. It addresses

general functions that may need to be performed during any emergency situation.

5. Departments and agencies tasked in this plan are expected to develop and keep

current standard operating procedures that describe how emergency tasks will

be performed. Departments and agencies are charged with ensuring the

training and equipment necessary for an appropriate response are in place.

6. This plan is based upon the concept that emergency functions must be

performed by many departments or agencies generally parallel to some of the



normal day-to-day functions. To the extent possible, the same personnel and

material resources used for day-to-day activities will be employed during

emergency situations. Because personnel and equipment resources are limited,

some routine functions that do not contribute directly to the emergency may be

suspended for the duration of an emergency. The personnel, equipment and

supplies that would normally be required for those functions will be redirected to

accomplish emergency tasks.

B. Operational Guidance

The components of the NIMS will be incorporated into all operations, which will provide a

standardized framework that facilitates operations in all phases of emergency management.

Initial Response: Local emergency responders are likely to be the first on the scene of an

emergency. They will normally take charge and remain in charge of the incident until it is

resolved or others who have legal authority to do so assume responsibility.

1. Implementation of ICS:

a. The first local emergency responder to arrive at the scene of an emergency will

implement the incident command system and serve as the incident commander until

relieved by a senior responder or more qualified individual. The incident commander

will establish an incident command post (ICP) and provide an assessment of the

situation to local officials, identify response resources required, and direct the on-

scene response from the ICP.

2. Source and Use of Resources:

a. Wells will use its own resources, all of which meet the requirements for resource

management in accordance with the NIMS, to respond to emergency situations,

purchasing supplies and equipment if necessary, and requires assistance if local

resources are insufficient or inappropriate. Nevada Revised Statutes 414 provides

that We;;s may request assistance of the State Division of Emergency Management

when its resources are exceeded.

3. ICS – EOC Interface:

a. For major emergencies and disasters, the Emergency Operations Center (EOC)

will be activated and is located at the Wells City Hall, 525 Sixth St, Wells, NV

89835. When the EOC is activated, it is essential to establish a division of

responsibilities between the incident command post and the EOC. A general

division of responsibilities is outlined below. It is essential that a precise division

of responsibilities be determined for specific emergency operations.



4. Incident command is generally responsible for field operations, including:

a. Isolating the scene.

b. Directing and controlling the on-scene response to the emergency situation and

managing the emergency resources committed there.

c. Warning the population the area of the incident and providing emergency

instructions to them.

d. Determining and implementing protective measures (evacuation or sheltering-in-

place) for the population in the immediate area of the incident and for emergency

responders at the scene.

e. Implementing traffic control arrangements in and around the incident scene.

f. Requesting additional resources from the EOC.

5. The EOC is generally responsible for:

a. Providing resource support for the incident command operations.

b. Issuing community-wide warnings.

c. Issuing instructions and providing information to the public.

d. Organizing and implementing large-scale evacuation.

e. Organizing and implementing shelter and mass care arrangements for evacuees.

f. Coordinating traffic control for large-scale evacuations.

g. Requesting assistance from the State and other external sources.

6. In some large-scale emergencies or disasters, emergency operations with different

objectives may be conducted at geographically separated scenes. In such situation,

more than one incident command operation may be established. If this situation occurs,

a transition to an Area Command or a Unified Area Command is desirable, and the

allocation of resources to specific field operations will be coordinated through the EOC.

7. The Emergency Operations Center (EOC)

The Elko County EOC is organized by employing both principles of ICS and ESF into six

sections: Command, Operations, Plans, Logistics, Finance and Recovery. The ESFs are

organized primarily with the Operations Section with other function-specific ESFs aligned

within the other EOC Sections.

a. EOC Manager: is responsible for the overall operation of the EOC during

activation. May need to be occupied 24-hours per day.

b. Operations Section: is responsible for coordinating and directing resource

management and field activities in response to emergencies and recovery from

disasters. May need to be occupied 24-hours per day.

c. Planning Section: is responsible for collecting, analyzing, formatting, archiving

and distributing emergency/disaster information. The planning section keeps track of

resources and mission assignments, and documents the EOCT’s (EOC Team)

activities in a periodical Situation Report (SitRep). SitReps are typically produced



once per operational period. The planning section is responsible for the

development of an Incident Action Plan (IAP) for each operational period. The

planning section facilitates communications between affected jurisdictions. May need

to be occupied 24-hours per day.

d. Logistics Section: is responsible for acquiring, collecting and moving resources

to enhance response to and recovery from emergencies and disasters; establishing

and maintaining communications and data processing capabilities; and developing

and maintaining facilities required to support disaster operations. Logistics section

contracts, purchases goods and services necessary for city response to and

recovery from disasters and emergencies. May need to be occupied 24-hours per

day.

e. Finance/Administration Section: is responsible for processing invoices and

assuring prompt payment for goods and services necessary to support emergency

response and disaster recovery efforts. In addition, the finance section is

responsible for documenting all disaster-related costs and projecting city funding

requirements. May be occupied 14-hours per day.

8. Emergency Facilities

a. Incident Command Post: Except when an emergency situation threatens but has

not yet occurred, and those situations for which there is no specific hazard impact

site (such as a severe winter storm or area-wide utility outage), an incident

command post or commands posts will be stablished in the vicinity of the incident

site(s). The mobile command vehicle may also be deployed. As noted previously,

the incident commander will be responsible for directing the emergency response

and managing the resources at the incident scene.

b. Emergency Operating Center. When major emergencies and disasters have

occurred or appear imminent, the EOC will be activated, which is located at the

Elko County Sheriff’s office, 775 West Silver Street, Elko, NV 89801. EOC staffing

and internal operations will be in accordance with the Elko County EOP.

C. State, Federal and Other Assistance

1. If local resources are inadequate to deal with an emergency situation, the Emergency

Manager may request assistance from the Nevada Division of Emergency Management

(NDEM). State assistance furnished to local governments is intended to supplement

local resources and not substitute for such resources, including mutual aid resources,

equipment purchases or leases, or resources covered by emergency service contracts.

c. Requests for state assistance should be made to the Nevada Division of

Emergency Management through the Duty Officer, located at the NDEM State



Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) at 2478 Fairview Drive in Carson City,

Primary 775.687.0498, (Secondary) 775.687.0400

D. Monitoring, Detection, Alert and Warning

1. Weather and Flooding

a. The National Weather Service (NWS) is a component of the National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and exists to provide weather, water and climate

data, forecasts and warnings for the protection of life and property and enhancement

of the national economy. The NWS maintains an office in Elko, Nevada. This office

collects and disseminates climate and weather-related information to stakeholders

and the public.

2. Wildland Fire

a. The Nevada Division of Forestry (NDF) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

perform an annual update to the County Commission regarding the likely-hood of fires

in Elko County. They provide intelligence related to current fire activity, fire danger,

seven-day fire potential, red flag warnings and fire weather alerts.

3. Seismological

a. The Nevada Seismological Laboratory performs instrumental studies of earthquakes

in the Nevada region. The laboratory operates a statewide network of seismographic

stations and investigates the sizes, frequencies of occurrence, and distribution of

earthquakes in the region. The Nevada Seismological Laboratory disseminates

seismic information to stakeholders and the public

4. Alerts and Warning

a. Alters and Warnings are primarily the responsibility of the Elko County and the

Central Dispatch Authority.

5. Communications Systems and Interoperability

E. Declaration Process

1. The City initiates the declaration process when it is evident that its resources have been or

are anticipated to be depleted. The highest elected local official requesting state

assistance may then make a petition to the state. The state will support the local

government with its resources until such time that it is evident its resources have been or

are anticipated to be depleted also. If the decision to make a declaration is made by the

Governor or Legislature, the state will petition the President of the United States for

assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency Regional Director. The



Federal Government may then support the State with its resource until resolution and

recovery are achieved.

a. Nevada statutes provide local government, principally the chief elected official,

with a number of powers to control emergencies. If necessary, these powers will

be used during emergencies. These powers include:

i. Suspending procedural laws and rules to facilitate a timely response.

ii. Using all available resources of government and commandeering private

property, subject to compensation, to cope with the disaster.

iii. Restricting the movement of people and occupancy of premises.

iv. Prohibiting the sale or transportation of certain substances.

v. Implementing price controls.

vi. All other actions deemed necessary for providing effective response.

2. A local disaster declaration activates the recovery and rehabilitation aspects of this plan.

A local disaster declaration may obtain state and federal disaster recovery assistance.

to the State for assistance can be made individual or in cooperation with the County.

Documents

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN - Wells · 2020-03-18 · City of Wells Emergency Operations Plan December 2019 4 BASIC PLAN a result of an emergency. This allows for the scalable operation