MODULE 3.

MANAGING

EMERGENCY RESPONSE

Dick Evans

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Understand the process for responding to an emergency situation

• Understand how to do a rapid damage assessment

• Understand the importance of emergency documentation

WHAT’S A DISASTER

• POTHOLE

• FIRE OR EXPLOSION

• BUILDING COLLAPSE

• SEWER MAIN BREAK

• EARTHQUAKE

• FLOOD

• TORNADO

WHO’S IN CHARGE?

• PUBLIC WORKS

• FIRE AND/OR POLICE

• BUILDING DEPARTMENT

• SEWER DEPARTMENT

• EMERGENCY MANAGER

• COAST GUARD

• SEARCH AND RESCUE

CHANGING ROLES

• BUILDING COLLAPSE– 1ST - FIRE FOR SEARCH AND RESCUE– 2ND - BUILDING DEPT FOR STRUCTURE

INSPECTION AND SAFETY– 3RD - RED CROSS OR SOCIAL SERVICES

FOR RELOCATION OF TENANTS

IS THERE A SYSTEM

• ICS

• NIMS

• SUPPORTED BY:– COMMUNICATION– COOPERATION– COORDINATION

WHAT IS THE PROCESS

• SIZE UP THE SCENE OR INCIDENT AND COMMUNICATE WHAT YOU SEE

• ESTABLISH A COMMAND POST

• CONTROL THE SCENE

• RAPID DAMAGE ASSESSMENT

• ESTABLISH A PERIMETER

BENEFITS

• REASONABLE SPAN OF CONTROL

• AVOIDS DUPLICATION OF EFFORT

• COORDINATES USE OF RESOURCES

• COMMUNICATES UP AND DOWN

• DEVELOPS ACCOUNTABILITY BY DOCUMENTING ALL ACTIVITIES

• PROMOTES ON-SCENE SAFETY AND SECURITY

BENEFITS (cont.)

• ALLOWS TEAM TO GROW OR SHRINK AS NEED DICTATES

• SHOULD FACILITATE GOOD FLOW OF INFORMATION TO THE PRESS

• CONTROLS VOLUNTEERS

• HELPS CONTROL HOTDOGGING

• RUMOR CONTROL

RAPID DAMAGE ASSESSMENT

• WHY– WHAT IS THE SIZE OF THE EVENT?– DO WE NEED ADDITIONAL RESOURCES?– CAN WE GET OUTSIDE HELP?

RAPID DAMAGE ASSESSMENT

• WHO DOES IT DEPENDS ON THE EVENT. COULD BE:– ON SCENE COMMANDER– FIRE, POLICE, PUBLIC WORKS, RED

CROSS OR ANY COMBINATION.

• REMEMBER THE PURPOSE. IT NEEDS TO BE WELL ORGANIZED.

PRELIMINARY DAMAGE ASSESSMENT

• BEGINS IMMEDIATELY AND MORE DETAILED

• DEVELOPS $ FIGURES

• IMPORTANT TO SUPPORT REQUEST FOR DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY

FINAL DAMAGE ASSESSMENT

• VERY DETAILED EVALUATION OF WHAT HAS HAPPENED AND WILL SUPPORT BOTH DECLARATION AND THE NEED FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE FOR BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE FACILITIES

DEBRIS MANAGEMENT

• PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST CRITICAL ISSUES FACING YOU

• WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO PUT IT?

• TWO PHASES - VERY DIFFERENT AND NEED TIGHT CONTROLS– STREET CLEARANCE - REIMBURSABLE– DEBRIS REMOVAL - USE CONTRACTORS

ONGOING SERVICES

• NORMAL OR ROUTINE SERVICES SUCH AS GARBAGE COLLECTION, STREET CLEANING AND OTHERS SHOULD CONTINUE IF AT ALL POSSIBLE

• SHOWS CONTINUITY OF GOVERNMENT• MANAGE SEPARATELY FROM RESPONSE

DOCUMENTATION

• Documentation of everything thing you do is the key to your City’s recovery from any disaster. How you keep track of personnel (including volunteers), supplies and equipment will make or break you.

• Before and after data on public facilities and structures are essential.