HomeMy WebLinkAbout9/28/2005 - STAFF REPORTS (2) MEMORANDUM
DATE: September 28, 2005
TO: City Council
FROM: Fire Chief
SUBJECT: City of Palm Springs Emergency Plan
REPORT IN BRIEF:
An Emergency Operations Plan is required for local government in California. The
guidelines for the plan come from the United States Department of Homeland
Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and from the State Office of
Emergency Services. The purpose of the Emergency Plan is to provide a legal
framework for the management of emergencies and to provide guidance for the City's
Emergency Management Organization.
Palm Springs Municipal Code Section 2.20 provides for the development, approval and
adoption of the Emergency Plan. The City Manager, as Director of Emergency
Services, is responsible for the development of the City's Emergency Plan. The City
Council approves the Emergency Plan by Council Resolution.
The current City of Palm Springs Emergency Plan was adopted by the City Council in
2003. The Emergency Plan complies with the Standardized Emergency Management
System (SEMS) as required by Government Code 8607(a),
BACKGROUND:
Government Code Sections 8568 and 8607 requires that, in order to obtain funding for
our response-related costs, the City must develop an Emergency Plan that provides for
the effective mobilization of all resources of the City, both public and private, to meet
any condition constituting a Local Emergency, State of Emergency, or State of War
Emergency.
Generally, emergencies/disasters are managed at the local level. However, assistance
is often needed from other jurisdictions and agencies. To successfully manage a large
scale emergency, coordination among the emergency responders is essential. Laws
passed after the Oakland Hills Fires required local agencies to use the Standardized
Emergency Management System pursuant to Government Code 8607 and coordinate
multiple jurisdiction or multiple agency operations in order to be eligible for any
esponse-related funding. In 1996 the City adopted the Standardized Emergency
(Management System to improve inter-agency coordination and comply with the law.
in February 2003, the President issued a Homeland Security Presidential Directive-5,
which directed the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop and administer the
National Incident Management System. This system provides for a consistent
Item No. I .A.
nationwide approach for Federal, State, and local governments to work effectively in
preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disastrous events regardless of
cause, size, or complexity. The existing Emergency Operations Plan will be reviewed to
include specific requirements identified in the National Incident Management System
when the State OES provides local jurisdictions with guidance.
EXISTING POLICY:
The Palm Springs Municipal Code (2.20.080) directs the City Manager (in the role of
Director of Emergency Services) to develop the City Emergency Plan. The Emergency
Plan is written and maintained by the City Emergency Services Coordinator who works
for the Fire Chief.
Government Code 8568 mandates the a "State Emergency Plan be in effect in each
political subdivision of the state, and the governing body of each political subdivision
shall take such action as may be necessary to carry out the provisions thereof."
DISCUSSION:
An Emergency Plan is essential in order to provide direction to staff during significant
disaster incidents. The City of Palm Springs's Emergency Plan is the official document
which describes the responsibilities of the City and the processes to carry out these
emergency operations: the direction and control within the agency, continuity of
government, specific emergency authorities that staff may assume, internal emergency
notifications, emergency management organization, staffing, emergency operations
center functions, and cleanup and recovery operations.
The City Council provides direction to the City Manager on policy issues prior to an
emergency. The Council also recommends adoption of agreements, ordinances, rules
or regulations necessary to implement the Emergency Plan. During a local disaster, the
City Council can provide policy direction to the Director of Emergency Services on
:specific issues as appropriate.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Palm Springs currently participates in the following funding programs: the State
Homeland Security Program, Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program, Citizen
Corps Program, and Emergency Management Performance Grants. The City must
have an approved Emergency Plan that complies with State and Federal standards as a
prerequisite for the receipt of grant funds from the State or Federal governments.
City of Palm Springs
Fire Department
Elected Official Disaster Planning
Recommended Disaster Response Kit
Supplies
City map
Hand held tape recorder and batteries
Lined notebook
Spare pens or pencils
Your City identification card
Contact Lists
Peers (Listing of names, home, office and cell phone numbers)
City Officials
Advisors
Experts
Your family
Your prearranged out of state contact
ClothinE
Seasonal outerwear
Appropriate attire for interviews by the media other public contacts
Change of clothing
Sturdy shoes
Miscellaneous Items
Prescription medications
Pain reliever such as aspirin
Breath freshener
Tooth brush and tooth paste
Comb/brush
Have cash on hand (small bills and change)
Personal hygiene supplies
Extra pair of glasses
Battery powered radio
Elected Official Disaster Planning
Elected Official Disaster Action Plan
Immediate Actions
Ensure the personal safety of yourself and your family
Check and secure your residence (if you are at home)
Notify your out of state contact of your status
Governmental Actions Durine Response Phase
Contact the City EOC and provide your personal status report
Provide the EOC with your 24 hour contact information
Obtain briefing from the Director of Emergency Services
Meet as a council to proclaim the existence of a Local Emergency(if needed)
Remain available to provide policy direction to the Director of Emergency Services
Coordinate press conferences/interviews with the PIO and Director of Emergency
Services
Utilize the City Council and Mayor's office as a base of operation
Governmental Actions Durine Recovery Phase
Meet with other elected officials
Lobby for support from State and Federal officials
All Council members should be prepared to attend disaster tours and
significant events with visiting dignitaries
Take proactive measures to reassure the citizens that recovery efforts are
proceeding
Remain available to provide any support necessary for expedient recovery