Responsibilities

 

The Lake County Office of Emergency Management has worked diligently to address the mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery needs and systems of Lake County, Colorado over the past two years. Many of the projects undertaken by the Emergency Manager have been focused on addressing shortcomings and neglect of training, exercising, systems, and equipment necessary to the minimal functioning of a disaster response capability. Now, more than ever, the mission of the LCOEM is at the forefront of all initiatives and systems development to address the needs and concerns of Lake County’s ability to handle a disaster in our community.

 

The Strategic Plan is divided into the four sections addressing the action to date, needs and concerns of mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery to a disaster in Lake County, Colorado as of October 2005.

To this end I submit for your approval this LCOEM Strategic Plan.

 

 

Respectfully,

 

 

 

 

Jeffrey M. Foley

Lake County Emergency Manager

Lake County Office of Emergency Management

 

 

            The LCOEM had a very productive year. Many of the projects in 2005 focused on the implementation of the priorities identified in 2004. 

 

Activations:

 

 

Exercises:

 

1.   The LCOEM hosted the Bureau of Reclamation on December 8^th, 2005 to       perform a table top exercise designed to explore the recent Emergency Action    Plan received by Lake County specifically addressing dam failures and             emergency situations in Lake County.

 

Major Projects/Accomplishments:

 

 

1. Conduct County vulnerability analysis by emergency situation type.

 

            Hazards Identification and Vulnerability Analysis (HIVA)

            To date we have performed 3 different analyses:

 

Ø      The Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan by the UAACOG

Ø      2003 Target Assessment for the ODP

Ø      An informal gathering of Tier III Reports and local EAP’s.

 

            Goal: Attached is the outline for the LCEOP re-write which includes a formal  HIVA  currently being worked on by the LCOEM. GIS capability within Lake     County will greatly increase the ability to generate a strong and useful HIVA.

 

2. Prepare and/or implement detailed mitigation studies that identify operation procedures to alleviate negative impacts of emergency situations.

 

            Detailed mitigation studies are not currently being performed in Lake County.  We do receive mitigation money each year from the UAACOG, but the LCOEM   is not involved with the dissemination of this money.

 

3. Prepare and/or ensure the adequacy of county hazard assessment by location and type; review and update as required.

 

            Hazards Identification and Vulnerability Analysis (HIVA)

            To date we have performed 3 different analyses:

 

Ø      The Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan by the UAACOG

Ø      2003 Target Assessment for the ODP

Ø      An informal gathering of Tier III Reports and local EAP’s.

 

            Attached is the outline for the LCEOP Re-Write which includes a formal HIVA currently being worked on by the LCOEM. GIS capability within Lake County     will greatly increase the ability to generate a strong and useful HIVA.

 

4. Develop mitigation strategies

 

            Minimal mitigation strategies have been developed for Lake County.

 

            The LLCFR has worked diligently on developing a wildfire mitigation plan.

           

            Goal: Identify which agencies / departments will spearhead mitigation strategies for specific hazards. 

 

 

            Lead per Hazard Type:

 

1.      Earthquake

2.      Winter Storm

3.      Hazardous Materials (Transportation)

      Hazardous Materials (Fixed Facilities)

4.      Flooding

5.      Terrorism

6.      Landslide / Subsidence

7.      Windstorm / Microburst / Tornado

8.      Drought

9.      Civil Disorder

10. Dam Failure

11. Transportation

12. Power Failure

13. Fire (Structural)

14. Wildfire

 

5. Develop mitigation alternatives: prevent creation of hazards, change nature and size of hazard, separate hazard from surrounding community, modify the basic characteristics of the hazard.

 

            Minimal mitigation alternatives have been developed for Lake County.

           

            Goal: Identify which agencies / departments will spearhead mitigation alternatives for specific hazards. Lead: ___________________________________________

 

6. Have a system in place to identify new hazards.

 

            The LCOEM had a gentleman’s agreement with the former Director of Community Services. Currently there is no formal system in place to involve the      LCOEM in the identification of new hazards.

 

            Goal: Identify who is the main point of contact in Lake County for the  identification of new hazards. Lead:____________________________________

 

7. GIS: map and categorize hazards.

 

            Lake County is a partner in the South Central Homeland Security Regions GIS development program. As of December 15, 2005 the El Paso County’s legal team     was negotiating with the State of Colorado’s GIS department on the nomenclature    in the 2005 SHSG Award Agreement. Once the Agreement is ratified, the region will move forward with the GIS program.

 

            Goal: Lake County will have an integrated GIS system available to all emergency response agencies and departments by December 2006.

 

8. Identify and address: potential economic loss, potential human loss, needs of special populations, codes and ordinances, structural measures, financial measures, information, land use planning and mapping, inspections. 

 

            This goal is beyond the scope of the current structure of the LCOEM.

 

9. Review laws that address these concerns: building and zoning codes, plumbing and electrical codes, public health ordinances, fire and life safety codes, hazardous materials regulations, dam inspection regulations, traffic codes, mine safety and zoning.

 

            This goal is beyond the scope of the current structure of the LCOEM.

 

 

 

1. Coordinate and/or prepare plans for all operational emergency support functions for the Lake County Emergency Operations Plan; develop, organize, and administer the plan review program; review and reconcile differences of opinion regarding adequacy of the LCEOP and agency SOP’s. Assist individual agencies in the development of their standard operating procedures as they pertain to the LCEOP.

 

Emergency Support Functions – the following ESF’s were identified in 2005 as the critical supporting structure necessary for incidents in Lake County. 

 

Goal: The current re-write of the LCEOP will integrate these ESF’s into the structure and response to disasters in Lake County, Colorado.

 

ESF 1: Transportation

1-1             Evacuation

1-2             Emergency Transportation Corridors

1-3             Disaster Aviation

ESF 2: Communications

2-1             Emergency Information & Warning

2-2             EAS Plan

2-3             Amateur Radio Plan

ESF 3: Public Works and Engineering

3-1             Damage Assessment

3-2             Debris Removal

ESF 4: Fire Fighting

ESF 5: Emergency Management          

ESF 6: Mass Care, Housing, and Human Services

6-1             Shelter

6-2             Food & Potable Water

ESF 7: Resource Support

            7-1       Donations Management

ESF 8: Public Health and Human Services

8-1             Emergency Medical Services

8-2             SURGE Capacity

8-3             Mental Health

8-4             Disaster Mortuary

ESF 9: Urban Search and Rescue / Wilderness Search and Rescue

9-1             LCSAR Plan

9-2             USAR Plan

ESF 10: Oil and Hazardous Material Response

ESF 11: Agriculture and Natural Resources

            11-1     Local Animal Response Team

ESF 12: Utilities

12-1         Water Services

12-2         Sewage & Surface Water

12-3         Electricity

12-4         Telephone

12-5         Natural Gas & Fuels

12-6         Internet

 

ESF 13: Law Enforcement: Public Safety and Security

13-1         Law Enforcement

13-2         Corrections

13-3         Judicial Services

ESF 14: Long-Term Community Recovery and Mitigation

ESF 15: External Affairs

 

 2. Prepare reports, procedures, and documentation (memorandums of understanding, mutual aid agreements, intergovernmental agreements, and interagency agreements) that support county emergency management functions.

 

            Lake County has the following signed IGA’s / MOU’s:

 

1.      Intergovernmental Agreement for Emergency Management (12/17/2003).

2.      Intergovernmental Agreement for Homeland Security Funding (04/26/2005).

3.      Master Contract with the Colorado Office of Preparedness, Security, and Fire Safety (OPSFS).

4.      Intergovernmental Agreement By and Between the City of Leadville and the Board of County Commissioners of Lake County, Colorado (Undated)

5.      Auto-Aid Dispatch Procedures with Chaffee County (09/22/2004).

6.      Memorandum of Understanding for Mutual Aid Response to Emergencies, Including Hazardous Materials and Weapons of Mass Destruction Incidents Within the South Central Region (10/06/2004)

7.      I understand we have a mutual aid agreement with Summit County (Undated) but the LCOEM does not have a copy. We met this year to renegotiate an agreement with Eagle, Summit, Clear Creek, and Grand Counties. 

 

            Goal: Establish a fully integrated South Central Region Emergency Response     Plan with all indicated MOU’s and IGA’s signed and implemented.

 

3. Research, collect information, attends the Governor’s Conference on Emergency Management to assist state and local decision makers in emergency operations decision making.

 

            I attended the Governor’s Conference on Emergency Management in    Breckenridge, Colorado this year. I shared pertinent information with agency and    department heads.

 

            Goal: Attend 2006 Governor’s Conference on Emergency Management.

 

4. Research, monitor and explain policy regulations and operating procedures as required.

 

            I have met with individual agencies and departments to help clarify specific roles and SOP’s. 

 

            Goal: If questions arise pertaining to any county-wide SOP’s or MOU’s please direct the inquiry to the Emergency Manager.

 

5. Coordinate with media, businesses and public agencies to develop public information and educational programs.

 

            In 2005 the LCOEM wrote articles to the local newspapers explaining what Lake County has done to prepare and plan for a disaster. The LCOEM provided Emergency Management Public Information Meeting on September 22^nd, 2005.  Three people attended. The LCOEM began airing a preparedness slide show on Channel 10 in September of 2005. 

 

            In October of 2005 the LCESC voted to create a sub-committee of the council to serve as the Lake County Citizen Corps Council. This Council is recognized by the Department of Homeland Security and the State of Colorado. This Council  allows us to create a Citizens Emergency Response Team training program in  Lake County. This group has met 4 times in 2005 and has its first training in January 2006. CERT’s help create a first line of response by educating citizens on how to prepare for and respond to local disasters. The CERT program is based  out of the Lake County Emergency Services building at 700 East 10^th Street.

 

            Goal: Increase the number of CERT trained responders in Lake County to 50 in 2006.

6. Plan for and/or coordinate the maintenance of the county Emergency Operations Center facilities and equipment to ensure continuous readiness for immediate activation when needed.

 

            The EOC was activated once in 2005. We have minimal equipment for a simple activation.

 

            Goal: In 2006 the LCOEM will develop an EOC activation plan and pursue 2006 SHSG monies to help develop a functional and secure EOC.

 

            2006+ The EOC will be integrated in any future planning for any relocation of  the Lake County Emergency Communications Center and Lake County SO.

 

7. Conduct research, and develop training, in response to county needs.

           

            Goal: To conduct one table top and one full-scale exercise in 2006 addressing communications and operational developmental needs of all Lake County emergency response agencies.

 

8. Plan and/or ensure that all training programs are in compliance with state and federal regulations.

 

            Goal: Work with the SCR to ensure trainings are in full compliance with all state and federal regulations.

 

 

1. Alert and notification

 

            a. Organization of general public and emergency response personnel

 

                        2005 – Major steps were taken towards NIMS compliance. See NIMS compliance document available soon from the LCESC.

 

                        Goal: All incidents and exercises in Lake County will operate under the NIMS / ICS model in full compliance with Federal direction.

 

            b. Insure adequate function and interoperability of public safety communications

 

                        2005 – Please see Lake County Communications Plan and Lake County Communications Update.

           

                        Goal: In 2006 the Communications Committee of the LCESC will meet monthly (2^nd Monday of each month @ 10 am @ Station 1). The                                         Committee will work to complete part A, D, E, and F of the Plan. The 2006 SHSG will address part B.

 

                        2006+ Goal: See Lake County Emergency Communications Plan parts B, C, H, and I.

 

            c. Insure adequate functionality of public emergency alert system

 

                        2005 – The LCOEM is currently in the process of obtaining a FM radio  licensed frequency.

 

                        2006 – The LCOEM will strive to complete part D, E, and F of the Lake County Emergency Communications Plan.

 

                        2006+ Goal: Work with the CDEM to establish a working EAS in Lake County.

 

            d. Media notification and direction

                       

                        2005 – The LCESC Public Information Officer Committee has developed a PIO response team.

 

                        Goal: In 2006 integrate a JIC into an exercise to activate the PIO response team.

 

2. Warning

 

            a. Insure adequate functionality of public emergency warning system.

 

                        2006 – The LCOEM will strive to complete part D, E, and F of the Lake County Emergency Communications Plan.

 

            b. Alert Public

 

                        2006 – The LCOEM will strive to complete part D, E, and F of the Lake County Emergency Communications Plan.

            c. Alert media

           

3. Protecting citizens and property

 

            a. Security, fire protection, emergency medical care, search and rescue, evacuation from the disaster area, and sheltering.

            b. Manage volunteers.

 

4. Providing for the public welfare

 

            a. Caring for public during, and immediately after, the emergency.

            b. Assess the damage

 

5. Restoration

 

            a. Repair essential services: restoring utility services, clearing or repairing roads, removing debris from the disaster scene, and shoring up weakened structures.

 

            Currently, all agencies in Lake County are participating in the development of the Lake County Resource List. Thus far Lake County Search and Rescue is the only agency to complete this list.

 

 

At this point we have a recovery plan in our EOP. 

 

Goal: In 2006 train with CERT and department / agency heads on carrying out the recovery plan.

 

            a. Restore vital life support systems to minimum operating conditions.

 

            b. Institute protective measures against further damage or injury

 

            c. Restore interrupted utility services, reestablishes transportation routes, shores up or demolishes severely damaged buildings.

 

            d. Provide food and shelter for those displaced by the disaster.

 

            e. Document the disaster.

 

            f. Request Recovery Assistance from local, state, and federal government.