ALEXANDER COUNTY EMERGENCY PLAN
 Reviewed: Aug. 8, 2013
Plan rewrite in progress

 

I. PURPOSE
 
  This plan predetermines roles, responsibilities and actions that should be taken by government agencies and private organizations in Alexander County to reduce the vulnerabilities of people and property to disaster and establish capabilities to respond effectively to the actual occurrence of a disaster.

    
II.         SITUATION AND ASSUMPTIONS

 

A.      Situation

 

1.     General description:
     

Alexander County is located in the North Carolina Emergency Management Western Region and FEMA Region IV. It's geographic location is the western section of the State. It is bound on the East by Iredell County, on the South by Catawba County, on the North by Wilkes County and on the West by Caldwell County. The current population of the County (including Taylorsville) is estimated at *34,867 (2002). During the summer season the population of the county increases to approximately 38,000 persons. Total square miles is 263.49. Population density is  *134 persons per square mile. (*Source NC Department of Commerce EDIS)


 
  a.   The following services, which may have expanded duties during disasters, are provided by Alexander County:
    . Administration
    . Animal Control
    . Communications
    . Education
    . Emergency Management
    . Emergency Medical Services
    . Fire Departments
    . Fire Marshal
    . Health Department
    . Law Enforcement
    . Mental Health
    . Social Services
    . Solid Waste Operations
    . Volunteer Rescue Squads
 
  b.   The following municipality provide services that may be expanded during a disaster or their duties may be directly impacted by the hazard:
 
      Town of Taylorsville - Law Enforcement, Sanitation, Sewer, Fire protection (Central Alexander/Taylorsville Fire Department is a volunteer department) and Public Works.
 
2.     The major traffic arteries are:
      Highways (US 64, NC 90) East/West
      Highways (NC 16, NC 127) North/South
 
3.     Freight Rail Service is provided by Alexander Railroad Company.
 
4.     Gas Lines are:
      PSNC and Piedmont Natural Gas serves the Town of Taylorsville and many rural residents throughout the county.
 
5.     The County contains the following airport:
      Taylorsville Airport, 196 Airport Road, Taylorsville, NC. The airport provides only private (general) aviation services. One runway (grass strip) is available which is approximately 2200 feet in length and approximately 80 feet wide. No cargo service is available, however in the event of a disaster, helicopters and smaller fixed wings may be used for transportation of cargo.
 
6.     The County is exposed to many hazards, all of which have the potential to disrupt the community, cause damage, and create casualties. The County has experienced many hazards, all of which have, at some particular time, caused disruption to communities, great amounts of damage and in some cases even created casualties. Potential hazards and historical hazards (natural, technological and national security) for Alexander County are:
    . Drought
    . Earthquake
    . Fixed Nuclear Facility (50 mile IPZ)
    . Floods
    . Forest Fires
    . Hazardous Materials
    . Hurricanes (Latent Effects)
    . Mass Casualty
    . Power Failure
    . Severe Thunderstorms
    . Terrorist activity (including other, unknown or biological)
    . Tornados
    . Winter Storms

 

B.        Assumptions

 
 

1. The occurrence of any one or more of the disaster events previously listed could impact Alexander County severely and include several of the following possibilities:
  . Loss of electric power
  . Failure of the water distribution system
  . Severance of road/highway network
  . Evacuation of people from the county
  . Necessity for mass care (shelter) and feeding operations
  . Need for debris clearance and removal
  . Multiple injuries and fatalities
  . Drastic increase in media attention
  . Damage to the communications and telephone networks
  . Economic impact
  . Increased number of vermin
  . Need for official public information and rumor control
  . Need for State and/or Federal assistance
  . Re-entry of essential personnel and equipment
  . Re-entry of the public
  . Damage to vital records
  . Need for damage assessment
  . Need for auxiliary power
  . Need for coordination of donated goods
  . Contamination of private wells
  . Need for law enforcement support
  . Need for emergency medical and rescue support
  . Need for fire protection support
  . Need for additional hospital / medical support
  . Over taxing local resources
  . Depth of staffing problems
  . Loss of facilities vital to maintaining essential services
  . Environmental impact to wildlife, natural resources and agricultural
  . Management of reconstruction
  . Coordination of staged resources
  . Isolation of populations
  . Presidential Disaster Declaration
 
2. The occurrence of one or more than one of the previously listed hazards could result in a true catastrophic disaster situation which would grossly overwhelm local and state resources.
 
3. It is necessary for the County to plan for and to carry out disaster response and short‑term recovery operations utilizing local resources, however, it is likely that outside assistance would be needed and available in most major disaster situations affecting the County.
 
4. Officials of Alexander County are aware of the possible occurrence of an emergency or major disaster and their responsibilities in the execution of this plan and will fill these responsibilities as needed.

 

III.        CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS

 

A. As required by General Statutes 166A-2, it is the responsibility of County government to organize and plan for the protection of life and property from the effects of an emergency and/or disaster.
 
B. Alexander County utilizes the four phases of Comprehensive Emergency Management in designing and implementing the emergency services program. These phases are: 
   
  1. Mitigation - Through the planning and building inspection programs the county and municipal governments use codes and standards to prevent industry from impacting on residential areas and prevent sub-standard building construction. Education of the public about potential disaster effects also prevents injury and death from disasters. Public participation in preparedness exercises can also prevent injury and death from disasters. The County has developed a Comprehensive Hazard Mitigation Plan that meets or exceeds all federal and state standards and requirements.

Hazard Mitigation goals and objectives, as well as action plans for implementing those goals and objectives are included in the comprehensive Hazard Mitigation Plan. Development of this plan began May 1, 2003 and must be reviewed and updated every five years, in accordance with federal regulations for local hazard mitigation plans (44CFR 201.6). The plan meets the standards set forth by the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 and will be approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
 
  2. Preparedness - Through disaster planning and recognition of hazards likely to affect the area, the county and municipal agencies prepare for potential disasters. County agencies are offered training in preparation for a disaster and each department is responsible for ensuring their responders have adequate training to carry out assigned functions. Many other programs are offered to the residents of Alexander County to help them also be prepared, such as printed materials and public education programs. Members of the public are kept informed and urged to prepare for disaster by local media and Alexander County Emergency Management.

Additionally:
  • Potential hazards and risks have been and will continue to be identified.
  • Vulnerabilities and capabilities have been and will continue to be assessed.
  • An Emergency Operations Plan has been and will continue being developed and maintained.
  • Standard Operating Guidelines have been and will continue to be developed by all responsible parties identified in the Emergency Operations Plan.
  • Vital facilities and available resources have been and will continue to be identified and inventoried on a regular basis.
  • Mutual aid agreements, memorandums of understanding, etc. have been and will continue to be developed.
  • Planning has been and will continue to be coordinated with other jurisdictions.
  • Training has been and will continue to be made available to emergency responders.
  • Exercises have been and will continue to be conducted and critiques will follow each exercise.
  • Public education and current public information has been and will continue to be offered.
  • Potential threats will be monitored and evaluated.
     
  3. Response - When a disaster occurs the county and municipal agencies respond either as direct assistance to the disaster area or as a support agency to the first responders on-scene. The response agencies will act within their scope of training and will call upon outside resources as needed to mitigate further damages. Additional resources are coordinated by the Alexander County Emergency Operations Center.

Additionally:

  • The Emergency Operations Plan will be implemented on an appropriate scale.
  • Affected parties, groups, and agencies will be alerted and notified.
  • Response forces will be deployed.
  • Direction and Control will be established.
  • Lifesaving activities will occur, including rescue, fire suppression, emergency medical measures, and isolation of hazardous areas.
  • Law enforcement and emergency security will be implemented.
  • Evacuation and sheltering is likely to occur.
  • The initial impact of the emergency/disaster will be assessed by field forces.
  • A State of Emergency will be proclaimed if applicable.
  • Emergency ordinances will be implemented and enforced.
  • Resource allocation will occur.
  • Mutual aid will be activated.
  • Coordination with adjoining jurisdictions will take place.
  • Pertinent public information will be released through media outlets.
     
  4. Recovery - After the immediate short term emergency needs of an area are controlled, the county and municipal governments begin a recovery process that may take several days to many months or years. Response agencies will determine what impacts have been made on the community and what will need to be done to put the community back to pre-disaster conditions. Many times this effort will overwhelm the jurisdiction and assistance from State and Federal Government will be needed.

Additionally:

In All Emergencies/Disasters:

  • Debris removal operations will be conducted as warranted.
  • Damage assessment will occur as warranted.
  • Essential services will be restored if necessary.
  • Restoration of critical facilities will take place as necessary.
  • Public information will be released pertinent to recovery assistance, if applicable.
  • Emergency housing will be secured for victims as necessary.
  • Resources arriving from other areas will be staged and deployed as warranted.
  • The management and distribution of donated goods will be implemented as warranted.
  • Reconstruction of damaged property will be undertaken if necessary.
  • Unmet needs will be addressed by an Unmet Needs Committee.
  • Temporary shelters will be closed.
  • If declared, the State of Emergency will be terminated.

In Presidential-Declared Emergencies/Disasters:

  • Any emergency/disaster with potential for a Presidential Declaration will include most of the activities listed above.
  • The Governor will request a Declaration of Emergency/Disaster from the President.
  • Depending on the type of Declaration, multiple categories of Federal Assistance will become available.
  • A Disaster Field Office will be opened in North Carolina to manage Federal assistance provided under a full-scale Declaration.
  • One or more Disaster Assistance Centers will be opened in the affected area.
     
C. Alexander County provides many emergency services to the citizens of the county on a daily basis. Some of the services overlap into town government jurisdictions. While the Town of Taylorsville provides many services to it's citizens, they also depend on Alexander County for services such as emergency medical, social services, health, sheltering of evacuees, and emergency management.
 
D. The Town of Taylorsville will maintain their own operations in the event of an disaster. However, if their resources prove to be inadequate during emergency operations, requests for county resources will need to be made to keep the town governments normal operations functional. 
 
E. As requests for resources become overwhelming, the County will coordinate, as appropriate, with adjoining counties for additional available resources while also working with North Carolina Emergency Management to utilize state resources when county capabilities become exhausted.
 
F. When needed, the Alexander County Commissioners can declare a "166A-8, to assist the local emergency response agencies in carrying out their duties and for the protection of the citizens and property within the disaster area. The Town of Taylorsville can independently declare a "State of Emergency"  in the event of a disaster or, by resolution, can sign off on a County "State of Emergency" if one is declared. 
 
G. When a disaster overwhelms the capability of state and local governments, resources of federal departments and agencies may be needed.
 
H. Local governments will use their normal channel for requesting assistance and/or resources to the State Emergency Operations Center. Generally, all requests for state and federal resources must come from Alexander County Emergency Management. If state resources have been exhausted, the State will arrange to provide the needed resources using the Emergency Support Functions as described in the Federal Response Plan. Alexander County and the Town of Taylorsville are also signature agencies of the "Statewide Mutual Aid Agreement."
 
I. The Federal Response Plan establishes the basis for fulfilling the Federal government's role in providing response and recovery assistance to a State and its affected local governments impacted by a significant disaster of any kind which results in a required Federal response.
 
J. Under the Federal Response Plan, departments and agencies having various authorities and resources have been assigned primary and support agency responsibilities for various Emergency Support Functions. These Emergency Support Functions will work in concert with State agencies to provide the needed resource(s). Federal resources would then be moved to the county to carry out assigned missions in coordination with state and local emergency management.
 
K. Under the provisions of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, a Federal Coordinating Officer will be appointed as the President's representative to coordinate overall delivery of Federal assistance. Federal departments and agencies have been assigned missions to provide assistance directly to the State, under the overall direction of the Federal Coordinating Officer. The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, also known as the 2000 Stafford Act Amendments, are important changes in the ways in which the Federal government will provide assistance.

 

IV.        ORGANIZATION AND ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES

 

A. Organization:

Most of the departments within local government have emergency functions in addition to their normal duties. Each department is responsible for developing and maintaining their own emergency response and preparedness procedures. Specific responsibilities are outlined below under the section entitled "Assignment of Individual Responsibilities". Responsibilities for certain organizations which are not a part of local government are also presented, because these agencies provide a vital function in emergency operations.
 
B. Assignment of Individual Responsibilities
 

1.        Chairman, County Commissioners

       

. Establish policy and incident guidance procedures in coordination with other officials.
 
. Carry out appropriate provisions of state general statutes, in addition to local ordinances, relating to emergencies.
 
. Issue and distribute, as appropriate, a local proclamation declaring a State of Emergency or terminating the State of Emergency.
 
. Assume or delegate direction and control of emergency operations in accordance with local ordinance.
 
. Request assistance from State government through the Emergency Management Coordinator, as needed, to control an emergency.
 
. Perform coordination and policy-making functions as necessary to provide for optimum protection of public health and safety of citizens within the jurisdiction.
 
. Assure the protection of public documents and public facilities during the emergency.
 
. Additional duties are also found in the various annexes and procedures.

  

2.        Town Mayors

       

. Establish policy and incident guidance procedures in coordination with other officials.
 
. Carry out appropriate provisions of state general statutes, in addition to local ordinances relating to emergencies.
 
. Issue and distribute, as appropriate, a local proclamation or resolution declaring a State of Emergency or terminating the State of Emergency, in coordination with the County.
 
. Request assistance through the Emergency Management Coordinator, as needed, to control an emergency.
 
. Perform coordination and policy-making functions as necessary to provide for optimum protection of public health and safety within the jurisdiction.
 
. Assure the protection of public documents and public facilities during the emergency.
 
. Assume or delegate direction and control of emergency operations after declaring an emergency at the Municipal level.
 
. Additional duties are also found in the various annexes and procedures.

            

3.      County Manager

     

. On behalf of the County, implement direction, control, coordination, and policy-making functions as necessary to provide for optimum protection of public health and safety within the jurisdiction, including management of the Emergency Operations Center utilizing the Emergency Management Coordinator to carry out this function.
 
. Ensure county agencies continually update their annexes to the Emergency Operations Plan and develop internal Standard Operating Guidelines (SOGs) as needed to respond to emergencies through Emergency Management.
 
. Ensure that exercises and tests of the emergency systems are conducted on a periodic basis to test the functions of the Emergency Operations Plan through the Office of Emergency Management.
 
. Ensure that representatives for Emergency Operations Center staff are designated (e.g., Radiological Officer, Health Director, Public Information Officer, etc.) to report to the Emergency Operations Center upon activation to provide direction and control.
 
. Establish incident guidance procedures in coordination with other officials.
 
. Implement emergency policies/ ordinances, as appropriate, on behalf of the County.
 
. Ensure that financial records of expenditures are kept during emergencies.
 
. Ensure that narrative and operational journals are kept during the emergency.
 
. Additional duties are also found in the various annexes and procedures.

     

4.        Town Manager

  

. On behalf of the town council, implement direction, control, coordination, and policy-making functions as necessary to provide for optimum protection of public health and safety within the jurisdiction. Establish incident guidance procedures in coordination with other officials.
 
. Implement emergency policies/ordinances as appropriate for the governing body.
 
. Ensure that financial records of expenditures are kept during emergencies.
 
. Develop plans for the security of municipal public documents and facilities.
 
. Develop a roster of key workers who must remain during an emergency or return, subsequent to an evacuation, to relieve other key workers.
 
. Provide, as requested, municipal personnel and equipment resources to the County or other jurisdictions to support emergency operations and evacuations.
 
. Ensure that narrative and operational journals are kept during the emergency.
 
. Additional duties are also found in the various annexes and procedures.

  

5.       Emergency Management Coordinator

 

. Perform assigned duties according to state statutes and local ordinances to include serving as the Chief of Staff and where necessary or delegated, the overall incident commander for all declared disaster operations.
 
. Set priorities on available resources and implement resources controls to restore essential services.
 
. Continued development, coordinating, and updating the County plan in accordance with Federal and State guidelines, coordinating  emergency operations within the County, and coordination of emergency activities with adjoining jurisdictions.
 
. Establish and equip the County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to include primary and backup radio communications (fixed and mobile), and provide for operations on a continuous basis as required.
 
. Ensure that a system is developed and implemented to manage information (including internal messages) pertaining to the emergency situation and disseminate it to other levels of government and the private sector.
 
. Acquire maps, status boards and other display devices for the Emergency Operations Center which identify high hazard areas and pre-selected control/monitoring points.
 
. Ensure that an events log (casualty and health concerns, property damage, size of risk area, scope of hazard, number of evacuees, shelters in operation, etc.) is compiled and displayed in the Emergency Operations Center throughout the duration of the emergency.
 
. Provide for acquisition and stocking of food, water supplies, and other equipment necessary for the effective operation of the Emergency Operations Center.
 
. Develop a schedule for testing, maintaining and repairing Emergency Operations Center and other emergency equipment, as well as coordinate exercises and tests of the emergency systems and plans within the County.
 
. Alert staff and activate Emergency Operations Center (for 24-hour coverage if necessary) when notified of potential/emergency situations.
 
. Ensure that Emergency Operations Center staff acknowledge and authenticate reports.
 
. Ensure staff and officials briefings are conducted periodically during the emergency.
 
. Establish and maintain coordination with other jurisdictional Emergency Operations Centers as appropriate.
 
. Provide for adequate coordination of recovery activities among private, state, and federal agencies and organizations.
 
. Plan for, identify and maintain current inventories of available resources for emergency purposes including critical facilities.
 
. Maintain administrative records as required.
 
. Receive requests for assistance from municipalities within the County and direct aid to areas where needed.
 
. Prepare authentication charts and devices for use during an emergency.
 
. Develop procedures to warn areas not covered by existing warning systems.
 
. Coordinate warning resources with neighboring counties.
 
. Develop and maintain a public information and education program for disaster preparedness.
 
. Direct and assist the Public Information Officer in disseminating public information during emergencies.
 
. Identify potential evacuation areas in accordance with the County's hazard analysis.
 
. Develop evacuation procedures in conjunction with the Sheriff, Fire Departments and other emergency response organizations.
 
. Identify population groups requiring special assistance during evacuation (e.g., senior citizens, the very ill and disabled, nursing homes, prison populations, etc.)
 
. Ensure that institutions within the County have evacuation procedures.
 
. Monitor the progress of the evacuation and modify evacuation procedures when needed.
 
. Establish and equip Disaster Assistance Centers along with the State when appropriate.
 
. Identify shelter facilities for short-term use, which have lodging and mass feeding capabilities.
 
. Develop procedures to activate and deactivate shelters and ensure that American Red Cross and Department of Social Services develop shelter SOGs.
 
. Designate shelter facilities with the shortest commuting distance to the hazard area for essential workers and their families.
 
. Initiate the return of the population as soon as conditions are safe at the direction of the Chairman, Board of County Commissioners.
 
. Assign a Damage Assessment Officer to coordinate overall damage assessment operations.
 
. Provide damage assessment training.
 
. Maintain sufficient quantities of needed forms and supplies for damage assessment teams and other departments/agencies assisting with assessment/recovery operations.
 
. Secure resources to support and assist with damage assessment activities (maps, tax data, cameras, identification, etc.).
 
. Establish a Utilities Liaison to coordinate information flow between the Emergency Operations Center and affected utilities.
 Maintain liaison with utility companies to arrange for back-up water, power and telephone service during emergencies.
 
. Assist with identification and notification of applicants that may be eligible for PA programs (local government entities, private nonprofit organizations, etc.).
 
. Develop mutual aid agreements for use of resources.
 
. Develop procedures to alert key officials.
 
. Analyze personnel and equipment requirements to meet potential hazards and maintain a resource manual.
 
. Develop procedures to activate the EAS system.
 
. Coordinate resource use under emergency conditions and provide a system to protect these resources (i.e., essential personnel and equipment).
 
. Provide for the storage, maintenance, and replenishment/replacement of essential equipment and materials (medical supplies, food and water, radiological instruments, etc.)
 
. Request additional resources in those cases where County resources cannot meet response or recovery requirements.
 
. Provide backup communications for Emergency Operations Center through available resources.
 
. Develop a flood warning system for areas in the county subject to frequent flooding.
 
. Additional duties are also found in the various annexes and procedures.
 

6.        Agency/Jurisdiction Emergency Operations Center Representatives

 

. Report to the Emergency Operations Center and ensure continuous representation throughout activation.
 
. Provide support personnel and services to the Emergency Operations Center as appropriate/necessary.
 
. Ensure all information related to the emergency/disaster situation is coordinated with other response agencies/organizations.
 
. Ensure staff is available to provide for 24-hour operation.
 
. Additional duties are also found in the various annexes and procedures.

 

7.        Public Information Officer

 

. Prepare procedures for the conduct of public information services during disasters.
 
. Maintain current inventories of public information resources.
 
. Coordinate all media releases pertaining to emergency planning and operations.
 
. Provide for rumor control and emergency instructions. Publicize the telephone number of a rumor control line where official disaster information can be obtained by the public.
 
. Develop media advisories for the public.
 
. Maintain working relationships with the media and a current list of radio stations, television stations and newspapers to be used for public information release.
 
. Prepare written statements of agreements with the media to provide for dissemination of essential emergency information and warning to the public, including the appropriate protective actions to be taken.
 
. Arrange points of contact for releases of public information in an emergency and for briefings to media representatives, when appropriate.
 
. Assist in the preparation and review of Emergency Public Information Materials for all hazards affecting the County.
 
. Report to the Emergency Operations Center upon activation and coordinate the release of disaster related information with local agencies, State and Federal governments.
 
. Clear information with the chief executive before release to the media.
 
. Prepare and distribute pre-scripted Emergency Public Information Center materials to the media (newspaper, radio and television, etc.).
 
. Ensure that all sources of information being received are authenticated and verified for accuracy.
 
. Assist in handling inquiries and informing families about places of contact for missing relatives, continued emergency services, restricted areas, etc.
 
. Review and update the Emergency Public Information Annex and SOGs regularly.
 
. In the event of a Fixed Nuclear Facility incident, maintain contact with the Joint Information Center (JIC) to provide information for news releases, review news releases for accuracy, and to coordinate rumor control for Alexander County.
 
. Additional duties are also found in the various annexes and procedures.

                       

8.        Sheriff     

 

. Plan for conducting traffic control and other law enforcement operations throughout the County during disasters.
 
. Develop mutual aid agreements with other law enforcement agencies.
 
. Provide backup communications for Emergency Operations Center through mobile units.
 
. Provide transportation for Emergency Operations Center personnel under emergency conditions, as requested by Emergency Management.
 
. Maintain current internal notification/recall rosters and communications systems.
 
. Assist in warning and notifying the affected population of an existing or impending emergency.
 
. Assist in evacuation of the disaster area and movement to shelter.
 
. Provide security and protection for the damaged area and critical facilities and control access to the affected area.
 
. Provide security in the Emergency Operations Center, reception centers, shelters, lodging and feeding facilities during emergency operations.
 
. Relocate and house prisoners when necessary during periods of evacuation.
 
. Coordinate additional law enforcement support with State Highway Patrol and other counties and/or municipalities during response activities.
 
. Deliver radiological monitoring kits or other supplies if requested.
 
. Establish staging areas in conjunction with fire departments, rescue squads and the Transportation Director.
 
. Review and update the Law Enforcement Annex and SOGs regularly.
 
. Additional duties are also found in the various annexes and procedures.

 

9.        Municipal Law Enforcement Agencies

 

. Maintain law and order within local jurisdictions.
 
. Provide mobile units for warning operations.
 
. Provide security for essential facilities.
 
. Request assistance through the Emergency Operations Center, as needed.
 
. Additional duties are also found in the various annexes and procedures.

 

10.       Fire Marshal

 

. Plan for coordination of fire fighting operations throughout the County in time of disaster.
 
. Develop mutual aid agreements.
 
. Analyze fire potential and identify fire service requirements.
 
. Develop and update Fire SOGs for coordination of fire fighting during emergencies.
 
. Prepare inventories of all fire equipment and personnel resources.
 
. Report to Emergency Operations Center upon activation and direct and control fire-fighting operations.
 
. Provide for protective equipment, instruments, antidotes and clothing, within the resources of Alexander County, to perform assigned tasks in a hazardous chemical or radiological environment to include decontamination.
 
. Direct and request the dispatching of fire-fighting aid from other counties to the disaster site.
 
. Advise decision makers and emergency support services on the hazards associated with technological hazards and the areas most likely to be affected by a release of a hazardous material.
 
. Support rescue operations.
 
. Provide support personnel to assist in traffic control and damage assessment operations.
 
. Conduct fire inspections at critical facilities and in the disaster area during recovery.
 
. Coordinate fire control between town government, county, and forest service.
 
. Advise about fire security during operations.
 
. Review and update the Fire Protection Annex and SOGs regularly.
 
. Additional duties are also found in the various annexes and procedures.

 

11.      Hazardous Materials Response Coordinator

 

. Develop and maintain a Hazardous Materials Annex for the County and provide decontamination capability.
 
. Establish a hazardous materials protection-reporting network with local business and industry.
 
. Provide for maintaining exposure records and ensure that equipment is up to date and in good working order.
 
. Assist in determining exposure levels for emergency workers and determine appropriate exposures.
 
. Coordinate county personnel and equipment for hazardous materials response.
 
. Additional duties are also found in the various annexes and procedures.

 

12.       Fire Departments

 

. Assist in warning and notifying the affected population of an existing or impending emergency.
 
. Deploy fire personnel and equipment during emergencies.
 
. Designate staging areas for mutual aid and volunteer forces responding from other areas.
 
. Support rescue operations.
 
. Provide radiological and hazardous material decontamination and monitoring support.
 
. Maintain fire security in evacuated areas.
 
. Assist in debris clearance for emergency access in the disaster area.
 
. Additional duties are also found in the various annexes and procedures.

 

13.       Rescue Squads

 

. Rescue of injured people during emergency operations.
 
. Provide a support role for emergency operations as needed for public warning and traffic control.
 
. Deploy rescue personnel and equipment in an emergency.
 
. Provide radiological and hazardous material decontamination and monitoring support.
 
. Support the evacuation of special institutions and handicapped/disabled individuals.
 
. Provide search and rescue services for lost individuals and for individuals unable to evacuate due to injury.
 
. The delegated officer of the Rescue Squad will report to the Emergency Operations Center to assist in coordination of rescue operations.
 
. Assist in debris clearance for emergency access in the disaster area.
 
. Provide emergency back-up services to the county emergency medical services.
 
. Additional duties are also found in the various annexes and procedures.

 

14.      Emergency Medical Services Director

 

. Plan for coordination of emergency medical activities throughout the County during disasters.
 
. Develop Emergency Medical Services procedures and mutual aid agreements.
 
. Coordinate with hospital disaster coordinator on use of medical facilities within the County for mass casualty incidents.
 
. Establish liaison with medical facilities and maintain field communications with other response groups.
 
. Maintain liaison with American Red Cross (ARC) and other volunteer service agencies to support first aid and supplement medical resources in shelters and other disaster situations.
 
. Provide for the dispatch of ambulances and the transport of victims to medical facilities.
 
. Coordinate response capabilities utilizing the emergency rescue and ambulance units.
 
. Maintain a casualty tracking system.
 
. Provide for nursing care at shelters to the extent that local medical standing orders allow.
 
. Implement the Incident Command System as needed.
 
. Review and update the Emergency Medical Services Annex and SOGs regularly.
 
. Provide medical surveillance and medical decontamination for emergency workers at incidents involving radiological and hazardous materials.
 
. Additional duties are also found in the various annexes and procedures.

 

15.      Social Services Director

 

. Plan for coordination of social services operations during disaster.
 
. Coordinate with medical/health care facilities (e.g., nursing homes, rest homes, etc.) to ensure development of emergency procedures in conjunction with appropriate agencies.
 
. Develop mutual aid agreements.
 
. Coordinate emergency activities during response and recovery with American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Council on Aging, and other volunteer organizations to include shelter, feeding and clothing.
 
. Assist American Red Cross in recruiting shelter staff from Social Services.
 
. Maintain current internal notification/recall rosters.
 
. Report to Emergency Operations Center upon activation to assist in shelter operations.
 
. Coordinate with health, mental health and other volunteer/non-volunteer agencies, both public and private, to provide support personnel during sheltering.
 
. Train and prepare for the operation of special needs shelters for the county residents. (e.g., nursing homes, rest homes, etc.).
 
. Additional duties are also found in the various annexes and procedures.

 

16.      Communications Director

 

. Plan and direct communications and warning systems, including two‑way radio systems throughout the County, describing methods of communications between Emergency Operations Center, field forces, shelter facilities, adjacent jurisdictions and area/State Emergency Operations Center.
 
. Report to the Emergency Operations Center upon activation or request and provide direction and control for communications operations.
 
. Ensure off-duty communications staff can be recalled on short notice to supplement on-duty personnel.
 
. Maintain current internal notification/recall rosters.
 
. Ensure information pertinent to the emergency/disaster situation is provided to the Emergency Operations Center.
 
. Develop and maintain equipment, methods and procedures for communications between the Emergency Operations Center and on-scene emergency resources.
 
. Coordinate communications net with surrounding counties, the State and the County during disasters.
 
. Establish procedures to control two-way radio communications between the Emergency Operations Center and other forces, such as hospitals, air ambulance dispatch points and amateur communications networks.
 
. Disseminate warning information.
 
. Review and update the Communications Annex and SOGs regularly.
 
. Ensure that communications procedures are established for the use of logs, message forms and message control.
 
. Develop procedures for obtaining and restoring telephone services during emergencies.
 
. Develop mutual aid agreements.
 
. Identify potential sources of additional equipment and supplies.
 
. Provide radio repair capabilities and maintenance operations under emergency conditions.
 
. Ensure program training for all county communications personnel.
 
. Provide for radio system compatibility and networking.
 
. Provide for the delivery of primary and backup radio communications (fixed and mobile).
 
. Staff, equip, and operate emergency communications facilities and systems.
 
. Coordinate radio, telephone and computer resources in the County.
 
. Develop procedures which define agency responsibilities, describe activation procedures and detail the warning systems for notifying the general public.
 
. Develop listing of warning equipment locations and areas of coverage.
 
. Provide for testing and exercising of the communications, warning, and alerting systems on a regular basis.
 
. Arrange with public services agencies to augment warning capabilities.
 
. Coordinate with the Public Information Officer to distribute necessary information to the media and public.
 
. Receive warning information from the National Weather Service, or through the Division of Criminal Information and Identification Section (formerly DCI) or other official sources.
 
. Additional duties are also found in the various annexes and procedures.

 

17.      County Maintenance Manager / Public Works

 

. Prepare procedures to provide county maintenance functions during emergencies.
 
. Develop and maintain resource lists with source, location and availability of equipment, fuel and operational personnel to support response/recovery operations with assistance from the Emergency Management Coordinator.
 
. Develop mutual aid agreements.
 
. Provide for backup electrical power to the Emergency Operations Center.
 
. Provide emergency potable water, as required.
 
. Store and provide fuel for emergency vehicles.
 
. Provide sanitation services during emergencies.
 
. Prepare required reports and forward to the Emergency Operations Center.
 
. Maintain emergency power, water and sanitation resources at critical facilities in the County during emergencies.
 
. Assist in damage assessment operations and relay damage assessment information to the Emergency Operations Center and be familiar with FEMA Schedule of Equipment Rates.
 
. Plan for emergency repair and restoration of critical facilities and utilities during disasters.
 
. Assist in shelter marking and shelter upgrading.
 
. Conduct and assist with debris removal on county owned property.
 
. Review and update the Public Works Annex and SOGs regularly.
 
. Additional duties are also found in the various annexes and procedures.

 

18.      Public Works Director (Town)

 

. Maintain water supplies and sanitary facilities at shelter sites within the town during emergencies.
 
. Jointly with County Emergency Management direct and dispatch public works mutual aid from other jurisdictions and the State.
 
. Conduct debris clearance and removal operations within the municipal jurisdiction in conjunction with the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
 
. Provide support to state agencies, as needed, for water sampling and intake control.
 
. Additional duties are also found in the various annexes and procedures.


 

19.      Health Director

.
Direct operations for all special needs shelters and/or facilities in coordination with the Department of Social Services and/or the American Red Cross.
 
. Develop procedures for emergency public health operations.
 
. Develop and implement health awareness and public information programs regarding personal health.
 
. Report to the Emergency Operations Center upon activation and provide direction and control for emergency health operations.
 
. Plan for inspection of food and water in shelters and issuance of instructions for decontamination, distribution and usage.
 
. Conduct sanitation inspections of shelters.
 
. Develop mutual aid agreements.
 
. Provide for health care support at emergency facilities and shelters.
 
. Provide for medical needs of special needs population.
 
. Provide continuous health inspections and immunizations when appropriate to evaluate, detect, prevent and control communicable diseases.
 
. Coordinate environmental health activities for waste disposal, refuse, food, water control and vector/vermin control and sanitation.
 
. Provide for the monitoring and evaluation of environmental health hazards and arrange for corrective measures.
 
. Arrange for the re-supply of health response agencies.
 
. Coordinate the distribution of exposure-inhibiting or mitigating drugs, vaccines, or other preventatives.
 
. Coordinate public information with the Public Information Officer.
 
. Additional duties are also found in the various annexes and procedures.

 

20.       Mental Health Services Provider

 

. Develop procedures to provide mental health services during emergencies.
 
. Develop a Disaster Training Guide for counseling personnel.
 
. Provide crisis intervention training for personnel assigned to Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Teams.
 
. Implement disaster plans for mental health facilities.
 
. Provide mental health professionals for treatment of disaster victims.
 
. Assist American Red Cross with inquiries and inform families on status of individuals injured or missing.
 
. Maintain a 24-hour Crisis Line during periods of evacuation.
 
. Identify evacuees in reception centers, shelters and Disaster Application Centers who have experienced mental stress and provide them with mental health services.
 
. Ensure continuity of mental health treatment and medication for persons in shelters, as necessary or requested.
 
. Provide crisis counseling to professionals and support staff working with the relocated population.
 
. Arrange for debriefings of psychological support for emergency workers and disaster victims.
 
. Coordinate with the Mental Health Coordinator and provide crisis counselors to shelters.
 
. Additional duties are also found in the various annexes and procedures.

 

21.       Medical Examiner

 

. Respond to notifications of fatalities from local authorities and establish an adequate morgue.
 
. Supervise the location and transportation of the remains of the deceased.
 
. Certify the causes of death of the deceased victims and issue death certificates.
 
. Notify families and release the remains and personal effects to proper representatives.
 
. Issue press releases in conjunction with the Public Information Officer.
 
. Identify resource equipment and needed supplies.
 
. Coordinate with search and rescue teams during body recovery.
 
. Coordinate with funeral directors, ambulance services, pathologists, ARC, dentists, X-ray technicians and law enforcement in a mass fatality incident.
 
. Assist in handling inquiries and informing families about places of contact for missing relatives.
 
. Additional duties are also found in the various annexes and procedures.

 

22.      Finance Director

 

. Develop financial accounting record procedures for all agencies to report their emergency expenses.
 
. Maintain a separate account of disaster related expenditures and expenses and be familiar with the FEMA Schedule of Equipment Rates.
 
. Maintain and provide a current internal notification/recall roster.
 
. Develop procedures for the procurement and delivery of essential resources and supplies on a timely basis.
 
. Report to the Emergency Operations Center upon activation or request and assist the Emergency Management Coordinator in the direction and control of resource management operations and staffing.
 
. Ensure that response agencies initiate documentation of all costs incurred subsequent to the emergency/disaster.
 
. Additional duties are also found in the various annexes and procedures.


 

23.      Damage Assessment Officer/Tax Administrator

 

. Develop, review and annually update procedures for damage reporting and accounting.
 
. Train personnel in damage assessment organization, techniques and reporting procedures and be familiar with the FEMA Schedule of Equipment Rates.
 
. Maintain a current damage assessment team notification/recall roster.
 
. Report to Emergency Operations Center upon activation and coordinate damage assessment operations in conjunction with the Emergency Management Coordinator.
 
. Assign damage assessment teams and deploy as appropriate. Assure each team has communications with the Emergency Operations Center.
 
. Inform emergency operations officials of hazardous facilities, bridges, roads, etc.
 
. Assist the Emergency Management Coordinator and other County or municipal agency representatives who are conducting recovery operations in prioritizing repairs and restoration of affected government facilities.
 
. Collect and compile incoming damage reports from teams in the field to include County and private agencies such as American Red Cross, School systems, private nonprofit/government utilities.
 
. Collate and compile damage assessment information for transmittal to the State Emergency Management Office.
 
. Additional duties are also found in the various annexes and procedures.

 

24.       Superintendent of Schools

 

. Develop emergency plans for all school facilities as well as support transportation operations by providing buses and drivers, on request, for evacuations of the general public along with medical and health care facilities.
 
. Provide support personnel (schools, cafeteria staff, counselors) as available.
 
. Provide school facilities for temporary medical treatment facilities or shelters.
 
. Provide for fuel support when refueling buses being used in transportation activities.
 
. Direct the evacuation of school populations.
 
. Coordinate letters of agreement for use of schools as shelters.
 
. Plan for transportation of County residents in a disaster, including special population groups (handicapped, elderly, etc.).
 
. Coordinate transportation operations, and keep Emergency Operations Center advised of status.
 
. Additional duties are also found in the various annexes and procedures.

 

25.       American Red Cross Liaison

 

. Coordinate shelter/mass care operations for town and county and identify those functions required for shelter operations.
 
. Provide support personnel as requested.
 
. Provide a shelter-stocking plan for ARC shelters.
 
. Provide shelter managers to operate ARC shelters. Ensure managers follow ARC guidance procedure.
 
. Train shelter managers and the staff to handle the day-to-day needs of evacuees while the shelter is in operation.
 
. Arrange for staffing of ARC shelters and feeding of evacuees.
 
. Identify evacuees within ARC shelters with special needs.
 
. Provide shelter management supplies.
 
. Assure that personnel are trained to operate and care for the day-to-day needs of the evacuees staying in shelters.
 
. Develop letters of agreement and procedures for shelter activities and secure cooperation of building owners for use of shelter space.
 
. Assist in handling inquiries and informing families on the status of individuals injured or missing.
 
. Inspect shelter sites for serviceability.
 
. Additional duties are also found in the various annexes and procedures.

   

26.       Salvation Army/Ministerial Association

 

. Provide appropriately trained personnel, as available, to response teams.
 
. Assist American Red Cross in handling inquiries and informing families on the status of individuals injured or missing.
 
. Provide support personnel for counseling services for disaster victims.
 
. Assist and support American Red Cross in the feeding operation for workers and victims at the disaster site.
 
. Additional duties are also found in the various annexes and procedures.

 

 

27.       Amateur Radio Emergency Service

. Coordinate and provide communications for outlying areas and local shelters with the Communications Center (Emergency Operations Center).
 
. Additional duties are also found in the various annexes and procedures.

 

28.      Cooperative Extension Agent

 

. Operate out of the County Emergency Operations Center as needed for technical advice and liaison with the agricultural community.
 
. Maintain contact with the agricultural representative, at the State Emergency Operations Center, for coordination of agricultural activities.
 
. Assist sampling teams operating in the County during radiological or hazardous materials incidents.
 
. Work with the county agencies to provide personnel for agricultural damage assessment teams.
 
. Coordinate releases of public information with the Public Information Officer and the Health Department.
 
. Additional duties are also found in the various annexes and procedures.

 

29.       Animal Control Officer

 

. Serve as technical advisor to the Emergency Operations Center on issues dealing with animal control.
 
. Develop an emergency plan dealing with animal control issues and care custody and control of domestic animals in a disaster.
 
. Assist in developing a policy regarding fees, pickups and releases of domestic animals during a disaster and in the recovery phase of disaster operations.
 
. Additional duties are also found in the various annexes and procedures.

 

30.      Solid Waste Officer

 

. Serve as debris management coordinator to the Emergency Operations Center on issues dealing with debris materials generated by the disaster.
 
. Develop an emergency plan dealing with solid waste issues and debris disposal in a disaster.
 
. Develop policies regarding tipping fees, truck weighing and disposal of wooded debris, construction and demolition materials in the landfill during a disaster and in the recovery phase of disaster operations.
 
. Develop or cause to be developed, as appropriate, contracts and or contract management for all contractors regarding debris removal. 
 
. Additional duties are also found in the various annexes and procedures.

31.     Radiological Officer

 

. Develop a Radiological Protection System for the County and provide a radiological decontamination capability in conjunction with the McGuire 50 mile IPZ Plan.
 
. Establish a radiological protection-reporting network in conjunction with the State.
 
. Provide for maintaining exposure records and ensure that dosimeters are read and reported at appropriate frequencies.
 
. Coordinate county personnel and equipment for radiological monitoring and decontamination as necessary.
 
. Additional duties are also found in the various annexes and procedures.

Note: All personnel should ensure the the Incident Command System has been established and follow guidelines in Alexander County's Incident Management Plan.


V.         CONTINUITY OF GOVERNMENT

 

A.       General

 

The possibility that emergency and disaster occurrences could result in disruption of government functions necessitates that all levels of local government and their departments develop and maintain procedures to ensure continuity of government. These procedures will name who will be the decision‑makers if an elected official or department head is not available.

 

 

B.        Line of Succession

 

1. The line of succession of the County Board of Commissioners/Town Commissioners proceeds from the Chairman/Mayor to the Members of either Board in accordance with jurisdictional policy or law.
 
2. Lines of succession for the Emergency Management Coordinator and department/agency heads with emergency responsibilities are shown in the appropriate procedure.

 

C.        Preservation of Vital Records

 

1. It is the responsibility of the elected officials to ensure that all legal documents of both a public and private nature recorded by designated officials be protected and preserved in accordance with existing laws, statutes, and ordinances.
 
2. Each department/agency is responsible for the preservation of essential records to ensure continued operational capabilities.

 

D.        Relocation of Government

 

1. The County provides for the relocation of the governing body to the Emergency Operations Center during times of emergency if necessary.
 
2. If the primary Emergency Operations Center is determined inoperable, the governing body will relocate to an alternate Emergency Operations Center facility as needed.
 
3. Town government will relocate to facilities within their jurisdictions capable of providing emergency operations. If needed the County EOC will help support this.

 

VI.        ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS

  

A. General
  1. The Emergency Services Communications Center operates continuously 24 hours per day and is administered by the Alexander County Office of Emergency Management. Day to day operations are under the Director of Emergency Management.
 
  2. The operational readiness and operations of the Emergency Operations Center is the responsibility of the Director of Emergency Management.
 
B. Records and Reports
  1. Records of expenditures and obligations during emergency operations must be maintained by County government.
 
  2. Narratives and operational journals of response actions will be kept.
 
C. Consumer Protection
    Consumer complaints pertaining to alleged unfair or illegal business practices during emergencies will be referred to the State Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division.
 
D. Non‑Discrimination
  1. There will be no discrimination on grounds of race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, or economic status in the execution of disaster preparedness or disaster relief and assistance functions.
 
  2. This policy applies equally to all levels of government, contractors, and labor unions.
 
E. Agreements and Understandings
  1. Agreements and understandings must be entered into by duly authorized officials and should be formalized in writing whenever possible prior to emergency situations.
 
  2. Should local government resources prove to be inadequate during emergency operations, requests for assistance will be made to other jurisdictions, higher levels of government, and other agencies in accordance with existing or emergency negotiated mutual‑aid agreements and understandings. Requests for State and Federal resources must be made through the local Emergency Management Coordinator to the State Emergency Operations Center and if possible the Branch Office should be notified.
 
  3. Organizations tasked with responsibilities in the implementation of this plan are responsible for providing their own administrative and logistical needs and for the preparation and maintenance of a resource list for use in carrying out their emergency responsibilities.

 

VII.       PLAN DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE 

  

A. The County Manager, through the Emergency Management Coordinator, will insure development, annual review, and revisions, of this plan, are conducted by all officials involved. This shall include review of those portions of the plan actually implemented in an emergency.
 
B. This plan shall be exercised in accordance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) four-year exercise plan to insure a readiness posture for those who have an emergency responsibility.