DATE: October 31, 2017
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Jean M. Rousseau, County Administrative Officer / Emergency Services Director
SUBJECT: Updated Fresno County Operational Area Master Emergency Services Plan
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Adopt Resolution updating the Fresno County Operational Area Master Emergency Services Plan; and,
2. Authorize the Emergency Services Director to implement future updates to the Fresno County Operational Area Master Emergency Services Plan in compliance with local, State or Federal codes.
REPORT
Approval of recommended actions will update the County’s Operational Area Master Emergency Services Plan (Plan) and allow the Emergency Services Director to implement future revisions, as necessary. The Plan is required pursuant to the California Emergency Services Act (Government Code, section 8550 et seq.) and Fresno County Ordinance Code, section 2.44.080.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There is no viable alternative action. The initial Plan was adopted on May 19, 1998 and, although still operational, must be updated due to significant changes in local, State, and Federal codes.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with the recommended actions.
DISCUSSION:
The County's original Plan was adopted in May 1998, providing a planned strategic response to extraordinary emergencies associated with natural disasters, technological incidents, and national security emergencies in or affecting the County. The Plan served as a guide for agencies and County departments who may potentially respond to a disaster or an emergency within the designated operational area.
The Plan accomplished the following:
• Established the emergency management organization required to mitigate any significant emergency or disaster affecting the County;
• Identified the policies, responsibilities, and procedures required to protect the health and safety of County communities, public and private property from the environmental effects of natural and technological emergencies and disasters; and,
• Established the operational concepts and procedures associated with initial response to emergencies, and the recovery process.
The County is located within the Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES) Mutual Aid Region V. The Plan establishes the framework for implementation of the California Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) in the County and facilitates multi-agency and multi-jurisdictional coordination, particularly between the County and local governments, including special districts and state agencies, in emergency operations.
The California Emergency Services Act (Act) allows for the coordination of statewide emergency preparedness, post emergency recovery and mitigation efforts, and the development, review, approval, and integration of emergency plans. To further this end, the Act designated each county as an operational area, to serve as coordinator of all local agencies and jurisdictions within the area and as a conduit between the local level, region, and State organizations.
The Act requires that each operational area form an emergency organization to develop a systematic approach for exchanging information and resources in emergencies as well as conduct cooperative planning and exercises. The basic tenets of emergency preparedness and response are self-help and mutual aid. In accordance with these objectives, County OES coordinated the Plan’s update by distributing a draft to all County department directors for review and comment in July 2017. On August 29, 2017, County OES and the County Administrative Office conducted a workshop for County department directors, or their designees, to learn more about the Plan and address comments or concerns. The policies, principles, concepts, and procedures contained in the updated Plan provide the basis for area organization, emergency operations, and conform to the SEMS and National Incident Management System (NIMS).
Furthermore, the Plan update includes:
• Added Emergency Support Functions,
• Updated County department and program names to reflect current organizational structure; and,
• Incorporation of NIMS.
County Departments will be invited to participate in future training on the various elements of the Plan to ensure staff are prepared to participate in a response action, if needed.
All local government agencies are responsible for developing and implementing their own plan and disaster-related functions within their jurisdiction. The County may assist other local government agencies within the operational area in planning, response, or recovery as authorized by statute, approved mutual aid agreements and mutual aid requests.
With your Board’s approval, the updated Plan will be adopted and distributed to all County department directors.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
California Emergency Services Act
California State Emergency Plan, Governor’s OES, Updated October 1, 2017
BAI #23, December 10, 2013
BAI #3, May 19, 1998
BAI #22, November 14, 1995
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Resolution
On file with Clerk- Updated Plan
CAO ANALYST:
Sonia De La Rosa