Item No.
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
BY: ANTHONY HILDEBRAND, FIRE CHIEF
DATE: FEBURARY 25, 2025
SUBJECT: OVERVIEW OF DOWNEY’S EMERGENCY RESPONSE OPERATIONS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City Council will receive and file a report on Downey’s emergency response operations. The report provides an overview about Downey’s emergency plans and outlines how the City is organized to respond during an emergency. It also summarizes how residents can receive emergency notifications and can become more involved in emergency preparedness.
RECOMMENDATION
That the City Council:
Receive and file a report on Downey’s emergency response operations.
BACKGROUND
The City of Downey follows the protocols of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the State Emergency Management System (SEM) during an emergency.
These protocols and processes ensure the City adopts a standardized method when responding during an emergency. Below is a list of some emergency plans and programs detailing how the City responds during an emergency.
• Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) was adopted in 2019 and is a foundational plan that addresses the City’s planned response to extraordinary emergency situations associated with natural disasters, technological incidents, and national security emergencies. • The Local Hazard Mitigation Plan was adopted in 2017 and an updated plan will be considered for City Council adoption during the meeting tonight. The plan identifies potential hazards that may impact Downey and the various mitigation strategies that the City plans to adopt to address those risks. • The Mass Care and Shelter Plan was developed in 2022 to address emergency sheltering. Staff has conducted annual trainings/exercises. • A Memorandum of Agreement was established with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to allow Downey to have access to wireless
RECEIVE AND FILE A REPORT ON DOWNEY’S EMERGENCY PLANS
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emergency alerts in 2019. This has enabled the City to push out notifications to residents’ cellphones wherever they are within the community.
• A Memorandum of Understanding was completed with the Los Angeles County Public Health Department in 2020 to finalize the Medical Point of Dispensing Plan. This plan focused on the rapid deployment of medication/vaccination during a public health emergency. • Downey Alerts training for administrators is provided at least twice a year to ensure city staff is able to use the City mass notification system. • Emergency Operation Center (EOC) trainings help staff be better prepared to respond during a disaster and maintain documentation to ensure disaster recovery efforts.
ANALYSIS
During a disaster, the City will activate the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP). This may take the form of police and fire responding to an incident. If the incident requires more resources, the City may activate the Emergency Operation Center and/or proclaim a local emergency. A local proclamation ensures the City has signaled to the County that we may need assistance. The County in turn may also proclaim an emergency to request assistance from the State, and the State may declare an emergency to get federal assistance.
While the County, State, or even the Federal government may provide aid to the City, the emergency will still be the responsibility of the City. Thus, the City will ensure the EOC is activated, gathering key department staff to collect information, determine available resources, plan for future needs, and document activities. The EOC would serve as a central hub to coordinate between the City and partner agencies, such as the American Red Cross, school district, local hospitals, utility companies, etc. Some emergency operations coordinated through the EOC, includes emergency shelters, evacuations, supply distribution, etc. Documentation compiled during the response phase will help support the City pursue state and/or federal cost recovery. During the recovery phase, the EOC will focus on coordinating resources so residents can rebuild their lives after a disaster.
During an emergency, residents will receive emergency notifications through Downey Alerts and social media. Emergency notifications may be sent via phone calls, text messages, or emails. To better prepare the community for emergencies, Downey hosts Community Emergency Response Team Training three times a year (two English classes and one Spanish class). This is a 20-hour, federal curriculum that covers personal preparedness, fire suppression, light search and rescue, and disaster medical operations.
Classes are free of charge and will help residents better prepare themselves to take care of themselves and their neighbors. As part of this item, the City Council will receive a presentation from staff on the City’s emergency response operations, including how
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residents can sign-up for Downey Alerts and CERT Training to be better informed and prepared for emergencies.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Quality of Life, Safety & Infrastructure
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact
ATTACHMENTS