Gonzales
California
Emergency
Operations
Plan
September 2024
Gonzales Emergency Operations Plan - Page 1
City of Gonzales Emergency Operations Plan
Table of Contents
CONTENTS Page No.
Table of Contents 1
Introduction/Situation and Assumptions 2
Concept of Operations 3
Definitions 6
Relationship to the System 7
Hazard Analysis 10
Departmental Responsibilities 14
Standardized Emergency Management System Roles and Responsibilities 22 Department Procedures 26
Authorities and References 39
Training and Exercising 40
Plan Development and Maintenance 40
Appendix
Letter of Promulgation 41
Plan Concurrence 42
Emergency Operations Center Plan 43
Recovery Operations Manual 48
California Title 19 - SEMS 56
Emergency Evacuation Plan 66
Gonzales Emergency Operations Plan - Page 2
The City of Gonzales, CA
Emergency Operations Plan
INTRODUCTION/SITUATION AND ASSUMPTIONS
The City of Gonzales Emergency Operations Plan identifies the City’s emergency planning, organization, and response policies and procedures. The plan also addresses the integration and coordination with other governmental levels when required.
This plan is based on the functions and principles of the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS), which is based on the FIRESCOPE Incident Command System (ICS), and identifies how the City fits in the overall SEMS structure.
The plan addresses how the City will respond to extraordinary events or disasters, from preparation through recovery. Hazard analysis and probability matrixes are also included in the plan. The responsibilities of each department are identified in matrices, which are based on each identified hazard or threat. The development of departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) is discussed, including what each department will include in their own SOPs.
The City of Gonzales Emergency Operations Plan will be approved by the City Council as required by Gonzales Municipal Code 2.08.030. The disaster council is responsible for reviewing the entire plan on an annual basis, and coordinating the revision of the plan as required.
Each department manager is responsible for reviewing its SOPs on an annual basis and coordinating the revision of the procedures with the disaster council.
Special districts serving the City of Gonzales are responsible for following this plan and developing procedures to fulfill their stated responsibilities.
The City’s disaster council will be responsible for maintaining records of all revisions.
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CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS
The City’s response to disasters is based on four phases:
• increased readiness;
• initial response operations;
• extended response operations; and
• recovery operations.
During each phase, specific actions are taken to reduce and/or eliminate the threat of specific disaster situations. In coordination with the Incident Commanders, the Emergency Services Director will determine the phase and initiate the appropriate level of alert for response agencies, including the activation of the Emergency Operations Center as required.
Increased Readiness
Triggers for readiness Upon receipt of a warning or the observation that an emergency situation activities is imminent or likely to occur soon, the City will initiate actions to increase its readiness. Events that may trigger increased readiness activities include:
• issuance of a credible long-term earthquake prediction; • receipt of a flood advisory or other special weather statement; • receipt of a potential dam failure advisory;
• conditions conducive to wildland fires, such as the combination of high heat, strong winds, and low humidity;
• an expansive hazardous materials incident; and
• information or circumstances indicating the potential for acts of violence or civil disturbance.
Examples of readiness Increased readiness activities may include, but are not limited to, the activities following activities:
• briefing of City Manager and key officials on the situation; • reviewing and updating of Gonzales Emergency Operations Plan and related SOPs;
• increasing public information efforts;
• accelerating training efforts;
• inspecting of critical facilities and equipment, including testing warning and communications systems;
• recruiting of staff and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Members;
• warning threatened elements of the population;
• conducting precautionary evacuations in the potentially impacted area(s); • mobilizing personnel and pre-positioning resources and equipment; and • establishing or activating staging areas.
Initial Response
The City’s initial response activities are primarily performed at the field Gonzales Emergency Operations Plan - Page 4
response level. Emphasis is placed on minimizing the effects of the emergency or disaster. Field responders will use the Incident Command System to organize response to the emergency or disaster, incorporating the functions, principles, and components of ICS (i.e., unified command, action planning, span of control, hierarchy of command, etc.).
Examples of initial response activities include:
• making all necessary notifications, including the Monterey County Operational Area;
• disseminating of warnings, emergency public information, and instructions to the citizens of the City Gonzales;
• conducting evacuations and/or rescue operations;
• caring for displaced persons and treating the injured; • conducting initial damage assessments and surveys;
• assessing need for mutual aid assistance;
• restricting movement of traffic/people and unnecessary access to affected areas;
• establishing Unified Commands;
• coordinating with state and federal agencies working in the field; and • developing and implementing Incident Action Plans.
Extended Response
The City’s extended response activities are conducted in the field and in the City's emergency operations center (EOC). The City of Gonzales EOC is located at the Public Safety Building at 109 Fourth Street Gonzales.
Extended emergency operations involve the coordination and management of personnel and resources to mitigate an emergency and facilitate the transition to recovery operations. Field response personnel will continue to use the Incident Command System (ICS) to manage field operations. EOC staff will support field response personnel in mitigating the affects of the disaster.
SEMS Functions EOC staff will be organized around the five Standard Emergency Management System (SEMS) functions: Management, Operations, Planning/Intelligence, Logistics, and Finance/Administration. The components and principles of SEMS will be used by the EOC staff to manage disaster operations. EOC staff will establish measurable and attainable objectives to be achieved for a given operational period. An EOC action plan will be developed for each operational period.
When the EOC is activated, communications and coordination will be established between the Incident Commander(s) and the EOC.
Communications and coordination will be established between the City of Gonzales EOC, when activated, and the Monterey County Operational Area EOC. Multi-agency or inter-agency coordination will be used by EOC staff to facilitate decisions for overall local government level emergency response activities.
Gonzales Emergency Operations Plan - Page 5
Mutual Aid “Mutual Aid System” means the system which allows for the progressive mobilization of resources to/from emergency response agencies, local governments, Operational Areas, regions, and the State with the intent of providing adequate resources to requesting agencies. The City of Gonzales is located in Mutual Aid Coastal Region.
Within the framework of the California Disaster and Civil Defense Master Mutual Aid Agreement, several discipline-specific mutual aid coordinators will operate from the Monterey County Operational Area EOC, such as fire and rescue, law, medical, and public works. Mutual aid requests for these disciplines will be coordinated through the coordinators.
Once the City EOC is activated, communications will be established between the EOC and these discipline-specific Operational Area mutual aid coordinators. All other requests for assistance will flow through the appropriate Operational Area SEMS function. The jurisdiction(s) requesting mutual aid will remain in charge and retain overall direction of personnel and equipment provided through mutual aid.
Examples of Examples of extended response activities include:
extended response
• preparing detailed damage assessments;
• operating mass care facilities;
• conducting coroner operations;
• procuring requirement resources to sustain operations; • documenting situation status;
• protecting, controlling, and allocating vital resources; • restoring vital utility services;
• tracking resource allocation;
• conducting advance planning activities;
• documenting expenditures;
• developing and implementing Action Plans for extended operations; • dissemination of emergency public information;
• declaring a local emergency;
• prioritizing resource allocation; and
• inter/multi-agency coordination.
Recovery
As the immediate threat to life, property, and the environment subsides, the rebuilding of the City of Gonzales will begin through various recovery activities.
Recovery activities involve the restoration of services to the public and rebuilding the affected area(s). Recovery activities may be both short-term and long-term, ranging from restoration of essential utilities such as water and power, to mitigation measures designed to prevent future occurrences of a given threat facing the City.
Gonzales Emergency Operations Plan - Page 6
This plan does not specifically identify the City of Gonzales' recovery operations. However, the Recovery Operations Manual covers the recovery process in detail, describing roles and responsibilities and the procedures for accessing the federal and state disaster assistance programs that are available to individuals, businesses, and the City.
The City of Gonzales Recovery Operations Manual is enclosed in the appendix of this plan.
Examples of Examples of recovery activities include:
recovery activities
• restoring of all utilities;
• establishing and staffing Local Assistance Centers and Disaster Assistance Centers;
• applying for state and federal assistance programs;
• conducting hazard mitigation analyses;
• identifying residual hazards; and
• determining and recovering costs associated with response and recovery.
DEFINITIONS
Emergency – Actual or threatened existence of conditions of disaster or of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property within the city caused by such conditions as: air pollution, fire, flood, storm, epidemic, riot, or earthquake, or other conditions, including conditions resulting from war or imminent threat of was, but other than conditions resulting from a labor controversy, which conditions are or are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, and equipment and facilities of the city, requiring the combined forces of other political subdivisions to combat. [GMC 2.08.020] A condition of disaster or extreme peril to the safety of people, property, or the environment. Examples are floods, earthquakes, storms, riots, drought, or disease. [CCR Title 19, Div 2, Art 3, 2402(e)]
Emergency Manager – Person responsible for the management of jurisdictional resources during emergencies. The Emergency Manager is responsible for the management of the Emergency Operations Center.
The Director of Emergency Services or Assistant is the Emergency Manager.
The City Manager is the Director of Emergency Services [GMC
2.08.040.A1] and the Fire Chief is the Assistant Director of Emergency Services [GMC 2.08.020.A2]
Emergency Operations Center – Location used for centralized emergency management within a jurisdiction. [CCR Title 19, Div 2, Art 3, 2402(f)] Finance Section – This function is responsible for tracking all incident costs, evaluating the financial considerations of the incident, and any administrative duties not handled by other functions. [Guide for All-Hazard Emergency Operations Planning (SLG101), September 1996, p. 65]
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Incident Command Post – This is a location used by commanders in the field to direct operations at a specific site or area, usually located near the scene of the emergency.
Liaison Officer – This person is the point of contact for organizations that support operations. [Guide for All-Hazard Emergency Operations Planning (SLG101), September 1996, p. 66]
Logistics – This function is responsible for providing facilities, services, personnel, equipment, and materials needed. [Guide for All-Hazard Emergency Operations Planning (SLG101), September 1996, p. 65] Operations – Responsible for coordinating tactical operations in the field. [Guide for All-Hazard Emergency Operations Planning (SLG101), September 1996, p. 65]
Planning / Intelligence – This section is responsible for collection, evaluation, documentation, dissemination, and use of information about the incident, as well as the status of resources used and needed. This section is responsible for the action plan. [Guide for All-Hazard Emergency Operations Planning (SLG101), September 1996, p. 65]
Public Information Officer – This person is responsible for developing accurate and complete information and providing the media and governmental agencies with information as approved by the Emergency Manager. [Guide for All-Hazard Emergency Operations Planning (SLG101), September 1996, p. 66]
Safety Officer – This person is responsible for assessing the hazards and developing measures to ensure safety. [Guide for All-Hazard Emergency Operations Planning (SLG101), September 1996, p. 66]
RELATIONSHIP TO THE SYSTEM
The City is responsible for emergency response within its geographical boundaries. The California Emergency Services Act requires the City to manage and coordinate the overall emergency response and recovery activities within its jurisdiction. During disasters, it is required to coordinate emergency operations with the Monterey County Operational Area and, in some instances, other local governments.
Under the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS), the city has responsibilities at two levels, the field response and local government levels. At the field response level, all agencies will use the Incident Command System (ICS) to standardize the emergency response.
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At the local government level, a designated Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is used as the central location for gathering and disseminating information, coordinating all jurisdictional emergency operations, and coordinating with the Monterey County Operational Area.
The following diagram depicts the relationship between the City of Gonzales, the Monterey County Operational Area, and the State’s Regional Emergency Operations Center (REOC).
State Regional
Emergency Operations
Center
(Coastal Region - State of California)
Monterey County
Operational Area
Emergency Operations
Center
City of Gonzales
Emergency Operations
Center
City of Gonzales
Field Response Level
PRIMARY
SEMS
FUNCTION
FIELD RESPONSE LEVEL EOCS AT OTHER SEMS
LEVELS
Gonzales Emergency Operations Plan - Page 9
Gonzales
City
Manager
Police Planning Fire Building Recreation Finance Public Works
Command/
Management
Command is responsible for
the directing, ordering, and/or
controlling of resources.
Management is responsible
for overall emergency policy
and coordination.
Operations The coordinated tactical
response of all field operations
in accordance with the
Incident Action Plan.
The coordination of all
jurisdictional operations in
support of the response to the
emergency in accordance with
the EOC Action Plan.
Planning/
Intelligence
The collection, evaluation,
documentation, and use of
information related to the
incident.
Collecting, evaluating, and
disseminating information and
maintaining documentation
relative to all jurisdiction
activities.
Logistics Providing facilities, services,
personnel, equipment, and
materials in support of the
incident.
Providing facilities, services,
personnel, equipment, and
materials in support of all
jurisdiction activities as
required.
Finance/
Administration
Financial and cost analysis
and administrative aspects not
handled by the other
functions.
Broad fiscal and recovery
responsibility as well as
overall fiscal accountability.
Gonzales Daily Organizational Chart
Gonzales Emergency Operations Plan - Page 10
HAZARD ANALYSIS
The City of Gonzales recognizes that the planning process must address each hazard that threatens the City. The City of Gonzales is vulnerable to a wide range of threats. There are three broad categories of hazards: natural, technological or man-made and national security.
Hazards to City The City of Gonzales, with its proximity to agricultural operations, rapidly growing permanent population, and transient seasonal population is subject to a wide variety of negative impacts from natural and technological hazards.
The natural hazards and technological or man-made hazards that have a reasonable chance of confronting the City of Gonzales are as follows:
A hazard matrix that outlines each of these hazards and identifies their likelihood of occurrence and its severity is listed on table A.
Natural Hazards
• earthquakes;
• floods;
• conflagration;
• drought;
Technological Hazards
• extended communications outage;
• extended power outage;
• Ransom/malware attack
Man-made Hazards
• civil disturbance; and
• hazardous materials accident.
Earthquakes Due to the City of Gonzales’ close proximity to the San Andreas Fault, the City is vulnerable to severe damage from earthquakes. Gonzales is located in the same county as the earthquake capital of the world, Parkfield.
Recent earthquakes in central California reinforce the chance of Gonzales having a significant earthquake. The 1989 Loma Prieta 6.9 quake, the 2003 San Simeon 6.5 quake, and the 2004 Parkfield 6.0 quake were all within 50 miles of the Gonzales area.
Flooding Gonzales has experienced significant flooding in recent years; 1993, 1995, and 1998. “Drainage and flood patterns in Gonzales have been significantly altered over the years through urban development and agricultural operations.” (Brady, 1996, p. V-5) Gonzales is located a mile east of the Salinas River but has a drainage slough that runs through town. The Salinas River even at significant flood stages will not inundate Gonzales but will Gonzales Emergency Operations Plan - Page 11
significantly damage the city’s sewer system with their infrastructure on the river bank. The slough has the potential to backup and flood many homes in Gonzales. Though the chance of injury is low from flooding, the possibility of significant property damage is large. The city’s economy could be significantly hampered curing a flood. Transportation routes in and around the city can be blocked for significant periods of time. Emergency services are hampered by the lack of transportation routes.
The Nacimiento and San Antonio dams are upstream of the City of Gonzales.
If heavy rains caused either reservoir to be at or near capacity and there was a failure of either dam, flooding would be anticipated in the low-lying areas of Gonzales. The City’s sewer treatment facility would be inundated if either dam were to fail. If both dams were to fail due to a large seismic event, portions of Gonzales, West of Alta Street could be affected.
Conflagration The City of Gonzales, like many cities with combination career and volunteer fire departments lack sufficient resources to contain all fires. Conflagrations are a possibility in Gonzales and would have a devastating effect on the City’s economic base.
New sections of Gonzales are protected by residential fire sprinkler systems that could limit fire spread within residences. Older sections of Gonzales are more vulnerable to external fire spread due to combustible exterior construction and roofing.
Gonzales Fire Department participates in mutual aid and automatic aid to minimize fire spread by utilizing neighboring resources. These aid agreements also mean that Gonzales Fire Department serves other areas with its limited resources.
Drought Gonzales is part of the Salinas Valley Groundwater Basin. The basin is experiencing demand in excess of the recharge. The basin is also impacted by seawater intrusion. (Brady, 1996, p. VI-9) A drought should generate no injuries or impacts on the infrastructure. Gonzales’ water wells could require redesign and reconstruction. Gonzales’ economic base is agriculture. The industry is heavily dependent on pumped groundwater irrigation. The agricultural industry would be heavily impacted by an extended drought.
Damages to the agricultural industry could run into the millions and may not recover from an extended drought.
Communications Failure Communications are vital to emergency operations and protection of the public. “For more than five years, public safety professionals have been struggling with unreliable and unclear communications, which has jeopardized lives and the citizens they protect.” (Mitchell, 2004, p. 11) “It is possible that you may not hear an evacuation order due to communications or power failure…” (Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2002, p. 22) Part of any Emergency Operations Plan is to establish and maintain communications. (ICMA, 1988, p. 333) “We are in the midst of the ‘Information Age.’” (Dewar, 1998, Introduction) Communications is also Gonzales Emergency Operations Plan - Page 12
vital to business continuity. Businesses are vital to funding Government. An extended outage of communications should not cause any direct economic or physical impact but could have a dire impact on the local economy. It is impractical to estimate the potential monetary losses due to the many variables of seasons and business cycles.
Power Outage The only impact found for an extended power outage is to the local economy.
It is impractical to estimate the potential monetary losses due to the many variables of seasons and business cycles. Historically, power outages increase the likelihood of looting and other crimes of opportunity during darkness.
Gonzales is susceptible to extended outages though power is supplied from several directions into town.
Civil Disturbance Political activity can lead extremists to cause civil unrest. Labor movements, animal rights groups, and environmental concerns have caused civil unrest in other areas. Gonzales has experienced minor events but sustained no serious damage. Major events could cause economic damage and injuries. The occurrence of a major event is seen as slight within Gonzales.
Hazardous materials The release of a hazardous material to the environment could cause a multitude of problems that can be discussed in a general manner. The significance of the problems to the environment, property, or human health is dependent on the type, location, and quantity of the material released.
Although hazardous material incidents can happen almost anywhere, certain areas of the City are at a higher risk. Areas near roadways that are frequently used for transporting hazardous materials and facilities that use, store, or dispose of such materials all have an increasing potential for major mishaps, as do areas crossed by railways, airways, and pipelines. “Hazardous materials are stored in several locations in Gonzales. … Pesticides and herbicides are used on some of the farms in the Planning Area, including areas planned for eventual urban use. … Even after the application of these chemicals has stopped, some may persist in the surface and subsurface soils and/or groundwater for long periods.” (Brady, 1996, p. V10) There are no recorded deaths and only few found injuries from hazardous material in Gonzales. The potential remains for large releases of toxic material damaging the environment and affecting the area’s economy. Dollar damage is difficult to assign for environmental damage. The affect on the local economy could vary greatly depending on the duration of the event and the perceived stigma of the hazardous situation.
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Table A
Likelihood of Occurrence Severity
Hazard Infrequent Sometimes Frequent Low Moderate High
Natural
Earthquake - Major X X
Conflagration X X
Flood X X
Drought X X
Extreme Cold X X
Dam Failure X X
Epidemic X X
Technological
Power Outage X X
Communications
Outage
X X
Fuel Shortage X X
Man-made
Civil Disturbance X X
Hazardous Material X X
Train Wreck X X
Terrorism X X
Power Outage X X
Gonzales Emergency Operations Plan - Page 14
DEPARTMENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES
City of Gonzales departments have specific responsibilities and related activities/actions assigned to them for each identified hazard and threat. Each department is responsible for ensuring coordination with the other departments.
Key personnel The Director of Emergency Services is responsible for identifying key management personnel, with alternates, and alternative facilities to conduct government operations, based on the hazard analysis. Each department will be responsible for identifying key departmental personnel with backups and alternates for each position.
Alert list The Director of Emergency Services is responsible for developing and maintaining an emergency alert list, which will be used to notify the key city personnel. Each department will develop their own departmental alert list, which will be used by the departments to alert departmental personnel.
Special districts Special districts with responsibilities under this plan will coordinate all planning efforts with the fire department.
City FD, PD The fire department or police department has overarching responsibility for coordinating the City’s response to each identified hazard and threat.
Departmental responsibilities are outlined in hazard/threat specific matrices.
Typical activities/actions performed during a specific hazard/threat are listed on the vertical axis (y-axis); and the five Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) functions are listed on the horizontal axis (xaxis). For each activity/action, the departments' assigned responsibilities under this activity/action are listed under the appropriate SEMS function.
The following legend will apply to all the matrices:
AD ----- City Manager
BL ----- Building Official
FD ----- Fire Department
FN ----- Finance
PD ----- Police Department
PL ----- Planning Director
PW ----- Public Works
RC ----- Recreation
UT ----- Local utilities
Gonzales Emergency Operations Plan - Page 15
Table B
Earthquake - SEMS Functions
Activities Command Operations Planning Logistics Finance EOC Operations AD,PD FD,PD PL,PW PW,RC FN,AD
Incident Command FD,PD
Establish Perimeter FD,PD
Control Access PD,PW
Traffic/Crowd Ctr. PD,FD
Evacuations PD,FD
Notifications AD, PL PD,FD
Communications PW,RC
Damage
Assessment
BL,PW BL,PL
Shelter Operations RC,PW
Public Information AD,PL PD,FD
Fire Suppression FD
HazMat Operations FD
Debris Removal PW
Utility Restoration UT
Facility Restoration AD PW,BL PL FN
Situation Status PD,FD,BL,PW
Documentation PL,BL PW,RC FN,AD
Procurement PW,RC FN
Volunteer Mgmt. RC,AD
Recovery AD RC,PD,FD PL,BL PW,UT FN,AD
Gonzales Emergency Operations Plan - Page 16
Table C
Flood - SEMS Functions
Activities Command Operations Planning Logistics Finance EOC Operations AD,PD PW,FD PL,PW PW,RC FN,AD
Incident Command PW,FD
Establish Perimeter PD,PW PL,BL PW
Control Access PD,BL
Evacuation PD,FD
Notifications AD,PL PD,FD
Communications PW,RC
Damage Assessment BL,PW
Flood Fight Ops. PW,FD PL RC
Shelter Operations RC,AD
Public Information AD,PW PD,PL
Med/Rescue Ops. FD,PD
Situation Status PW,BL
Documentation PL,BL PW,RC FN,AD
Fatalities Mgmt. RC,BL
Gonzales Emergency Operations Plan - Page 17
Table D
Conflagration - SEMS Functions
Activities Command Operations Planning Logistics Finance EOC Operations AD,PD FD,PD PL,BL PW,RC FN,AD
Incident Command FD
Establish Perimeter PD,BL PL,BL PW
Traffic/Crowd Control PD,BL
Evacuation FD,PD
Communications PW,RC
Damage Assessment BL,FD
Shelter Operations RC,AD
Public Information AD,FD PD,BL
Fire Suppression FD
Med/Rescue Ops. FD,PD
Situation Status PW,BL
Documentation PL,BL PW,RC FN,AD
Fatalities Mgmt. BL,RC
Table E
Drought - SEMS Functions
Activities Command Operations Planning Logistics Finance EOC Operations AD,PD PW,PL PL,PW PW,RC FN,AD
Evacuation AD,PD PD,BL PL
Notifications PW,BL
Shelter Operations RC,AD
Public Information AD,PW PD,RC
Med/Rescue Ops. PD,FD
Situation Status PW,PL
Damage Assessment PW,BL
Recovery AD PL,RC FN
Gonzales Emergency Operations Plan - Page 18
Table F
Train/Transportation Accident - SEMS Functions
Activities Command Operations Planning Logistics Finance EOC Operations AD,PD FD,PD PL,BL PW,RC FN,AD
Incident Command PD,FD FD
Establish Perimeter PD,FD PW
Control Access PD,BL
Evacuation PD,FD BL
Notifications PD,FD
Communications FD,PD BL PW,RC
Documentation PD,FD
HazMat Ops PD FD,PW BL PW,RC AD,FN
Shelter Operations RC,AD
Public Information AD,PD PD,FD
Med/Rescue Ops. FD,PD
Situation Status PW,BL
Documentation PD,FD PL,BL FN,AD
Table G
Extended Communications or Power Outage - SEMS Functions Activities Command Operations Planning Logistics Finance EOC Operations AD,PD PW,BL PL,UT PW,RC FN,AD
Evacuation BL,PW BL,PW
Notifications AD,PL BL,PW
Damage Assessment BL,PW
Shelter Operations RC,AD
Public Information AD,PW PD,PL
Med/Rescue Ops. FD,PD
Situation Status PW,BL
Documentation PL,BL PW,RC FN,AD
Fatalities Mgmt. RC,BL
Gonzales Emergency Operations Plan - Page 19
Table H
Civil Disturbance - SEMS Functions
Activities Command Operations Planning Logistics Finance EOC Operations AD,PD PD,FD PL,PD PW,RC FN,AD
Incident Command PD
Establish Perimeter PD,PW PL,BL PW
Control Access PD
Public Information AD,PD PD,PL
Situation Status PD,BL
Fire Suppression FD
Damage Assessment BL,PW
Med/Rescue Ops. FD,PD
Shelter Operations RC,AD
Documentation PL,BL PW,RC FN,AD
Fatalities Mgmt. RC,BL
Gonzales Emergency Operations Plan - Page 20
Table I
Hazardous Material - SEMS Functions
Activities Command Operations Planning Logistics Finance EOC Operations AD,PD FD,PD PL,BL PW,RC FN,AD
Incident Command PD,FD
Establish Perimeter FD,PD BL,PL PW
Control Access PD,PW BL
Traffic/Crowd Ctr. PD,FD BL
Evacuations PD,FD BL,PL
Notifications AD, PL PD,FD
Communications FD,PD PW,RC
Damage Assessment BL,PW BL,PL
Shelter Operations RC,PW
Public Information AD,PL PD,FD
Medical Operations PD,FD
Fire Suppression FD
HazMat Operations FD
Hazard Removal PW
Situation Status PD,BL
Documentation PL,BL PW,RC FN,AD
Procurement PW,RC FN
Recovery AD RC,PD,FD PL,BL PW,UT FN,AD
Gonzales Emergency Operations Plan - Page 21
Table J
Terrorism - SEMS Functions
Activities Command Operations Planning Logistics Finance EOC Operations AD,PD PD,FD PL,BL PW,RC FN,AD
Incident Command PD,FD
Establish Perimeter PD,FD BL,PL PW
Control Access PD BL
Traffic/Crowd Ctr. PD,FD BL
Evacuations PD,FD PL
Notifications AD, PD PD,PL
Communications PD PW,RC
Damage Assessment BL,PW BL,PL
Shelter Operations RC,PW PL,RC RC,PW
Public Information AD,PD PL,FD
Medical Operations PD,FD
Fire Suppression FD
HazMat Operations FD
Hazard Removal PD,PW
Situation Status PD,BL
Documentation PD PL,BL PW,RC FN,AD
Procurement PW,RC FN
Recovery AD PD PL,BL PW FN,AD
Gonzales Emergency Operations Plan - Page 22
STANDARDIZED EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM ROLES AND
RESPONSIBILITIES
EOC Director
Function Description:
The EOC Director has overall responsibility and authority for the operation of the EOC. He/she will assure that the EOC is staffed and operated at a level commensurate with the emergency. The EOC Director’s reporting relationship to higher authority will vary depending upon the SEMS Level.
Examples of reporting relationships are described below.
Local Government Level:
● City Manager or Fire Chief, as Director of Emergency Services, as stated in the local government’s emergency ordinance.
Operational Area:
● County Chief Administrative Officer, Director of Emergency Services, or other named authority as stated in the operational areas emergency ordinances.
Regional:
● OES Region Administrator or designee.
State:
● OES Director or designee.
In some jurisdictions, the EOC Director may also be referred to as the EOC Manager. The title Incident Commander should not be used to refer to the person in charge of the EOC. The title Incident Commander should be reserved for use at the SEMS Field level.
The EOC Director will delegate authority as appropriate and necessary to members of the Management Staff and to the General Staff.
Positions reporting to the EOC Director will vary depending upon the SEMS level. Standard functions may include but are not limited to:
● Coordinators of Functional Sections (called the General Staff):
- Operations Section Coordinator
- Planning/Intelligence Section Coordinator
- Logistics Section Coordinator
- Finance/Administration Section Coordinator
EOC Director Management Staff
● EOC Coordinator
● Public Information Officer
● Rumor Control Coordinator
• Liaison Officer
• Agency Representative
• Safety Officer
• Security Officer
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● Management Staff:
- EOC Coordinator
- Public Information Officer
- Liaison Officer
- Safety Officer
- Security Officer
The position of EOC Director may be pre-established where the same person/agency is always in charge of the EOC regardless of the type of emergency, or as is done in some jurisdictions, a qualified person from the agency that has the greatest field involvement in the emergency will fill the position of EOC Director.
Responsibilities:
1. Establish the appropriate staffing level for the EOC and continuously monitor organizational effectiveness ensuring that appropriate modifications occur as required.
2. Exercise overall management responsibility for the coordination between emergency response agencies within the jurisdictional area.
3. In conjunction with the General Staff, set jurisdictional priorities for response efforts. Ensure that all department and agency actions are accomplished within the priorities established at the EOC.
4. Ensure that inter-agency coordination is accomplished effectively.
Operations Section Coordinator
Function Description:
The Operations Section Coordinator, a member of the General Staff, is responsible for the management and coordination of all EOC related operational functions. The Operations Section Coordinator will ensure, based on the emergency, that all necessary operational functions have been activated and are appropriately staffed.
Responsibilities:
1. Ensure that the Operations function is carried out including coordination of activities for all operational functions assigned to the EOC.
2. Ensure that operational objectives and assignments identified in the EOC Action Plan are carried out effectively.
3. Establish the appropriate level of branch and unit organizations within the Operations Section, continuously monitoring the effectiveness and modifying accordingly.
4. Exercise overall responsibility for the coordination of Branch and Unit activities within the Operations Section.
5. Ensure that the Planning/Intelligence Section is provided with Status Reports and Major Incident Reports (utilizing the RIMS formats if available).
Gonzales Emergency Operations Plan - Page 24
6. Conduct periodic Operations briefings for the EOC Director as required or requested.
7. Supervise the Operations Section.
Logistics Section Coordinator
Function Description:
The Logistics Section provides facilities, services, resources and other support services both to agencies responding to the emergency, and to meet internal EOC operating requirements. Incident, DOC or agency requests for support directed to the EOC will be channeled through the EOC Operations Section. The Logistics Section Coordinator reports to the EOC Director.
Responsibilities:
1. Ensure the Logistics function is carried out in support of the EOC. This function includes providing communication services, resource tracking; acquiring equipment, supplies, personnel, facilities, and transportation services; as well as arranging for food, lodging, and other support services as required.
2. Establish the appropriate level of branch and/or unit staffing within the Logistics Section, continuously monitoring the effectiveness of the organization and modifying as required.
3. Ensure section objectives as stated in the EOC Action Plan are accomplished within the operational period or within the estimated time frame.
4. Coordinate closely with the Operations Section Coordinator to establish priorities for resource allocation to activated Incident Commands within the affected area.
5. Keep the EOC Director informed of all significant issues relating to the Logistics Section.
6. Supervise the Logistics Section.
Finance/Administration Section Coordinator
Function Description:
The Finance/Administration function in the EOC manages all financial, administrative, and cost analysis aspects of the emergency. Initially, this work may be done in the EOC, but in later stages of the emergency this function may be accomplished at other locations.
Responsibilities:
1. Ensure that all financial records are maintained throughout the emergency.
2. Ensure that all on-duty time is recorded for all emergency response personnel.
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3. Ensure that all on-duty time sheets are collected from EOC assigned personnel and that departments are collecting this information from Field Level Supervisors or Incident Commanders and their staffs.
4. Ensure there is a continuum of the payroll process for all employees responding to the emergency.
5. Determine purchase order limits for the procurement function in Logistics.
6. Ensure that workers’ compensation claims, resulting from the response are processed within a reasonable time, given the nature of the situation.
7. Ensure that all travel and expense claims are processed within a reasonable time, given the nature of the situation.
8. Provide administrative support to all EOC Sections as required, in coordination with the Personnel Unit.
9. Activate units within the Finance/Administration Section as required; monitor section activities continuously and modify the organization as needed.
10. Ensure that all recovery documentation is accurately maintained during the response and submitted on the appropriate forms to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and/or the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.
11. Supervise the Finance/Administration Section.
Planning/Intelligence Section Coordinator
Function Description:
The Planning/Intelligence Section is a primary function for any local government EOC. The Section will gather information from a variety of sources, analyze and verify information, and prepare and update internal EOC information and map displays. The Situation Analysis function will be activated under any EOC activation. The Section has an important function in overseeing the Planning Meetings and in preparing the EOC Action Plan. The Section will collect and process internal EOC documentation, and prepare advance planning information as necessary. Technical Specialists assigned to the EOC will initially be part of the Planning/Intelligence Section. The Section Coordinator reports directly to the EOC Director.
Responsibilities:
1. Ensure that the following responsibilities of the Planning/Intelligence Section are addressed as required:
● Collecting, analyzing, and displaying situation information, ● Preparing periodic Situation Reports,
● Preparing and distributing the EOC Action Plan and facilitating the Action Planning meeting,
● Conducting Advance Planning activities and report,
Gonzales Emergency Operations Plan - Page 26
● Providing technical support services to the various EOC sections and branches, and documenting and maintaining files on all EOC activities.
2. Establish the appropriate level of organization for the Planning/Intelligence Section.
3. Exercise overall responsibility for the coordination of unit activities within the section.
4. Keep the EOC Director informed of significant issues affecting the Planning/Intelligence Section.
5. In coordination with the other section coordinators, ensure that Status Reports are completed and utilized as a basis for situation reports, and the EOC Action Plan.
6. Supervise the Planning/Intelligence Section.
DEPARTMENT PROCEDURES
For the City of Gonzales’ Emergency Operations Plan to be complete, each SEMS functional section and department must have current Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Each of the SOPs should include readiness activities, procedures for recalling departmental personnel, and disaster assignments.
Each SOP should be reviewed by the applicable department for consistency with the City’s Emergency Operations Plan. Inconsistencies or overlaps between departmental actions will be addressed by the departments or the Director of Emergency services.
Strict adherence to the SOP by departments is not required. Departments may deviate from SOPs to respond to unique situations or needs in a particular response. Major variation from procedures shall be coordinated with the GZEOC.
City Manager’s Office
Readiness Develop a procedure for reviewing and updating office SOPs periodically.
Insure the Gonzales Disaster Council maintains current emergency plans in concert with State of California Office of Emergency Services Operational Area (Monterey County) plans.
Identify alternate government facilities for use during disaster operations, including alternate EOC.
Develop the process and procedure for increasing public information efforts, including disaster preparedness.
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Insure the maintenance of disaster preparedness within Gonzales. Insure departments are capable of staffing needed EOC positions for an extended period of time. Insure department leadership can staff the EOC and manage their departments.
Insure the GZEOC is always prepared for use.
Prepare for and maintain the capability to manage the GZEOC as the Director of Emergency Services. Maintain relief capabilities. Train in the Standardized Emergency Management System and the Incident Command System.
Maintain competence in the functions of all positions in the GZEOC.
Prepare for continuity of government in disaster circumstances, including proclamations and disaster council operations. Insure Gonzales’ political leadership is informed of their role during a declared disaster and during recovery operations.
Initial Response Activate the Gonzales Emergency Operations Center at the appropriate level.
Staff needed positions in the GZEOC.
Notify and update as needed Gonzales’ political leadership of the current situation.
Establish and maintain communications with the Operational Area EOC (OAEOC). Notify the OAEOC of any local emergency declarations.
Disseminate warnings, emergency public information, and instructions to City of Gonzales citizens as needed.
Declare a local emergency as needed. Through the Operational Area EOC, request a gubernatorial proclamation of a state of emergency, and a presidential declaration, as needed.
Coordinate Gonzales resource needs and resources with Operational Area needs.
Extended Response Declaring a local emergency as required.
Disseminate emergency public information as needed through the GZEOC.
Manage the GZEOC, prepare and operate replacement shifts as needed.
Protect, control, and allocating vital resources.
Communicate with and provide staffing for the Disaster Council. Conduct situational briefings for Gonzales’ political leadership as needed.
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Insure safe emergency operations in Gonzales.
Coordinate Gonzales’ efforts with the OES Operational Area.
Recovery Operations Coordinate the Gonzales recovery operations as needed.
Insure essential services are maintained during recovery operations.
Prepare after action reports as needed.
Coordinate Gonzales’ cost recovery and disaster assistance programs.
Insure continuity of Gonzales’ government operations, including the identification of alternate sites and succession of City leadership.
Police Department
Readiness Develop a procedure for reviewing and updating department SOPs periodically.
Identify the process and develop procedures for checking critical Police Department facilities and equipment during and after a disaster or significant event.
Develop procedures for mobilizing Police Department resources as may be necessary for event staging.
Develop procedures for extended operations including police department family support and relief shifts.
In coordination with the fire and other departments, develop a process for managing incidents, at the field level, using the Incident Command System.
In coordination with the fire and other departments, develop a process for communicating with the Monterey County Communications Center and the GZEOC during normal and disaster situations.
Identify and prepare key members for EOC positions that the department may be required to fill: Operations Chief, Police Branch, Medical Branch, Planning, Public Information Officer, or Safety Officer. Train in the Standardized Emergency Management System and the Incident Command System. Maintain competence in any position in the GZEOC that could require police personnel to fill.
Develop procedures and the capability to notify police department personnel of a recall during disaster circumstances.
In coordination with the Fire Department, develop process and procedures to warn threatened areas of Gonzales and elements of the population.
Gonzales Emergency Operations Plan - Page 29
Initial Response In coordination with the Fire Department and City Manager’s Office, develop procedures to disseminate warnings, emergency public information, and instructions to people in Gonzales.
Develop procedures for responding to:
• train or major transportation accidents;
• failure of the Nacimiento or San Antonio Dam (consistent with County plans);
• hazardous material incidents (consistent with the County HazMat Plan); • civil disturbances;
• terrorism incidents;
• earthquakes;
• floods; and
• extreme temperatures.
Develop procedures for initiating:
• damage assessment, “windshield survey”;
• medical operations, including triage and mass casualty operations; • perimeter management, including access control;
• isolating the incident, and controlling access to the incident; and • request for and responding to law enforcement mutual aid.
Develop procedures for evacuations/movement operations and traffic and crowd control operations, including the identification of evacuation routes, evacuation reception areas, shelter locations, and security for area.
Take into consideration specific planning requirements that are identified in the hazard analysis, in particular for earthquakes and hazardous materials incidents.
Extended Response Develop the procedures for EOC operations, including the communication and coordination protocol between the field and the GZEOC. Assign key members to take and relieve needed EOC positions.
Maintain capability to operate joint command within an Incident Command Post.
Activate sustained operations procedures, including police officer extended support.
Fire Department
Readiness Develop a procedure for reviewing and updating department SOPs periodically.
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Identify the process and develop procedures for checking critical Fire Department facilities and equipment during and after a disaster or significant event.
Develop procedures for mobilizing Fire Department resources as may be necessary for event staging.
Develop procedures for extended operations including volunteer firefighter family support and relief shifts.
In coordination with the police and other departments, develop a process for managing incidents, at the field level, using the Incident Command System.
In coordination with the police and other departments, develop a process for communicating with the Monterey County Communications Center and the GZEOC during normal and disaster situations.
Prepare key members for EOC positions that the department may be required to fill: Operations Chief, Fire Branch, Planning, or Safety. Train in the Standardized Emergency Management System and the Incident Command System. Maintain competence in any position in the GZEOC that could require Fire Department personnel to fill.
Develop procedures and the capability to page or call firefighters and other key personnel during disaster circumstances.
In coordination with the Police Department, develop the process and procedures to warn threatened areas of Gonzales and elements of the population.
Ensure that Gonzales hazardous material procedures are consistent with Monterey County’s Hazardous Materials Plan.
Initial Response In coordination with the Police Department and City Manager’s Office, develop procedures to disseminate warnings, emergency public information, and instructions to people in City of Gonzales.
Develop procedures for responding to and managing:
• train or major transportation accidents;
• failure of the Nacimiento or San Antonio Dam (consistent with County plans);
• hazardous material incidents (consistent with the County HazMat Plan); • earthquakes;
Gonzales Emergency Operations Plan - Page 31
• floods;
• conflagrations;
• wildland fires; and
• extreme temperatures.
Develop procedures for initiating:
• damage assessment, “windshield survey”;
• medical operations, including triage and mass casualty operations; • mutual aid response and requests;
• rescue operations; and
• evacuation.
Take into consideration specific planning requirements identified in the hazard analysis, in particular for earthquakes and hazardous materials incidents.
Extended Response Develop the procedures for EOC operations, including the communication and coordination protocol between the field and the GZEOC. Assign key members to take and relieve needed EOC positions.
Maintain capability to operate joint command within an Incident Command Post.
Activate sustained operations procedures, including volunteer firefighter family support.
Public Works Department
Readiness Develop a procedure for reviewing and updating department SOPs periodically.
Identify the process and develop procedures for checking critical Public Works facilities and equipment during and after a disaster or significant event.
Develop procedure for mobilizing Public Works personnel and equipment as may be needed for event staging.
Develop and maintain communications capability with the GZEOC.
Prepare key personnel for EOC positions that the department may be required to fill. Train in the Standardized Emergency Management System and the Incident Command System. Maintain competence in any position in the GZEOC that could require public works personnel to fill.
Develop procedures and the capability to notify employees of a needed recall for disaster operations.
Initial Response Develop procedures for responding to:
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• sewer or water emergencies;
• earthquakes;
• floods;
• weather related emergencies; and
• terrorism incidents.
Develop procedures for initiating:
• utility system damage assessment operations;
• damage assessment operations for critical facilities; • debris removal operations;
• repair and restoration activities for damaged facilities, utility systems, and infrastructure;
• flood fighting activities/actions;
• sand bagging operations;
• hazardous waste clean up and disposal operations;
• requests for and provision of public works mutual aid.
Extended Response Prepare plan for restoring vital utility services.
Prepare plans for restoring essential public facilities.
Maintain capability to operate shifts in the GZEOC if required.
Provide logistical support for GZEOC.
Provide logistical support to the City of Gonzales.
Maintain communications with the Operational Area EOC.
Recovery Operations Identify and analyze potential hazard mitigation projects.
Coordinate recovery efforts for essential services as directed by the Director of Emergency Services.
Coordinate Disaster Assistance Office logistical support.
Assist in the preparation of after action reports.
Planning Department
Readiness Develop a procedure for reviewing and updating department SOPs periodically.
Develop and maintain current emergency plans to deal with disaster contingencies that could affect Gonzales.
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Review and update processes and procedures for briefing City Manager, GZEOC Staff, and the media of any impending disaster or emergency situation.
Review and revise as needed the process and procedures for public information releases, coordinate with the City Manager.
In coordination with the police, fire, and other departments develop a process and procedures to warn threatened areas of Gonzales and elements of the population.
Review maps of specific hazards (i.e., HazMat, dam inundation areas, flood inundation areas, earthquake faults zones, etc.) to be used during emergencies in Gonzales.
Train in the Standardized Emergency Management System and the Incident Command System. Maintain competence in any position in the GZEOC that could require Planning Department personnel to fill.
Prepare for call back during EOC activation, including relief personnel.
Develop procedures to initiate mutual aid request for building inspectors following an earthquake, with the building official.
Develop procedures to manage building inspection teams, with the building official.
Develop procedures to request and manage mutual aid Emergency Management Teams, with the Director of Emergency services.
Develop a procedure for mobilizing Planning Department personnel as needed for event staging.
Initial Response Develop procedures for assessing mutual aid needs.
Maintain communications with any incident planning section.
Develop Incident Action Plans as requested in the GZEOC or Incident Command Post.
Develop sufficient intelligence to provide situation and resource status briefings.
Manage assigned staff to provide all planning needs of the GZEOC.
Assist the Director of Emergency Services with public information, warnings, or other requests.
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Maintain communications with the OES Operational Area EOC to coordinate planning activities if possible.
Extended Response Insure detailed safety inspections of damaged facilities following an earthquake, including the determination of whether a structure will be able to be rebuilt or must be demolished. Assist in the planning and coordination of any demolition required for public safety.
Initiate mutual aid request for building inspectors following an earthquake, as needed and in coordination with the building official.
Manage building inspection teams, as needed and in coordination with the building official.
Request and manage mutual aid Emergency Management Teams, as needed and in coordination with the Director of Emergency services.
Develop procedures for conducting advance planning activities.
Develop situation and resource status reports for the disaster including updates.
Recovery Operations Identify the process used by the Redevelopment Agency to rebuild damaged areas of City of Gonzales under redevelopment laws and regulations.
Implement procedures to hasten rapid safe rebuilding of structures damaged during a disaster.
Identify the process for rezoning damaged areas of City of Gonzales.
Building Department
Readiness Develop a procedure for reviewing and updating department SOPs periodically.
Identify a process and develop procedures for checking GZEOC and other critical facilities periodically. Check and expedite any repairs to the EOC and equipment as required.
Review and update processes and procedures for briefing City Manager, Mayor, and employees of any impending disaster or emergency situation.
Coordinate with the City Manager and Planning Director to review and revise the process and procedures for public information releases.
In coordination with the police, fire, and other departments develop a process for managing incidents, at the field level, using the Incident Command System.
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In coordination with the police, fire, and other departments develop a process for communicating with the Monterey County Communication Center and the GZEOC during normal and disaster situations.
In coordination with the police, fire, and other departments develop a process and procedures to warn threatened areas of Gonzales and elements of the population.
Review maps of specific hazards (i.e., HazMat, dam inundation areas, flood inundation areas, earthquake faults zones, etc.) to be used during emergencies in Gonzales.
Train in the Standardized Emergency Management System and the Incident Command System. Maintain competence in any position in the GZEOC that could require Building Department personnel to fill.
Prepare for call back during EOC activation, including relief personnel.
Develop procedures to initiate mutual aid request for building inspectors following an earthquake, in coordination with the planning department.
Develop procedures to manage building inspection teams, in coordination with the planning department.
Develop procedures to hasten rapid safe rebuilding of structures damaged during a disaster.
Initial Response Verify safety of EOC and essential public facilities.
Evaluate damages in Gonzales. Prepare damage estimates.
In coordination with other departments disseminate warnings, emergency public information, and instructions to City of Gonzales citizens when required.
Staff any EOC position required by the Director of Emergency Services.
Prepare for extended operations.
Extended Response Perform detailed safety inspections of damaged facilities following an earthquake, including the determination of whether a structure will be capable of being rebuilt or must be demolished. Coordinate any demolition required for public safety.
Assist the Director of Emergency Services responding to press inquiries as needed.
Activation, operation, and deactivation of the City of Gonzales Emergency Operational Center (GZEOC) as needed.
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Maintain communications with the Monterey County Operational Area, surrounding jurisdictions, and utilities serving the City of Gonzales.
Recovery Operations Assist in the organization and preparation of after-action reports.
Assist in extended recovery operations.
Assist in applying for state and federal disaster assistance programs.
In coordination with other departments, identify and analyzing potential hazard mitigation projects.
Identify any residual hazards resulting from the disaster.
Implement procedures to hasten rapid safe rebuilding of structures damaged during a disaster.
Finance Department
Readiness Develop procedure for reviewing and updating Finance Department SOPs.
Develop forms and other paperwork necessary to account for all disaster activities and resources.
Develop and maintain accounting necessary for cost recover after disaster or emergency operations. Account for all disaster operational costs.
Maintain capability to prepare after-action reports.
Train in the Standardized Emergency Management System and the Incident Command System. Maintain competence in any position in the GZEOC that could require Finance Department personnel to fill.
Prepare for call back during EOC activation, including relief personnel.
Staff any GZEOC position required. Provide capability of supporting other needed positions as determined by the Director of Emergency Services.
Maintain current assets to support emergency operations.
Initial Response Procure emergency resources to sustain operations.
Document the financial cost of disaster response and recovery operations.
Prepare cost reports for the planning section and others as needed.
Staff any GZEOC position required. Provide capability of supporting other needed positions as determined by the Director of Emergency Services.
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Extended Response Maintain assets for procuring emergency resources to sustain extended operations.
Develop the documentation for the financial cost of disaster response and recovery operations.
Assist in the planning process for GZEOC as needed.
Maintain adequate staff for relief shifts in the GZEOC and other support as requested by the Director of Emergency Services.
Recovery Operations Assist the Director of Emergency Services with managing the recovery phase of the disaster or emergency situation.
Track employees’ time and issue paychecks during disaster operations.
Develop the process and procedures for submitting and processing workman compensation claims.
Assist any Disaster Assistance Centers as required.
Prepare projections for Gonzales’ long-term economic recovery.
Recreation Department
Readiness Reviewing and updating department SOPs periodically.
Identify the process and develop procedures for checking recreation facilities and equipment during and after a disaster or significant event.
Develop procedure for mobilizing Recreation Department personnel and resources as may be necessary for event staging.
Maintain sheltering capability for the City of Gonzales. Maintain contact information to activate sheltering operations as needed.
Develop plans and procedures for coordinating volunteers used for disaster relief.
Prepare plans for vector and animal control during disaster operations.
Train in the Standardized Emergency Management System and the Incident Command System. Maintain competence in any position in the GZEOC that could require recreation personnel to fill.
Prepare for call back during EOC activation, including relief personnel.
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Prepare to staff any GZEOC position required. Provide capability of supporting other needed positions as determined by the Director of Emergency Services.
Initial Response Evaluate Recreation Department facilities and equipment for safe operational capability.
Evaluate potential sheltering facilities for safe operational capability. Verify sheltering capability within Gonzales.
Staff any GZEOC position required. Provide support for other positions as determined by the Director of Emergency Services.
Mobilize Recreation Department employees and volunteers as needed to assist in emergency operations.
Coordinate any disaster service volunteers.
Coordinate any volunteer organizations assisting in disaster operations.
Extended Response In coordination with the American Red Cross, develop procedures for caring for displaced persons. Insure that all items under the American’s with Disabilities Act are considered when opening and managing a shelter.
In coordination with the Monterey County Health Department, utilize procedures for vector control operations.
In coordination with animal control, utilize procedures for the care and shelter of pets of sheltered residents.
Recovery Operations Provide sheltering for displaced persons in coordination with the American Red Cross. Ensure that all items under the American’s with Disabilities Act are considered when opening and managing a shelter.
Prepare plans for demobilizing sheltering operations.
Prepare an after action report on all operations of the Recreation Department.
Assist in the operations of Disaster Assistance Centers.
AUTHORITIES AND REFERENCES
The authority for the City of Gonzales Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) is provided in the California Emergency Services Act (Chapter 7 of Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code).
City of Gonzales resolution dated March 7, 2005 adopting the City of Gonzales EOP.
Gonzales Emergency Operations Plan - Page 39
In development of this EOP, references were used from many sources such as, Monterey County Multi-Hazard Plan, the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) Regulations (California Government Code 8607 et seq) and Guidelines, and the State Emergency Plan.
References
Brady and Associates, Inc. Gonzales General Plan. 1996. Gonzales, CA.
Dewar, James A. The Information Age and the Printing Press: Looking Backward to See Ahead. 1998. Rand Documents,
http://www.rand.org/publications/P/P8014/#fn1
Federal Emergency Management Agency. Are You Ready? H-34, 2002.
Washington, DC.
International City Management Association. Managing Fire Services. 1988.
ICMA Training Institute, Washington. DC.
Mitchell, Ernest. FCC Reaches Bandwidth Consensus. 2004. Fire Chief.
Vol. 48 – 8.
TRAINING AND EXERCISING
The Director of Emergency Services is responsible for developing and providing all training required under the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) regulations.
The departments are responsible for providing training for all department emergency responders, ensuring that all applicable laws are met, and employees are familiar with and knowledgeable of department Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and the City’s emergency plan.
The Director of Emergency Services is responsible for developing and distributing an exercise schedule, covering the exercises to be conducted throughout a given calendar year. Each department is responsible for sending emergency responders to these scheduled events pursuant to the exercise schedule published.
PLAN DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE
The Disaster Council is responsible for the development and ongoing maintenance of the EOP, Gonzales Municipal Code – 2.08.060.
Gonzales Emergency Operations Plan - Page 40
During California’s Earthquake Preparedness Month every April, the EOP shall be reviewed and checked for accuracy. In this way, the document will be maintained and kept in a constant state of readiness.
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Appendix:
Letter of Promulgation
Approval Date: November 1, 2021
To: Officials, Employees, and Citizens of the City of City of Gonzales The preservation of life, property, and the environment is an inherent responsibility of local, state, and federal government. The City of Gonzales has prepared this emergency operations plan to ensure the most effective and economical allocation of resources for the maximum benefit and protection of the community in time of emergency.
While no plan can completely prevent death and destruction, good plans carried out by knowledgeable and well-trained personnel can and will minimize losses. This plan establishes the emergency organization, assigns tasks, specifies policies, and general procedures, and provides for coordination of planning efforts of the various emergency staff and service elements utilizing the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS).
The objective of this plan is to incorporate and coordinate all the facilities and personnel of the city into an efficient organization capable of responding to any emergency.
This emergency operations plan is an extension of the California Emergency Plan.
It will be reviewed, exercised periodically, and revised as necessary to meet changing conditions.
The City Council gives its full support to this plan and urges all officials, employees, and citizens, individually and collectively, to do their share in the total emergency effort of the City of Gonzales.
Concurrence of this promulgation letter constitutes the adoption of the Standardized Emergency Management System by the City of City of Gonzales. This emergency operations plan will become effective on approval by the City Council. ________________________________ ________________
Jose Rios Date
Mayor
City of Gonzales
Gonzales Emergency Operations Plan - Page 42
PLAN CONCURRENCE
The following list of signatures documents each department’s concurrence with this emergency operations plan.
The City Manager concurs with the City of Gonzales's Emergency Operations Plan.
Signed ____________________________________ _______________________ (City Manger's) (date)
The Police Department concurs with the City of Gonzales's Emergency Operations Plan.
Signed _____________________________________ ______________________ (Police Chief) (date)
The Fire Department concurs with the City of Gonzales's Emergency Operations Plan.
Signed ____________________________________ _______________________ (Fire Chief) (date)
The Public Works Department concurs with the City of Gonzales's Emergency Operations Plan.
Signed ____________________________________ _______________________ (Public Works Director) (date)
The Planning Department concurs with the City of Gonzales's Emergency Operations Plan.
Signed ____________________________________ _______________________ (Planning director) (date)
The Building Department concurs with the City of Gonzales's Emergency Operations Plan.
Signed ____________________________________ _______________________ (Building Official) (date)
The Recreation Department concurs with the City of Gonzales's Emergency Operations Plan.
Signed ____________________________________ _______________________ (Recreation Director) (date)
Gonzales Emergency Operations Plan - Page 43
Gonzales Emergency Operations Center (GZEOC) PLAN
Gonzales Emergency Operations shall be in compliance with the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) and National Incident Management system (NIMS) • Authority to Activate the GZEOC
o Basic authority rests with the City Manager as the Director of Emergency Services
o Fire Chief is the Deputy Director of Emergency Services o The Director of Emergency Services may establish policies allowing others to activate the GZEOC
• Levels of GZEOC activation
o Level 0 – Day to day operations
▪ Prepared for activation
o Level 1 – Director of Emergency Services and needed staff monitoring situation
▪ Emergency situation possible or probable
▪ Preparing for further activation
o Level 2 – GZEOC operational and Operational Area EOC notified of activation
▪ Major event or jurisdiction-wide emergency exists
▪ Support provide for Incident Command Post
▪ Communications established with Operational Area EOC
o Level 3 – full SEMS/NIMS functions filled and operational ▪ Major event requiring support of City Government
▪ Support and coordination provided to Incident Command Posts • Assessment of the Need to Activate the Emergency Operations Center o Any incident that may have jurisdiction wide implications may require activation of the GZEOC
o Any emergency that involves several departments may require activation of the GZEOC
o Preparation for a planned or potentially emergent situation could be reason to activate the GZEOC
o On-duty staff shall advice departmental leadership of active or pending major incidents that may require jurisdictional support and GZEOC activation o Departmental leadership shall advice Gonzales Director of Emergency Services or Deputy of any situation that may require activation of GZEOC • Notification of Emergency Operations Staff
o The Gonzales Director of Emergency Services and/or Deputy may be notified via Monterey County Communications Center
▪ Phone numbers for both shall be maintained by all departments’ leadership
▪ They may be notified via cell phone, pager, or residence o The notification of GZEOC staff shall be provided by – The Director of Emergency Services or designee
▪ Call lists shall be maintained as required by the Director of Emergency Services
▪ Call lists shall be used for call back of only needed personnel as determined by the GZEOC level of activation
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o The notification should occur within – the first half hour of GZEOC activation o The Operational Area Emergency Manager shall be notified per the Operational Area Emergency Plan when GZEOC is activated at level two or higher.
• Emergency Operations Center Staffing Level
o Level 0 – No staff assigned to coordinate activities
▪ Assigned staff shall check equipment periodically
▪ Emergency Operations Plan reviewed annually by assigned staff o Level 1 – Director of Emergency Services or Deputy shall monitor activities ▪ assemble staff as needed to and determine future activation status ▪ Planning/Intelligence section may be utilized
o Level 2 – Director of Emergency Services or Deputy shall assemble departmental leadership from affected or potentially affected areas to manage the GZEOC
▪ Management Section required
▪ Finance/Administration section shall be activated for record keeping ▪ May not require operations or logistics sections
o Level 3
▪ All SEMS/NIMS functional positions must be activated
▪ Public Information, Safety, and Liaison should be filled ▪ Planning section should make arrangements for ongoing shifts o Staffing Shifts
▪ Each department should be capable of supplying a backup person or people to assist in relief shifts at the GZEOC
▪ The relief personnel should have the appropriate training required for that SEMS/NIMS position
• Facilities
o Gonzales shall maintain an Emergency Operations Center in at least two places
▪ The primary EOC for Gonzales shall be in the Public Safety Building ▪ The primary backup shall be within Gonzales City Hall ▪ The Fire Station may function as a backup EOC
▪ The Public Works Building may operate as a backup EOC • Communications
o Incident Command Posts (ICP) to GZEOC
▪ Gonzales Public Works channel shall be the primary radio communications channel from ICP to GZEOC
o GZEOC to OAEOC
▪ Telephone communications should be primary
▪ Emergency Radios are provided by the Operational Area for this purpose
o PIO
▪ Media call lists should be maintained in the EOC
▪ Media should be used to provide accurate information to the affected public
▪ Reasonable efforts should be made to provide media access to operations in Gonzales
o Liaison with Policy Group – Political Leadership
Gonzales Emergency Operations Plan - Page 45
▪ The liaison officer should maintain close personal communications with political leadership group as directed by Director of Emergency Services
• Responsibilities
o General Staff
▪ Director of Emergency Services Determine level of GZEOC activation • Staff GZEOC as needed
• Maintain contact with Operational Area EOC
• Maintain contact with Gonzales political leadership
• Manage the Emergency Operations Center during activation • Coordinate City and other resources to support field operations ▪ Public Information
• Primary point of contact for media
• Coordinate incident information with Director of Emergency Services
• Rumor control
▪ Safety
• Insure safe field operations
• Insure safe EOC operations
▪ Liaison
• Primary point of contact for outside agency representatives • Coordinate Director of Emergency Services with political leadership
o Command Staff
▪ Operations
• Coordinate all incident command posts
• Coordinate resource requests from incident command posts • Responsible for providing maximum benefit to Gonzales as a whole
▪ Planning/Intelligence
• Gathering and posting situational information
• Gathering and posting resource information
• Developing action plans for each shift at the GZEOC
▪ Logistics
• Provide logistical support for the GZEOC
• Coordinate City resources for use at incidents
• Coordinates GZEOC with incident logistical sections
• Obtains resources needed by any incident within Gonzales • Coordinates Gonzales resources with Operational Area
resource needs
▪ Finance/Administration
• Maintains records of all incidents
• Accounts for all costs of emergency operations
• Provides needed finances for needed resources
• Coordinates cost recovery during recovery phase
Gonzales Emergency Operations Plan - Page 46
o Functional Chart
▪
• Access Control
o The Chief of Police or designee shall establish access control for the GZEOC when required
• Emergency Declarations
o The City Council may declare a disaster exists in Gonzales or may operate as part of Monterey County disaster operations if one is declared by the County.
• Training
o Training standards for GZEOC personnel shall be established by the Director of Emergency Services
o All employees and/or volunteers that could function in the GZEOC shall be trained for any position that they could be utilized in o All people operating in the GZEOC shall be trained in SEMS • Staff Assignments
o Department leaders assigned to the EOC may not be able to coordinate their department while functioning in an EOC position
o Management
▪ Primary – City Manager
▪ Deputy – Fire Chief
o Operations
▪ Primary – Department head most affected by incident
▪ Secondary – Law or Fire Representative as assigned by Director of Emergency Services
o Planning/Intelligence
▪ Primary – Planning Director
▪ Secondary – Public Works
o Logistics
▪ Primary – Public Works
▪ Secondary – Parks & Recreation
o Finance/Administration
▪ Primary – Finance
▪ Secondary – Parks & Recreation
o Public Information
▪ Primary – Law Enforcement
▪ Secondary – Assigned by Director of Emergency Services o Safety
Management
Operations Planning/Intel Logistics Finance/Admin
Law Branch
Fire Branch
Public works
Medical
Gonzales Emergency Operations Plan - Page 47
▪ Primary – Public Works
▪ Secondary – Building Official
o Liaison
▪ Primary – Parks & Recreation
▪ Secondary – Finance
o Sheltering
▪ Primary – Parks & Recreation
▪ Secondary – Public Works
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Recovery Operations Manual
Concept of Operations
Recovery Operations The City of Gonzales and the utility companies serving the City will be involved in recovery operations. In the aftermath of a disaster, many citizens will have specific needs that must be met before they can pick up the thread of their pre-disaster lives. Typically, there will be a need for such services as these:
• assessment of the extent and severity of damages to homes and other property;
• restoration of services generally available in communities - water, sewer, food, and medical assistance;
• repair of damaged homes and property; and
• professional counseling when the sudden changes resulting from the emergency have resulted in mental anguish and inability to cope.
The City will help to the extent possible individuals and families recover by ensuring that these services are available and by seeking additional resources if the community needs them.
Two phases Recovery occurs in two phases: short-term and long-term. Short-term recovery operations will begin during the response phase of the emergency. The major objectives of short-term recovery operations include rapid debris removal and clean-up, and orderly and coordinated restoration of essential services (electricity, water, and sanitary systems). Short-term recovery operations will include all the agencies participating in the City's disaster response.
The major objectives of long-term recovery operations include:
• coordinated delivery of long-term social and health services; • improved land use planning;
• an improved City of Gonzales Emergency Operations Plan; • re-establishing the local economy to pre-disaster levels; • recovery of disaster response costs; and
• the effective integration of mitigation strategies into recovery planning and operations.
City of Gonzales will handle long-term recovery activities in coordination with the Monterey County Operational Area. Changes to the plan will be coordinated with all participating departments and agencies. Structures that present public safety threats will be demolished and abated during short-term recovery operations.
SHORT-TERM The goal of short-term recovery is to restore local government services to at RECOVERY least minimal capacity. Short-term recovery includes:
• utility restoration;
• medical and mental health services;
• re-establishment of City of Gonzales government operations; Gonzales Emergency Operations Plan - Page 49
• transportation route restoration;
• debris removal and clean-up operations; and
• the abatement and demolition of hazardous structures.
The City of Gonzales will coordinate with special district and private utility companies on all efforts to restore utility systems and services during recovery operations. Medical services will continue in temporary facilities, as necessary. Monterey County Health Department will be requested to coordinate and conduct Critical Stress Debriefings for emergency response personnel and victims of the disaster/event.
For federally-declared disasters, centers may be established by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assist disaster victims and businesses in applying for individual assistance grants and Small Business Administration loans.
In coordination with the American Red Cross, the City will provide sheltering for disaster victims until housing can be arranged. The City will ensure that debris removal and clean-up operations are expedited during short-term recovery operations.
LONG-TERM The goal of long-term recovery is to restore facilities to pre-disaster RECOVERY condition. Long-term recovery includes hazard mitigation activities, restoration and reconstruction of public facilities, and disaster response cost recovery.
The City will be responsible for its own approach to mitigation which could include zoning variances, plan reviews, seismic safety elements, and other land use planning techniques. With public safety a primary concern, rapid recovery may require adjustments to policies and procedures to streamline the recovery process.
Hazard mitigation actions will need to be coordinated and employed in all activities by the City and special districts in order to ensure a maximum reduction of vulnerability to future disasters. The City and special districts will strive to restore essential facilities to their pre-disaster condition by retrofitting, repairing, or reconstructing them during long-term recovery operations.
Recovery programs will also be sought for individual citizens and private businesses. The City's redevelopment agencies will play a vital role in rebuilding commercial areas of the City.
RECOVERY OPERATIONS ORGANIZATION
For the City of Gonzales, recovery operations will be managed and directed by the City Manager. Recovery issues involving other jurisdictions and/or special districts will be coordinated and managed between the City Manager and their designated representatives. On a regularly scheduled basis, the City Manager will convene meetings with department managers, key individuals, and representatives from affected jurisdictions and special districts. These meetings will be held to collectively make policy decisions and to gather and disseminate information regarding completed and ongoing recovery operations. The Police Chief will assist the City Manager in facilitating and leading the recovery process. City of Gonzales departments will also be Gonzales Emergency Operations Plan - Page 50
represented and responsible for certain functions throughout the recovery process. A recovery operations organizational chart is depicted below.
RECOVERY OPERATIONS RESPONSIBILITIES
The City and special districts have specific responsibilities in recovering from a disaster. The functional responsibility chart, listed below, depicts the functional responsibilities assigned to each of the departments and/or key personnel, the Monterey County Operational Area, and special districts.
Function Departments/Agencies
Political process management; interdepartmental coordination; City Manager’s Office policy development; decision making; and public information.
Land use and zoning variance; permits and controls for new City Planning Department development; revision of building regulations and codes; code enforcement; plan review; and building and safety inspections.
Restoration of medical facilities and associated services; continue County Health Department to provide mental health services; and perform environmental reviews.
Debris removal; demolition; construction; management of and Public Works Dept. liaison with construction contractors; restoration of utility services. Special Utility Districts Housing programs; assistance programs for the needy; oversight of County Social Services Dept. care facility property management; low income and special housing needs.
Public finance; budgeting; contracting; accounting and claims Finance Dept. processing; taxation; insurance settlements.
Redevelopment of existing areas; planning of new redevelopment City Redevelopment Agency projects; and financing new projects.
Applications for disaster financial assistance; liaison with assistance Finance Department providers; onsite recovery support; disaster financial assistance project management.
Advise on emergency authorities, actions, and associated City Attorney liabilities; preparation of legal opinions; preparation of new ordinances and resolutions.
Government operations and communications; space acquisition; Administrative Services supplies and equipment; vehicles; personnel; and related support.
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RECOVERY DAMAGE/SAFETY ASSESSMENT
Under the City of Gonzales Emergency Operations Center's Standard Operating Procedures, an Initial Damage Estimate is developed during the emergency response phase to support a request for gubernatorial proclamation and for the State to request a presidential declaration.
This is followed by a detailed assessment of damage during the recovery phase by the City and special districts. This detailed assessment provides the basis for determining the type and amount of state and/or federal financial assistance available for recovery.
In coordination with Planning Department, The Building Department will complete the detailed damage/safety assessment. Administrative and operational divisions of special districts will, in most cases, complete the detailed damage/safety assessment.
DOCUMENTATION
Documentation is the key to recovering emergency response and recovery costs. Damage assessment documentation will be critical in establishing the basis for eligibility of disaster assistance programs.
NDAA requirements Under the State Natural Disaster Assistance Act (NDAA), documentation is required for damage sustained to public buildings, levees, flood control works, irrigation works, county roads, city streets, bridges, and other public works.
Federal requirements Under federal disaster assistance programs, documentation must be obtained regarding damage sustained to:
• roads;
• water control facilities;
• public buildings and related equipment;
• public utilities;
• facilities under construction;
• recreational and park facilities;
• educational institutions; and
• certain private non-profit facilities.
Debris removal Debris removal and emergency response costs incurred by the affected entities should also be documented for assistance purposes under the federal programs. It will be the responsibility of the City and special districts to collect documentation of these damages.
The documented information should include the location and extent of damage, and estimates of costs for debris removal, emergency work, and repairing or replacing damaged facilities to pre-disaster condition.
Building codes The cost of compliance with building codes for new construction, repair, and restoration will also be documented. The cost of improving facilities may be included under federal mitigation programs.
Documentation is key to recovering expenditures related to emergency response and recovery operations. For City of Gonzales and their special districts, documentation must begin at the field response level and continue throughout the operation of their Emergency Operations Center as the disaster unfolds.
AFTER-ACTION REPORTING
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After-Action Report Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) regulations require any city, city and county, or county declaring a local emergency for which the governor proclaims a state of emergency to complete and transmit an after-action report to Emergency Services Director within (90) days of the close of the incident period.
The after-action report will provide, at a minimum, response actions taken, application of SEMS, suggested modifications to SEMS, necessary modifications to plans and procedures, identified training needs, and recovery activities to date.
The after-action report will serve as a source for documenting City of Gonzales’s emergency response activities, identifying areas of concern and successes. It will also be utilized to develop and describe a work plan for implementing improvements.
An after-action report will be a composite document for all SEMS levels, providing a broad perspective of the incident, referencing more detailed documents, and addressing all areas specified in regulations. It will include an overview of the incident, including enclosures, and addressing specific areas if necessary.
It will be coordinated with, but not encompass, hazard mitigation. Hazard mitigation efforts may be included in the “recovery actions to date” portion of the after-action report.
The Emergency Services Director of the City of Gonzales is responsible for the after-action report, including sending it to the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services within the required 90 day period. They may coordinate with the Operational Area and special districts in the completion of the afteraction report, incorporating information from them for the report.
For City of Gonzales, the after-action report’s primary audience will be City management and employees. As public documents, they are accessible to anyone who requests a copy through the Public Records Act procedure.
The after-action reports will be written in simple language, well-structured, brief and well-presented, and geared to multiple audiences.
Data for the after-action report will be collected from a questionnaire, RIMS documents, other documents developed during the disaster response, and interviews of emergency responders. The most recent After-Action Report Instructions and Report Form are available on RIMS.
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DISASTER ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
Introduction
When requesting disaster assistance, some key areas of concern must be adequately addressed. These areas include the needs of distinct groups, disaster assistance available at each level of declaration, and the level of detail required on each request for disaster assistance.
The disaster assistance programs have been developed for the needs of four distinct groups:
• individuals;
• businesses (including agriculture interests);
• governments; and
• non-profit organizations.
Individuals Individuals may receive loans or grants for such things as real and personal property, dental, funeral, medical, transportation, unemployment, sheltering, and rental assistance, depending on the extent of damage.
Business Loans for many types of businesses are often made available through the United States Small Business Administration, assisting with physical and economic losses as a result of a disaster or an emergency.
Agriculture Programs exist for agricultural or other rural interests through the United States Department of Agriculture, including assistance for physical and production losses, repair, and reconstruction.
Government Funds and grants are available to government and non-profit organizations to mitigate the risk of future damage.
Type of Emergency Declaration
A state grant program is available to local governments to respond and recover from disasters. Federal grant programs are available to assist governments and certain non-profit organizations in responding to and recovering from disasters. At each level of emergency declaration, various disaster assistance programs become available to individuals, businesses, governments, and non-profit organizations. Under local emergency declarations, the City of Gonzales may be eligible for assistance under the Natural Disaster Assistance Act (with concurrence of the Director of the Governor’s OES).
Businesses and individuals may be eligible for local government tax relief, low-interest loans from the United States Small Business Administration, and relief programs under the United States Department of Agriculture.
State of Emergency Under a State of Emergency Proclamation by the Governor, the City, Proclamation special districts, individuals, and businesses may be eligible, in addition to the assistance available under a local emergency declaration, for services from the following agencies:
• Contractor's License Board;
• Department of Insurance;
• Department of Social Services;
• Franchise Tax Board Tax Relief;
• Department of Motor Vehicles;
• Department of Aging State Board of Equalization; and
• Department of Veteran's Affairs (CALVET).
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Presidential Declaration Under a Presidential Declaration, the City, special districts, individuals, and businesses may be eligible for the following disaster assistance programs and services:
• Cora Brown Fund;
• Crisis Counseling Program;
• Disaster Unemployment;
• Temporary Housing Program;
• Individual and Family Grant Program;
• Internal Revenue Service Tax Relief;
• Public Assistance;
• Hazard Mitigation;
• Veteran's Affairs Assistance; and
• Federal Financial Institutions.
Public Assistance Program Responsibilities
The City, private agencies, and special districts have the responsibility for the completion and submission of the required documents for both state and federal public assistance programs for their jurisdiction, agency, or company.
Specifically, the City Director of Emergency Services will complete the necessary public assistance program application and supporting materials.
Additionally, Director of Emergency Services will be the primary contact for state and federal field representatives.
Special districts will typically assign a representative from their accounting office to complete application materials and coordinate with state and federal representatives. This special district representative will also work closely with their agency’s/company’s field operations staff throughout this process.
Individual Assistance Program Responsibilities
Individuals are expected, whenever possible, to provide for themselves and direct their own personal recovery. However, many individuals will expect the City to deliver assistance to them well after the disaster.
The City will assist the individuals in any way possible, including providing them with the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) hotline number for individual assistance.
A sequence of delivery guide has been developed by FEMA to assist individuals and local governments in determining the flow of individual assistance. The City of Gonzales’s objective is to provide the citizens of their community with all the necessary information to help themselves recover from the disaster. The sequence of delivery appears as follows:
• individual actions for assistance (family, friends, volunteer organizations, churches, etc.);
• recovery/assistance from private insurance carrier;
• FEMA disaster housing assistance;
• United States Small Business Administration assistance; • individual and Family Grant Program assistance; and
• Cora Brown Fund Assistance.
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Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Responsibilities
Within declared areas, management of non-profit special districts and the Emergency Services Director isresponsible for identifying projects that will substantially reduce the risk of future damage, hardship, loss, or suffering from a disaster.
These agencies must ensure that each identified project is cost effective and meets basic project eligibility. These agencies will be the primary contact and coordinator for each funded project until completion.
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California Code of Regulations
Title 19, Division 2
Office of Emergency Services
Adopted Regulations
CHAPTER 1
Article 1. Short Title
§2400. Short Title.
This Chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) Regulations.
Note:
AUTHORITY: GOVERNMENT CODE §8607(a)
REFERENCE: GOVERNMENT CODE §8607
Article 2. Purpose and Scope
§2401. Purpose and Scope.
These regulations establish the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) based upon the Incident Command System (ICS) adapted from the system originally developed by the Firefighting Resources of California Organized for Potential Emergencies (FIRESCOPE) program including those currently in use by state agencies, the Multi-Agency Coordination System (MACS) as developed by FIRESCOPE program, the operational area concept, and the Master Mutual Aid Agreement and related mutual aid systems.
SEMS is intended to standardize response to emergencies involving multiple jurisdictions or multiple agencies. SEMS is intended to be flexible and adaptable to the needs of all emergency responders in California. SEMS requires emergency response agencies use basic principles and components of emergency management including ICS, multi-agency or inter-agency coordination, the operational area concept, and established mutual aid systems. State agencies must use SEMS. Local government must use SEMS by December 1, 1996 in order to be eligible for state funding of response-related personnel costs pursuant to activities identified in California Code of Regulations, Title 19, §2920, §2925, and §2930. Individual agencies' roles and responsibilities contained in existing laws or the state emergency plan are not superseded by these regulations.
Note:
AUTHORITY: GOVERNMENT CODE §8607(a), §8607(b)
REFERENCE: GOVERNMENT CODE §8607, HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE §13071, §13072 Article 3. Definitions
§2402. Definitions.
(a) “Action Plan” means the plan prepared in the EOC containing the emergency response objectives of that SEMS level reflecting overall priorities and supporting activities for a designated period. The plan is shared with supporting agencies.
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(b) “Activate” means at a minimum, a designated official of the emergency response agency implements SEMS as appropriate to the scope of the emergency and the agency's role in response to the emergency. (c) “Department Operations Center” means an EOC used by a distinct discipline, such as fire, medical, hazardous material, or a unit such as Department of Public Works, Department of Health, or local water district. Department operations centers may be used at all SEMS levels above the field response level depending upon the impacts of the emergency.
(d) “Disaster Assistance Program” is a program that provides state funding or reimbursement for local government response-related personnel costs incurred in response to an incident as defined in §2402(I). (e) “Emergency” means a condition of disaster or of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property within the state caused by such conditions as air pollution, fire, flood, hazardous material incident, storm, epidemic, riot, drought, sudden and severe energy shortage, plant or animal infestations or disease, the Governor's warning of an earthquake or volcanic prediction, or an earthquake or other conditions, other than conditions resulting from a labor controversy.
(f) “Emergency Operations Center” means a location from which centralized emergency management can be performed.
(g) “Emergency Response Agency” means any organization responding to an emergency, whether in the field, at the scene of an incident, or to an EOC, in response to an emergency, or providing mutual aid support to such an organization.
(h) “Emergency Response Personnel” means personnel involved with an agency's response to an emergency. (i) “Incident” means an occurrence or event, either human-caused or by natural phenomena, that requires action by emergency response personnel to prevent or minimize loss of life or damage to property and/or natural resources.
(j) “Incident Action Plan” means the plan developed at the field response level which contains objectives reflecting the overall incident strategy and specific tactical actions and supporting information for the next operational period. The plan may be oral or written.
(k) “Incident Commander” means the individual responsible for the command of all functions at the field response level.
(l) “Incident Command System (ICS)” means the nationally used standardized on-scene emergency management concept specifically designed to allow its user(s) to adopt an integrated organizational structure equal to the complexity and demands of single or multiple incidents without being hindered by jurisdictional boundaries. ICS is the combination of facilities, equipment, personnel, procedures, and communications operating within a common organizational structure, with responsibility for the management of resources to effectively accomplish stated objectives pertinent to an incident. (m) “Local Government” means local agencies as defined in Government Code §8680.2 and special districts as defined in California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 2, Chapter 5, NDAA, §2900(y). (n) “Multi-agency or inter-agency coordination” means the participation of agencies and disciplines involved at any level of the SEMS organization working together in a coordinated effort to facilitate decisions for overall emergency response activities, including the sharing of critical resources and the prioritization of incidents.
(o) “Office of Emergency Services” means the Governor's Office of Emergency Services.
Note:
AUTHORITY: GOVERNMENT CODE §8607(a)
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REFERENCE: GOVERNMENT CODE §8607, §8680.2, §8558(c)
Article 4. Standardized Emergency Management System
§2403. SEMS Organizational Levels and Functions.
(a) All emergency response agencies shall use the Standardized Emergency Management System in responding to, managing, and coordinating multiple agency or multiple jurisdiction incidents, whether single or multiple discipline.
(b) There are five designated levels in the SEMS organization: field response, local government, operational area, regional, and state. Each level is activated as needed. (1) “Field response level” commands emergency response personnel and resources to carry out tactical decisions and activities in direct response to and incident or threat. (2) “Local government level” manages and coordinates the overall emergency response and recovery activities within their jurisdiction.
(3) “Operational area level” manages and/or coordinates information, resources, and priorities among local governments within the operational area and serves as the coordination and communication link between the local government level and the regional level. (4) “Regional level” manages and coordinates information and resources among operational areas within the mutual aid region designated pursuant to Government Code §8600 and between the operational areas and the state level. This level along with the state level coordinates overall state agency support for emergency response activities.
(5) “State level” manages state resources in response to the emergency needs of the other levels, manages and coordinates mutual aid among the mutual aid regions and between the regional level and state level, and serves as the coordination and communication link with the federal disaster response system. (c) Local government, operational area, regional and state levels shall provide for all of the following functions within SEMS: management, operations, planning/intelligence, logistics, and finance/administration.
(1) Management is responsible for overall emergency policy and coordination through the joint efforts of governmental agencies and private organizations.
(2) Operations is responsible for coordinating all jurisdictional operations in support of the response to the emergency through implementation of the organizational level's action plan. (3) Planning/Intelligence is responsible for collecting, evaluating, and disseminating information; developing the organizational level's action plan in coordination with the other functions; and maintaining documentation.
(4) Logistics is responsible for providing facilities, services, personnel, equipment, and materials. (5) Finance/Administration is responsible for financial activities and administrative aspects not assigned to the other functions.
Note:
AUTHORITY: GOVERNMENT CODE §8607(a)
REFERENCE: GOVERNMENT CODE §8607, §8559, §8605, §8600
§2405. Field Response Level.
(a) Emergency response agencies operating at the field response level of an incident shall utilize the Incident Command System, incorporating the functions, principles, and components of ICS. (1) The functions of ICS are command, operations, planning, logistics, and finance. (A) Command is the directing, ordering, and/or controlling of resources by virtue of explicit legal, agency, or delegated authority.
(B) Operations is responsible for the coordinated tactical response of all field operations directly applicable to or in support of mission(s) in accordance with the Incident Action Plan.
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(C) Planning (may be referred to as planning/intelligence) is responsible for the collection, evaluation, documentation, and use of information about the development of the incident and the status of resources.
(D) Logistics is responsible for providing facilities, services, personnel, equipment, and materials in support of the incident.
(E) Finance (may be referred to as finance/administration) is responsible for all financial and cost analysis aspects of the incident, and for any administrative aspects not handled by the other functions. (2) The principles of ICS are that:
(A) The system provides for the following kinds of operation: single jurisdictional responsibility/single agency involvement, single jurisdictional responsibility with multiple-agency involvement, and multiple-jurisdictional responsibility with multiple-agency involvement. (B) The system's organizational structure adapts to any emergency or incident to which emergency response agencies would be expected to respond.
(C) The system shall be applicable and acceptable to all user agencies. (D) The system is readily adaptable to new technology.
(E) The system expands in a rapid and logical manner from an initial response to a major incident and contracts just as rapidly as organizational needs of the situation decrease. (F) The system has basic common elements in organization, terminology, and procedures. (3) The components of ICS are common terminology, modular organization, unified command structure, consolidated action plans, manageable span-of-control, predesignated incident facilities, comprehensive resource management, and integrated communications.
(A) Common terminology is the established common titles for organizational functions, resources, and facilities within ICS.
(B) Modular organization is the method by which the ICS organizational structure develops, based upon the kind and size of an incident. The organization's staff builds from the top down with responsibility and performance placed initially with the Incident Commander. As the need exists, operations, planning, logistics, and finance may be organized as separate sections, each with several units. (C) Unified command structure is a unified team effort which allows all agencies with responsibility for the incident, either geographical or functional, to manage an incident by establishing a common set of incident objectives and strategies. This is accomplished without losing or abdicating agency authority, autonomy, responsibility, or accountability.
(D) Consolidated action plans identify objectives and strategy determinations made by the Incident Commander for the incident based upon the requirements of the jurisdiction. In the case of a unified command, the incident objectives must adequately reflect the policy and needs of all the jurisdictional agencies. The action plan for the incident covers the tactical and support activities required for the operational period.
(E) Manageable span-of-control within ICS is a limitation on the number of emergency response personnel who can effectively be supervised or directed by an individual supervisor. The kind of incident, the nature of the response or task, distance, and safety will influence the span-of-control range. The ordinary span-of-control range is between three and seven personnel. (F) Predesignated incident facilities are identified within ICS. The determination of the kinds and locations of facilities to be used will be based upon the requirements of the incident. (G) Comprehensive resource management is the identification, grouping, assignment, and tracking of resources.
(H) Integrated communications are managed through the use of a common communications plan and an incident-based communications center established for the use of tactical and support resources assigned to the incident.
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(b) Where an agency has jurisdiction over multiple-agency incidents, it shall organize the field response using ICS to provide for coordinated decision-making with emergency response agencies.
Note:
AUTHORITY: GOVERNMENT CODE §8607(a)
REFERENCE: GOVERNMENT CODE §8607(a)(1), §8607(e), HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE §13071, §13072
§2407. Local Government Level.
(a) The Standardized Emergency Management System as described under SEMS Organizational Levels and Functions (§2403) shall be utilized:
(1) when the local government emergency operations center is activated. (2) when a local emergency, as defined in Government Code §8558(c), is declared or proclaimed. (b) When a local government EOC is activated, communications and coordination shall be established between the Incident Commander(s) and the department operations center(s) to the EOC or between the Incident Commander(s) and the EOC. Coordination of fire and law enforcement resources shall be accomplished through their respective mutual aid systems. (c) Communications and coordination shall be established between a local government EOC, when activated, and any state or local emergency response agency having jurisdiction at an incident occurring within that local government's boundaries.
(d) Local government shall use multi-agency or inter-agency coordination to facilitate decisions for overall local government level emergency response activities.
Note:
AUTHORITY: GOVERNMENT CODE §8607(a)
REFERENCE: GOVERNMENT CODE §8558(c), §8607(a), §8607(e) §2409. Operational Area Level.
(a) “Operational Area Level” means an intermediate level of the state emergency services organization, consisting of a county and all political subdivisions within the county area. Each county geographic area is designated as an operational area. An operational area is used by the county and political subdivisions comprising the operational area for the coordination of emergency activities and to serve as a link in the system of communications and coordination between the state's emergency operation centers and the operation centers of the political subdivisions comprising the operational area, as defined in Government Code §8559(b) and §8605. This definition does not change the definition of operational area as used in the existing fire and rescue mutual aid system.
(b) All local governments within a county geographic area shall be organized into a single operational area by December 1, 1995, and the county board of supervisors shall be responsible for its establishment. (c) The operational area authority and responsibility under SEMS shall not be affected by non-participation of any local government(s) within the operational area. (d) The county government shall serve as the lead agency of the operational area unless another member agency of the operational area assumes that responsibility by written agreement with county government. (e) The lead agency of the operational area shall:
(1) Coordinate information, resources, and priorities among the local governments within the operational area.
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(2) Coordinate information, resources, and priorities between the regional level and the local government level. Coordination of fire and law enforcement resources shall be accomplished through their respective mutual aid systems.
(3) Use multi-agency or inter-agency coordination to facilitate decisions for overall operational area level emergency response activities.
(f) The operational area EOC shall be activated and SEMS used as described in the SEMS Organizational Levels and Functions (§2403) when any of the following conditions exists:
(1) A local government within the operational area has activated its EOC and requested activation of the operational area EOC to support their emergency operations. (2) Two or more cities within the operational area have declared or proclaimed a local emergency. (3) The county and one or more cities have declared or proclaimed a local emergency. (4) A city, city and county, or county has requested a governor's proclamation of a state of emergency, as defined in Government Code §8558(b).
(5) A state of emergency is proclaimed by the governor for the county or two or more cities within the operational area. (6) The operational area is requesting resources from outside its boundaries, except those resources used in normal day-to-day operations which are obtained through existing agreements providing for the exchange or furnishing of certain types of facilities and services on a reimbursable, exchange, or other basis as provided for under the Master Mutual Aid Agreement. (7) The operational area has received resource requests from outside its boundaries, except those resources used in normal day-to-day operations which are obtained through existing agreements providing for the exchange or furnishing of certain types of facilities and services on a reimbursable, exchange, or other basis as provided for under the Master Mutual Aid Agreement.
Note:
AUTHORITY: GOVERNMENT CODE §8607(a)
REFERENCE: GOVERNMENT CODE §8607(a), §8558(c), §8559(b), §8605, §8561, §8616, §8617, §8618 §2411. Regional Level.
(a) The regional level EOC shall be activated and SEMS used as described in SEMS Organizational Levels and Functions (§2403) when any operational area EOC within the mutual aid region is activated. (b) The lead agency for establishment of the regional level EOC shall be OES. (c) The location of the regional level EOC shall be identified by OES to accommodate the needs of the operational area(s) served.
(d) When the regional level EOC is activated, communications and coordination shall be established with the operational area(s), the state level EOC, and regional level department operations centers. Coordination of fire and law enforcement resources shall be accomplished through their respective mutual aid systems. (e) The regional level shall use multi-agency or inter-agency coordination to facilitate decisions for overall regional level emergency response activities.
Note:
AUTHORITY: GOVERNMENT CODE §8607(a)
REFERENCE: GOVERNMENT CODE §8607(a), §8600, §8559(a)
§2413. State Level.
(a) The state level EOC shall be activated and SEMS used as described in SEMS Organizational Levels and Functions (§2403) when any of the following conditions exists:
(1) A regional level EOC is activated.
(2) Upon the governor's proclamation of a state of emergency.
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(3) Upon the governor's proclamation of an earthquake or volcanic prediction. (b) The lead agency for establishment of the state level EOC shall be OES. (c) When the state level EOC is activated, communications and coordination shall be established with the regional level EOC(s), state level department operations centers, and federal emergency response agencies.
Coordination of fire and law enforcement resources shall be accomplished through their respective mutual aid systems.
Note:
AUTHORITY: GOVERNMENT CODE §8607(a)
REFERENCE: GOVERNMENT CODE §8607(a), §8558(b)
§2415. Mutual Aid.
(a) “Mutual Aid” means voluntary aid and assistance by the provision of services and facilities, including but not limited to: fire, police, medical and health, communication, transportation, and utilities. Mutual aid is intended to provide adequate resources, facilities, and other support to jurisdictions whenever their own resources prove to be inadequate to cope with a given situation. (b) “Mutual Aid System” means the system which allows for the progressive mobilization of resources to/from emergency response agencies, local governments, operational areas, regions, and the state with the intent of providing adequate resources to requesting agencies. The California mutual aid system includes several discipline-specific mutual aid systems (e.g., fire and rescue, law enforcement, medical and public works) which are consistent with the Master Mutual aid Agreement. (c) All mutual aid systems and agreements shall be consistent with SEMS and the Master Mutual aid Agreement.
(d) Unless otherwise provided by agreement, the responsible local official in whose jurisdiction(s) an incident requiring mutual aid has occurred remains in charge and retains overall direction of personnel and equipment provided through mutual aid (as provided for in Government Code §8618).
Note:
AUTHORITY: GOVERNMENT CODE §8607(a)
REFERENCE: GOVERNMENT CODE §8607(a)(3), §8561, §8616, §8617, §8618 Article 5. Standardized Emergency Management System Advisory Board §2425. Establishment and Purpose.
The Director, OES, shall establish the SEMS Advisory Board consisting of representatives from emergency response agencies to provide advice on all aspects of this Chapter.
Note:
AUTHORITY: GOVERNMENT CODE §8607(a)
REFERENCE: GOVERNMENT CODE §8607(a), §8587
Article 6. Training
§2428. Minimum Performance Objectives.
(a) Emergency response agencies shall determine the appropriate level(s) of SEMS instruction for each member of their staff, based upon staff member's potential assignment during an emergency response. (b) Emergency response agencies shall ensure that their emergency response personnel can demonstrate and maintain, to the level deemed appropriate, the minimum SEMS performance objectives required by their agencies' training programs. Agencies shall use the Minimum Performance Objectives contained in the Approved Course of Instruction (ACI) Syllabus dated March 1, 1995, which are hereby incorporated by Gonzales Emergency Operations Plan - Page 63
reference, as the basis for their training programs. Minimum Performance Objectives are contained in Paragraph D of each Course Module description.
(c) SEMS minimum performance objectives shall be met through completion of materials from the ACI, completion of equivalent courses of instruction, or through incorporation of the objectives into exercises.
Note:
AUTHORITY: GOVERNMENT CODE §8607(a)
REFERENCE: GOVERNMENT CODE §8607(a) and §8607(e)
Article 7. Compliance
§2443. General Provisions
(a) Local government must use SEMS in order to be eligible for state funding of response-related personnel costs occurring in response to an incident as defined in §2402(i). All state agencies shall use SEMS to coordinate multiple jurisdiction or multiple agency emergency and disaster operations. (b) Compliance with SEMS shall be documented in the areas of planning, training, exercise, and performance.
(c) All applicants for reimbursement or response-related personnel costs shall self-certify compliance with §2445, §2446, §2447, and §2448.
This self-certification shall be submitted in writing with the application. (d) Evidence of compliance with SEMS as set forth in §2445, §2446, §2447, and §2448 shall be available for review.
(e) When the OES Director determines sufficient evidence exists to warrant a SEMS Compliance review, a Review Team shall be established to evaluate the compliance with SEMS of any local government which has requested funding of its response-related personnel costs under disaster assistance programs, or any operational area or state agency. The OES Director shall notify the local government, operational area, or state agency being evaluated, the SEMS Advisory Board, and the fund(s) administrator of any disaster assistance program of the establishment of the Review Team. At a minimum, participants on the Review Team shall include peers of the entity being evaluated, OES staff, and others knowledgeable in emergency operations and SEMS. The Review Team shall meet with the local government, operational area, or state agency being evaluated and solicit all pertinent information. The team may also review records and interview persons knowledgeable on the SEMS compliance activities of the entity being evaluated. The Review Team shall report its findings to the local government, operational area, or state agency that was evaluated, the SEMS Advisory Board, and the OES Director. This report must be issued within ninety (90) days of the establishment of the Review Team.
(f) The SEMS Advisory Board shall examine the Review Team's report within sixty (60) days of submittal of the report. The SEMS Advisory Board shall also consider additional information pertinent to the evaluation. The local government, operational area, or state agency being evaluated may submit additional information to the Board, either verbally or in writing. After consideration, the SEMS Advisory Board shall submit a recommendation to the OES Director. A copy of the recommendation shall be forwarded to the local government, operational area, or state agency being evaluated. (g) The OES Director shall make a determination on whether or not the local government, operational area, or state agency being evaluated was in compliance with SEMS. This determination shall be forwarded to the local government, operational area, or state agency being evaluated by certified letter within thirty (30) days of the SEMS Advisory Board's recommendation. A copy of the determination shall be provided to the fund(s) administrator of any disaster assistance program.
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Note:
AUTHORITY: GOVERNMENT CODE §8607(a)
REFERENCE: GOVERNMENT CODE §8607(e), §8682.9, 8558(c)
§2444. Appeal Process.
(a) In the event the local government, operational area, or state agency being evaluated disagrees with the determination of the OES Director, the local government, operational area, or state agency may request a reconsideration of the determination. The request must be submitted within thirty (30) days of receipt of the letter of determination.
(b) The request for reconsideration shall be in writing and indicate why the local government, operational area, or state agency disagrees with the decision, any new or additional pertinent information, and any legal authority or other basis for the disagreement with the determination. (c) The OES Director shall review the request for reconsideration and make a determination. The local government, operational area, or state agency that submitted the request for reconsideration shall be notified of the OES Director's decision by certified letter within thirty (30) days of receipt of the request for reconsideration. A copy of the determination shall be provided to the fund(s) administrator or any disaster assistance program.
(d) The OES Director's decision shall be considered final for the purposes of the appeal process.
Note:
AUTHORITY: GOVERNMENT CODE §8607(a)
REFERENCE: GOVERNMENT CODE §8607(e)
§2445. Planning.
Local governments, operational areas, and state agencies shall include the use of SEMS in emergency plans and procedures pursuant to §2403, §2405, §2407, §2409, §2411, §2413, and §2415.
Note:
AUTHORITY: GOVERNMENT CODE §8607(a)
REFERENCE: GOVERNMENT CODE §8607(a), §8607(b), §8607(c), 8607.2(c) §2446. Training.
Local governments, operational areas, and state agencies shall document SEMS training provided to its emergency response personnel pursuant to §2428.
Note:
AUTHORITY: GOVERNMENT CODE §8607(a)
REFERENCE: GOVERNMENT CODE §8607(c)
§2447. Exercises.
Local governments, operational areas, and state agencies shall incorporate the use of SEMS pursuant to §2403, §2405, §2407, §2409, §2411, §2413, and §2415 at all levels of operation when exercises are performed.
Note:
AUTHORITY: GOVERNMENT CODE §8607(a), §8607.2(c)
REFERENCE: GOVERNMENT CODE §8607(c), §8607.2(c)
§2448. Performance.
Local governments, operational areas, and state agencies shall document the use of SEMS. Documentation shall include activities performed pursuant to §2403, §2405, §2407, §2409, §2411, §2413, and §2415 during the emergency.
Gonzales Emergency Operations Plan - Page 65
Note:
AUTHORITY: GOVERNMENT CODE §8607(a)
REFERENCE: GOVERNMENT CODE §8607(d)
Article 8. After Action Reports
§2450. Reporting Requirements.
(a) Any city, city and county, or county declaring a local emergency for which the governor proclaims a state of emergency, and any state agency responding to that emergency shall complete and transmit an after action report to OES within ninety (90) days of the close of the incident period as specified in California Code of Regulations, Title 19, §2900(j).
(b) The after action report shall, at a minimum, be a review of response actions taken, application of SEMS, suggested modifications to SEMS, necessary modifications to plans and procedures, identified training needs, and recovery activities to date.
Note:
AUTHORITY: GOVERNMENT CODE §8607(a)
REFERENCE: GOVERNMENT CODE §8607(f)
Gonzales Emergency Operations Plan - Page 66
Evacuation Plan
City of Gonzales
October 2021
Gonzales Emergency Operations Plan - Page 67
Evacuation Plan
City of Gonzales
Purpose:
This plan is to provide for safe and orderly evacuation of people threatened by hazards within the City of Gonzales when appropriate.
Situation and assumptions:
Gonzales is located within a seismically active areai. Portions of Gonzales are located in a flood plainii. Hazardous Material is stored in several locations throughout Gonzalesiii.
During an emergency event, some normal travel pathsiv may be unavailable for safe travel. Portions of normal evacuation routes may be blocked due to specific emergenciesv.
Gonzales has not predetermined any specific sheltering location for evacuated people from any specific emergency. Sheltering may not be determined prior to the need to evacuate people from an affected area.
Some people will self evacuate, others will refuse to evacuate, and many people may need assistance with evacuation informationvi.
Concept of Operations:
Every emergency event presents unique circumstances. Emergency management shall determine any need for evacuation within Gonzales based on current and projected circumstances and resources. The State of California has designated the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) as the appropriate method of operations in an emergencyvii. All operations in Gonzales shall utilize the principles of SEMS. Operations in Gonzales shall be coordinated with operational area operations if possible.
Organization and Assignment of Responsibilities:
Emergency Management
In Gonzales, the City Manager is designated as the Emergency Manager and responsible for coordinating operations during any emergencyviii. The Emergency Manger may be the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Manager during any specific period. Another person may be EOC Manager at other times. The EOC Manager shall determine the need for evacuation of any general or specific area. The EOC Manager may designate an Evacuation Coordinator.
Evacuation Coordinator
The Evacuation Coordinator shall facilitate the safe and coordinated movement of people from an unsafe area of Gonzales as determined by and under the direction of the EOC Manager.
Law Enforcement
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Law enforcement shall be the primary department responsible for:
• Coordination of traffic control during evacuation
• Perimeter control for security of any closed area
• Basic damage assessment of affected areas
All law enforcement effort shall be coordinated through the EOC, if activated.
Public Works
Public works shall be responsible to:
• Assess transportation routes for safety
• Assist with traffic and perimeter control
All Public Works efforts shall be coordinated through the EOC, if activated.
Fire Department
The fire department shall be responsible for:
• Rescue
• Assistance with traffic control
• Assistance in patrolling any closed area
All Fire Department efforts shall be coordinated through the EOC, if activated.
Building Department
The building department shall be responsible for:
• Safety
• Assistance in the EOC as needed
All Building Department efforts shall be coordinated through the EOC, if activated.
Planning Department
The planning department shall be responsible for:
• Assistance with planning safety evacuation routes
• Assistance in the EOC planning section
All Planning Department efforts shall be coordinated through the EOC, if activated.
Evacuation Routes:
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Routes considered for evacuation use during an emergency shall be considered based on current and potential circumstances related to the existing emergency.
Routes identified for consideration areix:
• US 101 (All Zones)
• Alta Street, North and South1(Zones A, D, E)
• Gonzales River Road (Zone E)
• Johnson Canyon Road (Zones B, C)
• Fanoe Road
• Gloria Road
• Iverson Road
• Associated Lane
Basic Plan 69
Gonzales Emergency Operations Plan - Page 70
Emergency Communications
Plan update October 2022
Purpose:
This plan will set the framework for how various City departments and outside agencies will communicate to coordinate efforts in response to a disaster or large-scale emergency incident.
Possible scenarios and soltions:
1. If landline, cellular, and regular radio communications to County Dispatch are uninterrupted, emergency communications will be conducted through normal channels.
2. If landline and cellular communications are impacted but radio communication to dispatch remains unaffected, then all emergency communications will take place via radio. a. All City personnel in all departments that are actively engaged in the response to the emergency will conduct all communications through Gonzales Local Government radio channel (this channel is used daily by Public Works). b. The incident command staff operating out of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) shall use whatever repeated radio channels are appropriate or available to coordinate with county dispatch and or outside responding agencies. c. Outside responding agencies will be given a radio equipped with the Gonzales Local Government channel out of our emergency radio cache when such agencies arrive.
3. If landline, cellular and regular radio communications to County Dispatch are all impacted by the event then all emergency communication and coordination will be conducted on the Gonzales Local Government channel.
a. The incident Command Staff operating of the Emergency Operations Center will use whatever means available to communicate and coordinate with outside agencies.
Radio Call signs and clear text:
1. Personnel operating on the Gonzales Local Government radio channel during a time of emergency shall utilize their normal radio call signs for communications. Incident Command Staff and support personnel will be issued a call sign based upon their function (command, operations, fiancé logistics and planning).
2. All radio communications will be conducted using clear text dialog, no 10 codes will be used on the Gonzales Local Government Radio Chanel.
Gonzales Emergency Operations Plan - Page 71
Power Outage Emergency
Operations Plan
Purpose:
This plan establishes a framework for a coordinated response to extended electrical outages that may affect the health and safety of residents. The plan will cover electrical outages lasting longer than eight (8) hours caused by any of the following scenarios:
Natural or manmade disaster
Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS)
Outages planned by the utility for repair or equipment maintenance Outages caused by accidents
Public information:
For circumstances involving a pre-planned outage, Emergency Management will notify residents through all available communications channels of the pending outage with as much advance notice as possible. The notification will provide the specific start date and time of the outage or best possible approximation, and the expected duration of the outage. Messaging will include information on how residents can prepare for the outage and what resources will be available to the public during the event. For unplanned outages the public will be notified of the situation, and as information becomes available the approximate duration of the outage, available resources, and any updates due to changes in conditions as appropriate.
The Emergency Services director or incident commander may designate a member of the emergency management team to act as a liaison to local businesses to provide notifications, and coordinate recovery efforts through the Monterey County Office of Emergency Services if applicable for the event.
Resources and Operations:
The Director of Emergency Services or Incident Commander may direct the establishment of the following resources to be made available to residents if logistically practical.
Heating or cooling centers (weather dependent)
Cell phone and device charging centers
Medical equipment charging stations
Cold storage for perishable medications
Nonperishable food distribution centers (for extended incidents) The Director of Emergency Services or Incident Commander may order the recall of off duty personnel to support critical daily or special operations.
Security- Police Department
EMS response – Fire Department
Logistics – Public Works and or Recreation Departments
Documentation and Cost recovery – Clerical staff
Locations for resource centers:
City Council Chambers
Gonzales Police Department Station
Gonzales Fire Department Station
Recovery:
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All mitigation efforts shall be tracked and documented for potential cost recovery should a local or state emergency or disaster be declared. The Emergency management team will be responsible for tracking costs related to the following:
Staff time, including pre-event planning and overtime.
Material resources furnished to the public.
Logistical costs for staff and volunteers.
Fuel
Contracts for needed equipment furnished by third parties.
Gonzales Emergency Operations Plan - Page 73
Plan Maintenance:
This plan has been developed and shall be maintained in compliance with Federal Emergency Management Agency Guidelinesx. This plan should be reviewed annually for consistency with other emergency plans and existing conditions. The City of Gonzales emergency manager is responsible for this plan.
i Gonzales General Plan – 1996, page 72
ii Gonzales General Plan – 1996, page 76
iii Gonzales General Plan – 1996, page 91
iv Gonzales General Plan – 1996, page 56
v Flood Insurance Rate Map, panel 250 of 1025, community panel number 060195 0250 D (1/30/1984) vi FEMA Guide for All-Hazard Emergency Operations Planning, Attachment E vii Office of Emergency Services, Emergency Planning Guidance for Local Government, vol. 3, page 13 (9/97) viii Gonzales Municipal Code, section 2.24.050
ix Gonzales General Plan – 1996, page 56
x FEMA Guide for All-Hazard Emergency Operations Planning (9/96), Attachment E