The Draft EOC Plan is overwhelming. The detail is fantastic assuring there are telephones, maps, reports, public statements and proper accounting. There are plans to inspect public buildings, provide transportation to VIPs and document everything that is done. Missing or at least not evident in the organization or the details and checklists is the responsibility for the welfare and wellbeing of the citizens of Sebastopol.
The plan looks like it has been taken from a generic city template in an attempt to make it work in Sebastopol. The reality is Sebastopol could never staff it unless an emergency happens during the workday and all city staff agreed to stay here instead of trying to get home to family, as few city staff live in or even near the city.
The bureaucratic functions of this plan should reside at the County level. The city should have an Emergency Communications Center (ECC) that is focused on making sure we can communicate with residents and first responders to get aid to citizens. Our police and public works should be on the streets assessing damage and assisting people trapped or injured. They should not be hauling computer terminals and plugging in phones at the EOC.
The primary focus of this plan should be getting help to residents and businesses and coordinating requests for emergency response and aid from the County EOC.
Issues for consideration:
1. The plan says citizens should be self sufficient for at least one week. Is that because it will take a week to get the EOC operating? I think citizens should expect a plan that mobilizes all the resources in the community to assist with the rescue of residents and visitors to our businesses.
2. FEMA functions are listed. Not really explained is what they provide, how long does it take and what needs to be done to coordinate with them given the entire County might be clamoring for support. Also, what happens if there is no FEMA? Indications are it will be disbanded at the end of the 2025 Hurricane season.
3. What services will the city provide in the meantime? What buildings are designated as shelter? What about fresh water? We have a well, are there pre-designated areas that the city will make water available? Does that require work in advance to ensure there are spigots? What supplies are being pre-positioned and where?
4. The city is obsessed with getting a generator for the EOC. What about emergency power for city buildings that might be designated as emergency shelters. It is possible that the emergency could come in very cold weather or very hot weather. Do we have backup power to all water pumps and key buildings that might be designated as shelters?
5. There is a lot of focus on the city’s buildings and their condition. I suggest somehow you elevate the attention paid to homes and businesses where people may be injured and need help.
6. We have a hospital; it is not full service, but likely to be staffed by people that can help with facilities and emergency supplies that could be helpful. This should be a part of the emergency plan. Perhaps a local physician or the Hospital Director could be designated for a position on the emergency org chart dedicated to providing emergency medical care to citizens of Sebastopol. Does the Hospital have an emergency plan that is coordinated with the city?
7. There is a communications director but there is not much information on how that person will communicate. They seem to be responsible for answering media questions.
Who is going to proactively communicate with residents? Cell phones will likely not work if PGE cuts power. Text messaging might get through, do we have everyone’s phone number? Is there somewhere in the plan that this will be addressed? Where should citizens tune for instructions? The plan should be specific about where official Sebastopol information will be published.
8. There are references to contacting architects to aid in building inspections. Someone on the emergency team should have an ongoing responsibility for developing a list of local resources that can be called. Architects and contractors that live in the city could be one list. Another more important and urgent list would be medically trained individuals and contractors with heavy equipment. All should be contacted and if willing be provided with contact information for the EOC staff which is kept up to date. If activated and if no contact is possible instruct them to go to a pre-determined location specified in this plan as soon as they are available. They would get assignments when they arrive. Not sure there is a volunteer coordinator position; it might be a good one given that you are going to need volunteers.
9. Speaking of volunteers. There is almost no way you can staff the EOC (or ECC) in a major regional event that happens when the staff is not in the office. Have you considered individuals that might be qualified and live in Sebastopol for the more critical positions. I know at least one retired police officer that can still make things happen.
There are past council members and possibly a city manager that might be better than an empty chair. These people need to be identified in advance and provided training to ensure the plan gets going quickly. Additionally qualified personnel would help with 24- 7 staffing if the emergency is prolonged. Volunteers need to be formally identified, contact information maintained and some training provided so on day 1 everyone understands their roles and responsibilities.
10. What is the role of the Volunteer fire fighters in Sebastopol. We have some with extensive leadership experience that might be available to fill gaps in the plan.
Hopefully the multitude of Sebastopol’s volunteer fire fighters will come to our aid and flood the damaged areas with skilled emergency response. This too requires coordination, and I am not sure who is doing that in the plan. It is probably there but lost in the long lists of logistical issues that come before helping people.
11. I didn’t see anything about drones, but a drone operator could quickly survey the entire city and determine priorities for emergency response.
This could go on forever. The plan is essentially a generic plan for a larger city with the staff necessary to make it work. Sebastopol is a small city with relatively few staff, with few living in or near the city. We have essentially four ways in and out and they are likely to be snarled by traffic lights that are out of service. We used to have a large volunteer fire fighting force that could be a game changer in emergency response. Any emergency in Sebastopol is going to require citizens to pitch in and many will do so naturally. The plan for Sebastopol needs to consider these and many other unique qualities and situations in the city. This plan checks the boxes but will likely not be very effective, it is too focused on bureaucracy and not on caring for the citizens of Sebastopol.