Spring 2023 Flood Event
DAN GRISWOLD, FIRE CHIEF, CITY OF VISALIA
BILLY SEE, INCIDENT COMMANDER, CAL FIRE INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM 3
General Timeline
• Friday, March 10
• City staff began monitoring the first of several atmospheric river events to impact Tulare County. • Monday, March 13
• Declared a local stated of emergency.
• Officially opened the Visalia Emergency Operations Center (EOC). • Outside the City of Visalia, flood event being managed by a Tulare County Type III incident management team (IMT). • Tuesday, March14
• The Cities of Visalia and Porterville entered into unified command with Tulare County Type III Team. • Wednesday, March 15
• Flood event command was transitioned from the Tulare County Type III Team to CalFire Team 3, Type I IMT. City of Visalia remained in unified command.
• Wednesday,March 22
• City of Visalia EOC activities de-escalated yet remained in stand-by status. • Friday, March 24
• The Cities of Visalia and Porterville withdrew from unified command with CalFire Team 3.
Visalia EOC Efforts
The critical functions of the EOC were staffed for research, analysis, planning, and potential response.
• Operations
• Planning
• Logistics/Finance
• Administration
Operations
• Monitored and maintained Visalia’s waterways.
• Established evacuation zones/plans.
• Evaluated critical infrastructure.
• Evaluated for special risk facilities.
• Maintained public sandbag locations.
Planning
• Tracked Kaweah Reservoir levels and flows.
• Tracked flows between the Sierras to Visalia.
• Identified vulnerable waterways and points along Visalia’s waterways.
• Researched historical data and studies for application to current situation.
• Created GIS mapping for planning, monitoring, and response.
Logistics/Finance
• Identified and secured collection points and emergency shelters. • Ensured city staff assigned to flood related details were properly equipped and supported.
• Gave direction for cost tracking of flood related expenses for potential reimbursement.
Administration
• Participated in various briefings to collect and analyze current information and forecasts.
• Communicated pertinent information and updates to appropriate stakeholders.
• Prioritized and managed a communication plan to update the community with current information and relevant guidance.
Unified Command with CalFire
• County-wide incident command transition to CalFire Team 3, Type I incident management team on Wednesday, March 15th and the City of Visalia remained in unified command.
• Type I teams are comprised of personnel experienced in managing large-scale incidents.
• Type I teams come with a large poolof responders and resources for incident support and response.
• Being in unified command allowed the City a role in incident planning and establishing incident priorities.
• Incident information, resources, and materials were readily available in the event the City had a request or a need.
• Visalia Fire had personnel assigned to the Type I Team.
Challenges
• Planning for unknown, yet significant, potential impacts with incomplete or imperfect information.
• Local government enhanced
• Planning/response strategy
• Knowing what information and the appropriate time to relay information to the community.
• Prioritized being proactive with relaying information determined to be valid and necessary guidance to the community.
Opportunities
• Identified areas for future training.
• Continue interagency communication and cooperation.
• Developed analysis to be archived for future use.
• Emergency Operations Plan to be updated with current, relevant information.
Conclusion
• Recognize the impacts in Tulare County.
• Acknowledge the interagency cooperation within the community. • Acknowledge the efforts of city staff.
Comments by Billy See, Incident Commander Cal Fire Team 3