State EOC Operations in Agro Event John H Campbell Operations Chief MO State Emergency Mgt Agency

Agenda DefinitionsDefinitions Roles of EOCs in response operationsRoles of EOCs in response operations Specific actions in Ag eventsSpecific actions in Ag events

Definitions Disaster—An event resulting in great loss or misfortuneDisaster—An event resulting in great loss or misfortune Response—Actions taken immediately to stabilize an emergency conditionResponse—Actions taken immediately to stabilize an emergency condition Recovery—Actions taken to restore areas and facilities to their pre-disaster conditionRecovery—Actions taken to restore areas and facilities to their pre-disaster condition Stafford Act—legislation which authorizes the federal government to provide assistance to state and local governments affected by disastersStafford Act—legislation which authorizes the federal government to provide assistance to state and local governments affected by disasters

Definitions EOC—Emergency Operations Center—a facility that provides an environment for multiple agencies to coordinate effective and efficient use of assigned resources in response and recovery to a disaster.EOC—Emergency Operations Center—a facility that provides an environment for multiple agencies to coordinate effective and efficient use of assigned resources in response and recovery to a disaster. ESF—Emergency Support Function—A mechanism that consolidates multiple agencies performing similar jobs into a single cohesive unitESF—Emergency Support Function—A mechanism that consolidates multiple agencies performing similar jobs into a single cohesive unit

Definitions Protective actions—Actions designed to safeguard public health and safety (evacuations, boil-orders)Protective actions—Actions designed to safeguard public health and safety (evacuations, boil-orders) Precautionary measures—Actions taken in advance of protective actions to reduce potential disaster impacts (facility restrictions, boil- advisories)Precautionary measures—Actions taken in advance of protective actions to reduce potential disaster impacts (facility restrictions, boil- advisories) SEMA—State Emergency Mgt AgencySEMA—State Emergency Mgt Agency FEMA—Federal Emergency Mgt AgencyFEMA—Federal Emergency Mgt Agency

Philosophies of Emergency Mgt All disasters start and end at local levelAll disasters start and end at local level Local officials are in charge of response and recovery activitiesLocal officials are in charge of response and recovery activities State, Federal, and non-governmental resources are brought in to support local response when needs from a disaster exceed capability of community to respond/recoverState, Federal, and non-governmental resources are brought in to support local response when needs from a disaster exceed capability of community to respond/recover

Philosophies of Emergency Mgt for Agro Events Event will likely be detected by local vet, animal owner, meat inspector, etcEvent will likely be detected by local vet, animal owner, meat inspector, etc Protective action decisions (i.e. quarantine, depopulation, etc) may be made at state or federal levelProtective action decisions (i.e. quarantine, depopulation, etc) may be made at state or federal level Local, state, and federal officials operate as a team during recovery phaseLocal, state, and federal officials operate as a team during recovery phase

What is an EOC? Multi-agency coordination centerMulti-agency coordination center Central focal point for an organization to execute a coordinated, effective responseCentral focal point for an organization to execute a coordinated, effective response Encourages collaboration within/between response disciplinesEncourages collaboration within/between response disciplines Multiple, redundant communication systemsMultiple, redundant communication systems

EOC Missions Maintain situational awareness for policy-makersMaintain situational awareness for policy-makers Allocate existing resources based on guidance contained in emergency plans and guidance issued by policy-makersAllocate existing resources based on guidance contained in emergency plans and guidance issued by policy-makers Determine unmet needs; seek assistance on filling unmet needs based on guidance from policy-makersDetermine unmet needs; seek assistance on filling unmet needs based on guidance from policy-makers Provide information to publicProvide information to public Support responders in the fieldSupport responders in the field

Typical EOC Organization Chief Executive/ Chief Elected Official EOC Coordinator Planning Situation Unit LogisticsAdmin/Fiscal Operations/ Coodination Group Human Services Emergency Services Infrastructure Joint Info Center Policy Group

Chief Official Ultimately responsible for response activitiesUltimately responsible for response activities Leads policy group discussionsLeads policy group discussions Executes duties with authority as provided in emergency response planExecutes duties with authority as provided in emergency response plan

Policy Group Group consisting of elected officials, department heads, etcGroup consisting of elected officials, department heads, etc Provide guidance to responders on priorities and policyProvide guidance to responders on priorities and policy Typical policy decisions might includeTypical policy decisions might include –Curfews, embargos, etc –Restrictions on usage of facilities (electric, water) –Other issues

EOC Coordinator De facto “incident commander” for EOC staffDe facto “incident commander” for EOC staff Communicates and implements decisions made by policy groupCommunicates and implements decisions made by policy group Supervises systems to ensure that close contact is maintained with incident sites to develop common operating picture and anticipate potential resource requestsSupervises systems to ensure that close contact is maintained with incident sites to develop common operating picture and anticipate potential resource requests Local Emergency Mgt Director may fill this role in many jurisdictionsLocal Emergency Mgt Director may fill this role in many jurisdictions

Operations/Coordination Group This group consists mostly of representatives from various agencies who help carry out the EOC’s core functions through ESFsThis group consists mostly of representatives from various agencies who help carry out the EOC’s core functions through ESFs –Develop/maintain situational awareness –Develop/maintain status and capabilities of resources in area of expertise –Work with other agencies in developing solutions to resource shortages –Work with Logistics Section to request outside assistance as necessary

Operations/Coordination Section Operations/ Coordination Chief Emergency Services Branch Director ESF #4 Firefighting ESF #9 Search/Rescue ESf #10 Hazardous Materials ESF #13 Public Safety Human Services Branch Director ESF #6 Mass Care ESF #8 Health/Medical ESF #11 Agriculture ESf #14 Long-Term Recovery Infrastructure Branch Director ESF #1 Transportation ESf #2 Communications ESF #3 Public Works ESF #12 Energy

Planning Through Situation Unit, implement systems for acquiring and reporting information specific to the disasterThrough Situation Unit, implement systems for acquiring and reporting information specific to the disaster –Information comes from variety of sources to include Ops/Coordination Group, the public, the media, elected officials, etc –Suggest issuing Situation Reports (SITREPs) on periodic basis to communicate critical information Develop Incident Action PlanDevelop Incident Action Plan

Logistics Generally responsible for ordering outside resources to assist in responseGenerally responsible for ordering outside resources to assist in response With assistance from Ops/Coordination Group, maintain status of resource deployedWith assistance from Ops/Coordination Group, maintain status of resource deployed Also responsible for internal supplies for EOC and staff (i.e. food, communications, office supplies, etc)Also responsible for internal supplies for EOC and staff (i.e. food, communications, office supplies, etc)

Admin/Finance Responsible for implementing systems to track time and costs associated with response activitiesResponsible for implementing systems to track time and costs associated with response activities Can potentially activate a Procurement Unit to assist with acquisition of outside resourcesCan potentially activate a Procurement Unit to assist with acquisition of outside resources

Joint Information Center Provide information on actions the public needs to take to protect themselves from impactsProvide information on actions the public needs to take to protect themselves from impacts Provide information on precautionary actions being taken by officials to reduce impacts of disasterProvide information on precautionary actions being taken by officials to reduce impacts of disaster Provide information on the scope of the disasterProvide information on the scope of the disaster Provide information on assistance available from authorities as a result of the disasterProvide information on assistance available from authorities as a result of the disaster Respond to media queriesRespond to media queries Set up phone bank operations to assist with outreach effortsSet up phone bank operations to assist with outreach efforts

Activation Levels Most jurisdictions have three levels of activationMost jurisdictions have three levels of activation –Minimal—Emergency Management staff only SEMA, Level-1; FEMA, Level-3SEMA, Level-1; FEMA, Level-3 –Partial—Staff from selected agencies SEMA & FEMA both call this Level-2SEMA & FEMA both call this Level-2 –Full—Staff from all response agencies outlined in the Emergency Operations Plan SEMA, Level-3; FEMA, Level-1SEMA, Level-3; FEMA, Level-1

Specific Actions for Ag Event Dept of Agriculture assumes leadership roleDept of Agriculture assumes leadership role EOC activated to minimal level when Foreign Animal Disease case is suspected; activation escalates if disease is confirmedEOC activated to minimal level when Foreign Animal Disease case is suspected; activation escalates if disease is confirmed Most protective action decisions (i.e. quarantines, depopulation, etc) will originate from state/federal levelMost protective action decisions (i.e. quarantines, depopulation, etc) will originate from state/federal level

Summary EOC Missions—Situation awareness, resources management, public informationEOC Missions—Situation awareness, resources management, public information Staff for ESFs maintain visibility of issues in their area of expertise, provide info to Planning and Logistics SectionsStaff for ESFs maintain visibility of issues in their area of expertise, provide info to Planning and Logistics Sections Ag event may result in different people leading the response, and may result in protective action decisions being made at state/federal levelAg event may result in different people leading the response, and may result in protective action decisions being made at state/federal level

Questions ?????