1 Texas Department of Public Safety Orders of Succession and Delegations of Authority – Emergency Relocation Group (ERG) James B. Daniels, MCP COOP Planner, TDEM - Preparedness 1

2 Texas Department of Public Safety Orders of Succession/Delegations of Authority 2  What are they?  What’s the difference

3 Texas Department of Public Safety Orders of Succession - Definition Orders of succession provide for the orderly, predetermined assumption of senior agency positions during an emergency in the event that any officials are unavailable or unable to execute their legal duties. - FEMA Definition 3

4 Texas Department of Public Safety Orders of Succession - Components  Conditions under which succession takes place.  Method of notification.  Conditions under which authority returns to the agency leader.  Temporal, geographical, or organizational limitations to authority.  Rules and procedures officials must follow when facing succession to office 4

5 Texas Department of Public Safety Orders of Succession - Considerations  Training  Position titles, not names (if possible)  How many deep?  Up or down?  Certifications/licensing requirements 5

6 Texas Department of Public Safety  Someone who works at a remote location  Tech support  Legal review  Safeguarded list 6 Orders of Succession - Considerations

7 Texas Department of Public Safety Delegations of Authority  Specify the activities that may be performed by those authorized to act on behalf of the agency head or other key officials.  Document the legal authority for officials to make key policy decisions during a continuity situation. - FEMA Definition 7

8 Texas Department of Public Safety Delegations of Authority - Components  The authority being delegated.  The limits of that authority.  To whom the authority is delegated.  The circumstances under which delegated authorities become effective and when they terminate.  The authority to re-delegate those authorities. 8

9 Texas Department of Public Safety Delegations of Authority - Considerations  Training  Certification/licensing  Higher level requirements 9

10 Texas Department of Public Safety 10 EMERGENCY RELOCATION TEAM (ERG)

11 Texas Department of Public Safety Emergency Relocation Team (ERG)  Participate in continuity tests, training, and exercises.  Prepare office go kits that contain all of the information, supplies, and materials needed initially for continuity plan activation.  Ensure that they and their families are prepared for an emergency that may require continuity plan activation.  Report to the continuity facility, or other assigned work area, whenever the continuity plan is activated. - FEMA 11

12 Texas Department of Public Safety  Possess the skills for their assigned function(s).  Be able to remain calm in an emergency.  Be trained and equipped to perform their continuity assignments. -FEMA  Be cross-trained  Be free of outside distractions  Be physically capable 12 Emergency Relocation Team (ERG)

13 Texas Department of Public Safety  Be cross-trained  Be free of outside distractions  Be physically/emotionally capable 13 Emergency Relocation Team (ERG)