1. Emergency Preparedness in the Florida State Courts
“Keep the Courts Open”
Emergency Preparedness in the Florida State Courts

2. Presentation Overview
Overview of Emergency Preparedness Planning in the Florida State Courts
Examples of Hurricane Damage and Lessons Learned/Reinforced
Appendix: Preparing for an Influenza Pandemic

3. “Keep the Courts Open” Overview of Emergency Preparedness Planning
in the Florida State Courts

4. Clear Strategic Goals Established
We must deal with crises in a way that protects the health and safety of everyone inside our facilities
We must “keep the courts open” to ensure justice for the people
Justice Lewis
Justice Wells
Justice Pariente
Justice Anstead
Chief Justices of the Florida Supreme Court, 9/11 to Present

5. Staff Dedicated to the Initiative
Emergency Coordinating Officer (ECO)
Public Information Officer (PIO)
A branch-wide ECO and PIO were also established
Alternates for each ECO and PIO were also established

6. Practical Tools Developed to Achieve the Goal
The Process for Responding to Emergencies
Administrative and Emergency Procedures
Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP)
The Court Emergency Management Group (CEMG)
The CEMG represents a policy group
The Eight Fill in the Blank Templates
The Court Emergency Management Team (CEMT)
The CEMT represents an operational team

7. Process under the Administrative and Emergency Procedures
Emergency Pending or Occurs
Initial Response to Emergencies Will be Outlined and Should be Followed Based on the Administrative and Emergency Procedures
Does Emergency Cause
the Closure of Primary Facility?
An Individual or Group will make an Initial Assessment as to Whether or Not the Primary Facility Needs to be Closed
Immediately
Is the Length of the Closure Minimal and Acceptable?
Yes
Handle the Emergency Situation as Outlined in the Administrative and Emergency Procedures No
Address Emergency and Resume Full Operations in Primary Facility
Yes
Address Emergency and Resume Full Operations in Primary Facility No
COOP
A copy of this slideshow is available at
(Click on “Emergency Preparedness”)

8. Process under the Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP)
Activate COOP and Begin the Process toward Performance of Mission Essential Functions in a Predetermined and Temporary Alternate Facility
Can Full Operations in Primary Facility be Reconstituted in 30 Days?
An Individual or Group will Assess Whether or Not Full Operations in the Primary Facility can be Reconstituted within 30 Days of COOP Activation
Immediately
Perform Mission Essential Functions under the COOP on a Temporary Basis
Yes
Perform Mission Essential Functions under the COOP on a Temporary Basis No
Immediately Begin Efforts to Reconstitute Full Operations within 30 Days in a Long-Term Alternate Facility
Transfer Back into Full Operations in the Primary Facility
Full Operations in a Long-Term Alternate Facility Initiated within 30 Days
A copy of this slideshow is available at
(Click on “Emergency Preparedness”)

9. The Court Emergency Management Group (CEMG)
The CEMG is local group to develop local policy for preparing, responding, and recovering from emergencies
The CEMG is a means to develop policy given the multiple players and multiple constitutional officers
The CEMG is the means to address the “authority issue”
Membership on the CEMG should include representatives from all relevant stakeholders
The CEMG should utilize the planning templates to develop their unique local plan(s)

10. The Eight Fill in the Blank Templates
Administrative and Emergency Procedures
Checklist for Administrative and Emergency Procedures
Decision Making Guide
Employee Directory Template
Family Disaster Plan
Agency Directory Template
Continuity of Operations Plans
Mission Essential Functions Template
Alternate Facility Template
Continuity of Operations Plans Template
Copies of these templates are available at
(Click on “Emergency Preparedness”)

11. The Court Emergency Management Team (CEMT)
While the CEMG represents a policy group, a separate group, referred to as the Court Emergency Management Team (CEMT), represents an operational team
The CEMT should be made up of the officials and staff who will actually perform the mission essential functions if the COOP is activated
The CEMT members must be provided (or must maintain) all the resources necessary to perform their assigned function
Resources agreed to be provided by the alternate facility
The CEMT members maintaining “black-bags”
Pre-positioning resources at the alternate facility
The CEMT members must have a family disaster plan

12. Examples of Hurricane Damage and Lessons Learned/Reinforced
“Keep the Courts Open”
Examples of Hurricane Damage
and Lessons Learned/Reinforced

13. Examples of the Impact of Hurricane Ivan
M.C. Blanchard Courthouse in Pensacola Florida

14. Examples of the Impact of Hurricane Ivan
Justice Barbara J. Pariente visits Pensacola
to Review the Response to Hurricane Ivan

15. Examples of the Impact of Hurricane Dennis
Santa Rosa County Courthouse in Milton Florida

16. Examples of the Impact of Hurricane Dennis
Santa Rosa County Courthouse in Milton Florida

17. Examples of the Impact of Hurricane Wilma
Third DCA Courthouse in Miami Florida

18. Examples of the Impact of Hurricane Wilma
Hendry Courthouse in LaBelle Florida

19. Examples of the Impact of Hurricane Wilma
Broward Courthouse in Ft Lauderdale Florida

20. Examples of the Impact of Hurricane Wilma
Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center in Miami Florida

21. Lessons Learned/Reinforced
Leadership must make emergency preparedness a priority
Leadership must establish clear strategic goals
Leadership must dedicate staff to the initiative
Staff must get the courts tapped into the existing emergency management network
Staff must coordinate with all relevant stakeholders
Staff should develop practical planning tools to assist in the development of policies and plans
Staff must implement redundant means of communication
Staff must address information technology and records issues

22. Appendix: Preparing for a Pandemic
“Keep the Courts Open”
Appendix: Preparing for a Pandemic

23. Planning Efforts related to Pandemic Influenza
Florida State Courts Strategy for Pandemic Influenza
Endorsed March 29, 2006
Statewide training event held on June 26, 2006 in Orlando
Purchase of emergency supplies
Coordination with the Florida Department of Health and other stakeholders is ongoing
A copy of the Strategy is available at
(Click on “Emergency Preparedness”)

24. Elements of the Florida State Courts Strategy for Pandemic Influenza
Seven planning tasks with detailed subtasks
A process flowcharting the specific steps and decisions for responding to an influenza pandemic
Short-term and long-term tactical objectives
Reasserted strategic policy goals
A copy of the Strategy is available at
(Click on “Emergency Preparedness”)

25. Relationship Between the Elements of the Strategy for Pandemic Influenza
Improved Capacity to
Achieve the Strategic Goals
Leads to
Improved Capacity to
Achieve the Tactical Objectives
Leads to
Improved Capacity to Implement the Process
Leads to
Complete the Seven Planning Tasks
A copy of the Strategy is available at
(Click on “Emergency Preparedness”)

26. Additional Information:
Questions or Comments
FYI, some questions I hope you don’t ask:
Has every Florida state court fully developed their plans?
Has implementation been like making sausage?
How have the Florida State Courts addressed NIMS compliance?
How do courts access DHS funds?
Which, if any, ESF do the courts fit into?
How do courts ensure they can protect their records?
Are the courts really that important in an emergency response?
Contact Information:
Greg Cowan or
Additional Information:
(Click on “Emergency Preparedness”)