1. THE DAILY NEWS DISASTER ON ELECTION DAY THE WORLD’S FAVORITE NEWSPAPER
THE WORLD’S FAVORITE NEWSPAPER
- Since 1879
DISASTER ON ELECTION DAY
North Carolina Emergencies and disasters can strike anywhere at any time, Election Day included. So how will the show go on? By using your Election Day disaster plan!
This presentation will provide counties with the knowledge and tools needed to plan for severe weather events that have the possibility of interrupting Election Day activities.
Today your presenter is Zach Smith, Emergency Management Coordinator with Guilford County Emergency Services.
Zach has been with Guilford County Emergency Management for 3 years serving in the capacity of emergency management coordinator for planning and preparedness.
Prior to Guilford County, Zach served as the emergency management director for the City of Burlington, and deputy fire marshal at NC State University.
Through his tenure, Zach has managed several large incidents, most recently the March 2014 Ice Storm.

2. Agenda Personal & family preparedness Collaboration & coordination
Continuity of operations
Hazard identification and risk
Mitigation actions
Disaster planning
Q&A

3. Personal & Family Preparedness
Family comes first to most
Prepare your family
Make a plan
Build a kit
Stay informed
ReadyNC
County Election boards should reach out to their county emergency management office.

4. Blue Sky Partnerships
Collaboration and coordination prior to a disaster is paramount.
Reach out to your local emergency management office:
& click on “Counties”
County Election boards should reach out to their county emergency management office.

5. Continuity of Operations
Continue essential services
Orders of succession
Staffing capabilities
Vital equipment, supplies, files, etc.
Alternate facilities
Interoperable communications

6. Hazard Id & Risk Assessment
What is it?
The process:
Brainstorm hazards
Score based on their likelihood
Score based on their impact
Total scores
Make sure your plans match your hazard
Reach out to county emergency management

7. Hazard Id & Risk Assessment
Based on your hazard identification
Identify & assess risks (vulnerabilities)

8. Risk Mitigation What can be done to prevent or lessen the impact?
Facility with backup generator
Contingency equipment and supplies
Educating elections and polling place staff
Encourage early voting

9. Disaster Response Planning
When planning for a disaster on election day plan for two scenarios:
Single site or localized multi-site disaster
Countywide disaster situations
Involve all stakeholders in planning process
Exercise plan(s) and make improvements
Have a plan to document actions and expenditures
Based on your hazards and associated risks

10. Planning Considerations
Site emergencies
Relocation
Preplanning and agreements are key
Transportation
Staff
Voters
Backup power
Communications
Internally & externally
Consider communications plan

11. Resources Report on EM of elections (2014)
National Association of Secretaries of State
Election Disaster and Contingency Planning
Montana Secretary of State
Guilford County COOP Template
Guilford County Emergency Management
FEMA Independent Study Courses
training.fema.gov/is

12. Questions & Discussion

13. Contact Information
Zach Smith, CEM Emergency Management Coordinator Guilford County Emergency Management Office: (336)