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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 10-25-2022; 7 - Emergency Preparedness – Roles, Responsibilities, and Plans 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: October 25, 2022 Action Agenda Item No. 7 SUBJECT: Emergency Preparedness — Roles, Responsibilities, and Plans DEPARTMENT: Emergency Services — Emergency Management Division ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Quick Guide Roles & Responsibilities Kirby Saunders, 919-245-6123 (NCACC) Sarah Pickhardt, 919-245-6138 Elected Officials Guide to Emergency & Disasters (Orange County Emergency Services) Orange County Roles & Responsibilities (Presentation) PURPOSE: To receive an overview of the countywide roles, responsibilities, and plans for managing an emergency or disaster. BACKGROUND: In 2021, the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) announced the "100 Counties Prepared" initiative. The initiative is focused on equipping county commissioners with the tools they need to lead effectively during emergency situations. • Education: the task force developed a training program that guides commissioners through what they need to know and what they should and should not do during an emergency. • Resources: the task force developed a resource library to share best practices and lessons learned. • Relationships: the task force will continue to highlight the important relationships commissioners should develop prior to emergencies for smooth and effective communication. The program also focuses on helping county commissioners engage with key emergency management partners to foster strategic relationships. The Orange County Emergency Services' Emergency Management Division recently updated the Elected Officials Guide to Emergencies and Disasters (attached) for Orange County. As part of Orange County's commitment to preparedness, Sarah Pickhardt, Division Chief of Emergency Management, will provide a brief overview of the roles, responsibilities, and plans used to manage the response to and recovery from disasters that affect Orange County. The presentation will cover the current roles and responsibilities of the Board Chair, County Manager, Emergency Services Director, Emergency Management Coordinator, County Clerk, and Board Members. 2 Local emergency managers from throughout the County are currently working to develop a more robust training opportunity for all elected officials at a date to-be-determined in 2023. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact tied directly to the update. SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goals are applicable to this item: • GOAL: FOSTER A COMMUNITY CULTURE THAT REJECTS OPPRESSION AND INEQUITY The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race or color; religious or philosophical beliefs; sex, gender or sexual orientation; national origin or ethnic background; age; military service; disability; and familial, residential or economic status. • GOAL: CREATE A SAFE COMMUNITY The reduction of risks from vehicle/traffic accidents, childhood and senior injuries, gang activity, substance abuse and domestic violence. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: There is no Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal impact associated with this item. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board receive the update and provide direction to staff, as appropriate. 04CUUnkties 3 laging-Vkspmding"A�11F" PREPWRED i—In - _ Quick Guide Board Chair • Authority to issue state of emergency • Authority to impose state of emergency prohibitions and restrictions(curfew,sales on alcohol,etc.) • Authority to enter into mutual aid agreements • Often seen as locally elected official POC for media, state, and federal visits, etc. County Manager • Overall administrative management of departments and personnel • Ability to enter mutual aid agreements • County Manager and Emergency Management Director reporting structure differs by county, consult county org chart for specifics County Emergency Management Director/Coordinator • Direct responsibility of organization, administration, and operation of emergency response • Direct command and control during emergency event • Authority over EOC throughout the emergency • Ability to send requests through Web EOC County Clerk • Statutorily required to maintain county records • Clerk is last signature on contracts, resolutions, and declarations • State of emergencies are signed by county clerk, makes it legally binding • Clerks post notices of state of emergency, notifies sunshine list,works with other departments for other notifications Board Members • Receive confidential and public information from the EOC • Follow the EOP and be ready to assist when requested • Be available to distribute accurate and public information across channels • Support county functions as requested by EM Director, Board Chair, or other points of contact • • • - • 4 Elected Official 's Guide to Emergencies and Disasters I% ORANGE C NORTH CAROLINA Revision: 01.05 August 18, 2022 5 Elected Official's Guide to Emergencies and Disasters This page is intentionally blank 21 6 Table of Contents Introduction:.................................................................................................................................................5 Emergency Communication:.........................................................................................................................6 FIGURE1—Communication Flow.............................................................................................................7 ElectedOfficial's Role: ..................................................................................................................................7 National Incident Management System (NIMS):..........................................................................................9 Keyfeatures of NIMS..............................................................................................................................10 Orange County EOC Organizational Chart:.................................................................................................12 FIGURE2—Org Chart..............................................................................................................................12 The Emergency Management Cycle ...........................................................................................................13 Prevention............................................................................................................................................................13 Mitigation................................................................................................................................................14 Preparedness ..........................................................................................................................................14 Response.................................................................................................................................................15 Recovery..................................................................................................................................................17 Flowof Resources.......................................................................................................................................19 Emergency Declarations.............................................................................................................................21 Emergency/Disaster Assistance..................................................................................................................23 MediaGuide................................................................................................................................................24 Conclusion:..................................................................................................................................................26 Appendix A: Important Contacts ................................................................................................................28 OrangeCounty........................................................................................................................................28 Carrboro..................................................................................................................................................28 ChapelHill...............................................................................................................................................28 Hillsborough............................................................................................................................................29 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.............................................................................................29 North Carolina State Emergency Management......................................................................................29 AppendixB: Useful Websites......................................................................................................................30 Appendix C: Emergency Ordinances for Orange County............................................................................31 Appendix D: Hazards in Orange County......................................................................................................35 Appendix E: Critical Incident Information...................................................................................................39 AppendixF: Acronym List ...........................................................................................................................40 Appendix G: Creating an Emergency Kit.....................................................................................................41 Appendix H: Draft Emergency Declaration and Termination .....................................................................42 7 Elected Official's Guide to Emergencies and Disasters The information included in this document was derived from credible sources that provide subject matter expertise in the preparation, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation of hazards that can cause emergencies and disasters. The information is believed to be accurate at the time of printing. However, should the reader find any inaccuracies or errors, they are asked to contact Emergency Services at 919-245-6100. 4 � 8 Elected Official's Guide to Emergencies and Disasters Introduction: Responding effectively to disasters requires a coordinated, community-wide effort. As an elected or appointed official, you play an important role in the County's response to disasters and continuity of government within Orange County. Your actions influence community members, as well as employees, and directly impact the local government's ability to protect lives and property. This guide was developed to provide you with information relating to your role before, during, and after disasters in order to help you make better-informed decisions when disaster strikes. The County's various local government agencies, individually and collectively, work to mitigate against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies and disasters. This integrated emergency management system is based on an "all-hazards approach" to disaster management, which allows the County to support an effective response for any type of disaster that we are likely to face. The following guide describes the key elements of disaster response and the role of elected officials, beginning with an overview of your responsibilities in an emergency situation. There is also a summary of the National Incident Management System (NIMS). Mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 5 (HSPD 5), NIMS provides a comprehensive methodology for dealing with emergency situations. It also includes information about the Emergency Management Cycle, and its five phases: prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. It also includes an overview of how resources are requested, and the process for declaring a State of Emergency. Finally, this guide concludes with a list of important reference points for elected officials, advice for responding to media inquiries for dealing with the media, and appendices containing important contact information, further disaster resources, and official emergency ordinances. 5 � 9 Elected Official's Guide to Emergencies and Disasters Emergency Communication: When a significant emergency or disaster occurs, the Emergency Services Director will notify the Orange County Manager, or designee. In the event the Emergency Services Director is unavailable for any reason, the Division Chief of Emergency Management will contact the County Manager. The County Manager will notify the Orange County Board of County Commissioners (OC BOCC) as deemed appropriate. If the County Manager is unavailable for whatever reason, the Deputy County Manager will notify the OC BOCC. In the event that the County Manager or Deputy County Manager are unavailable for any reason, the Director of Emergency Services, or designee, will notify the OC BOCC. When the Orange County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is activated, the Emergency Services Director, or designee, will notify the County Manager. Orange County essential staff will be notified to report to the EOC by the EverbridgeTM (a.k.a. OC Alerts) alert and warning system, and information will disseminate from there. Telephone (mobile or landline) and email will serve as a back-up to the EverbridgeTM system. • The public will be notified of an emergency/disaster incident by the Orange County Department of Community Relations, or the Orange County Public Information Officer (OC PIO) through standard media outlets (radio, television, print, online), which will also be supplemented with social media. • In certain situations, the public in a specific geographic area will be alerted via EverbridgeTM (OC Alerts) to warn them of impending hazards, evacuation needs, or other pertinent information. • Emergency Services maintains the capability to utilize FEMA's Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) to alert residents and visitors via cell phone when within the jurisdictional boundaries of Orange County when warranted. The Clerk's Office and Emergency Services maintain an updated roster of phone numbers (mobile, landline, office, home, etc.) for the County Managers Office, Department Directors, and the OC BOCC. Emergency Communications flow is depicted in Figure 1 below" 6 � 10 Elected Official's Guide to Emergencies and Disasters FIGURE 1 - Communication Flow with OCES Notifie County Manager and Receives Manager Notifies BOCC Situation Large or -.. Significant F_ the • Incident • • • • • • Emergency -•. • Emergency .. riPublic or • • Strikes L OCES Notifies • .- Small A.. .• . . County ResponseIncident . . Entities Are Met Elected Official's Role: The Elected Official's first job in a disaster situation is to gather and share as much information as possible about the incident. • As an elected official, you may receive or be asked information from your constituents that can be helpful for the EOC. It is important for BOCC members to communicate with their elected and appointed constituents in order to share and receive critical incident information. • Familiarize yourself with the scope and magnitude of the event and what parts of the community have been affected. • Continue to pass information and status updates to the EOC, other community officials, and brief your staff as well. • A more thorough set of questions (for example, "When did the incident occur?" and "How many casualties are there?") to know in a disaster situation can be found in Appendix E. • Be sure to share any pertinent information you obtain to the EOC (919-245-6150) or by email to eoc@orangecountync.gov. The Elected Official's Job may include supporting the response in a leadership/policy-level capacity. 7I 11 Elected Official's Guide to Emergencies and Disasters • During disasters, resources can be scarce and hard decisions may be needed. As a representative for our community members, you may be asked to help guide policy objectives for the response. • Policy objectives are the desired outcomes for the response (example: I want my community members to have shelter during this disaster.) It's important to keep your vision as the big picture and let the responders determine the tactics of how to best meet the objectives set (example: we're going to open a shelters at these schools at these times with these staffing levels, etc..) Though officials have a responsibility to the residents and visitors of Orange County, it is also important to remember to account for the safety of your own families as well. • Be sure to keep family members updated on how to contact you. • Prepare ahead of time with a "grab and go" kit to ensure that they have provisions to take with them to a safe location, such as: o Food o Water o Personal items (medications, glasses, contact solution, etc.) o A more comprehensive list can be found in Appendix I: Creating and Emergency Kit or by visiting http://www.readVorange.org As a government official, you must recognize that your constituents will hold you responsible for the response to a disaster and any of its perceived failures. • You may be asked to help set policy/objectives and support resource prioritization and allocation. • Recognize the importance of accountability, but avoid interfering with the operational element of the disaster response. • Remember to confer with your colleagues when the situation becomes difficult, as they might be able to offer advice or guidance. Elected officials deal frequently with the media in disaster situations. • It is critical that all press interview requests and information about the situation on the ground first go through the PIO, the single point-of-contact for the media who can be contacted through the EOC. • Remember that all effective communication should always include the elements of credibility, honesty, empathy, and competency. • Officials will serve as the public face of the community and should strive to carry themselves in a manner that reflects this responsibility. When the disaster situation and recovery process is over, elected officials play the important part of listening to their residents and evaluating the successes and opportunities to improve the emergency response. • Through engaging in public forums and after-action briefings, we can better understand how to respond in times of need and what training and planning might help Orange County better prepare for future disasters. 8I 12 Elected Official's Guide to Emergencies and Disasters National Incident Management System (NIMS): On February 28, 2003, the President issued Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD)-5, which directs the Department of Homeland Security to develop and administer a National Incident Management System (NIMS). On June 23, 2005 the OC BOCC issued a proclamation that requires all departments, committees, and personnel that engage in response to emergencies or disasters as agents of the County to train, exercise, and respond using NIMS. The use of NIMS keeps us safe: NIMS establishes standardized incident management process protocols and procedures that all responders—federal, state, tribal, and local—will use to coordinate and conduct response actions. In addition, national preparedness and readiness in responding to and recovering from an incident is enhanced since all of the Nation's emergency teams and authorities are using a common language and set of procedures. Advantages of NIMS: NIMS incorporates best practices in incident management which have been developed and proven effective by thousands of responders and authorities across America. These practices, coupled with consistency and national standardization, will now be carried forward throughout all incident management processes: exercises, qualification and certification, communications interoperability, doctrinal changes, training, publications, public affairs, equipment resources, evaluating, and incident management. All of these measures unify the response community as never before. NIMS was created by representatives across the United States, including: • Federal government • States • Territories • Cities, counties, and townships • Tribal officials • First responders 9 � 13 Elected Official's Guide to Emergencies and Disasters Key features of NIMS • Incident Command System (ICS): NIMS establishes ICS as a standard incident management organization with five functional areas—command, operations, planning, logistics, and finance/administration—for management of all major incidents. To ensure further coordination, during incidents involving multiple jurisdictions or agencies, the principle of unified command has been universally incorporated into NIMS. With Unified Command, Incident Commanders representing agencies or jurisdictions that share responsibility for the incident manage the response from a single Incident Command Post (ICP). This unified command not only coordinates the efforts of many jurisdictions, but also provides for and assures joint decisions. • Joint Information System (JIS) and Information Management: NIMS organizational measures enhance the public communication effort. The Joint Information System provides the public with timely and accurate incident information and unified public messages. This system employs Joint Information Centers (JIC) and brings incident communicators together during an incident to develop, coordinate, and deliver a unified message. This ensures that Federal, state, and local levels of government will release the same information during an incident. NIMS prescribes interoperable communication systems for both incident and information management. • Emergency Operations Center (EOC): The physical location at which the coordination of information and resources to support incident management (on- scene operations) activities normally takes place. An EOC may be a temporary facility or may be located in a more central or permanently established facility, perhaps at a higher level of organization within a jurisdiction. EOCs may be organized by major functional disciplines (e.g., fire, law enforcement, and medical services), by jurisdiction (e.g., Federal, State, Regional, Tribal, City, County), or some combination thereof. Orange County's primary EOC is located at 510 Meadowlands Drive, Hillsborough, NC. • Incident Action Plan (IAP): An oral or written plan containing general objectives reflecting the overall strategy for managing an incident. It may include the identification of operational resources and assignments. It may also include attachments that provide direction and important information for management of the incident during one or more operational periods. • Incident Commander (IC): The individual responsible for all incident activities, including the development of strategies and tactics and the ordering and the release of resources. The IC has overall authority and responsibility for conducting incident operations and is responsible for the management of all incident operations at the incident site. • Mutual Aid or Assistance Agreement: Written or oral agreement between and among agencies/organizations and/or jurisdictions that provides a mechanism to quickly obtain emergency assistance in the form of personnel, equipment, 101 Page 14 Elected Official's Guide to Emergencies and Disasters materials, and other associated services. The primary objective is to facilitate rapid, short-term deployment of emergency support prior to, during, and/or after an incident. These must be executed prior to a disaster and must contain the terms for charges for mutual aid, but cannot have a contingency clause (i.e., "Payment will be provided only upon receipt of funding from FEMA") • Public Information Officer (PIO)/Public Affairs Office (PAO): A member of the Command Staff responsible for interfacing with the public and media and/or with other agencies with incident-related information requirements. • Unified Command (UC): An Incident Command System application used when more than one agency has incident jurisdiction or when incidents cross political jurisdictions. Agencies work together through the designated members of the UC, often the senior persons from agencies and/or disciplines participating in the UC, to establish a common set of objectives and strategies and a single Incident Action Plan. • Multi-Agency Coordination (MAC)/Policy Group (MAC): Part of the off-site incident management structure of NIMS. These are typically executives and others from stakeholder agencies impacted by and with resources committed to the incident. MAC Groups act as a policy-level body to support resource prioritization/allocation, make cooperative multi-agency decisions, and enable decision making. The MAC Group does not perform incident command functions and does not get involved in the tactics or operations of the response. 11 � 15 Elected Official's Guide to Emergencies and Disasters Orange County EOC Organizational Chart: FIGURE 2—Org r------------------------------------------------------------------------- MACIPolicy Group I BOCC Chair.County Manger Carrboro Hillsborough Chapel Hill i3 — ; Ick Legal Counsel Public Info macer I[S ESF A15 PuF Af^airs I I I L------------------ —------------------------------------------------Y---------------' I j EOC Manager +– —i (ESF 5,a,,or 11 I {ICPJ]neident i � !tnmma:na rnsgsi I I I EOC Liaison Officer EGC �_.— I _r:r..r�aLch�P I---.---.— jPublic Info Liaison I Joint Information I _.—.---------------------�I Center JJICi I a ESF#15 P u6 pairs I I L------------------- ------------------ ----------------- I • •,- e « ECC Logistics Section KSectioLef dmin I Chief I la L----- ------- -------------- m un cat .,9m I CittnS I I IF#'.1 � _ Aa�Nat Resources I I Im Resvarce 4upport �Q' I I� I 1R I ESF w 17 I I - -_ I I I° I I I I I I I _ I � sir c=• � 12Page 16 Elected Official's Guide to Emergencies and Disasters The Emergency Management Cycle Emergency management is cyclical and on-going, with four (5) key phases.. Prevention, Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery. The phases often overlap and there is typically no clear line of delineation of when one phase ends and the other begins. Recovery Pre.. Response Prevention Not all disasters are caused by nature. Unfortunately, human-caused disasters like acts of terrorism can be just as catastrophic as natural disasters. Prevention focuses on protecting our communities from these human-caused hazards. Preventive measures are designed to provide more permanent protection from disasters; however, not all disasters can be prevented. The risk of loss of life and injury can be limited with good evacuation plans, environmental planning and design standards. Emergency management works closely with our law enforcement partners to share information and to report suspicious activities or behavior. Should you see or hear of anything suspicious (threats etc.), we strongly encourage you to report it to your respective jurisdiction's law enforcement agency. 13 17 Elected Official's Guide to Emergencies and Disasters Mitigation) Mitigation aims to lessen the impacts of disasters and emergencies. The goal of mitigation is to create economically secure, socially stable, better built, and more environmentally sound communities that remain resilient during times of disaster. On average, every $1 spent on mitigation projects to protect against natural disasters saves $6 in post-disaster cost. auwi undue ret&mu tt" race IRTNdf1 kerd. 1r 4 Nm dvtr"11 amn-@fit-Cost Ratio 11:1 41 4:1 4:1 6:1 Cost f$biINori) '11.YY,,, 54va s624 '0.6 '127 Benefit($bi.Widn) 113, 316:,,., 12200 '12.5 '1160 }}Y --mmmm�� Earthquake 12:1 4:1 13:1 3:1 3:1 WildlandUrban Interface Fire mi 11 ALA 2. mt Cq]vf(yYG]DH 1Ha hHdPsY PY�I}aC 970YYJ As part of our existing mitigation strategy, we have identified the following mitigation priorities in Orange County: • Pursue mitigation projects that improve the resiliency of our critical infrastructure. • Compile a list of high-risk areas within Orange County. • Continue outreach to the critical communities that are at risk during disasters. NOTE: Further information and specific details on the Eno-Haw Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan can be found at www.readyorange.org. Orange County is also a member of the Triangle Regional Resilience Partnership. This joint project, completed in 2019, between four municipalities and two counties that created a regional resiliency assessment of stressors, assets and threats and prioritized recommendations for the geographic area. Administered and facilitated by TJCOG, the project facilitated conversation between local governments about their community resilience concerns and needs, and ultimately, produced a unified report that assessed resilience at a regional scale. The full report can be found online at www.tocog.org 141 18 Elected Official's Guide to Emergencies and Disasters Preparedness, Preparedness within the field of emergency management can be best defined as a state of readiness to respond to a disaster, crisis, or any other type of emergency. Preparedness activities, such as planning, community education, training, and exercises, occur before an incident or disaster happens. It is important that you prepare by having plans and supplies for both your home and workplace. Equally important is communicating and practicing those plans with your family and co-workers. What YOU can do to prepare: • Make sure you have developed an adequate emergency preparedness plan for you and your family. You can find more information about preparedness via www.Ready0range.org • Discuss emergency preparedness with your staff. • Have water, non-perishable food, essential documents, phone numbers, and other supplies on hand to be able to be self-sufficient for 72 hours. • Make sure your personal vehicle is ready to go (chains, fuel, tires, etc.). • Attend training, either locally or online through FEMA at the Emergency Management Institute (EMI). http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS Response In the event of a major disaster, all levels of government will work together to respond successfully to disasters through the North Carolina Emergency Services hierarchy. Your role as an elected official is not primarily operational, but there are a number of responsibilities you will carry out in the event of disaster. During a disaster or incident, you are likely to receive calls from your constituents. Through these conversations, you may be able to collect information from residents and businesses that you can funnel to the appropriate departments for action, via the EOC (919-245-6150) or eoc(@orangecountync.gov. Social Media can also be a useful tool by using Twitter @ocncemergency (https://twitter.com/ocncemergency) or Facebook OCNCemergency (https://www.facebook.com/OCNCEmergency). It is up to everyone, especially elected and appointed officials, to help manage public expectations about what government can or cannot provide during or after a disaster or incident. It is helpful when you assure constituents that local government is still functioning and assure them that we will work very hard to get back to normal as quickly as possible. In the event of a life-threatening emergency, the County will be using the EverbridgeTM alerting system to perform emergency alert and warning across the county. This system utilizes the following elements at no cost to the end user: 15 19 Elected Official's Guide to Emergencies and Disasters • Phone, email and text notifications • Phone to phone interaction • Social media interaction • Opt in for special/functional needs • Opt in for Weather Warnings Orange County Emergency Services has the ability to request resources from agencies outside of the county, including food, water, and other packaged commodities. For reference, the pre-planned dispensing locations for these and medical items are: • Cedar Ridge High School (1125 New Grady Brown School Road, Hillsborough) • Orange Middle School (308 Orange High School Road, Hillsborough) • Smith Middle School (9201 Seawell School Road, Chapel Hill) • Carrboro High School (201 Rock Haven Road, Carrboro) • Dean Smith Center- UNC (300 Skipper Bowles Drive, Chapel Hill) o (Alternate- Fetzer Gymnasium- 301 South Road, Chapel Hill) We generally recommend that Elected Officials do not respond directly to the emergency/disaster incident scene because of safety concerns for you as well as the emergency responders working at the scene. However, if you choose to respond to the scene, we ask that you follow these guidelines: • Report to the Incident Command Post (ICP) as soon as you arrive at the scene. The Incident Commander (IC) is the person responsible for directing all activities at the scene. • The Fire or Police Department may establish "Zones" where only persons with the proper protective clothing and training are allowed to enter due to hazards which may have created health or safety issues. • Park your car in a safe place away from the incident and in an area where your vehicle does not obstruct the road. Blocked roads may slow emergency vehicles from reaching their destination. • Pay attention to your surroundings. Cars strike many responders every year because they are operating in the roadways where drivers are easily distracted by the disaster or incident. • Watch where you step. The scene may contain hazardous materials that can wind up on your shoes, which can then wind up in your car, home, or business. Do not walk into or touch spilled material. Avoid inhaling fumes, smoke, and vapors. Avoid floodwater as it may be contaminated, and never drive through a flooded roadway. • Wear appropriate clothing and if necessary, request personal protection equipment (i.e. hardhats, masks, etc.) • Remember, transportation disasters and acts of terrorism are also potential crime scenes so refrain from touching or disturbing any potential evidence. 16 20 Elected Official's Guide to Emergencies and Disasters Recovery Recovery involves all of the activities that are necessary to be able to return the area to normal. This involves decisions and actions related to rebuilding homes, debris removal, replacing property, resuming employment, restoring businesses, and permanently repairing and rebuilding infrastructure. Recovery is often the hardest part of the response to disasters and may continue for an extended period of time. As soon as it is safe to do so, the County, with assistance from the municipalities, first responders and local community groups, will conduct preliminary damage assessments to determine the level of property damage and the parts of the critical infrastructure that may be damaged. During the recovery phase, you may find it helpful to get briefings from county staff as to the extent of the damage and status of the recovery process. These briefings will be held regularly and scheduled, as the conditions require. The overall priority for service is the same across all jurisdictional lines. These include: • Life safety • Critical facilities/ Incident stabilization • Property damage • Environmental damage Residents have their own priorities, which may be different from those of the County. The general public is often unaware of the scope of the disaster or incident; they may have unrealistic expectations about what local government can do for them as everyone works to recover. Some of the biggest issues that occur after the disaster or incident involve the following: • Debris Removal: Debris removal on private property is typically not covered by FEMA or the County and is the property owner's responsibility. If you have a constituent who has a significant problem with debris removal, call Orange County Emergency Services (919-245-6100) or E�orangecountync.gov. Please do not call 9-1-1. • Rebuilding: Residents may want to rebuild their house or business in the flood plain. This brings up zoning and ordinance issues. Vulnerable residents and populations may also face problems with the cost of rebuilding. • Response Time: Residents may think that government is slow to respond. It typically takes the Federal government 72 to 96 hours to respond to a local emergency. • Public Information: Residents may report difficulty getting critical information about the disaster or incident from the news media. Despite our efforts to communicate through the media, by issuing regular news releases, local media often choose to edit the information significantly, which can make it inaccurate, or not use it at all in their reports. However, we are continuing our efforts to foster positive working relationships with the media as these relationships are critical during times of disasters. 17 � 21 Elected Official's Guide to Emergencies and Disasters During the immediate recovery phase, the County and municipalities may be able to provide drinking water, food, emergency shelter, and ice through local and state resources. OCES normally does not provide batteries, flashlights, generators, sandbags, and medicine, but these items might be purchased through retail establishments. These items normally should be included in your personal disaster kits before a disaster or incident occurs. It is best for residents to have enough basic supplies on hand prior to an emergency to be self-sufficient for 72 hours. The coordination of the cost-recovery process during and after a disaster will be handled by Orange County Emergency Services to limit confusion, but elected officials can aid the process by assuring that the following vital documents are consistently maintained: • Original plans and drawings for all County facilities • Cost data from any recent improvements or additions • Copies of all applicable codes and standards • Pre-event photographs FEMA provides individual assistance by helping survivors apply for low-cost loans from the Small Business Administration, providing temporary housing, and providing some grants to replace items not covered by insurance. One of the most important contributions that Elected Officials can make is to point your constituents in the right direction for the information they need, whether it is a FEMA tele-registration number or a disaster field office, or to volunteer opportunities with debris removal or other cleanup activities. If you have a constituent who has functional or access needs for items or services, contact Orange County Emergency Services (919-245-6100) or E cr orangecountync.gov, not 9-1-1. Long-term recovery following a disaster takes years to complete. New Orleans, for example, is still recovering from Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Orange County is working through its first long term recovery plan from the COVID-19 pandemic and hopes to carry this recovery model forward as a best practice for all future disasters. You can learn more by visiting www.orangencforward.org. 18 22 Elected Official's Guide to Emergencies and Disasters Flow of Resources Orange County manages dozens of emergency events on a daily basis. Thousands of emergency responses occur every year that are managed in their entirety by the staff members and first responders. Municipal County State Federal P ResourceResources Resources Resources When events necessitate resources beyond the local resources, they first reach out within Orange County for agencies that can offer specialized equipment, personnel, and resources. These agreements are pre-existing and are recognized as "mutual aid" type agreements between agencies. The County uses mutual aid agreements on a frequent basis, both from within and with surrounding County agencies. These agencies include: • Fire departments • Emergency Medical Services • Law enforcement agencies • Non-profit community partner agencies (Non-Governmental Organizations or NGO's), such as the American Red Cross. When resources beyond Orange County are necessary, all requests for additional resources or aid are made through Orange County Emergency Services, who in turn makes requests through the North Carolina Division of Emergency Management (NCEM). NCEM can assist in the procurement of logistical supplies, additional or specialized equipment, personnel or specialized teams, and technical experts. The North Carolina National Guard is also activated through this system, but only at the decision or request of the Governor. North Carolina can also receive assistance from other states through a mutual aid compact or Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC). If resources are needed beyond state resources, NCEM makes requests through EMAC or Federal agencies, such as Homeland Security (DHS) or the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for additional assistance 19 23 Elected Official's Guide to Emergencies and Disasters Mission Resource Flow Chart CHAP�E}ELHIL4 0 m : 0- - 5 E FIQE BE5[WE Q .* FEMA �f/l FPai�"Gt� ���7Ytr sFGJ dWASA ����t . S B h E 1 , R E{tR'F 0 i m0 Resources and Af - ; Equipment a N ■ State Funding a E C Technical m II.S.ARMY _ Specialists EL9_ E Mutual Aid/Private S�Q14 ..........Sector/NGO . Cep Assistance +w„EcCroas Retl 1 l , Intrastate Mutual Aid] ORANGE COUNTYInterstate Mutual Aid Mil (EMAC)/Private 20Page 24 Elected Official's Guide to Emergencies and Disasters Emergency Declarations Local government has direct responsibility for the safety of its residents. Orange County Emergency Services (OCES) is responsible for coordinating emergency management activities inside Orange County and is recognized by the state through North Carolina Emergency Management. State government has additional legal responsibilities for emergency response and recovery. The Federal government also has legal authority in some instances, and is a source of fiscal resources, as well as specialized personnel and equipment if local need is greater than locally available resources. Specific areas of authority and responsibilities for Emergency Management agencies are clearly stated in state law and local ordinances. These laws provide for a specific line of succession for elected officials to ensure continuity of government and leadership during an emergency (Sec. 14-41) and are as follows: the Chair of the Board of Commissioners, the Vice-Chair, the County Manager, the Deputy County Manager, the Emergency Services Director, and the Division Chief of Emergency Management. The Emergency Services Director or their designee also has the authority to evacuate the county when immediacy of necessary action precludes contact with the Chair. The Orange County Attorney's Office will provide legal guidance as needed throughout the process. It may be more prudent to err on the side of caution when declaring a state of emergency as it can be cancelled if the situation is determined not to warrant a declaration. Declaring early can save valuable time, should you need to eventually seek a federal declaration of a state of emergency. It is also important to remember to officially terminate a state of emergency when the disaster is over and the situation is once more under control. All points of the declaration remain in effect until it is officially terminated. An example of Orange County's proclamation of a state of emergency can be found in Appendix I. Declaring a State of Emergency State of emergency defined: (G.S. 14-288) Condition that exists whenever, during times of public crisis, disaster, rioting, catastrophe, or similar public emergency, public safety authorities are unable to maintain public order or afford adequate protection for lives or property, or whenever the occurrence of any such event is imminent. Who can declare: Governor, mayor, municipal official, chair of the board of commissioners or county official, any chief executive official or military commanding "acting under the authority of any other applicable statute or provision of the common law to preserve the public peace in a state-of-emergency." What it means: Activates local ordinances and any and all applicable local plans, mutual assistance compacts, and agreements. It also authorizes the furnishing of assistance. Local ordinances may restrict or prohibit movement of people in public places; operation of businesses; possession, transportation, sale, purchase, and consumption of alcoholic 21 1 25 Elected Official's Guide to Emergencies and Disasters beverages, dangerous weapons, substances, and gasoline, as well as "other reasonably necessary" measures, such as enacting a curfew. It is important to note that the declaration process does not require that all of these elements be enacted, and officials may decide that only certain components are relevant to the situation at hand. In Orange County, the 9-1-1 Communication Center is on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year so that when an emergency occurs, appropriate resources are immediately notified and/or activated. Orange County Emergency Services also communicates regularly with neighboring jurisdictions, as well as the State of North Carolina to monitor conditions in and around Orange County. Depending on the scope, nature, and resources required for an individual disaster, the County may activate the EOC to serve as the coordination point for the appropriate response. The objectives of the EOC are: • Gain situational awareness on what is going on with the emergency/disaster. How big, how bad, how long • Coordinate emergency response and recovery operations, to include interfacing with our Town EOCs • Coordinate with appropriate federal, state, and other local government agencies as well as the private sector and volunteer agencies • Establish priorities and resolve any conflicting demands for resource support • Prepare and disseminate emergency public information to inform, alert, and warn the public • Coordinate rapid damage assessment for critical loss information and other essential data • Develop a Common Operating Picture (COP)among all response/recovery entities so that information is shared in a comprehensive, open manner 22 26 Elected Official's Guide to Emergencies and Disasters Emergency/Disaster Assistance The following steps are required to receive Federal assistance. The Chair or Vice Chair of the Board of County Commissioners is the only official that may issue the proclamation that will begin the process for requesting Federal involvement. In the absence of the Chair or Vice Chair, the next individual in the order of succession (page 4.3) can issue the proclamation. County departments, as well as municipal officials, will play key roles in providing information necessary for such a proclamation and will be involved throughout the entire process. Conditions indicate a local Chair of the Chair of the requests disaster is likely Board issues a Board request Presidential to occur or has Declaration of declaration from Declaration already occurred Emergency the Governor Local municipalities can declare a local emergency prior to countywide, state or federal declarations. However, in many situations, local municipalities and the County can issue coordinated or combined proclamations when an event is affecting both governmental bodies equally. This should be given consideration since the assistance we will receive from the Federal Government will be coordinated by the State through Orange County Emergency Services, then to the municipalities. Also, remember to officially terminate the emergency declaration once the situation has returned to normal. 231 Page 27 Elected Official's Guide to Emergencies and Disasters Media Guide The general goals of managed public information are: • To provide accurate and timely updates to the public and media. • To minimize confusion, misinformation, and rumors during an emergency. • To improve coordination among effected parties in an effort to minimize the loss of life and property before, during, and after an emergency. During a disaster or incident, all media requests should filter through the designated Public Information Officer (PIO) or Public Affairs Office (PAO) first, so that information that is released is consistent and accurate. Depending on the size and magnitude of the disaster, a single media staging area may be established. The on-scene IC or PIO/PAO can be with you during an interview if needed. If you cultivate good relationships with the media before an emergency, you will receive better support from them during an emergency. Use the following tips when responding to questions from the media: • Say the most important thing first and then elaborate if necessary. Keep your comments short and succinct. Ten to 15 second blurbs are best. • We recommend sharing information in the following format: this is what is happening, this is what we are doing, and this is what we need you (the public) to do. • Answer all questions directly and as completely as possible • If you do not know the answer to a question, say so. Do not guess or exaggerate. Erroneous information can damage your credibility and can cause the public to make bad choices. Get the reporter's contact information, and call back when you have the answer • Avoid using "no comment." No comment gives the impression that you have something to hide • There is no such thing as "off the record." Anything you say to a reporter is fair game. Know that cameras and microphones are very powerful. They can be recording at any time • Never argue with reporters or lose your cool. Do not be rude even if the reporter appears to doubt your credibility • Be sure the reporter understands your answers and is not putting words in your mouth • Avoid answering speculative "what if" questions. Keep the information focused on our emergency or disaster, not what others have experienced • Be sure to emphasize positive points you want to make • Speak naturally and use terms the public can understand. Avoid using acronyms and jargon • Make one point at a time. During times of high stress, people are generally only able to remember short, concise bits of information. 24 28 Elected Official's Guide to Emergencies and Disasters • If you must read a prepared statement, review the information before going to the press. Read in a relaxed manner. • Be believable, personable, and conversational. Credibility is vital to getting your message across • Coordinate any requests to tour the scene with the IC or PIO/PAO before making any promises to the media • Let the County Manager know if you talk with the media. The County Manager will let the EOC and the PIO know the contents of your interview/conversation. This is important so that accurate and consistent information is being disseminated in a coordinated manner If you would like, the PIO can often help develop talking points for interviews as a way to help you prepare. Types of Media Interviews Television: It is natural to become anxious when a TV personality requests an interview. Do not think you have to have the on-air demeanor of a TV personality - the public knows that this is not who you are. The important thing is to appear honest, straightforward, and concerned. Look at the reporter, not the camera. Think of it as one-on-one conversation with someone you like and you will look more relaxed. Be prepared with visuals that may help make your story better. Suggest meeting the reporter at an area appropriate to the situation to create a better visual location. Radio: Most radio interviews are conducted over the phone. Prepare by cutting out all distractions. You might want to hold all your calls and shut your door to avoid people entering your office. Talk in your normal voice. Print: Print interviews usually last longer than radio or television interviews. The reporter will want more details. Make sure to block enough time to do a print interview. If needed, pull other people from the County for the interview, especially if they have expertise on your program/issue. 25 29 Elected Official's Guide to Emergencies and Disasters Conclusion: Elected and appointed officials are responsible for ensuring the public safety and welfare of the people of their jurisdiction. Specifically, these officials should help provide strategic guidance and resources during preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. Emergency management, including preparation and training for effective response, is a primary obligation of local leaders. Chief elected or appointed officials must have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities in order to be successful in an emergency. At times, these roles may require providing direction and guidance to constituents during an incident, but their day- to-day activities do not focus on emergency management and response. On an ongoing basis, elected and appointed officials may be called upon to help shape or modify laws, policies, and budgets to aid preparedness efforts and to improve emergency management and response capabilities. Remember, resilient communities begin with prepared individuals. Also, remember to: 1. Promote Community Preparedness and Mitigation Your role in emergency management begins long before the County actually experiences a disaster. Encouraging community preparedness and implementing mitigation policy can better protect community members from the potentially devastating effects of disasters, as well as significantly reduce costs associated with disaster response and recovery. 2. Work through the Incident Commander and NIMS On site of a large emergency, there will be an Incident Commander (IC). They can usually be identified by an IC vest and will most likely be located at or near the command post. Access to the site, on scene information, safety concerns, and other important data can be obtained from the IC. All personnel on an emergency scene must coordinate through the on-scene IC. 3. Review Incident Action Plans In all significant emergency events, Orange County Emergency Services (OCES) and municipalities will issue Incident Action Plans (IAPs). An IAP formally documents incident goals (known as control objectives in NIMS), operational period objectives, and the response strategy defined by incident command during response planning. The IAP acts as a road map for disaster response and recovery. 4. Attend briefings In a major emergency event, there will be periodic briefings of key county staff. Authority rests with the chief local agency official to decide when, where, and how these briefings take place. These meetings may be joint county meetings. Issues, facts, incident needs, strategies and planned approaches to resolving the challenges at hand will be discussed. Briefing information will be requested electronically upon request from the EOC. The briefings can be held in large county meeting rooms 26 1 30 Elected Official's Guide to Emergencies and Disasters or in the form of conference calls—not inside the EOC as these briefings can interrupt critical decisions and response/recovery priorities. 5. Ask questions As you have questions about what operations staff are doing or not doing, inquire through the County Manager's office. Staff welcomes the opportunity to share with the elected officials the strategies that are being employed. Contact numbers are listed at the end of this document for your reference. 6. Consistent public messages During large and complex emergencies there may be key points that need to be communicated to the public each day. These may be progress steps or focus areas for that particular day or key information to the public. Presenting a clear, unified message is important to accomplishing the mission. The Public Information Officerwill prepare all messages to be disseminated. 7. Agencies work within established priorities In an emergency, each department will conduct their work under established priorities. Our priorities are life safety, incident stabilization, property and environmental conservation. 8. Request additional resources via NCEM All requests for resources must go through the North Carolina Emergency Management (NCEM) system, and will be initiated by OCES. The request chain is as follows.. • From local departments or Towns to the Orange County EOC • From the Orange County EOC to State EOC • From State EOC to Federal government This ensures both delivery of resources, and appropriate qualification for reimbursements. Local area resources should always be exhausted before requesting resources through the State. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about emergency management, please contact Orange County Emergency Services at (919) 245-6100. Thank you for the service that you provide for the residents and visitors of Orange County! 27 31 Elected Official's Guide to Emergencies and Disasters Appendix A: Important Contacts Orange County Department/Title Director Name Number County Manager Bonnie Hammersley (919) 245-2300 Deputy County Manager Travis Myren (919) 245-2308 Emergency Services Kirby Saunders (919) 245-6100 OCES-Emergency Management Sarah Pickhardt (919) 245-6138 Sheriff's Office Sheriff Charles Blackwood (919) 245-2900 Asset Management Steven Arndt (919) 245-2625 Animal Services Dr. Sandra Strong (919) 942-7387 Social Services Nancy Coston (919) 245-2800 Health Department Quintana Stewart (919) 245-2400 DEAPR David Stancil (919) 245-2510 Emergency Operations Center (Not for Public Use) (919) 245-6150 Emergency Services 24 Hour (919) 732-5063 Carrboro Department/Title Name Number Manager David Andrews (919) 918-7315 Public Works Daniel Snipes (919) 918-7425 Police Chief Chris Atack (919) 918-7412 Fire Chief David Schmidt (919) 918-7349 Cha el Hill Department/Title Name Number Manager Maurice Jones (919) 968-2743 Public Works Director Lance Norris (919) 969-5100 Police Chief Chris Blue (919) 968-2760 Fire Chief Vencelin Harris (919) 968-2705 EM Coordinator Kelly Drayton (919) 968-2008 28 1 32 Elected Official's Guide to Emergencies and Disasters Hillsborough Department/Title Name Number Manager Eric Peterson (919) 296-9421 Asst. Manager/Emergency Margaret Hauth (919) 296-9471 Manager Public Works (Streets & Dustin Hill (919) 296-9602 Sanitation) Utilities Director (water & Marie Strandwitz (919) 296-9631 sewer) Police Chief Duane Hampton (919) 926-9500 Orange Rural Fire Chief Jeff Cabe (919) 732-7911 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Department/Title Name Number Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz (919) 962-1365 Associate Vice Chancellor Derek Kemp (919) 962-3951 for Campus Safety Emergency Manager Darrell Jeter (919) 445-1730 North Carolina State Emergency Management Department/Title Name Number Director Will Ray (919) 825-2500 Central Branch Manager Dennis Hancock (919) 575-4122 291PagE 33 Elected Official's Guide to Emergencies and Disasters Appendix B: Useful Websites Orange County Disaster Preparedness (http://www.readyorange.org) NC Preparedness (http://www.readVnc.orq) FEMA Preparedness (http://www.ready.gov/) Federal Emergency Management Agency (www.fema.gov) North Carolina Emergency Management Agency (www.ncem.org) National Weather Service Forecast Office in Raleigh, NC (http://www.erh.noaa.gov/rah/) American Red Cross (http://www.cncredcross.org/) Department of Homeland Security (http://www.dhs.gov) Orange County (http://orangecountync.gov) Town of Carrboro (http://townofcarrboro.orq/) Town of Chapel Hill (http://townofchapelhill.org/) Town of Hillsborough (http://hillsboroughnc.gov) 30 34 Elected Official's Guide to Emergencies and Disasters Appendix C: Emergency Ordinances for Orange County There are a number of laws that cover local emergencies and the declaration of a local emergency by a local jurisdiction. In general, North Carolina General Statute (NCGS) 166A (otherwise known as the North Carolina Emergency Management Act) provides guidance for the creation of local ordinances that cover disasters. For local governments, 166A Part 4 & Part 5, Section 19-22 through 19-31 provides the legal authority for states of emergency and authority to enact ordinances to deal with states of emergency, and referenced below. Orange County's Code of Ordinances, Part I, Chapter 14, Article II deals with a state of emergency, including prohibitions, restrictions, evacuation, curfew, and penalty of violation. Part 4. Declarations of State of Emergency. 166A-19.22. Municipal or county declaration of state of emergency (a) Declaration. — A state of emergency may be declared by the governing body of a municipality or county, if either of these finds that an emergency exists. Authority to declare a state of emergency under this section may also be delegated by ordinance to the mayor of a municipality or to the chair of the board of county commissioners of a county. (b) Emergency Area. — The emergency area shall be determined in accordance with the following: (1) Unless another subdivision of this subsection is applicable, the emergency area shall not exceed the area over which the municipality or county has jurisdiction to enact general police-power ordinances. The governing body declaring the state of emergency may declare that the emergency area includes part or all of the governing body's jurisdiction. Unless the governing body declaring the state of emergency provides otherwise, the emergency area includes this entire jurisdiction, subject to the limitations contained in the other subdivisions in this subsection. (2) The emergency area of a state of emergency declared by a county shall not include any area within the corporate limits of any municipality, or within any area of the county over which a municipality has jurisdiction to enact general police-power ordinances, unless the municipality's governing body or mayor consents to or requests the state of emergency's application. Such an extension may be with respect to one or more of the prohibitions and restrictions imposed in that county pursuant to the authority granted in G.S. 166A-19.31 and need not be with respect to all prohibitions and restrictions authorized by that section. (3) The board of commissioners or chair of the board of commissioners of any county who has been requested to do so by a mayor may by declaration extend the emergency area of a state of emergency declared by a municipality to any area within the county in which the board or chair determines it to be necessary to assist in the controlling of the emergency within the municipality. The extension may be with respect to one or more of the prohibitions and restrictions imposed in that mayor's 311 Page 35 Elected Official's Guide to Emergencies and Disasters municipality pursuant to the authority granted in G.S. 166A-19.31 and need not be with respect to all prohibitions and restrictions authorized by that section. Extension of the emergency area pursuant to this subdivision shall be subject to the following additional limitations: a. The extension of the emergency area shall not include any area within the corporate limits of a municipality, or within any area of the county over which a municipality has jurisdiction to enact general police-power ordinances, unless the mayor or governing body of that other municipality consents to its application. b. A chair of a board of county commissioners extending the emergency area under the authority of this subdivision shall take reasonable steps to give notice of its terms to those likely to be affected. c. The chair of the board of commissioners shall declare the termination of any prohibitions and restrictions extended pursuant to this subdivision upon the earlier of the following: 1. The chair's determination that they are no longer necessary. 2. The determination of the board of county commissioners that they are no longer necessary. 3. The termination of the prohibitions and restrictions within the municipality. d. The powers authorized under this subdivision may be exercised whether or not the county has enacted ordinances under the authority of G.S. 166A-19.31. Exercise of this authority shall not preclude the imposition of prohibitions and restrictions under any ordinances enacted by the county under the authority of G.S. 166A-19.31. (c) Expiration of States of Emergency. — Unless an ordinance adopted pursuant to G.S. 166A-19.31 provides otherwise, a state of emergency declared pursuant to this section shall expire when it is terminated by the official or governing body that declared it. (d) Effect of Declaration. — The declaration of a state of emergency pursuant to this section shall activate the local ordinances authorized in G.S. 166A-19.31 and any and all applicable local plans, mutual assistance compacts, and agreements and shall also authorize the furnishing of assistance thereunder. 166A-19.23. Excessive pricing prohibitions. A declaration issued pursuant to this Article shall trigger the prohibitions against excessive pricing during states of disaster, states of emergency or abnormal market disruptions pursuant to G.S. 75-37 and G.S. 75-38. (2012-12, s. 1(b).) 32 36 Elected Official's Guide to Emergencies and Disasters Part 5. Additional Powers During States of Emergency. 166A-19.31. Power of municipalities and counties to enact ordinances to deal with states of emergency. (a) Authority to Enact Prohibitions and Restrictions. — The governing body of any municipality or county may enact ordinances designed to permit the imposition of prohibitions and restrictions within the emergency area during a state of emergency declared pursuant to G.S. 166A-19.22. Authority to impose by declaration prohibitions and restrictions under this section, and to impose those prohibitions and restrictions at a particular time as appropriate, may be delegated by ordinance to the mayor of a municipality or to the chair of the board of county commissioners of a county. (b) Type of Prohibitions and Restrictions Authorized. — The ordinances authorized by this section may permit prohibitions and restrictions: (1) Of movements of people in public places, including imposing a curfew; directing and compelling the voluntary or mandatory evacuation of all or part of the population from any stricken or threatened area within the governing body's jurisdiction; prescribing routes, modes of transportation, and destinations in connection with evacuation; and controlling ingress and egress of an emergency area, and the movement of persons within the area. (2) Of the operation of offices, business establishments, and other places to or from which people may travel or at which they may congregate. (3) Upon the possession, transportation, sale, purchase, and consumption of alcoholic beverages. (4) Upon the possession, transportation, sale, purchase, storage, and use of gasoline, and dangerous weapons and substances, except that this subdivision does not authorize prohibitions or restrictions on lawfully possessed firearms or ammunition. As used in this subdivision, the term "dangerous weapons and substances" has the same meaning as it does under G.S. 14-288.1 . As used in this subdivision, the term "firearm" has the same meaning as it does under G.S. 14- 409.39(2). (5) Upon other activities or conditions the control of which may be reasonably necessary to maintain order and protect lives or property during the state of emergency. The ordinances authorized by this section need not require or provide for the imposition of all of the types of prohibitions or restrictions, or any particular prohibition or restriction, authorized by this section during an emergency but may instead authorize the official or officials who impose those prohibitions or restrictions to determine and impose the prohibitions or restrictions deemed necessary or suitable to a particular state of emergency. (c) When Ordinances Take Effect. — Notwithstanding any other provision of law, whether general or special, relating to the promulgation or publication of ordinances by 33 1 37 Elected Official's Guide to Emergencies and Disasters any municipality or county, upon the declaration of a state of emergency by the mayor or chair of the board of county commissioners within the municipality or the county, any ordinance enacted under the authority of this section shall take effect immediately unless the ordinance sets a later time. If the effect of this section is to cause an ordinance to go into effect sooner than it otherwise could under the law applicable to the municipality or county, the mayor or chair of the board of county commissioners, as the case may be, shall take steps to cause reports of the substance of the ordinance to be disseminated in a fashion that its substance will likely be communicated to the public in general, or to those who may be particularly affected by the ordinance if it does not affect the public generally. As soon as practicable thereafter, appropriate distribution or publication of the full text of any such ordinance shall be made. (d) When Prohibitions and Restrictions Take Effect. — All prohibitions and restrictions imposed by declaration pursuant to ordinances adopted under this section shall take effect in the emergency area immediately upon publication of the declaration unless the declaration sets a later time. For the purpose of requiring compliance, publication may consist of reports of the substance of the prohibitions and restrictions in the mass communications media serving the emergency area or other effective methods of disseminating the necessary information quickly. As soon as practicable, however, appropriate distribution of the full text of any declaration shall be made. This subsection shall not be governed by the provisions of G.S. 1-597. (e) Expiration of Prohibitions and Restrictions. — Prohibitions and restrictions imposed pursuant to this section shall expire upon the earliest occurrence of any of the following: (1) The prohibition or restriction is terminated by the official or entity that imposed the prohibition or restriction. (2) The state of emergency terminates. (f) Intent to Supplement Other Authority. — This section is intended to supplement and confirm the powers conferred by G.S. 153A-121(a), G.S. 160A-174(a), and all other general and local laws authorizing municipalities and counties to enact ordinances for the protection of the public health and safety in times of riot or other grave civil disturbance or emergency. (g) Previously Enacted Ordinances Remain in Effect. — Any ordinance of a type authorized by this section promulgated prior to October 1, 2012, if otherwise valid, continue in full force and effect without reenactment. (h) Violation. — Any person who violates any provision of an ordinance or a declaration enacted or declared pursuant to this section shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor in accordance with G.S. 14-288.20A. 34 38 Elected Official's Guide to Emergencies and Disasters Appendix D: Hazards in Orange County Hazard Likelihood of Occurrence The Orange County Hazard Mitigation (OCHM) Team estimates the likelihood of each type of hazard occurring in Orange County. This estimate is based on the local history of the events as of September 2020. ➢ Highly Likely: Near 100% probability in the next year. y Likely: Between 10% - 100% probability in the next year, or at least one chance in the next ten years. Possible: Between 1% - 10% probability in the next year or at least one chance in the next 100 years. Unlikely: Less than 1% probability in the next year, or less than one chance in the next 100 years. Hazard Prone Areas Certain areas, such as floodplains and steep slopes, are more prone to hazards than others. Many of these are readily identifiable on maps. The OCHM Team identified those areas that are most vulnerable to each natural hazard and determined whether they cover a small, medium, or large proportion of Orange County. All but two of the types of natural hazards most likely to affect Orange County (Severe Winter Storms, Thunderstorms and Tornadoes, Drought and Heat Waves, Flooding, and Landslides) have equal potential to occur anywhere within the county and its municipalities (i.e.- one area of the county is not more likely to be affected than another). Landslides are more likely to occur in the southeastern portion of the county due to the types of soils and topography prevalent in that geographic area. Flooding, while it can conceivably occur anywhere in the county, is more likely in floodplain areas. Hazard Impact Some natural hazards have greater impacts than others but occur infrequently (severe earthquakes) and others hazards occur annually or several time a year but cause less damage (thunderstorms). The impact is a combination of the magnitude of the event, how large an area within the community is affected and the amount of human activity in that area. The following table explains how the impact is measured. 35 39 Elected Official's Guide to Emergencies and Disasters Measurement of Types of Hazard Impacts Magnitude Type (percent of property in county Severity damaged) Catastrophic More than 50% Multiple deaths, complete shutdown of facilities for 30 days or more. 50% of property damaged. Multiple severe injuries, complete shutdown of Critical 25% to 50% critical facilities for 2 weeks, more than 25% of property damaged. Some injuries, complete shutdown of critical Limited 10% to 25% facilities for more than a week. More than 10% of property damaged. Minor injuries, minimal quality of life impact, Negligible Less than 10% shutdown of critical facilities for 24-hours or less. Less than 10% of property is severely damaged. 36 1 40 Elected Official's Guide to Emergencies and Disasters Orange Impacts Likelihood Area Catastrophic/ Hazard Hazard of Negligible/Small/ Index Occurrence Medium/Large Critical/Limited/ Negligible Drought Likely Large Minor High Risk Extreme Heat Highly Likely Large Critical High Risk Hurricanes and Likely Large Critical High Risk Tropical Storms Severe Weather: Highly Likely Large Limited High Risk Winds Severe Winter Highly Likely Large Critical High Risk Storm Tornado Likely Small Critical High Risk Wildfire Possible Moderate Limited High Risk Critical Possible Small Critical High Risk Infrastructure Failure Infectious Possible Large Critical High Risk Disease Radiological Unlikely Small Catastrophic High Risk Emergency Flood Likely Small Limited High Risk Terrorism/ Possible Negligible Catastrophic High Risk Mass Casualty Incident Dam Failure Possible Negligible Critical Medium Risk Severe Weather: Highly Likely Small Minor Medium Risk Hail 371 Page 41 Elected Official's Guide to Emergencies and Disasters Orange Impacts Likelihood Area Catastrophic/ Hazard Hazard of Negligible/Small/ Index Occurrence Medium/Large Critical/Limited/ Negligible Severe Weather: Highly Likely Negligible Minor Medium Risk Lightning Civil Unrest Possible Small Limited Medium Risk Cyber Threat Possible Small Limited Medium Risk Hazardous Likely Negligible Minor Medium Risk Materials Incident Earthquake Unlikely Large Minor Low Risk Landslide Unlikely Negligible Minor Low Risk Data Sources: 2020 Eno Haw Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan 38 42 Elected Official's Guide to Emergencies and Disasters Appendix E: Critical Incident Information In a disaster situation, in order to properly manage the incident, information is crucial. Emergency Services strives to gather the following information and have it available for you, the media and those 'working' the event: Location Where to report (for shelter volunteers, points of distribution, etc.) Best route/transportation Available communication Incident size-up Type of incident Magnitude of damage Best/worst case scenario When it occurred Damage Size of impact Number of injuries/deaths Infrastructure damage Property damage Other impacts (Economy, environment, etc.) Resources Who's the Incident Commander? EOC status and location Available resources (internal and external) Resources required Resources ordered Resources arrived and being tracked Other officials and leaders notified Should you be requested to the EOC, this critical information will be given to you to allow preparation for EOC activities as necessary 391 Page 43 Elected Official's Guide to Emergencies and Disasters Appendix F: Acronym List • DHS: Department of Homeland Security • EMAC: Emergency Management Assistance Compact • EMI: Emergency Management Institute • EMS: Emergency Medical Services • RCC: Regional Coordination Center • EOC: Emergency Operations Center • EOP: Emergency Operations Plan • FEMA: Federal Emergency Management Agency • IAP: Incident Action Plan • ICS: Incident Command System • IC: Incident Command • ICP: Incident Command Post • JIS: Joint Information System • NCEM: North Carolina Division of Emergency Management • NGO: Non-Governmental Organization • NIMS: National Incident Management System • OCES: Orange County Emergency Services • PAO- Public Affairs Office • PIO: Public Information Officer • UC: Unified Command 40 44 Elected Official's Guide to Emergencies and Disasters Appendix G: Creating an Emergency Kit A good basic emergency kit should include the following items: • Water (one gallon a day, per person; plan for at least three days) • Food (three day supply) • NOAA Weather Alert Radio with SAME capability • Crank radio • Flashlight(s) • Batteries • First aid kit • Face mask(s) • Local maps • Moist towelettes • Garbage bags • Cell phone and charger • Wrench or pliers • Prescription medications • Can opener • Matches • Personal hygiene items • Mess kit • Change of clothing • Sleeping bag If you have a pet or an infant, be sure to bring food and supplies for them as well. A more comprehensive guide to creating an emergency kit can be found at http://readyorange.org 41Page 45 Elected Official's Guide to Emergencies and Disasters Appendix H: Emergency Declaration Template DECLARATION OF AN ORANGE COUNTY STATE OF EMERGENCY WHEREAS, describe disaster event; and WHEREAS, as a result of the above-described disaster, I have determined that there is an imminent threat of, or existing conditions have caused or could cause, widespread or severe damage, injury, or loss of life or property, and public safety authorities will be unable to maintain public order or afford adequate protection for lives or property; and NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to the authority vested in me as the Chair of the Board of Commissioners of Orange County under Article 1A of Chapter 166A of the North Carolina General Statues and Part I, Chapter 14, Article II, Sec. 14-31, of the Orange County Code of Ordinances: Section 1. A State of Emergency is hereby declared within the jurisdiction of Orange County, North Carolina. Section 2. The emergency area covered by this state of emergency shall be (specified area within the jurisdiction; if no geographic area is specified, the entire jurisdiction is covered by default). Section 3. The following restrictions and prohibitions are imposed: (choose the restrictions and prohibitions deemed necessary; do not include those that are not deemed necessary. If no restrictions or prohibitions are deemed necessary, delete this section and renumber the remaining sections accordingly). A. Evacuation: (indicate whether the evacuation is voluntary or mandatory, describe areas of jurisdiction to be evacuated and state times and dates for evacuation; include categories of essential personnel not subject to evacuation order). B. Curfew: (describe areas of jurisdiction under curfew and specify items during which curfew is in effect;include categories of essential personnel, if any, not subject to curfew). C. Restricted Access: (describe areas of jurisdiction under restricted access or limited entry; include categories of essential personnel, if any, not subject to restriction). D. Business Operations: (describe limitations on operations of businesses and commercial establishments, such as restricted hours of operation). 421 Page 46 Elected Official's Guide to Emergencies and Disasters E. Alcohol: (describe restrictions on the possession, transportation, sale, purchase, and consumption of alcoholic beverages). F. Dangerous Weapons & Gasoline: Except for lawfully possessed firearms (handgun, rifle, or shotgun) and ammunition, (describe restrictions on the possession, transportation, sale, purchase, storage, and use of dangerous weapons and substances, and gasoline). G. Other: (describe any other restrictions or prohibitions on other activities or conditions the control of which may be reasonably necessary to maintain order and protect lives or property during the state of emergency). Section 4. 1 hereby order all County law enforcement officers, employees, and all other emergency response personnel subject to our control to cooperate in the enforcement and implementation of the provisions of this Declaration, all applicable local ordinances, state and federal laws, and the Orange County Emergency Operations Plan. Section 5. 1 hereby authorize the Orange County Manager to take all necessary actions in order to maintain public order or afford adequate protection for lives, safety or property as needed. Section 6. I hereby order this declaration: (a) to be distributed to the news media and other organizations calculated to bring its contents to the attention of the general public; (b) to be filed with the Clerk to the Orange County Board of Commissioners; (c) submitted to the Department of Public Safety WebEOC; and (d) to be distributed to others as necessary to ensure proper implementation of this declaration. Section 7. This declaration shall become effective immediately. Section 8. This declaration shall automatically expire in five (5) days unless modified or rescinded. DECLARED this the Date, at Time. Chair Name, Chair, Orange County Board of Commissioners ATTEST: 431 Page 47 ORANGE COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA Emergency Preparedness : Roles , Responsibilities , and Plans October 25 , 2022 48 EmergencyManagement Recovery Preparedness pw Response e * i ORANGE COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA 49 Orange CountyThreats and Hazards High Risk M6 Low Risk Dam Failure Earthquake Extreme Heat Civil Unrest Landslide Tornadoes Cyber Threat Hurricanes and Tropical Hazardous Materials Incident Storms Severe Weather Flood Infectious Disease Source: 2020 Eno Haw Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan Radiological Emergency Act of Terrorism/ Mass Casualty Incident Critical Infrastructure Failure Severe Winter Storm Wildfire ORANGE COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA 50 Core EmergencyManagement Plans L Emergency Operations Plan Recovery Plan An all-hazards plan that outlines Our community's approach to the County's process for coordinating disaster recovery managing disasters, events, and efforts. emergencies. Disaster recovery can take years. Hazard Mitigation Plan Continuity of Operations P1,an­ The County's strategy for A documented plan for reducing the impact of hazards maintaining the County's critical, to residents and property in our mission-essential functions community. during disasters/interruptions. ORANGE COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA 51 EmergencyCommunication BOCC interfaces with 00* OCES Director notifies County Manager constituents and the County Manager ~ notifies the BOCC ~ receives situation reports from the EOC I Large or significant / incident OCES activates the OCES interfaces with EOC and notifies OC PIO for !� appropriate response emergency public entities notifications Incident Happens r OCES provides OCES notifies Small Incident � appropriate response � notification to County Manager if thresholds entities are met ORANGE COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA 52 Disaster Roles and Responsibilities Chair to the Board • Authority to issue state of emergency and impose prohibitions/restrictions (curfew, limit sales on alcohol, etc.) • Represent the interest and will of the community by helping guide policy- level objectives • Often seen as locally elected official point of contact for media, state, and federal visits, etc. Board Members • Receive situation updates from the Emergency Operations Center • Distribute accurate and public information to constituents • Follow the Emergency Operations Plan and be ready to assist when requested ORANGE COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA 53 Disaster Roles and Responsibilities County Manager • Overall administrative management of departments and personnel • Helps set policy-level objectives to guide response • Ability to enter mutual aid agreements Clerk to the Board • Statutorily required to maintain county records • State of emergencies are signed by county clerk, makes it legally binding • Clerks post notices of state of emergency, notifies sunshine list, works with other departments for other notifications ORANGE COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA 54 Disaster Roles and Responsibilities Emergency Services Director • Direct responsibility of organization, administration, and operation of the emergency response • Helps set policy-level objectives to guide response • Authority to activate the Emergency Operations Center Emergency Management Coordinator • Manages the Emergency Operations Center through the duration of the emergency response • Coordinates resource management to meet emergency needs of the community • Support disaster recovery by coordinating with voluntary agencies and representatives from local, State, and Federal agencies ORANGE COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA 55 Resources fficial's• " 100 Counties Prepared" Initiative Eml ergenected cies and DiLsasters • Orange County Elected Official's Guide to Emergencies and Disasters ©RANGE COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA • 2023 Emergency Management Workshop for Elected Officials Revision 01.65 August 18,2022 ORANGE COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA