HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 04-15-2003-10aORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: April 15, 2003
Action Age' d~
Item No.
SUBJECT• Regional Evacuation Study
DEPARTMENT: Emergency Management PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S):
Evacuation Study
(under separate cover)
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Nick Waters, ext 3030
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough 732-8181
Chapel Hill 968-4501
Durham 688-7331
Mebane 336-227-2031
PURPOSE: To receive a report on a study of a seven county region (including Johnston,
Chatham, Wake, Durham, Alamance, Guilford and Orange) that assessed the abilities of
governments to evacuate or isolate all or part of that region in case of emergency and that
identified some available resources within the region.
BACKGROUND: Orange County departments involved in planning for terrorism that had
started addressing the need to evacuate or isolate citizens in part or all of the County in certain
potential emergencies realized that the need for better planning guidance existed. Concerns
were also expressed that some hazards, which threaten the citizens of Orange County, may be
from sources outside the County. There was agreement that the region needed to be included
in a "capabilities assessment" to determine if evacuation was possible.
Following several staff level emergency management meetings, Orange County submitted to
the State a request for anti-terrorism grant planning funds on behalf of seven counties in the
Triangle region. Emergency Managers, local officials and others expressed concern that no
regional plans exist to address quarantine or evacuation and hosting of the counties'
populations. The grant focused on a feasibility study for evacuation of a six county area along I-
40 from Johnston County to Guilford County. Among other points, the study was designed to
examine:
• How evacuation might be accomplished
• What roads would be involved
• The expected traffic flow per hour
• How much and what population would be left that could not self-evacuate
• How long an evacuation would take
• What percentage evacuation could be done by hour
• What local governments would be expected to do
The study looked at all the above item and draws some conclusions that are valuable planning
aids for local governments in the region. This study can be used as a guide to ask for
validations of other plans or documents dealing with the evacuation, isolation, treatment or
otherwise caring for large numbers of citizens in the region. Copies of this document will be
made available at the Government Services Center in the Commissioners' library, all public
libraries in the County, distributed to all Public Safety Planning and Response Agencies through
the county, and posted on the County Web Site under the Department of Emergency
Management. Copies have also been sent to all participating counties and the State Division of
Emergency Management.
Staff will make a brief presentation about study findings and be prepared to respond to BOCC
questions and comments.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with the presentation of this
report. The study was funded through a $10,000 State grant to the counties involved in the
study, administered by Orange County.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board receive the report as
information and provide any guidance to staff on additional information needed or next steps to
be taken.