EMPG - LOCAL PLANNING GUIDE, PART II

PART II

THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN STRUCTURE

The Emergency Management Plan (EMP) is composed of three distinct sections: 1) the Introduction, 2) the Basic Plan, and 3) the Emergency Support Functional Annexes. They are described in the following pages.

INTRODUCTION

A.   Cover Page - The cover page identifies the plan by name and provides the effective date of the plan.

B.   Abstract - The abstract provides a concise summary of the plan in terms of its components and the purpose of those components.

C.   Table of Contents - The Table of Contents lists the various sections of the plan along with the page number on which they may be found. For the Introduction and Basic Plan, all major headings are provided with relevant page numbers. For the ESF annexes only the subfunctions are identified by page--each ESF has its own Table of Contents.

D.   Record of Changes - This is a form used to record the date of all changes made to the plan since its original printing and includes provisions for the name/initials of the person executing the change.

E.   Distribution List - This is a list of all persons/agencies who receive a copy of the plan along with the number(s) of the copy(ies).

F.   Foreword - The Foreword describes the basic process used to develop the plan.

G.   Letter of Agreement/Signatory Page(s) - This letter is a statement that the plan as written represents the policy of the jurisdiction with respect to emergency management and provides a place for the heads of all agencies tasked in the plan to indicate their concurrence with the plan as a whole.

H.   Hazard Identification - This section describes the various hazards that might affect the jurisdiction and the extent to which they normally occur, as well as some measure of the number of people that such an event typically affects in any single occurrence. Maps depicting the extent of the jurisdiction's vulnerability to a particular hazard may be included as well (i.e., a map showing the location of all facilities that utilize hazardous materials). In many cases, TEMA has developed maps showing the potential hazard's effects on a statewide basis and these maps may be used in the local plan.

I.    Definitions/Acronyms - In many places one acronym may mean one thing and in another place it may mean someone totally different. This is the portion of the plan where definitions specific to the plan are described as is the meaning of any unique acronyms used by the jurisdiction.

J.    Authorities and References - This section provides a source of authorities for the plan (i.e., the laws or regulations that provide for certain actions delineated within the document). This includes state and federal laws, local ordinances and other administrative regulations that provide the basis for the assignment of any task contained within the plan. A set of references is also provided. References are any other document used to develop the local plan, including any state and federal plans.

BASIC PLAN

Part II of the EMP is the Basic Plan. The Basic Plan is where the general operating principles of the jurisdiction's emergency management system are described. The Basic Plan provides the foundation upon which the remainder of the plan rests. Generally speaking, the following sections are included within a Basic Plan:

A.    Introduction - The Introduction to the Basic Plan includes the Purpose and Scope statements. The Purpose defines the reason(s) that the plan exists, whereas the Scope statement describes the limitations of the plan.

B.    Situation and Assumptions - A plan is developed to address a certain situation. The situation statement(s) indicate the set of circumstances that the plan was intended to address. For a plan to be valid it must be based on a valid set of assumptions. The assumptions used as the basis for the plan are provided here. A basic assumption about any emergency management plan is that the plan, by virtue of its existence (or the process that created it) will improve the jurisdiction's ability to respond to disasters and that the set of circumstance that the plan was designed to address will continue to exist or become exacerbated in the future.

C.   Concept of Operations - The Concept of Operations section is where a summary of the emergency management processes in the jurisdiction are described. A brief description of the four phases of emergency management is often provided as are statements indicating under what conditions the plan will be executed (or implemented).

D.   Organization and Responsibilities - This section delineates the roles and responsibilities of all agencies tasked in the ESF annexes.  The assignment of responsibilities is usually done in two ways. First, each agency is identified and has various responsibilities ascribed to it. This is followed by an delineation of each ESF subfunction and the lead and support agencies assigned to each.

E.    Direction and Control - This section describes the basic direction and control mechanism for the jurisdiction's emergency management system. Normally, the jurisdiction's CEO is responsible for the overall direction and control functions, with the majority of these delegated to the emergency management director. If the jurisdiction uses Emergency Services Coordinators (ESCs) then their role is defined within this section. Also described are the lines of succession for the CEO, the EMA Director, and the various department heads (or a general statement that their line of succession will be specified in an SOP or similar document). A brief description of the local jurisdiction's interface with state and federal responders is provided, as is a description of the various alert periods utilized by the jurisdiction and what types of activities take place at those levels.

F.    Continuity of Government - For any local jurisdiction to survive a major disaster there must be provisions for the continuance of governmental functions. This includes provision for alternate operating facilities, the  preservation of essential records and the movement of personnel, equipment and supplies to structurally sound sites.

G.   Administration and Logistics - This section is used to describe several things. A brief description of the various Mutual Aid Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding is provided, as is a brief description of the financial and records management policies used by the various  departmental agencies and organizations during the disaster. A description of the plan update procedure is also provided.

H.   Appendices - There are normally several appendices attached to the Basic Plan, including:

1.   Responsibilities and Assignments Matrix - This chart provides a graphical representation of each agencies roles with respect to the
individual ESF subfunctions.

2.   Organizational Chart - A chart showing the organization of the local EMA or response organization is provided. 

3.   EOC Operations - This section provides a fairly detailed description of how the EOC operates during disaster situations, including message flow, communications, etc. A diagram of the EOC is also provided.

4.   Training and Education - This section describes the training mechanisms utilized by the local emergency response community. Training that is specific to a certain ESF (i.e., EMT training for the EMS subfunction in ESF 8) is included within that particular ESF and is not addressed here. The public education functions undertaken by the jurisdiction are also described here.

5.   Map of the DFOs, POAs, and MCs

6.   Operational Areas - A map showing the operational areas (as defined by the jurisdiction) is attached.

7.   MOUs/Mutual Aid Agreements - Copies of major MOUs and Mutual Aid Agreements can be attached if the jurisdiction is involved in any.

THE EMERGENCY SUPPORT FUNCTIONAL ANNEXES

The third part of the EMP includes the various functional annexes, known as Emergency Support Functions (ESFs). There are 15 ESFs at the state/local level. The first 12 of these match the 12 used by the federal government. The additional 3 were needed to address issues that have been identified by the state as warranting their own individualized section and/or which were not addressed in the federal plan. Each ESF may be divided into one or more subfunctions. This is done because, although the ESF Group as a whole is responsible for a major functional area, there are individualized sets of activities that pertain to a specific set of circumstances within each group. For instance, ESF 3 is the Infrastructure Group and, as a whole they are responsible for those activities which involve major portions of infrastructure following a disaster (i.e., Roads and Bridges, Water and Wastewater Systems, etc.). Taken together they comprise the Infrastructure Group. However, the agencies responsible for the removal of debris from the roadways would not be the same group responsible for the repair and restoration of the jurisdiction's potable water and wastewater systems.

A brief description of each of the ESFs and their respective subfunctions is as follows. Keep in mind that these are descriptions of the State ESFs and, although the local ESFs' functions would be almost identical, the state has responsibility to all of the state, whereas the jurisdiction is concerned only with the local area.

A. ESF 1 - Transportation

1. Transportation Networking

The transportation function within the local emergency organization functions primarily as a coordinating group. This group insures all roads and conduits into and out of an affected area remain open, and that the traffic allowed into those areas is coordinated in a manner that prevents bottlenecking and gridlock which would prevent needed emergency assistance reaching those areas that need it.  The allocation of vehicles is a function of Resource Management and is therefore described under the ESF 7 subfunction of Resource Management.

B. ESF 2 - Communications
   
The local communications and warning functions are consolidated under the heading of Communications, primarily because they are necessarily interrelated.

1. Communications Systems

The Communications Systems subfunction is responsible for the development, maintenance, restoration, and utilization of local communications assets during emergencies. This includes the radio systems owned and operated by the county emergency management agency, local law enforcement agencies, local fire departments, EMS units, rescue squads, other local agencies, and amateur radio networks. This subfunction is also responsible for coordinating the restoration of telephone networks between the EOC and other critical facilities following a disaster.

2. Warning

The Warning subfunction is responsible for the issuance of warning information regarding impending hazards, as well as the maintenance of warning networks which might be used by the county in an emergency (i.e., the conceptual networks--the actual networks themselves [e.g., radio equipment, etc.] are maintained by the Communications Systems subfunction). This includes the EBS, NOAA Weather Radio system, cable override systems, siren warning systems, and other warning systems in place throughout the county.

C. ESF 3 - Infrastructure

1. Building Inspection and Condemnation

This subfunction is responsible for the inspection of buildings and structures following a disaster and, if necessary, condemning them and insuring their destruction in a timely manner.

2. Route Clearance and Bridge Inspection

This subfunction is responsible for insuring local roads and bridges remain viable following a disaster. This includes the physical removal of debris on roadways, railroads, airstrips, etc., critical for emergency vehicle passage, as well as the inspection of local bridges to insure they may continue to be used and have not suffered fatal damage as a result of a particular event.

3. Debris Removal

This subfunction handles problems arising from the generation, accumulation, and disposal of debris following a disaster.

4. Water and Wastewater Systems

This subfunction is responsible for the restoration of potable water and wastewater disposal capabilities following a disaster.

D. ESF 4 - Firefighting

The detection and suppression of fires is the primary purview of this group.

E. ESF 5 - Information and Planning

1. Disaster Intelligence

This subfunction is responsible for collecting intelligence information surrounding the disaster.  This includes items such as the scope (extent) of the disaster, status of various systems (i.e., communications, transportation, utility, etc.), monitoring of resource status, and other information.  Disaster Intelligence develops reports concerning the disaster, provides visual displays for the EOC during operations, prepares SITREPS, develops short-range and long-range planning guidance for use in addressing developing issues, and accesses technical expertise to assist with evaluating the actual and/or potential effects of an event upon the population and infrastructure of the county.

2. Public Information

This group is responsible for the provision of information (both general and that which conveys emergency instructions to the public) concerning an actual or impending disaster. The coordination of JIC activities, EBS activation, and the distribution of emergency preparedness instructions through other means are addressed through this venue.

3. Damage Assessment

This subfunction is responsible for the collection of information concerning damages to structures and systems as a result of a disaster, as well as the preparation of reports to be forwarded to the EMA Director for use in requesting state and federal disaster assistance.

F. ESF 6 - Human Services

1. Shelter and Mass Care Operations

This subfunction coordinates local sheltering and feeding activities, as well as caring for victims of a disaster.

2. Disaster Victim Services

This subfunction provides assistance to victims in locating relatives (and vice versa) through the Disaster Welfare Inquiry system, the restoration of mail delivery, the use of amateur radio networks to deliver essential and important communications, etc. Psychological health services are also addressed within this subfunction.

G. ESF 7 - Resource Support

1. Logistics

This subfunction coordinates the actual movement of resources into areas where a need (or needs) exists. This includes the warehousing and tracking of resources, the packaging and loading and subsequent transportation of resources to affected areas, and the disposal of used and/or unused resources following a disaster.

2. Resource Management

This group is responsible for the acquisition of all types of resources that are identified as "needed" following a disaster. This group will make arrangements to purchase needed resources if it is determined the local government does not have the resources itself to supply a requirement in the field. The payment of debts and other encumbrances generated as a result of the emergency is handled by this group as well.

3. Staging Areas

To prevent a rapid and overwhelming influx of resources into affected areas, Staging Areas are utilized as temporary marshaling sites for collecting and gradually directing emergency resources into those areas. This group coordinates the activation and utilization of local staging areas and marshaling points during emergency situations.

H. ESF 8 - Health and Medical Services

1. Emergency Medical Services

This subfunction coordinates the provision of EMS assistance at the local level following a disaster, including the movement of medical resources into disaster areas. This includes the aeromedical evacuation of patients as necessary from affected areas and the interface with the National Disaster Medical System. The disposal of deceased victims is also addressed within this group.

2. Public Health

This group addresses the public health ramifications associated with a particular emergency.  This includes manning shelters, first aid/clinic operations, restoring public health functions, defining the epidemiology of the disaster (including the collection and maintenance of statistical data), the administration of vaccinations and immunizations, the determination of potential health effects associated with debris accumulation, pollution, hazmat releases, etc.

3. Crisis Intervention Support (CIS)

This unit coordinates the provision of CIS to emergency workers who have worked in the tense environment of a major disaster. This includes state and local personnel.

I. ESF 9 - Search and Rescue

This group coordinates local search and rescue operations. This includes urban search and rescue problems generated as the result of an earthquake or building collapse, the search for persons who are lost in wooded or other environments, the search for downed aircraft, the extrication of accident victims, etc. This group also provides the interface with the federal Urban Search and Rescue Teams.

J. ESF 10 - Environmental Response

1. Hazardous Materials

This subfunction is responsible for coordinating the technical response to non-radioactive hazardous materials incidents.

2. Radiological Materials

This group coordinates the technical response to actual or impending releases of radiological materials, either as a result of an accident at a nuclear power plant (i.e., the off-site problems) or processing facility, or through an accident in some mode of transportation.

K. ESF 11 - Food

This group is responsible for securing food needed for the feeding of victims and emergency workers in affected areas. Additionally, this group is also responsible for assessment and protective action implementation associated with potential harmful effects upon the local food supply as the result of a disaster.

L. ESF 12 - Energy

This subfunction is concerned with the restoration of the utility (electrical and gas) infrastructure following a disaster, as well as the provision of temporary emergency power capabilities to critical  facilities until such time as a permanent restoration is accomplished.

M. ESF 13 - Law Enforcement

1. Traffic Control

This subfunction works closely with the ESF 1 group to effect the orderly flow of traffic into, out of, and around areas affected by a disaster.

2. Security/Crime Control

This subfunction addresses the provision of security in disaster areas, as well as the actual policing functions normally associated with law enforcement activities, including riot control, explosive ordinance removal, counterterrorism, etc.

3. Institutions/Jails

This group is responsible for coordinating prisoner recapture, the utilization of prisons and facilities following disasters, and the moving of prisoners from damaged facilities to undamaged ones.

4. Evacuation/Movement

This group is responsible for coordinating evacuation efforts at the local level.

N. ESF 14 - Donations/Volunteers

1. Donations

This group is responsible for managing the influx of donated goods into the county following a disaster and provides the interface with the state/federal National Donations Management System.

2. Volunteers

This group coordinates the use of persons and organizations who volunteer their services following a disaster. This includes medical and other emergency response personnel, public works crews, private charitable groups, etc.

O. ESF 15 - Recovery

1. Assistance Programs

This subfunction is the mechanism through which state and local government provides disaster relief assistance to victims in the affected area(s), including the Individual and Family Grant program, the Small Business Administration's loan programs, the administration of unemployment compensation, and various other disaster relief programs available for both Presidentially-declared and non-Presidentially declared disasters.

2. Recovery and Reconstruction

This subfunction addresses the long-term economic impact of disasters upon local communities and assists the communities in developing plans for reconstruction. Grant and low-interest loan programs are identified and targeted for application by the  community. Significant attention is given to the mitigation of future potential hazards when developing local recovery plans.

ESF SUBFUNCTIONAL STRUCTURE

Each particular ESF Function/Subfunction has a standardized structure. The sections in each are as follows:

A. Lead State Agency:

Each ESF function (or subfunction) has a designated lead agency within state government. This agency is responsible for managing the development of capabilities relative to the specific function described. The lead agency is responsible for direction and control functions within the group when the group is activated.

B. Support State Agencies:

Each ESF also has one or more support agencies within state or federal governments (or the private sector). These agencies are tasked with providing resource or logistical support to the operation of the ESF when activated. Each agency functions as per its normal routine when the ESF group is not activated.

C. Introduction

1.    Purpose - Each ESF is provided with a purpose statement that reflects the primary reason that the ESF group exists.

2.    Scope - The scope of each ESF is provided to reflect the range of activities in which the ESF group may find itself tasked.

D. Policies

These are broad statements describing policies of the state emergency response organization with respect to the functions and responsibilities assigned to a particular ESF.

E. Situation and Assumptions

1.    Situation - The situation statement basically explains why the ESF group exists and why it is necessary to perform the functions assigned to the group.

2.    Planning Assumptions - For any plan to be useful it must be based on an accurate set of assumptions regarding the situations that it addresses. This section provides the planning assumptions used in the development of the respective ESF.

F. Concept of Operations

1.    General - This section is used to describe, in general terms, what is expected to occur and how the ESF group is expected to react to it.

2.    Organization and Responsibilities - This section delineates the specific agencies with assignments in the respective ESF and identifies their individual responsibilities with respect to that particular ESF.

G. Mitigation and Preparedness Activities

This section identifies critical tasks that needs to be performed prior to the occurrence of a disaster. This includes mitigation activities such as the development and institution of seismic codes, incorporation of seismic design in road structures, etc. The preparatory tasks include the development of plans and procedures for accomplishing tasks ascribed to the agency in the Response and Recovery section immediately following this section.

H. Response and Recovery Actions

This section identifies critical tasks that need to be performed following the onset of a significant disaster. This section is by no means intended to be comprehensive, but most tasks critical to the rapid response of state and federal emergency relief groups have been assigned to one or more agencies tasked in the particular ESF.

I. Training

A description of training relative to a particular ESF is provided at the end of each section. Since training tends to be functionally specific it is provided as an attachment to each ESF rather than having one Training annex or similar document.

J. Appendices

Each ESF has one or more appendices attached to it. There are several types of appendices:  (1) Organizational Charts, (2) Documents describing specific procedures or special operational guidelines, (3) Maps showing locations of offices, district/regional boundaries, radio transmitter locations, etc., (4) Flow charts detailing flow of critical information, and (5) Forms that are used by the emergency response organization

GENERAL PLAN REQUIREMENTS

The objective of TEMA's plans program for emergency management is to establish uniform policies which will:

A.   Provide a common basis upon which all plans can be fairly evaluated and rated

B.   Facilitate preparation by standardizing format and contents

C.   Prescribe minimum standards of acceptability

D.   Assure plans are reviewed, updated, and maintained current

Terms and Definitions

Common definitions which pertain to the planning process are explained below.

1.   Basic Plan - The initial part of a plan that forms the basic structure upon which functional annexes, appendices, and other attachments can be built. It contains statements relative to the situation, mission or purpose, execution or implementation, supply, support, administration, and direction and control for the given set of circumstances for which the plan was produced.

2.   Functional Annexes - Attachments to the Basic Plan that describe the particular responsibilities of a given emergency functional group.

3.   Concept of Operations - A written statement of intent that tells how a plan will be executed and by whom.

4.   Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) - A set of instructions covering an operation which can be followed time after time without loss of effectiveness.

5.   Direction and Control - A term used to describe the element of an organization that exercises control and/or coordination over the other components of the organization.

Plan Preparation

A. Requirements

1.   Paragraph 2-5b(5) of FEMA's CPG 1-3 requires each emergency management organization participating in the Emergency Management Assistance program to have an approved emergency operations plan. Tennessee state law requires all local jurisdictions to have an approved emergency management plan.

2.   Plans must be approved by the chief executive official of the agency and approved by the TEMA Director or his authorized representative.

3.   State law and the Tennessee Emergency Management Plan require local plans to be compatible with the state emergency operations plan.

B. Hazard Analysis

1.   A thorough analysis should be made to identify sources from which emergencies have a potential to arise in each community. A good source of guidance on this subject is FEMA's CPG 1-35, Capability and Hazard Identification Program (CHIP) for Local Governments.

2.   Plans to counteract the risk factors that have been identified in the analysis should be developed and personnel and material resources trained and amassed to counter the identified risks.

C. Standards and Format for Plans

1.   All plans will be prepared on 8 1/2" by 11" paper

2.   All plans will have a cover page in addition to any binder

3.   All pages will be punched to fit a standard 3-ring binder

4.   All enclosures or tabs will be:

a.   Reduced to 8 1/2" by 11" with sufficient space for holes,

b.   Capable of being folded to 8 1/2" by 11" with sufficient space for holes, or   

c.    Placed, folded, in an 8 1/2" by 11" envelope page with holes for binder.

5.   Standard paragraphing, numbering, and lettering will be used. Major headings should be designated by Roman numerals, followed in order by capital letters (A, B, C, etc.), then Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, etc.), then small letters (a, b, c, etc.), then Arabic numerals and letters in parentheses ((1), (2), (3), and (a), (b), (c), etc.). If further paragraphing is required, Arabic numerals and letters (small) should be underlined.

    Examples:        I     -    Roman numerals
                          A     -    Capital letters
                          1     -    Arabic numerals
                          a     -    Small letters
                        (1)     -    Arabic numerals in parentheses
                        (a)     -    Arabic letters in parentheses
                          1     -    Arabic numerals underlined
                          a     -    Arabic letters underlined

6.   All pages in a plan will be numbered. Roman numerals (i, ii, iii, etc.) for pages in the Introduction, Arabic numerals (1, 2, etc.) for pages in the Basic Plan, and the annex number followed by the individual page number (i.e., ESF 1, page one would be ESF 1-1, page two would be ESF 1-2, etc.) for the pages in the Emergency Support Functional annexes.

7.   All plans will be dated on the page of transmittal.

8.   Signatures and Authentication - Signatures of the responsible officials of all agencies and organizations tasked in the plan should be provided on the signatory page in the Introduction.

9.   The first page of the plan must bear the title of the plan (i.e., "Anywhere County Emergency Management Plan").

10. Headings for annexes, appendices, tabs, or enclosures will be centered as with the first page of the Basic Plan.

11. Appendices, Tabs to appendices, and enclosures will be provided immediately following the functional annex or other section to which they are relevant.

Contents

Each plan, at a minimum, will bear the following contents:

1.   Part 1 - Introduction
    (a) Abstract
    (b) Table of Contents
    (c) Letter of Agreement/Signatory Page(s)
    (d) Record of Changes
    (e) Distribution
    (f) Foreword
    (g) Hazard Identification with relevant maps
    (h) Definition of Terms, Acronyms, etc.
    (i) Authorities and References

2.   Part 2 - Basic Plan
    (a) Introduction
        (1) Purpose
        (2) Scope
    (b) Situation and Assumptions
    (c) Concept of Operations
    (d) Organization and Responsibilities
    (e) Direction and Control
    (f) Continuity of Government
    (g) Administration and Logistics
    (h) Training and Education
    (i) Emergency Operations Center(s)

3.   Part 3 - Emergency Support Functional Annexes
    (a) Each plan is required to have ESF Annexes that parallel the state's, including the structural framework.

Each emergency management plan will address all hazards that might affect the jurisdiction, concentrating on those that pose the greatest risk.

Review and Analysis

The TEMA Director or his authorized representative is the final reviewing authority for all local emergency management plans produced in the state of Tennessee. To be credible as valid and binding a plan must be judged by the state reviewing official as "satisfactory."

Criteria

A plan's acceptability will be judged against the following criteria:

1.   Does it follow or approximate the criteria established within this document?

2.   Is it neat, properly centered on a page, without strikeovers or misspelled words?

3.   Is the meaning clear; does it describe the emergency management process for the particular jurisdiction?   

4.   Are all facets of the problem, emergency, or disaster considered and addressed?

5.   Are pages and attachments numbered correctly?

6.   Do the pages follow the Table of Contents listing?

7.   Has the document been signed and dated by those officials having taskings within the plan?

8.   Is the plan compatible with the TEMP?

9.   Does the plan follow commonly accepted emergency management planning principles?

Procedure

The following procedure will govern the submission of plans for review by TEMA.

1.   After the plan has been reviewed and approved at the preparing office and the chief executive of the approving body, two copies will be submitted to TEMA for final review and approval.

2.   If found satisfactory, one copy will be retained by TEMA and placed on file. The second copy will be returned with a cover letter indicating that it has been approved by TEMA.

3.   If found unsatisfactory, the plans will be returned with a letter indicating the deficiencies found by TEMA. Corrections must be made before resubmission.

Plans and Reviews

1.   Emergency Management directors will be responsible for arranging a TEMA review of their plans and correcting or updating them as required. Changes must be forwarded to TEMA once finalized.

2.   Amendments to existing plans will be submitted in two copies as required for initial approval.

GO TO PART III of the EMPG