To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
From: Norris W. Croom III, Fire Chief, Fire and Rescue Department
Title
Disaster Response for Elected Officials
Body
________________________________________________________________________________
Executive Summary
This briefing is to notify the Mayor and Council Members of responsibilities in the event of a local man-made or natural disaster. The intent of this memo is to simply let the Mayor and Council know that there are plans and procedures in place that staff will typically implement, and what to expect in the event that Council is requested to respond for an emergency. Additional training and education for Town Council will occur sometime in the future.
Notification and Outreach Efforts
None
History of Past Town Council, Boards & Commissions, or Other Discussions
Same information provided.
Discussion
The Fire and Rescue Department also serves as the Emergency Management agency for the Town. As such, there are a number of different plans in place that govern responses to natural and man-made disasters. These include the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), mutual and auto aid agreements, and contracts.
As an elected official, council members have specific responsibilities during these types of events as they relate to governance while staff is typically responsible for response. Elected officials are primarily responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Emergency Operations Plan, determining the need for either a disaster declaration or a state of emergency, establishing fiscal policies during the emergency, re-appropriating existing budget funds, and authorizing access to financial reserves, if needed, for emergency expenditures.
There are also guidelines that Council Members will be expected to follow in the event of a disaster or local emergency. First, only respond if requested to do so. Do not self-dispatch as it may not be safe to do so. Second, if contacted by the media, refer them to Community Relations or the incident public information officer (PIO). Third, contact the Town Manager to determine where to respond if requested. The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) location may vary depending on the type of incident and its location. Finally, bring appropriate clothing, personal effects, and anything else you may need for approximately 24 hours. Once at the EOC, you might not be able to return home.
Fortunately, incidents requiring a council member response are few and far between. Therefore, the intent of this memo is to simply let the Mayor and Council know that there are plans and procedures in place that staff will typically implement, and what to expect in the event that Council is requested to respond for an emergency. Additional training and education for Town Council will occur sometime in the future.
Budget Impact
None
Staff Recommendation
No recommendation needed. Information only.
Proposed Motion
No motion necessary. Information only.
Attachments
Attachment A: Emergency and Disaster Response for Elected Officials PowerPoint