Basic Plan

A. Mission

1. It is the mission of the government of Pierce County, Washington, in order to protect lives, property, and the environment and in cooperation with other elements of our community, to endeavor to mitigate, prepare for, respond to and recover from all natural and technological emergencies and disasters.

2. To carry out this mission, the Pierce County Department of Emergency Management (DEM) goals are to develop citizen awareness and self-sufficiency, develop responder capabilities, have procedures in an emergency or disaster, and create an atmosphere of interagency cooperation in emergency and disaster operations.

B. Purpose

To establish the DEM functions and responsibilities of local government and associated agencies and organizations. This plan is intended as a comprehensive framework for county-wide mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.

C. Scope

In further carrying out the mission, the purpose of the Pierce County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) is to provide local government, associated agencies and volunteer organizations guidance for the following:

1. Mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery policy and procedures.

2. Disaster and emergency responsibilities for Pierce County departments and other organizations covered under the scope of this plan.

3. Emergency management training and public education activities.

D. Organization

1. The Executive Branch of Pierce County Government is organized into four divisions; Administration, Public Safety, Operations, and Human Services. The heads of these divisions may act as advisors to and representatives of the Executive and the Deputy Executive.

2. Pierce County Code establishes the DEM and a Director appointed by and reporting to the Executive, through the Executive Director of Public Safety, to carry out emergency management activities within the unincorporated areas of the county and within cities and towns which contract for emergency management services from the county.

3. As much as practical, the day-to-day organization of Pierce County departments should be maintained for emergency and disaster operations. Others, such as cities and towns, fire services, school districts, and private sector organizations, may, by mutual agreement, operate under all or part of this plan.

E. Other Plans

This plan supports other plans required by the state and Federal government. Conflicts will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

F. Definitions

The term 'emergency' as used in this plan means a set of circumstances which demand immediate action to protect life, preserve public health or essential services, or protect property; a 'disaster' means the situation is beyond the capabilities of the responding organizations or jurisdiction. An 'emergency' or 'disaster' may also be proclaimed by a city, the Executive, or the Governor as authorized by local or state statute.

II. POLICIES

A. Authority

This plan is developed under the following local, state and Federal statutes and regulations:

1. The Pierce County Charter, and County Code 2.06, 2.07 and 2.118.

2. Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 38.52 and 39.34.

3. Washington Administrative Codes 118.04, 118.30, and 296-62-3112.

4. Public Law 93-288, The Disaster Relief Act of 1974, as amended.

5. Public Law 920, Federal Civil Defense Act of 1950, as amended.

6. Public Law 96-342, Improved Civil Defense 1980.

B. Policies

1. General Policy

It is the policy of Pierce County to cooperate with and support other political jurisdictions within and outside of Pierce County in disaster and emergency mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery efforts. Assistance provided by Pierce County shall be supplemental to the efforts of those requesting assistance.

This plan presents the functional responsibilities accepted by local government and other organizations. The Emergency Support Functions (ESFs), or other areas of responsibility, have also been established to designate mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery activities for specific emergency management functions. Primary, joint primary, and support agencies are identified and responsible for the coordinating of each ESF.

2. Citizen Preparedness Policy

Because of the nature of an emergency or disaster, government may be limited in its response capabilities. It is the policy of Pierce County that citizens are encouraged to be self-sufficient for at least three days should an emergency or disaster occur.

3. Limitations

It is the policy of Pierce County that no guarantee is implied by this plan of a perfect response system. As Pierce County assets and systems may be overwhelmed, Pierce County can only endeavor to make every reasonable effort to respond based on the situation, and information and resources available at the time.

4. Nondiscrimination

It is the policy of Pierce County that no services will be denied on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age or disability and no special treatment will be extended to any person or group in an emergency or disaster over and above what normally would be expected in the way of county services. Local activities pursuant to the Federal/State Agreement for Major Disaster Recovery will be carried out in accordance with Title 44, CFR, Section 205.16.-- Nondiscrimination. Federal Disaster Assistance is conditional on full compliance with this rule.

III. SITUATION

The Pierce County Hazard Identification and Vulnerability Analysis provides information on potential hazards threatening Pierce County. Disasters have occurred in Pierce County and will occur again, some with warning and others with no warning at all. Plan to prepare for the worst case scenario.

IV. CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS

A. The specific responsibilities of Pierce County departments and other agencies and organizations covered by and incorporated in this plan are listed in the respective Emergency Support Functions (ESFs), Tabs and other attachments to this plan.

B. Before disaster occurs: It is the policy of Pierce County that the head of each county department is responsible for the following:

1. Establish policy and procedures for departmental chain of command and succession of authority.

2. Designate primary and alternate locations from which to establish direction and control of departmental activities during a disaster.

3. Identify and obtain necessary equipment and supplies which may be needed to manage departmental activities.

4. Identify what information is needed to manage department activities and how it will be gathered, stored, and accessed.

5. Decide how departmental management relates to the Pierce County Emergency Operations Center (EOC), and who should report there after an emergency or disaster occurs.

6. Appoint a liaison and alternates to work with the DEM in the development and maintenance of this plan and agency procedures.

7. Establish policy for 24-hour contact to activate department responsibilities.

8. Make staff available, when requested by the DEM, for appropriate training and emergency assignments, such as EOC activities, damage assessment, and liaison with other agencies and organizations. All costs for these activities shall be the responsibility of the respective county department.

9. Establish policy and procedures for the identification and preservation of essential departmental records .

10. Establish policy and procedures for documentation of disaster costs and establishing administrative methods to keep accurate disaster expenditure records.

11. Keep an updated inventory of key departmental personnel, facilities and equipment resources.

C. It is the policy of Pierce County that, upon the occurrence of an emergency or disaster, each county department is responsible for the following:

1. Assess the impact of the event on departmental personnel, clients, facilities, equipment and capabilities.

2. Report assessment information through the respective department's chain of command, to the DEM or the EOC, on a continuing basis, as appropriate.

3. Keep complete records of costs, expenditures, overtime, repairs and other disaster related expenditures.

D. Departmental management shall utilize the following guidance as a basis for an action checklist to manage disaster operations:

1. Report to the pre-designated site to manage department operations.

2. Ascertain what happened, what can be done about it and what is needed.

3. Make contact with the EOC and report information.

4. Take appropriate actions as per department capabilities.

5. Keep informed and keep the EOC informed.

6. Keep good records, document actions, costs, overtime, etc.

E. The EOC is activated by the DEM when the level of operations requires it or upon request of an outside agency. Designated staff and agency liaisons report to the EOC to coordinate response efforts and support field operations. If necessary, alternate sites may be utilized for EOC operations.

F. It is the policy of Pierce County that county departments are to report operational information and damages to the DEM or EOC.

G. The DEM is the lead agency for evaluating a situation to determine if the extraordinary authority of an Emergency Proclamation by the Executive is necessary, and if so, in consultation with the Prosecutor's Office, makes such recommendation. If other Pierce County departments need an Executive Emergency Proclamation, pursuant to their respective authority, this is coordinated with the DEM. If requested, the DEM may assist cities or towns in Pierce County with preparing their own Emergency Proclamation (see Appendix 1).

H. When an emergency or disaster threatens or occurs, a great deal of improvisational problem solving is expected of county departments. Pierce County departments shall carry out their responsibilities outlined in this Plan based on their own judgment and in a coordinated manner. The Executive may form an Executive Team including, but not limited to, the Deputy Executive, Executive Directors, the Director of the DEM, key staff advisors and other personnel, such as the Director of Health, the Prosecutor or private sector advisors, to manage problems caused by a disaster. The Executive Team will work in coordination with the EOC.

I. When a disaster occurs, it is anticipated that Pierce County departments, other jurisdictions, first response agencies and organizations will break down their areas of responsibility into manageable units, assess what has happened, what can be done about it, and what is needed. This information is sent by whatever means available to the EOC. When resources cannot meet the needs created by a disaster, additional assistance may be requested through normal mutual aid or through the EOC. These additional resources coming to support county operations may be located at staging areas until a specific assignment can be made (see ESF 7).

J. If the situation is, or may become, beyond the capabilities of the resources of Pierce County and those provided by mutual aid, the Executive may request assistance from the Governor, or from the Federal government, through the Governor. If requested, the DEM may assist Pierce County cities and towns with this request (see Appendix 1).

K. If the disaster causes a breakdown in communications systems, a remote site may act as a remote command center for its local area until coordination can be established from the EOC. Each may serve as a command post, staging area, reception center, triage station, communications center or other functional capacity.

For 'Direction and Control' and 'Administration' see Appendices 1 and 3, respectively.