Public Works and Engineering

EMERGENCY SUPPORT FUNCTION 3

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I. GENERAL INFORMATION

A. Purpose

To provide coordination of public works and engineering services.

B. Scope

1. This ESF addresses necessary public works and engineering activities including, but not limited to, demolition of unsafe structures, debris and wreckage clearance, temporary repair of essential facilities, inspection of facilities for structural condition and safety, and assisting in traffic control by providing barricades and signs, as necessary, to cope with an emergency or disaster.

2. Planning for every event is beyond the scope of this ESF. This plan does not imply that the Pierce County Public Works Department (PWD) will remedy all needs in the event of an emergency or disaster.

II. POLICIES

It is the policy of Pierce County to provide public works response services to lands and facilities under county jurisdiction and to contracted cities and towns. Response to private property problems shall be done only when a county facility, such as a culvert, is causing the problem or when life or public health is threatened.

III. SITUATION

A. Emergency/Disaster Conditions and Hazards

Refer to the Pierce County Hazard Identification and Vulnerability Analysis.

B. Planning Assumptions

1. An emergency or disaster may cause extensive damage to property and infrastructure. Structures may be destroyed or severely weakened. Homes, public buildings, bridges, and other facilities may have to be reinforced or demolished to ensure safety. Debris may make streets and highways impassable. Public utilities may be damaged or be partially or fully inoperable.

2. Access to disaster areas may be dependent upon the re-establishment of ground routes. In many locations, debris clearance and emergency road repairs will be given priority to support immediate lifesaving response activities.

3. Damages of the disaster area will be required to determine potential work load. In the event of an earthquake, aftershocks will require re-evaluation of previously assessed structures and damages.

4. Emergency environmental waivers and legal clearances may be needed for disposal of materials from debris clearance and demolition activities for the protections of threatened public and private improvements.

5. Outside contractors may be required.

IV. CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS

A. The PWD is the lead agency for the coordination of public works and engineering functions.

1. The chain of command for the PWD is as follows:

a. Public Works Director.

Transportation Services Division

b. County Engineer.

c. Road Maintenance Manager.

Water Programs, Environmental Services Division

b. Water Resources Manager.

c. Administrative Services Manager.

Solid Waste, Environmental Services Division

b. Solid Waste Manager.

c. Administrative Services Manager.

Any of the chain of command, when acting on behalf of the Director, has the authority of the Director in matters of disaster operations and policy. On a day to day basis, the Road Maintenance Manager is the point of contact for the Pierce County Department of Emergency Management (DEM).

An assessment of what has happened to public works facilities, what can be done about it, and what is needed should be conducted. Once compiled, this information shall be relayed to the Pierce County Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

2. Upon the occurrence of an emergency or disaster, a PWD Coordinator, a radio operator, and an assistant should be sent to the EOC to establish liaison between the EOC and public works operations. When the EOC is activated for smaller events, the PWD may send a liaison to the EOC.

3. Other county departments may be requested to provide staffing, equipment or technical advice.

B. The Planning and Land Services (PALS) is the lead agency for coordinating the inspection of structures in Pierce County and contracted cities and towns after an emergency or disaster to determine building safety.

1. The chain of command for this operation is as follows:

a. Assistant Director of Planning and Land Services.

b. Building Official.

c. Development Center Supervisor.

C. Supplemental public works and building inspection assistance may be requested through normal mutual aid channels or through the EOC. Assistance may be obtained from the private sector at cost as provided for by RCW 38.52.390.

V. RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Joint Primary Agencies-Pierce County Departments

1. Public Works

a. Transportation Services Division

1. provide debris clearance, emergency protective measures, emergency and temporary repairs, and/or construction.

2. provide light and heavy construction, and emergency equipment and supplies.

3. provide damage assessments and inspections of county buildings, roads, bridges and facilities for public safety concerns, and compilations of damage totals.

4. provide for emergency restoration of county facilities.

5. serve as the Applicant Agent for processing Federal Financial Assistance under Public Law 93-288, the Disaster Relief Act of 1974.

6. perform or contract major recovery work to restore damaged public facilities under Public Law 93-288.

7. provide traffic control signs and barricades for road closures and detours, and provide operational control of traffic signals and flashers under county jurisdiction.

8. coordinate the damage assessment for transportation routes within Pierce County and the identification of alternate emergency transportation routes.

9. provide support and coordination for emergency transportation planning.

10. provide personnel to the EOC when requested.

b. Water Programs, Environmental Services Division

1. direct county flood fighting operations.

2. provide damage assessment for county flood control, storm water and sewer facilities.

3. provide for the restoration of county flood control, storm water and sewer facilities.

4. provide technical advice and limited resources for emergency sewage disposal.

5. provide light duty construction equipment and supplies.

6. provide coordination for support to water purveyors in the restoration of potable water services.

7. provide personnel to the EOC, when requested.

c. Solid Waste, Environmental Services Division

1. provide support and coordination for emergency debris disposal.

2. provide personnel to the EOC, when requested.

2. Planning and Land Services

a. coordinate damage assessment and post-disaster safety inspections of county buildings and facilities.

b. coordinate damage assessment and post-disaster safety inspection of private businesses in the county.

c. coordinate private assessment and inspection resources.

d. expedite permitting and required inspections as appropriate and feasible.

e. provide for the demolition of damaged and/or abandoned structures posing a threat to human safety.

f. provide personnel to the EOC, when requested.

B. Support Agencies-Pierce County Departments

1. Parks and Recreation

a. provide light duty construction equipment, supplies and personnel.

b. provide for emergency repair or restoration of park facilities.

c. provide personnel to the EOC, when requested.

2. Facilities Management

a. coordinate emergency repair or relocation of county facilities.

b. provide personnel to the EOC, when requested.

VI. REFERENCES

None

VII. DEFINITIONS AND TERMS

None

VIII. TABS

None