Information Analysis and Planning

EMERGENCY SUPPORT FUNCTION 5

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I. GENERAL INFORMATION

A. Purpose

To collect, analyze, and share information about a potential or actual emergency or disaster to enhance response and the provision of recovery activities.

B. Scope

1. This ESF applies to the information needs of the Pierce County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for assessing a disastrous or potentially disastrous situation and supporting related response and planning efforts.

2. The analysis and planning for every type of emergency or disaster is beyond the scope of this ESF.

II. POLICIES

It is policy of Pierce County Department of Emergency Management (DEM) to disseminate current and accurate information and request the same from county agencies and volunteer organizations during times of EOC activations. The analysis of this information, planning for anticipated resources will occur in support of emergency or disaster response and recovery activities.

III. SITUATION

A. Emergency/Disaster Conditions and Hazards

Refer to the Pierce County Hazard Identification and Vulnerability Analysis.

B. Planning Assumptions

1. Urgent response requirements during an emergency or disaster, or the threat of one, and to plan for continuing response and recovery activities, necessitates the immediate and continuing collection, processing, and dissemination situational information.

2. Information will be provided by cognizant field personnel, responders, volunteers, the public, the media, and others.

3. Information, particularly initial information, may be ambiguous, conflict with information from other sources or with previous information from the same source, or be limited in detail.

4. Information collection may be hampered due to many factors including, but not limited to: damage to communication systems; communication systems overload; damage to the transportation infrastructure; and effects of weather, smoke, and other environmental factors.

IV. CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS

A. County and volunteer representatives in the EOC will work to meet the information requirements of the EOC, Washington Emergency Information Center (WEIC), and the Executive Team. This will include receiving periodic reports from field representatives. Additionally the EOC staff may be required to request information from EOC representatives and field personnel to meet a specific requirement.

B. The Information Analysis and Planning Section of the Incident Command System (ICS) is responsible for the management of the information received in the EOC. This section will be responsible to collect, analyze, report and display the current information. From this information the section will assure that action plans are developed, as needed.

V. RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Primary Agency

The DEM is the lead agency in the collection, analysis, and dissemination of information during EOC activations.

B. Support Agencies

1. Pierce County Departments

a. Budget and Finance

responsible for financial planning, management of revenues and expenditures, preparation of financial reports, and other related fiscal operations. Also assists in the allocation of funds for the procurement of emergency resources.

b. Information Services

provide information to the EOC of the damages to the ISD infrastructure and equipment and the resources needed for repair or replacement.

c. Risk Management

provide information to the EOC on building evacuations and personnel safety.

d. Personnel

provide information to the EOC on the staffing status in departments critical to response and initial recovery to an emergency or disaster.

2. Pierce County Council

Provide legislative advice related to response and recovery to an emergency or disaster.

3. Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney

Provide legal counsel when needed by the EOC during an emergency or disaster.

4. Volunteer Services

American Red Cross

Provide information to the EOC on the provision and coordination of emergency service function for feeding, sheltering, distribution of bulk supplies, disaster welfare inquiry, and emergency assistance to families and individuals.

VI. REFERENCES

None

VII. DEFINITIONS AND TERMS

None

VIII. TABS

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