Emegency Operating Plan

The basic plan, without Appendices or Annexes, is as follows:

OCONEE COUNTY , SOUTH CAROLINA EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN  

I.   GENERAL  

A.   Purpose  

To establish policies and procedures which will ensure the maximum and most effective utilization of all resources in the county, minimize the loss of life and/or injury to the population, and protect and conserve the resources and facilities in Oconee County during emergencies resulting from natural disasters, man-made disasters, or war.  

B.   Authority  

1.   Oconee County Ordinance No. 80-13, dated December 22, 1980  

2.   South Carolina Act Number 199, July 30, 1979  

3.   South Carolina Act Number 519, Regs 58-1 and 58-101, May 22, 1982  

4.   Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, Sub-Chapter 6, Public Law 103-337 Title VI, October 5, 1994  

5.   United States Civil Defense Act of 1950 (Public Law 81-920), as amended  

6.   United States Atomic Energy Act of 1954, (Public Law 85-162), as amended  

7.   United States Disaster Relief Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-288), as amended  

8.   Oconee County Ordinance No. 2001-10, Sept. 2001  

C.   References  

1.   South Carolina Emergency Operations Plan, March 2001  

2.   Hazards Analysis for Emergency Management – Oconee County , Oconee County EMA and SC Emergency Management Division (SCEMD), September, 2001  

3.   South Carolina Hurricane Plan, dated Sept. 2001  

4.   South Carolina Recovery Plan, dated Sept. 2001  

5.   Utility Dam Safety Plans (FERC dam and DHEC high risk dam counties)  

6.   Emergency Action Plans for Hydroelectric Stations, Duke Power Company, Dec. 31, 2002  

7.   Emergency Action Plan, North Georgia Project, F.E.R.C. No. 2354, December 2001  

8.   All of the references listed in Attachment 4, Supporting Plans and their Sources, on pages 22 and 23 of this Section.  

9.   Emergency Action Plan for North Georgia Project NO-3001 (FERC #2354), Georgia Power Co., December 18, 2002  

10.  South Carolina Flood Mitigation Plan and Annual Progress Report, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), updated through September 23, 2000  

11.  Standard Operating Procedures – Oconee and Pickens Counties Traffic Control Points and Lake Clearing, South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD), January, 1998  

12.  Health Services Emergency Operations Plan – Appalachia I Public Health District , South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC), September 24, 2003  

13.  South Carolina Earthquake Plan – Appendix 3 of South Carolina Emergency Operations Plan, South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD), September, 2003  

14.  Comprehensive Seismic Risk and Vulnerability Study for the State of South Carolina, South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) and URS Corporation, September 10, 2001  

D.   Maps  

1.   " General Highway Map, Oconee County , South Carolina ," South Carolina Department of Transportation.  

2.   " South Carolina State Highway Primary System," South Carolina Department of Transportation.  

E.   Organization  

1.   General  

Disaster response plans are based upon the principle that local authorities bear the initial responsibilities for disaster relief.  Each level of government accomplishes the functions for which it is responsible, requesting assistance from the next higher level of government only after local resources have been expended and/or are clearly inadequate to cope with the effects of the disaster.  

2.   Municipalities  

Municipal governments determine their essential requirements and apply all available local resources to their own needs before requesting support or assistance from the county.  Provide local coordination for resources furnished from outside agencies in response to requests for assistance, and make available to county government for employment in other areas such local forces and resources as local capability will permit.

3.   Oconee County Government  

The county government will support disaster operations of the municipalities with county resources only after all local resources have been used or are inadequate to handle the situation.  All resources, including the military, made available to the county from outside agencies will be assigned tasks and functions by the county on a mission-type basis, but will remain under the direction and control of their parent organization. Each county office, department, agency, service, etc., will coordinate as appropriate to assure efficient utilization of all resources made available to it.  County government will also assume responsibility for direction of combined emergency operations in areas where municipal capability has broken down or does not exist, or when the nature or magnitude of a disaster is such that county government direction of operations is required for effective response.  See Attachment 1, Organization Chart.

4.   State Government  

State agencies will support county emergency operations only after all local resources have been expended and/or are clearly inadequate to cope with effects of the disaster.  State support will be provided on a mission-type basis, as deemed appropriate by the Governor and as provided for in the South Carolina Emergency Operations Plan.

5.   Federal Government  

The Federal government will provide support upon request in accordance with existing laws and regulations.

F.   Other Supporting Organizations  

1.   American Red Cross (ARC) - Augments the Emergency Welfare Service (EWS).  See Annex K, Emergency Welfare Service.  

2.   The Salvation Army - Augments the Emergency Welfare Service (EWS).  See Annex K, Emergency Welfare Service.  

II.  SITUATION  

A.   State  

South Carolina is vulnerable to a wide spectrum of natural and man-made disasters, including hurricanes, winter storms, droughts, freezes, flooding (including flash flooding, river flooding and salt water flooding), severe local storms (tornadoes, wind-storms, thunderstorms and hailstorms), forest fires, earthquakes, dam failures, industrial incidents (including fixed nuclear facility radiological emergencies and a variety of situations involving hazardous materials) and war.  In a disaster which requires response support in excess of that available at the county or local level, State support can be requested and may be provided.  

B.   Oconee County  

Oconee County is subject to many potential disasters (natural and man-made, including war) which could injure or kill many people and damage or destroy property over a wide area. Although the county has sufficient material goods, manpower and expertise to meet routine requirements, a catastrophic disaster could exhaust the resources and over-tax its capability.  All available assets must be organized under one plan to assure effective operations during an emergency or disaster. See the Oconee County Hazards Analysis for Emergency Management document dated September 2001 and Tables I and II in Attachments 5 and 6 on pages 24 and 25 of this Section. The Hazards Analysis document was prepared by the Oconee County EMA in coordination with the SCEMD. Copies are available at both locations.

C.   Assumptions  

1.   Natural disasters such as tornadoes, droughts, winter storms, severe weather, floods, earthquakes, wildfires and hurricanes will occur in Oconee County .  See Hazard Analysis for Oconee County for further details.  

2.   Man-made disasters, including industrial incidents and hazardous material spills, will occur in Oconee County .  

3.   Emergencies involving hazardous materials will occur in Oconee County .  

4.   A radiological accident will occur at a nuclear facility in Oconee County , South Carolina or an adjacent state that could have ionizing radiation effects of varying degrees on Oconee County .  

5.   Dam failures involving high risk dams regulated by FERC and DHEC will occur in Oconee County .  

6.   Acts of terrorism will occur in Oconee County .  

D.   Planning Basis  

1.   Disasters will occur.  

2.   Municipal and county governments are responsible for the safety and welfare of their constituents to the extent of their capabilities and resources in time of a disaster, war or terrorist attack.  

3.   Information pertaining to an impending or existing disaster must be immediately available between the municipal, county and state levels of government as it affects each jurisdiction.  

4.   Direction of disaster operations is exercised by the lowest level of government affected to the extent that that level of government can conduct operations.  

5.   A request for support or assistance can be made of a higher level of government following determination that a disaster is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the affected municipal or county government.  

6.   County government responds to requests for assistance from municipal government as deemed appropriate by County Council or its designee.  

7.   Military assistance to civil authorities will be provided as conditions permit and will supplement, not replace, civil participation.  

8.   Oconee County will utilize current In-Place Protection Plans in the event of an attack with little or no warning.  See Annex R - Nuclear Civil Protection.  

9.   Oconee County has a high percentage of retirees and special needs patients particularly in the retirement areas such as Keowee Key and vicinity and in the downtown areas of Seneca, Walhalla, and Westminster .  

10.  Oconee County has a number of critical facilities that would be vulnerable to various disasters or acts of terrorism. See the Oconee County Critical Facilities List (Attachment 7) for further details.  

III. MISSION  

Oconee County will provide for the protection of the people and resources in the county in order to minimize damage, injury and loss of life resulting from any type disaster, including war; provide for the continuity of government; and, provide for damage assessment and survey of damage, private and public, resulting from such emergency.  

IV.  EXECUTION  

A.   Concept of Operation  

State level emergency activities normally will be coordination and support.  At the county level, emergency activities will be operational.  In Oconee County , emergency operations will be undertaken as indicated in the following phases of readiness:

1.   Pre-Disaster Phase  

a.   Activities in this phase are designed to develop a strong county government emergency response capability and to organize all levels of government in the county to assure full utilization of all resources.  

b.   Other activities conducted at county and local level include, but are not limited to the following:  

(1)  Prepare disaster response plans and procedures to cover natural or man-made disasters and war.  

(2)  Prepare annexes in support of county plans as required and support to local government and/or other county/state organizations.  

(3)  Conduct training, education and exercise programs to assure a continuing capability to accomplish disaster response measures for response staff and augmentation staff.  

(4)  Prepare and conduct public information programs on natural, man-made disasters and war, to educate the public on protective measures to be taken in the event of a disaster.  

(5)  Develop procedure for alerting, notifying and mobilizing key officials and emergency response personnel in the event of a disaster.  

(6)  Establish mutual support agreements as required with other local and adjacent county governments.  

(7)  Prepare plans for disaster and recovery phases of disasters.  

(8)  Establishing necessary emergency powers to include a line of succession, in order to maintain continuity government during any type disaster.  

2.   Disaster Phase  

a.   During this phase, the operational activities of county and local government will be accelerated to increase the state of preparedness and for the public to meet and cope with an impending or immediate disaster if warning is sufficient.  

b.   In the event a disaster occurs with little or no warning, operational activities will be directed toward protecting life and property, administering to the health and welfare of the population, containing or limiting the damage effects of the disaster, assessing damage and estimating requirements for restoration and recovery from the effects of the disaster.  

3.   Recovery Phase  

a.   This is the time following a nuclear attack against the United States when the threat of further attack is no longer present, or when a natural disaster or man-made crisis has passed. During this phase, governmental agencies, public services, industries and other organizations will undertake emergency operations to restore law and order, repair damage to facilities and utilities, administer to the sick and injured, resettle homeless and displaced individuals and families, and restore the economy.  

b.   The county government will be responsible for determining priorities of effort, allocating resources to priority operations, assisting the public toward recovery and restoration of county services.  

B.   County Government  

Each Oconee County office, department, agency, service, etc., will establish specific plans, procedures and checklists to accomplish its assigned responsibility.  Immediately following any activity that tests or exercises this plan, each participating county office, department, agency, service, etc., will provide a detailed critique of all operations observed with the objective of improving upon the county-wide response capability.  Each county office, department, agency, service, etc., will establish procedures to continually review, update and improve such plans, procedures and checklists. As a minimum, designated departments and agencies will review and update their respective portion(s) of this plan on an annual basis.  

1.   County Council  

The Oconee County Council has overall responsibility for policy decisions affecting the pre-disaster activities, disaster operations and recovery operations of all county offices, departments, agencies, service, etc., and the coordination of emergency support to the municipalities and other resources made available to the county.  

2.   County Supervisor/Chair  

The Oconee County Supervisor serves as Chair of the County Council and functions as their representative.  He/she represents the County Council while directing and supervising all activities of county government during the Pre-Disaster, Disaster and Recovery Phases of operations.  

3.   County Emergency Management Director  

The Director, Oconee County Emergency Management Agency, is responsible to the County Supervisor/Chair in coordinating the activities of county government and in assisting the municipalities, industry and the public during disasters. Coordinates with the Local Incident Command System in support of operations. Coordinates the operations of county government in implementing the emergency orders and decisions of the County Council.  Responsible for:  

a.   Development and publication of annexes in conformity with this plan such that all facilities, equipment, manpower and other resources available to the county are immediately used to minimize or prevent damage to persons or property, and to provide for the protection and restoration of government services and public utilities necessary for the public's health, safety and welfare.  

b.   Preparation, staffing, activation and operations of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC).  See Annex A, Emergency Operations Center .  

c.   Development of an effective system of procedures for communicating and disseminating warning, official information, orders and instructions from county government to the public in emergencies.  

d.   Organizing, manning, training and equipping of an effective radiological monitoring system and developing a plan for operating the system.  

e.   Coordinate the establishment of a shelter system to include sheltering special needs patients and pets.  

f.   Organizing, manning, training and equipping of an effective system for responding to hazardous materials accidents.  See Annex P, Hazardous Materials Accident.  

g.   Coordinating the recruitment and training of volunteer personnel and organizations to augment the personnel and facilities of the county for disaster preparedness purposes.  

h.   Maintaining liaison with State and Federal authorities and authorities of other nearby political subdivisions to assure the most effective operation of the County Emergency Operations Plan.  

i.   Coordinating and maintaining working relationships with the industry and volunteer groups and organizations to develop emergency plans and capabilities in support of County Emergency Operations Plans.  

j.   Activates/implements the County Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) in the event of a disaster or emergency.  

4.   Communications Officer  

The County Communications Officer is responsible for the development, implementation and maintenance of the Emergency Communications System.  See Annex B, Communications  

5.   Warning  

The Oconee County Director of Communications - E-911 is responsible for maintaining a warning capability and disseminating warning information pertinent to severe weather conditions, natural and man-made disasters and warfare to the local warning points and throughout the county. See Annex C, Warning.

6.Public and Emergency Information

The Public Information Officer is responsible for the assembly, preparation and dissemination of public and emergency information.  See Annex D, Public Information.  

7.   Law Enforcement  

The Sheriff of Oconee County is responsible for traffic control of routes during evacuation, maintaining law and order throughout the county and coordinating all law enforcement resources made available to the county. See Annex E, Law Enforcement.

8.   Fire Service

The Oconee County Fire Marshal is responsible for coordinating the utilization of all county fire fighting resources and other fire fighting resources made available to the county.  See Annex F, Fire.

9.   Rescue Service

The Coordinator, Oconee County Rescue Squad is responsible for coordinating search and rescue missions and for the recovery, transportation, and first aid of victims, and supporting County OMH EMS.  See Annex G, Rescue.

10.  Medical Service

The Oconee County Medical Service Coordinator is responsible for coordinating all health and medical resources and facilities throughout the county to provide for the health, medical, mental health, sanitation and mortuary needs of the public.  In conjunction with the County Coroner, coordinates the care of mass fatalities and the maintenance of records during emergencies.  See Annex H, Medical Service, Annex I, Emergency Medical Service (EMS) and Annex J, Mental Health.

11.  Emergency Medical Service (Ambulance)

The OMH EMS Director has been designated as coordinator of ambulance missions and for the transportation and first aid of victims.  See Annex I, EMS (Ambulance).

12.  Emergency Welfare Service.

The Oconee County Director of Social Services is responsible for the coordination of the Emergency Welfare Service, which is comprised of government and non-government agencies and provides for the needs of the populace of Oconee County .  See Annex K, Emergency Welfare Service.

13.  Transportation Service

The County School Coordinator of Transportation is the Chief, Transportation Service, and is responsible for providing vehicles and drivers from county resources for transporting personnel and materials required to meet the needs of the county and for coordinating the utilization of all transportation resources made available to the county.  See Annex L, Transportation.

14.  Engineering and Public Works

The Oconee County Roads and Bridges Superintendent is responsible to the County Supervisor for the removal of debris and obstacles from transportation routes, waterways, and from public and privately owned lands when determined to be in the public interest.  Assist, upon request, in the repair and restoration of public utilities and critical facilities.  Coordinates with the South Carolina Department of Transportation in the repair and maintenance of critical highways and bridges within the county.  Be prepared to upgrade fallout protection shelters and construct expedient fallout shelters as may be required.  See Annex M, Engineering and Public Works.

15.  Supply and Procurement

The Oconee County Procurement Director is responsible for requisitioning, procuring and issuing specialized equipment, medical supplies, food, fuel and materials necessary to relieve suffering and to make emergency repairs in disasters. See Annex N, Supply and Procurement. See Appendix 3, Annex M for resource list.

16.  Hazardous Materials Accidents

The Emergency Management Director is responsible for coordination of support for hazardous materials incidents.  See Annex P, Hazardous Materials Accidents.

17.  Radiological Officer

The Radiological Officer is responsible for establishing systems to minimize the effects of radiation on personnel and resources.  Assists and coordinates with local, state and federal agencies in determining the procedures for decontamination following a incident, radiological accident, or nuclear attack.  See Annex R, War and Annex S, Radiological Defense.

18.  Damage Assessment

The Oconee County Tax Assessor is responsible for organizing a Damage Assessment capability for determining the extent of damages resulting from natural, man-made disasters or war.  See Annex T, Damage Assessment.

19.  County Treasurer

The Oconee County Treasurer is responsible for advising the county government concerning financial matters in support of disaster operations.

20.  County Attorney

The Oconee County Attorney is responsible for advising county government concerning legal aspects pertaining to emergency planning and operations to include liability issues.

C.   Municipalities

Mayors of municipalities are responsible for the direction of emergency operations within their areas of jurisdiction and will make available to the county all resources not critical to the survival of their respective municipality.

D.   Coordinating Instructions

1.   This Plan is effective for planning upon receipt and for execution upon order.

2.   All Oconee County offices, departments, agencies, services, etc., managers are responsible to the County Supervisor for directing and controlling the emergency operations of their respective agencies in the implementation of emergency orders and decisions of the county council.  In addition, they are each responsible for:

a.   Developing the required Emergency Operations Plan Annex, Appendix and Checklist or S.O.P. in conformance with this plan.

b.   Coordinating with other agencies before, during and after an emergency or disaster to assure the most effective operation of personnel and resources.

c.   The recruiting and training of volunteer personnel and/or agencies to augment their agencies for emergency preparedness purposes.

d.   Staffing and operating their agency in the other agencies to the maximum extent possible.  Emergency Operations Center whenever it is activated.

e.   Maintaining a current agency key personnel alert notification roster.

f.   Maintaining a current agency resources list.

g.   Developing mutual aid agreements with like agencies of adjoining counties or political subdivisions.

h.   Administratively and logistically supporting other agencies to the maximum extent possible.

V.   ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS

A.   Administration

Reports are required periodically when a disaster has occurred to provide state government with information to use in determining the appropriate response.

1.   Initial Situation Report

This report will be submitted by the most expedient means to the South Carolina Emergency Management Division.  Municipalities shall submit reports to the Oconee County Emergency Management Director for forwarding to state with this and all other reports.  This report will include but not be limited to the following:

a.   Type of disaster

b.   Date and time of disaster

c.   Status of mobilization of county resources

d.   Initial damage

e.   Immediate support required of state government

2.   Initial Damage Assessment Report (Part 1)

This is the initial Damage Assessment Report submitted to the South Carolina Emergency Management Division, Emergency Operations Center (EOC), In Accordance With (IAW) Annex T, Damage Assessment.

3.   Damage Assessment Report (Part II)

This is the second Damage Assessment Report submitted to the South Carolina Emergency Management Division, Emergency Operations Center (EOC), IAW Annex T, Damage Assessment.

4.   Daily Situation Report

This report is submitted as of 1600 hours daily to the South Carolina Emergency Management Division, Emergency Operations Center.  This report will be supplemented by flash reports submitted when a significant change has occurred which should be reported immediately.  Significant changes in status to include dead, injured, homeless, confirmed missing and major corrections to estimated damage assessment.

5.   Damage Assessment Report (Part III)

This report is a compiled data record showing the expenditures and obligations of local government and state agencies as required to support requests for Federal disaster assistance. See Annex T, Damage Assessment.

6.   Increased Readiness Report (IRR)

IRR will be reported by 1600 hours of the first day of a state announced readiness condition.  Thereafter, reports will be submitted at the same time daily until IRR is terminated by the Director, South Carolina Emergency Management Division, or until an attack occurs.

7.   Radiological Protection Report

Reporting procedures will be in accordance with Annex S, Radiological Protection.

8.   After Action Report

As soon as practical after termination of an emergency, the Oconee County Emergency Management Director will submit to the South Carolina Emergency Management Division a narrative report summarizing and evaluating capabilities of the overall combined efforts of the Federal, State and Local government agencies, the weaknesses observed and recommended actions that should be taken to improve effectiveness.

9.   Computer Capability

The Oconee County Emergency Management Agency has an inventory of six (6) computers (desktops and portables) available for use in the offices and EOC’s. These computers are of varying ages and capabilities. As a minimum, all computers have the following capabilities:

Hardware: removable media drives (CD-ROM, CD-RW and/or floppy disk); USB, parallel and IEEE 1394 peripheral ports; internal analog telephone modem; 10/100 Ethernet LAN port; TV/projector port (laptops)

Software: word processor; spreadsheet; database; presentation graphics; PDF reader; internet and e-mail

B.   Logistics

Individual government agencies and augmentation forces will utilize supplies, operational aids and transportation organic to their organizations.  Additional supplies, transportation and manpower required will be requested through the County Emergency Operations Center.

C.   Mutual Aid Agreements

Mutual Aid Agreements are in effect with Emergency Management Agencies of the following adjacent counties or political subdivisions:

Anderson County, SC

Pickens County, SC

Jackson County, NC

Transylvania County, NC

Franklin County, GA

Habersham County, GA

Hart County, GA

Rabun County, GA

Stephens County, GA

These Mutual Aid Agreements are located in Attachments 8 through 16.