HomeMy WebLinkAbout870011.tiff RESOLUTION
RE: APPROVE WINTER STORM CONTINGENCY PLAN
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County,
Colorado, pursuant to Colorado statute and the Weld County Home
Rule Charter, is vested with the authority of administering the
affairs of Weld County, Colorado, and
WHEREAS, the Board has been presented with a Winter Storm
Contingency Plan for incorporation into the Weld County Emergency
Operations Plan to insure that all essential County services are
maintained during a major snowstorm, and
WHEREAS, after review, the Board deems it advisable and in
the best interests of the citizens of Weld County to approve said
Contingency Plan , a copy of which is attached hereto and
incorporated herein by reference.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County
Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, that the Winter Storm
Contingency Plan, to be incorporated into the Weld County
Emergency Operations Plan , be, and hereby is, approved.
The above and foregoing Resolution was, on motion duly made
and seconded, adopted by the following vote on the 5th day of
January, A.D. , 1987.
/� `' - " BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ATTEST:
C1 ujf C 1� `.f CL^ ;'`_f'rv•
WELD C UN O ADO
(J
Weld County Clerk and Recorder
and Clerk to the Board G r . L c hairman
C � r
\gy �7,�� C. it , Pro- em
/ Deputy Count Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM: Gene R. Brantner
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CM-4(-;W
County Attorney
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�/ 'l0,0,31 ee0//%- e?•"C) (1 - cit 870011
MAJOR WINTER STORM
Major Winter Storm
I. GENERAL INFORMATION
A. Vulnerability
Weld County and Northeast Colorado are as suspectible to major
winter storms as the Rookie Mountain communities along the front
range. The types of emergencies are the same: fire, traffic accidents,
medical emergencies. Snow, ice, sleet and blizzard conditions will
impede the normal quick response the public has come to expect. Heavy
precipitation will bog down travelers and create emergency demands on
the Roads and Bridges Department to clear transportation routes. It is
at this time that plans should be activated for auxiliary and special
response to accomodate identified needs. The demands will be met in a
timely fashion if all agencies are aware of the resources available to
them in an emergency.
B. Planning Assumptions
This plan has been developed to incorporate the snow removal plan
developed by the Roads and Bridges Department. It will be contained in
Appendix B. While the Director of Roads and Bridges is responsible for
snow and ice removal, the Sheriff's Office, municipal law enforcement
and Colorado State Patrol is charged with Incident Command in a field
emergency except for those emergencies where the Fire Chief is in
Command. This contingency is intended to address health and safety as
related to the increased demands placed on County and private
resources.
This plan has been developed based on the following assumptions:
1. The Weld County Roads and Bridges Department have designated
priority routes to maintain a minimum transportation system
connecting hospitals, major transportation routes and
communities.
2. The Roads and Bridges Department will not be able to keep
priority #1 routes clear, and
3. A state of emergency could last up to three (3) days.
C. Purpose of the Plan
This contingency plan has been prepared in order to:
1. Insure essential county services are maintained during a
major snowstorm.
2. Document procedures and policies to be followed by each
county department, as necessary.
3. Insure all county departments respond in a coordinated
manner.
11/19/86
2 sr, ;
4. Assign duties and responsibilities to be carried out by each
county department and by specific individuals within each
department.
D. Warning System
Severe weather warnings by the National Weather Service can be
monitored by telephone, and NOAA weather radio as well as local
radio. On duty law enforcement and Roads and Bridges personnel
in the field can observe and report weather conditions to the
Roads and Bridges Director when requested.
E. Definitions and Terminology
The National Weather Service frequently uses the following terms
in their weather bulletins. To prevent misunderstanding,
definitions and descriptions are provided.
Ice Storm - Freezing rain or drizzle is called an Ice Storm.
Moisture falls in liquid form, but freezes upon impact.
Sleet - Ice storms are sometimes incorrectly referred to as
"sleet." Sleet is easily identified as frozen raindrops (ice
pellets) which bounce when hitting the ground or other objects.
Sleet does not stick to trees and wires, but sleet in sufficient
depth does cause hazardous driving conditions.
Snow - "Snow" in a forecast, without a qualifying word such as
"occasional" or "intermittent", means that the fall of snow is
steady in nature, and will probably continue for several hours
without letup.
Heavy snow warnings - are issued to the public when a fall of four
inches or more is expected in a 12-hour period or fall of six
inches or more is expected in a 24-hour period. Some variations on
these rules may be used in different parts of the country. Where
four-inch snowfalls are common, the emphasis on heavy snow is
generally associated with six or more inches of snow. In other
parts of the country where heavy snow is infrequent, or in
metropolitan areas with heavy traffic, a snowfall of two or three
inches will justify a heavy snow warning.
Snow flurries - are defined as snow falling for short durations at
intermittent periods; however, snowfall during the flurries may
reduce visibility to an eighth of a mile or less. Accumulations
from snow flurries are generally small.
Snow squalls - are brief, intense falls of snow and are comparable
to summer rain showers. They are accompanied by gusty surface
winds.
Blowing and drifting_ snow - generally occur together and result
from strong winds and falling snow or loose snow on the ground.
3 11/19/86
"Blowing snow" is defined as snow lifted from the surface by the
wind and blown about to a degree that horizontal visibility is
greatly restricted.
Drifting snow - is used in forecasts to indicate that strong winds
will blow falling snow or loose snow on the ground into signif-
icant drifts. In the northern plains, the combination of blowing
drifting snow, is often referred to as a "ground blizzard."
Blizzards - are the most dramatic and perilous of all winter
storms, characterized by low temperatures and by strong winds
bearing large amounts of snow. Most of the snow accompanying a
blizzard is in the form of fine, powdery particles of snow which
are whipped in such great quantities that at times visibility is
only a few yards.
Blizzard warnings - are issued when winds with speeds of at least
35 mph are accompanied by considerable falling or blowing snow and
temperatures of 20 degrees F or lower are expected to prevail for
an extended period of time.
Severe blizzard warnings - are issued when blizzards of extreme
proportions are expected and indicate wind with speeds of at least
45 mph plus a great density of falling or blowing snow and a temp-
erature of 10 degrees F or lower.
Cold wave warning - indicates an expected rapid fall in tempera-
ture within a 24-hour period which will require substantially
increased protections to agricultural, industrial, commercial, and
social activities. The temperature falls and minimum temperatures
required to justify cold wave warnings vary with the changing of
the season and with geographic location. Regardless of the month
or the section of the country, a cold wave warning is a red flag
alert to the public that during a forthcoming forecast period a
change to very cold weather will require greater than normal
protective measures.
Hazardous driving (travelers') warnings - are issued to indicate
that falling, blowing or drifting snow, freezing rain or drizzle,
sleet or strong winds will make driving difficult.
Stockman's warning - alert ranchers that livestock will require
protection from a large accumulation of snow or ice, a rapid
drop in temperature, or strong wind.
Wind chill factor - strong winds combined with low temperatures
cause a very rapid cooling of exposed surfaces. Unprotected port-
ions of the body, such as the face or hands, can chill rapidly and
should be protected as much as possible from the cold wind. A very
strong wind combined with a temperature slightly below freezing
can have the same chilling effect as a temperature nearly 50
degrees F lower in a calm atmosphere. Arctic explorers and milit-
ary experts have developed a term called the "wind chill factor",
4 11'/19/86
which states the cooling effect of various wind and temperature
combinations. In certain areas, the Weather Service issues this
information as the "wind chill index".
II. SPECIFIC INFORMATION
A. Command and Control
1. Agency in charge - Law Enforcement
The Sheriff or Municipal Police Chief or Colorado State
Patrol is the official responsible for coordinating field
operations during a storm to assist and support the Roads and
Bridges (Public Works or State Department of Highways) Direc-
tor(s) in order that they may perform snow removal duties.
The Law Enforcement agency shall command and direct all publ-
ic safety functions relating to the emergency until and
unless relieved by the Emergency Management Board, city
manager, mayor or town council or the State Director of
Public Safety, at which time the Law Enforcement official
shall serve as advisor to the above stated titles.
2. Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
The Emergency Operations Center for Roads and Bridges Depart-
ment shall be at the County Shops in the case of the County
activation and at the direction of the municipal and CSP
officials. The address is 933 N. 11th Avenue, Greeley. In the
event of a major emergency in addition to the snow removal
effort, Room 316 in the Centennial Complex will be used for
the EOC. All designated county personnel shall be directed
where to report when the plan is activated.
3. Mobile Command Post
The mobile Command Post will be used to coordinate a major
incident within the overall winterstorm emergency. At present
there is no vehicle assigned for the task of serving as a
field Command Post. However, there are two vehicles in the
county that have radios with all of the frequencies that may
be used: the Weld County Ambulance vehicles or, in the event,
there is a concurrent hazardous materials incident, the
Greeley Fire Department Hazardous Materials Response Team has
the same capability in two vehicles.
B. Activation of the Plan
1. The Roads and Bridges Annex concerning snow removal will be
activated by the Director, Roads and Bridges, through the
approval of the Board of County Commissioners or, if they are
not readily available, at his discretion according to the
Annex. It is requested that the activation of the plan
include notification of the Office of Emergency Management.
The Sheriff's Office should also be notified of the
activation.
5 11/19/86
2. The public safety portion of this plan shall be activated
by the Sheriff, municipal police chief or the Colorado
State Patrol, whoever has jurisdiction over the involved
location.
3. The on-duty Commander of the Law Enforcement agency involved
shall monitor the situation by keeping in touch with the
Roads and Bridges (Public Works or State Highway) Director,
the National Weather Service and any other involved response
agency.
C. Notification of Activation
1. If the Sheriff (municipal police chief or CSP) orders the
public safety portion of this plan activated, the following
individuals shall be contacted through the established
county emergency fanout and they are to respond to the
following locations:
Title Report to
Sheriff EOC
County Commissioners EOC
Finance and Administration Director EOC
OEM Coordinator EOC
Roads and Bridges Director EOC
Public Information Officer EOC
Communications Director WCCC
Ambulance Director EOC
Buildings and Grounds EOC
D. Critical County Facilities
The following is a list of County Buildings that are essential to
county operations during a storm and must be given the highest
priority of services, staffing and snow removal.
1. Roads and Bridges Headquarters
2. County shops
3. Centennial Complex
4. Social Services
5. Health and Human Resources Building
5. Ambulance Service - north and south
E. Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles *this is a policy decision
In the event snowfall is so great that county equipment cannot be
used, the County will ask its essential employees to use
privately owned 4x4 vehicles to perform their duties. If the
employees agree to provide the vehicles, the County shall pay
mileage per county reimbursement schedule of $0.20 per mile and
shall assume full responsibility that may arise out of use during
the storm. (County resolution signed 4 April 1984; Appendix B.)
6 11/19/86
",
If more 4x4 vehicles are needed, a request for citizens to volun-
teer their vehicles will be made, again the County will assume
full responsibility and liability.
A list of all county personnel with four-wheel drive vehicles
will be compiled for entry into the Resource List.
All non-County 4x4 vehicles should be equipped with an employee
with a radio.
F. Snowmobiles *this is a policy decision
In extreme cases the county may ask its employees to volunteer
personal snowmobiles for emergency purposes. If the employee
agrees to provide the vehicles, the County shall assume the same
responsibility for mileage reimbursement and liability as for the
4x4 vehicles. (County Resolution 4 April 1984; Appendix B.)
If more snowmobiles are needed, a list has been compiled of citi-
zens who are willing to provide their vehicles in an emergency.
This list has been distributed to Weld County Communications and
is maintained by the Office of Emergency Management.
III. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES BY DEPARTMENT
Each County agency is assigned the following duties during a snow
emergency:
County Commissioners
1. Declare a snow emergency at the resquest of the Roads and Bridges
Director or when conditions are such that they deem it necessary.
2. Prepare to make policy decisions effecting the operations and/or
financing of the Winter Storm Plan.
3. Public Information
Office of Emergency Management
1. Provide emergency resources as requested
2. Provide advice to Commissioners regarding emergency operations
Roads and Bridges
1. Execute Snow Removal Plan
2. Request County Commissioners to declare a snow emergency
3. Maintain and issue snow progress reports to Commissioners
4. Assist law enforcement and ambulances responding to an emergency
Fire Departments/Districts
1. Respond to fire alarms
2. Respond to emergency medical calls with ambulance if applicable
7 11/19/86
3. Rescue stranded motorists
* 4. Provide transportation for essential workers
* 5. Provide food and bedding for essential city workers.
Law Enforcement
1. Enforce emergency traffic regulations and parking restrictions
2. Provide traffic control as requested
3. Coordinate the towing abandoned vehicles from snow routes (if
applicable)
4. Rescue stranded motorists
5. Coordinate 4x4 vehicles offered to the County by citizens
6. Perform regular duties on priority basis as required.
Buildings and Grounds
1. Maintain snow removal operations around Centennial Complex and
other assigned essential facilities
2. Maintain/repair essential utilities
3. Insure emergency generator capability
Ambulance Service
1. Provide EMS services as requested
2. In case of overload, triage response.
Finance and Administration
1. Authorize open purchase orders
2. Document all expenditures during disasters
Personnel Department
1. Activate snow day calldown for closing County offices
2. Assist all departments with volunteer personnel as requested.
3. Register volunteered 4X4 vehicles and snowmobiles offered to the
county.
Contractural Repair Services
1. Maintain and repair equipment, as needed.
2. Maintain and repair communications, as needed.
American Red Cross
1. Provide transportation for and to citizens and residents in need.
2. Provide food and shelter for snowstorm victims.
3. Provide emergency medical necessities for motorists or evacuees.
8 11/19/86
MASTER CHECKLIST
FOR WINTER STORM
Phase Response Agency
Alert 1. Review Disaster Plans and Procedures All
a. Update inventory of personnel supplies and
equipment
b. Review assignments
c. Mutual aid plans
d. Shelter plan
e. Determine minimum staffing levels needed to maintain
essential services
2. Monitor NWS NOAA broadcasts WCCC
Phase Response Agency
Warning 1. Notify key personnel of severe weather watch WCCC
a. Notify WCSO/OEM
2. Insure EOC is properly equipped OEM
3. Generator tanks are full B&G
4. Report snowfall and weather conditions WCSO/R&B
5. Review emergency public information with news
media representatives PIO
6. Prepare survival information for dissemination
to the public PIO
7. Review EBS procedures PIO
8. Request briefing from Command Personnel PIO
9. Order all vehicles to fill gas tanks SO/R&B
Phase Response Agency
Response 1. Activate notification fanout WCCC/OEM
2. Implement snow removal plan R&B/B&G
3. Activate emergency public information plan BOCC
4. Brief Commissioners OEM
5. One PIO to EOC PIO
6. Brief county PBX/dispatch OEM
7. Brief news media on situation at pre-set
intervals PIO
8. Keep public informed PIO
a. Initiate releases
b. Suggest snow removal around hydrants (by
citizens)
c. Request public call only in case of emergency
d. Release information regarding emergency
operations
9. Establish rumor control center if needed PIO
a. Set up away from EOC and Comm Ctr
b. Announce "snow phone" number
10. Chain up emergency vehicles PD/FD/R&B
a. Law enforcement vehicles
b. Fire vehicles
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k-,. ., 31
c. Staff cars
11. Locate and inspect food for emergency use at jail WCSO
12. Relocate cots and blankets as needed OEM
13. Test and check emergency generators B&G
14. Activate County EOC; notify key officials Comm Ctr/OEM
a. Commissioners
b. Sheriff
c. Finance and Administration
d. Roads and Bridges
e. Buildings and Grounds
f. Public Information Officer
g. Communications Supervisor
h. American Red Cross
i. Ambulance
j . Personnel
k. Social Services
15. Implement Incident Command System, as necessay WCSO
a. Appoint logistics officer
b. Appoint situation officer
c. Appoint planning officer
d. Appoint liaison officer
16. Respond to EOC and assume command BOCC
17. Brief EOC staff as they arrive OEM
18. Prepare for power outage R&B/B&G
19. Assess manpower needs All depts
a. Holdover on-duty personnel
b. Call off-duty in
c. Cancel leaves
d. Mutual aid
e. Volunteers
f. Private Contractors
g. Place ARA on alert for emergency repairs
20. Assess communication needs Law/Fire/
EMS/R&B
21. Assess supply needs All depts
a. Identify supplies needed, but not on hand;
prepare standby procurement orders
b. Identify supply sources
c. Food, bedding, blankets
d. Medical supplies
e. Four wheel vehicles, snow mobiles
22. Declare disaster/emergency BOCC/Mayor
a. Notify OEM
b. Notify DODES
c. Notify news media
d. Announce emergency powers to be used
23. Assume command of situation BOCC/Mayor
24. Draft disaster/emergency declaration Attorney
25. Maintain incident log of critical All depts
events and decisions
a. Date and time of critical events and decisions
b. Location
c. Names of witnesses and reporting party
10 11/ 9/86 ,
d. Names of persons involved
e. Detailed description of events All depts
26. Call in off-duty dispatchers, if necessary WCCC
27. Suspend routine county/municipal operations All depts
a. Order all non-essential services curtailed
b. Re-assign personnel
c. Restructure essential operations to meet needs
d. Close County/City Complex
e. Screen all law enforcement, fire and EMS calls
28. Maintain water supply Utilities
a. Repair broken water meters/hydrants
29. Provide traffic control within capabilities Law Enf.
30. Tow abandoned vehicles off snow routes,
if applicable Law Enf.
31. Notify hospitals of situation WCRC
32. Senior on-duty paramedic report to EOC/station
to begin telephone triage WCAS
33. Relocate ambulances as necessary WCAS
34. Keep critical county facilities operational B&G
a. Access to parking lots
b. Heat and lights
c. Water
d. Telephone service PBX
35. Rescue stranded motorists Fire and
Police
36. Provide transportation for essential workers R&B/S0
a. Firefighters
b. Police
c. Roads and Bridges
d. Utilities
e. EOC staff
37. Request mutual aid as needed Fire/Police/R&B
38. Coordinate and implement porcedure to use 4 x 4 vehicles
offered to County by citizens Law enf.
39. Activate emergency fund charging procedures Finance
a. Maintain records on all purchases
RECOVERY
1. Re-establish normal government organization and
services All
agencies
2. Prepare damage assessment report for State
and Federal assistance. Finance
3. Critique and evaluate response All
agencies
11 11/19/86
APPENDIX A
WINTERSTORM CONTINGENCY PLAN
SNOW REMOVAL PRIORITY ROUTES
In Weld County the Roads and Bridges Department has designated the following
as priorty routes:
A. Emergencies involving human life and safety
B. National Defense (Air Force Missile Site access roads)
C. Essential dairy-livestock access roads
D. Main arterial roads
E. School Bus routes
F. Mail delivery routes
G Remaining collector roads (including subdivisions and unincorporated
towns)
12 11/19/,86
APPENDIX B
WINTERSTORM CONTINGENCY PLAN
RESOLUTION
RE: REIMBURSEMENT POLICY FOR DAMAGE INCURRED DURING EMERGENCY, DISASTER, OR
SEARCH AND RESCUE SITUATIONS.
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado,
pursuant to Colorado Statute and the Weld County Home Rule Charter, is vested
with the authority of administering the affairs of Weld County, Colorado, and
WHEREAS, in the event of an emergency, disaster, or search and rescue
situations it is sometimes necessary to utilize equipment of employees,
volunteers and reserve deputies in extraordinary ways that increases the risk
of damage to the equipment at no fault of the owner, and
WHEREAS, because of the potential risk employees, volunteers, and reserve
deputies are reluctant to use their equipment in such situations without
assurance of damage coverage, and
WHEREAS, use of such equipment in situations of this type is in the best
interest of Weld County.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of County Commissioners of
Weld County hereby adopts the following policy:
In the event of an emergency, disaster or search and rescue situation,
the Sheriff or Board of County Commissioners, as appropriate, may request an
employee, volunteer, or reserve deputy to utilize their vehicle or equipment
in connection with the emergency, disaster, or search and rescue operation.
In the event the vehicle or equipment is damaged due to extraordinary use out
of no negligence of the claimant, as determined by the Sheriff or Board of
County Commissioners, the claimant employee, volunteer, or reserve deputy may
be reimbursed for actual damages as determined by the county' s insurance
adjuster for damage incurred in connection with the extraordinary use
associated with the emergency, disaster, or search and rescue situation, in
addition to normal mileage reimbursement.
This policy shall not extend to normal use of private vehicles reimbursed
for mileage by Weld County for normal county business., heavy equipment
contractors under contract to Weld County for any purpose, or aircrafts.
13 11/19/86
•, F - .- -
The above and foregoing resolution was, on motion duly made and seconded,
adopted by the following vote on the 4th day of April, A.D. , 1984.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
it
ATTEST rf ✓w,1 ) n:r . v,/
WLLD COUNTY, COLORADO ,,ll
�Cx
Weld County Clerk and Recorder
and Clerk to the Board Norman Carlson, Chairman
c' ; EXCUSED
. ,, % it jjoJ ) Ja eline Johnson, Pro Tem
eptl uty County Clerk
Gixo iz
ApprovCAte
o form: Gene Brantner
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Chuck Carlson
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J6 n Martin
040484
1.110H9\ 621 mE ORAnDUI1
WhitTo Board of County Commissiomors Decrmber 19. 1986
COLORADO From Lea Ekonn, OEM
Subject: Resolutions for OEM
Attached are the Evacuation Annex and the Winterstorm Contingency Plan which
have been approved by the OEM Advisory Board at the last meeting and
approved by the Sheriff. They are ready for adoption by the Board to be a
part of the Weld County Emergency Operations Plan.
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