HomeMy WebLinkAbout860906.tiff RESOLUTION
RE: APPROVE TORNADO 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 Tornado
Contingency Plan which was formulated by representatives of the
Office of Emergency Management Advisory Board, and
WHEREAS, the purpose of said Plan is to document the warning
systems available to the public and identify the resources
available in the event of tornado activity in Weld County, and
WHEREAS, after study and review, the Board deems it advisable
to approve said 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 Tornado
Contingency Plan for Weld County be , and hereby is, approved.
The above and foregoing Resolution was, on motion duly made
and seconded, adopted by the following vote on the 17th day of
September, A.D. , 1986.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ATTEST: , erk ,r,a WELD COUNTY, COLORADO
Weld County C and Recorder _��,•� ��� . .
and Clerk to the Bo Ja qu Z� J1,�� so , C airman
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D putt' County er
APPRO ED AS TO FORM: Gene R. _ a tner
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County Attorney ánra'
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TORNADO CONTINGENCY
PLAN
Page
INTRODUCTION
PURPOSE 2
SITUATION AND ASSUMPTIONS 2
CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS 2
DIRECTION AND CONTROL 3
PHASES OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT 3
MITIGATION
PREPAREDNESS
ALERT/NOTIFICATION
RESPONSE
RECOVERY
APPENDICES 5
APPENDIX 1 DEFINITIONS 5
APPENDIX 2 TORNADO WATCH OR WARNING CALL LIST 6
APPENDIX 3 TORNADO WATCH CHECKLIST 7
APPENDIX 4 TORNADO WARNING CHECKLIST 9
APPENDIX 5 TORNADO AFTERMATH CHECKLIST 12
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PART II
TORNADO CONTINGENCY
I. INTRODUCTION
A. PURPOSE
The purpose of this plan is to document the warning systems avail-
able to the public which heeded, can minimize injuries and loss
of life. Further, to identify the resources available to respond,
to prioritize the actions that are to be taken and to insure
coordination occurs as quickly as possible.
B. SITUATION
1. Weld County has been identified as high risk for tornado
activity.
2. Weld County has previously suffered property damage as a
result of tornado activity.
3. Weld County has very few outdoor warning sirens to adequately
warn its population of a tornado warning.
C. ASSUMPTIONS
This plan has been developed based upon the following assumptions:
1. A tornado watch and warning have been issued by the National
Weather Service.
2. Weld County will have sufficient time to activate its sirens,
call lists, cable audio override and Emergency Broadcast
System.
3. Destruction to public buildings, disruption of telephone,
electrical power, gas, water and sewer lines may hamper the
delivery of public safety services throughout the county at
various places.
4. Access roads will be blocked by debris thus delaying and/or
damaging ambulance, fire and law enforcement vehicles
responding to perform life-saving operations.
II. CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS
A. ACTIVATION OF THE PLAN
Activation of this plan can be authorized by any legally
constituted authority when in his opinion there is sufficient
information available to conclude that a tornado has or is about
to touchdown within Weld County. Activation is accomplished by
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announcing its activation over the Weld County Regional Communica-
tions frequencies and the subsequent telephone fanout.
B. DIRECTION AND CONTROL
Direction and control may be exercised from a Mobile Command Post
at the disaster scene. If the situation warrants, the Emergency
Operations Center (EOC) will be activated and response and
recovery efforts coordinated from that site.
C. WARNING SYSTEMS
Severe weather watches and warnings will originate from the
National Weather Service and be relayed to the Communications
Center via the NOAA Weather Radio and/or the NAWAS line. The
dispatchers will simulcast the watch/warning over all available
radio frequencies. The warning fanout will then be activated for
all other agencies. All supplemental update and clear messages
will be treated in the same manner.
All on-duty fire and police personnel will begin watch for funnel
clouds and promptly report any sighting to the ComCenter who will
relay the sighting information to the National Weather Service at
361-0663.
Volunteer weather watchers will be available through the Northern
Colorado Amateur Radio Organization for tornado watches.
Volunteers will coordinate with their team leader. The team leader
will call in reports to the ComCenter for transmittal to the Nat-
ional Weather Service.
A tornado sighting by police or fire personnel or a tornado
warning issued for parts of Weld County shall be sufficient cause
to activate the outdoor sirens and the announcement over the
Emergency Broadcast System as well as the Greeley Cablevision
audio override.
III. EMERGENCY PHASES
A. Mitigation
1. Develop an ongoing public education program emphasizing
tornado facts and sheltering requirements.
B. Preparedness
1. Maintain current the emergency call list.
2. Annually update/revise contingency plan.
3. Exercise contingency plan as needed.
C. Response
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1. Activate warning systems for appropriate watch/warnings.
2. Establish Command Post for field communications and
coordination and keep Emergency Operations Center informed.
3. Provide emergency response to the injured/displaced and
homeless.
4. Gather damage assessment figures for Emergency Operations
Center (ROC) .
5. Assess needs for short-term recovery.
P. Recovery
1. Continue meeting needs of injured, homeless, and those in
need.
2. Prepare documentation for financial, politcal and historical
paperwork.
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TORNADO CONTINGENCY PLAN
APPENDIX 1
DEFINITIONS
1. Tornado- a violently whirling column of air extending downward to the
ground from a cumulonimbus cloud. The funnel cloud associated with a
tornado may have winds as high as 200 mph and an interior pressure of
10 to 20 percent below that of the surrounding atmosphere. The typical
length of a path is 16 miles, but tracks of 200 miles have been
reported. Path widths are generally less than 0.25 miles.
2. Tornado "Season"- Tornadoes may occur year round. However, the number
of sitings increases from May through August, with June being the month
of high incidence.
3. Time of Occurrence- Most occur during the afternoon and early evening
(2 pm through 8 pm) , with a few before 2 pm and a few until 11 pm.
4. Path of Tornadoes-Tornadoes in the Rocky Mountain area travel from the
southwesterly direction to the northeast. It can be seen at the end of
a thundercloud.
5. Severe Thunderstorm Watch: conditions are right for the development of
of severe thunderstorms. Specifies the area and the time for which the
WATCH is in effect.
6. Severe Thunderstorm Warning: severe thunderstorms are actually
occurring or are imminent. Severe thunderstorm hazards may include
lightning, high winds, hail, heavy downpours resulting in flash floods
and tornadoes.
7. Tornado Watch: conditions are favorable for the occurrence of both
tornadoes and severe thunderstorms. Specifies the area and the time for
which the WATCH is in effect.
8. Tornado Warning: tornado has been detected. WARNING message will
explain the location of the tornado siting, the time, the direction
and the speed of travel.
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TORNADO CONTINGENCY PLAN
APPENDIX 2
TORNADO WATCH/WARNING CALL LIST
This list is printed separately for ease of revision and
containment of all necessary resource personnel. It is
distributed to all agency heads, law enforcement agencies, fire
departments, municipalities and communications agencies.
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TORNADO CONTINGENCY PLAN
APPENDIX 3
TORNADO WATCH CHECKLIST
1. Issued by the National Weather Service to the County Warning Point,
which is Weld County Communications, located in the Weld County
Centennial Complex.
2. Dispatcher on duty, upon notification of a WATCH condition will:
a. Initiate the County Warning Fanout in Appendix #2.
b. Request all personnel be on the alert for signs of threatening
weather and that they report those signs to the ComCenter.
c. Relay any signs of severe weather to the National Weather Service.
3. Emergency Management Director or his designee with supervisory
approval will:
a. Mobilize the volunteer spotters and request that the team leader
maintain contact as to the direction and intensity of the situation.
b. Check out the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to assure readiness.
c. Review operating plans and procedures to assure prompt and efficient
response (includes the Weld County/Municipal Emergency Operations
Plan and Tornado Contingency Plan.)
d. As weather becomes worse, may want to activate EOC with skeleton
crew.
4. Agency/Department Heads will:
a. Review steps to be taken as severe weather approaches.
b. Ensure that on-duty personnel are notified of the Tornado WATCH.
c. Request that personnel be alert for any signs of severe weather.
d. Request that all Emergency Personnel keep a close WATCH on the sky
until the WATCH period has expired.
e. Ensure that vehicle/equipment fuel tanks are "topped off."
f. Check initial response equipment to be sure it is operational and
where it is supposed to be.
g. Alert off-duty personnel, as appropriate, and make arrangements to
mobilize on-duty and off-duty personnel as needed.
h. Review operating plans and procedures to assure prompt and efficient
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response (includes the Weld County/Municipal Emergency Operations
Plan and the Tornado Contingency Plan.)
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TORNADO CONTINGENCY PLAN
APPENDIX 4
TORNADO WARNING CHECKLIST
1. Issued by the National Weather Service to the County Warning Point,
which is Weld County Communications Center, located in the Weld County
Centennial Complex.
a. As a result of a tornado tracked by radar
b. As a result of a tornado sighted by an official spotter
c. National Weather Service activates the NOAA Weather Radio and
broadcasts WARNING MESSAGE
2. TORNADO WARNING MESSAGE:
a. Location of the tornado siting
b. Time of the siting
c. Direction the tornado is moving
d. Speed of the tornado
e. Boundaries of the area affected
f. Take Cover Immediately. DANGER IMMINENT
3. Dispatcher on duty will:
a. Activate outdoor WARNING SYSTEM (sound Warning Sirens) .
b. Notify personnel listed in Appendix #2: Give the WARNING MESSAGE.
4. Sheriff or his designee will:
a. Activate the EMERGENCY BROADCAST SYSTEM and give WARNING MESSAGE.
b. Activate the CABLE AUDIO OVERRIDE SYSTEM and broadcast WARNING
MESSAGE.
c. Activate the EOC with at least a skeleton crew
d. Assist Dispatch with fan out of warning message, if needed.
e. If time permits, request key staff to report to the EOC.
5. EMERGENCY BROADCAST SYSTEM (EBS) will:
a. Broadcast WARNING MESSAGE
b. Refer to Announcer Disaster Scripts for additional information.
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6. Agency/Department Heads will;
a. Ensure that WARNING MESSAGE is given to personnel.
b. Ensure that personnel take appropriate protective measures.
1) Go to predesignated shelter areas, if available.
2) Go to basement or to interior small rooms or hallways on the
lowest level.
3) In vehicles, leave them and go to a substantial structure. If
there is no shelter nearby, lie flat in the nearest ditch, ravine
or culvert with hands shielding face.
4) If time permits, have key personnel report to EOC or some other
designated place.
5) Turn on battery powered radio; maintain communications.
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TORNADO CONTINGENCY PLAN
APPENDIX 4
TAB A
CABLE OVERRIDE SAMPLE MESSAGE
FOR TORNADO WARNING
After accessing the computer at the Cablevision Station, the following will
be transmitted over the telephone:
"THIS IS A WELD COUNTY EMERGENCY MESSAGE. A TORNADO WARNING WAS ISSUED BY
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE AT (TIME) FOR THE (AREA) FROM (TIME) TO (TIME) .
SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER AT THIS TIME. GO TO YOUR BASEMENT OR AN INTERIOR ROOM
WITHOUT WINDOWS. IF YOU ARE IN A MOBILE HOME, SEEK SHELTER IN A DITCH OR
NEARBY BUILDING WITH MORE PROTECTION."
REPEAT
"THIS IS A WELD COUNTY EMERGENCY MESSAGE. A TORNADO WARNING WAS ISSUED BY
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE AT (TIME) FOR THE (AREA) FROM (TIME) TO (TIME) .
SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER AT THIS TIME."
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TORNADO CONTINGENCY PLAN
APPENDIX 5
TORNADO AFTERMATH CHECKLIST
1. All Agency/Departments when danger has passed:
a. Check status of personnel (Location, injured, dead, missing)
b. Verify that communication systems are operational. Is telephone
operational?
c. Assess whether or not the building has been damaged
d. Assess whether or not the equipment/vehicles are operational
e. Emergency Operating Center (EOC) key staff should report to the
EOC
f. Review Emergency Operations Plan, appropriate annexes
2. The Emergency Executive Board will be activated as soon as
possible.
3. The Weld County Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) is activated.
4. The Tornado Contingency Plan is activated.
5. The Emergency Operations Center is activated and staffed.
6. Weld County Coordinator will notify the Division of Disaster Emergency
Services of the situation and provide updates.
7. Law enforcement units are dispatched to determine extent (area and
intensity of damage.)
8. Fire, rescue, emergency medical and roads and bridges units are on
"stand-by" until information is received from the field as to the
location and extent of damage.
9. Roads and Bridges units should prepare for debris clearance and should
load barricades to close roadways.
10. Hospitals will activate their Emergency Operations Plan/Hospital Plan/
Mass Casualty Plan to prepare to receive injured personnel.
11. If the extent of damage warrants, Weld County Emergency Executive
Board or the Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners or his
successor and/or designee within the political subdivision damaged
issues a DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY. Refer to Weld County EOP Basic Plan
and Annex F Damage Assessment/Disaster Declarations.
12. As soon as the dispatcher(s) receive knowledge of where fire, rescue,
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medical or roads and bridges units are needed, dispatch those needed
units for specific assignments.
13. A Command Post will be established in/near the damaged area by the
local government emergency responder or if in unincorporated Weld, the
Sheriff's Office. The Incident Command System will be established to
insure adequate representation at the site for efficient coordination
of the situation. Information should be fed back to the EOC as quickly
as possible for compilation and decision making.
14. Weld County Emergency Management will notify the National Weather
Service upon confirmation of a tornado hit.
15. Weld County Emergency Management upon receiving supervisory permission
will notify the Division of Disaster Emergency Services upon confirma-
tion of a tornado hit. If state or federal assistance is needed, Annex
F, Appendix 2 will give the basic information requested until detailed
assessments are made.
16. Aerial Support Capability: top ranking people from the Emergency
Executive Board should get an aerial view as soon as possible,
videotaping the damaged area.
17. EOC staff should begin mobilizing governmental and non-governmental
resources, giving them specific assignments and places to report.
a. LAW ENFORCEMENT will provide security at all roadways entering into
the area in order to limit access into the Disaster Zone.
b. ROADS AND BRIDGES will deliver road barriers as required to assist
Law Officers and will clean up roadway areas so that Emergency
traffic can proceed into areas. (Prior to any cleanup, Roads and
Bridges should take pictures of the area.)
c. COUNTY CONTRACTOR will set up tire exchange to fix flat tires on
Emergency Vehicles and other Official Vehicles going through
affected areas.
d. COUNTY SOCIAL SERVICES OFFICER will activate Annex Shelter of the
EOP. The American Red Cross will be requested to activate its regis-
tration and emergency shelter procedures.
e. SALVATION ARMY will establish feeding for workers and rescuers.
f. SHERIFF or his designee will contact Private Sector to
provide heavy equipment, generators, etc. as needed from community
resources.
g. SHERIFF or his designee will:
1) will arrange for all Press Releases and Tours of the affected
areas;
2) will be responsible for the publication of Emergency Information
Bulletins to be distributed in the affected areas;
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a) Bulletins should be published daily until the need no longer
exists.
3) all news media is provided with vital information;
4) establish a news media briefing room/public inquiry center
separate from the EOC
Refer to Annex E- Emergency Public Information of the EOP for more
information and checklist.
h. HAM RADIO OPERATORS will assist with health and welfare messages and
for other communications needs as appropriate.
18. Careful Search and Rescue needs to be accomplished. (Refer to Search
and Rescue-WCSO)
a. Victims may be found in places you wouldn't expect them to be;
blown into fields, onto rooftops, under debris.
b. Search should be thorough, extending at least 100 yards on either
side of the tornado path.
c. Be alert for the possibility of debris collapse.
d. Victims may be plastered with mud, requiring careful handling and
washing before transfer to hospitals.
e. Rescuers should be aware of the danger of building collapse in
attempting to rescue persons.
f. Buildings/structures/debris that have been searched should be
marked with flagging tape to indicate that they do not need to be
searched.
g. Special rescue equipment and/or teams may be required. (Tracking
dogs may be useful in locating victims.)
19. WELD COUNTY AMBULANCE is responsible for field triage and should
activate its Mass Casualty Incident Plan in its area of service.
(Refer to Health and Medical Annex in EOP)
20. Mutual Aid Agreements/Letters of Understanding with neighboring
jurisdictions should be activated to request needed assistance, such as
additional law enforcement personnel/equipment, fire personnel/equip-
ment, roads and bridges personnel/equipment and ambulance personnel/
equipment, or for specialized teams. Requested personnel should be
given specific assignments under the leadership of the field command
post.
21. The EOC should be fully staffed. Each person should be utilizing
appropriate annexes of the Emergency Operations Plan.
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22. Field units are responsible for providing emergency vehicles access,
search and rescue, triage as appropriate, medical treatment and
transport, and minimization of hazards such as live electric wires,
fires, gas leaks, etc.
23. DAMAGE ASSESSMENT (refer to Annex F of the EOP)
a. COUNTY PERSONNEL will conduct damage assessment to ascertain dollar
value loss with the assistance of trained AMERICAN RED CROSS Damage
Assessment Teams.
b. Pictures will be taken of damage.
c. CITY AND COUNTY ASSESSORS will inspect and verify the damage to
property that is insured through their companies.
d. INSURANCE COMPANIES will inspect and verify the damage to property
that is insured through their companies.
e. NO ATTEMPT WILL BE MADE TO CLEAN UP DAMAGED AREA until all damage
has been assessed by insurance companies.
f. NO REPAIRS WILL BE MADE unless required by the County Health Officer
to protect public health or by the Road and Bridge Director to
protect public safety. (Photos will be taken prior to repairs being
made.)
24. RECORDKEEPING (refer to Annex F of the EOP)
a. Financial expenditures must be documented for reimbursement from
the Governor's Disaster Fund or to show local commitment under a
Presidential Major Disaster Declaration.
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fTh^ , > .;
mEmoRAnDum
Board of County Commissioners September 10, 1986
To Date
COLORADO From Lea Ekman, OEM
Tornado Contingency Plan
Subject:
Attached is the Weld County Tornado Contingency Plan. It was formulated by
representatives of the OEM Advisory Board and reviewed by the Sheriff. It
was approved by the the OEM Advisory Board at the fall quarterly meeting.
It is submitted for formal adoption by Resolution at your convenience.
cc: Harold Andrews, Sheriff
860906
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