HomeMy WebLinkAbout20220484.tiffRESOLUTION
RE: ADOPT WELD COUNTY EMERGENCY OPERATIONS 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, C.R.S. §24-33.5-707(8), requires the Local Disaster Agency to keep a Local
Disaster Emergency Plan current for its area,. and
WHEREAS, the Weld County Emergency Operations Plan was previously adopted on
February 10, 2020, by Resolution #2020-0503, and
WHEREAS, the Office of Emergency Management has presented the Board with an
updated version of the Weld County Emergency Operations Plan, and
WHEREAS, after review, the Board deems it advisable to adopt said plan, a copy of which
is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference, in order to protect the health, safety, and
welfare of the residents of Weld County.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of
Weld County, Colorado, that the Weld County Emergency Operations Plan, be, and hereby is,
adopted.
The above and foregoing Resolution was, on motion duly made and seconded, adopted
by the following vote on the 9th day of February, A.D., 2022.
ATTEST:
Weld County Clerk to the Board
pleputy Clerk to the Board
APP VA -FOR
oun
Date of signature:
BOA OF COU TY COMMISSIONERS
WEL OUN , COLORADO
Scdt K. James, Chair
Mike Freeman, Pro -Tern
G�:oEM(RR)
,3/3/2
EXCUSED
Perry L. Buck
teve Moreno
Lori Sain
2022-0484
EM0020
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
PASS -AROUND REVIEW
PASS AROUND TITLE: Update to the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan
DEPARTMENT: OEM DATE: 1.10.22
PERSON REQUESTING: Roy Rudisill
Brief description of the problem/issue:
Commissioners attached is the final DRAFT of the County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan.
After our work session in December, I indicated I would provide a final updated copy for your final review.
Since our last work session, the County Attorney's Office has reviewed the plan, I met with Jennifer Finch to
make updates to the PIO section, we have cleaned up the formatting and Esther and her team are in the
process of a final review prior to adding this document to a Board agenda.
I'm requesting to add the plan to a BOCC agenda for Approval after the Clerk to the Board has completed their
review of the plan.
What options exist for the Board? (include consequences, impacts, costs, etc. of options):
Approve to add this plan to the Board agenda for approval.
Request a work session for review.
Recommendation:
Add plan to the BOCC agenda for approval after the Clerk to the Board Review.
Perry L. Buck
Mike Freeman, Pro -Tern
Scott K. James, Chair
Steve Moreno
Lori Saine
Approve
Recommendation
(vi ,m
Schedule
Work Session Other/Comments:
2022-0484
CV09 EM 00 Z0
Karla Ford
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
I approve the OEM plan.
Sent from my Phone
Begin forwarded message:
Lori Saine
Monday, January 17, 2022 5:52 PM
Karla Ford
Fwd: Changes for the final version of the Emergency Management plan
From: Roy Rudisill <rrudisill@weldgov.com>
Date: January 17, 2022 at 10:12:44 AM MST
To: Lori Saine <Isaine@weldgov.com>
Cc: Commissioners <COMMISSIONERS@co.weld.co.us>
Subject: Changes for the final version of the Emergency Management plan
Hi Commissioner Saine, below is the list of changes to the final draft of the Comprehensive Emergency
Management Plan;
Pg. 16, we added the information under Organization that indicates we will organize all incidents using
the incident command system and the National Incident Management System. This helps to meet the
State and Federal requirement to follow the system and to be compliant with Homeland Security
Presidential Directive 5 which is the implementation of the National Incident Management System and
ICS.
Pg. 22-23 Changes to the Public Information Officer roles and responsibilities and clarification of the PIO
vs Communication Director.
Pg. 38, added the statement that the Department support functions are not subject to disclosure under
CORA. This was reviewed by Bruce and Bob.
The rest of the changes were all related to formatting, punctuation and some spelling corrections.
Roy Rudisill, Director
Office of Emergency Management
1150O St. Greeley, Co
970-381-0417 Mobile
970-304-6540 Office
1
Weld County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (WCCEMP)
Weld County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (WCCEMP)
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Weld County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (WCCEMP)
Table of Contents
PartI.................................................................................................................................. 1
Introduction.................................................................................................................................
1
Letterof Promulgation................................................................................................................
3
DistributionPage.........................................................................................................................
5
Recordof Revisions.....................................................................................................................
7
Part2 - Basic Plan............................................................................................................. 8
I. Purpose................................................................................................................................
8
I. Scope...................................................................................................................................
8
III. Situation Overview..........................................................................................................
8
Vulnerability Statement.............................................................................................. 8
Threat and Hazard Analysis........................................................................................ 9
Identified Hazards: Reference the 2021 Hazard Mitigation Plan ............................... 9
IV. Planning Assumptions...................................................................................................
12
Limitations................................................................................................................
12
V. Concept of Operations......................................................................................................
13
GeneralOperations...................................................................................................................
13
OperationalPhases....................................................................................................................
13
PlanImplementation.................................................................................................................
15
VI. Organization..................................................................................................................
15
General......................................................................................................................................
15
VII. Responsibilities..............................................................................................................
15
1. Board of Weld County Commissioners................................................................
16
A. Primary County Response Agencies..................................................................................
16
B. Supporting County Departments......................................................................................
23
C. Other Local, State, and Federal Agencies..........................................................................
27
D. Volunteer Organizations....................................................................................................
28
E. Private Sector Organizations.............................................................................................
29
VIII. Direction and Control....................................................................................................
31
IX. Administration and Finance..........................................................................................
34
Logistics.....................................................................................................................................
34
Resources..................................................................................................................................
35
Recovery....................................................................................................................................
35
Impediments to Emergency Operations...................................................................................
36
Weld County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (WCCEMP)
X. Plan Development and Maintenance................................................................................ 36
Reviewand Revision.................................................................................................................. 36
Distribution................................................................................................................................ 36
Trainingand Exercises............................................................................................................... 37
XI. Department Functional, Support and Hazard -Threat or Incident Specific Annexes..... 37
XII. Authorities and References........................................................................................... 38
Part3................................................................................................................................ 40
AppendixA................................................................................................................................ 40
Definitions................................................................................................................. 40
Weld County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (WCCEMP)
Part I
Introduction
The Weld County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (WCCEMP) has been
developed in accordance with the requirements for local emergency planning
established under the State of Colorado Disaster Emergency Act of 2018, the Colorado
Department of Public Health and Environment rules 6 CCR 1009-5, the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Comprehensive Preparedness Guide (CPG
101v2), the National Response Framework (NRF) the National Incident Management
System (NIMS) and the Weld County Code. The plan strives to meet the requirements of
other State and Federal guidelines for local emergency management plans and
programs. The WCCEMP establishes the structure for a coordinated response to various
types of natural, technological, manmade emergencies and disasters, public health
emergencies and terrorist attacks.
The WCCEMP includes planning for the Emergency Department Functions, Support
Annexes and Hazard, Threat, or Incident -Specific Annexes. These documents are held
in the Office of Emergency Management and are considered working documents or work
product and are not a part of this Base plan.
The WCCEMP strives to recognize and respect the statutory authority of the Weld
County Government and Elected Offices identified in C.R.S. Title 30. The WCCEMP
provides a basis for the coordinated planning and management for all types of
emergencies and disaster incidents most likely to occur in Weld County and those
emergencies and disaster incidents of "countywide interest". All Elected Offices and
County Departments tasked in this plan are responsible for developing and maintaining
the standard operating procedures and training necessary for implementing the assigned
duties and functions of the WCCEMP. Throughout the plan, the WCCEMP incorporates
the need to address the support for Access and Function Needs and every effort is
made to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, to include planning,
alerting/warning about emergencies, communication about evacuations and shelter
locations and recovery.
Elected Offices and individual County Departmental plans or annexes are to be
attachments of this document as they are developed. The WCCEMP is not intended to
replace Office or Department standard operating procedures (SOP).
The WCCEMP is intended to be used when a situation requires multiple Offices or
Departments to be involved in the response to an emergency or incident, coordination
and integration with outside agencies and entities, an emergency or disaster declaration,
or when an incident escalates beyond the capabilities of Weld County and it is
necessary to seek State and/or Federal assistance.
The WCCEMP does not address emergency planning and management which is the
responsibility of City or Town Governments. These political subdivisions are responsible
for developing and maintaining their Emergency Management Plans (EOP) and annex
documents, standard operating procedures, and training necessary for implementing
assigned duties and functions of their individual EOP. It is the responsibility of the Weld
County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) through the Director of Emergency
Management, to coordinate and integrate planning of the WCCEMP with Cities, Towns,
Special Districts, Non -Governmental Entities and Agencies.
WCCEMP — Part 1 Page 1 of 42
Weld County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (WCCEMP)
The Director of Emergency Management is responsible for annual updates and revisions
to this document. The Director of Emergency Management will develop training and
exercise programs to familiarize County Offices, Departments, personnel, emergency
response agencies, other special districts, volunteer organizations, and appropriate non-
governmental organizations with the provisions of the WCCEMP.
During the response and recovery phases of an emergency or large-scale disaster, the
Director of Emergency Management is responsible for providing support to all tactical
response activities and for coordinating strategic/policy direction with incident command
objectives. This will be accomplished through effective consequence management,
resource management and information management in the Emergency Operations
Center and during Disaster Recovery activities. This coordination and support will
ensure the timely dissemination of emergency planning and response information to the
citizens of Weld County.
WCCEMP — Part 1 Page 2 of 42
Weld County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (WCCEMP)
Letter of Promulgation
This Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan is approved and is hereby ordered
published and distributed.
All agencies, department heads and personnel are directed to accept the responsibilities
as herein assigned, develop the necessary supplemental plans and annexes as specified,
and conduct the organizational planning and training necessary to implement the plan
when and toe extent required
r
FEB 092022
Sc tt K. James Date
Chair, Weld County Commissioners
FEB 0 9 2022
Mike Freeman Date
Pro -Tern, Weld County Commissioner
EXCUSED FEB 0 9 2022
Perry Buck Date
Weld County Commissioner
Steve Moreno
Weld County Commissine5
Saine
Commissioner
FEB 0 9 2022
Date
FEB 0 9 2022
Date
This plan is a "living plan," and will be continuously updated as conditions change.
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Weld County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (WCCEMP)
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Weld County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (WCCEMP)
Distribution Page
This Plan will be distributed to all participating county agencies, fire, and police
agencies, selected state, and federal government agencies, selected state, and county
organizations, American Red Cross, and other volunteer organizations, private
organizations, and other interested individuals.
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WCCEMP—Part 1 Page 6 of 42
Weld County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (WCCEMP)
Record of Revisions
Change
Date
Entered
Contents of Change
Initials
Basic Plan
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Weld County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (WCCEMP)
Part 2 - Basic Plan
1. Purpose
The purpose of this plan is to coordinate the comprehensive emergency management
planning activities to protect the people, property, economy, and the environment of
Weld County by identifying the roles, responsibilities and actions required of the Director
of Emergency Management, Elected Offices and County Departments in preparing and
responding to emergencies and disasters.
1. Provide for the integration and coordination of volunteer agencies and private
organizations involved in emergency response and relief efforts.
2. Establish the governing plan for all emergency plans within Weld County
Government.
3. Establish the framework for all plans developed and used by Offices and
Departments, Town Governments and Special Districts.
4. Ensure a coordination of planning and response by County, State, and Federal
governments in managing emergencies and disasters.
5. Provide a framework for policies, objectives, and approaches for coordinating,
integrating and administering the WCCEMP and related programs of the County,
State and Federal Government.
II. Scope
This Plan considers the emergencies and disasters likely to occur in Weld County, as
described in the 2021 Weld County Hazard Mitigation Plan and the Northeast Region
Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) The WCCEMP uses a
Comprehensive all -hazards approach that addresses a full range of complex and
constantly changing needs in anticipation of, or in response to, natural, technological,
man-made, emerging human illness, and other emergencies. The WCCEMP details the
specific incident management roles and responsibilities of offices, departments and
enterprises involved in emergency preparedness, response, and recovery.
The WCCEMP recognizes and respects the legal jurisdictional boundaries of Municipal
Governments, as well as service plan boundaries of Special Districts. The WCCEMP
does not specifically address the emergency planning process or actions necessary
and/or required by other Municipal governments.
Ill. Situation Overview
Vulnerability Statement
Geography — Weld County, located in the northeastern plains of Colorado, covers a land
area of 4,016 square miles. Major bodies of water in Weld County: South Platte River,
Poudre River, Big Thompson, Little Thompson and the Saint Vrain River. Major
transportation routes include Interstate 25 and 76, Colorado State Highways 14, 34, 52,
56, 60, 66, 71, 85 and 392, along with the Union Pacific, Burlington Northern Santa Fe,
and Great Western Railways. In addition, the City of Greeley and Weld County operate a
municipal airport in Greeley, the Erie Airpark is in the southwest comer of the County,
and Platte Valley Airport is east of Fort Lupton.
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Weld County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (WCCEMP)
Demographics — As of 2022, an estimated 331,895people live in Weld County, including
municipalities and unincorporated county. There are 32 incorporated towns and cities in
Weld County. The City of Greeley is the county seat and largest of all Weld County
municipalities. There are 16 school districts and 24 fire districts. There are 746 miles of
paved roadway and 2,148 miles of unpaved roads. Source: Upstate Colorado
Threat and Hazard Analysis
A disaster can occur at any time within the jurisdiction of Weld County and any of its
municipalities. All areas of Weld County are at risk for three types of emergencies:
1. Natural Disasters — Weld County is at risk from tornadoes, floods, severe
storms (e.g., snow, rain, and hail), urban and Wildiand fires and drought. For a
more detailed list on hazards, see the Weld County Hazard Mitigation Plan.
2. Technological Incidents — In addition to natural disasters, Weld County is at
risk for man-made, or technological disasters, such as power failure, dam
failures, hazardous materials incidents along transportation routes or industrial
areas, civil unrest, major air and ground transportation accidents, and attack by a
foreign enemy or terrorist organization in the form of chemical, biological or
nuclear weapons.
3. Man -Made Hazards - Possible man-made disasters which could create an
emergency response include: transportation incidents involving hazardous
substances, major air and ground transportation accidents, civil disturbances,
terrorists or bomb threats, and conventional, nuclear, biological or chemical
attack.
Local government has the primary responsibility for emergency management activities
that eliminate or reduce hazardous events and for the preparation for, response to, and
recovery from significant emergency and disaster events that can and do occur.
Identified Hazards: Reference the 2021 Hazard Mitigation Plan
Floods — Floods present a risk to life and property, including buildings, their contents,
and their use. Floods can affect crops and livestock. Floods can also affect lifeline
utilities (e.g., water, sewerage, and power), transportation, jobs, tourism, the
environment, and the local and regional economies.
The principal cause for flooding in Weld County is intense rainfall which normally occurs
in the period of May through September. A historical analysis of rainfall patterns along
the Front Range has shown that probable maximum amounts of 20 inches of rainfall can
occur in a given 24 -hour period. The likelihood of flooding is also increased May through
June as a result of spring runoff from winter snowpack.
In 1997, flooding caused $7.6 million in crop damage. In 1999, there were fifty-five (55)
homes damaged due to flooding, and FEMA reported $471,866.00 in damages. The
2013 Flooding caused an estimated $10.1 million in road damage in unincorporated
Weld County and over $12 million in property damage. Weld County was awarded
Public Assistance and Individual Assistance for the 2013 flood and severe storms
through FEMA PA 4145.
Dam Failure — Dam failure is a unique source of flash flooding. There are twenty-four
(24) Class I and eighteen (18) Class II dams in Weld County. The State Engineer's
categorization of a dam as being high hazard means that if the dam failed, there would
be significant loss of life and/or property damage. It has nothing to do with whether the
dam is inherently unsafe - a fact which upon occasion must be reiterated to the public. In
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Weld County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (WCCEMP)
addition to these, there are many low hazard dams and holding ponds which might be
compromised, to a greater or lesser extent, in an earthquake. There is a possibility that
some county dams could be adversely affected with such seismic activity.
Although dam failures are rare events, they occasionally occur due to a variety of
causes, including overtopping during flooding, improper maintenance or operation,
earthquakes, and (potentially) acts of sabotage. As dams age and the water demands of
a growing population increase, the dam failure hazard also increases, compounded by
new development in dam failure flood inundation zones.
Blizzard and Winter Storms — Blizzards and severe winter storms cover large land
areas, impacting multiple counties concurrently. The impacts throughout the planning
area are generally the same. Interstates and secondary roads are often closed because
the road crews cannot "keep up" with the rate of snowfall, to prevent motorists from
being stranded and necessitating rescue efforts, and to maintain the safety of the road
crews.
Weld County was affected by a spring blizzard, in March of 2016, along with the
Colorado Front Range. The blizzard caused mass power outages, road closures and
stranded motorists. This was the first time in several years that 1-25 was closed from
Hwy 7 to the Wyoming border due to the number of stranded motorists caused by the
blizzard. CDOT and Colorado State Patrol closed the Interstate in order to move
vehicles off the road, allow road crews to clear snow, and apply sand to the roadway.
Weld County was affected by a blizzard in March 2018 as well. Winter Storm Ulmer was
a very large weather event that affected the front range of Colorado. The main issue with
the storm was the number of roads and Highways closed due to hazardous travel
conditions and accidents. Weld County had at least 65 people rescued and sheltered
overnight in the Prospect Valley and Briggsdale areas. There was also a fatal accident
due to whiteout conditions.
Drought— Even in high moisture years, Colorado rainfall does not provide a consistent,
dependable water supply throughout the year. Severe drought results in devastating
economic consequences for agriculture, forestry, wildlife management, the environment
and tourism. Drought recorded history includes severe drought in 1894, 1930-1937,
1976-1977, 2002-2005 and 2011-2013. Weld County was included in the 2016 drought
declaration from the Department of Agriculture, due to crop loss. Because drought is
usually considered a regional hazard, all jurisdictions are assumed to have the same risk
level within Weld County. Drought risk is based on a combination of the frequency,
severity, and spatial extent (the physical nature of drought) and the degree to which a
population or activity is vulnerable to the effects of drought. The degree of Weld
County's vulnerability to drought depends on the environmental and social
characteristics of the region and is measured by its ability to anticipate, cope with, resist,
and recover from drought.
Tornadoes — Tornadoes are rotating columns of air marked by a funnel -shaped
downward extension of a cumulonimbus cloud whirling at destructive speeds of up to
300 mph, usually accompanying a thunderstorm.
Weld County has an average of five (5) tornado incidents per year, from spring to
midsummer. These are typically the EF0 or EF1 variety (on the Enhanced Fujita Scale of
tornado intensity of EF0-EF5). Large-scale destruction of homes, businesses, or other
structures is minimal, due to the large areas of farm, rural, and undeveloped prairie.
However, any tornado incident involving structures in this county would prove a
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Weld County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (WCCEMP)
formidable incident. The conventional wisdom is that tornadoes move from the west or
southwest and that the mountains are insulated from the hazard. Weld County was hit
by an EF3 Tornado in 2008. This tornado moved from southeast to the northwest. This
tornado hit the towns of Gilcrest, Milliken, Greeley, and Windsor and moved into Larimer
County. Damage caused by this storm is reported to be in excess of $193.5 million.
Other Wind Hazards — Windstorm activity is well documented in Weld County and can
occur anytime throughout the year. The most notable wind events, however, are those
associated with down slope, "Chinook" windstorms and can produce gusts in excess of
100 mph. As with a tornado, the principal danger to persons in this situation is injury
from flying debris. Any such winds are also capable of inflicting great damage to
property.
Windstorm damage can be very widespread throughout the county compared with the
greater, but more geographically limited, damage with tornadoes. With regard to
windstorms, the principal response by Weld County will be damage assessment.
Therefore, the goal of this section of the Emergency Management Plan will be to
describe roles and responsibilities during and after tornado and other wind events.
Hail and Summer Storms — Hail is associated with thunderstorms, and thunderstorms
are a common occurrence throughout the area between early spring and late fall. In
addition, hailstones are frequently thrown out miles in front of the storm. Hail in
northeastern Colorado primarily causes crop damage. However, hailstorms in populated
areas can cause significant property damage.
Weld County was affected by two major hailstorms in June and July of 2018. There were
over 4,100 auto claims, 1, 500 residential claims and several agricultural crop damage
claims. Damages along the Front Range were estimated at $2.3 billion.
Wildland/Grassland Fires — Wildland fires in Weld County are predominantly ignited by
either lightning, sparks from braking trains, or cigarettes discarded from automobiles
traversing the county roadways. There exists the risk of losses to homes, agriculture
outbuildings, farm equipment, and storage tanks as a result of these fires. The risk of
fires is amplified with the drought events.
Hazardous Materials Incident — The potential for spills, leaks, ruptures and/or fires
involving hazardous materials in Weld County exists primarily through transportation
accidents of surface, rail vehicles, pipeline and air. U.S. Interstate 76, U.S. Interstate 25,
State Highway 14, U.S. Highway 34, and U.S. Highway 85 are heavily traveled by
transports, which very frequently carry a wide variety of hazardous materials on any
designated HazMat routes. Weld County is also included in the transport route for
radiological waste.
Storage and transfer facilities are potential sources of leakage, although spills are
principally attributed to human error. As a result, the time and location of a likely
occurrence cannot be specifically foreseen. Planning must, therefore, be directed toward
a generalized and flexible response capability.
Oil and natural gas development is a major industry in Weld County and continues to
develop all across the county. This has increased the risk of hazmat transportation
accidents due to the increased number of transports to transfer facilities. An additional
risk generated by the increase in oil and gas development is pipeline accidents from
third parties trenching for additional pipelines. This creates a need for increased
planning and working relationships with the industry partners to understand risk and
improve response capability.
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Weld County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (WCCEMP)
Radiological Incident — Radiological weapons threats may range from detonation of a
complete weapons system from a nuclear arsenal, to any explosive device packed with
highly radiological material, with the latter being the most likely method. The
psychological impact of such a weapon can be far more devastating than the actual
physical damage. Radiation is an invisible hazard. There are no initial characteristics or
properties of radiation itself that are noticeable. Unless the nuclear/radiological material
is marked to identify it as such, it may be some time before the hazard has been
identified as radiological.
More information on natural hazards, risks and vulnerabilities can be found in the 2016
Weld County Multi Hazard Mitigation Plan. www.weldoem.com
IV. Planning Assumptions
1. Weld County will continue to be subject to the hazards noted above. Warning time
available to implement this plan will vary from little or no warning, to days or
weeks, according to the type of hazard.
2. Local government officials, both elected and appointed, will carry out, to the best
of their ability, all responsibilities regarding public safety and protection of
property. This includes attention to all phases of comprehensive emergency
management and provisions to ensure continuity of an effective, constitutional,
and democratic form of government.
3. Departments and organizations with emergency responsibilities will ensure that all
personnel concerned are property trained, are familiar with existing plans and
procedures, and are capable of implementing them in a timely and effective
manner.
4. State and federal assistance, as well as volunteer and private organizations, will
be available to supplement local government resources, as needed, to cope with
a disaster emergency.
5. The National Incident Management System (NIMS) will be used as the incident
management system for all levels of response. Utilizing the Multiagency
Coordination System will allow the County to resolve critical issues, facilitate
logistic support and resource tracking, and the collection, analysis and
dissemination of information.
Limitations
Weld County Government and other organizations will endeavor to make every
reasonable effort to respond in the event of an emergency or disaster; however,
resources and systems may be overwhelmed. The responsibilities and tenets outlined in
this CEMP will be fulfilled only if the situation, information exchange, extent of actual
agency capabilities, and resources are available at the time.
There is no guarantee implied by the CEMP that a perfect response to emergency or
disaster incidents will be practical or possible.
Nothing in this document shall constitute a promise or offer by Weld County to provide
emergency services or protection to any person or entity. Additionally, by and through
this document, Weld County does not assume a duty of care with respect to any person
or entity. This document is for emergency preparedness planning purposes by Weld
County, only. It should not be considered as a means by which persons or entities may
be relieved of their duties to plan for their own safety in case of emergencies.
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Weld County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (WCCEMP)
V. Concept of Operations
General Operations
1. If a disaster emergency occurs within Weld County, immediate response by the
government(s) concerned will be required. Trained personnel accomplishing
prearranged plans and procedures will be prepared to make the coordinated effort
necessary to meet a threat to life and/or property.
2. When response to a disaster emergency exceeds local government support,
assistance may be requested from the State.
a. Except for routine State assistance that may normally be provided on a day-to-
day basis, State or Federal assistance should be requested through the
Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
(DHSEM).
b. Requests for State assistance will be authorized by the Board of Weld County
Commissioners and may require passing a Weld County Emergency / Disaster
Declaration.
c. The Director of Emergency Management, or other official as designated by the
Board of Weld County Commissioners, will make and coordinate requests for
assistance with DHSEM.
3. This Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) is based on the
concept that emergency response functions will generally modify the normal daily
operation of local government agencies. To the extent possible, the same
personnel will be utilized in both cases. Those day-to-day functions which would
not contribute to emergency operations may be suspended for the duration of the
emergency and recovery period. Resources normally required for day-to-day
operations may be redirected for accomplishment of emergency tasks.
4. The Weld County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) may be
activated fully or in part by the Director of Emergency Management as directed by
the Board of Weld County Commissioners as the situation requires (See Plan
Implementation below).
5. Public Safety, Communications, Transportation, Emergency Management, and
other Department Functions associated with all emergency operations are detailed
in appropriate supporting departmental annex plans. Threat -specific responses to
hazards which impact Weld County are delineated in the hazard specific plan
annexes of this EOP.
6. Tasks, activities, or operations in any function area which lend themselves to a
definite or standardized procedure are appropriately set forth in a Standard
Operating Procedure (SOP). Where appropriate, an SOP can be supplemented by
a checklist when sequence of actions is critical, or actions must be verified.
7. An analysis of the major hazards facing Weld County is provided in the 2021 Multi -
jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan and the County Emergency Risk Analysis on
file with the Weld County Office of Emergency Management.
8. Definitions and Abbreviations used and useful in emergency management are
listed in Part 3, Appendix A.
Operational Phases
1. Upon notification of an actual or impending disaster, the Director of Emergency
Management, or an authorized representative, will activate the Emergency
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Weld County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (WCCEMP)
Operations Center (EOC) and declare a specific emergency response phase of
operations to be in effect. Those persons may also activate the EOC and take
other actions, as appropriate.
2. Weld County's disaster emergency response will generally be conducted in four
operational phases:
a. Prevention and Mitigation — This first phase of Prevention begins at the
earliest time the threat is identified. During this period, the Emergency
Management Coordinator will notify County officials and the Board of County
Commissioners of the potential threat, and place key designated personnel on
standby alert, declare the readiness phase operational, and as the seriousness
of the situation dictates, notify those County agencies which may be most
concerned, and which can provide support. Possible evacuation of specific
areas will be considered at this time, taking into consideration the extra time
needed for evacuations for access and functional needs persons (people with
disabilities including language barriers). The steps in Mitigation occur prior to
an incident and involve working with agencies and organization to identify the
actions to limit damage, loss, injuries, and fatalities.
b. Preparedness - As an incident, or the threat of an incident, progresses to the
point that coordination is required beyond normal operations, the Emergency
Operations Center (EOC) may be activated, either partially or in its entirety,
according to the present needs. In some instances, due to the nature of the
emergency, the EOC may not be fully staffed prior to an actual emergency
incident. Response units, such as police and fire, may be called out
preparatory to an incident.
c. Response - This phase begins when the emergency or disaster occurs, and
lives and property are actually endangered. It includes actions by the Weld
County Office of Emergency Management and county emergency response
elements to assess the situation, warn the populace, and evacuate all, or part,
of an area if deemed necessary, establish and maintain communications with
the incident commander at the incident site, and employ resources to
accomplish the mission of preserving lives and property. Assistance from the
state may be requested when local resources are fully committed, and
depending on the assistance needed, the Board of Weld County
Commissioners may need to issue a declaration of emergency.
d. Recovery - Many activities associated with recovery of disaster areas may
actually commence during the response phase. Damage will be assessed, and
actions identified for immediate and/or longer -term accomplishment. This
happens because recovery invariably includes both short-term and long-term
activities.
i. Short-term operations seek to restore critical services to the community
and provide for the basic needs of the public. Examples are: temporary
shelter, temporary road and bridge repairs, and restoration of government
services.
ii. Long-term recovery aims to restore the community to its normal or to an
improved state. Examples are flood control measures, such as dams and
drainage, channel improvement, replacement of destroyed bridges and
reconstruction of other infrastructure, most of which will also help to
mitigate damage from any future disaster.
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3. The Director of Emergency Management acts as coordinator for the Board of
Weld County Commissioners and supporting agencies within the EOC. The
Director of Emergency Management and EOC staff will ensure maps, information
and data are kept current and that written communications are processed
promptly.
4. All action elements within the EOC maintain detailed logs of actions (ICS 214 Unit
Log) to include: date, time, situation and/or action required, response taken or
directed, and any other information of operational nature or of value in establishing
cost or settling claims following termination of the disaster. Emergency status,
damage assessment, and other pertinent information are also displayed.
Plan Implementation
This Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) will be established as the
guiding document for the direction of emergency operations for the duration of the
disaster or emergency. Consistent with NIMS, ICS and Multiagency Coordination
System, this plan may be partially or fully implemented. This allows maximum flexibility
to meet the unique operations requirements of any situation.
VI. Organization
General
All emergency efforts will be organized toward providing on -scene responders with the
personnel, support, equipment, supplies, means, and legal authority to provide the most
appropriate and timely response possible. These efforts are organized into three main
bodies: Weld County Board of County Commissioners (Policy), the Emergency
Operations Center (EOC), and the on -scene Incident Command System (ICS).
All incidents will be organized using the Incident Command System (ICS) as part of the
National Incident Management System (NIMS). This includes both activities that occur at
the incident scene and those that occur in the Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
The ICS is a standard, on -scene, all -hazard incident management system. ICS allows
users to adopt an integrated organizational structure to match the needs of single or
multiple incidents. ICS can be expanded or contracted depending upon the degree of
need during an incident.
The incident will almost always start in the field and an Incident Command Post (ICP)
will be established. As the incident expands and resource requirements escalate, the
EOC will be activated and provide support to the ICP and surrounding community.
Reference HSPD 5 Feb 2003, establishing the National Incident Management System.
VII. Responsibilities
Most of the departments and agencies within local government have emergency
functions, in addition to their normal operations. Each department or agency is
responsible for developing and maintaining its own emergency procedures in relation to
their emergency function.
• General responsibilities are outlined in this section of the CEMP.
• It is understood that a Department Director may need to delegate certain
responsibilities to other staff members due to the nature of the emergency.
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• Department Heads and Elected Officials should take into consideration any
authorities, obligations or certifications held by the department heads, elected
official, or persons normally performing a leadership role when delegating
responsibilities.
• Specific responsibilities and/or tasks are outlined in the Department Functions of
this plan.
• Various organizations that are not a part of local government are also listed.
1. Board of Weld County Commissioners
As the governing body in Weld County, the Board of County Commissioners is
responsible to:
a. Adopt by resolution the Weld County Comprehensive Emergency Management
Plan which is required by C. R. S. §24-33.5-700.
b. Direct and control all Weld County Departments before, during, and after a
disaster.
c. Direct actions related to Continuity of Government.
d. Monitor status of mutual aid agreements.
e. Designate a Public Information Officer (PIO) to provide accurate disaster
information to the public. The PIO will coordinate with other PlOs through the Joint
Information System (Ref County Code Section 2-2-10).
f. Issue official orders or public proclamations relative to the disaster emergency,
such as evacuation directives, establishment of curfews, and enactment of price
controls.
g. Issue formal declaration of a county emergency or disaster.
h. Issue formal requests to the Governor's Office for the Declaration of a State of
Emergency for the purposes of obtaining state and/or federal assistance.
i. Establish policy for expenditure of funds and for the management of distribution of
resources during the emergency.
j. Approve and commit Weld County resources and funds for disaster or emergency
purposes.
A. Primary County Response Agencies
1. Board of Weld County Commissioners
The Board of Weld County Commissioners is responsible primarily for continuation of
regular services during an emergency and for resource and personnel support to
emergency operations.
a. Coordinate with Department Head(s)/Director(s) and other Elected Officials to
provide continuity of government services throughout the emergency to the
greatest degree possible.
b. Coordinate with the Continuity of Government Team to identify any needed support
for County Department and Elected Offices. Consider activation of the County
COG Plan if this has not been done.
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c. Coordinate with Department Head(s)/Director(s)and other Elected Officials to
obtain and reassign County personnel, as necessary, to augment emergency staff
and continue regular services, as much as possible.
2. Weld County Office of Emergency Management
The Director of Weld County Office of Emergency Management will:
a. Keep the Board of Weld County Commissioners apprised of overall readiness to
respond to all types of disaster emergencies.
b. In an emergency situation, act as coordinating staff advisor to the Board of Weld
County Commissioners, and other Officials as required, including:
1. Assuming responsibility to keep County Commissioners informed of the
situation.
2. Activating the Comprehensive Emergency Managment Plan fully, or in part,
as needed for the emergency to include activation of the Emergency
Operations Center.
3. Preparing emergency situation assessment and recommendations to the
County Commissioners concerning the need for local disaster declarations,
travel restrictions, curfews or other temporary social restrictions.
4. Preparing situation reports and damage assessment reports for the County
Commissioners, other County Elected Officials, Department Heads and local
officials.
5. Providing technical support to EOC staff and other county personnel with
respect to resource management, damage assessment, intergovernmental
coordination, disaster recovery, hazard mitigation and other emergency
management functions, as needed.
6. Coordinating the provision of mass care needs for personnel performing
medical duties during catastrophic emergencies.
7. Supporting the Continuity of Government Team, as needed, and participate
in planning meetings, review of Department COOP's and updates to the
COG Annex.
8. Development, revision, distribution, and follow-up of all elements of the Weld
County CEMP.
9. Assuming responsibility as the Designated Emergency Response Authority
for hazardous substance spills and mass transportation accidents in
unincorporated Weld County.
Emergency Management Coordinator(s):
a. Serve as the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Manager, to include:
1. Arranging for staffing the EOC during the emergency.
2. Activating and managing the EOC during emergencies,
3. Notification of emergency personnel.
4. Designating alternate EOC(s), as required.
5. Completing a complexity analysis and Situation report for emergency
incidents.
6. Ensuring that communications, warning, and other necessary operations
support equipment is readily available for use in the alternate EOC.
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b. Manage, liaison and coordinate with external government agencies and private
sector entities, to include:
1. Coordination of mutual aid and outside assistance.
2. Establishment of communications with the Colorado Division of Homeland
Security and Emergency Management in order to provide situation
reports and forward any and all requests for state assistance.
3. Liaison and coordination with adjacent jurisdiction emergency
management directors to ensure integrated emergency plans.
4. Liaison and coordination of Weld County's disaster planning and
operations with area industrial installations, public utilities, and welfare
agencies.
5. Coordination of volunteer support efforts to include the activities of
volunteers from outside the county, and the assistance offered by
unorganized volunteer and neighborhood groups within the county in
accordance with the Volunteer Management Plan.
c. Serve as Resource Manager in the event of an emergency large enough to
warrant a specialized resource management function. Provide services and
oversee staff required to:
1. Assess emergency resource requirements.
2. Source and obtain emergency resources.
3. Store, transport, and distribute emergency resources.
4. Maintain financial and legal accountability for resource transactions.
d. Ensure the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan maintenance, training,
and exercises, to include:
1. Conduct or coordination of training programs and exercises, as
necessary, to maintain and improve the general disaster readiness
posture of all elements of Weld County's disaster response organizations,
followed by update of the CEMP.
e. Serve as Warning Coordinator, responsible to ensure that all organizations and
the public are warned of an emergency as effectively and quickly as possible.
Coordinate with the Weld County Regional Communications Center for use of
early warning systems CODE Red and/or Integrated Public Alert and Warning
System (IPAWS).
3. Weld County Sheriff's Office
The Weld County Sheriff is responsible for the continuation of Law Enforcement services
during an emergency and for resource and personnel support to emergency operations
to include:
a. Establish and maintain law and order.
b. Implement the Incident Command System (ICS), including determining the
locations of Incident Command Posts (ICP), and establishing necessary positions
and functions (i.e., planning, finance, logistics, operations and public
information), to include:
1. Assessment of emergency conditions and determination of required
levels of immediate assistance.
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2. Provision of law enforcement, traffic control, and access control within the
disaster area(s) and in other areas of the county.
3. Provision of security measures at the ICP, EOC, and in disaster -impacted
areas.
c. Maintain contact with the Weld County Regional Communications Center on
established talk groups.
d. Direct and coordinate search and rescue activities.
e. Coordinate with Public Works to establish a traffic control plan to meet potential
threat needs.
f. Prepare for (pre -planning), direct and conduct emergency evacuations of all or
part of an area, to include:
1. Coordination with Emergency Management for situational awareness and
to assure availability of shelters for evacuees and food/clothing/medical
support.
2. Designating emergency evacuation routes in coordination with Weld
County Public Works and CDOT, identifying modes of transportation.
3. Securing emergency evacuation routes (traffic control points and
roadblocks) in coordination with Public Works.
4. Coordinating with Emergency Management to organize transportation to
include transportation resources required, number of people to be moved,
location of staging areas and rest areas.
5. Coordinating with Human Services for evacuation of at -risk populations
(nursing homes, disabled/infirm, handicapped, jail population, people in
institutions, etc.).
6. Coordinating with Human Services and the American Red Cross in this
effort to assure adequate housing, food, and medical resources are
available.
7. Providing security for evacuated areas and in areas accommodating
evacuees, such as reception centers, lodging and feeding facilities, and
emergency shelters.
8. Coordinating road service support in movement of population
(evacuation/shelter).
4. Direct Wildiand fire suppression in private, unincorporated areas and on state land in
Weld County. This will be done in coordination with Weld County Fire Districts and
the State Division of Fire Prevention and Control. Weld County Department of
Public Works
The Weld County Department of Public Works Director is responsible to:
a. Manage Public Works resources and direct Public Works operations, to include:
1. In coordination with Fleet Services, control and repair of all Public Works
transportation assets for maximum emergency utilization of county
vehicles, heavy equipment, fuels, operational supplies, and assigned
county personnel.
2. Transportation services in support of emergency response and recovery
efforts, e.g., movement of county personnel, equipment and supplies to
designated staging areas.
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3. Clearing major thoroughfares and removal of debris to permit emergency
operations, with priority assigned to critical emergency services lifelines.
4. Providing emergency traffic engineering and control measures, including
barricades, street flares, and marking of emergency traffic routes and
dangerous areas in coordination with the Sheriffs Office. Coordinate with
the Sheriffs Office for emergency traffic control routes during
evacuations.
5. Providing personnel and heavy equipment to support search and rescue
operations.
b. Manage operation, maintenance, and repair of infrastructure, to include:
1. Recommend to the Weld County Commissioners priorities for repair of
damaged infrastructure.
2. Restoration of damaged county roads and bridges and other public
services and facilities.
3. Coordinating with private sector utilities and contractors for use of private
sector resources in Public Works -related operations.
c. Develop damage assessment information, to include:
1. Provision of personnel for bridge structure and inspections to determine
safety of individual structures, to identify needed repairs (or to implement
condemnation procedures when necessary).
2. Participation with representatives of other county departments on Weld
County damage assessment team at EOC and on local -state field
damage survey teams, as needed.
d. Assist in facilities protection and emergency repairs to county roads.
5. Weld County Facilities Department
The Facilities Director will coordinate with private sector utilities (e.g., power and gas) on
shutdown and service restoration for County facilities, to include:
a. Ensuring emergency shutdown of utilities to prevent damage to County facilities.
b. Monitoring repair of electrical, gas, and water distribution systems for County
facilities.
c. Assisting in facilities protection and emergency repairs to county buildings.
d. Supporting damage assessments on county buildings and facilities.
6. Oil and Gas Energy Department (OGED)
a. The Oil and Gas Energy Department Director will provide staff to support the
EOC during emergencies.
b. OGED staff will help with the communication and coordination with energy
companies that work within Weld County to identify any damage to infrastructure.
c. OGED will help to coordinate with the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation
Commission (COGCC) and other State agencies that have a role with energy.
7. Fleet Services
a. Coordinate with Departments and agencies that have county assets that need to
be maintained during emergencies.
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b. Keep fuel available for use during emergencies, and identify alternate sources for
fuel, if needed.
c. Make sure staff are available for emergency repair work during times of
emergency incidents or disasters.
8. Fire Departments and Fire Protection Districts
Fire departments and fire protection district chiefs will be responsible to:
a. Conduct all regularly assigned functions relating to minimizing loss of life and
property damage and incident stabilization.
b. Establish incident command posts and maintain continuous communications
between all such command posts and the EOC.
c. Establish and maintain continuous communications with the Sheriffs Office
and/or appropriate police department during any incident period.
d. Assist in the conduct of all types of rescue operations.
e. Assist Weld OEM and Weld County Regional Communications Center (WCRCC)
in warning public of impending danger and evacuating, as necessary, potential
danger areas within District responsibility, and providing fire security in
evacuated areas.
f. Maintain contact with the WCRCC on established frequencies.
9. Weld County Regional Communications Center (Dispatch)
The Weld County Regional Communications Center (WCRCC) ensures that all
organizations and the public are warned of an emergency as effectively and quickly as
possible and shall:
a. Notify appropriate responding agencies and Weld County Emergency
Management of the emergency.
b. Coordinate all radio traffic to assigned talk groups.
c. Obtain the assistance of amateur radio operators in establishing a logistics and
resources communications net. Coordinate volunteer amateur resources used for
backup communications and additional radio frequencies, as needed.
d. Keep the Office of Emergency Management updated and current of any
information pertinent to the incident or emergency.
e. Coordinate communications resources and provision of communications staff to
support multiple command post(s) and/or Tactical Operations Centers.
10. Weld County Public Information Officer (PIO)
The Office of Emergency Management is designated as the County agency responsible
for gathering and vetting all public information associated with an emergency situation in
the County. The Office of Emergency Management will coordinate with the Public
Information Officer for all media releases and emergency public information.
All County officials and employees under the direction of the Board of County
Commissioners are directed to provide the Office of Emergency Management with all
appropriate public information associated with an emergency situation for dissemination
to the public.
All County officials and employees under the direction of the Board of County
Commissioners are instructed to direct all public and media inquiries to the Weld County
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Public Information Officer in order to coordinate and centralize information associated
with an emergency situation. (Weld County Code Section 2-16-70)
The Public Information Officer will:
a. Advise the Weld County Commissioners and municipal leadership on matters of
emergency public information.
b. Release public information as requested by the OEM Director, or their designee,
and/or by the Weld County Commissioners through whatever platforms possible:
news releases, media alerts, social media, newsletters, emails, website,
interviews, videos, etc. for distribution by radio, television, newspaper, social
media platforms, etc.
c. Coordinate with Whole Community Groups, which include Access and Functional
Needs Groups, on the location of and process of providing public emergency
information, as well as the process of information dissemination.
d. Prepare emergency information for release, distribute pertinent materials to local
media prior to emergencies, and ensure that information needs of visually
impaired, hearing impaired, and non-English speaking audiences are met by
posting to the Weld County website, which is designed to best be the resource
location to these groups (the website offers translation into multiple languages,
meets requirements for screen readers, is ADA compliant (need confirmation
from IT).
e. Coordinate activation of the Joint Information Center with the Office of
Emergency Management and activation of the Joint Information System Plan.
11. Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment
The Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment supports Public Health
and Mass Care Function and has a key role in Public Health Emergencies. The specific
planning elements and responsibilities for public health emergencies are covered in the
Department Support Function (ESF #8) Public Health and its annexes. During all
emergencies, the Lead for the Public Health Annex (ESF #8) has a clear role for
supporting response in the EOC and coordination with the Emergency Management
Office. The Health Department also has a role in supporting response during
Environmental and Public Health Emergencies.
The Executive Director or their designee will participate in Unified Coordination with
Weld OEM concerning matters of public health emergencies including, Environmental,
Pandemics, and Communicable Disease Outbreaks. (County Code Section 14-10-10)
and recommendation of when the Public Health Annex should be activated due to an
onset of a Public Health Emergency and help to coordinate the following:
a. Receive, manage, and coordinate the issuing of supplies from the Strategic
National Stockpile.
b. Investigate and control food borne, water borne and infectious disease
outbreaks.
c. Update Health Department Annexes that are a part of this emergency plan.
d. Coordinate with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment,
other County and Regional Health Departments, and local health care providers
on all Public Health emergencies.
e. Carry out mass prophylactics clinics as described in the POD Annex.
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f. Register and issue death certificates for death occurring in Weld County.
g. Assist the Incident Commander and EOC Manager and staff in assessing overall
health and medical resource needs during response and recovery operations.
h. Assist with situational awareness specific to Health Emergencies and provide
infection control information, actions and planning steps to the EOC Manager
and Planning Section. Provide direction or "Action Items" to First Responders to
safely respond to calls with patients affected by the Public Health incident.
i. Maintain all public health services needed during emergencies.
j. Provide environmental health services and technical support to Incident
Command and EOC Staff, with a focus on sources of contamination, or
unsanitary conditions that present hazards to the First Responders and the
general public.
k. Coordinate with the designated Public Information Officer and the Joint
Information Center (JIC) to communicate health information to the public.
I. Coordinate community health education specific to health preparedness activities
specific to the emergency.
m. Receive and process all disease reports, and share the reported information with
Emergency Management staff and the EOC Planning Section if the EOC is
activated.
n. Coordinate the Health Alert Network for Weld County and send out health alerts.
o. Coordinate with law enforcement for quarantine and isolation procedures.
B. Supporting County Departments
1. Directors and Heads of County Departments and Agencies
Directors, County Department Heads and Agencies will:
a. Prepare and keep current department plans, emergency plans, and standard
operating procedures, as needed, to cope with disasters that might occur in Weld
County, and to assure Department continuity of operations plans (COOP) are up
to date.
b. Identify functions to be performed in time of emergency and assign operational
responsibility.
c. Be prepared to provide staff members to the Emergency Operations Center to
coordinate their emergency response functions with those of other agencies
represented therein.
d. Ensure that the Office of Emergency Management is kept informed of the
situation during emergencies by reporting events and activities to the Emergency
Operations Center in a timely fashion.
2. Weld County Sheriff's Posse/Reserves/ Volunteers
Weld County Posse / Reserves / Volunteers are responsible to support the Sheriffs
Office and other first responders as directed by the Sheriff, to include security
operations, search and rescue and other law enforcement functions.
3. Weld County Schools
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Weld County schools include all public school districts, private schools, Aims Community
College, University of Northern Colorado and other educational facilities. School
administrators are responsible to:
a. Provide for the safety of students and staff.
b. Develop and exercise Emergency Operation Plans.
c. Provide school bus support for evacuation and other life-saving purposes, when
requested.
d. Coordinate with designated shelter management personnel when use of the
schools and/or their food stocks is directed for emergency care requirements,
e.g., feeding and/or sheltering.
e. Develop Emergency Response Plans that are consistent with local, county and
state plans.
4. Weld County Department of Planning Services
The Weld County Department of Planning Services will be responsible to:
a. Provide personnel for structure and facility inspections to determine safety of
individual structures (businesses, residences, and public buildings) and to
identify needed repairs (or to implement condemnation procedures when
necessary).
b. Receive and plot current data concerning the extent and type of building and
damage resulting from a disaster and maintain updated data throughout the
recovery process; provide briefings on current situation status to the
Commissioners and the EOC, as required.
c. Prepare and publish, with the assistance of the Office of Emergency
Management and the Assessor's Office, damage assessment reports for local,
state and federal dissemination as required utilizing the Orion system.
d. Participate with other departmental representatives on County Damage
Assessment teams and on local -state field damage survey teams, as needed.
e. Participate in long-term disaster recovery and hazard mitigation planning to
ensure the compatibility of community redevelopment plans and hazard
mitigation measures with the Weld County Comprehensive Plan and other
community development plans.
5. Weld County Department of Human Services
The Weld County Department of Human Services is responsible to:
a. Advise the Board of County Commissioners on all Human Services matters
related to the emergency or disaster.
b. Coordinate with the American Red Cross, United Way 211, Salvation Army, and
other volunteer organizations in the provision of emergency assistance at
Disaster Assistance Center locations. All sheltering and housing will be compliant
with access and functional needs regulations and ADA compliant.
c. Provide public education materials related to community disaster recovery and
reentry by citizens into disaster -impacted structures and neighborhoods (e.g.,
safety of stored goods, removal of mildew, cleaning of smoke damages, etc.)
provided by the Emergency Management Office or Recovery Team.
d. Administer Individual and Family Grant Programs in Presidential -declared
disasters in Weld County.
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6. Mental Health Organizations
Mental Health Organizations will support the Weld County Department of Public Health
and Environment and the Department of Human Services for mental health needs. North
Range Behavioral Health has an emergency disaster plan that provides guidance for
Emergency Response. This document is part of the overall CEMP and is included as an
annex to the Mass Care Function.
7. Weld County Animal Rescue Team (CART)
Working closely with local veterinarians, brand inspectors, CSU Extension agents, Weld
County Sheriff's Office, and other interested agencies, the Weld CART will fill the role as
primary Animal Care and Control organization, and will:
a. Establish measures for animal care and control, to include:
1. Coordination of animal relief measures.
2. Assurance of animal care.
3. Search for animals' owners.
4. Evacuation.
5. Shelter.
6. Medical treatment.
7. Search and rescue.
b. Coordinate preparedness activities with the appropriate public and private sector
organizational representatives, to include providing for protection, evacuation,
and care of
1. Companion and service animals.
2. Pets.
3. Livestock.
4. Support CDPW on Wildlife.
5. Animals in animal shelters.
6. Animals in pet stores.
7. Other animals as required.
c. Form county animal response teams (evacuation, shelter, medical treatment,
search and rescue, etc.) to accomplish necessary actions during response
operations.
d. Assist shelter managers with problems associated with evacuated persons
bringing companion animals, pets, or livestock to shelter facilities.
e. Coordinate with Weld County Health and Colorado Division of Ag to provide for
disposal of dead animals as appropriate.
8. Weld County Attorney
The Weld County Attorney is responsible to:
a. Provide legal counsel and assistance to the Board of County Commissioners and
to other county officials before, during and after disaster and emergency
incidents in the county.
b. Become familiar with those laws of the State of Colorado and the Federal
government that apply to disasters or emergencies.
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c. Prepare legal documents (disaster declarations, curfews, price controls,
intergovernmental agreements), as required.
d. Develop and approve emergency purchasing/procurement contracts and
agreements, as required.
9. Weld County Department of Finance and Administration
The Weld County Department of Finance and Administration is responsible to:
a. Establish and maintain an incident -related financial record keeping system to
ensure resource tracking, record -keeping and documentation of disaster -related
costs and financial commitments.
b. Follow all Federal Rules related to federal recovery grants to include updated
supper circulars and utilizing equipment lease rather than purchase of equipment
for disaster recovery.
c. Coordinate with the County Designated Recovery Officer to identify contracts
needed for recovery and the Public Assistance Process.
d. Participate in EOC operations to assist in tracking County costs.
e. Participate in the long-term recovery with the County Recovery Officer to track
and document all costs related to the recovery and follow all Federal Grant
guidelines.
f. Assist with the procurement of emergency related supplies and materials and
administration of vendor contracts for emergency services and equipment.
10. Weld County Coroner
The Weld County Coroner is responsible to:
a. Develop plans and procedures to expand morgue and mortuary services.
b. Establish and maintain a system for body identification, verification, and
disposition of deceased victims.
c. Protect personal effects with the deceased at the time of death.
d. Notify relatives of the deceased.
e. Provide rosters of fatalities to news media and law enforcement agencies.
11. Weld County Clerk and Recorder
The Weld County Clerk and Recorder is responsible to:
a. Preserve and secure vital records.
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12. Weld County Assessor
The Weld County Assessor is responsible to:
a. Establish and maintain a system for property information in Weld County,
including current property assessed values to assist with damage assessments.
b. Participate in the Damage Assessment Team process.
c. Assist the Board of County Commissioners, as needed.
13. Weld County Information Services
The Weld County Information Services is responsible to:
a. Provide continued operation of county network systems.
b. Support EOC activation through IT support.
c. Provide GIS support to EOC for situation reports and mapping of damage areas
to include: road closures, evacuation areas, detour routes, shelters, etc.
d. Support data systems used by Emergency Management for situational reporting
and development of disaster reporting.
C. Other Local, State, and Federal Agencies
1. Municipalities and Municipal Agencies
Municipalities and Municipal Agencies will prepare and execute their Emergency
Operations Plans, as appropriate, for their own jurisdictions, and will conduct mutual aid
and otherwise support and coordinate with County agencies, as required.
2. Colorado State Patrol
The Colorado State Patrol will maintain public safety and law enforcement in state
jurisdictions, and aid, support, and coordinate with the Sheriffs Office and other law
enforcement agencies in the County, as required.
3. Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control
a. Provide support for wildfires in and around the County.
b. Provide Multi -Mission Aircraft (MAA) support for area of wildfires and/or search
and rescue operations.
c. Provide training on wildland fire to local fire districts, as needed.
d. Coordinate with local Law Enforcement on search and rescue operations during
blizzards or severe snowstorms.
4. Colorado National Guard
The Colorado National Guard will:
a. Secure all Guard facilities.
b. Provide equipment and personnel on a mission basis as directed by the
Governor.
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5. Civil Air Patrol
The Civil Air Patrol will coordinate with the Sheriffs Office for airborne search and rescue
operations, as required.
6. Other State Agencies
Other State Agencies will prepare and execute their Emergency Operations Plans as
appropriate for their own jurisdictions and will conduct mutual aid and otherwise support
and coordinate with County agencies, as required.
7. Federal Agencies
Federal Agencies will prepare and execute their Emergency Operaations Plans, as
appropriate, for their own jurisdictions and will conduct mutual aid and otherwise support
and coordinate with County agencies as required.
a. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of the U.S. Department of
Homeland Security has specific responsibilities for consequence management in
Presidential declared emergencies and will be the lead federal agency in
response and recovery.
b. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has specific responsibilities for crisis
management in some emergency situations, notably emergencies involving
terrorism.
D. Volunteer Organizations
1. American Red Cross
The American Red Cross is designated as a supporting agency for the Mass Care
Function in Weld County. The American Red Cross may be responsible to:
a. Provide immediate assistance to disaster victims, including food, water, shelter,
clothes, physical and mental health counseling, and referrals in conjunction with
appropriate Weld County agencies.
b. Establish and manage emergency shelters for mass care, in cooperation with the
Weld County Emergency Management Sheltering Plan and affected
municipalities, including registration, feeding, lodging, and responding to public
inquiries concerning shelter residents.
c. Provide temporary and immediate housing for displaced disaster victims.
d. Provide food, beverages, and other assistance to emergency response
personnel and emergency relief workers.
e. Provide damage assessment information upon request.
f. Coordinate mental health services (in cooperation with Weld County Mental
Health Agencies).
2. Salvation Army
The Salvation Army may be responsible to:
a. Provide immediate assistance to disaster victims, including food, water,
counseling services, and/or pastoral care.
b. Provide food, water and other assistance to emergency response personnel and
emergency relief workers.
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Weld County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (WCCEMP)
c. Manage donated goods, including cash, food, cleaning supplies, blankets,
building materials, tools, work gloves, toiletries, and personal items.
3. Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT)
Community Emergency Response Teams are composed of volunteers specially trained
by emergency response agencies in basic medical, light search and rescue, small fire
suppression, and incident command. CERT teams provide additional trained personnel
to provide life safety assistance and care before professional responders arrive, and
supportive assistance under professional direction once such is on -scene. All CERT's
will coordinate with Local Agencies for assignments and will follow the Weld County
Volunteer Management Plan.
4. Other Volunteer Agencies
Other agencies will assist Weld County with volunteer resources including, but not
limited to, assistance with communications, donations, coordination of recovery
assistance to victims, documenting exigent volunteer resources, and providing personnel
for EOC operational duty and coordination with community volunteer organizations. All
Volunteers will follow the process established in the Weld County Volunteer
Management Plan.
a. Communications organizations such as the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency
Service (RACES) and the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) will
support the Communications Coordinator or other agencies in establishing and
maintaining emergency communications capabilities to supplement normal
communications, as required.
b. Clergy will prepare religious activities for victims or others involved in an
emergency or disaster.
E. Private Sector Organizations
1. North Colorado Medical Center/ Banner Health Paramedic/ UC Health
Paramedic Services
a. Coordinate all Weld County acute medical and patient health services as medical
supporting organization.
b. Coordinate the transporting of patients to other facilities.
c. Assist the IC and EOC staff in assessing overall health and medical resource
needs during response and recovery operations and maintenance of situation
status information with the IC and EOC.
d. Keep complete records of patients who have been treated or transported.
e. Provide medical transportation for patients that are injured in disaster incidents.
f. Provide and coordinate the advanced life support emergency medical services
response in Weld County.
g. Coordinate the triage and transport of sick and injured patients from the scene of
the incident, according to the triage plan, to the appropriate medical facility.
h. Coordinate with the Emergency Operations Center upon activation.
2. Emergency Alert System (EAS) Radio, IPAWS and Television Stations
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Weld County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (WCCEMP)
Emergency Alert System (EAS) radio and television stations are contracted to
disseminate emergency warnings as directed by the Warning Coordinator or other
appropriate County authority. These stations will also participate in disseminating
emergency public information in cooperation with the Public Information Officer. (See
Weld County EAS Plan Annex)
a. Radio EAS Station — KUNC 91.5 FM, KPAW 107.9 FM
b. Radio EAS Station — KOA 850 AM
c. Television - Comcast Cable, Local Denver stations
Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPA WS) is a system to identify a digital
technology that, when combined with upgraded Emergency Alert System capabilities,
will enhance federal, state, and local leaders' ability to communicate alert and warning
information to the general public.
3. Local Media Organizations
Local media organizations that are not part of the EAS will participate in disseminating
emergency public information in cooperation with the Public Information Officer. They
may also assist in warnings.
4. Public Utilities
Public utilities, including electrical, natural gas, and telephone, will shut down service to
affected areas, as needed, and expedite restoration of public facilities and utilities in
priorities dictated by the situation.
5. Dam/Reservoir Owners
Dam and reservoir owners will prepare and execute their Emergency Safety Plans as
required for their operations, provide proper maintenance and professional operation of
their facilities, and provide timely warning of any potential emergencies to the Office of
Emergency Management, Fire Districts and Sheriffs Office.
6. Irrigation Ditch Companies
Irrigation Ditch Companies will provide proper maintenance and professional operation
of their facilities, and provide timely warning of any potential emergencies to the Office of
Emergency Management, Fire Districts and Sheriffs Office.
7. Livestock Owners
Livestock owners are expected to cooperate with Weld County agencies in all matters
concerning human and animal safety with regards to livestock, especially to notify the
Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment and the Weld County
Sheriff's Office, immediately, in the case of suspected foreign or other animal diseases
with potential to escalate to emergency levels.
8. All Tasked Organizations
a. Adhere to all professional and legal standards in the performance of duties.
b. Provide for continuity of services.
1. Ensure that personnel are assigned to emergency and continuing
operations, and that key backups are identified.
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Weld County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (WCCEMP)
2. Identify alternate facilities and sources of equipment in case normal
facilities cannot be used in an emergency.
3. Ensure that vital records are stored off site and backed up so as to be
available in an emergency.
c. Prepare and maintain detailed emergency standard operating procedures that
include:
1. Call -down rosters for notifying personnel.
2. Step-by-step procedures for performing assigned tasks.
3. Telephone numbers and addresses/locations of similar services in other
jurisdictions.
4. Telephone numbers, addresses, type, quantity, location, and procedures
for obtaining transportation resources from Federal, State, local, and
private organizations.
5. A listing of the radio communications, call signs, and frequencies that
each responding organization uses.
d. Provide training and exercises, as required, to ensure competent execution of
responsibilities under this Plan.
VIII. Direction and Control
The Board of Weld County Commissioners (BOCC) shall retain responsibility for
direction and control of all Weld County government personnel, resources, and facilities
when a disaster occurs. The Board of County Commissioners shall direct the Continuity
of Government and ensure all Core Functions of Government are functional. The BOCC
will support the COG Team, when needed, to activate in order to support affected
departments. The Weld County Commissioners will work with other Elected Officials to
mitigate emergency response and recovery efforts.
The Director of Emergency Management will be responsible to the Board of Weld
County Commissioners for the coordination of all activities of agencies, departments,
and organizations in the execution of this plan.
The Director or Head of each County department, subject to direction and control by the
Board of Weld County Commissioners, or any authorized representative, shall be
responsible for the disaster operations of their agency or department. Directors and
Agency Heads are required to have a current Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) in
place and to be utilized during emergencies or disasters.
If the effects of a disaster require the normally established government to seek outside
assistance, the assistance provided shall supplement, not replace, the operations of the
County agencies involved.
The Office of Emergency Management will coordinate with local communities to
coordinate and deconflict their Emergency Operations Plans. OEM Staff will make sure
gaps and critical needs are identified for a unified and coordinated response to
emergencies and disasters.
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Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
A Weld County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) functions as the cohesive center of
information and communications for dealing with a disaster emergency. The EOC
functions under the direction of the Director of Office of Emergency Management.
EOC staff are required to meet FEMA NIMS training ICS 100 through ICS 300, NIMS
700, and Complete the FEMA EOC Operations Course L2300. Each emergency
response agency active in the incident are represented by administrative or operational
personnel in the EOC. EOC operational staff shall include, but are not limited to, the
following organizational representatives by Department Function
FEMA Emergency Support
Function
Department
Support
ESF 1
Transportation/Evacuation
Public Works
Sheriffs Office
ESF 2 Communications and
Warning
Communications
Emergency Management
ESF3 Public Works
Public Works
Planning Services
ESF 4 Fire
Fire Districts
ESF 5 Emergency
Management
Emergency Management
Finance and Administration
ESF 6 Mass Care
Human Services
Red Cross / United way
ESF 7 Resource
Management
Emergency Management
Purchasing
ESF8 Public Health
Health Department
Coroner, NCMC, Banner
Health, UC Health
ESF9 Search and Rescue
Sheriffs Office
Fire Districts, local Law
ESF 10 Hazmat
Greeley Fire Hazmat
Mt View Fire Hazmat
Fire Districts
ESF 11 Animal Care
Animal Control (Sheriffs
Office)
Weld CART
ESF 12 Utilities/Energy
Industry Re /OGED
CPRN/REA's/Xcel/Atmos
ESF 13 Law Enforcement
Sheriffs Office
Local Law Enforcement
ESF 14 Recovery
Emergency Management
Administration
ESF 15 Public Information
Public Information
Weld PIO Group
ESF 20 Damage Assessment
Building Inspection
Planning, Assessor, IT
Others as needed
Multi Agency Coordination System and Multi Agency Coordination Group (MAC
Group)
A key component of NIMS/ICS is the Multi -Agency Coordination System (MACS). As the
name implies, MACS provides the structure to support incident management policies
and priorities, facilitate logistics support, identification of specialized resources that may
be obtained from the private sector and resource tracking, inform resource allocation
decisions using incident management priorities, coordinate incident related information,
and coordinate interagency and intergovernmental issues regarding incident
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Weld County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (WCCEMP)
management policies, priorities, and strategies. In Weld County, the MACS activities will
typically be conducted from the Weld County Emergency Operations Center (WCEOC).
The Weld County Multi -Agency Coordination System (MA CS) is operated under an ICS
style organizational structure utilizing Department Functions. When the WCEOC is
activated only those Functions needed to address the incident will be requested to
respond. Almost all activations of the EOC will require the "Core" Functions. They are
identified as, Communications, Public Works, Fire, Emergency Management, Health and
Medical, Law Enforcement, and Public Information. Other Functions will be added as
they are needed.
The WCEOC uses Command and General Staff positions to help with EOC planning and
coordination. The following positions will be staffed during full activation: Planning,
Logistics, Finance, P/O, and Liaison. (See EOC Operation Plan for additional
Information)
The Multi -Agency Coordination Group (MAC Group) is made up of Agencies,
Departments or Organizations that have a direct role in a Department Function or
supporting role, the MAC Group is responsible to staff the Weld County Emergency
Operations Center (EOC). EOC operations are dependent on the nature of the
emergency and the availability of personnel. Activation levels are covered in the EOC
Operation Guide.
National Incident Management System (NIMS/ICS)
The Incident Command System (ICS) is an on -scene management system for
command, control, and coordination of response to an incident and will be used to direct
all field operations in the event of an emergency. When multiple incidents are present in
one disaster, an Incident Commander (IC) will be detailed to each single incident. The
efforts of all Incident Commands will be coordinated through the EOC through its
functional sections as defined above.
Communications
All communications resources of the County shall be utilized during an emergency and
be coordinated by the Weld County Regional Communications Center which shall assign
priorities in the use of such equipment. Additional information concerning emergency
management communication procedures, responsibilities, and plans are included in the
Communications Functional Annex on file in the Office of Emergency Management.
Continuity of Government
The Continuity of Government (COG) Annex has been developed to document the
guidelines, support and resources needed should there be an emergency/disaster
impacting the County. The Annex will assure to the maximum extent feasible, the
continuity of leadership and direction for Weld County government to provide for the
safety of the citizenry, reduce disruptions to county operations, and minimize damage
and loss of property. It is designed to reduce confusion created during a disaster and
provides a framework for the recovery and restoration of critical and essential functions.
Each County Department, Office and Agency is required to have a Continuity of
Operations Plan (COOP) for their Department, Office or Agency that identifies the chain
of command, critical tasks and resource needs. These plans will be reviewed on an
annual basis with the COG Team.
Continuity of Government Team
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Weld County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (WCCEMP)
The Continuity of Government Team (COG Team) is designed to help support continued
operations of CORE Functions for Weld County Departments, Agencies and Elected
Offices. The Team is a support team to the Departments, Agencies and Offices and is
supported by the Board of Weld County Commissioners. Each Department Head,
Elected Official or Agency Head maintains direction and control of their Department. The
COG Team only provides support for continued operations of CORE Functions. Further
information can be found in the COG Annex on file in the Office of Emergency
Management.
IX. Administration and Finance
1. Overall responsibility for administration of emergency response is a cooperative
effort of the Incident Commander (on -scene) and the Director of Emergency
Management (support), under the direction of the Board of Weld County
Commissioners. Specific administrative responsibilities for individual emergency
operations functions are described in the Department Functional Annex of this
Plan.
2. Normal government services, practices, and procedures will be continued under
emergency conditions to the greatest extent possible. Individual department
heads will be responsible for this, with the support of the Board of Weld County
Commissioners.
3. All departments not directly tasked with emergency operations functions will
make staff available to assist with emergency operations or fill in for staff in
emergency departments as much as possible. The Board of Weld County
Commissioners will coordinate temporary personnel needs assessment and
reassignment, as well as efforts to obtain and assign volunteers.
4. During emergency operations, every transaction will be documented so that
records can be reconstructed and claims property verified after the emergency
period has passed. When possible, leasing of equipment will be done to allow for
costs savings. Emergency purchases and procurement will follow County Code
and shall be authorized by the Board of Weld County Commissioners.
5. To the extent consistent with law, no administrative process will be permitted to
interfere with operations essential to preventing injury, loss of life, and significant
property damage.
6. All departments will provide a time tracking document similar to a daily time log.
This document will provide the time worked, location or project worked on and
when the employee changes projects or location of assignments.
7. All documentation will be maintained electronically or in hard copy by Accounting,
when required, for three years after the State closes out the State or Federal
Disaster. This follows 2 CFR 200 or the most current federal guidance.
Logistics
1. Critical departments, organizations, and employees will be notified of their critical
status and responsibilities and directed to develop standard operating
procedures detailing their emergency assignments. These are identified in each
Department Functional Annex.
2. County fire departments have entered into a county -wide cooperative agreement
to assure adequate material and personnel support and response in the event of
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Weld County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (WCCEMP)
emergencies. Cooperative agreements will be activated according to the
procedures listed in the agreements.
3. Inter jurisdictional resources available for emergency operations in the Northeast
Colorado All -Hazards Region are listed in the Logistics Annex and entered in
Web EOC.
4. All resource ordering will follow the ordering processes established by the
Director of OEM and follow Weld County Code purchasing rules.
5. Requests for state and federal assistance should be coordinated through the
Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Office of Emergency Management
at 1-720-852-6600.
Resources
1. Specific policies for managing resources are covered in the Logistics Annex.
2. Any resources needed beyond available resources within a department, or
through normal mutual aid, will be obtained through the Office of Emergency
Management or Emergency Operation Center, if activated.
3. The Office of Emergency Management will provide for obtaining resources and
maintain records of all transactions as described in the Logistics Annex.
4. When possible, leasing of equipment will be done to allow for costs savings.
Emergency purchases and procurement will follow County Code and shall be
authorized by the Board of Weld County Commissioners.
5. All Mutual Aid Agreements will be reviewed by the Office of Emergency
Management and will be updated annually or as identified in the agreement.
6. In the event that County personnel must use or damage private property or
resources in emergency operations, owners may be compensated appropriately
within local insurance guidelines.
Each department will manage and use its own internal resources before requesting
additional resources. If additional resources are required, they will be obtained in the
following order.
a. Normal mutual aid of the effected department.
b. Resources of other County departments.
c. State or other inter jurisdictional resources made available through
requests for assistance.
d. Resources obtained by purchase or donation through the Resource
Management function as described in the Logistics Annex.
e. Other private resources.
Recovery
Recovery is the process of returning a community to a state of normality after a
disastrous incident. No community is immune to disaster, which makes recovery
planning paramount. To support recovery planning, the Weld County Office of
Emergency Management and the Weld County Multi -Agency Coordinating (MAC) Group
partnered with the State of Colorado, private sector, non -governmental organizations,
and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies to develop a
recovery plan.
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Weld County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (WCCEMP)
1. The Director of the Office of Emergency Management will serve as the Recovery
Officer for emergencies and disasters unless otherwise directed by the Board of
Weld County Commissioners.
2. The Recovery process will follow the Weld County Recovery Plan which is a
supporting plan to this CEMP.
Impediments to Emergency Operations
1. Potential impediments to any emergency operation, such as physical barriers,
time, and lack of transportation resources are addressed in the Department,
Functional Annexes and organizational SOP.
2. Overcoming unforeseen impediments is the responsibility of the Incident
Commander in cooperation with officials of the effected jurisdictions(s) if the EOC
is not activated.
3. If the EOC is activated, the Incident Commander should request assistance in
resolving the difficulties through the Director of Emergency Management or the
Coordinator identified in the appropriate Department functional Annex.
X. Plan Development and Maintenance
The Weld County Director of Emergency Management, along with Weld County
Departments that have a specific role and responsibility, are responsible for maintaining
this Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan. Changes/updates to the plan may
be made after an incident and based on an After -Action Report with an identified
improvement plan identifying the need for the change.
Review and Revision
The Director of Emergency Management will conduct a detailed review of this Plan and
make appropriate revisions annually:
1. As required, revisions will be circulated in draft form for review by effected
agencies prior to adoption.
2. Agencies will return draft review with comments, agreement, or proposed
changes in a timely manner.
3. The revision will be presented to the Board of Weld County Commissioners for
approval.
Distribution
Completed revisions will be numbered and distributed per the Distribution list:
1. Agencies receiving revisions will:
a. Note the change(s) on the Record of Revisions (page 10) of this Plan.
b. Insert the new pages into the Plan copy.
c. Remove and return the old pages to the Director of Emergency
Management.
2. Agencies receiving revisions will review Plan revisions and develop or revise
SOP as required by any changes in their mission or tasking.
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Weld County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (WCCEMP)
Training and Exercises
The Director of Emergency Management will provide for regular exercises and training
sessions to ensure that provisions of the plan are well understood by all departments
and offices with assigned responsibilities and that they are proficient in carrying out
associated duties and tasks.
Departments, offices and other organizations with responsibilities identified in the plan
are responsible for ensuring that their staffs are familiar with provisions of the plan and
adequately trained to carry out emergency assignments. Staff participation in periodic
exercises provides the best opportunities for refining plans and procedures in
preparation for actual disaster and emergency events. Multi -agency and multi -
jurisdictional exercises will be coordinated by the Director of Emergency Management.
XI. Department Functional, Support and Hazard -Threat or Incident Specific
Annexes
When an emergency or disaster situation exceeds local capabilities, there are certain
common types of assistance that are likely to be required. These common types of
assistance have been grouped functionally into areas termed Department Functions,
Support and Hazard -Threat or Incident Specific Annexes.
Local agencies and organizations have been assigned responsibilities for implementing
these functions. Individual department assignments are shown on the Department
Function Assignment Matrix. Assignments are made based on the department's
statutory, programmatic, or regulatory authorities and responsibilities. Department
Function Annexes contain detailed information associated with a specific function. In a
local declaration, local Departments will work directly with corresponding State and
Federal partners or Emergency Support Functions or ESF's. It is imperative that
designated lead agencies understand the relationship between the local, State and
Federal ESFs. Support Annexes are documents that support the Departmental Support
Functions, and the Hazard -Threat or Incident Specific Annexes are documents that point
to a specific type of incident and call out specific response actions. The Department
Functional, Support, Hazard -Threat or Incident Specific Annex documents are not
attached to this Basic plan and are held in the Office of Emergency Management as a
part of the Emergency Operations Center operating plan; these documents are
considered "For Official Use Only (FOUO)". Specifically, these documents are
specialized details of an emergency response plan and their disclosure is deemed to be
contrary to the public interest, pursuant to C.R.S. §24-72-204(2)(a)(VIII)(A), and,
therefore, are not subject to the public disclosure requirements of the Colorado Open
Records Act (CORA), C.R.S. §24-72-201 et. seq., except pursuant to specific written
authorization by the Weld County Director of Emergency Management (or their
designee).
Agencies, departments, and organizations are assigned to lead, joint lead or fulfill
supporting roles as related to the Department Functions and the development of the
corresponding annexes. The responsibilities of each of these positions are:
1. Lead — Responsible for planning, coordinating, and tasking support departments
and agencies in the development of policies, procedures, roles, and
responsibilities and requirements of the Department and its operational
requirements. Develops and maintains a Department Annex to this plan.
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Weld County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (WCCEMP)
2. Joint Lead — Certain principal components of some Departments are clearly
shared by agencies or organizations other than the designated Lead department.
In such situations the department/organization which would normally have
primary responsibility for one of more of these major components will be
designated as the Joint Lead department/organization and will be responsible to
work in a unified leadership role for the development and implementation of that
specific Department.
3. Supporting — Those assigned a supporting role for a given Function will
cooperate with the lead department in carrying out the assigned missions and will
cooperate in Department Function development, training and exercising.
Departments not assigned to specific Department Function will serve as a reserve of
material and personnel resources, which may be required to perform previously
unassigned tasks or supplement other response agencies.
Specific supporting role functions will be assigned to volunteer and private organizations
who, by their State or National charter, or through written Memorandums of Agreements
(MOA) with local agencies, are committed to providing disaster response/relief
assistance.
Xll. Authorities and References
1. See the individual response and hazard specific annexes to this plan.
2. FEMA National Response Framework, October 2019.
3. FEMA Comprehensive Preparedness Guide (CPG 101), November 2010.
4. Federal Civil Defense Act of 1950, Public Law 81-920, as amended.
5. Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, Public Law 93-
288, as amended by Public Law 100-707.
6. Homeland Security Act of 2002.
7. Americans with Disabilities Act.
8. Post Katrina Act.
9. PETS Act 2006.
10. Homeland Security Presidential Directive 5 and 8 Management and
Preparedness Goals.
11. Emergency Planning and Community Right -to -Know Act of 1986, SARA Title III,
Sections 301-304, 311-313, 322-325.
12. Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response, 29 CFR 1910. 120, as
amended, 1992.
13. Hazard Communications, 29 CFR 1910. 1200 as approved June 7, 1989, and as
amended.
14. Colorado Disaster Emergency Act, C.R.S. §24-33.5-700 series, as amended.
15. Colorado Intergovernmental Agreement for Emergency Management.
16. Colorado Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan Sept 30, 2019.
17. Colorado Public Health Rules 6 CCR 1009-5.
18. C.R.S. Article 30 School District Organization Act of 1992 Rev.
19. Compensation Benefits to Volunteer Civil Defense Workers.
20. C.R.S. §24-33.5-802, as amended.
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Weld County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (WCCEMP)
21. Civil Defense Liability - Public or Private, C.R.S. §24-33.5-9011, as amended.
22. Disaster Relief, C.R.S. §24-33.5-1102, as amended.
23. Colorado Emergency Planning Commission, C.R.S. §24-33.5-1501, as amended.
24. Colorado Hazardous Substance Incidents, C.R.S. §29-22-101-110, as amended.
25. Fire Department Special Districts - Powers and Duties, C.R.S. §32-1-1002(3), as
amended.
26. Weld County Code Article XV Section 2.15.5 through 2.15.70.
27. Weld County Code Article XVI Section 2-16-10 through 2-16-90.
28. Weld County Resolution #881176, December 1988.
29. Weld County Hazard Mitigation Plan, January 2021.
30. FEMA National Incident Management System, December 2013.
31. Federal Grant Guidance 2 CFR 200 or the most current guidance when
requesting Federal Funds.
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Weld County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (WCCEMP)
Part 3
Appendix A
Definitions
The definitions of terms, abbreviations and acronyms used in this plan, and the
definitions to several other commonly used emergency management acronyms and
terms are found below. The following selected terms are used throughout this document
and have the following special meanings:
Access and Functional Needs: Simply put, people with access and functional needs
includes individuals who need assistance due to any condition (temporary or
permanent) that limits their ability to act. To have access and functional needs does not
require that the individual have any kind of diagnosis or specific evaluation. Individuals
having access and functional needs may include, but are not limited to, individuals with
disabilities, seniors, and populations having limited English proficiency, limited access to
transportation, and/or limited access to financial resources to prepare for, respond to,
and recover from the emergency.
Catastrophic Incident — Any natural or manmade incident, including terrorism, which
results in extraordinary levels of mass casualties, damage, or disruption severely
effecting the population, infrastructure, environment, economy, national morale and/or
government functions. A catastrophic event could result in sustained national impacts
over a prolonged period of time; almost immediately exceeds resources normally
available to State, local, tribal and private sector authorities; and significantly interrupts
governmental operations and emergency services to such an extent that national
security could be threatened. All catastrophic incidents are Incidents of National
Significance.
Continuity of Government - Continuity of Government is part of every jurisdiction's
fundamental mission. Today's changing threat environment has increased the need for
continuity capabilities and plans at all levels of government and within the private sector.
The Continuity of Government (COG) Team has been developed by the Board of County
Commissioners to support County Departments, Agencies and Offices for resources
needed should there be an emergency/disaster impacting County Operations. Refer to
Weld County COG Plan Annex of this emergency plan. Leadership for the COG Team is
appointed by the BOCC and reviewed on an annual basis, or as needed.
Disaster — The occurrence or imminent threat of widespread or severe damage, injury,
or loss of life or property, or significant adverse impact on the environment, resulting
from any natural or technological hazards, including, but not limited to: fire, flood,
earthquake, wind, storm, hazardous substance incident, water contamination, epidemic,
air contamination, blight, drought, infestation, explosion, civil disturbance, or hostile
military or paramilitary action. For the purpose of state or federal disaster declarations,
the term disaster generally falls into the category of "major" or "catastrophic"; based on
the level of severity and impact on local and state resources. Major disasters are likely to
require immediate state assistance supplemented by federal resources, if necessary, to
supplement state efforts and resources. Catastrophic disasters may require immediate
and massive state and federal assistance in both the response and recovery aspects.
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Weld County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (WCCEMP)
Emergency — An event that endangers the lives or property of the citizens of Weld
County. Routine emergencies are those that occur regularly and are appropriately
resolved using standard operating procedures of government and other response
agencies or departments. Disaster emergencies are those which involve activities
outside the routine scope of operations. This Local Comprehensive Emergency
Management Plan concerns disaster emergency policies.
Emergency Operations Center (EOC) — Facility used to coordinate response among
government agencies, staffed by various agency and department representatives,
government officials, and service organizations.
Operations Staff — As part of the EOC, there are staff representatives from various
government and service organizations who coordinate personnel, resources, and
supplies for emergency disaster response and recovery.
Major Disaster — As defined by the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. §§ 5121-5206), a major disaster is "any natural
catastrophe, including, among other things, hurricanes, tornadoes, storms, earthquakes,
or, regardless of cause, any fire, flood, or explosion" determined by the President to
have caused damage of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant major disaster
assistance under the Act.
Mitigation — Activities designed to reduce or eliminate risks to persons or property or to
lessen the actual or potential effects or consequences of an incident. Mitigation
measures may be implemented prior to, during, or after an incident. Mitigation measures
are often developed in accordance with lessons learned from prior incidents. The
Federal Emergency Management Agency National Response Plan (NRP) distinguishes
between hazard mitigation and incident mitigation.
Hazard mitigation includes any cost-effective measure which will reduce the potential for
damage to a facility from a disaster event. Measures may include zoning and building
codes, floodplain property acquisitions, home elevations or relocations, and analysis of
hazard -related data. Incident mitigation involves actions taken during an incident
designed to minimize impacts or contain the damages to property or the environment.
Multi -Agency Coordination System (MACS) and Multi -Agency Coordination Group
(MAC Group) — A key component of NIMS/ICS is the Multi -Agency Coordination System
(MACS). As the name implies, MACS provides the structure to support incident
management policies and priorities, facilitate logistics support and resource tracking,
inform resource allocation decisions using incident management priorities, coordinate
incident related information, and coordinate interagency and intergovernmental issues
regarding incident management policies, priorities, and strategies. In Weld County, the
MACS activities will typically be conducted from the Weld County Emergency Operations
Center (WCEOC).
Preparedness — The range of deliberate, critical tasks and activities necessary to build,
sustain, and improve the operational capability to prevent, protect against, respond to,
and recover from domestic incidents. Preparedness is a continuous process involving
efforts at all levels of government and between government and private sector and
nongovernmental organizations, to identify threats, determine vulnerabilities, and identify
required resources. In the context of the NRP, preparedness is operationally focused on
actions taken in response to a threat or incident.
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Weld County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (WCCEMP)
Prevention — Involves actions taken to avoid an incident or to intervene or stop an
incident from occurring. For the purposes of this plan, this includes applying intelligence
and other information to a range of activities that may include such countermeasures as
deterrence operations, security operations, investigations to determine the full nature
and source of the threat, public health and agricultural surveillance and testing, and law
enforcement operations aimed at deterring, preempting, interdicting, or disrupting illegal
activity and apprehending perpetrators.
Response — Involves activities that address the short-term, direct effects of an incident.
These activities include immediate actions to preserve life, property, and the
environment, meet basic human needs, and maintain the social, economic, and political
structure of the effected community. Response also includes the execution of the
Comprehensive Emergency Management Plans and incident mitigation activities
designed to limit loss of life, personal injury, property damage, and other unfavorable
outcomes.
Recovery — Involves actions and the implementation of programs necessary to help
individuals, communities, and the environment directly impacted by an incident to return
to normal, where feasible. Recovery actions often extend long after the incident itself.
Recovery programs may include hazard mitigation components designed to avoid
damage from future incidents.
The Plan — The term "Plan" refers to the "Weld County Comprehensive Emergency
Management Plan."
WCCEMP — Part 3 Page 42 of 42
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