HomeMy WebLinkAbout20153612.tiff RESOLUTION
RE: ADOPT WELD COUNTY EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN, DATED OCTOBER
2015, AND AUTHORIZE CHAIR TO SIGN
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, State law, and particularly Section 24-33.5-707(8), C.R.S., requires the local
disaster agency to keep current a Local Disaster Emergency Plan for its area, and
WHEREAS, the Weld County Emergency Operations Plan was previously adopted on
May 12, 2014, by Resolution #2014-1437, and
WHEREAS, the Office of Emergency Management has presented the Board with an
updated version of the Weld County Emergency Operations Plan, dated October, 2015, including
various Appendices and Emergency Support Function descriptions, 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, dated October, 2015, be,
and hereby is, adopted.
BE IT FUTHER RESOLVED by the Board that the Chair be, and hereby is authorized to
sign said plan
2015-3612
CC 8�M ��14 EM0016
ADOPT WELD COUNTY EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN, DATED OCTOBER 2015
PAGE 2
The above and foregoing Resolution was, on motion duly made and seconded, adopted
by the following vote on the 16th day of November, A.D., 2015.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
WELD COUNTY, C LORADO
ATTEST: `c ri_;ti A
`� rbaaraK�irkmey r, Chair
Weld County Clerk to the Board ^�1 ` (
• Mike Freeman, Pro-Tem
De Duey Clerk to the =oard 1Eis
#-_ 4ean P. C•nway
----_.J
APPROVED AS TO FORM I$61 �l��,'.4cti
%``` ie A. Cozad
County Attorney / , N,
�'► Steve Moreno
Date of signature: l�
2015-3612
EM0016
TO: Board of County Commissioners
18
ii .. - FROM: Roy Rudisill,OEM
r DATE: October 14,2015
SUBJECT: Updates to County Emergency Operations Plan
Commissioners,attached is a hard copy of the updated Emergency Operation Plan. I have made some minor
changes to the plan as shown on the attached spreadsheet.Most of the changes are related to format and
terminology,there are a few changes clarifying roles during evacuations(identified this spring)and Human
Services providing assistance at shelters. Making these updates and presenting them to you is part of the
requirement in the plan,to stay in compliance with State Statute and meet grant requirements under the EMPG
Program.If the BOCC is ok with the current changes,I would like to schedule this for a BOCC meeting for
adoption.
Note:the printed format will change when the changes are accepted in Word,this copy shows changes in red
and what was changed.
I request you authorize me to schedule this for a BOCC meeting for adoption.
Agree with Staff Work Session Comments
Recommendation Requested
Kirkmeyer �(
Freeman
Conway
Cozad
Moreno
2015-3612
*MOP
RE: EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN
ATTEST: -; BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Weld t Clerk to the oard W D COUNTY, CO RADO _
BY: .(.(41.(k,
Deputy CI to a Bo rbara Kirkmeyer, Chair
NOV 16 2015
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EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Weld County Emergency
0 t N pi
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October 2015
1
Page 1 of 43 October 2015
Part
Introduction
The Weld County Emergency Operations Plan (WCEOP) has been developed in
accordance with the requirements for local emergency planning established under the
State of Colorado Disaster Emergency Act of 2015, the Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) Comprehensive Preparedness Guide (CPG 101v2), the National
Response Framework(NRF)the National Incident Management System(NIMS)and Weld
County Code Emergency Management Article XVI Section 2-16-10 through 2-16-90. It
strives to meet the requirements of other State and Federal guidelines for local emergency
management plans and programs. The WCEOP establishes the structure for a
coordinated response to various types of natural, technological, and manmade
emergencies and disasters, and terrorist attacks.
The WCEOP strives to recognize and respect the statutory authority of the Weld County
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Government and Elected Offices identified in CRS Title 30. The WCEOP is written from
the perspective that all emergencies and disasters begin and end at the Local Government
level.
The WCEOP 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 WCEOP.
Elected Offices and individual County Departmental plans or annexes are to be
attachments of this document as they are developed. The WCEOP is not intended to
replace Office or Department standard operating procedures (SOP), or to interfere in the
execution of any statutory authority of Constitutional Offices under the Colorado Revised
Statutes.
The WCEOP is intended to be used when a situation requires; multiple Offices or
Departments 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 WCEOP does not address emergency planning and management which is the
responsibility of T p y Town Governments and/or Special Districts. These political subdivisions
are responsible for developing and maintaining their emergency operations 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 WCEOP with Town
Governments and Special Districts, and other Non-Governmental Entities and Agencies.
Page 2 of 43 October 2015
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 governments and special districts, volunteer organizations, and
appropriate non-governmental organizations with the provisions of the WCEOP. The
Director of Emergency Management is responsible for supporting the incident command
and other systems utilized in the dissemination of emergency planning and response
information to the citizens of Weld County.
Page 3 of 43 October 2015
Letter of Promulgation
This emergency operations 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 to the extent required.
NOV 16 2015
arbara Kirkmeyer Date
Chair, Weld County Commissioners
NOV 16 2815
like-Freeman Date
Pro-Tem, Weld County Commissioner
PNOV 16 2015
Sean P. Conway Date
Weld County Commissioner
NOV 16 20154
Julie A. Cozad Date
Weld County Commiss
NOV 16 2015
Steve Moreno Date
Weld County Commissioner
This plan is a "living plan,"and will be continuously updated as conditions change. Minor
changes to update facts, as approved by the Weld County Local Emergency Planning
Committee, will be accepted without re promulgation.
Page 4 of 43 October 2015
oZ0/5-
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WELD COUNTY
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN (EOP)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part 1
Introduction 2
Letter of Promulgation 4
Table of Contents 5
Distribution Page 8
Record of Revisions 10
Part 2
Basic Plan
I. Purpose 12
II. Scope 12
Ill. Situation Overview 12
• Vulnerability Analysis 12
• Hazard Analysis 13
IV. Planning Assumptions 16
• Limitations
V. Concept of Operations 17
• General Operations 17
• Operational Phases 18
• Plan Implementation 19
VI. Organization 19
• General
VII. Responsibilities
• Board of County
Commissioners 19
• Primary County Response Agencies 20
• Supporting County Departments 26
• Other Local, State and Federal Agencies 29
• Volunteer Organizations 30
• Private Sector Organizations 31
VIII. Direction and Control 33
IX Administration and Finance 36
• Logistics 37
Page 5 of 43 October 2015
• Resources 37
• Impediments to Emergency Operations 38
X. Plan Development and Maintenance 38
• Review and Revision 38
• Distribution 38
• Training and Exercises 38
Xl. Emergency Support Functions 39
XII. Authority and references 40
Part 3
Appendix A Special Definitions 41
Page 6 of 43 October 2015
THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
EOP Distribution—Page 7 of 43 October 2015
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.
EOP Distribution—Page 8 of 43 October 2015
THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
EOP Distribution—Page 9 of 43 October 2015
RECORD OF REVISIONS
Basic Plan April 2014 Changes to include OEM under BOCC
Include Code Changes for PIO
Removal of Policy Advisory Council
Update to ESF section
Oct 2015 Updated Commissioners names on
pg 4 Promulgation page.
Pg 13 Addition of the Big Thompson river to list
of bodies of water.
Pg 16 Added a paragraph on oil and gas
development.
Pg 19 Added BOCC to the notification of
potential threats.
Pg 20 Added a statement that Department
Heads may delegate responsibility to
staff.
Pg 21 Changed Emergency Manager to
Director of and Office of Emergency
Management throughout document
Pg 23 Added the term emergency evacuations
and to coordinate with OEM for
situational awareness.
Pg 24 Added statement to coordinate with
Sheriff's Office on emergency traffic
control routes and evacuations.
Pg 27 Clarified the requirement for
Departments to keep current,
department plans and COOP.
Pg 28 Added assistance at Shelters for Human
Services.
Pg 35 EOC Organizational chart
EOP—Page 10 of 43 October 2015
THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
EOP—Page 11 of 43 October 2015
Part 2-Basic Plan
1. Purpose
The purpose of this plan is to coordinate all emergency management 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; and
5. Provide a framework for policies, objectives and approaches for coordinating, integrating
and administering the WCEOP's 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 Weld County Hazard Mitigation Plan. The WCEOP uses an 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
WCEOP details the specific incident management roles and responsibilities of Offices,
departments and enterprises involved in emergency preparedness, response and recovery.
The WCEOP recognizes and respects the legal jurisdictional boundaries of Municipal
Governments, as well as service plan boundaries of Special Districts. The WCEOP does not
specifically address the emergency planning process or actions necessary and/or required by
other Municipal governments or Special Districts.
Ill. Situation Overview
Vulnerability Statement
Geography— Weld County, located in the northeastern plains of Colorado, covers a land area of
3,999 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 & 76, Colorado Highways 14, 34, 52, 56, 60, 66, 71, 85 and 392, along with the
Union Pacific, Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Great Western Railway railways. In addition,
EOP—Page 12 of 43 October 2015
II
mew
the City of Greeley and Weld County operate a municipal airport in Greeley, Eire Airpark is in the
Southwest corner of the County and Platte Valley Airport is east of Fort Lupton
Demographics—An estimated 270,000 people live in Weld County, including municipalities and
unincorporated county. There are 31 towns and cities in Weld County. The City of Greeley is the
county seat and largest of all Weld County municipalities. There are 17 school districts and 24
fire districts. There are 689 miles of paved roadway and 2,306 miles of unpaved roads.
Hazard Analysis
A disaster can occur at any time within the jurisdictions 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 Wildland fires and drought.
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:
Floods— Floods present a risk to life and property, including buildings, their contents, and their
use. Floods can effect crops and livestock. Floods can also effect 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 and June as a result of spring runoff from
winter snow pack.
In 1997, flooding caused $7.6 million in crop damage. In 1999, there were fifty-five homes
damaged due to flooding, FEMA reported S471,866.00 in damages. 2013 Flooding caused an
estimated 6.6 Million in road damage in unincorporated Weld County and over 12 million in
property damage. Weld County was awarded Public Assistance and Individual Assistance.
Dam Failure— Dam failure is a unique source of flash flooding. There are twenty-four Class I
and eighteen Class ll 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
EOP-Page 13 of 43 October 2015
upon occasion must be reiterated to the public. In 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. lnterstates 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.
When the Interstate highways are closed, this action cuts the provision of primary supplies
(gasoline and food) to the communities, and also strands thousands of motorists who were
"passing through"for up to several days. In many cases, when the hotel rooms in one community
"fill up,"the interstates are then closed back to the next community with available lodging. This
is to prevent over-burdening of communities already hosting motorists, and to keep those still
enroute from becoming stranded"in between."
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, and 1976-1977. The
drought of 2002-2005 caused loss of crops and livestock throughout much of the State and
reduced revenues from lowered tourist visits.
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 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 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— Wind storm 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" wind storms 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.
EOP—Page 14 of 43 October 2015
Wind storm 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 Operating Plan will be to describe roles and responsibilities during and after tornado
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.
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. US Interstate 76, US 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 has increased in Weld County over the last five years. This has
increased the risk of transportation accidents due to the increased numberof 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.
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 physiological 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.
EOP—Page 15 of 43 October 2015
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 properly 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. Weld County has been identified as a host area to receive and care for evacuees from
other areas in Colorado in the event of a major disaster or national emergency. This is
based on the North Central Regions Evacuation Plan.
6. 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 EOP 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 EOP 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.
EOP-Page 16 of 43 October 2015
V. Concept of Operations
General Operations
1. If a disaster emergency occurs within Weld County, immediate response by the
govemment(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(DHSOEM).
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
DHSOEM.
3. This Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) 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 Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) 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
Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) associated with all emergency operations are
detailed in appropriate ESF plans following this Basic Plan. Threat-specific responses to
hazards which impact Weld County are delineated in the contingency plan annexes of this
emergency operation plan.
7. 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.
8. An analysis of the major hazards facing Weld County is provided in the Pre-Disaster
Mitigation Plan on file with the Weld County Office of Emergency Management.
9. Definitions and Abbreviations used and useful in emergency management are listed in this
section.
EOP—Page 17 of 43 October 2015
Operational Phases
1. Upon notification of an actual or impending disaster, the Director of Emergency
Management, or an authorized representative, will activate the Emergency 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 BOCC 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.
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
Emergency Management Office 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, 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.
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.
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.
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
EOP—Page 18 of 43 October 2015
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 Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) 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 maybe 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).
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.
• General responsibilities are outlined in this section of the EOP.
• It is understood that a Department Director may need to delegate certain responsibilities
to his or her staff members due to the nature of the emergency.
• Specific responsibilities and/or tasks are outlined in the Emergency Support 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. Implement the Weld County Emergency Operations Plan, all or in part, as the situation
requires.
b. Direct and control all Weld County Departments before, during, and after a disaster.
c. Monitor status of mutual aid agreements.
EOP—Page 19 of 43 October 2015
d. Designate a Public Information Officer(PIO) to provide accurate disaster information
to the public. The PIO will coordinate with other P/Os through the Joint Information
System. Ref County Code 2-2-10
e. Issue official orders or public proclamations relative to the disaster emergency, such
as evacuation directives, establishment of curfews, and enactment of price controls.
f. Issue formal declaration of a county emergency or disaster.
g. Issue formal requests to the Governor's Office for the declaration of a state emergency
for the purposes of obtaining state and/or federal assistance.
h. Establish policy for expenditure of funds and for the management of distribution of
resources during the emergency.
i. Approve and commit Weld County resources and funds for disaster or emergency
purposes.
2.
A. Primary County Response Agencies
1. Weld County Board of County Commissioners
The Weld County Board of 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 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) Activate the Emergency Operation Plan fully or in part as needed for the
emergency.
(3) 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) Preparation of situation reports and damage assessment reports for the County
Commissioners, Other County Elected Officials, Department Heads and local
officials.
EOP—Page 20 of 43 October 2015
(5) 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.
c. 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) Ensuring that communications, warning, and other necessary operations support
equipment is readily available for use in the alternate EOC.
d. Manage, liaison and coordination 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 Office of 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.
e. 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.
f. Ensure Emergency Operations Plan maintenance, training, and exercises, to include:
(1) Development, revision, distribution, and follow-up of all elements of the Weld
County EOP;
(2) 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 EOP.
g. Assume responsibility as the Designated Emergency Response Authority for
hazardous substance spills and mass transportation accidents in unincorporated Weld
County.
h. 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
EOP—Page 21 of 43 October 2015
with Weld County Regional Communications Center for use of early warning systems.
(see ESF 2B).
3. Weld County Sheriff
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;
(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 road blocks)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 special 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).
g. Direct Wildland 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. See the Weld County Annual Operating
Plan.
EOP—Page 22 of 43 October 2015
h. Coordinate hazardous materials accident response and incident command in
unincorporated areas of the county With Fire Districts and Hazmat Teams
4. Weld County Department of Public Works Director
The Weld County Department of Public Works Director is responsible to:
a. Manage public works resources and direct public works operations, to include:
(1) Central control and repair of all transportation assets for maximum emergency
utilization of all county vehicles, facilities, heavy equipment, fuels, 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;
(3) Clearing major thoroughfares and removal of debris to permit emergency
operations, with priority assigned to critical emergency services lifelines;
(4) Providing emergency sources of electricity and gas for essential County and relief
activities;
(5) Providing emergency traffic engineering and control measures including
barricades, street flares, and marking of emergency traffic routes and dangerous
areas in coordination with the Sheriff's Office. Coordinate with the Sheriff's Office
for emergency traffic control routes during evacuations;
(6) 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;
c. Coordinate with private sector utilities(e.g., power and gas) on shutdown and service
restoration, to include:
(1) Ensuring emergency shutdown of utilities to prevent damage;
(2) Monitoring repair of electrical, gas, and water distribution systems;
(3) Coordinating with private sector utilities and contractors for use of private sector
resources in public works-related operations;
d. Develop damage assessment information, to include:
(1) Provision of 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);
(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;
e. Assist in facilities protection and emergency repairs to county public buildings, roads,
utilities and other essential facilities;
EOP—Page 23 of 43 October 2015
f. Assist in decontamination of facilities, areas, roadways, and equipment during a
radiological environment or a hazardous material spill;
5. Fire Departments and Fire Protection District Chiefs
Fire departments and fire protection district chiefs will be responsible to:
a. Conduct all regularly assigned functions relating to fire prevention and control to
minimize loss of life and property due to fire;
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 Sheriff's Office and/or
appropriate police department during any incident period;
d. Assist in the conduct of all types of rescue operations;
e. Assist in warning public of impending danger and evacuating, as necessary, potential
danger areas within zone responsibility, and providing fire security in evacuated areas;
f. Maintain contact with the Weld County Regional Communications Center on
established frequencies;
6. Weld County Regional Communications Center
The Weld County Regional Communications Center 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;
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 EOC updated and current of any information pertinent to the incident or
emergency, if activated;
e. Coordinate communications and provision of communications staff support for field
command post(s);
7. 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 designated Public Information Officer for all press releases and
emergency notifications. 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 directed to direct all public and
media inquiries to the designated Public Information Officer in order to coordinate and
EOP—Page 24 of 43 October 2015
centralize information associated with an emergency situation. (Weld County
Codification Ordinance 2000-1; Weld County Code Ordinance 2007-6)
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 ordered by the Weld County Commissioners by
whatever means possible-radio, social media, , newspaper, etc.
c. Establish and maintain a working relationship with local media.
d. Prepare a call-down list for disseminating emergency public information to groups that
do not have access to normal media.
e. Prepare emergency information packets 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.
8. Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment
The Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment supports the ESF8 as
required and shall:
a. Participate in Unified Command concerning matters of public health. (county Code 14-
10-10
b. Receive, manage and coordinate the Strategic National Stockpile.
c. Investigate and control food borne, waterborne and infectious disease outbreaks.
d. Plan, update and carry out mass prophylactics clinics.
e. Register and issue death certificates for death occurring in Weld County.
f. 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 within the IC and EOC.
g. Coordinate all public health services.
h. Provide environmental health services and technical support, sources of
contamination, or unsanitary conditions that present hazards to the general public.
i. Communicate health information to the public in coordination with the designated
Public Information Officer and the joint information system.
j. Coordinate community health education.
k. Receive and process all disease reports.
I. Offer coordinated secure communication within public health in Colorado.
m. Send out health alerts.
n. Coordinate with law enforcement for quarantine and isolation.
•
EOP—Page 25 of 43
9 October 2015
B. Supporting County Departments
1. Directors and Heads of County Departments and Agencies
Directors and heads of County Departments 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 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 Sheriff's 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 Department of General Services
a. Assist the Board of County Commissioners as needed, to include.
(1) Procurement of emergency-related supplies and materials and administration of
vendor contracts for emergency services and equipment.
(2) Participation with other departmental representatives on county damage
assessment team at EOC and on local-state field damage survey teams, as
needed;
(3) Assessment and assistance in dealing with county insurance contracts.
4. Weld County Schools
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.
EOP-Page 26 of 43 October 2015
5. 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 road
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.
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 comprehensive County land use plan and other community development plans.
6. 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.
b. Coordinate with the American Red Cross, Salvation Army and other volunteer
organizations in the provision of emergency assistance at shelters, temporary housing
and other assistance to displaced citizens. All sheltering and housing will be compliant
with access and functional needs regulations and ADA compliant.
c. Assist in coordination of resources of emergent or spontaneous volunteers(i.e., match
available resources with individual needs).
d. Provide resources for stress counseling/crisis counseling for disaster victims and
disaster relief workers, as needed.
e. 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.
f. Administer Individual and Family Grant Program in Presidential-declared disasters in
Weld County.
7. 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 EOP and is included as an
annex to ESF 6.
EOP—Page 27 of 43 October 2015
8. 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;
(8) Other animals as required;
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) 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. Provide for disposal of dead animals as appropriate.
9. 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.
c. Prepare legal documents(disaster declarations, curfews, price controls) as required.
d. Review and approve emergency purchasing/procurement contracts and agreements
as required.
10. Weld County Department of Finance and Administration
The Weld County Department of Finance and Administration is responsible to:
EOP—Page 28 of 43 October 2015
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;
11. 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.
12. Weld County Clerk and Recorder
The Weld County Clerk and Recorder is responsible to:
a. Preserve and secure vital records;
13. Weld County Assessor
The Weld County Assessor is responsible to:
a. Establish and maintain a system for property information in Weld County. Include
current property assessed values to assist with damage assessments;
b. Assist the Board of County Commissioners as needed.
14. 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.
C. Other Local, State, and Federal Agencies
1. Municipalities and Municipal Agencies
Municipalities and Municipal Agencies will prepare and execute 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 Sheriff's Office and other law
enforcement agencies in the County, as required.
EOP—Page 29 of 43 October 2015
•
3. 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.
4. Civil Air Patrol
The Civil Air Patrol will coordinate with the Sheriff's Office in airborne search and rescue
operations, as required.
5. Other State Agencies
Other State Agencies will prepare and execute Emergency Operations Plans as
appropriate for their own jurisdictions, and will conduct mutual aid and otherwise support
and coordinate with County agencies as required.
6. Federal Agencies
Federal Agencies will prepare and execute Emergency Operations 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 ESF 6 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 Department of Human Services and effected 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).
EOP-Page 30 of 43 October 2015
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.
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.
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.
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.
F. Private Sector Organizations
1. North Colorado Medical Center/Banner Health Paramedic Services
a. Coordinate all Weld County acute medical and patient health services as ESF8
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. The Banner Health Paramedic Service provides medical transportation for patients
that are injured in disaster incidents and shall:
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.
EOP-Page 31 of 43 October 2015
h. Coordinate with the Emergency Operations Center upon activation.
i. Keep complete records of patients who have been treated or transported.
2. Emergency Alert System (EAS) Radio and Television Stations
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)
a. Radio EAS Station—KUNC 91.5 FM, KPAW 107.9 FM
c. Radio EAS Station—KOA 850 AM
b. Television- Comcast Cable, Local Denver stations
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 Emergency Operations 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 Sheriff's 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 Sheriff's 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.
EOP-Page 32 of 43 October 2015
b. Provide for continuity of services.
(1) Ensure that personnel are assigned to emergency and continuing operations, and
that key backups are identified.
(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/ocations 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 shall retain responsibility for direction and control of
all Weld County government personnel, resources and facilities when a disaster occurs. 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.
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.
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 N/MS training ICS 100 through ICS 300, N/MS 700, and
Complete the FEMA EOC Operations Course /S-775. Each emergency response agency active
in the incident are represented by administrative or operational personnel in the EOC. EOC
EOP—Page 33 of 43 October 2015
operational staff shall include, but are not limited to, the following organizational representatives
by Emergency Support Function:
ESF Department Support
ESF 1 Public Works Sheriff's Office
ESF 2 Communications Emergency Management
ESF3 Public Works
ESF 4 Fire Districts
ESF 5 Emergency Management General Services
ESF 6 Human Services Red Cross/United way
ESF 7 Emergency Management Purchasing
Coroner, NCMC, Banner
ESF8 Health Department Health
ESF9 Sheriff's Office Fire Districts
ESF 10 Greeley Fire Hazmat Fire Districts
ESF 11 Animal Control
ESF 12 Industry Rep
ESF 13 Sheriff's Office Local Law Enforcement
ESF 14 Emergency Management Administration
ESF 15 Public Information
ESF 20 Building Inspection
Others as
needed
Emergency Operations Center Alternate EOC
Weld County Administration Building Weld County Training Center
1150 O Street 1104 H St
Greeley CO 80632 Greeley Co 80631
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 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).
The Weld County Multi Agency Coordination System (MACS) is operated under an ICS style
organizational structure utilizing emergency support functions (ESFs). When the WCEOC is
activated only those ESFs needed to address the incident will be requested to respond. Almost
q P
all activations of the EOC will require the "Core" ESFs. They are identified as ESF 2,
Communications; ESF 3 Public Works, ESF 4, Fire; ESF 5, Emergency, Management; ESF 8
EOP—Page 34 of 43 October 2015
Health and Medical; ESF 13, Law Enforcement; and ESF 15, External Affairs. Other ESFs 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, PIO 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 an Emergency Support Function. 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.
Weld County EOC
Organizational Chart
November 2015
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(OEM Director or
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Weld County EOC Organizational flow chart
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.
EOP— Page 35 of 43 October 2015
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 Emergency Support
Function 2 of this Plan.
Continuity of Government
The Continuity of Government (COG) Plan has been developed to document the guidelines,
support and resources needed should there be an emergency/disaster impacting the County. The
Plan 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.
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 Emergency
Support Functions 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 effort will be made to document each transaction so that
records can be reconstructed and claims properly verified after the emergency period has
passed.
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.
EOP—Page 36 of 43 October 2015
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 Emergency Support Function and
Appendix.
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 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 ESF7 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 ESF7.
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 ESF7.
4. In the event that County personnel must use or damage private property or resources in
emergency operations, owners may be compensated appropriately with local insurance
guidelines. .
5. 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 ESF7.
e. Other private resources;
EOP—Page 37 of 43 October 2015
Impediments to Emergency Operations
1. Potential impediments to any emergency operation, such as physical barriers, time, and lack
of transportation resources are addressed in ESFs 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 Emergency Support Function or Appendix.
X. Plan Development and Maintenance
The Weld County Director of Emergency Management, along with the Weld County Local
Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), is responsible for maintaining this Emergency
Operations Plan.
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 BOCC 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.
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 cant'out emergency assignments. Staff participation in periodic exercises provides the
best opportunities for refining plans and procedures in preparation for actual disaster and
EOP—Page 38 of 43 October 2015
emergency events. Multi-agency and multi jurisdictional exercises will be coordinated by the
Director of Emergency Management.
Xl. Emergency Support Functions(ESF)
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 Emergency Support Functions(ESF).
Local agencies and organizations have been assigned responsibilities for implementing these
functions. Individual department assignments are shown on the Emergency Support Functions
Assignment Matrix. Assignments are made based on the department's statutory, programmatic,
or regulatory authorities and responsibilities. Emergency Support Functions Annexes contain
detailed information associated with a specific ESF. In a local declaration, local ESFs will work
directly with corresponding State and Federal Emergency Support Functions. It is imperative that
designated lead agencies understand the relationship between the local, State and Federal ESFs.
The ESF documents are not attached to this Basic plan and are held in the Office of Emergency
Management.
Agencies, departments, and organizations are assigned to lead,joint lead or fulfill supporting roles
as related to the Emergency Support 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 ESF and its operational requirements. Develops and maintains an
ESF Annex to this plan.
2. Joint Lead—Certain principal components of some ESFs 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 ESF.
3. Supporting— Those assigned a supporting role for a given ESF will cooperate with the
lead department in carrying out the assigned missions and will cooperate in Emergency
Support Function development, training and exercising.
Departments not assigned to specific Emergency Support Functions 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.
EOP—Page 39 of 43 October 2015
XII. Authorities and References
1. See the individual response and hazard specific annexes to this plan.
2. FEMA National Response Framework, January 2008
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. Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986, SARA Title Ill, Sections
301-304, 311-313, 322-325.
7. Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response, 29 CFR 1910. 120, as
amended, 1992.
8. Hazard Communications, 29 CFR 1910. 1200 as approved June 7, 1989, and as
amended.
9. Colorado Disaster Emergency Act, C.R.S. 24-33.5-700 series as amended.
10. Colorado Intergovernmental Agreement for Emergency Management.
11. Compensation Benefits to Volunteer Civil Defense Workers.
12. C.R.S. 24-33.5-802, as amended.
13. Civil Defense Liability-Public or Private, C.R.S. 24-33.5-9011, as amended.
14. Disaster Relief, C.R.S. 24-33.5-1102, as amended.
15. Colorado Emergency Planning Commission, C.R.S. 24-33.5-1501, as amended.
16. Colorado Hazardous Substance Incidents, C.R.S. 29-22-101-110, as amended.
17. Fire Department Special Districts-Powers and Duties, C.R.S. 32-1-1002(3), as amended.
18. Weld County Code Article XVI Section 2-16-10 through 2-16-90
19. Weld County Resolution#881176, December 1988.
20. Weld County Hazard Mitigation Plan, October 2015 Draft
21. FEMA National Incident Management System, December 2013
EOP—Page 40 of 43 October 2015
Part 3
Appendix A
Special 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:
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 jurisdictions 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
Team (COG) has been developed to support resources needed should there be an
emergency/disaster impacting County Operations. Refer to Weld County COG Plan Annex C
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.
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
Emergency Operations 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.
EOP—Page 41 of 43October
9 2015
Operations Staff—As part of the EOC, 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 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 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.
Prevention- Involves actions taken to avoid an incident or to intervene to 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 emergency operations plans and incident
EOP-Page 42 of 43 October 2015
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 Emergency Operations Plan".
EOP—Page 43 of 43 October 2015
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