Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Management of a crisis and authority to direct the response must be vested in
an individual who is responsible and accountable. At the local level, this is usually
the elected chief official. Alternates should be named for each defined position in
the local emergency organization. Alternates must have the same responsibility
and accountability. The question of direction and control must be confronted
directly before an emergency occurs because it is impossible to establish a line
of command and control while a crisis is in progress. The chain of command
needs to be clearly laid down and accepted within an organization long before
an incident occurs.
This is particularly important with regard to the interaction between the local
level officials and others within the state, county and federal government. The
planning document should address the different levels of government and their
roles and responsibilities during emergency response. Local jurisdictions have
the primary duty to save lives, protect property, protect the economic base of
the community, and preserve the environment. However, there will come a time
when an emergency requires resources beyond those available at the local level,
and additional agencies and departments need to assist. The interaction between
all these parties must be prearranged in order to allow for the effective command
structure. Normally, federal resources in the form of FEMA have to be acquired
through a formal request made by the governor of the affected state.
The chief executive of a community is charged with coordinating the func-
tions of the local fire and police departments and any other agencies involved
in aspects of local emergency response. These groups may have differing views
about their roles in managing an incident. It is up to the community leader to
resolve these differences before an emergency situation arises. It is important to
note that the responsibility for assuring proper local incident response is assigned
to the appropriate office and not the individual. Ideally, there should be written
agreements in place that define the roles and responsibilities of all the appropri-
ate entities before the emergency. These agreements can be obtained through the
planning process.
Planning Team
Successful planning requires community involvement and support throughout
the process. When a community participates in the planning process, then it
will accept the plan. Cooperative interaction among responders and the com-
munity begins with the planning process. Most important in the development
a community emergency preparedness plan is a leader who has the respect of
the organizations involved in the local emergency response. Management and
communication skills are essential for gaining the cooperation of all concerned
parties.
The team should be staffed with individuals with expertise in many areas.
Representatives of industrial facilities in the community that could be potential
sources of hazardous substance releases should be included, as well as
knowledgeable officials from transportation, community resources, and utilities.
