AGENDA DATE: 3/15/2023
TITLE:
Title
Albemarle County Emergency Operations Plan
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Adoption of Albemarle County Emergency Operations Plan
ITEM TYPE: Consent Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Henry, Rosenberg, Farley, Eggleston, Oprandy
PRESENTER (S): N/A
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: Albemarle County is vulnerable to a variety of hazards, such as flash flooding, major river flooding, hurricanes, winter storms, tornadoes, hazardous materials incidents, resource shortages, civil unrest, and terrorism. Virginia Code § 44-146.19 requires that local governments develop and maintain a current Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) to be prepared for such events. Every four years, the local EOP must be updated and adopted by the governing body. The Board of Supervisors must provide evidence to the Virginia Department of Emergency Management of its adoption of the most current version of the EOP. In the past, Albemarle County joined its regional partners in creating and adopting the Regional EOP. In 2019, the Board of Supervisors created the Division of Emergency Management, as a part of its Department of Fire and Rescue (ACFR) to concentrate on County emergency management services while maintaining regional cooperation. The EOP (Attachment A) presents a local plan specific to Albemarle County.
The County’s Director of Emergency Management is the County Executive. The County Executive appoints the Chief of Albemarle County Department of Fire and Rescue as the Emergency Management Coordinator, who is empowered to delegate some or all of the Coordinator’s powers and responsibilities to a designee. The day-to-day emergency management activities are coordinated by the Emergency Management Division of the Albemarle County Department of Fire and Rescue.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Mission - To enhance the well-being and quality of life for all community members through the provision of the of the highest level of public service consistent with the prudent use of public funds.
DISCUSSION: In its current, submitted form, the EOP accomplishes two significant objectives: (1) compliance with Virginia Code § 44-146.19(E) and (2) a redraw of the former Regional EOP to apply specifically to Albemarle County. Further work is ongoing to refine, redefine, and improve the quality of this EOP. Adopting this current EOP is necessary and urgent to meet the County’s near-term objectives. The EOP is a multidiscipline all-hazards plan that establishes a single, comprehensive framework for the management of major emergencies and disasters within the County. The EOP is implemented when it becomes necessary to mobilize community resources, to save lives and to protect property and infrastructure. The EOP incorporates the National Incident Management System as the standard for incident management and reflects other changes resulting from the adoption of the National Response Framework.
The EOP outlines the roles and responsibilities assigned to County departments and other agencies for response to disasters and emergencies. The EOP is not intended to be a stand-alone document but serves as the overarching strategy that aligns more detailed department and agency plans and operating procedures to meet response and recovery needs.
The EOP contains an overview of the management structure, key responsibilities, and emergency assignments during and immediately after an emergency. Annexes provide additional detail for emergency support functions, support, and incident types.
BUDGET IMPACT: There is no budget impact associated with the adoption of this EOP.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board adopt the attached Resolution (Attachment B) approving the Albemarle County Emergency Operations Plan (Attachment A).
ATTACHMENTS:
A - Albemarle County Emergency Operations Plan
B - Resolution