EMERGENCY PLAN DEVELOPMENT

 EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS IS EVERYONE'S ... RESPONSIBILITY !!!                                                FAILURE TO PREPARE IS-----PREPARING TO FAIL

The Emergency Plan for all jurisdictions, generally, consists of a standardized set of information organized into a logical scheme that defines the actions required, the persons assigned to perform those actions and the individuals responsible for the implementation and maintenance of the numerous aspects of the plan. The basic plan structure was developed by FEMA and each State ratified that structure through legislation and the formation of an Emergency Management Division within state government. Ultimately, local jurisdictions were made responsible for the development, preparation and implementation within county and city governments.

The essential parts that should be included in ALL plans are:

• The BASIC Plan - Defines and describes the overall plan for each planning jurisdiction.
• ANNEXES - Define specific actions and responsible persons for specific emergency issues.
• APPENDICES - Action matrices, organizational charts, etc. for each emergency issue.
• STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES (SOP)-Define the who, what, when and how specific emergency issues will be carried out. Defining each responsibility in detail. 
• PHASES of Emergency Management - Written actions for each defined issue.
  • Planning
  • Mitigation
  • Response
  • Recovery

Emergency Plans are "site specific" and they must be written to address the issues that are encountered in each jurisdiction. They are dynamic and flexible to demographical and technological changes both in and around the jurisdiction and must be constantly maintained. They are intended to define specific actions, SOP's and protocols to lessen the effects upon our citizens when emergencies and disasters strike.

Emergency Planning is SERIOUS business and thus must be taken seriously by the personnel assigned responsibility to maintain the plan. The ultimate goal is to have a usable plan, NOT one that sits upon a shelf and looks pretty!

	PLANNING
	MITIGATION
	RESPONSE
	RECOVERY
	BASIC PLAN
	ANNEXES & APPENDICES

This Homepage was prepared by Kenneth F. Hambrick, Polk County Coordinator. Contact at E-Mail address: emcpolk@livingston.net, for additional information about our program. The information contained in this Homepage is considered public domain and the Office of Emergency Management encourages interested persons to utilize any portions of it that might be of educational benefit or enhance their local programs.

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