Item 26 - Adoption of the City of Santa Ana Emergency Operations Plan

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City of Santa Ana Emergency Operations Plan Part I Basic Plan Chatter 3 — Concebt of OUerations and Emergencv OrLyanization 3.1 Emergency Management Goals, Phases and Mission Areas Emergency management is an essential role of government. As stated in Chapter 1, the goals of emergency management are to protect life, property and the environment from the effects of natural disasters, human -caused disasters (intentional or unintentional) or failures of technological infrastructure, by: • Preventing disasters where possible, • Reducing the community's vulnerability to disasters that cannot be prevented, • Establishing capabilities to protect the community from the effects of disasters, • Responding effectively to the actual occurrence of disasters, and • Providing continuity of government and delivery of essential services for the well-being and rapid recovery of the population. Comprehensive Emergency Management is a concept to ensure that these goals are met through fulfillment of the four phases of Mitigation, Preparedness, Response and Recovery. Mitigation Phase Mitigation efforts occur both before and after emergencies or disasters and include eliminating or reducing the impact of hazards that exist within the City. Pre -disaster mitigation is the effort to strengthen the community and improve community resiliency before a disaster causes loss of life, damage to property or adverse impacts to the environment. Post -disaster mitigation incorporates strengthening and improving the community during the recovery and re -building process after a disaster occurs. These activities include enacting and enforcing building, fire and safety codes; zoning and land use management; improving or retrofitting structures and properties; and public education. The City of Santa Ana Hazard Mitigation Plan provides further detail on mitigation measures. Preparedness Phase The preparedness phase involves activities undertaken in advance of an emergency or disaster to develop the City's capabilities and resources for an effective response to disasters. Emergency plans are developed and updated to guide emergency response. Preparedness activities also include developing hazard analyses, training and exercising of personnel, acquiring supplies and equipment and improving public information and communications systems. Response Phase The response phase includes any action taken before, during or after an emergency to reduce casualties, save lives, minimize damage to property and the environment, and to enhance the effectiveness and speed of recovery. This is the phase where emergency plans are implemented and resources are deployed. These may include warnings and notifications to staff and the public, activation of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), evacuation, rescue, medical care, emergency proclamations and similar operations addressed in this Plan. Recovery Phase Recovery activities involve restoration of services to the public and returning affected areas to pre -emergency conditions and functions. Recovery activities may be short-term or very long-term, ranging from restoring essential utilities such as water and power; restoring transportation, communications and other critical infrastructure; returning people to homes; re -opening schools and businesses; pursuit of reimbursement or financial assistance; or mitigation measures designed to prevent future occurrences or reduce the future impacts of a hazard. The Federal Emergency Management Agency established a National Preparedness Goal of - "A secure and resilient Nation with the capabilities required across the whole community to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from the threats and hazards that pose the greatest risk. " 115