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 actions being taken or advised by public safety responders, and what to expect in the immediate future. For public meetings, consideration must be given to ensure resources are available to accommodate the audience being addressed, such as sign -language interpreters, large -print handouts and displays, non-English translation services, and media using in -frame captioning at all press conferences held by public officials. There may be multiple spokespersons participating during a news conference, public forum, or community meeting. For example, law enforcement may be the spokesperson regarding evacuation incidents, and public works may be the spokesperson about debris removal or transportation issues. There may be times when one spokesperson for all aspects of the incident may be enough, but in most cases of a complex incident, a unified approach with multiple spokespersons is optimal. Elected officials are looked to by the public as a source of information and authority during an emergency. The officials need to advise the public on the status of the incident, the resources available to them, and what the public needs to do to ensure their safety. City staff will work to give these officials the critical information needed to guide the public. Social Media Social media is also a powerful tool in information dissemination. The City will utilize Facebook and Twitter for communications to the public during a disaster. Integrating information being received from responders and other jurisdictions and agencies also can help to increase situational awareness and gain a better common operating picture. PIO's will monitor these accounts for relevant information; however social media accounts will be used for pushing information out and are not intended to receive any communications or requests for emergency assistance from the community. 3.7.2 Joint Information Systems (JIS) A widespread emergency will impact multiple jurisdictions and involve multiple response agencies, each of whom will have their own PIO disseminating information and instructions to the public. This requires a coordinated public information and messaging process, which is vital to an effective emergency response. A Joint Information System (JIS) provides the mechanism to organize, integrate, and coordinate information and messages to ensure timely, accurate, accessible, and consistent messaging across multiple jurisdictions and disciplines and with nongovernmental organizations and the private sector. A JIS includes plans, protocols, procedures, and structures used to provide public information and should include all Public Information Officers activated for an event. During an emergency involving multiple Operational Area jurisdictions, the Orange County Operational Area EOC will facilitate among jurisdictions to gather, verify, coordinate and disseminate information through a JIS and City of Santa Ana PIO's will collaborate in this process. Jurisdiction's PIO's may collocate to work together from one location, referred to as a Joint Information Center (JIC), or may work from their own multiple locations in a collaborative effort, referred to as a Virtual JIC. 3.8 Emergency Proclamations Emergency proclamations expand the powers and authorities of the state and political subdivisions during emergency conditions and also provide a mechanism for unaffected jurisdictions to provide resources and assistance to affected jurisdictions. Although emergency proclamations facilitate the flow of resources and support to the affected jurisdictions and local government, they are not a prerequisite for rendering mutual aid and assistance under existing agreements. The California Emergency Services Act provides for three types of emergency proclamations: • Local Emergency • State of Emergency • State of War Emergency Additionally, the Governor may request a Federal Declaration of Disaster or Major Emergency. 132