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 3.8.3 Proclamation of State of War Emergency In addition to a State of Emergency, the Governor can proclaim a State of War Emergency whenever California or the nation is attacked by an enemy of the United States, or upon receipt by California of a warning from the federal government indicating that such an enemy attack is probable or imminent. The powers of the Governor granted under a State of War Emergency are commensurate with those granted under a State of Emergency. 3.8.4 Federal Declaration of Disaster or Major Emergency If State capabilities will be exceeded, the Governor has authority to request Federal assistance, including assistance under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act). The Stafford Act authorizes the President to provide financial and other assistance to State and local governments, private nonprofit organizations, and individuals to support response, recovery, and mitigation efforts following Presidential Disaster or Major Emergency Declarations. Preliminary Damage Assessment Upon submission of the Governor's request, FEMA coordinates with the state to conduct a Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) and determine if the incident is of sufficient severity to require federal assistance under the Stafford Act. This process may take days to weeks, depending on the magnitude of the incident. FEMA uses the results of the PDA to determine if the situation is beyond the combined capabilities of state and local resources and to verify the need for federal assistance. The PDA also identifies any unmet needs that may require immediate attention. Federal Analysis of the State's Request The FEMA Administrator assesses the situation and request and makes a recommendation to the President through the Department of Homeland Security on a course of action. The decision to approve the request is based on such factors as the amount and type of damage, the potential needs of the affected jurisdiction and the state, availability of state and local government resources, the extent and type of insurance in effect, recent disaster history and the state's hazard mitigation history. Federal Declarations without a Preliminary Damage Assessment If the incident is so severe that the damage is overwhelming and immediately apparent, the President may declare a major disaster immediately without waiting for the PDA process described above. Declaration of Emergency or Major Disaster The President of the United States can declare an Emergency or Major Disaster under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 USC §5121 et seq.), thereby providing federal government resources to support the states' response and recovery activities. While Presidential Declarations under the Stafford Act release federal resources and funding to support response and recovery, federal agencies may also provide assistance under other authorities or agreements that do not require a Presidential Declaration. 3.9 Continuity of Government and Continuity of Operations A major disaster could result in the death, absence or incapacitation of key government officials; the partial or complete destruction of established seats of government; and loss of public and private records essential to the continued operations of both government and business. To help preserve law and order and to continue or restore essential services, it is critical that local government continues to function during or following such situations. Within the context of this document, the concept of Continuity of Government is comprised of three elements: Standby Officers and Officials; Alternate Seats of Government; and Preservation of Vital Records and Continuity of Operations. 135