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 Level 3 Activation — Minimal Activation: Level 3 is a Minimal Activation utilized to open communications and monitor events in a low-level emergency or for non -emergency events. City staff and departments would be responding to calls for service at a normal or slightly increased pace and volume, and should have sufficient resources to meet the needs of the emergency. The EOC would generally not be supporting responders or managing resources. A Level 3 Activation may be used when there is warning that an emergency may occur, when there is concern that a low-level emergency may escalate, or when the City may be impacted by an emergency occurring in another jurisdiction. Anticipated staffing for a Level 3 Activation would be: • EOC Manager - Police Department Deputy Chief, Commander or Sergeant • EOC Liaison/EOC Coordinator - Police Department Emergency Operations Coordinator • Situation Status Unit - Police Department Homeland Security Division Officer(s) • At the discretion of the EOC Manager: o Public Information Officer(s) o Police, Fire and/or Public Works Department Branch Directors or Liaisons o Other staff as requested 4.3.3 Authority to Request and Activate the EOC 4.3.3.1 Recognizing the Need to Activate the EOC The need to activate the EOC may be immediately obvious (such as for a damaging earthquake) or it may develop gradually as calls for service escalate or resources become stretched thin. In some cases, the City may receive a warning or forecast of an impending event. As stated above in Chapter One: Emergency response personnel, City officials and staff are encouraged to request support and resources proactively and to discuss or suggest implementation of this Plan or activation of the EOC if it would assist in the successful resolution of an incident. There is little harm in early activation, but consequences for a delayed or missed activation could include lost lives or property or a public perception that the City responded slowly or inadequately. Recognition of the need to activate the EOC may originate from a variety of sources, including: • The Police Department Watch Commander or Communications Division are alerted to a significant event through 911 calls or notification systems, or observing escalating calls for service; • Notification from Orange County Fire Authority Officers or Communications Division of a significant event or escalating calls for service; • An Incident Commander or Incident Command Post in the field requests assistance; • A City Department or Department Operations Center requests assistance from or coordination with other departments or agencies; • The Police Department Emergency Management/Homeland Security Division or Emergency Operations Coordinator receives warnings or notifications of developing or impending events. 4.3.3.2 Requesting Activation Any person described in 4.3.3.1 above who recognizes a need to activate the EOC should confer with one of the following officials, who can request activation of the EOC: • Any City Department Director or person acting in that capacity • Any member of the Police Department Command Staff • Any Chief Officer of Orange County Fire Authority • The Emergency Operations Coordinator 147