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i <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: April 17, 2012 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. <br /> SUBJECT: Official's Guide to Emergencies and Disasters <br /> DEPARTMENT: Emergency Services PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) No <br /> ATTACHMENTS: (Under Separate Cover) INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> F. R. Montes de Oca, 919-245-6100 <br /> Official's Guide to Emergencies and <br /> Disasters (March 2012 Edition) <br /> PURPOSE: To provide a guideline assisting the Board before, during and following disasters. <br /> BACKGROUND: At the Orange County Board of Commissioners annual retreat, members <br /> discussed the role elected and appointed officials play during disasters or serious emergencies. <br /> The Department of Emergency Services recently updated a manual to assist officials before, <br /> during and after disasters and serious emergencies. The Official's Guide to Emergencies and <br /> Disasters outlines several aspects of emergency preparation, response and recovery and <br /> includes sections addressing roles, the incident management system, resource flow, emergency <br /> declarations and pointers when interacting with the media. <br /> In 2011, Emergency Services, with the assistance of the North Carolina Division of Emergency <br /> Management and partners throughout the community, developed and presented tabletop <br /> exercises which tested Orange County's ability to manage disasters. In 2012 the department <br /> will follow-up with a full-scale, functional exercise that will involve many community partners and <br /> resources. This guide is one of the documents that support the all-risk, all-hazard emergency <br /> management program enabling it to improve internal operations and better prepare for and <br /> manage disasters of all types and magnitude, thus better serving the community. <br /> FINANCIAL IMPACT: This report will have minimal financial impact. The full-scale, functional <br /> exercise represents an investment by the County of $19,000 and $50,000 from the North <br /> Carolina Division of Emergency Management to carry out the project. <br /> RECOMMENDATION: The Manager recommends that the Board receive the report and <br /> provide feedback to staff to address further questions. <br />