City of New Orleans Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (Hurricanes)
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PREPAREDNESS (PHASE I: TRAINING, EXERCISES AND EDUCATION)
City of New Orleans Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan
Part 1: TRAINING
I. GENERAL
Training and education on Disaster Preparedness are essential to local
government and non?government disaster agencies, in order to mitigate the
loss of life and property in the event of a peacetime emergency. An
understanding of emergency operations, plus recurring education and training
in emergency response and disaster operations, is the basis of response
effectiveness. Individuals with assigned tasks must receive preparatory
training to maximize operations. The goal of emergency preparedness training
is the preparation of individuals and organizations for effective and
coordinated response to emergencies.
Likewise, increasing the public's awareness of the various hazards which may
threaten them, and the available methods of protection is the essence of
emergency preparedness. In addition, during periods of emergency and
disaster it will be necessary for the citizenry to be informed and educated
concerning any action that may be required of them to save lives and
property. A mechanism must be in place to inform the public as to
particulars of evacuation, health care, shelter, transportation and all
other directions of which they should be informed.
II. CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS
Under the direction of the Mayor, the Office of Emergency Preparedness will
coordinate activities in accordance with the Comprehensive Emergency
Management Plan to assure the coordination of training programs for all
planning, support, and response agencies. Departments, authorities,
agencies, municipalities, and all private response organizations bear the
responsibility of ensuring their personnel are sufficiently trained.
The Office of Emergency Preparedness will coordinate training provided by
the Louisiana Office of Emergency Preparedness and the Federal Emergency
Management Agency. Schedules of state emergency management training will be
provided to all appropriate agencies. Applications for LOEP/FEMA courses
will be submitted to the Director, Office of Emergency Preparedness for
approval and submittal to LOEP.
III. TASKS
A. Director, Office of Emergency Preparedness
1. Coordination of all training activities of the various services of the
Emergency Preparedness organization so as to obtain the highest degree of
effectiveness in individual training, team or unit training, collective
training, combined training and mock or practice emergency preparedness
alerts.
The Director of the Office of Emergency Preparedness shall endeavor to take
full advantage of courses offered by the Louisiana Office of Emergency
Preparedness (LOEP), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the
Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Association (LEPA) and other agencies, as
well as conferences, seminars and workshops that may from time to time be
available, most notably state hurricane conferences and workshops and the
National Hurricane Conference. The Director will also establish procedures
for the notification of available training opportunities to other City
agencies and other governmental and private emergency response
organizations. Specific duties to coordinate and monitor available training
and educational opportunities shall be an operational task of the
Administrative and Training Officer (ATO) of the Office of Emergency
Preparedness. The ATO shall maintain close communication with the State
Training Officer of the LOEP as to the availability of training
opportunities, coordinate classes for local personnel and maintain tracking
of courses taken, develop methods of sharing to information with other
emergency management personnel within the jurisdiction, as well as arrange
training and educational opportunities for non?emergency management
personnel, particularly local elected and appointed officials. The ATO,
conducts on an annual basis, training and information sharing workshops with
all EOC representatives from various agencies. These workshops are conducted
at the Emergency Support Function (ESF) level. Workshops include the review
of existing EOC/ESF standard operating procedures, review of organization
changes that affects EOC or field disaster response operations, updates key
personnel lists and identifies training needs of new personnel, and
orientation to improvements or changes to EOC/ESF resources or materials.
From time to time, the ATO may undertake more intensive work sessions with
elements of the emergency response organizations in order to enhance unified
disaster planning.
2. Develops and conducts disaster exercises.
The Director of the Office of Emergency Preparedness shall continue to
exercise all levels of the City government in emergency preparedness and
response operations. Annually, a minimum of one full?scale functional
exercise that utilizes all levels of City government shall be conducted.
This functional exercise shall include the Mayor, elected and appointed
officials, independent authorities, and such non?governmental agencies as
shall be determined appropriate.
The Director of the Office of Emergency Preparedness shall participate in
the development and execution of annual Mass Casualty Incidents. This
participation may include scenario development, site selection, and
recruitment of resources and personnel.
The Director of the Office of Emergency Preparedness shall continue to
provide assistance to private industry, non?profit organizations, and
community organizations through the offering of training, joint drills and
exercises, response and recovery plan development, and information sharing.
Included in this effort are the following organizations:
* Association of Contingency Planners (ACP)
* New Orleans Tourist and Information Bureau
* New Orleans Hospital Association
The Director shall also develop evaluation procedures either independently
or in conjunction with other participants, in order to evaluate exercises
and to incorporate necessary changes into the disaster response
organization.
3. Coordinates, facilitates and encourages other elements of city government
in emergency preparedness and response planning efforts.
The Director shall continue ongoing programs of directing and facilitating
City agencies in the improvement of service providing during disasters
through the development of emergency response self?assessments, long?term
action plans, agency contingency plans, ESF standard operating procedures,
and other mechanisms that may be identified.
The City of New Orleans requires every agency of the City government to
perform emergency response self?assessments of their abilities to continue
to provide essential services during and following a major emergency or
disaster. The City further requires that corresponding long?term action
plans to address identified short?comings be developed by each agency of the
City and submitted to the Office of Emergency Preparedness for review and
inclusion in coordinated action activities.
4. Participates in state level exercises.
Annually, in conjunction with the Louisiana Statewide Hurricane Exercise,
the Office of Emergency Preparedness will sponsor and coordinate a Parish
wide exercise of the local government's emergency management organization.
To enhance the State's exercise, the OEP Director shall develop scenarios
based upon expected local impacts of the exercise storm. If local impacts
from the exercise storm are deemed less than needed to exercise the full
emergency response organization, than the OEP may independently develop
scenarios that would allow for the exercise of all city/parish resources.
5. Coordinates disaster preparedness training activities with others in such
areas as shelter operations, transportation, hospitals and nursing homes,
hurricane evacuation and recovery, etc. The OEP shall work in conjunction
with all elements of the disaster response organization to enhance emergency
response training. Activities shall include identification of School Board
and Dept. Of Health staffs to be trained in shelter management operations,
providing educational workshops and seminars to public and private entities,
develop and direct committees assembled to address critical issues of
emergency response, develop specialized informational brochures directed at
select elements of the community, and other activities as may be identified.
B. City Departments, Constitutional Authorities, and All Emergency Response
Agencies.
1. Ensure personnel are trained in appropriate plans and standard operating
procedures (SOP's) for disaster operations.
The City of New Orleans requires that every City/Parish agency prepare an
Agency Disaster Report assessing their ability to respond to any disaster or
emergency that may either affect their agency or which may call upon that
agency to perform response or relief efforts. Each agency, as part of the
assessment process , is required to address numerous issues, including the
disaster role of the agency, the validity of existing plans and procedures,
the training of employees in their disaster response roles, family
preparedness, and emergency use and acquisition of resources.
Once the self?assessment is completed, each agency is then required to
develop and implement, with the assistance of the Office of Emergency
Preparedness, a Long Term Action Plan which will enhance their emergency
preparedness and disaster response.
2. Attend, or provide senior staff as representatives to disaster training
exercises.
The City of New Orleans, in order to develop a citywide awareness of
disaster response functions, requires that each agency designate an
Emergency Coordinating Officer (ECO). The ECO is responsible for the
preparing and maintaining of emergency preparedness and disaster response
plans and procedures for their agency. Part of this responsibility includes
participation in disaster training exercises and drills as may be available.
C. OEP Shelter Coordinator
1. Provides shelter management training program to designated shelter
managers and disaster services personnel.
2. Maintain trained volunteer cadre for disaster response in areas of mass
feeding, damage assessment, etc.
3. Participate in disaster exercises when requested.
4. Develop recruitment programs that will provide the additional manpower
required to respond to a major emergency such as a hurricane.
D. Chief Administrative Officer
1. Ensure training programs are conducted for municipal personnel with
disaster responsibilities.
2. Ensure participation of key emergency response personnel in City disaster
exercises.
3. Conduct local emergency exercises.
E. Orleans Parish School Board.
1. Ensure identification and training of shelter personnel for public
shelters utilizing public school locations.
2. Conduct disaster education programs and staff training.
F. Emergency Medical Service
1. Conduct annual mass casualty exercise in order to test response
capabilities of emergency response agencies and medical facilities.
2. Conduct oral critique and written after?action reports for the mass
casualty exercises.
IV. DRILLS, EXERCISES TRAINING SESSIONS
The City of New Orleans government will conduct at least one functional or
full scale training exercise annually, which will test the response
capabilities of all functions of city government, as well as the private
organizations, Parish school system and other agencies required to respond
to disasters.
These tests will be conducted by the Director of the Office of Emergency
Preparedness and will be reviewed and assessed as to readiness by
participants. Qualified observers may assist Emergency Preparedness
personnel in evaluating the drills.
Private organizations, such as nursing homes, will be assisted by Emergency
Preparedness personnel in conducting disaster drills as requested, and when
required by State Law.
On a rotating basis in accordance with the schedule developed with the State
Division of Emergency Management, the City shall conduct natural hazard,
national security and technological exercises.
The Office of Emergency Preparedness shall conduct hurricane briefings and
training sessions with the Mayor and his staff, Department Heads, municipal
officials and all other governmental and private emergency response
agencies.
On request, the Office of Emergency Preparedness shall brief elected
officials on emergency management activities and hurricane preparedness.
The Office of Emergency Preparedness shall conduct hurricane and emergency
management seminars when requested.
The Office of Emergency Preparedness shall participate in regional emergency
preparedness planning sessions with other parishes and municipalities.
Part 2: PUBLIC AWARENESS and EDUCATION
I. GENERAL
One of the principal goals of the Office of Emergency Preparedness is the
education of residents and visitors towards the natural and manmade hazards
that do or may threaten our community. Many of the emergency preparedness
and management functions directed at informing the public of events or
rapidly developing situations is detailed in ESF?14, Public Information.
II. CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS
The coordination of public information activities is a shared responsibility
of the Office of Emergency Preparedness and the Office of Communications.
Public information procedures are divided into three phases: continuing
education, pre?disaster preparation, and post?disaster recovery. Continuing
education is intended to increase awareness of disaster potential, improve
education on ways to protect life and property, and expand information on
the availability of assistance and services. Pre?disaster preparation briefs
the public on imminent danger, and provides details about evacuation and
sheltering procedures. During the post?disaster phase, the public is
informed on such matters as disaster assistance, health precautions, long
term sheltering, and other important issues involving the community's
recovery operations.
Specific tasks include the development and delivery of pre?disaster
information and education programs, the coordination of all City Public
Information Officers, the initiation of the proper news releases,
announcements, etc., and the making of arrangements for printing adequate
literature to facilitate the goal of educating and informing the public. The
Office of Emergency Preparedness and Office of Communications shall also
devise a mechanism whereby the largest possible segment of the population
can be sufficiently educated in disaster events to minimize panic and
misunderstanding, including elderly and special needs population.
III. TASKS
A. Office of Emergency Preparedness
1. The preparation and dissemination of a general public education program
in order to attain high public morale, minimize fear and panic and obtain
full individual participation in Emergency Preparedness activities and
maximum public support of the emergency management plan.
Public education is the focus of the activities of the OEP Administration
and Training Officer (ATO). Although all members of the OEP staff
participate in public education, it is primarily the ATO who is responsible
for the development of education programs. The ATO shall either utilize
materials prepared by other agencies such as the Louisiana Office of
Emergency Preparedness, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA),
or shall develop materials directed at the specific needs or concerns of our
local population.
The ATO participates with other organizations in the presentation of
disaster preparedness materials and programs. Such programs include
corporate emergency preparedness/disaster presentations, presentations to
civic and professional organizations, annual hurricane awareness seminars,
and special event presentations.
The ATO is the OEP staff member who coordinates and facilitates required
family preparedness seminars for City government employees. They are
designed to educate employees to their families' needs in anticipation that
the employee will not be available to assist in family disaster preparedness
and response activities, and to educate families whose City employee spouse,
parent, or guardian may not be available for an extended time following a
disaster. The seminars discuss potential hazards to the City, evacuation
options, job responsibilities, and other subjects.
2. To conduct public information programs providing regular reports to the
public on Emergency Preparedness activities. The public information programs
include news features on television and radio. Public forums, joint
presentations, and speaking engagements will also be conducted.
3. Annually, assist business and media with publication of disaster
preparedness and evacuation information.
4. In times of disaster, advise the public of developments and procedures
for locating emergency services. During a disaster, the OEP directs calls to
the Office of Public Advocacy. Public Advocacy provides current and accurate
information to the public.
5. Develop procedures and mechanisms for the notification of persons who can
not rely on traditional media sources.
The OEP works closely with the Human Relations Commission to identify and
explore the feasibility of alternative notification methods, including new
technology designed to assist the hearing and sight impaired.
Local television stations can also use header and footer scrolls across
their programming in order to notify the hearing impaired of emergency
situations.
The OEP works with the home health care industry to provide emergency
preparedness information and educational materials. The EOC also, through
ESF?8, Health and Medical, provides status reports of approaching tropical
storms to home health providers to assist them in preparing their clients
for severe weather.
6. The OEP shall maintain a working relation with the electronic media for
the prompt dissemination of emergency related information.
In times of concern for developing events, or actual emergency, local media
organizations will participate in the dissemination of public emergency
information. Major local television stations will be present in the EOC upon
clearance from the Office of Communications, and provide information from
the EOC.
During an emergency, the OEP will utilize Cox Cable to facilitate
information dissemination. 8. Following a major disaster such as a
hurricane, coordinate with State and Federal agencies on news releases and
other information being made available to the public. Areas within ESF?14
are designated for State and Federal agencies, where they will be provided
work space in close proximity to media briefing and work areas. They will be
joined by City public information officers (PIOs) who are trained in EOC
public information procedures (See ESF?14, Public Information).
9. Develop procedures and mechanisms to provide proper identification for
key response and recovery personnel, for governmental, private relief, and
corporate entities.
10. Develop procedures for public identification of shelters, critical
recovery services and centers prior to and immediately following a major
disaster when all normal public information systems may be inoperable.
The OEP will, via ESF?6, Mass Care, and ESF?14, Public Information, issue
constantly updated information on available shelters prior to and during
disaster operations, and will utilize extraordinary means when called upon
following a disaster to provide updated information.
11. The OEP shall develop procedures for providing information to transient
and homeless populations through the procedures as outlined in the Severe
Weather Shelter Program.
B. Office of Communications
1. Develop adequate educational materials for dissemination to the public
prior to the disaster.
2. Coordinate and develop all news releases to be delivered by elected
officials, and consult with other city departments and agencies in
development of appropriate bulletins affecting their activities in which the
public must be informed.
3. Literature in the form of pamphlets, flyers, circulars, etc., will be
made available for public distribution. The literature will cover all
aspects of emergency and disaster response.
4. Develop educational and informational literature that will be
disseminated to the public concerning disasters. Information from private
relief agencies will be included.
5. Prepare and disseminate information to tourists and transient populations
as to conditions and best actions to take, time permitting.
6. City officials will be made aware of procedures to be followed in
disseminating material and information to the public to avoid confusion.
7. In the event of a major emergency, activate and man the ESF?14, Public
Information, and its media?center within the Emergency Operations Center,
and operate it under protocols to be established in conjunction with the
Mayor's Office and the Office of Emergency Preparedness.
8. Prior to hurricane season, assist in the establishment of ESF?14
procedures and operational guidelines, and conduct media orientations to EOC
facilities and procedures.
9. Assist the Office of Public Advocacy in operating EOC Citizen Information
Center, and for the coordination of information to be given out and in
following up reports received by this hotline.
10. Provide technical assistance in developing public service announcements
that can be prepared before hurricane season for later broadcast, when
circumstances may not allow adequate preparation time.
Public service announcements are developed jointly between the OEP and
Office of Communications. Prior to each hurricane season, the
representatives of the OEP shall meet with the Office of Communications to
evaluate the need for the development of public service announcements that
can be made and stored until needed. Although such "canned" announcements
may be developed, live announcements from the EOC shall remain the preferred
method. Scripts that reflect numerous contingencies are developed and on
file within the OEP, and allow for the editing of information for specific
events.
11. Encourage local television and radio stations in development of special
programs on hurricanes and other possible disasters.
C. Other Departments and Agencies
1. Other departments/divisions of the City will coordinate efforts with the
OEP in the development of educational tools to be distributed to the public.
2. Other agencies will assure that their personnel are aware of procedures
for disseminating information during an emergency or during the recovery
from a disaster, and that these procedures include not giving out
information that has not been cleared by the Emergency Operations Center.
ANNEX I: HURRICANES
RESPONSE (PHASE II: WARNING, EVACUATION, AND SHELTERING)
City of New Orleans Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan.
PART 1: WARNING
I. GENERAL
Evacuation planning and actual implementation has to be based upon certain
assumptions. It must be understood that the need to evacuate elements of the
population can occur at any time, events resulting in evacuations occur with
various amounts of lead time and every evacuation will be unique and offer
unexpected challenges to those conducting the evacuation. Evacuations in
response to hazardous material spills or sudden severe weather are provided
with little or no warning, and often have to be accomplished after the fact,
and in a disaster response environment. Throughout the Parish persons with
special needs, require special consideration regarding notification,
transportation, and sheltering. Resources of equipment, facilities and
personnel are more difficult to locate and coordinate when an evacuation is
required during late night or early morning hours. If possible, advance
warning should be given so an evacuation can be coordinated. Adequate
provisions should be maintained at all times in order to conduct a warning
or alert of an area.
Certain hazards, such as a hurricane, provide some lead time for
coordinating an evacuation. However, this can not be considered a certainty.
Plus, the sheer size of an evacuation in response to an approaching
hurricane creates the need for the use of community-wide warning resources,
which cannot be limited to our City's geographical boundaries. Evacuation of
major portions of our population, either in response to localized or
citywide disasters, can only be accomplished if the citizens and visitors
are kept informed of approaching threats on a timely schedule, and if they
are notified of the need to evacuate in a timely and organized manner. If an
evacuation order is issued without the mechanisms needed to disseminate the
information to the affected persons, then we face the possibility of having
large numbers of people either stranded and left to the mercy of a storm, or
left in an area impacted by toxic materials.
In this day of high-speed communication and wide-spread availability of
information, mechanisms do exist to transmit emergency related information
to the vast majority of the community. For our most serious threat,
hurricanes, information from the National Hurricane Center in Miami and our
local office of the National Weather Service, can reach the general
population through local governments and mass media outlets. It is the
responsibility of the Office of Emergency Preparedness to guarantee that not
only is the public alerted, but that other emergency response organizations
and personnel are alert and in position to meet the real or potential
threat.
Warning for an emergency requires notification at two levels: notification
of public officials and response organizations and the warning of the
general public. The mechanisms chosen to accomplish these critical events
must be rapid in execution and comprehensive in application. This annex
outlines the procedures which will be implemented for notifying the
emergency response network of its activation, and of informing the general
public of the potential or actual occurrence of life threatening events and
hazards.
The extent and methods of warnings issued will be determined by the Director
of the Office of Emergency Preparedness, and are based upon the geographic
area impacted. When events necessitate the immediate evacuation of
threatened individuals, these decisions may be made by the on scene Incident
Commander. Decisions affecting larger geographic areas will be made by the
Director of the Office of Emergency Preparedness in conjunction with the
Superintendent of Fire and Superintendent of Police.
General evacuations that may result from an approaching hurricane will be
ordered by the Mayor of the City, upon the recommendation of the Director of
the Office of Emergency Preparedness. The area affected by the warning may
range from blocks and portions of neighborhoods, to the entire city.
II. CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS
The Office of Emergency Preparedness has the overall responsibility for
reception and dissemination of warning information through the city.
If the EOC is rendered unusable, the City of New Orleans Mobile Command
Center can be utilized to serve as a temporary Emergency Operations Center.
Warnings of potential or actual emergencies can be received at the Parish
Warning Point from the following sources:
1. National Weather Service (NWS) maintains its office in Slidell, LA. The
NWS forecasts weather conditions and originates severe weather bulletins
concerning the area. This information is received at the OEP via weather
teletype, NOAA radio, and telephone.
2. Emergency Alert System - Replacing the former Emergency Broadcast System
(EBS), the EAS can be used by numerous agencies not only to warn the public,
but to receive information from other emergency warning and response
organizations.
A. Types of Warnings
1. Severe Weather: Severe Weather warnings are issued by the National
Weather Service when severe thunderstorms are expected to affect an area
producing winds in excess of 57 mph, or hail 3/4-inch or greater.
2. Tornado Watches and Warnings: Tornado Watches and Warnings are issued by
the National Weather Service when conditions are favorable for tornadoes to
develop or one has been sighted/reported respectively.
3. Marine Advisories: Marine Advisories are issued on a regular basis by the
National Weather Service. Those related to tropical weather systems are
issued every 6 hours to report the location and strength of a tropical
depression, tropical storm or hurricane. In addition to this information,
the Marine Advisory provides predicted strength and forecast positions of
the storm at 12, 24, 36, 48 and 72 hours.
4. Tropical Storm/Hurricane Watches and Warnings: Tropical Storm/Hurricane
Watches and Warnings are issued as part of the Marine Advisory when a storm
may, or is expected to affect a land mass. A Watch is generally issued when
a storm might affect an area within 36 hours, while a Warning is issued when
a storm is expected to affect an area within 24 hours. Since Hurricanes
contain both hurricane force winds (74 mph or greater) and Tropical Storm
force winds (40-74 mph), both may be established for a coastal area. The
Hurricane Watch/Warning will be issued for the area where the hurricane
force winds are expected or are possible, whereas the Tropical Storm
Watch/Warning will be issued for areas on either side of the Hurricane
Watch/Warning.
5. Localized Evacuations: Localized Evacuations may be ordered or
recommended when an emergency occurs, which affects a relatively small area,
such as a Hazardous Materials release or a large fire. Localized Evacuation
would also include river or lake flooding caused by strong, sustained
easterly winds in low lying areas outside the levee protection system.
B. Methods of Notification
1. Officials and Organizations: The notification of key officials and
organizations in the City can be accomplished by several means. Upon
notification of an emergency, the Director of the Office of Emergency
Preparedness will determine who is to be notified based upon the severity,
type, and location of the occurring emergency.
a. Emergency Hotline Telephone System: The "Mayor's Hotline" is a
pre-programmed telephone system which connects the EOC.
b. Emergency Preparedness FAX: Situational updates and messages of a
non-immediate nature can be transmitted to city/parish agencies, other
municipalities, emergency operations centers, and the State EOC.
c. Landline and Mobile Telephone Systems: EOC keeps a comprehensive listing
of telephone numbers to be called for varying situations. Key officials and
personnel are listed by business phone, home phone, mobile phone, and
electronic pager number. The general public will be notified of emergencies
by all means possible when it is determined to be necessary by the Director
of the Office of Emergency Preparedness. Warning bulletins will be
disseminated by the Office of Emergency Preparedness, coordinated with the
Office of Communications. Warnings will generally include areas affected and
precautions to be taken.
d. Emergency Alert System (EAS): The Emergency Alert System is the primary
means of advising the public of a localized emergency. The primary EAS
stations for New Orleans are WWL (870 AM) and WLMG (101.9 FM). The EAS can
be contacted by telephone and radio.
2. Media: The broadcast media provide a major part of the city's capability
to warn the public in a timely manner.
a. A combination of Live Media Statements and Pre-recorded Messages will be
used as a disaster situation develops. Once the Emergency Operations Center
is activated, the task of updating the media falls to the Office of
Communications.
b. Mobile Public Address Systems: New Orleans Police Department personnel
can be called upon to use the public address systems built into their
vehicles.
PART 2: EVACUATION
I. GENERAL
The safe evacuation of threatened populations when endangered by a major
catastrophic event is one of the principle reasons for developing a
Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan. The thorough identification of
at-risk populations, transportation and sheltering resources, evacuation
routes and potential bottlenecks and choke points, and the establishment of
the management team that will coordinate not only the evacuation but which
will monitor and direct the sheltering and return of affected populations,
are the primary tasks of evacuation planning. Due to the geography of New
Orleans and the varying scales of potential disasters and their resulting
emergency evacuations, different plans are in place for small-scale
evacuations and for citywide relocations of whole populations.
Authority to issue evacuations of elements of the population is vested in
the Mayor. By Executive Order, the chief elected official, the Mayor of the
City of New Orleans, has the authority to order the evacuation of residents
threatened by an approaching hurricane.
Evacuation procedures for special needs persons with either physical or
mental handicaps, including registration of disabled persons, is covered in
the SOP for Evacuation of Special Needs Persons.
Major population relocations resulting from an approaching hurricane or
similar anticipated disaster, caused the City of New Orleans Office of
Emergency Preparedness to develop a specific Hurricane Emergency Evacuation
Standard Operating Procedures, which are appended to the Comprehensive
Emergency Management Plan.
The SOP is developed to provide for an orderly and coordinated evacuation
intended to minimize the hazardous effects of flooding, wind, and rain on
the residents and visitors in New Orleans. The SOP provides for the
evacuation of the public from danger areas and the designations of shelters
for evacuees.
II. CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS
The Hurricane Emergency Evacuation Standard Operating Procedure is designed
to deal with all case scenarios of an evacuation in response to the approach
of a major hurricane towards New Orleans. It is designed to deal with the
anticipation of a direct hit from a major hurricane. This includes
identifying the city's present population, its projected population,
identification of at-risk populations (those living outside levee protection
or in storm-surge areas, floodplains, mobile homes, etc.), in order to
understand the evacuation requirements. It includes identifying the
transportation network, especially the carrying-capacity of proposed
evacuation routes and existing or potential traffic bottlenecks or
blockages, caused either by traffic congestion or natural occurrences such
as rising waters. Identification of sheltering resources and the
establishment of shelters and the training of shelter staff is important, as
is the provision for food and other necessities to the sheltered. This
preparation function is the responsibility of the Office of Emergency
Preparedness.
Conduct of an actual evacuation will be the responsibility of the Mayor of
New Orleans in coordination with the Director of the Office of Emergency
Preparedness, and the OEP Shelter Coordinator.
The SOP, in unison with other elements of the Comprehensive Emergency
Management Plan, is designed for use in all hazard situations, including
citywide evacuations in response to hurricane situations and addresses three
elements of emergency response: warning, evacuation, and sheltering.
1. Warning: Formulates a comprehensive system for public information, early
recognition of impending storms, and dissemination of emergency warning.
2. Evacuation: Formulates an effective procedure for orderly evacuation of
residents and visitors within available warning time.
3. Sheltering: Formulates a comprehensive system of accessible shelters of
adequate size.
The SOP is limited as it is not designed to address the protection of
personal and real property, yet is developed to cover the total New Orleans
geographic area. The timely issuance of evacuation orders critically impacts
upon the successful evacuation of all citizens from high-risk areas. In
determining the proper time to issue evacuation orders, there is no
substitute for human judgement based upon all known circumstances
surrounding local conditions and storm characteristics.
Information received from the National Hurricane Center concerning the
storm's tract will allow the focusing on either a landfall, paralleling or
exiting storm scenario. Information involving local conditions such as
pre-hurricane rainfall, tide schedules, and the amount of pre-storm
publicity, must be taken into account, as are the various known
circumstances that are explained in the information summary portion of the
Hurricane Evacuation Plan, in determining when an evacuation order should be
issued. Any assumption regarding where and how the storm will likely make
landfall involves clear and constant communication with the National
Hurricane Center, the local office of the National Weather Service, State
OEP and various local agencies that are monitoring either the storm's
progress or other elements of the city's preparedness to weather the storm's
passage.
The City of New Orleans will utilize all available resources to quickly and
safely evacuate threatened areas. Those evacuated will be directed to
temporary sheltering and feeding facilities as needed. When specific routes
of progress are required, evacuees will be directed to those routes. Special
arrangements will be made to evacuate persons unable to transport themselves
or who require specific life saving assistance. Additional personnel will be
recruited to assist in evacuation procedures as needed.
Slow developing weather conditions (primarily hurricane) will create
increased readiness culminating in an evacuation order 24 hours (12 daylight
hours) prior to predicted landfall. Disabled vehicles and debris will be
removed from highways so as not to impede evacuation. In local evacuations
involving more than fifty (50) families (i.e. 50 single dwelling units),
staging areas may be established at the closest available public area
outside the threatened area. Upon arrival at the staging area, evacuees will
be directed to the appropriate shelter facility. Evacuees will be encouraged
to stay with friends or relatives in non-threatened areas whenever possible.
Security measures will be employed to protect the evacuated area(s) in
accordance with established procedures and situations.
The use of travel-trailers, campers, motorcycles, bicycles, etc., during the
evacuation will be allowed so long as the situation permits it. Public
information broadcasts will include any prohibitions on their use.
Transportation will be provided to those persons requiring public
transportation from the area. (See Special Needs Transportation, ESF-1). An
orderly return to the evacuated areas will be provided after the Mayor
determines the threat to be terminated. Transportation back to the evacuated
area after threat termination will be provided as available.
III. EVACUATION ORDER
A. Authority
As established by the City of New Orleans Charter, the government has
jurisdiction and responsibility in disaster response. City government shall
coordinate its efforts through the Office of Emergency Preparedness
The authority to order the evacuation of residents threatened by an
approaching hurricane is conferred to the Governor by Louisiana Statute. The
Governor is granted the power to direct and compel the evacuation of all or
part of the population from a stricken or threatened area within the State,
if he deems this action necessary for the preservation of life or other
disaster mitigation, response or recovery. The same power to order an
evacuation conferred upon the Governor is also delegated to each political
subdivision of the State by Executive Order. This authority empowers the
chief elected official of New Orleans, the Mayor of New Orleans, to order
the evacuation of the parish residents threatened by an approaching
hurricane.
B. Issuance of Evacuation Orders
The person responsible for recognition of hurricane related preparation
needs and for the issuance of an evacuation order is the Mayor of the City
of New Orleans. Concerning preparation needs and the issuance of an
evacuation order, The Office of Emergency Preparedness should keep the Mayor
advised.
IV: HURRICANE EVACUATION PROCEDURES
It must be understood that this Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan is
an all-hazard response plan, and is applicable to events of all sizes,
affecting even the smallest segments of the community. Evacuation procedures
for small scale and localized evacuations are conducted per the SOPs of the
New Orleans Fire Department and the New Orleans Police Department. However,
due to the sheer size and number of persons to be evacuated, should a major
tropical weather system or other catastrophic event threaten or impact the
area, specifically directed long range planning and coordination of
resources and responsibilities efforts must be undertaken.
A. Evacuation Time Requirements
Using information developed as part of the Southeast Louisiana Hurricane
Task Force and other research, the City of New Orleans has established a
maximum acceptable hurricane evacuation time standard for a Category 3 storm
event of 72 hours. This is based on clearance time or is the time required
to clear all vehicles evacuating in response to a hurricane situation from
area roadways. Clearance time begins when the first evacuating vehicle
enters the road network and ends when the last evacuating vehicle reaches
its destination.
Clearance time also includes the time required by evacuees to secure their
homes and prepare to leave (mobilization time); the time spent by evacuees
traveling along the road network (travel time); and the time spent by
evacuees waiting along the road network due to traffic congestion (delay
time). Clearance time does not refer to the time a single vehicle spends
traveling on the road network. Evacuation notices or orders will be issued
during three stages prior to gale force winds making landfall.
> Precautionary Evacuation Notice: 72 hours or less
> Special Needs Evacuation Order: 8-12 hours after Precautionary Evacuation
Notice issued
> General Evacuation Notice: 48 hours or less
B. Evacuation Zones
Evacuation (vulnerability) zones provide a base to model traffic movements
from one geographic area to another. It is necessary to revise the
evacuation zones from time to time due to data generated by new generations
of storm-surge modeling .
Evacuation zones are designed to meet several functions: (1) In coastal
areas they must reflect the areas in each storm scenario which will need to
be evacuated due to storm-surge inundation; (2) They should relate as
closely as possible to available population data information, such as
enumeration districts, census tracts, zip code areas, transportation
analysis zones, etc.; and (3) They need to be describable in a manner that
persons in the area will be able to understand.
Evacuation zones will be developed pending further study.
C. Evacuation Routing and Traffic Control
New Orleans is surrounded by water. The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway leads to
the north, the I-10 twin spans head east, I-10 runs east-west and the
Crescent City Connection and the Huey P. Long bridges cross over the
Mississippi River. Evacuation presents unique and distinct challenges.
Principle traffic control is provided by the New Orleans Police Department.
The movement of evacuating vehicles during a hurricane evacuation requires
specific traffic control efforts to insure the maximum roadway capacity and
to expedite safe escape from hurricane hazards.
1. Bridge closures will be announced as necessary.
2. NOPD officers will be stationed at critical intersections and roadway
segments
3. All available tow trucks shall be positioned along key roadway segments,
and disabled vehicles will be removed from traffic lanes. No repairs will be
done to vehicles along the evacuation routes.
4. Manual direction of traffic will be supplemented by physical barriers
that are adequately weighted and which are placed to channel traffic and
prevent unnecessary turning and merging conflicts.
5. The movement of mobile homes and campers along evacuation routes will be
banned after a hurricane warning is issued. A disabled mobile home could
block the only escape route available. Such vehicles are difficult to handle
late in an evacuation due to sporadic wind conditions.
6. Boat owners must be made aware of time requirements for moving or
securing vessels. Optimally, industrial and recreational vessels should be
moved to safe harbor during or before a hurricane watch.
7. Emergency Response to Accidents/Breakdowns - The intensity of traffic
during a hurricane evacuation will always be accompanied by a certain number
of traffic accidents and breakdowns. Although roadway shoulders are
available for vehicles in distress, the movement of such vehicles to these
areas is often difficult and disruptive. It is recommended that at least two
traffic control personnel be positioned at each key roadway
link/intersection so that one can assist disabled vehicles as needed. Two
vehicles should also be positioned at each critical link to facilitate the
removal of immobilized vehicles, however, as resources (two vehicles) are
available.
8. Safe evacuation is predicated upon the movement of vehicles over
critically low points on evacuation routes prior to the occurrence of
flooding. Route blockages can happen prior to the arrival of a hurricane.
Those roadways that historically experience flooding due to rainfall alone
should be monitored for vehicle distress and help.
D. Evacuation Clearance Times
Clearance time is the time required to clear the roadways of all vehicles
evacuating in response to a hurricane situation. Clearance time begins when
the first evacuating vehicle (as defined by a hurricane evacuation
behavioral response curve) enters the road network and ends when the last
evacuating vehicle reaches an assumed point of safety. Clearance time
includes the time required by evacuees to secure their homes and prepare to
leave (referred to as mobilization time). Clearance time DOES NOT RELATE to
the time any one vehicle spends traveling on the road network. Clearance
time allows for the last vehicle leaving to reach its destination or the
parish line, whichever comes first.
Assumptions - Clearance time is based on a set of assumed conditions and
behavioral responses. It is likely that an actual storm will differ from a
simulated storm for which clearance times are calculated in this report. Key
assumptions guiding the analysis are grouped into five areas: 1. Population
Data
2. Storm Scenarios
3. Behavioral Characteristic of the Evacuating Population
4. Roadway Network and Traffic Control Assumptions
5. Evacuation Zones
The clearance times facing Orleans Parish for a severe hurricane will
necessitate proper traffic control and early evacuating decision making. The
evacuation must be completed before the arrival of gale force winds.
Evacuation should also start when school is not in session and when there is
at least eight (8) hours of daylight included in the evacuation time
allowed. Provisions must be made for the removal of disabled vehicles.
Flooding of roadways due to rainfall before a hurricane arrives could close
off critical evacuation routes rendering evacuation impossible.
V. TASKS
A. Mayor
* Initiate the evacuation.
* Retain overall control of all evacuation procedures via EOC operations.
* Authorize return to evacuated areas.
B. Office of Emergency Preparedness
* Activate EOC and notify all support agencies to this plan.
* Coordinate with State OEP on elements of evacuation.
* Assist in directing the transportation of evacuees to staging areas.
* Assist ESF-8, Health and Medical, in the evacuation of persons with
special needs, nursing home, and hospital patients in accordance with
established procedures.
* Coordinate the release of all public information through ESF-14, Public
Information.
* Use EAS, television, cable and other public broadcast means as needed and
in accordance with established procedure.
* Request additional law enforcement/traffic control (State Police, La.
National Guard) from State OEP.
C. New Orleans Police Department
* Ensure orderly traffic flow.
* Assist in removing disabled vehicles from roadways as needed.
* Direct the management of transportation of seriously injured persons to
hospitals as needed.
* Direct evacuees to proper shelters and/or staging areas once they have
departed the threatened area.
* Release all public information through the ESF-14, Public Information.
D. Regional Transit Authority
* Supply transportation as needed in accordance with the current Standard
Operating Procedures.
* Place special vehicles on alert to be utilized if needed.
* Position supervisors and dispatch evacuation buses.
* If warranted by scope of evacuation, implement additional service.
E. Louisiana National Guard
* Provide assistance as needed in accordance with current State guidelines.
F. Animal Care and Control
* Coordinate animal rescue operations with the New Orleans SPCA.
G. Public Works
* Make emergency road repairs as needed.
H. Office of Communications
* Release all public information relating to the evacuation.
PART 3: SHELTERING
(See ESF-6, Mass Care)
Emergency shelter operations are the responsibility of the Office of
Emergency Preparedness Shelter Coordinator. Shelters are provided by the
Orleans Parish School Board, while manager training and support activities
and supplies are provided by the Office of Emergency Preparedness.
Reassessment of facilities is an on-going process conducted jointly by the
School Board, and Emergency Preparedness Division. The shelter activation
list is updated yearly, and takes into consideration new school
construction, school closings and renovations.
A. Shelter Demand
Shelter demand is currently under review by the Shelter Coordinator.
Approximately 100,000 Citizens of New Orleans do not have means of personal
transportation. Shelter assessment is an ongoing project of the Office of
Emergency Preparedness through the Shelter Coordinator.
The following schools have been inspected and approved as Hurricane
Evacuation Shelters for the City of New Orleans: Laurel Elementary School
Walter S. Cohen High School
Medard Nelson Elementary School
Sarah T. Reed High School
Southern University Multi Purpose Center
Southern University New Science Building
O. Perry Walker High School
Albert Wicker Elementary School
It should not be assumed that all of the approved shelters listed above will
be opened in the event of a hurricane or other major tropical storm. The
names and locations of open shelters will be announced when an evacuation
order is issued. This list is not for public information and should not be
duplicated and distributed. In the event that shelters are opened, people
who go to their nearest listed location may find, for one reason or another,
that the facility is not open as a shelter, forcing them to seek an
alternate location. It is also possible that people anticipating the opening
of shelters may arrive before shelters are set-up and ready to receive them.
For these and other reasons, shelters which are to be used will not be
identified until they are ready to open and not until an evacuation order,
related public announcement is made.
Last Resort Refuges and Super Shelters are described in specific SOPs
covering their applications.
NEX I: HURRICANES
RECOVERY (PHASE III)
City of New Orleans Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan
I. GENERAL
Following a disaster, once the principal threat has passed and the primary
concern of protection of citizens from harm has been addressed, it becomes
critical to public safety to ensure the speedy yet orderly recovery of the
community. Recovery functions include continued, potentially long?term
response operations (such as debris removal and disposal, infrastructure
repair, etc.), liaison with State and Federal response and recovery
agencies, damage assessment, response to basic needs of citizens whom may
have lost their homes, possessions, businesses, or jobs. Emergency
management has to be prepared to address the long?term operations needed to
return the community to normalcy.
II. CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS
The lead agency responsible for coordinating recovery operations following a
natural or man made disaster is the Office of Emergency Preparedness. The
Director of the Office of Emergency Preparedness shall serve as the initial
contact with the Louisiana Office of Emergency Preparedness for the
coordination of recovery efforts. In the event of a major or catastrophic
event, the activated ESFs within the EOC shall provide liaison services to
their corresponding State and Federal ESFs and related agencies. Following
the establishment of a local Disaster Field Office (DFO), the Director of
Emergency Preparedness shall designate the person(s) to serve as local
liaison with the DFO. For certain hazard or incident specific incidents, the
lead response agency may continue to be the City's principle coordinating
representative.
Once into the recovery phase of a major disaster, ESF?5, Planning and
Information, shall assume the liaison function with the State recovery
staff, as will appropriate representatives of the various activated City
agencies involved in recovery operations. Coordination for the establishment
of Disaster Relief Centers, additional staging areas, and other sites that
may be needed for coordinated assistance will primarily be the
responsibility of ESF?7, Resource Support, and its support agency.
A. Damage Assessment
The Director of the Office of Emergency Preparedness shall designate a
Damage Assessment Officer to supervise assigned persons in a Damage
Assessment Unit (DAU). This unit will have three functional components:
1. Public Sector Damage Assessment Team(s), which will be responsible for
assessing the damage inflicted upon publicly?owned property.
2. Private Sector Damage Assessment Team(s), which will be responsible for
collecting information on housing and business losses.
3. Human Needs Assessment Team(s), are persons assigned to collect field
information on the needs of the community following a disaster that has
severely impacted facilities and other community assets that are depended
upon for daily living, and to report back to the EOC.
Specific damage assessment procedures and responsibilities can be found in
Standard Operating Procedure for Damage Assessment. Impact to the local
economy shall be ascertained however possible, but will rely on the
following organizations for preliminary information and periodically revised
data:
1. Property Appraiser's Office (value of damaged or destroyed properties)
2. City Planning Commission (impact on jobs, etc.)
3. ESF?18, Business and Industry (business specific losses)
Information gathered shall be monitored for inclusion in Situation Reports
by ESF?5, Information and Planning. Initial damage assessments shall be
accomplished by participation in flyovers conducted by the Louisiana
National Guard. City representatives will participate in the flyover.
Flyovers will also be used to initially develop a needs assessment for goods
and services needed by the community as a result of the disaster. Needs
assessment data and information will be tracked by ESF?5, Information and
Planning, and distributed to human service response agencies. Other methods
used to assess physical damages and develop needs and services estimates
include:
1. Additional flyovers.
2. City vehicles, such as trucks, automobiles, off?road vehicles, etc.
3. Riverside damage assessment shall be conducted by the Harbor Police.
4. Where damage is extensive, and roads may not be passable, damage
assessment teams may resort to foot patrols.
B. Human Services
Location of Disaster Relief Centers and other recovery operation sites shall
be the joint responsibility of ESF?7, Resource Support, and the Damage
Assessment Teams, which will scout undamaged or lightly damaged facilities
while conducting field surveys. Prior to hurricane season, a list of
potential buildings should be compiled that meet the criteria for a Disaster
Relief Center or other recovery function. These facilities shall then be
checked by damage assessment teams for potential use following a disaster.
An inventory of city owned properties will also be available in the EOC and
certain facilities, such as large community centers, shall be reviewed for
use at the time.
Multiple sites shall be identified and geographically positioned to serve
the impacted populations without placing burdens upon those who may have
lost their private transportation resources as a result of the disaster.
Regional Transit Authority may be called upon to provide free transit to
recovery centers located along existing bus routes. Recovery center staffing
patterns shall be developed along accepted state and federal guidelines and
provided from city, state and private agencies.
Feeding and food and supply distribution sites shall be established
following a disaster in geographically distributed sites across the Parish.
Feeding sites shall be established by ESF?6, Mass Care, in conjunction with
ESF?11, Food and Water. The Southeast Louisiana Chapter of the American Red
Cross and the Salvation Army shall provide the lead in establishing and
operating these sites. The Second Harvest Food Bank shall provide leadership
in the acquiring and distribution of food and water. ESF?15, Volunteers and
Donations, shall direct outside resources to the appropriate sites where
these volunteer services can best be used. Temporary living areas shall be
established when possible on city owned property. ESF?7, Resource Support,
shall assist in the location and acquisition of non city owned property. The
New Orleans Housing Authority shall be called upon to assist with public
housing for the temporarily displaced.
C. Infrastructure
Following a disaster of such magnitude that far exceeds the City's and
State's ability to meet the needs of the community and results in the
requesting and granting of a Presidential Disaster Declaration, the Office
of Emergency Preparedness shall, as previously described, at the request of
the Federal Emergency Management Agency or Louisiana Office of Emergency
Preparedness, establish Disaster Relief Centers for individuals seeking
recovery assistance. These sites shall be established at geographically
strategic sites, providing all affected citizens with access to available
programs, and shall provide representatives from numerous federal, state,
local, and private relief agencies. Locations of the centers, as well as
information on FEMA's teleregistration program, shall be made known via
ESF?14, Public Information, and all other available information outlets (see
ESF?14, Public Information).
For affected governments and qualified not?for?profit organizations, a
Public Officials Briefing shall be held. At the briefing, public officials
shall be oriented on available assistance and procedures, and shall receive
"Notice Of Interest" forms to be filed with state and federal officials.
Subsequent "Project Applications" shall be filed with FEMA for further
processing. State and federal authorities will evaluate the project
applications and determine justification for assistance.
City of New Orleans Department personnel shall serve as the City's principal
representatives in preparation of disaster application forms, monitoring of
projects to completion and certification, and disbursement of relief funds.
The City shall also coordinate the development of Disaster Survey Reports
and review and represent the City in negotiations for restitution of losses
with federal and state officials.
Debris removal shall be coordinated and executed by ESF?3, Public Works and
Engineering. Fallen trees and similar debris shall be disposed of to the
extent possible. Methods for disposal of non?mulchable debris shall be
determined by ESF?3, in conjunction with local and state environmental
officials. Administrative procedures for financial transactions, cost
accounting, grants management, document tracking and payroll processing will
be implemented by ESF?7, Resource Support. Following deactivation of the
EOC, these functions shall be continued by those agencies that staff ESF?7.
Procedures and instructions for preparing Disaster Survey Reports and
tracking disaster costs have been developed by the City. The City also
provides training and instruction on these procedures.
ANNEX I: HURRICANES
MITIGATION (PHASE IV)
City of New Orleans Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan
I. GENERAL
Mitigation includes those activities, policies or programs developed and
adopted by government officials which will reduce, eliminate, or alleviate
damage caused by disasters. Proper and coordinated planning is a
prerequisite to effective and efficient procedural changes required in
addressing hazard mitigation. The City of New Orleans currently participates
in, or has commenced the initial stages of several programs intended to
reduce the risk to lives and to minimize damage to public and private
properties.
II. CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS
Mitigation programs include coordinated city, state and federal efforts that
are currently in place, such as the National Flood Insurance Program, or
future actions designed to reduce the loss of life and extensive property
damage.
A. National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
The City of New Orleans is a participant in the National Flood Insurance
Program (NFIP). The City's participation is conducted by the City Planning
Commission (CPC). Citizens may receive information as to the NFIP rating of
their properties at the City Hall (CPC) office. As much of the development
now in place in New Orleans was developed prior to adoption of NFIP
standards and rating zones, it is anticipated that should a major hurricane
strike our area, that many structures, both private and public, would have
to be rebuilt or replaced by structures meeting NFIP standards.
B. Future Plans
Future mitigation plans include:
1. Drainage network management.
2. Protection of wetlands and marshes.
3. Floodplain management.
4. Preservation of the levee system.
5. Providing hurricane shelter.
6. Restricting imprudent development.
7. Mitigation actions following natural disasters and post?disaster plan
development.
In response to a major destructive storm, future plans call for the
preparation of a post disaster plan that will identify programs and actions
that will reduce or eliminate the exposure of human life and property to
natural hazards. To direct the City's hurricane recovery operations, the
Mayor will appoint a Recovery Task Force (RTF). The RTF shall include the
Chief Administrative Officer, the Director of the Emergency Preparedness,
Public Works Director, Public Utilities Director, Director of Safety and
Permits and any others as directed by the Mayor. Staff shall be provided by
those appointed, as well as by those elements of the OEP responsible for
recovery operations. The RTF shall provide the following tasks:
1. Review and decide upon emergency building permits.
2. Analyze and recommend hazard mitigation options, including reconstruction
or relocation of damaged public facilities.
3. Coordinate the preparation of the post?disaster redevelopment plan.
4. Recommend amendments to the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, and
other appropriate policies and procedures.
5. Coordinate with state and federal officials disaster assistance.
In order to ensure broad?based local participation in guiding long?term
redevelopment, the following recommendations are submitted:
1. That the RTF be tasked with overseeing long?term disaster recovery and
mitigation efforts, once the life threatening aspects of a major disaster
has passed, as an adjunct operation of the OEP.
3. That the RTF shall develop periodic reports on recovery efforts and
operations for submission to the Mayor and City Council.
4. That the RTF focus on such issues as Building Code modifications, zoning
and land use management, building code compliance and enforcement,
retrofitting public facilities, local legislation designed to reduce the
risk of life and property in areas vulnerable to the impacts of predictable,
recurring hazards.
http://www.cityofno.com/portal.aspx?portal=46&tabid=26
Voter
> ANNEX I: HURRICANES
>
> PREPAREDNESS (PHASE I: TRAINING, EXERCISES AND EDUCATION)
>
> City of New Orleans Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan
>
> Part 1: TRAINING
>
> I. GENERAL
>
> http://www.cityofno.com/portal.aspx?portal=46&tabid=26
Fri Aug. 26
Gov. Blanco sends Bush a letter asking him to declare an emergency for the
state of Louisiana:
Dear Mr. President:
Under the provisions of Section 501 (a) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. ?? 5121-5206 (Stafford Act),
and implemented by 44 CFR ? 206.35, I request that you declare an emergency
for the State of Louisiana due to Hurricane Katrina for the time period
beginning August 26, 2005, and continuing...
...I request Direct Federal assistance for work and services to save lives
and protect property.
..Pursuant to 44 CFR ? 206.35, I have determined that this incident is of
such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the
capabilities of the State and affected local governments, and that
supplementary Federal assistance is necessary to save lives, protect
property, public health, and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a
disaster. I am specifically requesting emergency protective measures,
direct Federal Assistance, Individual and Household Program (IHP)
assistance, Special Needs Program assistance, and debris removal...
Sat Aug 27
President Bush has declared a state of emergency for the Gulf Coast state
of Louisiana, as it braces for the expected onslaught of Hurricane Katrina,
set to make landfall on Monday.
Saturday's emergency declaration authorizes federal officials to coordinate
all disaster relief efforts and provide appropriate assistance in several
Louisiana parishes.
{Sec. 302}
...Immediately upon his declaration of a major disaster or emergency,
the President shall appoint a Federal coordinating officer to operate in
the affected area.
2. Functions of Federal coordinating officer
In order to effectuate the purposes of this Act, the Federal
coordinating officer, within the affected area, shall--
1. make an initial appraisal of the types of relief most urgently
needed;
2. establish such field offices as he deems necessary and as are
authorized by the President;
3. coordinate the administration of relief, including activities
of the State and local governments, the American National Red Cross, the
Salvation Army, the Mennonite Disaster Service, and other relief or
disaster assistance organizations, which agree to operate under his advice
or direction, except that nothing contained in this Act shall limit or in
any way affect the responsibilities of the American National Red Cross
under the Act of January 5, 1905, as amended (33 Stat. 599) [36 U.S.C. ?? 1
et seq.]; and;
4. take such other action, consistent with authority delegated to
him by the President, and consistent with the provisions of this Act, as he
may deem necessary to assist local citizens and public officials in
promptly obtaining assistance to which they are entitled.;
5. State coordinating officer When the President determines
assistance under this Act is necessary, he shall request that the Governor
of the affected State designate a State coordinating officer for the
purpose of coordinating State and local disaster assistance efforts with
those of the Federal Government...
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act
UNITED STATES CODE
Title 42. THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
CHAPTER 68. DISASTER RELIEF