PUBLIC WORKS / MAINTENANCE & GROUNDS / WATER
BERTIE COUNTY EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN
Reviewed / Updated: August 25, 2015

Primary Agencies: Maintenance and Grounds Department
Water Department
 
Support Agencies: Emergency Management
  Administration
   
Attachments:
Attachment 1: Preparedness / Response Checklist
Also See:
Annex: Damage Assessment
Annex: Shelter Operations
Forecasting model: Debris
   
   
I. PURPOSE

The purpose of this annex is to provide essential public works services during an emergency/disaster to reduce the impact of the emergency. 
 
II. SITUATION AND ASSUMPTIONS
 
  A. Situation:
 
   
  1. In an emergency there is frequently a need for manpower and equipment to remove obstructions or debris from government owned/controlled roadways, parking lots and at government facilities and for restitution of essential utilities.
     
  2. The municipalities that have public works capabilities are discussed in the Basic Plan under Situations.
  B. Assumption:
 
   
  1. The Maintenance and Grounds Department has a very limited, but immediate capability to provide emergency services for debris removal, restoration of essential utilities at some government owned buildings and limited shelter upgrading.
     
  2. The Water Department has a very limited, but immediate capability to provide emergency services for water supply needs.
III. CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS
 
  A. During non-emergency periods, the role of Maintenance and Grounds is confined to building, grounds and general county building maintenance. The Water Department provides potable water to government, private industry and business, as well as residential service.
 
  B. During emergencies, the public works function, which is inclusive for Maintenance and Grounds and Water, expands and coordination of public works emergency operations is essential. Maintenance and Grounds arranges for support services for emergency response agencies and coordinates with the private sector. Coordination with the private sector is vital. Manpower and equipment from private or other public sources will be essential.
 
  C.

The Bertie County Director of Maintenance and Grounds will serve in the Emergency Operations Center for the coordination of debris removal at and restoration of County owned facilities. This position will also serve as a coordination point to assist municipal public works agencies in getting support resources for the recovery and restoration of municipal  facilities.
 
  D. Each municipality will serve its own community within the scope of the public works activities that are provided to the citizens. When their capabilities are exhausted, the city can coordinate with other municipalities where there are existing mutual aid agreements or they can utilize the County Emergency Operations Center to assist in acquiring assistance.
 
  E. The State of North Carolina maintains roads within the County and will provide the function of debris clearance and removal on these maintained roads. Within the municipalities, there is a mixture of state-maintained roads and city/town maintained roadways. Prior agreements between North Carolina Department of Transportation and the cities/towns will determine responsibility for debris removal and repair of these roads.
 
  F. The Emergency Operations Center will also serve to coordinate with the North Carolina Department of Transportation information about critical areas or needs, for the clearance of debris from roadways, and to provide emergency vehicles access.
 
  G. Within the National Response Framework, all public works and engineering functions are considered an emergency support function (ESF 3).
 
IV. DIRECTION AND CONTROL
 
  A.

The Bertie County Director of Maintenance and Grounds will coordinate maintenance activities during emergencies and coordinate with other response forces in the municipalities or the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

The Water Department Director will coordinate response to water supply issues.
 
  B. Both the Director of Maintenance and Grounds and the Water Department Director will maintain direct communication with on‑site personnel via the public works radio system or telephone.
 
  C. When notified of an emergency situation, the Director of Maintenance and Grounds and the Director of the Water Department will determine the County resources to be committed to disaster response and alert appropriate personnel.
 
  D. On‑site control will be coordinated by the designee of the Director of Maintenance and Grounds or by the respective municipal public works director as well as the North Carolina DOT Supervisor or resident engineer.
 
V. CONTINUITY OF GOVERNMENT 

The line of succession is:
   
  1. Director of Maintenance and Grounds
     
  2. Director, Water Department
     
  3. County Manager
     
  4. Emergency Management Coordinator
Attachment 1
Preparedness/Response Checklist
 
     
  When requested or required, report to the Emergency Operations Center and serve with the Support Group, until relieved or the incident is terminated.
 
  Receive a situational briefing at the EOC. Ask questions and address concerns during the briefing.
 
  Advise the EOC of the availability of Facility Services response resources, including the number of personnel and/or equipment/services that may be available.
 
  Advise the EOC of the preparedness activities that have taken place to ensure adequate potable water supplies and generator power.
 
  Advise the EOC of any shortcomings or vulnerabilities county owned properties may experience or have experienced that would cause extended loss of the use of the building/property.
 
  Develop plans and recommendations in the event of partial or total electrical failure at any county owned vital facility.
 
  Develop mutual aid and resource agreements with surrounding counties and contractors.
 
  Implement mutual aid agreements as necessary.
 
  Brief your personnel regarding the current or impending situation based upon information received at the EOC briefing. Include in your briefing:
   
Current overall situation as relates to the emergency/disaster.
Maps of affected areas.
Current personnel status (i.e. is someone out on leave).
Safety.
Location of supplies if different from "normal" locations (i.e., emergency worker food supplies, fuel, etc.).
Security.
Advise personnel to log mileage of all vehicles used and the amount of time (in hours) that all equipment was used.
Work assignments including additional shifts if required.
Telephone numbers of key personnel.
     
  Establish and maintain communications with your personnel and/or public works (municipal) facilities as necessary for the duration of the emergency/disaster.
 
  Establish and maintain communications with the Emergency Operations Center for the duration of the emergency/disaster.
 
  Ensure personnel are advised to accurately record overtime and file reports with their immediate supervisor.
 
  Ensure personnel are advised to accurately record expense incurred in the performance of their duty and file reports with their immediate supervisor.
 
  Issue equipment or supplies (.i.e., gloves, face shields, etc.).
 
  Ensure a tracking method is in place to track and record expenditures.
 
  Prepare reports regarding the overall system status as needed, required or requested and forward such reports to the County Manager and/or Emergency Management Coordinator for the duration of the emergency/disaster.
 
  Prepare or appoint personnel to prepare records and reports for personnel overtime, equipment use and expenditures. Forward these reports to the Finance Office or other department as directed by the County Manager.
 
  Carry out other functions related to your department as required or requested by the County Manager and/or Emergency Operations Center.
 
 

Bertie County Emergency Management - PO Box 530 - Windsor, NC 27983-0530