County/City/Town Emergency Evacuation Plan Table of contents

Title Page

Situation------1

I. Description / definition------1

II. Evacuation considerations------2

III. Special populations------3

IV. Implementation responsibilities------3

V. Implementation Guidelines------5 A. command Staff------5 B. emergency operations center------6

APPENDIX

A. Emergency Traffic Policy------9

B. Evacuation order------10

C. Evacuation protocols------11

- i - I. Situation

1. Description / definition

Emergencies or disasters may require the evacuation of people from hazard areas to areas of lower risk. During emergencies such as floods, hazardous materials spill, or releases, accidents or threats involving radiological materials, volcanic action, major fires, dam breeches or failures and other, County/City/Town emergency responders or EOC personnel may determine the evacuation of all or part of the community is prudent to minimize loss of life.

The basic approach to evacuation is the same regardless of the type of threat. It is necessary to determine the area at risk, then to compare the risk associated with evacuation with the risks of leaving the threatened population to shelter in place. Next managers must designate roads leading to appropriate low risk areas, provided bus or other transportation for those without private transportation, open and staff buildings to house and feed the evacuated population and provide clear and understandable instructions to the public.

Experience has shown that during most emergency conditions for which there is advanced warning, 50% or more residents in the threatened areas will evacuate their homes before ordered to do so by public officials. Moreover, studies indicate that 80% of evacuees will seek shelter with friends or relatives rather than use a designated public emergency facility. If this percentage holds true County/City/Town may have to seek shelter for up to XX,XXX people in the event of a total evacuation.

For the purposes of this plan, an evacuation is the removal of persons from the path of a threat prior to impact and is the responsibility of law enforcement / public safety, under the provisions of this plan. Removal of victims from an area impacted by a hazard is considered a rescue and will be conducted according to departmental standard operating procedures.

The responsibility for ordering an evacuation rests with the local government or the governor. In County/City/Town formal authority to order an evacuation lies with the elected chief executive officers and is implemented by law enforcement / public safety. In on-scene operations, the authority is delegated to the I.C. According to Wyoming statute, no one has the legal authority to force citizens to evacuate their homes against their will unless they are obstructing emergency operations. Officials can, however, enforce an evacuation of public facilities or places of business. In addition, law enforcement officers may arrest or take into protective custody persons who have violated an established perimeter or who interfere with responders.

- 1 - II. Evacuation considerations

A. Identification of need: Not all emergencies requiring protective action on the part of the public require evacuation. The I.C. must weigh the risk of leaving the population unprotected against the risks of sheltering in place or evacuating.

B. Identification of area effected. (Reference: County/City/Town Emergency Response Plan). Before an evacuation can be implemented, the following activities must take place:

1. Identify high hazard areas, including those areas which may be impacted if the incident escalates or conditions change.

2. Identify potential evacuation routes, their capacities and vulnerabilities to the hazard

a) Primary routes for evacuation of County/City/Town include, but not limited to;…………………………………………………….. b) If the evacuation involves more than one jurisdiction, it is vital that use of such routes be coordinated prior to implementation of the evacuation plan.

3. Alert and warn the public at risk. Include specific information about risk, the proactive actions which need to be taken and the possible risks of non-compliance.

C. Determination of the time needed for evacuation.

The following formula can be used to estimate the time needed to evacuate a threatened area;

TD + TA + TM + TT = TN

TD = Time from response to decision to evacuate TA = Time needed to alert and instruct the public, usually estimated to be from 15-60 minutes, depending upon the time of day. TM = Time needed to mobilize the population once warned. Under ideal circumstances, 2500 vehicles can pass a single point in one hour. Estimate four persons per vehicle. TT = Time needed to leave the hazard area TN = Total time needed to evacuate

- 2 - For example, It takes I.C. 15 minutes to the decision to evacuate TD = 15

It takes 25 minutes to activate warning and notification TN = 25

It takes 30 minutes for population to leave using one major route TM = 30

It takes each vehicle 15 minutes to clear the hazard area TT = 15

TD-15 + TN-25 = TM-30 + TT-15 = 1 hr and 25 minutes TT

III. Special populations

Special populations within County/City/Town, which may need assistance during evacuation, include students, nursing homes, assisted living centers, hospitals, physically and mentally challenged residents and the County/City/Town Detention Facility. Juvenile and foster care facilities are the responsibility of the business or the state of Wyoming Family Services Department. All of the identified institutions are required to have internal disaster plans which address evacuation. In addition the E.O.C. may assist in procurement of specialized transportation resources such as ambulance and vehicles for handicap transportation.

IV. Implementation responsibilities A. Law Enforcement / Public Safety

1. Direct overall evacuation operations

2. Establish and maintain outer perimeter in coordination with other L.E. agencies

3. Provide traffic and crowd control

4. Rescue persons threatened by armed and dangerous suspects.

5. Obtains signed evacuation order from the Elected official, Emergency Management Agency or I. C. prior to any operation

6. Provide security for emergency housing facilities as requested

7. Provide security of evacuated area and properties.

8. Provide assistance to Fire Departments if evacuations are due to the dangers of hazardous materials. (L.E. may have limited capabilities due to improper PPE.)

- 3 - II. Public Works operations

1. Provide resources such as vehicles, personnel to assist with traffic movement and crowd control.

2. Work with allied agencies to keep routes open and free of debris and to provide signage and barricades.

3. Provide assistance to other agencies, outside of the contaminated zone.

III. Fire Department

1. Establish and maintain inner perimeter on hazardous materials incidents.

2. Rescue trapped victims and victims in the hazardous atmosphere

3. Assist in the evacuation process as required.

IV. City and County Attorney

1. Advise command staff, elected officials and County Commissioners in the legal implications of evacuation activities.

2. Assist as requested

V. Emergency Management Agency

1. Notify and advise the Wyoming Office of Homeland Security (WOHS) of the event and evacuation

2. Open the EOC if required

3. Document resources dedicated to the evacuation process

4. Coordinates assistance requested by I.C.

VI. Wyoming Highway Patrol

1. Assist law enforcement with traffic routing 2. Assist law enforcement with security if available. 3. Directs Highway evacuation process

- 4 - VII. American Red Cross

1. Establish and maintain emergency sheltering facilities

2. Provide information to EOC or I.C. concerning number of evacuees being sheltered.

V. Implementation Guidelines

A. Command Staff

1. The I.C. shall determine the need to evacuate an area, the extent of the area to be evacuated, develop an evacuation plans have the alert and warning system activated and direct implementation of the evacuation.

2. In the event of a major evacuation in response to an incident under the overall command of a non-law enforcement agency, unified command between that agency and law enforcement should be considered to facilitate coordination of evacuation operations. In addition, a law enforcement representative may be assigned to the EOC to assist in the development of evacuation contingency plans.

3. The command staff will utilize the alert and warning guidelines described in the County/City/Town Emergency Response Plan to warn the public of emergency conditions and provide the public with evacuation and shelter information.

4. The I.C. will establish an inner and outer security perimeter, and shall provide criteria for access to them. Security of the inner perimeter shall be the responsibility of the lead emergency response agency; security of the outer perimeter shall be maintained by law enforcement. The outer perimeter will allow for the potential escalation of the hazard, thus ensuring an ample margin of safety for emergency personnel. The ICP will be established within the outer perimeter and only personnel meeting command criteria will be allowed to enter.

5. The I.C. will identify appropriate reception areas for evacuees and shall assign personnel to provide liaison to those people in the reception area and security to the facility. If reception or sheltering is needed, the EOC should be activated and the American Red Cross notified to begin arranging shelter and transportation.

6. As the emergency response progresses and more information becomes available the PIO staff will utilize procedures in the ERP to provide the media and the public with information on:

- 5 - a. The reason for the evacuation b. Shelter locations c. Modes of transportation to shelters d. Possible results of failure to evacuate

7. Ensure that an official evacuation order is signed by the elected official, law enforcement and the IC

8. If it is anticipated that shelters will be needed, contact the EOC for assistance.

9. After the emergency is terminated

a. Incident managers will allow the early return of persons needed to staff essential services and to open vital businesses as soon as this can be accomplished safely.

b. Incident managers will direct a general return to the evacuated area as soon as possible.

c. The PIO will advise the public and the media of the termination of the evacuation order and the lifting of the security perimeter.

B. Emergency Operations Center.

1. Law Enforcement / public safety

a. Supervise personnel necessary to support evacuation, including mutual aid and reserves

b. Relay strategic considerations and develop tactics for evacuation operations

c. Implement evacuation plan.

d. Establish and maintain control of outer perimeter, limit access to those persons properly authorized and protected.

e. Supervise and conduct mobile public address system and door to door alert and warning.

f. Establish and maintain crowd and traffic control.

g. Request resources as needed

- 6 - h. Designate neighborhood congregation points for evacuees who need transportation to reception areas or shelters. Notify I.C. of persons who need assistance in leaving homes.

i. Keep I.C., Planning, and PIO apprised of activities

j. Maintain accurate records of workers time and expenses.

2. Public works

a. Maintain clear evacuation routes

b. Maintain accurate records of workers time and expenses.

3. Fire Department

a. Perform rescue as assigned

b. Conduct containment and control if required.

c. Maintain accurate records of workers time and expenses.

4. Emergency operations center personnel

a. ESF-1 Arrange transportation for groups or individuals requiring assistance or special considerations to evacuate, such as elderly, disabled hospital patients, nursing home residents and assisted living centers.

b. Advise IC in the activation of appropriate shelter or reception facilities.

c. As requested, assist the Red Cross in movement of volunteers to reception areas and shelters. A facilities unit leader may be assigned to provide coordination between EOC and the Red Cross / shelter operations.

d. Provide additional personnel needed to support shelter operations. May include but not limited to, shelter security, facilities unit leader, ground support unit leader. Etc.

e. Facilitate procurement of additional barricades, signs, etc. and maintain records of expenses.

f. Provide transportation for essential workers as necessary.

- 7 - g. With input from on-scene personnel, determine and mark evacuation routes, safety perimeters, transportation pick-up routes, reception areas and shelter locations on EOC map. Evacuation routes should also designate rest areas, fuel stops and maintenance facilities. h. Provide the above information to the PIO and assisting agencies. i. Document and track resources assigned to the evacuation effort, including personnel, vehicles, facilities and any expenses incurred. j. Track and document progress of evacuation operations, provide contingency planning. k. Document fiscal resources dedicated to the evacuation effort. l. Provide information on the financial impact of the evacuation.

- 8 - Appendix A

Emergency traffic policy

1. All law enforcement / public safety employees not directly involved in the management of the incident shall be available for traffic control and direction

2. The chief elected official has the authority to close roads and to restrict access to and from all areas of the effected jurisdiction(s).

3. Law enforcement / public safety has the authority to remove stalled and parked vehicles which impede the flow of traffic.

4. Traffic flow and direction may be altered, reversed, etc. at the direction of the IC

5. IC will coordinate changes in traffic flow with law enforcement / public safety through the EOC.

- 9 - Appendix B

Evacuation Order

I. An emergency condition exists in County/City/Town, Wyoming.

II. It has been determined that a need exists to evacuate a portion of ______, County/City/Town, Wyoming.

III. Such an evacuation is needed to ensure public safety.

Therefore

1. The ______, County/City/Town, Wyoming is requesting the immediate evacuation of: ______

2. The jurisdiction of ______, County/City/Town, Wyoming requests those needing special assistance to call ______. This number has been established to respond to evacuation assistance requests.

3. The jurisdiction of ______, County/City/Town, Wyoming is restricting all entry to the established hazard area. No one will be allowed to re-enter the area until the evacuation order has been removed.

4. Information and instructions will be transmitted to the media for dissemination. Public information will be disseminated to those in need of shelter assistance.

5. The jurisdiction of ______, will advise the public of the lifting of this order when public safety is assured.

______/_____/_____ Chief Elected Official Date

______/_____/_____ Chief County Official Date

______/_____/_____ Clerk Date

- 10 - Appendix C

Evacuation Protocols

I. General

Under Wyoming statute, no law enforcement officer or public safety official has the legal right to impose a mandatory evacuation order on citizens in their own homes. Citizens should be informed of the need to leave a hazardous area and the possible consequences of not leaving. Citizens who obstruct the evacuation process may be arrested.

The protocols cover door to door, siren alert, and the mobile public address process. These methods may be conducted singly or in combination or in conjunction with the EBS and Cable Interrupt System.

II. Door to Door

Door to door contact is an effective but time and labor intensive method of alerting, warning and evacuating an area. More detailed information can be shared with the population and positive confirmation can be made that the individual received the warning, understood the instructions and knew the consequences of their actions.

A. Emergency information

1. Type of incident. 2. Expected duration 3. Available time to evacuate 4. Recommended actions 5. Implication of not following recommended actions. 6. Neighborhood congregation points for citizens needing transportation. 7. Evacuation routes 8. Reception and shelter locations.

B. Conduct door to door evacuations

1. Attempt to contact residents

2. Present evacuation information

C. Reporting

1. Notify IC as areas or blocks are cleared. 2. Notify IC number of residents not evacuating

- 11 - III. Mobile public address

Mobile public address is more effective than door to door contact but you are only able to convey a limited amount of information. It is most effective used in combination with an emergency broadcast system, Cable Override and door to door contact. It may be used to alert and warn the public prior to the request to evacuate or to advise of protective actions short of evacuation.

- 12 -