MERCED COUNTY EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN

Part 1 – GENERAL INFORMATION

Table of Contents

CONTENTS Page No.

Part 1 - GENERAL INFORMATION

☞Table of Contents 1

☞Foreword 4

☞Authorities 6

¡Federal 6

¡State 6

¡Local 6

☞Merced County Emergency Management Organization 7

Emergency Management Organizational Chart 8 County Functional Matrix 9

☞Overall Concept of Operations 10

¡General 10

¡Emergency Phases 10

--Preparedness Phase 10

--Response Phase 11

--Recovery Phase 14

--Mitigation Phase 14

☞Standardized Emergency / National Incident Management System 15 (SEMS / NIMS)

¡Purpose 15

¡Incident Command System (ICS) 15

--General 15

--Functions 15

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Part 1 – GENERAL INFORMATION

Table of Contents

CONTENTS Page No.

--Principles 16

--Components 16

¡Mutual Aid System 17

¡Multi-agency / Inter-agency Coordination 19

¡SEMS /NIMS Functions 20

¡Coordination with Other Levels of Government 20

Mutual Aid and Administrative Regions Map 23 Mutual Aid Process Chart 25 Coordination with Other SEMS / NIMS Levels Chart 26

☞Hazard Analysis 27

¡General 27

Merced County Operational Area Map 31 Governor’s Office of Emergency Services Inland Region Map 33

☞Hazards and Threats 35

--Earthquakes 35

--Floods 40

--Dam Failure 41

--Wildland Fires 42

--Landslides 42

--Extreme Weather Emergencies 42

--Hazardous Materials 43

--Transportation Emergencies 44

--Civil Disturbance 46

--Terrorism 47

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Part 1 – GENERAL INFORMATION

Table of Contents

CONTENTS Page No.

☞Continuity of Government 49

¡Introduction 49

¡Lines of Succession 49

¡Reconstitution of the Governing Body 49

¡Protection of Vital Records 50

Lines of Succession 51

☞Public Awareness and Education 52

☞Emergency Operations Plan Management 53

¡Emergency Operations Plan Modifications 53

¡Emergency Operations Plan Modification Register 54

¡Emergency Operations Plan Distribution 55

¡Training and Exercising 55

--Training 55

--Exercising 56

Sample Training Document 57

¡Signed Concurrence by Merced County Departments 58

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Part 1 General Information

FOREWORD

The Merced County's Emergency Operations Plan addresses the planned response to extraordinary emergency situations associated with natural disasters, technological incidents, weapons of mass destruction, and national security emergencies in or affecting the County of Merced.

This plan accomplishes the following:

• establishes the emergency management organization required to mitigate any significant emergency or disaster affecting Merced County. • identifies the policies, responsibilities and procedures required to protect the health and safety of Merced County communities, public and private property and the environmental effects of natural and technological emergencies and disasters. • establishes the operational concepts and procedures associated with Initial Response Operations (field response) to emergencies, the Extended Response Operations (County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activities) and the recovery process.

This plan is designed to establish the framework for implementation of the California Standardized Emergency/National Incident Management System (SEMS / NIMS) for Merced County, which is located within the Governor's Office of Emergency Service's Mutual Aid Region V. It is intended to facilitate multi-agency and multi-jurisdictional coordination, particularly between Merced County and local governments, including special districts and state agencies, in emergency operations.

This document is operational in design. It serves a secondary use as a planning reference. Departments within the County of Merced and local governments who have roles and responsibilities identified by this plan are encouraged to develop emergency operations plans, detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and emergency response checklists based on the provisions of this plan. This plan will be used in conjunction with the State Emergency Plan.

This plan is designed to guide the reader or user through each phase of an emergency: preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation. It is divided into the following parts:

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Part 1 General Information

FOREWORD

Part I – General Information. This part focuses on the preparedness phase and is the "basic plan" that describes the structure of the Merced County Emergency Management Organization; its responsibilities and operational concepts for multi-hazard emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation; and its role, and responsibilities as the lead agency for the Merced Operational Area.

Part II – Initial Response Operations. This part is a series of hazard- specific checklists designed to provide field-level responders with the basic considerations and actions necessary for effective emergency response. It also provides field-level responders with the framework to implement the Standardized Emergency/Natonal Incident Management System (SEMS / NIMS).

Part III – Extended Response Operations. This part outlines the operational procedures for County emergency management staff to conduct extended emergency response operations, usually coordinated by the Merced County Emergency Operations Center (EOC). It also addresses the transition to the recovery phase and the framework to implement SEMS / NIMS.

Part IV – Recovery Operations. This part addresses recovery and mitigation activities. It describes the procedures to coordinate recovery operations within Merced County, procedures to mitigate future events and procedures for obtaining state and federal disaster assistance funds for damage restoration and mitigation projects.

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Part 1 General Information

AUTHORITIES

The following provides emergency authorities for conducting and/or supporting emergency operations:

Federal

• Federal Civil Defense Act of 1950 (Public Law 920, as amended). • Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act of 1988 (Public Law 93-288, as amended). • Army Corps of Engineers Flood Fighting (Public Law 84-99).

State

• California Emergency Services Act (Chapter 7 of Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code). • Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS / NIMS) Regulations (Chapter 1 of Division 2 of Title 19 of the California Code of Regulations) and (California Government Code §8607 et sec). • Hazardous Materials Area Plan Regulations (Chapter 4 of Division 2, Title 19, Article 3, §2720-2728 of the California Code of Regulations) and (California Health and Safety Code, Division 20, Chapter 6.95, Section 25503.5) • California Department of Water Resources Flood Control (California Water Code §128). • Orders and Regulations which may be Selectively Promulgated by the Governor during a STATE OF EMERGENCY. • Orders and Regulations which may be Selectively Promulgated by the Governor to take affect upon the Existence of a STATE OF WAR.

Local

• Ordinance 1567 Section 1, Chapter 2.72 titled “Emergency Services and Operational Area Council”.

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Part 1 General Information

MERCED COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION

The County of Merced’s emergency management organization operates under the Standardized Emergency/National Incident Management System (SEMS / NIMS). Merced County is part of the Governor's Office of Emergency Services Inland Region.

The Merced County Fire Chief will direct the emergency management organization, serving as the Director of the Office of Emergency Services. The Director of Emergency Services is responsible for implementing the Emergency Operations Plan through the efforts of the Merced County's Office of Emergency Services. The Merced County Emergency Organization is depicted on page 8.

Within the Emergency Organization, departments and agencies have specified roles and responsibilities for certain functions. A functional matrix is shown on page 9.

Page 7 December 2007 MERCED COUNTY EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN Emergency Management Organizational Chart

EOC/OES Director Emergency Manager

Liaison Officer EOC Emergency Services Coordinator Agency Representatives County Counsel Public Information Officer Sheriff Fire Chief Safety Officer Public Works Director Management Advisory Public Health Director Group Enviro. Health Director Ag. Commissioner

Operations* Planning/Intelligence Logistics Finance/Administration Section Section Section Section Fire Fire Auditor/Controller

Fire Service Situation Unit Communications Compensation & Branch Director Leader Unit Leader Claims Unit Leader Fire Chief Documentation Unit Transportation Unit Cost Unit Leader Fire Ops. Unit Leader Leader Leader USAR Unit Leader Haz-Mat Unit Leader Resource Status Purchasing & Leader Supply Unit Leader Law Enforcement Branch Director Technical Specialist County Sheriff Facilities Unit Leader L. E. Ops. Unit Leader Demobilization Unit Coroner Unit Leader Leader Information Systems Security Unit Leader Unit Leader Search & Rescue Unit Leader Care & Shelter Unit Public Works Branch Leader (Human) Director Public Works Director Care & Shelter Unit Leader (Animal) Utilities Unit Leader D/S Assess. Unit Leader Personnel Unit Leader Public Works Unit Leader

Medical & Health Volunteer Management Coordinator Branch Director Public Health Dept.

Emergency Medical Services Unit Leader Public Health Unit Leader Environmental Health Unit Leader Mental Health Unit Leader

* The Operations Section Chief Position may be staffed differently dependant on the type and severity of the event.

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P = Primary Responsibilities S = Support Responsibilities

SEMS / NIMS PLAN/ MGMT OPERATIONS LOGISTICS FIN/ ADMIN FUNCTIONS INTEL

DEPARTMENTS/ AGENCIES UTILITIES RECOVERY PERSONNEL TERRORISM PURCHASING EVACUATION MANAGEMENT CARE & SHELTER TRANSPORTATION SEARCH & RESCUE COMMUNICATIONS LAW ENFORCEMENT SITUATION ANALYSIS FIRE / HEAVY RESCUE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT PUBLIC INFORMATION ALERTING & WARNING HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ANIMAL CARE & SHELTER MEDICAL/PUBLIC HEALTH ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH HEALTH ENVIRONMENTAL County Administration P P County OES P S Sheriff P P P S S P P P P S Fire Department. P S P S P P S S S S Public Works P P P P S Public Health P S P S S S Environmental Health P S S S P S S Mental Health S Human Services Agency P County Counsel P Agricultural Commissioner P S Operational Area Cities S S S S S SSSSSSSSSSS S S S S Auditor/Controller /Recorder OES Inland Region S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S Emergency Medical Services S S S S S S S General Services P P Information Systems P

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Part 1 General Information

OVERALL CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS

General

This Emergency Operations Plan addresses the entire spectrum of contingencies, ranging from relatively minor incidents to large-scale disasters, such as an earthquake. A buildup or warning period, providing sufficient time to warn the public will precede some emergencies and implement mitigation measures designed to reduce loss of life, property damage, and effects on the environment. Other emergencies occur with little or no advance warning, thus requiring immediate activation of the Emergency Operations Plan and efficient and coordinated mobilization and deployment of resources. All departments and agencies of the County must be prepared to promptly and effectively respond to any foreseeable emergency, taking all appropriate actions, including requesting and providing mutual aid.

Emergency Phases

Emergency management activities during peacetime and national security emergencies are often associated with the four federally defined phases:

• Preparedness • Response • Recovery • Mitigation

Preparedness Phase

The preparedness phase involves activities that are undertaken in advance of an emergency or disaster. These activities develop operational capabilities and effective responses to a disaster. Preparedness activities fall into two basic areas: readiness and capability.

Examples Readiness activities shape the framework and create the basis of knowledge necessary to complete a task or mission. Readiness activities might include:

• implementing hazard mitigation projects • developing hazard analyses • developing and maintaining emergency plans and procedures • conducting general and specialized training • conducting exercises

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Part 1 General Information

OVERALL CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS

• developing mutual aid agreements • improving emergency public education and warning systems

SOPs The Merced County Departments and the Operational Area Member Jurisdictions who have responsibilities in this plan will prepare Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) detailing personnel assignments, policies, notification rosters, and resource lists.

Emergency response personnel should be acquainted with these SOPs, and receive periodic training on the policies and procedures contained within the SOPs. Capability activities involve the procurement of items or tools necessary to complete the task(s) or mission(s).

Capability activities might include:

• assessment of Merced County and Operational Area resources • comparison and analysis of anticipated resource requirements and resources • identification of local sources to meet any anticipated resource "shortfall”

Response Phase

The response phase includes increased readiness, initial response, and extended response activities. Upon receipt of a warning or the observation that an emergency situation is imminent or likely to occur, Merced County will initiate actions to increase its readiness.

Events which may trigger increased readiness activities include:

• issuance of a credible long-term earthquake prediction • receipt of a flood advisory or other special weather statement • receipt of a potential dam failure advisory • conditions conducive to wildland fires, such as the combination of high heat, strong winds, and low humidity • an expansive hazardous materials incident • a rapidly-deteriorating international situation that could lead to an attack upon the United States

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OVERALL CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS

• information or circumstances indicating the potential for acts of violence or civil disturbance • a credible terrorist threat

Increased Readiness Increased readiness activities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• briefing of County Board of Supervisors, County Executive Officer, Operational Area Council Members, Management Advisory Group and other key officials or employees of Merced County • briefing of Cities and Townships within Merced County • reviewing and updating of Merced County Emergency Operations Plan & Departmental SOPs • increasing public information efforts • accelerating training efforts • inspecting critical facilities and equipment, including the testing of warning and communications systems • recruiting additional staff and Disaster Service Workers • warning threatened elements of the population • conducting precautionary evacuations in the potentially impacted area(s) • mobilizing personnel and pre-positioning resources and equipment • contacting state and federal agencies that may become involved in field activities

Initial Response Merced County's initial response activities are primarily performed at the field response level. Emphasis is placed on minimizing the effects of the emergency or disaster.

Part II, Initial Response Operations, provides hazard-specific guidance to the departments who are responsible for initial response operations in the County and Operational Area. Examples of initial response activities include:

• making all necessary notifications, including County Departments and personnel, the Merced Operational Area Member Jurisdictions, and the State OES Inland Region • disseminating warnings, emergency public information, and instructions to the citizens of Merced County • conducting evacuations and/or rescue operations

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OVERALL CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS

• caring for displaced persons and treating the injured • conducting initial damage assessments and surveys • assessing need for mutual aid assistance • restricting movement of traffic/people and unnecessary access to affected areas • developing and implementing Incident Action Plans

Extended Response Merced County's extended response activities are primarily conducted in the EOC. Extended emergency operations involve the coordination and management of personnel and resources to mitigate an emergency and facilitate the transition to recovery operations.

Part III, Extended Response Operations, provides specific guidance for conducting of Extended Response Operations, including those functions performed by the EOC staff.

Examples of extended response activities include:

• preparing detailed damage assessments • operating mass care facilities • conducting coroner operations • procuring required resources to sustain operations • documenting situation status • protecting, controlling, and allocating vital resources • restoring vital utilities • tracking resource allocation • conducting advance planning activities • documenting expenditures • developing and implementing Action Plans for Extended Response Operations • disseminating emergency public information • declaring a local emergency • coordinating with state and federal agencies working within the county

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OVERALL CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS

Recovery Phase

Recovery activities involve the restoration of services to the public and returning the affected area(s) to pre-emergency conditions. Recovery activities may be both short-term and long-term. Ranging from restoration of essential utilities such as water and power, to mitigation measures designed to prevent future occurrences of a given threat.

Part IV, Recovery Operations, describes in detail the roles and responsibilities of each level of government following a disaster. Part IV addresses the procedures for accessing federal and state programs available for individual, business, and public assistance following a disaster. Examples of recovery activities include:

• restoring utilities • applying for state and federal assistance programs • conducting hazard mitigation analyses • identifying residual hazards • determining and recovering costs associated with response and recovery

Mitigation Phase

Mitigation efforts occur both before and after emergencies or disasters. Post-disaster mitigation is actually part of the recovery process. This includes eliminating or reducing the impact of hazards that exist within Merced County. Mitigation efforts may include:

• amending local ordinances and statutes, such as zoning ordinances, building codes, and other enforcement codes • initiating structural retrofitting measures • assessing tax levees or abatements • emphasizing public education and awareness • assessing and altering land use planning

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STANDARDIZED EMERGENCY / NATIONAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (SEMS / NIMS)

Purpose

The Standardized Emergency / National Incident Management System (SEMS / NIMS) is intended to standardize response to emergencies involving multiple jurisdictions or multiple agencies, anywhere in the nation. SEMS / NIMS is intended to be flexible and adaptable to the needs of all emergency responders in the nation. SEMS / NIMS requires emergency response agencies to use basic principles and components of emergency management, including the Incident Command System, multi- agency or inter-agency coordination, the operational area concept, and established mutual aid systems.

INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM (ICS)

General

The ICS is a nationally used standardized on-scene emergency management concept specifically designed to allow its user(s) to adopt an integrated organizational structure equal to the complexity and demands of single or multiple incidents without being hindered by jurisdictional boundaries. ICS is the combination of facilities; equipment, personnel, procedures, and communications operating within a common organizational structure, with responsibility for the management of resources to effectively accomplish stated objectives pertinent to an incident.

Functions

The five functions of the ICS organization are command, operations, planning/intelligence, logistics, and finance/administration. Command is responsible for directing, ordering, and/or controlling resources by virtue of explicit legal, agency or delegated authority. Operations is responsible for the coordinated tactical response of all field operations directly applicable to or in support of the mission(s) in accordance with the Incident Action Plan. Planning/Intelligence is responsible for the collection, evaluation, documentation, and use of information about the development of the incident. Logistics is responsible for providing facilities, services, personnel, equipment, and tracking the status of resources and materials in support of the incident. Finance/Administration is responsible for all financial and cost analysis aspects of the incident and/or any administrative aspects not handled by the other functions.

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STANDARDIZED EMERGENCY / NATIONAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (SEMS / NIMS)

Principles

The principles of ICS are that the system provides the following kind of operations: single jurisdictional/agency involvement, single jurisdictional responsibility with multiple agency involvement, and multiple jurisdictional responsibilities with multiple agency involvement. The system's organizational structure adapts to any emergency or incident to which emergency response agencies would expect to respond. The system will be applicable and acceptable to all user agencies. The system is readily adaptable to new technology. The system expands in a rapid and logical manner from an initial response to a major incident and contracts just as rapidly as organizational needs or the situation decrease. The system has basic common components in organization, terminology and procedures.

Components

The components of ICS are:

• common terminology • modular organization • unified command structure • consolidated action plans • manageable span-of-control • pre-designated incident facilities • comprehensive resource management • integrated communications

Common Terminology Common terminology is the established common titles for organizational functions, resources, and facilities within ICS.

Modular Organization Modular organization is the method by which the ICS organizational structure develops based upon the type and size of an incident. The organization's staff builds from the top down as the incident grows, with responsibility and performance placed initially with the Incident Commander.

At all incidents there will be five functions: Command; Operations; Planning/Intelligence; Logistics and Finance/Administration. These may, as the incident grows, be organized and staffed into sections. Initially, the Incident Commander may be performing all five functions. Then, as the incident grows, each function may be established as a section with several units under each section.

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STANDARDIZED EMERGENCY / NATIONAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (SEMS / NIMS)

Unified Command Unified command structure is a unified team effort which allows all agencies with responsibility for the incident, either geographical or functional, to manage an incident by establishing a common set of incident objectives and strategies. This is accomplished without losing or abdicating agency authority, autonomy, responsibility or accountability.

Consolidated Incident Consolidated incident action plans identify objectives and strategy Action Plans determinations made by the Incident Commander for the incident based upon the requirements of the affected jurisdiction. In the case of unified command, the incident objectives must adequately reflect the policy and needs of all the jurisdictional agencies. The consolidated Action Plan for an incident documents the tactical and support activities required for the operational period.

Span-of-Control Manageable span-of-control within ICS is a limitation on the number of emergency response personnel who can effectively be supervised or directed by an individual supervisor. The type of incident, the nature of the response or task, distance, and safety will influence the span-of-control range. The ordinary span-of-control range is between three and seven personnel.

Pre-designated Incident The need for pre-designated incident facilitates is identified within ICS. Facilities The determination of the types and locations of facilities to be used will be based upon the requirements of the incident.

Comprehensive Comprehensive resource management is the identification, grouping, and Resource Management assignment and tracking of resources.

Integrated Integrated communications are managed through the use of a common Communications communications plan and an incident-based communications center established for the use of tactical and support resources assigned to the incident.

Mutual Aid System

The foundation of California's emergency planning and response is the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, statewide mutual aid system, which is designed to ensure that adequate resources, facilities, and other support are provided to jurisdictions whenever their own resources prove to be inadequate to cope with a given situation(s).

The basis for the system is the California Master Mutual Aid Agreement, as referenced in the California Emergency Services Act. It created a formal process wherein each jurisdiction retains control of its own personnel and facilities, but can give and receive help whenever it is needed.

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STANDARDIZED EMERGENCY / NATIONAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (SEMS / NIMS)

State government is obligated to provide available resources to assist local jurisdictions in emergencies. To facilitate the coordination and flow of mutual aid, the state has been divided into six mutual aid regions and three administrative regions. Merced County is located within Mutual Aid Region V. The map on page 23 shows the OES Mutual Aid and Administrative Regions.

Discipline-specific The statewide system includes several discipline-specific mutual aid Mutual Aid systems, such as, but not limited to, fire and rescue, law enforcement and emergency medical services (EMS). The adoption of SEMS / NIMS does not alter existing mutual aid systems.

To further facilitate the mutual aid process, particularly during day-to-day emergencies involving public safety agencies, Fire and Rescue and Law Enforcement Mutual Aid Coordinators have been selected and function at the Operational Area, Regional and State levels.

Regional Disaster Medical Health Coordinators have been identified for each mutual aid region to coordinate medical mutual aid during disasters. It is expected that, during a disaster, the Merced Operational Area Mutual Aid Coordinators, or their designees, will be assigned to the Merced County Emergency Operations Center.

The basic role of a mutual aid coordinator is to receive mutual aid requests, coordinate the provision of resources from within the coordinator's geographic area of responsibility and pass on unfilled requests to the next SEMS / NIMS level.

Volunteers Volunteer and private agencies are part of the Merced Operational Area's mutual aid system. The American Red Cross and Salvation Army are essential elements of Merced County's response to meet the care and shelter needs of disaster victims. Private sector medical/health resources are an essential part of the County's medical response. Volunteer and private agencies mobilize volunteers and other resources through their own systems. (These agencies are represented at the Merced County EOC when activated.)

Coordination of Incoming mutual aid resources may be received and processed at several Requests types of facilities including staging areas, mobilization centers and incident facilities.

Staging areas are used for the complete assemblage of personnel and other resources prior to being sent directly to the disaster site.

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STANDARDIZED EMERGENCY / NATIONAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (SEMS / NIMS)

Mobilization centers are off-incident locations at which emergency response personnel and equipment are temporarily located pending assignment, release or reassignment.

Incident facilities include Incident Command Posts, Staging Areas, Bases, and Camps. Staging Areas are temporary locations at an incident where personnel and equipment are kept while awaiting tactical assignments.

During a proclaimed emergency, outside of the normal Law and Fire Mutual Aid Systems, the Merced Operational Area will coordinate mutual aid requests between Merced County, the Merced Operational Area Member Jurisdictions, and the State OES Inland Regional Emergency Operations Center (REOC). Requests should specify, at a minimum:

• number and type of personnel needed, and/or; type and amount of equipment needed • reporting time and location • authority to whom forces should report • safe access routes into the affected area(s) • estimated duration of operations • risks and hazards

Mutual Aid Agreements The following depicts the mutual aid agreements in which Merced County is a participant:

• California Master Mutual Aid Agreement • Region V Fire and Rescue Operations Plan • Region V Law Enforcement Mutual Aid Agreement • Region V Public Works Mutual Aid Agreement • Region V Medical Services Mutual Aid Agreement

Multi-Agency/Inter-Agency Coordination

The multi-agency or inter-agency coordination is the decision-making system used by member jurisdictions of the Merced Operational Area. Multi-agency or inter-agency coordination is agencies and disciplines involved at any level of the SEMS / NIMS organization working together to facilitate decisions for overall emergency response activities, including the sharing of critical resources and the prioritization of incidents.

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STANDARDIZED EMERGENCY / NATIONAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (SEMS / NIMS)

SEMS / NIMS Functions

There are five designated levels in the SEMS / NIMS organization: field response, local government, operational area, regional, and state. Each level is activated as needed.

The field response level commands emergency response personnel and resources to carry out tactical decisions and activities in direct response to an incident or threat.

The local government level manages and coordinates the overall emergency response and recovery activities within its jurisdiction. The local government level includes cities, counties, and special districts.

The Operational Area level manages and/or coordinates information, resources, and priorities among local governments; and serves as the coordination and communication link between the local government level and the regional level, within the disaster system.

The Operational Area includes all the jurisdictions and special districts within the County geographical area. The County of Merced is the lead agency for the Merced Operational Area.

The regional level manages and coordinates information and resources among operational areas within the mutual aid region designated and between the operational areas and the state level. This level, along with the state level, coordinates overall state agency support for emergency response activities.

The state level manages state resources in response to the emergency needs of the other levels, manages and coordinates mutual aid among the mutual aid regions and between the regional level and state level, and serves as the coordination and communication link with the federal disaster response system.

Coordination with Other Levels of Government

Merced County has identified the jurisdictions, special districts, volunteer agencies, and private agencies within the County geographical area that may have an emergency response role during an emergency or disaster that affects Merced County. Their emergency roles have been identified and provisions for coordination with each of them made. The diagram on page 26 illustrates how the County, as the lead agency for the Merced Operational Area, will coordinate with these agencies during an emergency or disaster.

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STANDARDIZED EMERGENCY / NATIONAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (SEMS / NIMS)

The Merced Operational Area agreement between the Cities of Merced, Atwater, Los Banos, Gustine, Livingston, and Dos Palos, the County of Merced and Special Districts defines the roles and responsibilities of each party. The agreement is included as part of the appendix to this plan.

The County will also work with State and Federal agencies that have emergency responsibilities to ensure they are integrated into County emergency operations.

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OES Mutual Aid and Administrative Regions.

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MUTUAL AID PROCESS: GENERAL FLOW OF REQUESTS AND RESOURCES

State State Agencies

Region State Agencies Other Regions

Local Unaffected Operational Governments Operational Areas in in Unaffected Areas Within Other Operational the Region Regions Area

Unaffected Local Local & State Governments Agencies in in Operational Operational Area Area

Affected Local Operational Area

Resource Requests

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COORDINATION WITH OTHER SEMS / NIMS LEVELS

OES INLAND REGION OPERATIONS CENTER REOC

MERCED OPERATIONAL AREA EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER EOC

ATWATER CITY LIVINGSTON CITY EMERGENCY OPERATIONS EMERGENCY OPERATIONS

DOS PALOS CITY LOS BANOS CITY EMERGENCY OPERATIONS EMERGENCY OPERATIONS

GUSTINE CITY MERCED CITY EMERGENCY OPERATIONS EMERGENCY OPERATIONS

Lines of Communications and Coordination

Merced Operational Area Member Jurisdiction Management EOC

Operations Planning/Intel. Logistics Finance/Admin

Operational Area City EOC’s Management

Operations Planning/Intel. Logistics Finance/Admin

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HAZARD ANALYSIS

General

Merced County is located in the heart of the Central Valley of California, approximately 100 miles east of the San Francisco Bay Area and 260 miles North of Los Angeles. It sits in the center of the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services Inland Administrative Region, between the Coastal and Southern Administrative Regions. Merced County is part of the Region V Operational Area. The current population of Merced County is about 241,706 and is fast growing.

Major Industries Agriculture is Merced County’s number one industry. Its value exceeds one billion dollars annually. Merced is ranked sixth for top producing counties nationwide. The Mediterranean climate, productive soil and the water distribution system allow the farmers of the region to produce over 65 different agricultural products. Additionally, Merced has been selected as the site for a University of California. The University is scheduled to have a student population of 25,000 and more than 10,000 staff and faculty. This project is one of the largest developments to occur in the County’s recent history. The campus opened Sept. 5, 2005, alongside Lake Yosemite, and is the first new American research university in the 21st century.

Highways, Roads, Rail There are five major highways (State Routes: 99, 33, 140, 152, 165 and Lines 59), one interstate (Interstate 5), and a network of County roads that connect each of the communities together (Atwater, Ballico, Cressey, Delhi, Dos Palos, El Nido, Gustine, Hilmar, Le Grand, Livingston, Los Banos, Merced, Planada, Santa Nella, Snelling, Stevinson, and Winton). In addition there are two major rail lines, the Union Pacific and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe.

The County of Merced recognizes that the planning process must address each hazard that threatens Merced County and the jurisdictions within the Merced Operational Area.

Hazardous Materials The County of Merced is vulnerable to a wide range of threats. In recent years, it has experienced several disastrous events such as floods, fires and storms. The increased use, storage and transportation of numerous hazardous materials further complicate the threat picture.

Merced County is home to many companies and industries that manufacture, store, use and dispose of toxic materials. The area is highly exposed to hazardous materials transported over major interstate highways, state routes, and railways. On any given day, a vast assortment of petroleum products, agricultural pesticides and industrial chemicals are moved within and through our County with the possibility of generating a hazardous materials incident.

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HAZARD ANALYSIS

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HAZARD ANALYSIS

Hazardous Materials emergencies, primarily due to surface route and rail accidents, have occurred and will continue to occur in Merced County. Although most of these incidents have been easily handled, the potential for and extreme threat to life and property is quite high. Therefore, this plan has been developed to utilize multi-agency, multi-discipline and multi-jurisdictional resources to successfully counter the effects of an emergency involving hazardous materials. Additionally, the Merced County Hazardous Materials Area Plan has been developed and is utilized as the response guidelines to hazardous materials incidents.

Hazard Impacts Merced County, with its varying topography, mix of urban and rural areas, and rapidly growing population, is subject to a wide variety of negative impacts from various hazards and threats. There are three broad categories of hazards that threaten: natural, technological and domestic security threats.

These are as follows:

Natural Hazards

• earthquakes • floods • wildland fires • extreme weather/storm • landslides

Technological Hazards

• dam failure • hazardous material • transportation emergencies • train accident • major truck accident • airplane crash

Domestic Security Threats

• civil unrest • terrorism

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In this chapter, are maps depicting the Merced County Operational Area on page 31, the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services Inland Region on page 33, and the OES Mutual Aid and Administrative Regions on page 23.

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Earthquakes

General Situation Although Merced County is not known for its seismic activity, it is imperative that we plan for a potential earthquake disaster. In any earthquake, the primary consideration is saving lives. Time and effort must also be given to providing for people’s mental health by reuniting families, providing shelter to the displaced persons and restoring basic needs and services. A major effort will be needed to remove debris and clear roadways, demolish unsafe structures, assist in reestablishing public services and utilities and provide continuing care and temporary housing for affected citizens.

There are many earthquake faults in California. Depending on the magnitude and epicenter, there is a potential that Merced County, as well as anywhere else in the state, may be effected. The following faults located within and adjacent to Merced County will be discussed: the Ortigalita Fault, the Central Valley Coast Range Blind Thrust Fault, the Calaveras Fault, the Greenville Fault, San Andreas Fault, and the Bear Mountain Fault. The following is a breakdown of where these faults are located at and what kind of hazardous potential they may present to Merced County:

The Ortigalita Fault, which has been zoned by the State Geologist under the Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act, is located in the western portion of Merced County, approximately 13 miles west of Los Banos. The maximum earthquake magnitude measured with the magnitude (Mw) scale on this fault was 7.9 Mw.

The Central Valley Coast Range Blind Thrust Fault is located parallel to Interstate-5 along the topographic break in slope between the Diablo Range and the San Joaquin Valley. This fault system is seismogenically active, but is not completely mappable at the surface. It increases the design earthquake ground motion for Gustine, Santa Nella, and Los Banos. This fault is the cause of the 1983 Coalinga Earthquake. The maximum earthquake magnitude measured on this fault was 6.8 Mw.

The Calaveras Fault is an active fault located in the vicinity of Hollister. It is 16 miles west of Pacheco Pass and it lies outside of Merced County. The maximum earthquake magnitude measured on this fault was 6.2 Mw.

The Greenville Fault is another fault outside of Merced County. It lies approximately 30 miles northwest of Pacheco Pass. This active fault crosses near Livermore and has a maximum earthquake magnitude measurement of 6.9 Mw.

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The San Andreas Fault is the largest and most active fault in California and is located about 24 miles west of Pacheco Pass. Earthquakes on this fault will be the source of long duration but distant ground motion felt within Merced County. The maximum earthquake magnitude measured on this fault was a 7.9 Mw.

The Bear Mountain Fault is also near Merced County. This fault zone is located about 10 miles east of the Merced County line, along the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. This fault is not an active fault and is not modeled as seismogenically active for purposes of regional earthquake ground motion.

While there is no record of any seismic activity originating in the County, other than tremors on the West Side close to the Ortigalita Fault, the County has been shaken by earthquakes originating elsewhere. There is documented evidence of five earthquakes that shook the area in 1872, 1906, 1952, 1966, and 1984. The County of Merced has been very fortunate in the past and has not suffered any loss of life. The possibility of future earthquakes of equal or greater magnitude than those from previous years could cause a great many casualties and extensive property damage in the County. This could be aggravated by aftershocks and by secondary effects of fire, landslides, and dam failures.

There are various land use controls or methods for addressing seismic hazards. Avoiding a hazard such as a fault zone may be the best solution when planning new land uses. The Alquist-Priolo Special Studies Zone Act (1973) was created to prohibit the location of most structures for human occupancy across the traces of active faults, thus lessening the hazard of fault rupture. Cities and counties affected by the zones must regulate certain development “projects” within the zones and withhold development permits until geologic investigators demonstrate that the sites are not threatened by surface displacement from future faulting. Merced County has one such special study zone, which is in the vicinity of the San Luis Dam. There are no known habitable structures that have been constructed or proposed in this zone and the county will process development permits in compliance with California Law.

Ground settlement may occur in unconsolidated valley sediments, many of which are saturated with water. These sediments represent the poorest kind of soil condition for resisting seismic shock waves. The changes that occur, such as liquefaction and loss of strength in fine-grained materials, can result in ground cracking, unequal settlement, subsidence and other surface changes.

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A great deal of soil compaction and settlement can also result from seismic ground shaking. If the sediments, which compact during an earthquake, are saturated, water from voids is forced to the ground surface, where it emerges in the form of mud spouts or sand boils. If soil liquefies in this manner, (liquefaction) it loses its supporting capacity with the result that structures may settle into the ground. The extent of damage ranges from minor displacement to total collapse.

Engineering treatment of either the ground or structures of both can sometimes stabilize hazards, such as liquefaction. However, these solutions are often temporary and high cost may not justify their use. Other alternatives include land use restrictions or controls through special ordinances.

Regulating the type or density of use in a given area can be effective in handling potential hazards. Agriculture, recreation or commercial uses for seismic hazard areas. Similarly, certain low occupancy uses may be acceptable in some risk areas, whereas high occupancy uses or critical facilities (schools, hospitals) may not be.

Although no specific liquefaction hazard areas have been identified in the Potential Liquefaction County, this potential is recognized throughout the San Joaquin Valley where unconsolidated sediments and a high water table coincide. It is reasonable to assume that liquefaction hazards exist in many of Merced County’s wetland areas, which are identified in Appendix E, Map 7. The County’s wetlands are generally adjacent to the San Joaquin River and extend west to the Union Pacific, and east toward State Highway 99 and 59 south.

Expected Damage

If a significant earthquake were to occur within Merced County, it can be assumed that the following problems would arise:

There are two major hospital facilities located in Merced County. Mercy Medical Facilities Medical Center Community Campus, which is located within the City of Merced, holds 174 beds. On the West Side of Merced County, located in the City of Los Banos, is Memorial Hospital Los Banos. Memorial Los Banos holds 47 beds. In the event of a significant earthquake, each of these facilities is expected to suffer damage and operate at reduced efficiency. Los Banos Memorial is assumed to have significant damage and be severely restricted in operation due to hospital facility damage and personnel access problems. Additionally, numerous after-care facilities

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and nursing homes will be affected and should be taken into consideration.

Communication Systems System failures, overloads, loss of electrical power, and possible failure of some alternate power systems will affect telephone systems. Immediately following an event, numerous failures will occur. Telephone, radio, and microwave systems are all expected to be affected and operate at a decreased capacity.

Utilities A complete disruption of public utilities would occur in more heavily impacted areas for a period in excess of 72 hours. Transmission lines are vulnerable to many hazards, due to their length and remoteness of the lines. Damage to generation/substations may cause outages. Damage to generation affects production. Damage to substations affects delivery. Repairs to electrical equipment require physically clearing roadways, and movement of special equipment. Restoration of local electrical power will be coordinated with regional and local utility representatives. Much of the affected areas may have service restored in days; however, a severely damaged underground distribution system may create longer service delays.

Damage to natural gas facilities serving the Merced County area may consist primarily of isolated breaks in major transmission lines. Breaks in mains and individual service connections within the distribution system will be significant, particularly near the fault zones, especially in the areas of Los Banos and Santa Nella. These many leaks could pose a fire threat. Restoration of natural gas service could be significantly delayed. In Appendix E, Map 14 identifies the petroleum pipelines that run through Merced County.

Potable Water Water availability and distribution for supporting life and treating the sick and injured is always a concern in any disaster. Although the County’s water supply comes from various sources such as wells and city distribution systems, and not from the local dams, there is still a threat that an earthquake could disrupt an area’s water supply through broken distribution lines or contamination from broken sewer systems. Therefore, potable water will most likely have to be supplied in these area communities by outside sources.

Transportation routes may be affected. Highway 99 and Interstate-5 may Transportation Systems be impassable near the Santa Nella areas and south into Fresno County. All westbound routes intersecting I-5, such as Highways 152 and 140 would be impassable for up to 72 hours. Both the Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Union Pacific Railroads could sustain damage that would render them inoperative due to track damage. In Appendix E, Map 15

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identifies Merced County’s Major Transportation Routes.

The County of Merced is home to many companies and industries that Hazardous Materials manufacture, store, use and dispose of toxic materials. Merced is highly Facilities exposed to hazardous materials transported over major interstate highways, state routes, and railroads. On any given day, a vast assortment of petroleum products, agricultural pesticides, and industrial chemicals are moved within the County with the possibility of generating a hazardous materials incident. A natural disaster, such as an earthquake, cannot only cause a hazardous materials event, but it can also cause it to escalate. Emergency response crews may be delayed due to effects of the earthquake by causing roadway blockages and building collapse.

In Appendix E, Map 12 depicts Merced County’s Acutely Hazardous Materials Storage Facilities. These are the facilities within the county that pose the greatest threat to the population should a chemical spill occur. It should be noted that there are many more hazardous materials storage sites within the county. Although they are smaller and less hazardous, they still hold the potential of becoming serious threats during an earthquake.

Dam Failure There are twelve major dams either in or adjacent to Merced County with known populations in their respective inundation areas. Virtually no urban area in the County is free from flooding in the event of dam failure. There are four maps of existing dams and potential inundation areas are found in Appendix E, Maps 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D. The probability of dam failure is heightened by seismic activity in the vicinity of major fault zones. The County currently has one dam that is subject to such activity. The location of the San Luis Reservoir in the area of the Ortigalita Fault has been compensated for by structural design.

A failure of San Luis Dam could result in 2,000,000-acre feet of water being released. The flood plain resulting from such a release would place residents of Santa Nella and Gustine areas in imminent danger. San Luis Dam was built to withstand a magnitude 8.3 occurrence at Hollister, but at that time of design, knowledge of the process of seismic liquefaction, as it applies to earth fill dams, was incomplete. The possibility of dam failure with resulting floods should be acknowledged.

It is necessary to consider the potential for seiches in the event of a major earthquake near San Luis Reservoir. Seiches are periodic oscillation of water level in relatively confined basins (seismic waves).

After any earthquake there will be a loss of income. Individuals can lose wages due to businesses inability to function because of damaged goods or facilities. Due to business losses, the County of Merced and the cities in

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the Merced Operational Area will lose revenue. Economic recovery from even a minor earthquake is critical to these communities.

The Office of Emergency Services has identified the potential hazard areas within Merced County if a major earthquake were to occur. Included in Appendix E are maps depicting Liquefaction Zones, Map 7, Earthquake Fault Zones and Maximum Shaking Intensity Zones, Map 6. Additionally, Map 12, Acutely Hazardous Materials Fixed Facility Storage Map, can be utilized to identify potential hazardous areas during an earthquake.

Floods

General Situation The primary flood control concerns for Merced County are the controlled releases from the New Exchequer Dam, via the Merced River; the Los Banos Creek Detention Reservoir, via Los Banos Creek; San Luis Reservoir, via the California Aqueduct, and potential natural overflows in Lake Yosemite, Bear Creek, Black Rascal, Miles Creek and the San Joaquin River.

For Merced County's emergency organization, there are two flood stages.

WARNING STAGE – The Stage at which initial action must be taken by concerned interests (livestock warning, removal of equipment from lowest overflow areas, or simply general surveillance of the situation). This level may produce overbank flows sufficient to cause minor flooding of low- lying lands and local roads.

FLOOD STAGE – The Stage at which overbank flows are of sufficient magnitude to cause considerable inundation of land and roads and/or threat of significant hazard to life and property.

Expected Damage

Controlled Release Controlled releases can be a prelude to localized flooding or complete inundation of flood prone areas within Merced County. Severe weather, unexpected runoff or mechanical malfunctions sometimes generate these necessary releases. Appendix E, Maps 8A, 8B, 8C and 8D identify those potential areas of inundation.

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Dam Failure

General Situation Dam failure is the collapse or failure of an impoundment that causes significant downstream flooding. Flooding of the area below the dam may occur as the result of structural failure of the dam, overtopping, or a seiche.

A severe storm, earthquake or erosion of the embankment and foundation leakage may cause the collapse and structural failure of Dams within Merced County. Seismic activity may also cause inundation by the action of a seismically induced wave that overtops the dam without causing failure of the dam, but significant flooding downstream. Landslides flowing into Lakes and Reservoirs may also cause dams to fail or overtop.

The catastrophic failure of New Exchequer, San Luis and Los Banos Creek dams will have severe consequences. Foremost, are injuries, loss of life, limited transportation routes and a decrease in vital utilities. Additionally, because of Merced County’s strong agricultural influences significant downstream property damage and the loss of domestic and farm production animals will be a major concern.

Expected Damage

Inundation Areas For purposes of emergency preparedness, areas expected to be inundated, should a failure occur are depicted in Appendix E, Maps 8A, 8B, 8C and 8D. "Dam Failure Inundation Areas”. More specific emergency preparedness information and potential hazards can be found in the individual Emergency Plans for each Dam. These plans are available at the Office of Emergency Services and will be available in the EOC when activated.

Facilities Affected Facilities affected by a dam failure are:

• Hospitals • Schools • Utilities • Emergency Services • Agriculture • Sanitation • Residential

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Wildland Fires

General Situation Generally from May to October of each year, Merced County experiences its Wildland fire season. Most of the fire susceptible areas are located in the western portion of the county. This is due to the underdeveloped, rugged terrain and the highly flammable, brush covered land. High temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds may exacerbate the potential for wildland fires.

The urban areas of Merced County are not normally susceptible to wildland fires, however, there is still potential for smaller fires in and around the less developed areas where patches of vegetation are present.

In Appendix E Maps 9 and 10 show the fire history and the high fire- hazard areas of Eastern and Western Merced County.

Landslides

General Situation Landslides may be triggered by both natural and manmade changes in the environment. The term landslide is used to describe a wide variety of processes that result in the perceptible downward and outward movement of soil, rock and vegetation under gravitational influence.

The cause of slope instability may be inherent, such as weaknesses in the composition or structure of the rock or soil. Slope instability may be variable, such as heavy rain and changes in ground water levels. Slope instability may also be transient, as in the case of seismic activity. New environmental conditions such as those imposed by construction activity may also create instability in slopes. Landslides in Merced County tend to occur with the greatest frequency on steep slopes adjacent to foothill roads in the Western portion of the county.

In Appendix E, Map 11, identifies potential landslide areas within the County of Merced.

Extreme Weather Emergencies

General Situation Merced County is susceptible to extreme weather/storm conditions. An extreme weather condition is a generalized term used to describe thunderstorms, tornadoes, heavy precipitation, high winds, extreme heat or cold, and drought. Extreme weather may cause a variety of damages, depending on the type or weather situation. Damage may range from temporary power and utility outages due to thunderstorm and high wind

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activity to the sometimes, although rare, destruction of a tornado. Extreme weather such as a drought can have long-term economic repercussions.

Hazardous Materials

General Situation The production and use of hazardous materials has become a normal part of every day life. A hazardous material is any substance that may be explosive, flammable, poisonous, corrosive, reactive, radioactive, or any combination thereof, because of its quantity, concentration or characteristics. Hazardous Materials require special care in handling because of the hazards they pose to the publics’ health and safety, and the environment. For this special care Merced County has a fully developed Hazardous Materials Response Team (HMRT). This team is staffed by county fire department personnel and on call environmental health personnel. The Merced County Area Plan has been developed to more specifically address hazardous materials response.

A hazardous incident involves the uncontrolled release of a hazardous substance during storage or use from a fixed facility or mobile transport. Releases of hazardous materials can be especially damaging when they occur in highly populated areas or along transportation routes used simultaneously by commuters and hazardous materials transports.

Due to the multitude of hazardous substances being transported in California, incidents are more likely to occur along highways and railways. Fixed facilities do have occurrences of hazardous materials incidents too. Fixed facilities include chemical manufacturing or processing facilities, manufacturing and light industrial facilities.

Agriculture is Merced County’s number one industry. With that, comes the potential for hazardous materials incidents. Accidental releases of pesticides, fertilizers and other agricultural chemicals may be harmful to the public health, safety and the environment.

Another source of hazardous materials incidents is the illegal manufacturing of drugs in clandestine laboratories. In many instances, the residue and hazardous waste from these laboratories are illegally dumped, posing a threat to public health, safety, and the environment. In recent years, clandestine laboratories have become an increasingly familiar problem to Merced County.

Hazardous materials incidents in Merced County would most likely occur Specific Situation on the transportation routes or at fixed hazardous materials facilities. Hazardous materials are often transported through the Merced County

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area on Interstate-5, State Route Highways 165, 152, 140, 99, 59, 33, and on the Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroads. Surface streets are also used for the local transportation of hazardous materials.

The four hospitals located in Merced County have a variety of hazardous materials, radioactive materials and solvents, and they maintain current lists of the hazardous materials in their facilities.

A map of Acutely Hazardous Materials Storage Sites within Merced County is identified in Appendix E, Map 12.

Transportation Emergencies

General Situation Merced County is susceptible to several different types of transportation emergencies, including emergencies involving the Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroads, major truck/auto accidents and airplane crashes. Many of these emergency situations may cause ancillary emergencies such as hazardous materials spills, which may require extensive population movement and sheltering efforts.

Specific Situation

Train Accident These railroads pass through many populated areas within the Merced Operational Area. The Cities of Merced, Atwater, Livingston, Gustine, Dos Palos and Los Banos as well as the communities of Planada, Le Grand, Winton, Cressey, Delhi and Ballico. A train accident in or near any of these areas can result in considerable injury, loss of life and/or significant property damage. An accident in rural areas of the County will pose more of a threat to livestock and the environment. Hazardous materials spills, fires, significant property damage and mass casualty incidents are the potential hazards associated with cargo and passenger train accidents in the County of Merced, requiring movement and shelter operations in the affected area(s).

Major Truck/Auto Major trucking routes include Interstate-5 and State Route Highways 152, Accident 140, 99, 59, 165 and 33, which are the main access roads throughout Merced County. Interstate-5 is heavily traveled and passes through the western portion of Merced County and intersects with Highways 140, 33, 165 and 152.

A major truck/auto accident on Interstate-5 literally has the potential of shutting down a major transportation artery for north/south traffic statewide. Closures will cause traffic to overflow onto surface roads

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adjacent to freeways, creating significant traffic problems for local law enforcement agencies.

Often the impact of a disabled aircraft as it strikes the ground creates the Airplane Crash potential for multiple explosions, resulting in an intense fire. Wherever the crash occurs, the resulting explosions and fires have the potential to cause injuries, fatalities and the destruction of property at, and adjacent to the impact point. The time of day when the crash occurs may have a profound effect on the number of injuries and fatalities. It can be anticipated that the mental health needs of survivors, surrounding residents and emergency responders will greatly increase due to the trauma associated with such a catastrophe.

• There are five airports within the County of Merced. There are the four public use airports: Gustine Municipal Airport, Los Banos Municipal Airport, Merced Municipal Airport, and the Turlock Municipal Airport. Additionally, the former Castle Air Force Base, which closed in 1991, is now Castle Airport, a general aviation airport.

• Gustine Municipal Airport is located approximately 1.5 miles east of the City of Gustine. It is owned and operated by the city. There is one runway at this airport, which is 3,200 feet long. The land uses on either end of the runway is agricultural, with a few homes located southwest of the airport.

• The Los Banos Airport is located near the western edge of the City of Los Banos. It has one 3,000-foot long runway. The land uses on either end of the runway are residential and agricultural.

• The Merced Municipal Airport is located near the intersection of Grogan Way and West Avenue, in the City of Merced. The one runway at this airport is 5,904 feet long. The airport is generally surrounded by agricultural and industrial land uses.

• The City of Turlock owns the Turlock Municipal Airport. There is one runway, which is 3,000 feet long. The airport is surrounded by agricultural land.

• Castle Air Force Base, which made the USAF base closure list in 1991, is now the Castle Airport. By 1995 the military had completely moved out and Castle became a general aviation airport with fueling and pilot services provided by Gemini Flight Support. The primary use of the airport has been general aviation; however, large commercial aircraft companies have showed significant interest.

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Castle’s runway is 11,800 feet long and 110 feet wide. It has 1,053,000 square yards of ramp space. It is located 5 miles northwest of the City of Merced and just north of the City of Atwater. The area around Castle is all agricultural and rural residential.

• Merced County Fire Department and Merced City Fire Department each have a crash-rescue truck available for aircraft emergencies. These apparatus are available for mutual aid as well.

Civil Disturbance

General Situation Civil disturbances include incidents that are intended to disrupt a community to the degree that law enforcement intervention is required to maintain public safety. Civil disturbances are generally associated with controversial political, judicial, or economic issues and/or events.

Locations within Merced County that have large public gatherings have the potential for unstable conditions, possibly impacting an Operational Area jurisdiction's ability to provide sufficient law enforcement and fire protective services.

The effects of civil disturbances are varied and are usually based upon the type, severity, scope and duration of the disturbance. The effects of civil disturbances include traffic congestion or gridlock, illegal assemblies, disruption of utility service, property damage, injuries, and potentially loss of life.

Facilities

Specific Situation During a civil disturbance that affects the County of Merced, there are certain facilities within the County that may be more at risk than other facilities. The following locations often hold musical concerts, sporting events, and other events that attract large numbers of people, which create significant traffic congestion problems and the potential for disruptive behavior:

Merced City • Fairgrounds • Merced College Merced County • Los Banos Fairgrounds

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Terrorism

General Situation Terrorism involves a struggle between competing principles and ideologies below the level of conventional war.

A terrorist act is defined as: “The use or threatened use, of force to achieve a political or social goal.” The person(s) who instigate these acts can be from either foreign or domestic sources, and unfortunately, terrorist acts in America are increasing in frequency. We can count on the fact that these attacks will continue, that any place in our country can be a target, and that the local law enforcement officers, firefighters and emergency medical personnel will be called on to handle the first response to these acts.

It is a frightening reality of these attacks that within the last two years we have begun to use the term WMD (Weapons of Mass Destruction) in referring to large-scale terrorist incidents. With the advent of cheap and easily constructed explosives, such as ammonium nitrate fuel oil (ANFO) and the abundant material available on biological weapons such as Ricin, a focused and well-developed and coordinated response is needed.

The effects of terrorist attacks can vary greatly depending on the type, severity, scope and duration of the activity. Terrorist activities may result in disruption of utility services, property damage and mass loss of life.

Potential targets would be Government, Federal, State, County and City buildings. Generally, the threat of attack increases along with the level of government as the highest risk potential. Remember targeted sites do not have to be government buildings. Today, any place where there are large numbers of people, such as sports arenas, ballparks, convention centers and transportation centers like bus stations, railroad stations or airports can be potential targets. Other targets to consider are targets of high visibility or strong interest, such as abortion clinics, political party headquarters, places or worship of the homes of political or religious leaders.

A terrorist attack can take many paths. However, 80% of past terrorist attacks involved explosives. Under the Federal authority of Presidential Decision Directive-39, the FBI is the lead agency in any act of foreign or domestic terrorism and will assume command of the incident and subsequent criminal investigation. The first responders to a terrorist attack will be responsible for the swift treatment of the injured, the preservation of the crime scene and to assist in the ultimate arrest and prosecution of the terrorists.

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We have to remember that the goal of a terrorist act is to affect some type of change through the use of fear. To create the level of fear desired, the terrorist will destroy and kill as much as possible with a single well- planned act. The act can be so well developed, that in some cases, secondary explosions have been used to harm and kill the first responders who represent government authority and who are on scene to help the original casualties.

A TERRORIST IS ONLY LIMITED BY HIS OR HER IMAGINATION FOR EVIL.

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CONTINUITY OF GOVERNMENT

Introduction

A major disaster could result in the death or injury of key government officials, the partial or complete destruction of established seats of government, and the destruction of public and private records essential to continued operations of government.

Government at all levels is responsible for providing continuity of effective leadership and authority, direction of emergency operations and management of recovery operations. To this end, it is particularly essential that the County of Merced and all the Cities within the County continue to function as government entities. The California Government Code and the Constitution of California provide the authority for state and local government to reconstitute itself in the event incumbents are unable to serve.

Lines of Succession

Section 8638, Article 15, Chapter 7, Division 1, Title 2 of the California Government Code allows for the appointment of up to three standby officers for each member of the governing body. This article also provides for the succession of officers who head departments responsible for maintaining law and order, or for furnishing public services relating to health and safety. Additionally, Article 15 outlines procedures to assure continued functioning of political subdivisions in the event the governing body, including standby officers, is unavailable to serve. The standby officers shall have the same authority and powers as the regular officers or department heads. The succession list for the County of Merced is provided on page 51.

Reconstitution of the Governing Body

Section 8635 et seq., Article 15, Chapter 7, Division 1, Title 2 of the California Government Code establishes a method for reconstituting the governing body. It authorizes that, should all members, including all standbys, be unavailable, temporary officers shall be appointed by the chairman of the board of the county in which the political subdivision is located or by the chairman of the board of any other county within 150 miles.

Section 8642 of Article 15 authorizes local governing bodies to convene as soon as possible whenever a state of emergency or local emergency exists and at a place not necessarily within the political subdivision.

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Under Article 15, the duties of a governing body during emergencies include ascertaining the damage to the jurisdiction and its personnel and property, reconstituting it and any subdivision, and performing functions in preserving law and order and furnishing local services.

Section 23600 of the California Government Code provides that the Board of Supervisors shall designate alternative county seats which may be located outside county boundaries, (real property cannot be purchased for this purpose), a resolution designating the alternate county seats must be filed with the Secretary of State, and additional seats may be designated subsequent to the original site designations if circumstances warrant.

The temporary seat of County Government for the County of Merced is as follows:

Alternate: Merced County Fairgrounds, 403 “F” Street Los Banos, CA 93635

Protection of Vital Records

In the County of Merced, the County Recorder’s Office is responsible for the preservation and protection of vital records. Each department within the County will identify, maintain, and protect its vital records. Vital records are defined as those records that are essential to the rights and interests of individuals, governments, corporations and other entities, including vital statistics, land and tax records, license registers, articles of incorporation, and historical information. Vital records also include those records essential for emergency response and recovery operations including utility system maps, emergency supply and equipment locations, emergency operations plans and procedures, and personnel rosters.

These vital records will be essential to the re-establishment of normal Merced County government functions, serving to protect the rights and interests of government. These rights and interests may include the constitutions, charters, statutes, ordinances, court records, official proceedings and financial records of Merced County.

Vital records of Merced County are routinely stored in the County Recorder’s Office, located in the basement of the County Administrative Building. Official records are kept in a rock vault warehouse in Lake Tahoe. This vault can withstand an explosive blast, a fire and any water penetration.

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MERCED COUNTY LINES OF SUCCESSION

FUNCTION/DEPARTMENT TITLE

County Executive Officer (CEO) 1. Assistant County Administrator 2. Assistant County Administrator

County Sheriff/Coroner 1. Under Sheriff

County Fire Chief 1. Deputy Fire Chief 2. Merced Division Chief

Superintendent of Schools 1. Director of Business Services

County Public Health Director 1. Director, Division of Environmental Health 2. Deputy Public Health Director

County Environmental Health Director 1. Supervising Environmental Health Specialist 2. Supervising Environmental Health Specialist

County Mental Health Director 1. Assistant Mental Health Director 2. Assistant Mental Health Director

District Attorney 1. Chief Deputy District Attorney

Auditor/Controller/Recorder 1. Assistant Auditor/Controller/Recorder 2. Chief Deputy Recorder

Office of Emergency Services Director 1. Deputy Director, Operations OES 2. Merced County Sheriff 3. Director of Public Works

County Public Works Director 1. Assistant Public Works Director 2. Deputy Director Public Works, Road Division

Human Services Agency 1. Deputy Director HSA, CalWorks Services 2. Deputy Director HSA, Social Services 3. Deputy Director HSA, Administrative Services 4. Deputy Director HSA, Eligibility Services

Chief Probation Officer 1. Division Director/Adult Services 2. Division Director/Juvenile Services 3. Division Director/Custody Services

Agricultural Commissioner 1. Assistant Agricultural Commissioner 2. Deputy Agricultural Commissioner

Treasures-Tax Collector 1. Assistant Treasurer-Tax Collector 2. Administrative Services Manager

Page 51 December 2007 MERCED COUNTY EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN

Part 1 General Information

PUBLIC AWARENESS AND EDUCATION

The public's response to any emergency is based on an understanding of the nature of the emergency, the potential hazards, the likely response of emergency services, and the knowledge of what individuals and groups should do to increase their chances of survival and recovery. Public awareness and education prior to an emergency or disaster will directly affect Merced County's emergency operations and recovery efforts.

The Merced County’s Office of Emergency Services will make emergency preparedness information from local, state and federal sources available to the Operational Area Member Jurisdictions and the citizens of Merced County. Further, the Office of Emergency Services will provide special emphasis on specific hazards throughout the calendar year, aiding in the disaster preparation and education of the communities within the Merced Operational Area.

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Part 1 General Information

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN MANAGEMENT

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN MANAGEMENT

Emergency Operations Plan Modifications

The Merced Operational Area Council consists of key officials identified in Chapter 2.72 of the Merced County Code (Ordinance 1567, see appendix C-10). It is the responsibility of the membership of this council to review and recommend for adoption by the Board of Supervisors, emergency and mutual aid plans and agreements, and such rules and regulations as are necessary to implement the Merced County Operational Area Emergency Operations Plan, and any other such plans and agreements.

This plan will be reviewed and revised by the County Office of Emergency Services annually. The plan may be modified as a result of post-incident analyses and/or post-exercise critiques. It may be modified if responsibilities, procedures, laws, rules, or regulations pertaining to emergency management and operations change.

Those agencies having assigned responsibilities under this plan are obligated to inform the Merced County Office of Emergency Services when changes occur or are imminent. Proposed changes will be submitted, in writing, to the Merced County Office of Emergency Services. After review and acceptance by the Operational Area Council, changes will be published and distributed to all departments/agencies identified within the Emergency Operations Plan distribution list.

Every four years, the entire Emergency Operations Plan will be reviewed, updated, republished, and redistributed. The Merced County Office of Emergency Services on the register on page 54 will maintain records of revision to this plan.

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Part 1 General Information

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN MANAGEMENT

Emergency Operations Plan Modification Register

Page # (s): Description:

Signature Date

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Part 1 General Information

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN MANAGEMENT

Emergency Operations Plan Distribution

The following departments or agencies have a complete hard copy(ies) or compact disc(s) of the Merced County Emergency Operations Plan:

Department/Agency No. of Copies Board of Supervisors 6 County Executive Officer 2 County Counsel 1 County Sheriff Department 6 County Fire Department 2 County Office of Emergency Services 2 County Public Works Department 2 County Public Health Department 3 County Environmental Health 3 County Mental Health 1 County Emergency Medical Services 2 County Probation Department 2 County Auditor/Controller/Recorder 2 County Agricultural Commissioner 2 Department of Education 2 Human Services Agency 2 District Attorney 1 City of Merced 3 City of Atwater 3 City of Los Banos 3 City of Livingston 1 City of Gustine 1 City of Dos Palos 1 Governor's Office of Emergency Services - Inland Region 1 Stanislaus County 1 Madera County 1

Training and Exercising

Training The Merced County's Office of Emergency Services (OES) will inform County departments and Operational Area cities of training opportunities associated with emergency management. Individual departments will be responsible for maintaining training records. County departments with responsibilities under this plan must ensure their personnel are properly trained to carry out these responsibilities.

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Part 1 General Information

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN MANAGEMENT

County OES must determine the appropriate level(s) of SEMS / NIMS instruction for each member of the Merced County Emergency Organization, including field personnel. The determination will be based on individuals' potential assignments during emergency response.

County OES will ensure that all emergency response personnel can demonstrate and maintain, to the level deemed appropriate, the minimum SEMS / NIMS performance objectives as contained in the Approved Course of Instruction (ACI) Syllabus referenced in the SEMS / NIMS regulations. Additionally, County OES will ensure that these objectives are met through the completion of materials from the ACI and incorporation of the objectives into exercises. In the event the Governor's Office of Emergency Services asks for training documentation, a sample training document is enclosed on page 57, which will be the format used by the County of Merced to document all training.

Exercising The best method of training emergency responders is through exercises. Exercises allow emergency responders to become familiar with the procedures, facilities and systems that they will actually use in emergency situations. County OES is responsible for the planning and conducting of emergency exercises for Merced County.

Exercises will be conducted on a regular basis to maintain readiness. Exercises should include as many Operational Area Member Jurisdictions as possible. County OES will document exercises by conducting a critique, and using the information obtained from the critique, to revise the emergency operations plan.

Page 56 December 2007 MERCED COUNTY EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN

DATE: ______LOCATION: ______

CLASS: ______

CDF/MERCED COUNTY FIRE TRAINING CLASS ROSTER # NAME (please print) PHONE DEPARTMENT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

Page 57 December 2007 MERCED COUNTY EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN

Signed Concurrence by Merced County Departments

The County Executive Officer concurs with Merced County's Emergency Operations Plan. Revisions will be submitted to the Assistant County Executive Officer.

Signed Demitrios Tatum, County Executive Officer

The County Sheriff Department concurs with Merced County's Emergency Operations Plan. Revisions will be submitted to the Assistant Sheriff.

Signed Mark N. Pazin, Sheriff

The County Fire Department/Office of Emergency Services concurs with Merced County's Emergency Operations Plan. Revisions will be submitted to the Fire Chief.

Signed Mikel L. Martin, Fire Chief/OES Director

The County Public Works Department concurs with the Merced Operational Area's Emergency Operations Plan. Revisions will be submitted to the Public Works Director.

Signed Paul A. Fillebrown, Public Works Director

The District Attorney's Office concurs with Merced County's Emergency Operations Plan. Revisions will be submitted to the District Attorney.

Signed Larry D. Morse II, District Attorney

The County Probation Department concurs with Merced County's Emergency Operations Plan. Revisions will be submitted to Chief Probation Officer.

Signed Brian L. Cooley, Chief Probation Officer

Page 58 December 2007 MERCED COUNTY EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN

The County Recorder's Officer concurs with Merced County's Emergency Operations Plan. Revisions will be submitted to the Auditor/Controller/Recorder.

Signed M. Steve Jones, Auditor/Controller/Recorder/Clerk

The County Public Health Department concurs with Merced County's Emergency Operations Plan. Revisions will be submitted to the Public Health Director.

Signed John Volanti, Public Health Director

The County Public Health Department, Division of Environmental Health concurs with Merced County’s Emergency Operations Plan. Revisions will be submitted to the Public Health Director.

Signed Jeff Palsgaard, Director of Environmental Health

The Human Services Agency concurs with Merced County's Emergency Operations Plan. Revisions will be submitted to the Director of Human Services Agency.

Signed Ana Pagan, Director of Human Services Agency/Public Guardian - Conservator

The Mental Health Department concurs with Merced County’s Emergency Operations Plan. Revisions will be submitted to the Director of Mental Health.

Signed Frank Whitman, Director of Mental Health

The Agricultural Department concurs with Merced County’s Emergency Operations Plan. Revisions will be submitted to the Agricultural Commissioner.

Signed David Robinson, County Agricultural Commissioner/ Sealer/Director of Animal Control

The County Council concurs with Merced County’s Emergency Operations Plan. Revisions will be submitted to the County Council Director.

Signed James N. Fincher, County Counsel Director

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