REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Resolution to Adopt Updated Emergency Operations Plan
Report
REPORT IN BRIEF
An Emergency Operations Plan is required for local government in California. The guidelines are derived from the United States Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and modified by the State Office of Emergency Services. The emergency plan provides a broad legal framework for management of emergencies. Staff has revised the current emergency plan, which was adopted by Council in 2005. The revised plan complies with the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) and conforms to the requirements of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) as mandated by FEMA.
Sunnyvale Municipal Code Section 2.16.080 provides for the development, approval and adoption of the emergency plan. The City Manager is responsible for the development of the City’s emergency plan. The City Council decides if the emergency plan should be approved. If approved, the emergency plan must be formally adopted by Council resolution.
BACKGROUND
Government Code Sections 8568 and 8607 and Sunnyvale Municipal Code (SMC) section 2.16.080 requires the City to develop an emergency plan that provides for effective mobilization of all City resources, both public and private, during a Local Emergency, State of Emergency or State of War Emergency.
Generally, emergencies and disasters are managed at the local level. However, assistance is often needed from other jurisdictions and agencies. To successfully manage a large-scale emergency, coordination among the emergency responders is essential. Predicated on this principle, in 2005 City Council adopted the original emergency plan, which incorporated the Standardized Emergency Management System (“SEMS”). The SEMS regulations called for improved coordination of local and state emergency response efforts in California. In February 2003, the President issued Homeland Security Presidential Directive-5, which directed the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop and administer the National Incident Management System (“NIMS”). This system provides for a consistent nationwide approach for Federal, State, and local governments to effectively and efficiently collaborate to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disastrous events, regardless of cause, size, or complexity. The City’s emergency plan was also revised to reflect these federal standards.
EXISTING POLICY
The City is mandated by regulations to have an Emergency Plan, both by its own ordinance (SMC section 2.16.050) and Government Code section 8568.
DISCUSSION
The City of Sunnyvale’s Emergency Operations Plan is the official foundational document for emergency preparedness. It describes in broad terms key issues including: the responsibilities of the City; the processes used during emergency operations and procedures for rendering or requesting mutual aid; the direction and control within the agency; continuity of government; specific emergency authorities that staff may assume; internal emergency notifications; Emergency Management Organization (EMO) staffing; reporting mechanisms for the EOC; and cleanup and recovery operations.
The updated EOP reflects current best management practices and format, including keeping the basic plan as concise as possible, and complies with the most recent EOP and emergency preparedness guidance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the State of California Office of Emergency Services.
FISCAL IMPACT
An adopted and updated EOP is required to ensure that the City is eligible to receive State and Federal funding after a disaster, and for many grants that provide funding for emergency preparedness planning and activities, including but not limited to the State Homeland Security Grant Program, the Urban Areas Security Initiative, and the Emergency Management Performance Grants.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” with the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378 (b) (5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Senior Center, Community Center and Department of Public Safety; and by making the agenda and report available at the Sunnyvale Public Library, the Office of the City Clerk and on the City's website.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Adopt by resolution the City of Sunnyvale Emergency Operations Plan - Updated 2017.
2. Adopt by resolution the City of Sunnyvale Emergency Operations Plan - Updated 2017 with modifications.
3. Do not adopt by resolution the City of Sunnyvale Emergency Operations Plan - Updated 2017.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Alternative 1: Adopt by resolution the City of Sunnyvale Emergency Operations Plan - Updated 2017.
If Council does not adopt by the resolution the City of Sunnyvale Emergency Operations Plan - Updated 2017 that conforms to SEMS/NIMS guidelines and retains the old Emergency Operations Plan, then due to the age of the existing Emergency Operating Plan the City’s eligibility for emergency-related grant funding may be jeopardized.
Prepared by: Vinicio Mata, Captain, Department of Public Safety
Reviewed by: Dayton Pang, Deputy Chief, Department of Public Safety
Reviewed by: Phan S. Ngo, Director, Department of Public Safety
Reviewed by: Walter C. Rossmann, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. City of Sunnyvale Emergency Operations Plan - Updated 2017
2. Resolution Adopting the City of Sunnyvale Emergency Operations Plan - Updated 2017