Emergency Operations Plan

Adopted

October 26, 2004

 

 

Table of Contents

Letter of Agreement  
Signatories to the EOP  
     Board of County Commissioners  
   
County Elected Officials  
     Clerk and Recorder  
     Coroner  
     Sheriff  
     Treasurer  
   
Municipal Elected Officials  
     Town of Empire, Mayor  
     Town of Georgetown, Mayor  
     Town of Silver Plume, Mayor  
     City of Central, Mayor  
     City of Idaho Springs, Mayor  
   
Appointed Officials  
     Assessor  
     Fire Authority, Chief  
     Emergency Medical Services, Director  
     School District, Superintendent  
     Manager of Administration, Administrator  
     Finance, Director  
     Archives, Archivist  
     Environmental Health, Specialist  
     Human Services, Director  
     Human Resources, Director  
     Information Technology, Director  
     Community Development, Director  
     Building Official, Unit Manager  
     Road and Bridge, Director  
     Public Health, Supervisor  
   
Distribution List of Emergency Operations Plan  
   
Forward  
   
Legal Authorities  
     Local  
     State  
     Federal  
   
Continuity of Government  
     Lines of Succession  
   
Executive Summary  
   
Revisions Record  
   
Additions Record      
   

THE EOP

 
The EOP  
     Implemented when  
     Resources  
     Types of Assistance  
   
Purpose  
   
Scope  
     County Synopsis  
          Geography  
          Current Population  
          Projected Growth Rate  
          Cities and Towns  
   
     Emergency Services in Clear Creek County  
          Emergency Medical Services    
          Fire Protection Services    
          Law Enforcement    
          Hazardous Material Spill Response  
          Search and Rescue    
         Water Rescue    
   
Situations and Assumptions  
     Situations   
          Hazard Analysis  
     Assumptions  
Concept of Operations  
     Table 1 Emergency/Disaster Coordination/Organization  
     Emergency and Disaster Declarations  
          State of Emergency    
          Local Disaster Declaration  
   
Disaster Operations Group Descriptions  
     Incident Management Team    
     Multi-Agency Coordination    
     Emergency Operations Center  
     Interagency Coordination and Cooperation    
     Delegation of Authority  
     Incident Types    
   
Designated Roles and Responsibilities  
     General    
     Board of County Commissioners  
     Sheriff  
          Alpine Rescue Team  
     Emergency Manager   
     Fire Authority and Evergreen Fire Protection District  
     Emergency Medical Services   
     Budget and Finance  
     Information Technology    
     Assessor    
     Mapping/GIS    
     Clerk and Recorder    
     Coroner  
     County Attorney    
     Administrator    
     Human Resources    
     Human Services  
     Public Health Nursing/Environmental Health  
     Road and Bridge/Public Works  
     Community Development  
     Treasurer  
     Building Planning and Engineering    
     Public Information Officer    
     Communications Center  
     Victims Advocates    
     Animal Control  
   
Other Agency Responsibilities  
     Towns of Empire, Georgetown, Silver Plume, City of Idaho Springs    
     School District RE-1  
     Public Utility Companies    
     Local Clergy    
     American Red Cross    
     Salvation Army  
     Jefferson Center for Mental Health    
     Civil Air Patrol    
     Colorado State and U.S. Forest Service    
     Mine Safety/Hazard Administration    
   
Agreements  
     Mutual Aid Agreements   
     County Mutual Aid Agreement   
     Annual Fire Operating Plan   
     County Fire Protection Agreement  
     Emergency Fire Fund and Clear Creek County  
     State Patrol and State Patrol for Hazardous Materials Response    
     Town of Silver Plume and County Sheriff    
     Alpine Rescue and County Sheriff    
     Search and Rescue and U.S. Air Force  
     U.S. Forest Service and County Sheriff    
   

 

HAZARD SPECIFIC FUNCTIONAL ANNEXES

Terrorism  
Avalanche  
Dam Break  
Drought  
Flood  
HazMat  
Inter-Regional Roadways  
Landslide, Debris Flow  
Mass Casualty  
Mass Influx of Population  
Rockfall  
Tran Mountain Water Diversion Facilities  
Wildland Firefighting  
Wind Event  
Winter Storm  

FUNCTIONAL ANNEXES

Animal Protection and Evacuation  
Care & Sheltering  
Communications and Warning  
Damage Assessment  
Disabled Population  
Emergency Operations  
Financial Management  
Firefighting - Urban  
Ground Support  
Information Technology  
Law Enforcement  
Medical  
Mental Health  
Operations and Information Management  
Public Health and Environment  
Public Information  
Public Utilities  
Public Works  
Resource Support  
Search & Rescue  
Transportation  

ATTACHMENTS

Hazard Analysis
      Avalanche
      Air Traffic
      Civil Disturbance
      Dam Failure
      Drought
      Earthquake
      Fire - Urban
      Fire- Wildland
      Flood
      Hazardous Materials - Fixed Site
      Hazardous Materials - Transportation Related
      Landslide / Rockslide
      Mass Transportation / Mass Casualty Incident
      Mine Explosion / Rescue
      Power / Utilities Failure
      Seasonal Thunderstorm / Lightening Storm
      Ski Lift Accident
      Subsidence
      Terrorism: Biohazard Incident  / Epidemic Outbreak / Chemical
      Terrorism:  Cyber-terrorism
      Terrorism:  Weapons of Mass Destruction - Bomb/Nuclear
      Tornado
      Wind Storm (Severe)
      Winter Storm / Blizzard / Severe Weather Event

 

Letter of Agreement

The Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) for Clear Creek County describes the mechanism and structure by which Clear Creek County mobilizes resources and conducts activities to address the consequences of any major disaster or emergency; to save lives, protect public health, safety, and property, alleviate damage and hardship, and reduce future vulnerability.

By signing this Letter of Agreement, Clear Creek County departments and agencies commit to:

· Support the EOP concept of operations and carrying out their assigned functional responsibilities to ensure the orderly and timely delivery of emergency assistance.

· Make maximum use of existing authorities, organizations, resources, systems, and programs to reduce emergency response costs.

· Form partnerships with counterpart Local, State and Federal agencies, voluntary disaster relief organizations, and the private sector to take advantage of all existing resources.

· Continuing to develop and refine emergency services activities to maintain necessary operational capabilities.


Signatories to the EOP
Clear Creek County

Board of County Commissioners

                         Bob Poirot                         
Commissioner

                                Harry Dale                           
Commissioner

                          Jo Ann Sorensen                           
Commissioner


Continuation of
County Elected Officials

Assessor Diane Settle
Clerk and Recorder Pam Phipps
Coroner Don Allen
Sheriff Don Kruger
Treasurer Gerri Thompson


Municipalities 
 

Town of Empire
Town of Georgetown
Town of Silver Plume
City of Central City
City of Idaho Springs


Distribution List of Emergency Operations Plan

Board of County Commissioners

Cooperating Agencies

Assessor’s Office Public Service Co. dba XCEL Energy
Clerk and Recorder’s Office Local Clergy
Coroner’s Office American Red Cross
Sheriff’s Office Salvation Army
Treasurer’s Office Colorado State Forest Service
County Attorney’s Office United States Forest Service
Clear Creek Fire Authority Evergreen Fire Protection
Clear Creek Emergency Medical Serv. Qwest
Clear Creek School District Colorado Department of Transportation
Manager of Administration Colorado State Patrol
Finance Department Loveland Ski Area
Archives Department St. Mary’s Metropolitan District
Environmental Health Central Clear Creek Water/Sanitation Dist.
Human Services Department Chicago Creek Sanitation District
Human Resources Department  
Information Technology Department  
Community Development Department  
Building Department  
Road and Bridge Department  
Public Health Department  
Town of Empire  
Town of Georgetown  
City of Idaho Springs  
Town of Silver Plume  
City of Central  

 

Forward

The Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) outlines how Clear Creek County Public Safety Agencies implement life and property saving actions when a major disaster or emergency challenges our ability to respond effectively to:

●   save lives
●   protect public health, safety, and property, and
●   restore communities.

The EOP describes the policies, planning assumptions, concept of operations, response and recovery actions, and responsibilities of Clear Creek County departments and agencies that guide operations regarding mitigation, response and recovery from a major disaster, emergency or incident.

The EOP ensures consistency with current policy guidance, integrates recovery and mitigation functions into the response structure, and describes relationships to other standard operating guidelines. The EOP is designed to integrate quickly and efficiently with State and Federal Response Plans.

The EOP will continue to evolve, reflecting lessons learned from actual experience in disasters and ongoing department and agency planning, training, and exercise activities. It will serve as a basis for improving coordination and strengthening relationships among all emergency management partners; Federal, State and Local governments, voluntary disaster relief organizations, and the private sector. It will help us work together to meet basic human needs and restore essential government services after a disaster.

The Clear Creek County Emergency Manager (EM) is responsible for regularly scheduled updates and revisions to the EOP. The EM is also responsible for developing a training plan to familiarize county, municipality and other emergency officials with the provisions of the plan.

Emergency Manager


LEGAL AUTHORITIES

This EOP has been published under the authority and direction of the following Local, State, and Federal laws and regulations:

1. Local

County Resolution R-85-21 adopted the Emergency Management Resolution designating a disaster agency.

Clear Creek County appointed an Emergency Management Director 1 January 1996.

County Resolution R-04-118, designating the Office of Emergency Management as the disaster agency responsible for emergency management.

2. State

Title 24, Article 32, Part 21, Colorado Revised Statutes, as amended; entitled the "Colorado Disaster Emergency Act of 1992", (Part 21 of Article 32, Title 24, CO. Rev. Statutes).

Title 25, Article 11, Part 1, Colorado Revised Statutes); "Radiation Control.

Colorado Revised Statutes 29-22-101, et seq., Hazardous Substance Incidents

Colorado Revised Statute 30-10-513.5, Sheriff Authority for Forest fires.

3.  Federal

Title VI of P.L. 93-288, as amended by Public Law 100-707, The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 USC 5121, et seq.)

1)  "Requirement 201.6(c)(2)(ii)(A): [The risk assessment shall include a] description of the jurisdiction’s vulnerabilities to the hazards described in paragraph (c)(2)(i) of this section. This description shall include an overall summary of each hazard and its impact on the community. The plan should describe vulnerability in terms of the types and numbers of existing and future buildings, infrastructure, and critical facilities located in the identified hazard areas…."

2) Requirement 201.6(c)(2)(ii)(B): [The plan should describe vulnerability in terms of an] estimate of the potential dollar losses to vulnerable structures identified in paragraph (c)(2)(i)(A) of this section and a description of the methodology used to prepare the estimate.

Guide for All-Hazard Emergency Operations Planning State and Local Guide (SLG) 101, Federal Emergency Management Agency, September 1996.

Homeland Security Presidential Directive/HSPD 5, the White House, February 2003.

Homeland Security Presidential Directive/HSPD 8, the White House, December 2003.

 

Continuity of Government

Clear Creek County will continue to serve under civil political leadership in times of disaster or crisis. Elected leaders, appointed officials and employees shall continue to serve in the same general capacity they serve in under non-emergency, routine conditions.

Lines of Succession

The following lines of succession shall be observed in the event that a key official is unavailable to perform the duties of the office.

Chair, Board of County Commissioners

1. Vice Chair Commissioner
2. Commissioner

Sheriff

1. Undersheriff
2. Division of Special Services
3. Division of Patrol
4. Division of Communications
5. Division of Investigations
6. Detective Division

Coroner

1. Deputy Coroner
2. Investigative Assistant

Assessor

1. Deputy Assessor
2. Appraiser

Clerk & Recorder

1. Motor Vehicle Supervisor
2. Records Supervisor

Community Development Director

 

Land Use Unit Manager

1. Building Official
2. Environmental Health Specialist
3. Mapping Director
4. Planning Director
5. County Lands Director
6. Site Development

Public Works Unit Manager

1. Road & Bridge Supervisor
2. West District Foreman
3. East District Foreman
4. Safety Manager
5. Transfer Station Manager

Treasurer

1. Chief Deputy Treasurer
2. Deputy Treasurer

County Administrator

1. Assistant to the County Administrator

County Attorney

1. Assistant County Attorney

Administrative Services Unit Manager

1. Chief Accountant
2. Information Systems Director
3. Archivist
4. Human Resources Specialist

Health and Human Services Unit Manager

1. Unit Manager of Community Services
2. Public Health Nurse

 

Executive Summary

The EOP consists of the following sections:

The purpose of this plan is NOT to change or transfer the responsibilities of the jurisdiction(s) in which a disaster occurs, but to optimize the resources of all jurisdictions through coordinated management.

1. The Basic Plan presents the authorities, planning assumptions, concept of operations, responsibilities and hazard analysis for emergencies and disasters in Clear Creek County.

2. Emergency Operations describes the processes and agreements under which Clear Creek County shall respond to all incidents. This section includes a description of the National Emergency Operations System upon which the Emergency Operations Plan is based. Also included are descriptions regarding the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) and the emergency declaration process.

3. Functional Annexes describe the mission, policies, concept of operations, and responsibilities of the primary and support agencies involved in the implementation of key response functions such as Terrorism, Law Enforcement, Wildland Firefighting, Hazardous Materials, Animal Protection, Public Works and Engineering, Care & Sheltering, Financial Management, Information, Damage Assessment, Public Health, and Resource Support.

4. Reference Materials include all Incident Command System forms used to develop situation reports, incident action plans, and other necessary tracking documents. These are referenced under "Exhibits".

5. Checklists outline the main actions to be taken as well as responsibilities.

6. Revisions

Upon acceptance and approval by the Board of County Commissioners, any changes, additions, or deletions to the substantive content of this EOP must be done by an amendment and approved by resolution by all jurisdictions wishing to use this plan. Attachments, annexes and exhibits to this EOP may be developed as needed and incorporated into this EOP by reference, without need for an amendment by resolution. It is important to keep in mind that this plan is NEVER actually finished. As work and training in emergency planning continues, revisions will be necessary. As work and training in the emergency-planning field continues, changes, modifications and updates will be necessary. All involved in the evaluation of this plan are urged to evaluate its contents carefully and note recommended changes.

The Clear Creek County Emergency Manager will be responsible for updating the EOP as changes or additions are needed.

 

Revisions Record

 

Date of Revision                         Section Revised                     Signature

        11/30/04                                  Table 1 Emerg/Dis. Coord/Org.
                                                        (Changed to Dillion to Clear Creek,
                                                         added. EMS. deleted "ski area
                                                         liaisons" from both)                                             KG                       
______________                             ____________________                     ____________________
______________                             ____________________                     ____________________
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Additions Record      

Date of Addition                             Section Added                         Signature

                                              

                                                                 Hazard Specific and
   03/16/05                                                Functional Annexes                                             KG                  
   06/13/05                                                Listed Annexes and
                                                                 Attachments and Added
                                                                 Forms                                                                   KG                
______________                                  ____________________                     ____________________
______________                                  ____________________                     ____________________
______________                                 ____________________                     ____________________
______________                                 ____________________                     ____________________
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______________                                 ____________________                     ____________________
______________                                 ____________________                     ____________________

 

The EOP

The EOP is implemented:

· In anticipation of a significant event likely to result in a county wide emergency.
· In response to an actual event requiring a declaration of a major disaster or emergency.

Resources that may be deployed:

· Specialized Teams for damage assessment, emergency operations, emergency communications, medical assistance and support, search and rescue, emergency power, public information, etc.
· Equipment and supplies such as mobile kitchens, water purification units, portable toilets, showers, tents, food service, etc.
· Facilities including an emergency operations center, command posts, staging areas, etc.

Types of assistance are:

To deliver immediate relief:

· Initial response resources including food, water, firefighting, law enforcement, and EMS
· Emergency services to clear debris, open critical transportation routes, provide shelter and food.

To speed a return to normal conditions and reduce damage from future occurrences:

· Provide information on how to repair or replace damaged facilities and personal property.
· Access grants, loans and financial assistance to repair or replace roads and public buildings and incorporating to that extent, practical hazard reduction in structural and nonstructural measures.
· Technical assistance to identify and implement mitigation opportunities to reduce future losses.
· Other assistance including crisis counseling and health protection measures.

 

Purpose

The Clear Creek County Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) establishes a process and structure for the systematic, coordinated, and effective delivery of public safety services to address the consequences of any major disaster or emergency in Clear Creek County.

Citizens expect governments to keep them informed and to provide guidance and assistance in the event of a threat, emergency or disaster. The process and structure of this plan gives the community an effective and efficient emergency management operation program that will protect life and property and help the community recover from disasters in a manner acceptable to the citizens.

The contents of this plan are intended to provide a basis for the coordinated planning, management, response to, and recovery from emergencies and disaster events that may occur in Clear Creek County.

All county offices and departments as well as other agencies, municipalities, and other organizations included in this plan are responsible for developing, maintaining, and training in up-to-date Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) necessary for implementing assigned duties, responsibilities, and functions. This plan does not replace a list of resources or contain information that is specific to any one department or organization.

The EOP:

1. Sets forth fundamental policies, planning assumptions, a concept of operations, response and recovery actions, and department and agency responsibilities.

2. Describes the process and methodology for implementing and managing recovery and mitigation programs and support/technical services.

3. Addresses links to other Emergency Operations Plans developed for specific incidents.

4. Provides a focus for interagency and intergovernmental emergency preparedness, planning, training, exercising, coordination, and information exchange.

5. Serves as the foundation for the development of detailed supplemental plans and procedures to implement response and recovery activities rapidly and efficiently.

 

Scope

The EOP concept applies to a major disaster, emergency or incident which includes a natural catastrophe or human-caused event or any other occasion or incident for which the Board of County Commissioners determine that it is needed to supplement local efforts and capabilities. Direction and control prior to, during, and following an emergency or disaster rests with the elected leadership of the legally recognized government jurisdiction impacted by a given emergency or disaster. This authority continues throughout the stages for emergency operations or until conditions warrant a change in such authority.

Emergency operations involve more than just responding to the impact of an emergency or disaster. Pre- and post-disaster planning are important elements of the emergency operations responsibilities of local and state government. Activities and responsibilities centered on the management of emergency operations are conducted in four stages: Preparedness, Increased Readiness, Response, and Initial Relief. During each of the stages the operational actions and responsibilities of local, state, and other governmental and non-governmental agencies are different. Following is a brief description of these stages:

Preparedness: The time prior to the onset of an emergency or disaster. It involves planning and activities that are focused on improving the overall capability of responding to and managing emergencies or disasters. Emergency preparedness support to local jurisdictions will be provided by state departments in accordance with normal day-to-day functional capabilities and statutory responsibilities, or as tasked by the OEM Director.

Increased Readiness: The stage of responding to the forecast of a disaster. Local agencies will review their Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), determine resource availability. In addition, each department will monitor and assess conditions that could develop into a major emergency or disaster situation, keeping the OEM informed of any potential problems.

Response: Starts at the onset of an emergency or disaster event and continues until the situation is stabilized or brought under control. The Incident Command System (ICS) will be used as the on-scene incident management system. State departments will provide assistance to impacted local jurisdictions, based upon requests and verified needs and as approved. Coordination of the use of state and private resources, and/or federal assets, will be facilitated through the State EOC. Costs of state resources requested by local jurisdictions will be borne by the requesting jurisdiction unless the Governor declares a Disaster/Emergency and commits the state resources.

Initial Relief: Starts as soon as the situation becomes stabilized and continues until essential services are reestablished and long term recovery planning and redevelopment activities can begin. This EOP does not specifically address long-term reconstruction and redevelopment.

The EOP applies to all signatory departments and agencies that may be tasked to provide assistance in a major disaster, emergency or incident.

 

County Synopsis

Geography

Clear Creek County’s total land area is 396 square miles. Only 23% of this land, or 93.6 square miles is in private ownership. The remainder is in public ownership with the United States Forest Service as the largest public land owner with 266 square miles, or 67% of the total County land area.

Current Population

As of July 7, 2002, Clear Creek County’s estimated permanent population was 9,528. Of that total, 5,942 people (63%) lived within the unincorporated territory of the County. There are times when the temporary, ambient or visitor population exceeds the permanent population by 100,000 due to the County’s frequency of use for recreational, educational and travel purposes.

Projected Growth Rate

Clear Creek County’s annual growth averaged over the prior years, is 0.8%.using U.S. Census Bureau estimates, Clear Creek County is expected to reach a total permanent population of 9,701 by the year 2005.

Cities and Towns

Five municipalities have corporate boundaries within Clear Creek County. The four municipalities of Idaho Springs, Georgetown, Empire and Silver Plume comprise 37% of the County’s permanent population. The fifth municipality, Central City, has extended (or "annexed") its corporate boundaries into Clear Creek County in order to surround a roadway named "Central City Parkway," however, all of Central City’s residents currently live within the portion of the Central City municipal boundary which lies within Gilpin County, Clear Creek’s neighboring county to the North. Each municipality, except for Silver Plume, has its own local police department. Unincorporated Clear Creek County is under the law enforcement jurisdiction of the County Sheriff.

Emergency Services in Clear Creek County

Emergency Medical Service

Ambulance service is currently being provided by Clear Creek Emergency Medical Service (CCEMS). CCEMS transports patients to a hospital by ambulance or air-life helicopter. Patient transport may also be provided by mutual aid counties ambulance providers. All fire departments in the County provide first aid and access to the emergency medical system.

Fire Protection Services

Clear Creek Fire Authority and Evergreen Fire Protection District serve the structural fire protection and rescue needs of Clear Creek County residents and business owners within their respective jurisdictions in Clear Creek County. In addition to fire suppression, Clear Creek Fire Authority and Evergreen Fire Protection District offer emergency first response medical services, initial attack wildland/urban interface fire response, hazardous materials response, and fire prevention advice for fire safety within their jurisdictions in Clear Creek County.

Wildland fire management services are provided by the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office wildland "Timber Team" on all unincorporated lands in the county.

Wildland fire management is provided by U.S. Forest Service and Colorado State Forest Service on the Arapahoe/Roosevelt National Forest lands. The U.S. Forest Service is typically not equipped to provide structural protection.

Law Enforcement

Law enforcement is managed by the Clear Creek County Sheriff's Office, Empire Police Department, Georgetown Police Department, Idaho Springs Police Department, National Forest Service, Colorado State Park Service, and the Colorado State Patrol. The Clear Creek County Sheriff's Office has jurisdiction throughout Clear Creek County. Throughout the Arapahoe/Roosevelt National Forest, the Sheriff's Office works closely with the National Forest Service Rangers to keep the peace within the federal lands. The Clear Creek County Sheriff's Office employs special teams including the Wildland Timber Team and the High Risk Tactical Response Team. All patrol deputies are trained in "Tactical First Response".

The Empire Police Department, Georgetown Police Department, and the Idaho Police Department provide law enforcement for their respective municipalities.

Hazardous Material Spill Response

The Colorado State Patrol is the Designated Emergency Response Agency (DERA) for Clear Creek County* for spills of hazardous or toxic materials through an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA). Hazardous Materials emergencies are handled jointly by the fire departments, Sheriff's Office and Colorado State Patrol.

Search and Rescue

Search and rescue services throughout Clear Creek County are provided by the Alpine Rescue Team (ART). A non-profit organization sponsored by the Clear Creek County Sheriff's Office, ART provides skilled individuals for wilderness search and rescue, technical rescue, searches for missing persons, public evacuation assistance, evidence search teams, and disaster assistance. Downed and missing aircraft are located by the U.S. Air Force civilian contingency, Civil Air Patrol (CAP). At the point that the downed aircraft is located, the CAP is stood down and the mission becomes the primary responsibility of the Clear Creek County Sheriff.

Water Rescue

Clear Creek County has a specialized Swift Water Rescue Team that is available 24 hours a day. In addition, Fire/Rescue provides support for water rescue. Other teams throughout the State of Colorado are available to respond to mutual aid requests.

*Idaho Springs is exempt from this and serves as their own DERA.

 

Situations and Assumptions

Clear Creek County and the incorporated areas of Clear Creek County including the municipalities of Empire, Georgetown, Idaho Springs, Silver Plume and Central City are exposed to a wide array of human-caused and natural emergencies and disasters with potentially adverse threats to life and/or property and the disruption of essential services. (See the Clear Creek County Hazard Specific Annex).

For purposes of this EOP, a "disaster" or "emergency" means the occurrence or imminent threat of widespread or severe damage, injury, or loss of property resulting from any natural cause or cause of human origin.

Situations

Hazard Identification

Clear Creek County is vulnerable to many hazards that have the capability of escalating into disaster. Although we cannot predicate exactly what may happen or where, it is possible to determine what risks exist and which communities are most likely to be effected by them. Growth, development, and technology present us with an ever-changing world in which situations may develop that we have not previously experienced.

Clear Creek County is vulnerable to the following natural and human caused hazards, and technological events that could cause a disaster:

Avalanche

The winter snow pack presents the danger of avalanches, particularly in the backcountry mountainous areas. The increasingly heavy usage of the backcountry during the winter months has heightened this ever present winter danger.

Air Traffic Accident

Air traffic accidents involve any aircraft that loses altitude, causing an impact to the immediate geographical terrain whether it is structural or natural.

Civil Disturbance

Civil disturbance is a tumultuous act in direct refusal of governmental law or laws as a means of resistance because of one’s moral convictions

Dam Failure

A class one and two dam failure is when an essential wall designed to hold back water and form a lake or pond no longer succeeds at holding the water.

Drought

A drought is a long period of dry weather prolonged by the lack of normal or sufficient rainfall or other precipitation. Even in higher moisture years, Colorado rainfall does not provide a consistent, dependable water supply throughout the year.

Earthquake

An earthquake is a shaking or movement of part of the earth’s surface, caused by the sudden shifting of rock along an existing fracture or fault or by volcanic or other disturbances, which has the ability to cause mass casualties in any area of the county.

Fire/Urban

An urban fire is uncontrolled burning in urban areas.

Fire/Wildland

Wildland fire, both natural and human-caused, is a risk to which the entire state is susceptible.

Flooding

Disastrous riverine flooding, caused by rapid snowmelt from early spring rains and warm weather, usually occurs in May and June. Flash flooding, usually caused by heavy, stationary thunderstorms, most often occurs in the spring and early summer months. Damage potential is greatest along the river basins. Areas in and below land burned by wildfire have an increased risk of flooding.

Hazardous Materials Release

A hazardous materials incident, which is on a fixed site, is an occurrence of toxic material release from a manufacturing, storage or shipping site (to include high pressure gas lines). A hazardous materials incident, which is transportation related, is the release of toxic or harmful materials from carriers along designated roadways.

Landslide/Rockslide

Landslide/Rockslides may occur by themselves or in conjunction with another natural event such as wildfire, severe winter snowpack, or heavy rains.

Mass Casualty Accident

A mass transportation/mass casualty incident can be an accident that involves one or more modes of transportation creating high risk of death and injury to those being transported or to populations nearby.

Mass Transportation Incident

Mine Explosion/Rescue

Mine explosions occur from either combustible gas leaking from equipment, or natural methane pockets. There must be a chemical change reaction between heat fuel and oxygen, which is defined as the fire tetrahedron.

Power/Utilities Failure

A severe power failure is any prolonged interruption of service that causes emergency actions to be implemented.

Seasonal Thunderstorm/Lightning Storm

A seasonal thunder/lightening storm is characterized when atmospheric conditions stimulate the chain reaction necessary to produce heavy precipitation and electric activity.

Ski Lift Accident

Any malfunction of a ski lift that would cause physical injury to multiple passengers, and those on the slopes.

Terrorism: Biohazard Incident/Epidemic Outbreak/Chemical

Bio-terrorism can be described as the use, or threatened use, of biological agents to promote or spread fear or intimidation upon an individual, a specific group, or the population as a whole for religious, political, ideological, financial, or personal purposes.

Terrorism: Cyber-terrorism

Cyber-terrorism is the execution of a surprise attack by a sub-national foreign terrorist group, or individuals with a domestic political agenda; using computer technology and the Internet to cripple or disable a nation's electronic and physical infrastructures.

Terrorism: Weapons of Mass Destruction – Bomb/Nuclear

Any act of violence using various forms of chemical, biological, nuclear/radiological and/or explosives to oppose a power or government.

Tornado

A tornado is a dark, funnel-shaped column of air, suspended from dark, black clouds and rotating around a low-pressure center at speeds up to 500 miles per hour.

Wind Storm/Event (Severe)

Severe wind-storms are characterized by winds that range from 65 to 100 miles per hour. These storms have the potential of damaging structures, power lines, and motor vehicles.

Winter Storm/Blizzard/Severe Weather Event

Winter storms are occasionally severe enough to overwhelm snow removal efforts, transportation, utilities, and business and commercial activities.

The accompanying Hazard Analysis found in Attachment A is a broad overview of the hazards that are specific to Clear Creek County. These hazards include natural disasters, technological threat, and intentional threat; which are not prioritized. The data should be viewed as a guide to events and threats that may require attention by the county, towns and cities, and should be considered in terms of how they may require mitigation, response to, and recovery actions.

Assumptions

County and municipal governments bear the responsibility for protection of health, safety and welfare of individuals within their respective jurisdictions.

The developing, or actual, hazard/threat situation is beyond the capacity of the normal day-to-day emergency response structure to handle.

The hazard/threat situation has developed to such an extent that the existing government (county and/or incorporated jurisdictions) must move into an emergency/disaster-oriented posture in terms of resource (personnel, material, funds, etc.) utilization.

1. A major disaster or emergency will cause numerous fatalities and injuries, property loss, and disruption of normal life-support systems, and will have an impact on the regional economic, physical, and social infrastructures.

2. The extent of casualties and damage will reflect factors such as the time of occurrence, severity of impact, weather conditions, population density, building construction, and the possible triggering of secondary events such as fires and floods.

3. A large number of casualties, heavy damage to buildings and basic infrastructure, and disruption of essential public services will overwhelm the capabilities of the State and its local governments to meet the needs of the situation, and the Board of County Commissioners will declare a major disaster or emergency.

4. Departments and agencies will need to respond on short notice to provide timely and effective assistance.

5. Clear Creek County recognizes that it is vulnerable to human-caused and natural disasters. The potential damage that may be caused by a disaster increases proportionately with population.

6. A major emergency or disaster will overwhelm the capabilities of Clear Creek County and its municipalities to provide prompt and effective emergency response and recovery. Resources in the County will be unavailable or in short supply.

7. Transportation infrastructure will be damaged and transportation disrupted. Emergency responders may have difficulty reaching people needing their help and evacuation routes may cause traffic backups slowing egress from damaged areas. The movement of emergency supplies may be impeded.

8. Clear Creek County Government, cities and towns, and special districts will provide assistance and support to each other, within their ability, and will cooperate to ensure coordinated emergency operations at all times. All municipalities within Clear Creek County will depend on county resources.

9. Damage to commercial telecommunications facilities may be experienced, slowing dissemination of information and reporting of persons needing help.

10. Public safety communications may be limited or not available.

11. Homes, businesses, public buildings, antenna sites, and other critical facilities may be damaged or destroyed. Public utilities will be damaged and either completely or partially inoperable.

12. Emergency response personnel will be victims of the emergency preventing them from performing their assigned emergency duties.

13. Many victims may be forced from their homes and large numbers of dead and injured may exist. Emergency medical services and transport ambulances may be in short supply. Medical and health care facilities that do remain open may be overwhelmed with medical care requests.

14. Damage to fixed facilities that generate or use hazardous or toxic chemicals could result in the release of these hazardous materials into the environment.

15. Restaurants and grocery stores may not be able to supply food. Additionally, basic necessities, such as medicines, may be in short supply.

16. Volunteers may come from other areas to help, causing problems with accountability. Donated goods not presently needed may be dropped off.

17. Businesses in Clear Creek County may have difficulty remaining open or providing paychecks to their employees.

18. Effective emergency operations require periodic training and exercising of all potentially involved personnel and agencies.

 

Concept of Operations

Disasters and large-scale emergencies are rarely confined to one jurisdiction. Therefore, a multi-jurisdictional effort would be required to effectively manage most major incidents in Clear Creek County. Emergency response agencies in Clear Creek County request additional resources through mutual aid agreements (usually discipline-specific, such as fire or law enforcement). Emergency planning and exercises should incorporate procedures for integrating the resources of various local government entities, private and volunteer agencies, and state and federal resources.

This Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) employs a multi-agency operational structure that uses the Incident Command System (ICS) and will be adopting and training in the implementation of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) in the future. Every emergency incident that occurs in Clear Creek County will utilize the ICS during response and recovery activities. It is this system that provides the framework for management of personnel and resources that most effectively allows emergency response organizations to help those in need, avoid over-committing or under-committing resources, and manage costs and liabilities associated with emergencies. ICS can be used in any size or type of disaster to manage response personnel, facilities, and equipment. ICS principles include use of common terminology, modular organization, integrated communications, unified command structure, action planning, manageable span-of-control, pre-designated facilities, and comprehensive resource management. The basic functional sections of ICS (e.g., operations, logistics) can be expanded or contracted to meet requirements as an event progresses.

Based on the assessment of emergency conditions by the Incident Commander, appropriate actions will be taken to control the disaster if already occurring, or mitigate the situation to prevent further damage/injury. All field operations will occur from a field command post established by the IC or IMT. As resources begin to deplete and the situation is recognized to be one that could be disastrous, municipal and county officials will become involved and will need complete situation reports. The Sheriff, County Commissioners, and Municipal Officials will be requested to report to the County Emergency Operations Center (EOC). The County EOC is located in the Sheriff’s Office, 405 Argentine, Georgetown, CO. This group of policy makers representing Clear Creek County Government, with possible agency representatives from affected municipalities, is called the Multi-Agency Coordination Group (MAC). Individual jurisdictions will develop SOPs detailing how and when to call out their policy makers. Please see Table 1 for a more detailed explanation of this system.

Table 1. Emergency/Disaster Coordination/Organization

Table 1 Emergency/Disaster Coordination/Organization

 

Emergency and Disaster Declarations

The Board of County Commissioners may choose to initiate either a state of emergency message or a formal local disaster declaration.

At the onset of any major incident (even before a disaster declaration) in Clear Creek County, it is necessary to contact the Colorado Division of Emergency Management (CDEM). The CDEM is available 24 hours a day (303-279-8855) to provide advice and technical assistance to the County and to provide State resources or coordinate other supplemental assistance in support of local emergency management actions. A formal declaration of disaster by the Clear Creek County Board of Commissioners may be required as a precondition of some forms of State assistance or to expedite State assistance. CDEM is also the State agency responsible for processing requests for State and Federal disaster assistance.

A declaration may be declared when a disaster or extraordinary emergency event has occurred or the threat of such event is imminent. The declaration of disaster shall be in writing and shall describe the nature of the disaster, areas threatened, conditions which have brought it about, and the conditions that would remedy it. The chief elected official of the jurisdiction shall ensure that a copy of the declaration is filed with their Clerk and forward a copy to the CDEM. The issuance of a disaster declaration shall automatically empower the County Commissioners to exercise any/all of the disaster and emergency powers permitted by the State and local law and shall activate all relevant portions of this EOP. The state of disaster shall remain in effect until it is determined by the local jurisdiction(s) that the threat of danger has passed or that the disaster or emergency conditions no longer exist. At that time a declaration terminating the state of disaster shall be filed with the Clerk and forwarded to the CDEM.

State of Emergency

Any two members of the Board of County Commissioners may issue a state of emergency for Clear Creek County. This is a condition that provides for the notification of all elected leaders, appointed officials, department heads, and municipal officials of the emergency event in progress. The purpose of issuing a state of emergency is to alert personnel that are not typically involved with emergencies and may be called to provide assistance. A state of emergency message is also a means of communicating to the public, media, and adjacent local governments that we are involved with a serious situation that extends above those situations that Clear Creek County experiences regularly.

Issuing a state of emergency is specific to Clear Creek County only and does not effect federal, state, or local governments. A state of emergency may be a prelude to a disaster declaration, however it is not required. It is a half-way point between normal routine operations and a declared local disaster.

 

Local Disaster Declaration

A formal Local Disaster Declaration may only be issued by the Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners for the County or by the Mayor or City/Town Manager of a municipality for that municipality.

The purpose of a disaster declaration is to activate the response and recovery aspects of applicable local and inter-jurisdictional disaster plans and to authorize the furnishing and funding of assistance. A disaster declaration should be issued when resources are expected to be seriously depleted due to an emergency event. Official notification and declaration of the event by the County Commissioners is crucial to effective mutual-aid response from the local, state, and federal governments. Future administrative policies and financial mechanisms may be triggered by a local disaster declaration.

Local Disaster Declaration is necessary for extensive state or federal assistance. It isn't necessary for limited resources, but it is necessary for more than what a single federal or state agency may be able to provide through their local office.

 

Disaster Operations Group Descriptions

Incident Management Team (IMT)

The Incident Management Team (IMT) is comprised of management level representatives operating under ICS as section chiefs or other designated management functions. This group meets at the Incident Command Post (ICP) or other designated location.

Its function is to assume overall management of the on-scene functions of the incident, including coordination and support of operations and resources, planning, maintaining status and cost of resources utilized, record property losses, recommend needed disaster declarations and other major governmental actions to the highest activated MAC in Clear Creek County for approval. (See Table #1)

Multi-Agency Coordination Group (MAC)

The Clear Creek County Multi-Agency Coordination Group (CCCMACG or MAC) is made up of elected officials, legal counsel and department heads with policymaking authority. If convened, the MAC Group will usually meet in the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), located in the Sheriff’s wing of the Clear Creek County Courthouse, 405 Argentine St. Georgetown, CO. In Clear Creek County, this group will typically consist of the County Commissioners. the Sheriff, the County Manager, the Public Works Operations Manager, and other Agency Representatives from the fire departments, municipalities, state and federal forest service or other county entities.

The MAC Group will be chaired by the senior executive official for the jurisdiction. The MAC Group chairperson will serve as the lead of the MAC Group. The Chairperson will be responsible for coordination with the policy makers who will convene at the EOC. The county’s Emergency Manager will serve as the MAC Group Coordinator whose responsibility it is to provide coordination of the MAC Group with the Incident Commander. Each municipality within Clear Creek County will be responsible for the creation of their own MAC Group and EOC to serve as the coordinating group and location for their municipality. If a municipality activates their MAC Group during a disaster and the CCCMAC Group is activated, a representative from that municipality will be requested to serve as an agency representative for the CCCMAC Group at the County EOC.

The function of this group is to provide overall support for the incident by setting policy for the emergency/disaster, preparing emergency disaster resolutions, approving emergency divergence from normal policies such as purchasing, emergency procurement of supplies, redirecting funds and other policy level decisions affecting citizens such as evacuations, curfews, etc. as necessary, and the activation of the EOC. When immediate emergency field operations begin to slow down or go into multiple operational periods, EOC personnel concentrate on evaluation of the scope of the disaster and begin to structure recovery and reconstructive efforts. As these functions become more departmentalized, the functions of the EOC will gradually dissolve.

In Clear Creek County, the MAC Group may be convened in the EOC infrequently. With the development of an IMT, the majority of incidents that occur here will, in all probability, be handled through the IMT. Only in the case of a true, large-scale disaster, will it most likely be necessary to call together the MAC. All actions taken at this level will be documented in the EOC.

Emergency Operations Center (EOC)

In accordance with the principles of the Incident Command System and for purposes of this document, EOC represents the physical location where the coordination of information and resources to support domestic incident management activities takes place. Actions that take place at the EOC can include coordination, communications, resource dispatch and tracking, and information collection, analysis, and dissemination. The EOC is clearly distinct from the Incident Command Post where operational decisions for an incident are made. The MAC Group may operate at the EOC

Clear Creek County

The primary Clear Creek County Emergency Operations Center is located in the secured facilities of the Clear Creek County Sheriff's Office at 405 Argentine St. Georgetown, CO.

In the event that the above facility is not adequate for the situation or has suffered damage making it uninhabitable, the on-duty Emergency Manager or representative will determine which alternate location is most suitable for use as an EOC given the current conditions. Pre-arranged facilities include:

Clear Creek County Middle School
320 Hwy. 103
Idaho Springs, CO 80452

Interagency Coordination and Cooperation

    Integration of Response, Recovery, and Mitigation Actions:

Following a disaster, immediate response operations to save lives, protect property, and meet basic human needs have precedence over recovery and mitigation. However, initial recovery planning should commence at once in tandem with response operations.

Mitigation opportunities should be actively considered throughout disaster operations. Decisions made during response and recovery operations can either enhance or hinder subsequent mitigation activities. The urgency to rebuild as soon as possible must be weighed against the longer term goal of reducing future risk and lessening future impacts.

Delegation of Authority

The transfer of management authority for actions during an incident is done through the execution of a written delegation of authority from an Agency to the Incident Commander. This procedure facilitates the transition between incident management levels. The delegation of authority is a part of the briefing package provided to an incoming incident management team. It should contain both the delegation of authority and specific limitations to that authority. A sample Delegation of Authority is found in the reference section of this document.

The following is a list of persons authorized to sign the Delegation of Authority for Clear Creek County.

Clear Creek County Government Administration
Clear Creek County Fire Authority and EMS Division
Colorado State Forest Service
CSFS Personnel Fire Duty Officer on active fires being considered for Emergency Fire Fund (EFF) activation.
USDA Forest Service appointed Incident Commander (only for USDA supervised fires).

Incident Types

Typing of an incident needs to be done to assist in determining the scope of an incident.

The following matrix should be used as guidelines for typing an incident to initiate actions.

Type 5 Initial attack
Initial mutual/auto aid
Type 4 Extended attack
More extended mutual aid
Assigned communications plan
Logistical and infrastructure support
Type 3* Sustained attack
Regional mutual aid
May require an IMT

*Note: A Type 3 Incident may require an Incident Management Team (IMT).
This IMT could be a Type IV, III, II or I Team.

 

Designated Roles and Responsibilities

General

Each department and organization has certain specific responsibilities that need to be done in preparation for an emergency operation. They are:

Develop and maintain internal plans, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and checklists necessary for accomplishing assigned tasks. Department and agency plans may delegate authority and assign responsibility to divisions, bureaus, offices, or other components of the department/agency. Such plans and checklists will be written consistently with this Plan. A copy of all agency plans will be provided to the OEM (including a copy on CDROM).

Maintain a current resource database of all department/agency equipment, specialty personnel, and materials available to perform assigned functions. Include in this database, names and 24-hour contact phone numbers and furnish the list to the OEM.

Ensure that all personnel assigned specific functional responsibilities in support of this Plan are adequately trained and prepared to assume those responsibilities.

Coordinate plans, procedures, and preparations with participating agencies. As appropriate, enter into working agreements a\with these agencies in order to promote effective and efficient emergency response and relief efforts.

Coordinate emergency response activities with local, state, federal and other agencies, as appropriate.

Maintain separate detailed logs of hours worked and costs incurred while carrying out emergency operations, for possible reimbursement. Best practices must be followed on all financial/logistical record keeping.

Upon request, provide personnel, equipment and other required resources to support initial relief operations.

Identify a specific chain of command and be sure everyone knows their level of responsibility within the organization.

Identify functions to be performed during/after an emergency or disaster and assign responsibility for performing those functions to personnel in appropriate departments.

Identify valuable records that are essential for the operation of your department, agency or organization if emergency evacuation is necessary.

Plan how to implement post-disaster responsibilities.

Protection of essential records is vital if government and society are to resume functioning after a major catastrophe or national emergency.

Essential records and documents which require safeguarding fall into three (3) general types:

o Records that protect the rights and interests of individuals; vital statistics, land and property records, financial and tax records, election records, license registers, articles of incorporation, etc.;

o Records required for effective emergency operations; plans, procedures, resource inventories, lists of succession, maps, memorandums of understanding, agreements, and lists of regular and auxiliary personnel;

o Records required to re-establish normal governmental functions and protect the rights and interests of government; federal and state laws, rules and regulations, official proceedings, financial and court records.

Be prepared to provide a staff member to the EOC & IMT (if appropriate for the situation) to coordinate response functions with those of other agencies represented therein.

Perform other duties as indicated.

Regardless of the management framework utilized and the individual tasks assigned, the following activities are the basic, underlying responsibilities assigned to County departments or executive offices. Each listed department is tasked to accomplish, to the best of their ability, the assigned responsibilities.

A. Board of County Commissioners

1. Oversee implementation of the County EOP and establish liaison relationships with local, state, and federal agencies.

2. Evaluate the need for and issue an official state of emergency when necessary.

3. Evaluate County-wide disaster impact and make recommendation for a local Disaster Declaration to be declared.

4. Establish fiscal policies concerning the expenditure, allocation, and documentation of public funds for emergency situations.

5. Monitor County financial statuses to ensure emergency operations do not deplete funding for critical County services.

6. Expropriate or reallocate current budgets, or appropriate reserves for emergency expenditures.

B. Sheriff

1. Serve on the Multi-Agency Coordination Group (MAC) and coordinate all law enforcement matters between the county, state, municipal, and federal law enforcement organizations.

2. Assign an internal Public Information Officer to manage or staff the Public Information Function.

4. Activate the EOC and coordinate its operation.

5. Establish and maintain law and order within unincorporated areas of the County.

6. Utilize appropriate measures available to warn the public, government officials, and emergency personnel of potentially threatening or actual emergencies. Initiate emergency contact and call out of emergency personnel.

7. Provide response agencies with the necessary communications dispatching.

8. Oversee all search and rescue activities.

9. Provide mobile communications capability to the County government agencies.

10. Establish traffic control and traffic coordination with other law enforcement agencies.

11. Coordinate the evacuation of threatened or damaged areas.

12. Provide assistance to municipal police departments when needed.

13. Provide counseling to victims through Victim's Assistance program.

14. Provide special teams assistance; i.e. SWAT, EOD, HazMat.

15. Perform all regularly assigned duties relating to the protection of life and property.

16.  Participate in County-wide exercise training activities to promote coordination among agencies.

17.  Implement the ICS.

18.  Establish Command Post.

19.  Request Incident Management Team.

20.  Assist local enforcement during emergency/disaster.

a. Alpine Rescue Team (MOU w/CCSO)

1. Provide and manage search and rescue operations for missing persons.

2. Provide first-aid medical treatment on search and rescue operations.

3. Staff the Rescue branch of the operations section when needed.

4. Assist law enforcement with traffic control, crowd control, incident searches, evacuation, and information distribution operations.

C. Emergency Manager

1. Serve as an advisor to the MAC Group on implementation of the EOP and Incident Command System framework.

2. Coordinate all requests for State and Federal assistance. (See Resource Support Function)

3. Activate (at the direction of county or town officials) and manage the EOC as needed.

4. Assist with the coordination between the EOC personnel and support agencies.

5. Responsible for the collection, plotting and dissemination of information in the EOC.

6. Activation of the Emergency Public Notification System (EPN) when necessary.

7. Maintain ongoing dialogue with State Office of Emergency Management (COEM).

8. Keep the Board of County Commissioners apprised of the overall readiness of the County to respond to all types of emergencies.

9. Work with the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army.

10. Assist with the coordination of disaster recovery functions.

11. Conduct and coordinate exercises and training for emergencies to maintain and improve the general readiness and capability of the County's response organization.

12.  Update, distribute and maintain the County EOP.

D. Clear Creek Fire Authority and Evergreen Fire Protection District

1. Implement ICS at the scene.
2. Establish a command post as necessary.
3. Suppression of structure fires/wildfires in respective jurisdictions as mutual aid agreements stipulate.
4. Provide fire causation and arson investigation services.
5. Hazardous Material Response and decontamination.
6. Provide triage, extrication and medical treatment support.
7. Establish priorities for debris removal.
8. Assist in warning of the public and evacuation operations, as requested by law enforcement and other agencies.
9. Enforcement of fire code.
10. Request IMT if deemed necessary by IC.
11. Perform all regularly assigned duties relating to the protection of life and property.
12. Provide assistance with rescue services from collapse of buildings, trenches, or other damage.
13. Provide a representative to the EOC from the Clear Creek Fire Authority for overall fire service operations coordination.
14. Participate in County-wide exercise training activities to promote coordination among agencies.
15. Provide for rescue services from collapse of buildings, trenches, or other damage.

E. Emergency Medical Services

1. Implement ICS at the scene.

2. Assume responsibility for care, treatment and transportation of sick/injured patients.

Responsible for transport of patients to appropriate medical facilities.

Request IMT if deemed necessary by IC.

Request mutual aid from adjacent counties if additional resources are needed.

Request RETAC assistance if additional resources are needed from outside of Clear Creek County mutual aid.

Participate in county-wide training and exercise activities to promote coordination among agencies.

F. Budget and Finance

1. Establish and maintain an incident related financial record keeping system for all disaster expenditures for local records as well as for State and Federal reimbursement.
2. Oversee the County's financial status and report to County Commissioners.
3. Provide personnel to staff the Finance Section, including Finance Section Coordinator and other staff positions required for the Finance Section to operate.
4. Assist with negotiations that obligate the County to financial expenditure.
5. Prepare emergency purchase orders and requisitions as requested.
6. Maintain provisions for emergency financial support.
7. Manage disaster-related County insurance claims.

G. Information Technology Division

1. Provide computer hardware, software, network access, and troubleshooting to emergency personnel.
2. Provide voice systems communication access and troubleshooting to emergency personnel.
3. Implement service restoration priority plan for County systems.
4. Assist with accessing information stored in electronic computer format.
5. Ensure the safety and security of all electronic data stored on County owned network servers.
6. Assure the protection of information and communication capabilities against cyber-terrorism.
7. Assure that internal data capabilities are available.

H. Assessor's Office

1. Ensure safekeeping of tax and land use records.
2. Maintain and make available accurate property records.
3. Assist with damage assessment information collection and report preparation.

I. County Mapping/ GIS Department

1. Provide mapping services as needed during a disaster.

J. Clerk and Recorder's Office

1. Ensure safekeeping of essential and vital records.

K. County Coroner

1. Establish and maintain a system for body identification, storage, and transport.
2. Establish necessary morgue facility and processing system for fatalities.
Provide advice on matters pertaining to the disposition, handling and identification of the deceased.
4. Provide information to the public concerning the deceased.

L. County Attorney

1. Assist with the negotiation and drafting of emergency contracts, memoranda of understanding, and intergovernmental agreements.
2. Draft emergency or interim ordinances, resolutions, or regulations required to facilitate emergency operations.
3. Prepare documents related to resolutions, proclamations and other legal documents for executive action to implement Federal and State directives.
4. Function as principal advisor to officials before, during, and after disaster and emergency events in the county.
5. Become familiar with Federal, State, and Local laws which apply to disasters and emergencies.
6. Prepare documents related to recovery of monies from insurance providers, State/ Federal disaster assistance programs, or other funds or combination of funding sources.
7. Provide legal advice.

M. County Administrator's Office

1. Assist the Board of County Commissioners with their responsibilities.
2. Evaluate emergency procedures to determine feasibility and consequences.
3. Manage the contract and procurement of equipment, supplies, and services that are not available through normal County resources.
4. Assist in the compilation, preparation, and presentation of supporting documentation of County requests for State and Federal disaster declarations and assistance.
5. Coordinate the placement of personnel for the most effective work assignments throughout the emergency response and recovery framework. Manage the hiring of temporary personnel and contractual personnel service.

N. Human Resources

1. Facilitate medical care related to compensation for injured workers through Worker’s Compensation plans within jurisdictional boundaries.

O. Human Services

1. Advise the Board of County Commissioners on all social services and citizen welfare matters.
2. Establish and operate family information centers to register incident victims and missing persons, to aid in the reunification of families.

P. Public Health Nursing / Environmental Health Departments

1. Provide consultation and technical assistance with sanitation, water purification, and food handling and preparation procedures.
2. Monitor water and sewer sources for control of communicable disease or other contaminants during and after a disaster.
3. Initiate public health response to a bio-terrorism event.
4. Provide technical assistance to response and clean up of hazardous/chemical substance releases, and biological hazards.
5. Provide technical assistance to response and containment of a biological event.
6. Participate in county-wide training and exercise activities to promote coordination among agencies.
7. Advise the Board of County Commissioners on actions to be taken regarding health and medical matters.
8. Develop and oversee plans and procedures for mass prophylaxis.
9. Identify and prioritize health concerns and needs for victims and assist with non-emergency health needs.
10. Work with the County departments during an emergency or disaster.
11. Coordinate with Red Cross and Salvation Army with management of displaced persons and families and those with special needs or health problems.
12. Provide consultation on activities for emergency preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation.

Q. County Road and Bridge Department / Public Works

1. Maintain, repair and restore road systems and bridges within the County jurisdiction.
2. Provide personnel, equipment, supplies and materials for disasters.
3. Mark and identify dangerous public areas in conjunction with the Sheriff's Office.
4. Oversee the removal of debris, clear public right-of-ways, and plan for street recovery operations to permit emergency rescue and emergency vehicle access and priority assigned to critical emergency services lifelines.
5. Compile and document information on damage assessment due to a disaster.
6. Assist with emergency repairs to public buildings and other essential facilities.
7. Assist with the temporary restoration or supply of utility services to County buildings or facilities during emergency conditions when technically able.
8. Assist with the procurement of potable water supplies and temporary toilets for emergency personnel.
9. Arrange for and activate fueling, maintenance, and repair of County vehicles and equipment.
10. During extended duration emergency incidents, assist emergency providers with fueling and maintenance of their vehicles, consistent with available resources.
11. Determine and maintain an inventory of the location and availability of all equipment and supplies (such as sandbags, heavy equipment, etc.) by type and quantity that could be used during a disaster.
12. Participate in county-wide training and exercise activities to promote coordination among agencies.

R. Community Development Department

1. Lead the County damage assessment collection effort.
2. Monitor rebuilding during recovery phases.

S. Treasurer's Office

1. Monitor the County cash flow.
2. Assist with determining emergency funding strategies.
3. As necessary, accelerate revenue deposits and warrant processing to support cash flow management.
4. Oversee the selling of investments, if necessary, to provide for emergency liquidity.
5. Ensure safekeeping of property tax payment record.
6. Ensure safekeeping of all records including Public Trustee.

T. County Building, Planning, and Engineering Departments

1. Through appropriate zoning, building, code and inspection regulations, develop and maintain a system for disaster mitigation.
2. Maintain files of all flood plains and flood inundation maps.
3. Provide damage assessment reports for county/town officials (done in conjunction with finance, public works, and assessor).
4. Condemn damaged buildings as appropriate.
5. Provide personnel for structure and facility inspections to determine the safety of individual structures (including during rescue operations).
6. Identify and condemn structurally unsafe buildings.
7. Inspect the repair and/or rebuilding of disaster damaged buildings.
8. Plan for receipt of large quantities of solid waste materials.
9. Coordinate rebuilding during recovery phases.

U. Public Information Officer (PIO)

1. Release public information as directed by the MAC using all communications media available. Coordinate with all other PIOs involved in the incident.
2. Appoint or act as a principal spokesperson for the MAC and/or IC.
3. Schedule regular press conferences with the media.
4. Coordinate radio, television and print media interviews with local officials and on-going scene reporters.
5. Assure consistency of information before, during and after a critical incident.

V. Communications Center

1. Maintain warning and communications procedures and systems during all emergency situations.
2. Direction of public and media information as requested.
3. Coordinate receipt and dispatch of all emergent or public safety related calls.
4. Maintain documents/public records of all related communications with the C-Comm.
5. Refer media to the EOC regarding a major incident as soon as it is approved by IC.
6. Activate EPN upon direction of the IC, Sheriff or other authorized personnel.
7. Notify additional resources or jurisdictions per Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
8. Provide incident dispatch personnel for ICP/IMT.

W. Victims Advocates

1. Provide support and assistance to victims of a disaster.

X. Animal Control

1. Maintain enforcement of animal control regulations within appropriate jurisdictions.
2. Provide secure location for animals affected by disaster.
3. Coordinate rescue efforts for trapped or injured animals.
4. Assist in arranging for the removal of deceased animals from public property.

 

Other Agency Responsibilities

A. Municipal Governments

Towns of Empire, Georgetown and Silver Plume and the City of Idaho Springs:

1. Provide a representative to sit on MAC Group when the Town is actually or potentially threatened by a disaster or when substantial Town resources are requested elsewhere in the County.
2. Work with the County to request state and federal disaster assistance.
3. Inform the County when emergencies or disasters threaten the Town.
4. Coordinate with the Emergency Manager in determining if the EOC should be opened.
5. Attend briefings and provide a representative to the EOC.
6. Prepare a disaster declaration if necessary.
7. Advise Town Councils ASAP with major details of disaster/event.
8. Assist the Sheriff with law enforcement during emergencies.
9. Assist with debris clearing for emergency vehicle access and rescue operations.
10. Assign Designated Emergency Response Authority for the Town to oversee hazardous materials release containment and clean-up.
11. Perform damage assessment information collection in coordination with County Assessor.
12. Establish and maintain an incident related financial record keeping system. Staff finance positions as needed at the ICP.
13. Assist with negotiations that obligate jurisdictional financial expenditures.
14. Identify and condemn buildings unsafe for habitability.
15. Oversee the repair and/or restoration of damaged buildings.
16. Preplan post-disaster recovery functions with assignment to specific departments and agencies.
17. Maintain water and sanitation facilities and equipment as appropriate during a disaster.
18. Participate in County-wide exercise training activities to promote coordination among agencies.

B. Clear Creek County School District RE-1

1. Within the best of the District's ability, ensure the safety and protection of students and faculty.
2. Allow school buildings to be used for shelter activities, coordinate, and assist with the operation of these facilities.
3. Provide buses for evacuation, transportation, or temporary sheltering.
4. Work with the American Red Cross to designate and plan for sheltering activities.

C. Public Utility Companies

1. Within the best of their ability, provide an agency appointed emergency liaison to the Emergency Operations Center when requested.
2. Collect and provide damage assessment information regarding damage to equipment, lines, and facilities.
3. Assist emergency response personnel in shutting down services in areas affected by a disaster to eliminate hazards.
4. Provide service restoration information concerning company provided services.
5. Restore Services as soon as possible.

D. Local Clergy

1. Prepare for religious activities or services suitable for displaced persons in shelter environments.
2. Coordinate activities with the County department of Health & Human Services.
3. Assist Health & Human Services and Sheriff's Victim's Assistance personnel provide grief counseling.
4. Assist with the provision of shelter facilities for displaced citizens.

E. American Red Cross

1. Coordinate activities with the Clear Creek County Emergency Services personnel.
2. Provide disaster relief needs and assist with mass care.
3. Open and manage shelters for displaced persons.
4. Work with logistics section to provide food and beverages to victims.
5. Prepare and plan for sheltering needs throughout Clear Creek County in conjunction with the Emergency Services Coordinator and local officials.

F. Salvation Army

1. Coordinate activities with the Clear Creek County Emergency Services personnel.
2. Work with logistics section to provide food and beverages to emergency workers.

G. Jefferson Center for Mental Health

1. Provide support and counseling to victims of a disaster.

H. Civil Air Patrol

1. Search for missing aircraft believed to have crashed.
2. Search for and identify emergency locator transmitters activated on aircraft.
3. If requested, assist Clear Creek County Search & Rescue and other local resources with rescue.

I. Colorado State Forest Service and United States Forest Service

1. Suppression of wildfires in respective jurisdictions or as mutual aid agreements stipulate (See Annual Operating Plan – AOP).

J. Mine Safety / Hazard Administration

1. Investigate events of explosion.
2. Provide support in search and rescue operations.

 

Agreements

Mutual-Aid Agreements

The following is a list of agreements in existence that pertain to the provision of emergency services in Clear Creek County. Included is a general and brief summation of each document. This summation is not intended to identify every term and/or condition contained in a document. The document itself must be referred to for legal clarification.

Clear Creek County Annual Fire Operating Plan

An agreement known as "Interagency Cooperative Fire Protection Agreement" between Colorado State Forest Service, Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office, Clear Creek County Board of County Commissioners, Forest Service USDA, Clear Creek County Fire Authority, and Evergreen Fire Protection District.

The above parties agree to provide each other with equipment and personnel assistance if able. The agreement states that each party will bear the cost of providing assistance to each other for up to twelve (12) hours, (first operational period). Each party agrees to assume responsibility for all insurance and liability issues internally within their respective organization. Each party further agrees to utilize the Incident Command System and notify the requesting party as soon as possible regarding the degree of assistance that may or may not be provided.

The Annual Fire Operating Plan (AOP) sets forth agreed policies and responsibilities in order to implement cooperative wildfire management in Clear Creek County among the participating agencies of this agreement. The AOP addresses issues and procedures for fire readiness, wildfire suppression procedures, aviation procedures, fire prevention, fuel management and prescribed fire considerations, and cost reimbursement. The AOP is a working document that is compiled every year.

Clear Creek County Fire Protection Agreement

An Intergovernmental agreement (IGA) between The Clear Creek County Emergency Services General Improvement District (CCCES), the Town of Georgetown, The Town of Silver Plume, the Town of Empire, and the City of Idaho Springs states the roles and responsibilities of the Clear Creek Fire Authority for Clear Creek County. The signatory parties jointly agree that this agreement will serve the health, safety and welfare of all citizens within their jurisdictions.

Emergency Fire Fund and Clear Creek County

This agreement between the State of Colorado and Clear Creek County provides for additional monies in the event that Clear Creek County experiences a large wildland fire on private lands and have need for additional monies, The County agrees to sign an Annual Operating Plan each year and budget annually for the funds necessary to participate in the Emergency Fire Control Fund.

Clear Creek County and Colorado State Patrol for Hazardous Materials Response

This Intergovernmental Agreement provides for Colorado State Patrol response as the Designated Emergency Response Agency (DERA).

For notification to appropriate local, state, and federal entities of a release of hazardous materials (consistent with the emergency notification requirements of SARA Title III, Section 304 and other state and federal regulations governing hazardous material incidents).

For coordination with local agency responders.

For containment of hazardous material substances and prevention of contamination.

To ensure appropriate record keeping procedures are followed.

Town of Silver Plume and Clear Creek County Sheriff

This agreement states that the Town of Silver Plume desires to have the Sheriff's Office provide and manage its law enforcement and animal control needs. The document stipulates that the Sheriff of Clear Creek County will provide law enforcement and animal control services for and within the Town of Silver Plume in a manner similar to that provided in the unincorporated areas of Clear Creek County and that the Sheriff’s Office shall utilize, to the best of its ability and judgment, the manpower and equipment presently at its disposal in order to provide said law enforcement.

Alpine Rescue and Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office

This agreement is between Alpine Rescue Team and the Sheriff’s Office of Clear Creek County. The agreement states:

The Sheriff has the ultimate authority for search and rescue activities in Clear Creek County.

The Sheriff may delegate the direction of search and rescue operations to the Alpine Rescue Team.

The Alpine Rescue Team provides search and rescue activities in Clear Creek County only at the request and under the control of the Sheriff.

When requested for a search and rescue activity, members of the Alpine Rescue Team function as a representative of the Clear Creek County Sheriff's Office.

Search & Rescue Organizations and U.S. Air Force

This agreement delineates the agency primarily responsible for specific search and rescue events. Regardless of the type of search and rescue activity, all agencies are notified. The agreement also reiterates the standing authorization for the Colorado Search and Rescue Board to request federal assets on behalf of a County Sheriff. The following identifies some of the activities listed in the agreement.

Missing aircraft Responsibility of Civil Air Patrol
   
Missing person Responsibility of County Sheriff
  (ART)
Emergency Locator Transmitter (E.L.T.) Responsibility of Civil Air Patrol
   
Personal locator beacon Responsibility of County Sheriff
  (ART)

U.S. Forest Service and Clear Creek County Sheriff

This agreement provides a formal relationship between the U.S. Forest Service and the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office concerning law enforcement requirements on federal forest service lands in Clear Creek County. The U.S. Forest Service agrees to reimburse the Sheriff’s Office for patrol services.

The Sheriff’s Office of Clear Creek County agrees to:

Provide regularly scheduled patrols for forest lands within Clear Creek County.

Dispatch additional officers to unforeseen or emergency situations that may arise such as, large group gatherings, forest fires, and fire camps.

Provide assistance as required for traffic control in fire camps, security, law enforcement, and general support to the IC.


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