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CC:DC - CONSENT ITEM: (1) Culver City Disaster Council Adoption of a Resolution Recommending to the City Council the Adoption of the City of Culver City Emergency Operations Plan; and (2) City Council Adoption of a Resolution Adopting the City of Culver City Emergency Operations Plan.
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Meeting Date: October 14, 2024
Contact Person/Dept.: Christine Parra/Fire
Phone Number: (310) 253-5909
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [X] No []
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (10/09/2024)
Department Approval: Kenneth Powell, Fire Chief (09/03/2024) _____________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends (1) the Disaster Council adopt a resolution recommending to the City Council the adoption of the City of Culver City Emergency Operations Plan (EOP); and 2) the City Council adopt a resolution adopting the City of Culver City Emergency Operations Plan (EOP).
BACKGROUND
The City of Culver City maintains a well-staffed, highly trained police force and fire department. Both the police and fire departments are capable of responding to and mitigating a wide range of emergency calls throughout the City daily. However, in the event of a large-scale disaster or major catastrophe, the City’s first responders will become overwhelmed within minutes. When such an event takes place, the City of Culver City will need to activate the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), staff the City’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC), and, if needed, request mutual aid through the Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management.
The California Emergency Services Act (codified in California Government Code Sections 8550 et seq.) (the “Act”) provides the basic authority for conducting emergency operations following a proclamation of Local Emergency, State of Emergency or State of War Emergency by the Governor and/or appropriate local authorities, consistent with the provisions of the Act.
The California Emergency Plan, which is promulgated by the Governor, is published in accordance with the Act and provides overall statewide authorities and responsibilities and describes the functions and operations of government at all levels during emergencies or disasters. Section 8568 of the Act states, “[t]he State Emergency Plan shall be in effect in each political subdivision of the state, and the governing body of each political subdivision shall take such action as may be necessary to carry out the provisions thereof.” Local emergency plans are, therefore, considered to be extensions of the California Emergency Plan.
The EOP outlines various City activities in the event of an emergency, including activating and staffing the EOC, training City staff on the Incident Command System, fulfilling Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requirements, receiving reimbursements from the Federal Disaster Relief Fund, and complying with the California Emergency Services Act. The EOP also provides a “best practice” scenario, essential to a focused, complete and effective response for the City of Culver City.
In 1999, the City’s EOP was referred to as the Multi-Hazard Functional Emergency Plan. The EOP was prepared based upon a prototype model developed by the Los Angeles County “SEMS MHFP Committee” which integrated the State’s Standardized Emergency Management System and met FEMA’s planning guidance requirements. In 2002, the EOP was updated using the same prototype model as in 1999.
The City last approved and updated the EOP in October 2016 to reflect organizational changes within the government structure, incorporate the City’s Emergency Alerting and Notification Systems, and incorporate the latest best practices in emergency management.
According to FEMA’s Comprehensive Planning Guide 101 (Version 3), local Emergency Operations Plans are recommended to be reviewed and updated every 5 to 7 years. Following this guidance, the City of Culver City initiated the review process for the EOP in 2019. However, the review and update process were paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Work on updating the EOP resumed in 2023, reflecting current best practices and lessons learned from recent experiences.
DISCUSSION
The Emergency Operations Plan aims to achieve several key objectives. It establishes clear protocols and procedures for emergency response, defines roles and responsibilities for City departments and key stakeholders, and ensures effective communication both within the City and with external partners. The plan also outlines strategies for efficient resource allocation during emergencies and provides a framework for ongoing training and exercises to maintain and improve response capabilities.
The EOP includes comprehensive details on the structure and management of the EOC, including activation procedures and operational roles. It addresses incident management by outlining command structures, coordination with external agencies, and resource management. The plan also incorporates communication strategies for engaging with the public, media, and other stakeholders, and includes procedures for acquiring and deploying necessary resources and supplies. Regular training and simulation exercises are emphasized to ensure readiness.
The EOP is designed to be a dynamic document, with provisions for regular reviews and updates to incorporate new best practices, lessons learned, and changes in the City’s needs and resources. Feedback from City departments, first responders, and community stakeholders will play a crucial role in this process.
Adopting the Emergency Operations Plan will enhance the City’s ability to manage emergencies effectively. The EOP will improve coordination among departments and with external agencies, thereby strengthening the City’s overall resilience and preparedness.
The City of Culver City Emergency Operations Plan is an essential tool for ensuring the City can respond efficiently and effectively to emergencies. The adoption of this EOP by the City Council will support the City’s efforts to protect the community, enhance resilience, and ensure compliance with state and federal emergency management standards.
Pursuant to Sections 3.09.015(B)(1) and 3.09.035 of the Culver City Municipal Code, the Culver City Disaster Council shall be responsible for the development of the EOP and recommending adoption of the EOP to the City Council, upon which it shall take effect.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There is no fiscal impact associated with the adoption of the Emergency Operations Plan.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Proposed Resolution of the Disaster Council recommending adoption of the Culver City Emergency Operations Plan
2. Proposed Resolution of the City Council Adopting the Emergency Operations Plan
3. City of Culver City Emergency Operations Plan (EOP)
MOTIONS
That the Disaster Council:
Adopt a Resolution recommending to the City Council the adoption of the Culver City Emergency Operations Plan.
That the City Council:
Adopt a Resolution adopting the Culver City Emergency Operations Plan.