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I . I I . B. Overview of Disaster Preparedness/Mitigation '--- Firefighter Meisenbach provided an overview of disaster preparedness and mitigation efforts in Redwood City. Preparedness efforts focus on community education such as the NERTS program, which provides important information and training on how to prepare, survive and recover ITom a disaster. Mitigation measures include forming the Steering committee, establishing coordination between City departments, County and State agencies. Meisenbach described the chain of command during an emergency/disaster situation: The City Emergency Operations Center (EOC) reports to the County Emergency Operations Services, the County reports to the Coastal Operational Area, and the Coastal reports to the State Command Center in Sacramento. Firefighter Meisenbach described the SEMS Law which was established as a result of the Oakland fire. SEMS describes the management tools to be used during emergencies. Meisenbach said the City of Redwood City is basically complying with those requirements and will be undergoing further training and education to make sure the City is in full compliance. Meisenbach advised that the SEMS requirements must be followed very, very strictly in order for the City to be eligible for reimbursement by FEMA. C. Description ofEOC functions. Firefighter Meisenbach introduced the members of the EOC: - Director of Emergency Services Everett, Redwood City City Manager, described the policy duties of the Director and focused on his responsibility to let the first response teams - police, fire and public works- do what they normally do every day, respond, assess and treat each emergency for the first 24 hours. After 48-72 hours, the focus will shift to how to begin the rebuilding. Everett described his responsibilities to keep the Council informed, and explained how the policy team of department heads would meet in the EOC when necessary. Director of Operations Fink, Redwood City Fire Chief, described the management of emergencies the Fire Department handles every day. He advised that although those same management techniques will be used during a disaster, the extra demands on people and resources in a disaster situation requires an EOC to coordinate the efforts of City personnel to bring the appropriate assistance and response to all the emergencies that will arise. Fink described his responsibility to harness all the information received ITom every source and distribute resources accordingly. Battalion Chief Enea, Fire Operations, and Police Sergeant Stoney, Police Operations, described their roles in the EOC, and focused on how they would coordinate flTe and police efforts in the field with the overall City strategies. - MINUTE BOOK NO. 54 Special Study Session Minutes Page No. 107 March 4,1996 Page 2