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. . . - City Engineer Vorametsanti, EOC Planning Committee, explained his role as '--- providing situational analysis dependent on the extent and type of disaster. He described the maps on the walls in the EOC that will provide vital information, such as where were the safe areas to open shelters depending on their distance from fires or other dangers. Vorametsanti said he would also be directing assessment efforts. Human Resources Director Rivera-Pena, Public Information Officer, emphasized how critical it was to provide good information to the public, the Council, staff, department heads, etc. during a disaster. She described the duties of the PIO and how it takes more than just one person to manage the press and information releases around the clock regarding life, property and the environment. Firefighter Meisenbach said how important it would be for the EOC to monitor TV, radio and press to make sure the information they were releasing was correct. City Manager Everett said if the disaster was local, everyone would be inundated with media requests and the PIO could get the necessary information out to the people in Redwood City. If the disaster was a major one such as the Lorna Prieta earthquake, the media would ignore the City. At that point it would be incumbent upon the PIO to pursue the media and convince them to get the City's news releases on the air and in print. Everett said that the EOC people had learned ITom previous disasters, such as the Oakland fire, it was best to have specific times for set interviews with the Mayor or City Manager, - and let the PIO give briefings in between those times. D. Levels ofEOC response Superintendent Mann explained that the City had learned in times of emergencies, communications were absolutely vital and there were different levels of City responses that were appropriate. The Committee learned that the EOC did not have to be fully activated to be extremely useful. It could be used in a limited or modified way to monitor the situation and be used on an "as needed" basis. E. City Council roleIDeciaration Process Firefighter Meiseubach described the "declaration" process which would designate the City a "disaster area" and, if approved by the Governor, make the City eligible for FEMA reimbursements and other disaster related benefits ITom the government. He advised that the County's EOS was losing resources and personnel and each City was encouraged to do their own assessment and declaration. City Manager Everett advised that he, the Mayor and Vice Mayor had met and they were prepared to handle this eventuality. - MINUTE BOOK NO. 54 Special Study Session Minutes Page 1-10. 109 March 4,1996 Page 4