Concept of Operations Lead Agency Support Agencies Emergency Support Function (ESF) # 18 Business Continuity Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) Carrabelle Chamber of Commerce (CCC) Franklin County Emergency Management Department (FCEMD) Franklin County Tourist Development Council (FCTDC) Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction... 1 1.1 Purpose... 1 1.2 Scope... 1 1.3 Assumptions... 2 2.0 Concept of Operations... 2 2.1 General... 2 2.2 Organization... 2 2.3 Primary Activities... 3 2.3.1 Preparedness Actions... 3 2.3.2 Response Actions... 3 2.3.3 Recovery Actions... 4 2.3.4 Mitigation Actions... 4 3.0 Responsibilities Lead and Support Agencies... 4 3.1 Lead Agency... 4 3.2 Support Agencies... 5 1.0 Introduction 1.1 Purpose The purpose of this ESF is to establish a framework for the county s businesses to prepare for future emergencies along with providing response, recovery and mitigation assistance during and after all natural and manmade disasters. 1.2 Scope Organizations tasked with responsibilities in this procedure will work to assist businesses during all four phases of natural and manmade disasters. Lead and support agencies will serve as liaisons with the businesses community providing vital pre-event, response and recovery information that will allow businesses to minimize disruption following a disaster. This ESF is responsible for providing businesses with information Page 1
describing conditions associated with the disaster, damage assessment and re-entry procedures and recovery assistance. 1.3 Assumptions It is critical for the economic well being of the county that the business community returns to normal operations as soon as possible in order to minimize economic disruption. Some businesses may experience a more severe impact from the disaster than others due to a variety of factors including the nature and extent of the disaster, location of the business, structural integrity of the work space, damage to supporting infrastructure, and closure of the Apalachicola Bay. Business owners and representatives will want access to their businesses as soon as possible to evaluate the extent of the damage to their facility. Re-entry into businesses may be delayed due to debris on roads or damage to the road system. Many businesses, depending on the situation and the severity of the disaster, may need guidance on recovery assistance. 2.0 Concept of Operations 2.1 General If requested by the FCEMD the ABCC, the CCC and / or the FCTDC will provide a representative to serve in the county EOC 1 during activations. The identified representative will serve as the ESF # 18 Officer with the responsibility of serving as the liaison between the business community and the county. This ESF will facilitate an on-going needs assessment of the county s businesses during disaster response and recovery activities to ensure the needs of the business community are being addressed. 2.2 Organization This ESF is part of the Logistics Section of the county s EOC. The county s EOC utilizes the ICS 2 structure during all activations. 1 Emergency Operations Center 2 Incident Command System Page 2
2.3 Primary Activities 2.3.1 Preparedness Actions The lead and support agencies of this ESF will work together as part of the CERT 3 to educate business owners and managers in the need to have disaster preparedness and response plans. Provide disaster preparedness information to businesses requesting such materials. 2.3.2 Response Actions If not requested to provide support to the county EOC should maintain regular contact with the county EOC to obtain up-to-the-minute information on the emergency. Will ensure that the county s business community has the latest and most accurate information they need to make informed decisions regarding their business as it pertains to the emergency or disaster. Will work with the county s property management companies to establish a comprehensive notification system regarding the status of vacation rentals. Facilitate an on-going needs assessment of the county s business community so that appropriate requests for resources can be made. Serve as the primary link between the FCEMD and the business community, coordinating the flow of information between these two groups. Coordinate with the response and recovery agencies that target the business community s most immediate concerns. These functions include: Public Works (ESF # 3) Mass Care (ESF # 6) Energy (ESF # 12) Public Information (ESF # 14) Law Enforcement (ESF # 16) Debris Management Damage Assessment Disaster Recovery Center Evacuation Re-entry 3 County Emergency Response Team Page 3
Monitor re-entry operations and keep the business community informed as to when they can expect to return to the county and their facilities. Assist the FCEMD in identifying critical businesses for priority road clearing and reentry. 2.3.3 Recovery Actions Coordinate with the FCEMD to provide re-entry information to the business community. Coordinate with the FCEMD to ensure an accurate accounting of damage to the business community. Coordinate with the SBA 4, FEMA 5, the EDC 6 recovery process for businesses. and other agencies to facilitate the Coordinate with Florida s SBDCN 7 to access the Emergency Bridge Loan Program for the county s small businesses. Continue to provide timely and accurate information to the county s business community. 2.3.4 Mitigation Actions Serve as representatives to the county s LMS 8 Task Force to ensure that the disaster mitigation needs of the county s business community are voiced. Work with the FCEMD to identify funding to enhance the disaster readiness of businesses throughout the county. 3.0 Responsibilities Lead and Support Agencies 3.1 Lead Agency Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce Is responsible for coordinating activities designed to enhance the ability of businesses to plan and prepare for, respond to, recover from and mitigate the effects of future disasters. 4 Small Business Administration 5 Federal Emergency Management Agency 6 Economic Development Council 7 Small Business Development Center Network 8 Local Mitigation Strategy Page 4
3.2 Support Agencies Carrabelle Chamber of Commerce Is responsible for assisting in activities designed to enhance the ability of businesses to plan and prepare for, respond to, recover from and mitigate the effects of future disasters. Franklin County Emergency Management Department Is responsible for providing timely disaster specific information, coordinating local resources to the extent possible to address the disaster caused needs of the county s business community and for requesting assistance from the SEOC 9 if and when local resources are not able to meet identified needs. Franklin County Tourist Development Council Is responsible for assisting in activities designed to enhance the ability of businesses involved in the county s recreations and vacation industry to plan and prepare for, respond to, recover from and mitigate the effects of future disasters. 9 State Emergency Operations Center Page 5