Primary Agency: Marion County Department of Social Services Support Agencies: Marion County School District, American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, South Carolina Emergency Management Division. I. GENERAL A. Purpose To organize and provide for the capability to meet basic human needs during a disaster situation within Marion County. To outline responsibility and policy established for Emergency Welfare Services (EWS), to include food services, operations prior to, during, and following a disaster. B. Authority 1. Marion County Ordinance No. 77-2-8A, February 8, 1977. 2. South Carolina Legislative Act No. 199, 1979. 3. South Carolina Legislative Act No. 223, 1967 as amended. 4. Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, Public Law 93-288, as amended by Public Law 100-707 (The Stafford Act). C. Organization The Marion County Department of Social Services is designated under this plan as the EWS Coordinator. The EWS Coordinator is responsible for coordinating all governmental and non-governmental agencies that comprise and support EWS operations during an emergency or disaster in Marion County. II. SITUATION Marion County is subject to disasters, both natural and man-made, that could damage structures, critical facilities, and lifelines, resulting in the compromise of Marion County s ability to effectively and efficiently respond to basic and emergency human needs. III. MISSION To provide EWS needed by victims who have been affected as the result of a disaster or impending disaster. H-1
IV. EXECUTION A. Concept of Operations EWS will use local resources to the fullest, including all reasonable substitutions and improvisations until nearing depletion, prior to requesting assistance from the State Emergency Operations Center. The release, sale, or use of emergency items for purposes other than authorized is strictly prohibited. B. Responsibilities 1. Preparedness / Mitigation a. Maintain current information on Federal, State, and County policies, laws, and regulations relevant to the South Carolina Department of Social Services (SCDSS) responsibility in EWS. b. Coordinate with all EWS agencies to develop and maintain the EWS annex in the Marion County Emergency Operations Plan (EOP). c. Maintain liaison with the Director of Emergency Management regarding EWS roles and responsibilities. d. Maintain formal agreements and/or working relationships with EWS supporting agencies and organizations. e. Maintain SOPs to include alerting EWS personnel who may need to be notified when emergency operations are implemented. f. In accordance with the Marion County Emergency Management Agency (MCEMA) coordinate and participate in emergency exercises. g. Assist in recruiting volunteers for EWS operations, as necessary. h. Ensure disaster shelter planning is adequate and complete, including shelter planning for disaster victims with special needs. i. Plan to administer State and Federal disaster relief programs for which DSS is responsible for. j. Coordinate with the Marion County School District and American Red Cross for all activities pertaining to shelter services within Marion County Schools. k. The American Red Cross (ARC) will be responsible for promoting and conducting Shelter Management Training. H-2
l. The Marion County School District Director of Food Services is responsible for ensuring that food service supplies will be adequate and available, as required, for shelter operations. m. The Marion County School District Director of Food Services is responsible for maintain a roster and alert list of food service staff. n. The ARC will plan for the administration of disaster relief programs in accordance with the ARC Disaster Service Guidelines and Procedures. 2. Response a. Coordinate EWS activities of the Marion County DSS and supporting agencies. b. Assist in the evaluation of all available information concerning the crisis and respond to requests for assistance, as appropriate and available. c. Keep the public informed of available EWS programs and services through the Marion County Public Information Officer (PIO). d. The Marion County School District authorizes the opening of schools as shelters, in coordination with the ARC. e. The Marion County School District will maintain communication with EWS and supporting agencies pertaining to ARC shelter operations. f. Upon notification from the Marion County Superintendent that shelters have been opened or that feeding requirements are necessary, the Marion County School District Director of Food Services will notify the Food Services staff to report to their designated locations. g. The Marion County School District Director of Food Services will determine feeding and staffing requirements. h. The Marion County School District Director of Food Services will implement and coordinate all feeding operations. i. The ARC will provide or support, as requested, the following services: Food Shelter Clothing Medical Care H-3
Identification, Inquiry, and Referral of Disaster Victims j. Marion County DSS will provide support staff for shelter operation per State statute. k. Marion County DSS will administer State and Federal disaster relief programs were authorized. l. South Carolina Department of Environmental Control (SCDHEC) monitors mass feeding sites for health and safety. m. SCDHEC provides nursing staff for emergency shelters. n. SCDHEC manages Special Needs Shelters. 3. Recovery a. Continue to coordinate EWS assistance and services, as available and required, through Marion County DSS and supporting agencies. b. Continue to keep the public informed of EWS and other assistance programs through the Marion County PIO. c. Upon notification from the Director of Emergency Management, coordinate the closing of emergency shelters. d. Continue to administer State and Federal disaster relief programs. e. Maintain, validate, and submit accurate documentation for possible reimbursement. C. Coordinating Instructions This annex is effective for planning upon receipt and for execution upon order. V. ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS A. Administration At a minimum, be prepared to give a summary of current status during the initial briefing. 1. Initial Situation Report a. Status of mobilization of the Marion County Emergency Welfare Service. H-4
b. Available communications. c. Emergency tasks or operations that require immediate attention. d. Immediate support required from the EOC. 2. Special Reports Any significant changes of the status of the Marion County Emergency Welfare Service s capabilities should be immediately reported to the Marion County EOC. 3. After-Action Reports B. Logistics After-action reports will be submitted following the termination of the incident. All after-action reports will be submitted to the Director of Emergency Management as soon as possible. EWS supplies, equipment, and resources will be those normally used by the responding agencies. Additional supplies, equipment, and resources will be requested through the Marion County EOC. VI. DIRECTION AND CONTROL EWS activities and operations will be controlled from the Marion County EOC located at 1305 North Main Street, Marion, South Carolina. VII. PLAN DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE The EWS Coordinator is assigned responsibility under this plan for developing and maintaining this annex. This annex will be reviewed annually, and updated as necessary. VIII. NIMS INTEGRATION All personnel will be trained on the principles of the National Incident Management System (NIMS). Furthermore, all personnel will integrate NIMS principles into all planning and response operations. IX. APPENDICIES 1. EWS Alert List 2. Marion County Disaster Shelters H-5
APPENDIX 1 TO ANNEX H: EWS ALERT LIST The EWS Alert List is maintained in the Marion County Emergency Operations Center. H-6
APPENDIX 2 TO ANNEX H: MARION COUNTY DISASTER SHELTER LIST The Marion County Disaster Shelter List is maintained in the Marion County Emergency Operations Center. H-7