Manatee and Orange County presents: "HOW FIRST IN TEAMS CAN LEAD INTO TECHNOLOGY IN DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS May 17, 2018 3:30 p.m. 5 p.m. 1
Agenda Overview of Plan Steve Litschauer Manatee County Emergency Management Fire Service Role Battalion Chief Billy Whitfield Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue Manatee County Fire Chief s Public Works Tasks Cody Bentley Maintenance Supervisor Manatee County Public Works EMS Role and Support District Chief Jason Evans Manatee County EMS Law Enforcement Role Lt. Rick Rietz Questions & Answers Manatee County Commander - Disaster Responders Manatee County Sheriff s Office Damage Assessment Kirt Thomas, Terry Taylor, Rick Singh Orange County Property Appraiser's Questions & Answers Orange County 2
Steve Litschauer Emergency Management Officer steve.litschauer@mymanatee.org 941-749-3500 ext. 1670 3
Staging 4 locations Routes 7 routes; main roads, routes to area hospitals Feeding Minimum 72 hours, Jail provided bag lunches 4
ICS Structure 5
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCIES Law Enforcement EMS Fire Service Public Works Electric Companies ROLE First to enter into an area that has been impacted from a hurricane or other major event Conducts preliminary impact assessments, clear routes to critical facilities and engage in operational roadway clearance for critical resource access. 6
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Billy Whitfield Battalion Chief Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue 941-465-7889 bwhitfield@chfr.org 8
FIRE SERVICES ROLE Cedar Hammock s role within the first in team was that of the leadership element of each team. The Fire Department element consisted of 2 personnel with 1 holding a rank of a company officer. The Fire Department was chosen to lead each team due to the experience the Fire Service has with Command and Control and this team leader directed and led the team to maintain operational discipline. The Fire Department also acted as the safety officer for the team. The first in teams were deployed at the earliest safe time following the storms passing. These teams responded to report damage and clear roadways to allow full emergency responses to affected areas. The teams were to identify target areas in need of aid and rapidly create access to hospitals, main roadways and large staging areas for resources. 9
TEAM STRUCTURE 1. Fire agency (lead) command and control 2. Law enforcement. (Security, crowd control and traffic control) 3. Public utilities. (Debris moving) 4. Power company (Electrical hazards) 5. EMS (Medical support for the team) 10
Staging Locations First in team staging locations were predetermined but flexible enough to allow for variations due to potential storm landfall changes. The predetermined locations were designated by access to major routes in and around the county. The staging locations ranged from fire stations to County owned buildings and public schools. The fire service in Manatee County provided team leaders for 7 first in teams during Hurricane Irma. Several teams were relocated as staging areas became crowded. 11
Equipment Assignments / Required Resources Each team was assigned similar equipment and vehicles. The Fire Service resources included: 1. High water 4 wheel drive vehicle. (2 Fire Rescue personnel per team). Each agency vehicle was equipped with role specific equipment. (Fire role) 2. Generator 3. Lights 4. Radios 5. Fuel 6. Chainsaws 7. Hand tools 8. Tow straps 9. Medical equipment. 12
Challenges and Lessons The first in teams encountered several challenges during our experience with Hurricane Irma. 1. Communication from the team to the Emergency Operation Center was adequate but the ability to communicate between team vehicles was difficult. Team members had to use personal cell phones or get out of vehicle to communicate face to face during heavy rain. A cache of VHF portable radios with similar programming would have corrected this. Manatee County will soon be moving to p-25 compliant radio system that will allow all of the agencies to communicate during any future events. 2. The 800 Mhz radios of each of the team agencies have been review and updated that all Participating have the County-wide common talk groups to insure proper radio communications. 13
Challenges and Lessons 3. Several teams did not receive the power company resource assigned to them. Only 2 of the 7 first in teams had a power company resource. Without all resources assigned to the scene, it is difficult for the team leader to completely evaluate the safety of the team operations. 4. Teams must maintain operational discipline and stay on task. Some teams began to clear side streets and not main roads because damage to main roadways was not severe in most areas of the county. 5. Team staging locations prior to land fall should be Chosen with the safety of the structure in mind as well as the need for generator back up power. The teams will be sheltered in place until the storm passes. 14
5. Teams must maintain operational discipline and stay on task. Some teams began to clear side streets and not main roads because damage to main roadways was not severe in most areas of the county. 6. Team staging locations prior to land fall should be Chosen with the safety of the structure in mind as well as the possibility of generator back up power. 15
7. Several schools were used as evacuation shelters and they posed several challenges of their own. Crowded conditions. Limited parking and egress for first in team apparatus. The first in teams should be separated from the civilian evacuees to allow for adequate rest and deployment readiness. 16
Public Works Cody Bentley Maintenance Supervisor Manatee County Public Works Cody.bentley@mymanatee.org 941-708-7430 Ext 7253 17
Public Works First In Teams Definition: The First in Team is a team of established professional first responders, who are activated by our Emergency Operation Center during Hurricanes and other disasters and are strategically placed throughout the county. 18
Organization and Make Up We operate under the FEMA 100, 200, and 700 system and train our employees accordingly. This plan incorporates: Planning Operations Logistics Administration 19
Our Role Public works role in a storm situation. Support system to the fire department Does the heavy lifting Works with different entities to ensure the most effective results are obtained. 20
Pre-storm Teams are placed on official standby and: Prepare to deploy following the activation of the Emergency Operation Center. Prepare all tools like chainsaws and lights Ensure all fuel cans are full Makes necessary arrangements. Leaders are briefed at Public Safety Center. Report to staging areas. 22
During storm All teams remain at their assigned locations Maintain contact with the Emergency Operations Center. Do not begin routes until winds are under 40MPH. Understand and stay prepped on their specific routes 23
Post-storm Primary function is to re-enter area as conditions permit. Clear debris Establish routes Identifies major damage to area Records all affected areas Takes pictures Itemizing resources Limiting infrastructure damage 24
Final Notes Manatee County is responsible for 743 square miles Opening all major roads Having an response plan Bringing a sense of normalcy back to the community 25
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Lt. Rick Rietz Commander - Disaster Responders Manatee County Sheriff s Office 941-747-3011 ext. 2323 Richard.Rietz@manateesheriff.com 33
The Manatee County Sheriff Office has approximately 60 Deputies and Supervisors assigned as Disaster Responders. There are 2 Supervisors and 14 Deputies assigned to First in Teams (First in Team). Two Deputies are then assigned to one of seven First in Team locations for Manatee County.
The First in Teams are put on notice as soon as the Emergency Operations Center goes to Level 1 activation. The Deputies are then responsible for getting their gear, their personal needs (medicine, uniforms, and food), and vehicle ready for deployment to the First in Team locations. The First in Team supervisors call for a team meeting and the upcoming assignments are discussed.
Upon activation all First in Teams are sent to their assigned location. The Deputies will now assist the other First in Team members with the security of the team, traffic and crowd control.
First in Team Selection Like what was stated before, Manatee County Sheriff Office has approximately 60 Disaster Responders on Emergency Services. Primary function of the Disaster responders is to be available to respond to emergency situations both in and out of the County. From these 60 Disaster Responders we choose the First in Team members. These Deputies are usually Deputies who are assigned to the Detective Division, Warrants Division, and the Civil Division. This is done in an effort to not drain the Patrol Division of manpower during the storm.
All the First in Team Deputies are sworn, certified Deputies. The agency along with Emergency Operations Center holds one First in Team training a year. There are several meetings held throughout the year with the Agencies that are involved in First in Team. The main purpose of First in Team is to make sure that the main routes in/out of Manatee County are clear for travel. The routes consist of major highways and county streets that will be used so that mutual aide can get into the county.
QUESTIONS Steve Litschauer Manatee County Emergency Management Battalion Chief Billy Whitfield Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue Manatee County Fire Chief s Cody Bentley Maintenance Supervisor Manatee County Public Works District Chief Jason Evans Manatee County EMS Lt. Rick Rietz Commander Disaster Responders Manatee County Sheriff s Office 41