City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: MARCH 3, 2021
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of Adopting the 2021 City of Alexandria Emergency Operations Plan Update.
BODY
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ISSUE: Consideration of adopting the 2021 City of Alexandria Emergency Operations Plan.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council receive and approve the 2021 City of Alexandria Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) update.
BACKGROUND: The City of Alexandria has developed and implemented emergency operations plans since the 1950s. These plans were routinely updated based upon lessons learned during real events, best practices in the emergency services professions, and changes in the City Government Structure. The current EOP was developed in 2009 through a systematic process that included the participation of all City Departments and other community stakeholders. The EOP was last updated in 2016. The EOP was validated thru a series of exercises. The Code of Virginia requires City Council approval of the plan.
DISCUSSION: The City of Alexandria EOP establishes the response program organization and the responsibilities of all City Departments and affiliated stakeholders in the event of a major emergency or disaster.
To facilitate effective intergovernmental operations, this EOP adopts an organizational approach that groups City departments and non-governmental partners into functional areas that typically need to be addressed during an emergency or disaster. These functional areas are called Emergency Support Functions (ESFs). Each ESF outlines the likely actions needed for a response operation along with department-specific responsibilities. Each ESF is led by a “Primary Agency,” which - in each case - is a City department or office that has been so designated based on its authorities, resources, and capabilities in the functional area. The EOP also includes support annexes. Support annexes describe the framework through which the City departments, private-sector, not-for-profit and volunteer organizations, and other non-governmental organizations coordinate and execute common emergency management strategies.
The 2021 EOP update includes the following:
• Follow the Federal Emergency Management Agency guidance by removing components in the 2016 EOP that are not Federally recognized as ESFs.
o Those that are not Federally recognized as ESFs are now support annexes.
• The Basic Plan portion of the EOP will be made available on the City’s website for the public once approved by City Council
• The Red Cross status was changed from a Primary Agency to Support Agency in ESF # 6 - Mass Care, Emergency Assistance, Temporary Housing, & Human Services
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. City of Alexandria Emergency Operations Plan Executive Summary
2. City of Alexandria Emergency Operations Plan 2020
STAFF:
Debra Collins, Deputy City Manager
Corey Smedley, Fire Chief
Ray Whatley, Acting Emergency Management Coordinator