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Findings and Recommendations 24 findings
F1
MESA, a Joint Powers Agency between the County of Mendocino and the incorporated cities, was established in 1996.
No recommendations for this finding
F2
MESA was operationally shut down part way through 2005.
No recommendations for this finding
F3
On February 13, 2006, the MESA organization was dissolved. The responsibilities reverted to the County of Mendocino on July 1, 2006.
No recommendations for this finding
F4
Expert testimony emphasizes that extensive planning and training reduces errors and chaos during disasters.
Related Recommendations (2)
R2
a schedule of exercises for key emergency response staff be developed to identify and validate necessary systems and equipment in the event of a large scale emergency. (Findings 4-7, 12-22)
R4
time and money be allocated to insure that all staff mentioned in the EOP are aware of their role and trained to function effectively. (Findings 4-6, 8, 11, 13- 15, 18, 24)
F5
Title 7 includes but is not limited to the following: • establishes SEMS, NIMS, and ICS as the means of effectively preparing for, responding to, and recovering from emergencies in Mendocino County. • specifies the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) as Director of Emergency Services, and the Mendocino County Sheriff as Assistant Director of Emergency Services. • creates the position of Emergency Services Coordinator for the County of Mendocino and the Mendocino County Operational Area. • defines the Mendocino County Operational Area as consisting of the County and all political subdivisions within the County area, including cities, special districts, and school districts.
Related Recommendations (3)
R2
a schedule of exercises for key emergency response staff be developed to identify and validate necessary systems and equipment in the event of a large scale emergency. (Findings 4-7, 12-22)
R4
time and money be allocated to insure that all staff mentioned in the EOP are aware of their role and trained to function effectively. (Findings 4-6, 8, 11, 13- 15, 18, 24)
R7
funds be located to continue the MCOE Emergency Coordinator position. (Finding 22, 23) Comments The EOP, a generic plan, needs modification to meet the particular needs of this County. To maintain the plan’s relevance the EOP must be periodically reviewed. Records of staff training are currently maintained in each County department. Without a central database it’s not possible to insure that all necessary participants are trained to the appropriate level and will be able to function in a cooperative manner. The very nature, geography, and remoteness of communities in this county makes it challenging to prepare for and deal with hazardous situations. The extensive training needed for emergencies, unless funded by Federal grants, is rarely considered a priority. Training in general is the most often cut budget item when county government is seeking funding for politically valuable programs. County government’s major responsibility is the safety and protection of its population. This County needs to make emergency and disaster preparedness a priority. Response Required Emergency Services Coordinator (Findings 5-14, 18-20, 24; Recommendations 1-6) Chief Executive Office (Findings 5, 8-10, 13-14, 18; Recommendations 1-6) Board of Supervisors (Findings 7-9, 15, 19-20, 24; Recommendations 1, 3, 4, 6) Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office (Findings 4-5, 14, 16, 19-21, 24; Recommendations 1, 2, 4) County Counsel (Findings 5, 6, 15) Fire Chief’s Association (Recommendation 5) Mendocino County Office of Education (Findings 22-23; Recommendation 7) Response Requested Health & Human Services Agency (Findings 13, 17-18; Recommendations 2, 4)
F6
The Emergency Services Coordinator’s many duties include coordinating or providing required training in SEMS, NIMS, and ICS. Some other responsibilities are researching, applying for, and administering emergency services and homeland security grants.
Related Recommendations (2)
R2
a schedule of exercises for key emergency response staff be developed to identify and validate necessary systems and equipment in the event of a large scale emergency. (Findings 4-7, 12-22)
R4
time and money be allocated to insure that all staff mentioned in the EOP are aware of their role and trained to function effectively. (Findings 4-6, 8, 11, 13- 15, 18, 24)
F7
A requirement for maximum Federal and/or State reimbursement for disaster- related damages is documented training in and compliance with, SEMS, NIMS, and ICS.
Related Recommendations (2)
R2
a schedule of exercises for key emergency response staff be developed to identify and validate necessary systems and equipment in the event of a large scale emergency. (Findings 4-7, 12-22)
R3
the County Emergency Coordinator be given resources to develop a comprehensive and detailed database of key staff training to demonstrate compliance with SEMS, NIMS, and ICS. (Findings 7, 8, 15)
F8
The Emergency Services Coordinator has no budgeted staff.
No recommendations for this finding
F9
A previous Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) was approved in 1973. A plan was proposed in 1996, but not approved. The Board of Supervisors approved the current EOP in October of 2006. The plan is consistent with SEMS, NIMS, and ICS.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
the EOP be reviewed and discussed by all departments, and amended to include specific plans for the most likely emergencies. (Findings 9-11)
F10
The current EOP was developed by a private consultant to meet State requirements.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
the EOP be reviewed and discussed by all departments, and amended to include specific plans for the most likely emergencies. (Findings 9-11)
F11
In response to a Grand Jury questionnaire, several county department managers replied they were not consulted during the plan’s development; several did not know that a plan had been approved.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
the EOP be reviewed and discussed by all departments, and amended to include specific plans for the most likely emergencies. (Findings 9-11)
F12
There is presently no centralized tracking system to record the training of Mendocino County employees and elected officials in SEMS or NIMS.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
a schedule of exercises for key emergency response staff be developed to identify and validate necessary systems and equipment in the event of a large scale emergency. (Findings 4-7, 12-22)
F13
Each county department is required to develop an Emergency Action Plan, which determines how a department will respond to a local emergency. The departments are also required to train their staff in the Emergency Action Plan, as well as SEMS and NIMS, and maintain the associated compliance records.
Related Recommendations (2)
R2
a schedule of exercises for key emergency response staff be developed to identify and validate necessary systems and equipment in the event of a large scale emergency. (Findings 4-7, 12-22)
R4
time and money be allocated to insure that all staff mentioned in the EOP are aware of their role and trained to function effectively. (Findings 4-6, 8, 11, 13- 15, 18, 24)
F14
Some county departments have not met the required levels of preparedness training.
Related Recommendations (2)
R2
a schedule of exercises for key emergency response staff be developed to identify and validate necessary systems and equipment in the event of a large scale emergency. (Findings 4-7, 12-22)
R4
time and money be allocated to insure that all staff mentioned in the EOP are aware of their role and trained to function effectively. (Findings 4-6, 8, 11, 13- 15, 18, 24)
F15
Under California State Government Code §3100, county employees are required to respond to local disasters.
Related Recommendations (2)
R2
a schedule of exercises for key emergency response staff be developed to identify and validate necessary systems and equipment in the event of a large scale emergency. (Findings 4-7, 12-22)
R4
time and money be allocated to insure that all staff mentioned in the EOP are aware of their role and trained to function effectively. (Findings 4-6, 8, 11, 13- 15, 18, 24)
F16
First response authorities (e.g. fire and law enforcement) have specific training for dealing with various levels of emergency situations in accordance with their department’s equipment and protocols.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
a schedule of exercises for key emergency response staff be developed to identify and validate necessary systems and equipment in the event of a large scale emergency. (Findings 4-7, 12-22)
F17
The Mendocino County Public Health Department conducted training for health related emergencies and situational drills funded under Federal grants.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
a schedule of exercises for key emergency response staff be developed to identify and validate necessary systems and equipment in the event of a large scale emergency. (Findings 4-7, 12-22)
F18
Funds are not available to provide disaster training involving multiple departments unless specific grants are received,
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
a schedule of exercises for key emergency response staff be developed to identify and validate necessary systems and equipment in the event of a large scale emergency. (Findings 4-7, 12-22)
F19
Some volunteer groups have organized as Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT), a community-based preparedness and response system. The State of California provides training for these teams. A related program is the Student Emergency Response Team, which has only recently begun training.
Related Recommendations (3)
R2
a schedule of exercises for key emergency response staff be developed to identify and validate necessary systems and equipment in the event of a large scale emergency. (Findings 4-7, 12-22)
R5
the Fire Chief’s Association develop a program to monitor and support the CERT and grassroots response groups. (Findings 19, 20)
R6
the County locate and secure funding to support training of CERT groups. (Finding 19)
F20
In addition to CERT, several grassroots groups have organized and trained throughout the county, to assist themselves in the event of a local disaster.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
a schedule of exercises for key emergency response staff be developed to identify and validate necessary systems and equipment in the event of a large scale emergency. (Findings 4-7, 12-22)
F21
Mendocino County department heads and the BOS received Emergency Operations Center (EOC) training in November 2006, organized by the Emergency Services Coordinator.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
a schedule of exercises for key emergency response staff be developed to identify and validate necessary systems and equipment in the event of a large scale emergency. (Findings 4-7, 12-22)
F22
In November, 2006, Mendocino County Office of Education (MCOE) designated an Emergency Coordinator. Under a program offered by the MCOE Emergency Coordinator, 22 school employees received emergency training.
Related Recommendations (2)
R2
a schedule of exercises for key emergency response staff be developed to identify and validate necessary systems and equipment in the event of a large scale emergency. (Findings 4-7, 12-22)
R7
funds be located to continue the MCOE Emergency Coordinator position. (Finding 22, 23) Comments The EOP, a generic plan, needs modification to meet the particular needs of this County. To maintain the plan’s relevance the EOP must be periodically reviewed. Records of staff training are currently maintained in each County department. Without a central database it’s not possible to insure that all necessary participants are trained to the appropriate level and will be able to function in a cooperative manner. The very nature, geography, and remoteness of communities in this county makes it challenging to prepare for and deal with hazardous situations. The extensive training needed for emergencies, unless funded by Federal grants, is rarely considered a priority. Training in general is the most often cut budget item when county government is seeking funding for politically valuable programs. County government’s major responsibility is the safety and protection of its population. This County needs to make emergency and disaster preparedness a priority. Response Required Emergency Services Coordinator (Findings 5-14, 18-20, 24; Recommendations 1-6) Chief Executive Office (Findings 5, 8-10, 13-14, 18; Recommendations 1-6) Board of Supervisors (Findings 7-9, 15, 19-20, 24; Recommendations 1, 3, 4, 6) Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office (Findings 4-5, 14, 16, 19-21, 24; Recommendations 1, 2, 4) County Counsel (Findings 5, 6, 15) Fire Chief’s Association (Recommendation 5) Mendocino County Office of Education (Findings 22-23; Recommendation 7) Response Requested Health & Human Services Agency (Findings 13, 17-18; Recommendations 2, 4)
F23
The Grant paying for the current MCOE Emergency Coordinator expires in June 2007.
No recommendations for this finding
F24
In the event of a major disaster, populations from other areas may be relocated to Mendocino County stressing already scarce resources. Everyday emergencies in other counties often involve Mendocino County resources.
No recommendations for this finding
Comments 1
-
CO1The EOP, a generic plan, needs modification to meet the particular needs of this County. To maintain the plan’s relevance the EOP must be periodically reviewed. Records of staff training are currently maintained in each County department. Without a central database it’s not possible to insure that all necessary participants are trained to the appropriate level and will be able to function in a cooperative manner. The very nature, geography, and remoteness of communities in this county makes it challenging to prepare for and deal with hazardous situations. The extensive training needed for emergencies, unless funded by Federal grants, is rarely considered a priority. Training in general is the most often cut budget item when county government is seeking funding for politically valuable programs. County government’s major responsibility is the safety and protection of its population. This County needs to make emergency and disaster preparedness a priority. Response Required Emergency Services Coordinator (Findings 5-14, 18-20, 24; Recommendations 1-6) Chief Executive Office (Findings 5, 8-10, 13-14, 18; Recommendations 1-6) Board of Supervisors (Findings 7-9, 15, 19-20, 24; Recommendations 1, 3, 4, 6) Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office (Findings 4-5, 14, 16, 19-21, 24; Recommendations 1, 2, 4) County Counsel (Findings 5, 6, 15) Fire Chief’s Association (Recommendation 5) Mendocino County Office of Education (Findings 22-23; Recommendation 7) Response Requested Health & Human Services Agency (Findings 13, 17-18; Recommendations 2, 4)
Agency Responses 1
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No Responses Found 2
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Mendocino County
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