San Mateo County Grand Jury • 2006-2007

Grand Jury County of San Mateo Hall of Justice

Published: September 21, 2006 31 pages

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⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.

⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.

Note: Missing finding numbers detected: F2, F3, F4, F6, F7, F8, F9, F10, F11, F12, F13, F14, F15, F16, F17, F18, F19, F20, F21, F22, F23, F24, F25, F26, F27, F28, F29, F30, F31, F32, F33, F34, F35, F36, F37, F38, F39, F40, F41, F42, F43, F44, F45, F46, F47, F48, F49, F50, F51, F52, F53, F54, F55, F56, F57, F58, F59, F60, F61, F62, F63, F64, F65, F66, F67, F68, F69, F70, F71, F72, F73, F74, F75, F76, F77, F78, F79, F80, F81, F82, F83, F84, F85, F86, F87, F88, F89, F90, F91, F92, F93, F94, F95, F96, F97, F98, F99, F100, F101, F102, F103, F104, F105, F106, F107, F108, F109, F110, F111, F112, F113, F114, F115, F116, F117, F118, F119, F120, F121, F122, F123, F124, F125, F126, F127, F128, F129, F130, F131, F132, F133, F134, F135, F136, F137, F138, F139, F140, F141, F142, F143, F144, F145, F146, F147, F148, F149, F150, F151, F152, F153, F154, F155, F156, F157, F158, F159, F160, F161, F162, F163, F164, F165, F166, F167, F168, F169, F170, F171, F172, F173, F174, F175, F176, F177, F178, F179, 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Findings 3 findings

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The Grand Jury recommends that the Emergency Services Council (ESC) direct the OES staff to work closely with San Mateo County communities to assist them in becoming certified Tsunami Ready locations. More specifically, the ESC and OES should use the Tsunami Ready plans as a model to help Pacifica, Half Moon Bay, and the unincorporated coastal communities accomplish the following: 1.1 Develop an emergency tsunami response plan for each community that specifies how the public and emergency service providers are to be informed of an alert and what their response should be. 1 1.2 Educate the public on the dangers of tsunami, how the alert system works, and what to do in the event of an alert. 1.3 Obtain approval and permits from the appropriate government agencies (Coastal Commission, CalTrans, and State Parks) for tsunami warning signage and a siren/broadcast system and install same. 1.4 Acquire inundation maps for entire San Mateo County Coast. 1.5 Ensure that the resources of the Regional Office of the Red Cross are sufficient and properly distributed. 1.6 Acquire the resources and technology to make San Mateo County Storm Ready/Tsunami Ready by December 31, 2007. Response: The Emergency Services Council has been briefed on the issues regarding tsunami issues regarding San Mateo County. The ESC is aware that OES/HS is actively involved and addressing the issues brought forth by the Civil Grand Jury and supports the ongoing efforts of OES/HS. Sheriff Munks also supports the ongoing efforts of OES/HS to follow the guidelines in a timely and effective manner to better prepare our residents for a tsunami event. Recently OES/HS acquired two alert systems for public notification: the first being a digital alert system that alerts “text messaging” devices (cell phone text messaging, digital pagers, and e- mail). The second system is a Telephone Emergency Notification System (TENS), which would call each home or business in the effected area. This second system also offers either an audible siren or voice speaker alert system. Only six sirens/speakers are funded through OES/HS for the inundation areas so the three jurisdictions will need to find further funding through either general fund or other sources to increase the number of sirens necessary to alert all of the residents and visitors in the inundation areas. Education efforts are constantly underway. OES/HS developed a written pamphlet of information that was adopted by Pacifica, Half Moon Bay, and unincorporated areas. Each jurisdiction has distributed this information to the public. Several focus groups of emergency responders have already been held to address issues related to tsunami and will continue to dialog on the threat issues. The three jurisdictions of San Mateo County, Pacifica, and Half Moon Bay started discussions regarding the permitting issues of both sirens and signage for the Tsunami Ready Program. All three jurisdictions are open to the idea and are willing to support the effort to the California Coastal Commission. OES/HS requested the United States Geological Survey to survey the entire San Mateo County coast and the Bay Side of San Mateo County as to the rise in sea water as it relates to tsunami inundation. OES/HS is in constant contact with the American Red Cross, also including other service providers such as the Salvation Army, Second Harvest Food Bank, and the State of California Office of Emergency Services as it relates to shelter support for the coast. OES/HS received the distinct honor of the National Weather Service “Storm Ready” certification on September 21, 2006. This is a vital first step to achieve Tsunami Ready Certification. OES/HS believes it can reach the Tsunami Ready criteria by December 31, 2007.

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The Grand Jury recommends that the Sheriff instruct OES to: 5.1 Provide advice and guidance for the development of tsunami alert and evacuation plan for the rural coastal communities. 5.2 Work with the ESC to accomplish goals 1.1 through 1.6 above. Response: Sheriff Munks concurs with the recommendations of the Grand Jury and supports the efforts OES/HS, as mentioned above. Once again, the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services and Homeland Security thanks the Civil Grand Jury for researching the effects of a tsunami related event in San Mateo County. Working together to prepare and educate both the public and government agencies is of the utmost importance in addressing this constant threat to our communities. Sincerely, Greg Munks, Sheriff cc: The Honorable Board of Supervisors Grand Jury Website 3 January 29, 2007 Honorable John L. Grandsaert Grand Jury Judge Hall of Justice and Records 400 County Center Redwood City, CA 94063 Re: 2006-2007 Grand Jury Report: Tsunami Alert and Evacuation on the San Mateo County Coast Dear Judge Grandsaert; We wish to acknowledge the efforts of the Civil Grand Jury with this report regarding the Emergency Services Council (ESC). We feel the report is accurate, and depicts an understanding and appreciation by the members of the Grand Jury regarding issues relating to Tsunami impact on the San Mateo County coast. The Emergency Services Council is in general agreement and fully supports the findings of the Civil Grand Jury The ESC appreciates a partnership in alerting residents and visitors to the very real and often potential danger of a tsunami striking San Mateo County.

F2007 Page 1

This program requires evacuation routes and safety zones to be clearly marked. Two Alerting Systems have been purchased with Homeland Security funds. One is a digital text messaging system, which is up and running in several jurisdictions while others are in the training and orientation phase. The second is a Telephone Emergency Notification System (TENS) telephone calling system that that will make a telephone voice message to each home or business in the alert areas. This system also has the capability to interact with several sirens to be placed in and around the Tsunami inundation areas to alert visitors as well as residents. The computer servers that will support the TENS system are in place and mapping of alert areas is underway. The first County-wide training session was held on January 26, 2007. OES/HS is working with the Planning Departments in San Mateo County, Half Moon Bay, and Pescadero to ensure proper permits are obtained for the siren installations. 4.3 Identify “residents in need” living in unincorporated coastal communities who may need help in case of an emergency. Response: Concur. The County Manager will direct OES to comply with this

Recommendations 2

R1
Page 1

The Grand Jury recommends that the Emergency Service Council (ESC) direct the OES staff to work closely with San Mateo County communities to assist them in becoming certified TsunamiReady locations. More specifically, the ESC and OES should use the TsunamiReady plan as a model to help Pacifica, Half Moon Bay and the unincorporated coastal communities accomplish the following: 1.1 Develop an emergency tsunami response plan for each community that specifies how the public and emergency service providers are to be informed of an alert and what their responses should be. 1.2 Educate the public on the dangers of a tsunami, how the alert system works, and what to do in the event of an alert. 1.3 Obtain approval and permits from the appropriate government agencies (Coastal Commission, CalTrans and State Parks) for tsunami warning signage and a siren/broadcast system and install same. 1.4 Acquire inundation maps for the entire San Mateo County coast. 1.5 Ensure that the resources of the Regional Office of the Red Cross are sufficient and appropriately distributed. 1.6 Acquire the resources and technology to make San Mateo County StormReady/TsunamiReady
R4
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2 above, two Alerting Systems were purchased with Homeland Security funds—a text messaging system that has been installed in several jurisdictions, and a telephone calling system that is currently under installation. 4.5 Act on the July, 2006 County Tsunami Annex Draft by December 31, 2006. Response: Concur. The County Manager will direct OES to comply with this recommendation. The Tsunami Annex Draft, which is an addition to the emergency Operations Plan, is currently under revision as new threats and capabilities are discovered. Since November of 2006, OES/HS has facilitated three meetings between first responders to discuss issues and jurisdictional responsibilities. One "end to end" Tsunami exercise was held in association with the National Weather Service. OES/HS will have an adopted plan prior to December 31, 2007. COUNTY OF SAN MATEO O S FFICE OF THE HERIFF GREG MUNKS CARLOS G. BOLANOS SHERIFF UNDERSHERIFF 400 COUNTY CENTER (cid:1) REDWOOD CITY (cid:1) CALIFORNIA 94063-1662 TELEPHONE (650) 599-1664 WWW.SMCSHERIFF.COM ADDRESS ALL COMMUNICATIONS TO THE SHERIFF January 22, 2007 Honorable John L. Grandsaert Judge of the Superior Court Hall of Justice 400 County Center, 2nd Floor Redwood City, CA 94063 Re: 2006-2007 Grand Jury Report: Tsunami Alert and Evacuation on the San Mateo County Coast Dear Judge Grandsaert: We wish to acknowledge the efforts of the Civil Grand Jury with this report regarding the Emergency Services Council and our Office of Emergency Services and Homeland Security (OES/HS). We feel the report is accurate, and depicts an understanding and appreciation by the members of the Grand Jury regarding issues relating to Tsunami impact on the San Mateo County coast. The Office of Emergency Services and Homeland Security fully supports the

Conclusions 1

CL1 Page 6

To paraphrase NOAA, “It is critical that individuals in high-risk areas be educated about and prepared for tsunamis before the waves strike, because ultimately it is up to each individual to take appropriate actions for protection (i.e., moving inland and to higher ground). All the warnings and information in the world will not do much if the public does not get, know how to use and/or act upon this information.” (NOAA Magazine Online, story 158, p.2, http://www.magazine.noaa.gov/stories/mag158.htm) San Mateo County has a comprehensive plan to respond to a tsunami warning. The response to the June 2005 warning revealed problems in implementing the plan at the local level. The most important objective of the plan is to communicate the warning of an impending tsunami to citizens at risk and to advise them how to respond. While the County OES is developing appropriate tsunami signage and researching the effectiveness of a possible siren/broadcasting system, the 2005 experience suggests that the County needs to take a more aggressive approach to educating the local communities and beach visitors about the dangers of a tsunami and what they should do in the event of an alert. The population of Half Moon Bay can swell from 12,000 to 100,000 at times throughout the year. Visitors are less likely to know what a siren or other alert system means and what to do in the event of an alert. Signs should be posted in public areas, particularly public beaches, to educate the public on the danger of tsunamis, how to recognize an alert and what to do should an alert be broadcast. The County Tsunami Annex draft (OES://OA Tsunami Annex July 2006) lists contacts, indicates responsibilities, and outlines procedures to be followed throughout the county should a tsunami alert be issued by the WCATWC. The draft must be completed and approved for implementation. 6 The Red Cross has limited supplies stored in the coastal communities. Expectations are that they could draw on neighboring communities if needed. After a tsunami, however, it is likely that traffic on Highways 92 and 1 would be seriously impacted and movement of supplies inhibited.

No Responses Found 3

Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.

San Mateo County Board of Supervisors Elected County Office

San Mateo County Office of Education Agency

San Mateo County Sheriff Elected County Office