1996 High Water Flood

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City of Portland Official High Water Flood After Action Report (AAR)

Executive Summary

The Basic Emergency Plan was approved by the Mayor and City Council on May 1^st of 1996. The quotes following are from the '96 plan which has been updated as of January 1997.

"The-purpose of the City of Portland Plan is to assist Portland City government in minimizing the adverse effects to life and property from natural and man-caused disasters."

Bureaus listed in the 1996 Plan are Fire, Parks, Buildings, General Services, Purchasing, Transportation Engineering, Traffic Management, Maintenance, Emergency Communications, Water, Environmental Services, City Attorney, Police, Office of Finance & Administration, Records and Archives, and the Office of Neighborhood Associations.

#1 Basic Plan Issue

"The situations addressed by this Plan are those in which the actions of many different bureaus must be coordinated."

Identified Need

Continue to identify Bureaus needing to be more involved or involved at different levels. Reassignment of employees, volunteer management and section job descriptions have been identified as areas needing attention.

Planned Action

As of January, 1997 the Basic Plan revision includes reference to job descriptions, including time commitments, and bureau tasks. This will facilitate greater City-wide coordination for the emergency management process. A plan for recruitment and training will be developed for incoming and retained EOC responders.

#2 Basic Plan Issue

"It is important to realize that no one bureau is going to rescue a City during a disaster situation. Further, it is true that City government agencies will not possess all resources and talent necessary to protect the citizens of the City."

Identified Need

For those who participate as EOC responders, a greater understanding of Bureau resources, responsibilities and capabilities has developed as a result of the relationships built during training, exercises, and actual occurrences. This coordination and familiarization is a subsequent benefit from the process of preparing to respond as a City unified force. The need here is to continue to refine each bureaus and employees' capabilities and responsibilities during a disaster.

Planned Action

The understanding of each Bureau's responsibility as a primary or secondary responder, their identification of personnel and definition of their duties during emergency activation needs to be decided upon and made a part of their Basic Plans. As developed, these Bureau specific decisions, will be incorporated into the plan.

#3 Basic Plan Issue

"For this reason, the City has endorsed a three tier EMC concept. This concept blends the legal mandates of the government structure with the private resources of the community. By working together and maintaining open lines of communication, we will be able to field and coordinate a tremendous amount of resources and talent."

Identified Need

The responsibility of the EMC as outlined in the Basic Plan on page 9 is to "plan exercise schedule, budget recommendations, public education, update bureau and office plans, coordinate training, make recommendations to the Disaster Policy Council (DRC), meet as necessary and involve bureaus and office directors." The Mayor and Council has approved the plan with these responsibilities listed and yet it is uncertain whether all EMC members recognize their part in City Emergencies. These responsibilities need to be clarified and reaffirmed by the EMC.

Planned Action

As of January, 1997 the job description of the EMC will be changed to" Approve exercise schedule, coordinate public education; Make budget recommendations; coordinate Bureau and Office plans with the Basic Plan; Approve training coordination; Make recommendations to the Disaster Policy Council" in the Basic Plan.

#4 Basic Plan Issue

"The Chief of the Portland Bureau of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services, the Emergency Manager and the Portland Office of Emergency Management (POEM) are charged with the responsibility to develop and implement an all hazards emergency management plan in the City of Portland."

Identified Need

POEM needs to continue giving assistance in Basic Plan compliance through training, exercises, and technical expertise. POEM will continue to integrate the results of exercises and actual events into the development of the all hazards plan.

Planned Action

The EMC, through its growth and development, will further identify and define the responsibilities of the bureaus and continue to facilitate a cooperative working environment. Future exercises will incorporate appropriate sections of the Basic Plan.