8.e. Appointment to Tsunami Disaster TrainingMEMORANDUM
TO: CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JOEL ARANAZ, FIRE CHIEF
BY: DAVID MATHE, EMERGENCY PLANNING COORDINATOR
SUBJECT: APPOINTMENT OF ARROYO GRANDE ELECTED OFFICIAL TO
PARTICIPATE IN A COMMUNITY SPECIFIC INTEGRATED
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COURSE (IEMC) TSUNAMI DISASTER
RESPONSE EXERCISE AT 'THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY TRAINING
CENTER (NETC) IN EMMITSBURG, MARYLAND
DATE: SEPTEMBER 11,2012
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended the City Council appoint Council Member Costello to participate in
the Tsunami Disaster Response exercise being held at the Emergency Management
lnstitute in Emmitsburg, Maryland, April 8-1 1, 2013.
IMPACT ON FINANCIAL AND PERSONNEL RESOURCES:
There will be a small financial impact to the City of Arroyo Grande in sending one of its
Council members to participate in this disaster exercise. Travel and lodging are fully
covered by the Federal government. A meal stipend of $200 per participant is required.
'The stipend provides three meals daily while at the Institute.
BACKGROUND:
Preparedness is fundamental to the success of our community. To ensure an effective
response plan, it is critical to test that plan through a functional exercise requiring local
representatives from numerous agencies to evaluate the capability of current policies
and plans to protect, mitigate, respond and recover from hazards befalling our
community.
In March 201 1, prior to the Central Coast Tsunami event, an application was made to
the Emergency Management lnstitute (EMI) for a community Specific Integrated
Emergency Management class. The situation was a Tsunami event impacting Arroyo
Grande, Grover Beach, and Oceano. The 201 1 application was denied.
Another application for the same scenario was submitted in December 201 1. On July
19, 2012, the Five Cities Fire Authority received formal commitment from the Federal
Item 8.e. - Page 1
CITY COUNCIL
APPOINTMENT OF ARROYO GRANDE ELECTED OFFICIAL FOR TSUNAMI DISASTER
RESPONSE EXERCISE AT THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE - EMMITSBURG,
MD
SEPTEMBER 11,2012
PAGE 2
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Protection and National Preparedness
(PNP), Emergency Management Institute to conduct an Integrated Emergency
Management Class for the Five Cities Fire Authority at the National Emergency Training
Center (NETC) in Emmitsburg, Maryland from April 8-11, 2013. The Authority has
approval to assemble a team of 75 members.
Informal planning began with the March 201 1 application. The informal plans from
March 201 1 remain contemporary and formal planning will build upon that foundation.
The Five Cities Fire Authority Emergency Planning Coordinator met with EM1 staff in
July to discuss the concept of the Tsunami Exercise. The EM1 staff is enthusiastic about
the exercise. They will travel to the Central Coast in December to begin their formal
planning process and initial briefing for the invited participants. The FCFA IEMC plans
group will commence the local planning process on September 13, 2012.
Participating agencies and organizations for this event will include the following cities,
communities, and agencies invited to attend the IEMC: Cambria CSD, Cayucos CSD,
City of Morro Bay, Port San Luis, Avila Beach CSD, City of San Luis Obispo, City of
Pismo Beach, City of Grover Beach, City of Arroyo Grande, Oceano CSD, South San
Luis Obispo County Sanitation District, Hearst Castle Fire Department, Diablo Canyon,
California State Parks, California Highway Patrol, California Men's Colony Fire
Department, State of California National Guard, US Coast Guard, Lucia Mar Unified
School District, Coast Unified School District, San Luis Costal Unified School District
Chambers of Commerce, American Red Cross, the following county of San Luis Obispo
departments, Cal Fire, Health, Sheriff, Public Health, Emergency Medical Services,
Office of Emergency Services, Public Works, County Supervisors, Civic groups; Non-
governmental agencies, members from the private sector and local media.
Travel to and from Emmitsburg will be on Sunday, April 7 and Friday April 12, 2013
respectively via commercial airline.
ANALYSIS OF ISSUES:
The appointed member of the City Council will be in Emmitsburg during the scheduled
Council meetirlg of April 9, 2013. Other personnel attending the exercise from the City
of Arroyo Grande include Finance, City Clerk, GIs, Maintenance Services, and Police
Department. Based on an inquiry sent to the City Council, Council Member Costello is
the only Council Member who has indicated he can be available to attend the training
program.
ALTERNATIVES:
The following alternatives are provided for the Council's consideration:
1. Approve the appointment of Council Member Costello to participate in the April
20 1 3 exercise;
Item 8.e. - Page 2
CITY COUNCIL
APPOINTMENT OF ARROYO GRANDE ELECTED OFFICIAL FOR TSUNAMI DISASTER
RESPONSE EXERCISE AT 'THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE - EMMITSBURG,
MD
SEPTEMBER 11,2012
PAGE 2
2. Choose not to participate in the April 2013 exercise; or
3. Provide alternate direction to staff.
ADVANTAGES:
Council participation will help comply with the conditions of the Agreement for the
training program and improve the City's disaster readiness.
DISADVANTAGES:
The only disadvantage identified is the time commitment involved.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
No environmental review is required for this item.
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION AND COMMENTS:
The agenda was posted in front of City Hall on September 6, 2012. The agenda and
report were posted on the City's website on Friday September 7, 2012. No public
comments were received.
Item 8.e. - Page 3
THIS PAGE INTENTIO NALLY LEFT BLANK
Item 8.e. - Page 4