When
disasters threaten or strike a jurisdiction, people expect elected leaders
to take immediate action to deal with the problem. The government is
expected to marshal its resources, channel the efforts of voluntary agencies
and private enterprise in the community and solicit assistance from outside
the jurisdiction if necessary. Crucial to the fulfillment of
these expectations and the ultimate protection of the citizens and property
of our community are the development of emergency operations plans [EOP],
which describe who will do what, as well as when, with what resources and by
what authority -- before, during and immediately after an emergency.
In our country's system of emergency
management, local government must act first to attend to the public's
emergency needs. Depending on the nature and size of the emergency,
State and Federal assistance may be provided to the local jurisdiction.
The Monongalia County Emergency Operations Plan focuses on the measures that
are essential for protecting the public. These include warning,
emergency public information, evacuation and shelter.
The centerpiece of comprehensive
emergency management is the Emergency Operations Plan [EOP]. Please
note that this does not mean that the EOP details all aspects of emergency
response in Monongalia County. Information and "how-to" instructions
that need be known only by an individual or group are left to each
individual agency's operating procedures.
An EOP is a document that:
-
Assigns responsibility to organizations and individuals for
carrying out specific actions at projected times and places in an emergency
tat exceeds the capability or routine responsibility of any one agency [i.e.
the fire department];
-
Sets forth lines of authority and organizational
relationships, and shows how all actions will be coordinated;
-
Describes how people and property will be protected in
emergencies and disasters;
-
Identifies personnel, equipment, facilities, supplies and
other resources available -- within the jurisdiction or by agreement with
other jurisdictions -- for use during response and recovery activities.
All plans are reviewed and updated annually and
following any exercise or disaster situation.
Due to the
sensitive nature of our planning documents they will not be posted on this website.
If you have questions regarding what initiatives have been undertaken in
Monongalia County, please feel free to contact this office at (304) 598-0301.
