Region IIContinuity of Government / Continuity

of Operations

Part IICatastrophic Events

Disaster Typology       

EMERGENCIES DISASTERS CATASTROPHES

     

Impacts Localized Widespread, severe Extreme, physical and social

Response Mainly local Multiple-jurisdictional, intergovernmental but bottom-up

Federal initiative and proactive mobilization

Procedures Standard operating procedures

Disaster plans into effect, but likely changes

Massive challenges beyond pre-existing plans

Resources Within response resources Extensive damage to emergency services

Emergency response system paralyzed

Recovery No significant challenges Major recovery challenges Cascading long-term effects, massive recovery challenges

Potential Cold War era targets

Post-attack Operating Instructions

Foundation of Cold War Plan

• Over 1 year of food for every person• Economy based on manufacturing• New-constructed interstate system

Fall of the Berlin Wall

Globalization takes off

• Computers: personal and business• Automation• Internet• Just-in-Time inventory management

Present realities – Complex Systems

• In our daily lives– Finance– Healthcare– Fuel & Transportation– Food– Energy

Present realities – Complex Systems

• Business- Supply chains- Manufacturing processes- Just-in-Time inventory management

Top-level Complex Systems

Ecological-Natural

Technological

Political Financial

Biological

Key features of collapse events

–Failure in any system may impact others

–Huge number of potential outcomes• Impossible to predict event details • Impossible to predict timing

Changes in Cold War Foundation

• Virtually no food in commodity program• Economy mainly service and financial• Infrastructure degraded

Effect on catastrophic planning

• No universal plan• We are on our own

Example Guidance

“Local communities will have to address the medical and non-medical effects of the pandemic with available resources. This means that it is essential for communities, tribes, States, and regions to have plans in place to support the full spectrum of their needs over the course of weeks or months…”

The Federal Perspective

• Continuity of Government/Continuity of Operations mandatory for all federal departments ;

• Recommended for state/local governments

Plan Objective

Assist citizens of this region safely through a major complex system degradation/failure or a catastrophic event of national significance

General Plan characteristics

• Used only for catastrophic events

• Response actions in checklist format for timely response in a high-stress environment

• Writing style and format is concise

General Plan characteristics

• This is a transition plan only, for use between event onset until relative stability is achieved

• Plan is unclassified. Sensitive and privacy-related information are intentionally omitted

• Plan is adaptable for use by other rural jurisdictions

General Planning Assumptions

• Federal directives are expected for implementation

• National Guard availability is unknown• No state or federal assistance/resources expected• Government services will be significantly curtailed• Specific local impact and timing is unknown• Local resources will be rapidly depleted• Prepared individuals will be a needed resource

Policies

• Local governments may form a regional consortium

• Local government will not seize property in people’s homes

• Some private sector resources may come under government control

Command and Control

• Sheriff and Police Chiefs of their respective jurisdictions have command and control over law enforcement and security activities

• Chief Elected Officials of their respective

jurisdictions have command and control over all other activities

Website

www.CatastrophicResponse.org