Plans Branch
Carl Filer, Branch Chief
(614) 799-3688
cefiler@dps.state.oh.us
Contact Plans Branch
The Plans Branch is responsible for statewide emergency preparedness, including ongoing enhancement of Ohio 's Emergency Operations Plan and the coordination of local and state plans, using an all hazards approach that encompasses natural disasters and man-made disasters, from hazardous materials to intentional acts of terrorism. Preparedness activities include:
- Updating and maintaining the Ohio Emergency Operations Plan
- Developing and coordinating Ohio's anti-terrorism plans and programs including the Ohio Terrorism Annex and the State Homeland Security Assessment and Strategy
- Planning for and response to hazardous materials incidents including responsibilities relative to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Portsmouth American Centrifuge Plant
- Serving as the lead agency for the state level Donations and Volunteer Management system
- Working with federal and local organizations on the following Citizen Corps programs:
- Terrorism Awareness and Prevention Program (TAP)
- Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT)
- Neighborhood Watch Program (NWP - USAonWatch)
- Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS)
- Medical Reserve Corps (MRC)
- Fire Corps (FC)
- Coordinating and facilitating Ohio's participation in the following interstate and intrastate mutual aid agreements:
- The Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC)
- The Intrastate Mutual Aid Compact (IMAC)
- Conducting an annual review of the 88 county emergency preparedness plans on a four-year cycle with a focus on providing guidance for improving county-to-county and county-to-state interface
- Updating and maintaining Emergency Operations Center standard operating procedures and training federal, state and local agency personnel on EOC activities
- Facilitating After-Action-Review's of state disaster response, recovery and exercises
The Ohio Emergency Operations Plan provides a comprehensive framework for statewide emergency management while:
- Addressing the administrative and operational functions, authorities and responsibilities of the organizations of state government
- Providing a link with the federal, local and private organizations that may be activated to address emergencies in Ohio
- Ensures consistency with current policy guidance and describes the interrelationship with other levels of government
- Continues to evolve, reflecting lessons learned from actual experiences in disasters and ongoing state planning, training and exercise activities
The Ohio Terrorism Annex
The Plans Branch coordinated the development of the Ohio Terrorism Annex, which is a hazard specific annex to the Ohio Emergency Operations Plan (EOP). It applies to all agencies and offices of state government when responding to or recovering from incidents of terrorism (including the use of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). A terrorist event will normally overwhelm local resources immediately, requiring that state or federal assistance be initiated without delay. The law-enforcement centered process described in the annex is intended to enable responding organizations to recognize the situation, rapidly and effectively exchange data, initiate and direct responses, and enable other offices to determine and prepare their roles in subsequent recovery-related actions.
Ohio EMA's responsibility is to coordinate operations and activities with all applicable federal, state & local agencies, offices, or authorities including identification and prioritization of needs with regard to preparedness, response and recovery actions. The Ohio Terrorism Annex is a secure document that is not available on this website. The Plans Branch also assists county emergency management agencies with development of their terrorism annexes and plans.
State Homeland Security Assessment and Strategy
The Plans Branch spearheaded the 2003 State Homeland Security Assessment and Strategy (SHSAS) for Ohio , including state threats, risks, capabilities and needs, and coordinated the SHSAS process in all 88 counties. This statewide assessment and strategy was required by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in order for Ohio to be eligible for 2004 and future federal homeland security grants.
Each county was required to accomplish their assessment and strategy process using a multi-discipline team with representatives from emergency management, fire, law enforcement (both police and sheriff), emergency medical services, public health, public works, and representatives from municipal, township and county government. Ohio 's assessment and strategy was submitted on December 31, 2003 and Ohio was the first state to have theirs approved. Ohio also has four cities that are part of the DHS Urban Areas Strategic Initiative (UASI) that funnels additional assistance to large urban areas and their surrounding regions to further protect these population centers.
Hazardous Materials Planning
Ohio EMA Plans Branch coordinates the planning for and response to hazardous materials incidents that are beyond the capacity of to local officials to handle. The Ohio Hazardous Materials Incident Annex addresses:
- Assessment of the health effects of a hazardous materials release
- Air, water, soil and other materials sampling to test for contamination
- Identification of the needs of local communities for hazmat incident support from state agencies
- Coordination of state agencies in support of local response
- Coordination with federal agencies through various federal plans
- Dissemination of protective action recommendations to the public
Other Ohio EMA responsibilities with hazardous materials include co-chair of the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) and the SERC's Operations & Issues Committee with Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and coordination of the annual state hazardous materials exercise.
Ohio EMA works in cooperation with Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and Ohio Department of Health in administering and carrying out activities and responsibilities related to the U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) facility in Piketon, Ohio , which is leased by the United States Enrichment Corporation (USEC). The name of the facility is the Portsmouth American Centrifuge Plant (www.usec.com).
Ohio EMA's responsibilities with respect to the above facility is to revise and maintain emergency plans, conduct joint training, periodic drills and exercises with USEC/USDOE and county response agencies, monitor and improve communications and warning systems between the state, counties and the facility, and conduct joint public information operations with the facility.
County Emergency Preparedness Plans
Ohio EMA conducts annual reviews of county Emergency Operations Plans on a four-year cycle, based on the federal fiscal year, October 1 through September 30, to coincide with federal funding cycles. These reviews will improve the overall quality of plans statewide and, more importantly, facilitate county-to-county and county-to-state interactions during disasters.
The Plans Branch and Field Operations, Training and Exercise Branch formed teams to review all county Emergency Operations Plans. Each review team, consisting of one planner and one field liaison, will work cooperatively with each county to evaluate where each EOP is in the four-year plan review cycle. The process begins with the county completing a crosswalk indicating where each of the planning elements resides in the plan. This essential part of the process ensures that the review teams do not overlook any elements of the county plans. At the conclusion of each year's planning review process, the county will be provided a document that recommends corrective actions needed to comply with planning guidance. (NOTE: Link to crosswalk will be provided)
As the lead agency for Donations and Volunteer Management Ohio EMA determines the need to activate a toll free Donations Hotline or open a Donation Warehouse. Other planning efforts continue through Volunteer Reception Center concepts and how donations operations specifically coordinate into long-term recovery operations and groups. As a part of this program, the Plans Branch instructs the G-288 Donations Management Workshop at state and county levels to governmental and volunteer organizations.
During emergencies, unplanned deliveries of donated goods and services to a disaster site can jam distribution channels, overwhelm volunteer agencies and hamper life-saving operations. This system is designed to receive, process and distribute a wide variety of donated goods and services that are given and sought to assist disaster victims.
The purpose of Citizen Corps is to help coordinate volunteer activities at the grassroots level in order to make our communities safer, stronger, and better prepared to respond to any emergency situation. While the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 have become one of America 's greatest tragedies, it also gave a new focus on Americans protecting their homeland through volunteer service and citizenship. In January 2002, President George W. Bush launched USA Freedom Corps, as an effort to capture the spirit of service that has emerged throughout our nation's communities following the terrorist attacks. With the devastation caused by the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons, it has become all the more important that citizens are prepared for both natural and man-made catastrophes.
Ohio EMA partners with the Ohio Community Service Council (OCSC) as a member of the Ohio Citizen Corps Council and in delivering the Citizen Corps programs to Ohio. More information on the Ohio Citizen Corps Council can be found on OCSC's website at www.serveohio.org. Volunteers can also register on the website and find out more information on volunteer opportunities.
There are five key programs that fall under the auspices of Citizen Corps: Community Emergency Response Teams, Volunteers in Police Service, Neighborhood Watch Program, Medical Reserve Corps and Fire Corps. The Terrorism Awareness & Prevention program is an additional outreach initiative unique to the State of Ohio. These Citizen Corps programs form the basis, the foundation by which communities may structure additional initiatives based on need.
The Terrorism Awareness & Prevention (TAP) program provides citizens with critical information on terrorists and terrorist threats, and identifies ways Ohioans can actively participate in building safer communities. TAP is a State of Ohio Security Task Force homeland security and crime prevention initiative.
TAP is packaged in an easy-to-use kit, complete with a CD of the presentation and trainer handouts; a video for communities lacking computer technology, and an instructor's manual. Train-the-Instructor sessions are also available for those agencies interested in promoting the program. Designed for presentation to citizen groups by, the 40-minute training:
- Provides residents with critical information on terrorist goals and threats
- Demonstrates how residents may better protect themselves through safety and security planning
- Builds partnerships with residents, law enforcement, first responders and community service providers
- Identifies ways Ohioans can actively participate in creating safer neighborhoods and communities
- Serves as a vehicle for promoting Citizen Corps and its related programs
A list of Ohio programs registered with FEMA is available at: http://www.citizencorps.gov/cc/CertIndex.do?reportsForState&cert=&State=OH
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program provides a structured opportunity for citizens to augment local emergency response activities.
Using CERT materials, local communities train teams of neighborhood volunteers and employees in the workplace in emergency preparedness and response skills. CERT members partner with local emergency management in preparing for and responding to natural or man-made disasters. Trained teams can help save lives and protect property when communities' professional response resources are stretched thin. Training materials are available at http://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/training_mat.shtm.
USAonWatch (UOW) was created by the National Sheriffs' Association, in conjunction with several well-known federal agencies, to advance this cause by encouraging the initiation and/or revitalization of Neighborhood Watch Programs (NWP's) throughout the country.
The Neighborhood Watch Program was created to unite law enforcement agencies, private organizations, and individual citizens in a massive effort to reduce residential crime. The Neighborhood Watch Program is undoubtedly one of the oldest and most well-known crime prevention programs in history. While the modern day concept of program rose to prominence in the late 1960s in response to an increasing burglary rate, the roots of Neighborhood Watch can actually be traced all the way back to the days of Colonial settlements, when night watchmen patrolled the streets. USAonWatch is used not only to promote NWP's, but also record the number of NWP's started.
The Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) program is managed and implemented by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) in partnership with and on behalf of the White House Office of the USA Freedom Corps and the U.S. Department of Justice. The program's ultimate goal is to enhance the capacity of state and local law enforcement to utilize volunteers.
Medical Reserve Corps units are community-based and comprised of health care professionals who desire to serve as volunteers in their communities during emergencies, as well as with ongoing public health needs. Medical Reserve Corps units:
- Provide health professionals and others an organized mechanism through which they can volunteer their time and skills to strengthen their communities by preparing for and responding to large-scale emergencies, such as an influenza epidemic, chemical spill, or act of terrorism
- Work to improve the overall health and well being of their communities by engaging in appropriate public health initiatives throughout the year
Fire Corps is a locally driven Citizen Corps program that allows community members to offer their time and talents to their local fire departments. Fire Corps serves as a gateway to information for and about fire department programs.
Any fire service affiliated organization that utilizes citizen advocates constitutes a Fire Corps program. Citizen advocates allow fire departments to focus on providing fire and rescue services by taking on non-operational tasks, including, but not limited to:
- Administrative functions
- Life safety education
- Fundraising
- Explorer programs
- Data entry and bookkeeping
- Canteen services
- Research
- Apparatus and facility maintenance
The Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) is a national interstate mutual aid agreement that enables states to share resources during times of disaster. EMAC has grown to become the nation's system for providing mutual aid through operational procedures and protocols that have been validated during disasters where assistance was provided under the compact.
EMAC acts as a complement to the national disaster response system, providing timely and cost-effective relief to states requesting assistance from compact members who understand the needs of jurisdictions that are struggling to preserve life, the economy, and the environment. EMAC does not replace federal assistance, but can be used when federal assistance is not warranted, thus providing a seamless flow of needed goods and services to an affected state. EMAC is another tool for mitigating resource deficiencies by ensuring the maximum use of all available resources within member states' inventories.
Requesting and deploying resources is made at the discretion of the affected state. At all times, affected states retain the choice of seeking resource support from other states, the federal government or both as may be determined by the size of the event.
How EMAC works:
- Disaster occurs
- The Governor of the affected state issues a disaster declaration
- State Emergency Management Agency assesses needs
- Resources are requested through the EMAC network
- Assistance is provided by other states
Benefits to states:
- Assistance may be more readily available
- Legislation solves the problems of liability and responsibilities of cost
- Legislation allows for credentials to be honored across state lines
- Allows for quick response using the unique human resources and expertise possessed by member states
Intrastate mutual aid has repeatedly proven beneficial to the citizens of this state. Mutual aid is a key component of the Department of Homeland Security's National Strategy and the National Incident Management System (NIMS).
The Ohio Intrastate Mutual Aid Compact (IMAC), Ohio Revised Code Section 5502.41, was enacted into law on December 23, 2002. All political subdivisions are automatically part of the statewide mutual aid system.
The purpose of IMAC is to develop and improve intrastate mutual aid capabilities for providing services and resources across local boundaries in response to and recovery from any disaster resulting in a formal declaration of emergency.
This IMAC Operations Manual was jointly developed during a series of workgroup meetings by the Emergency Management Association of Ohio (EMAO) in partnership with the Ohio Emergency Management Agency (Ohio EMA). IMAC's scope of operations includes:
- Providing a simple and efficient structure for requesting and receiving disaster assistance from other participating political subdivisions
- Resolving potential legal and administrative issues in advance of a disaster
- Enhancing the ability of emergency management professionals to make a swift and coordinated response to disasters of all kinds
- Strengthening the ability of local government to respond to disasters
Ohio COOP Guidance Package for Local Governments (download)