If you have lived in Flagstaff for a few years, you have experienced those tense moments that come from a nearby forest fire. The Slide fire reminded us that disaster is always a possibility.
Disaster could be in the form of a fire but it could also come with a train derailment of chemicals or a huge snowstorm.
Is there a plan in place? Who is in charge?
Shortly after I was elected, I was given a briefing about major emergency operations. There is a thick three-ring binder of information and procedures. There is an emergency operations center (in the police/sheriff complex) where the designated people gather. You must be accessible by phone and able to report your availability immediately. If requested, we report to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
There is a designated EOC manager for any event in Coconino County. If an event occurs, the EOC manager determines the urgency level of the situation, what jurisdictions are involved and who should be called into the EOC.
In addition to the EOC manager, there are various section chiefs (e.g. operations, planning, logistics, finance, media). There are a lot of computers, phones and desks and a lot of people are called in to run them.
The key principle is that all the incoming information is filtered, organized and presented to the EOC manager. The manager then directs his chiefs to take certain action. The manager sees the entire picture so no one is giving conflicting directions.
There are numerous entities that can be called into action and they each have their designated emergency contact. The schools may be needed for housing evacuees; the bus system may be needed to move people; the hospital, of course, and NAU, as well as several others.
What does the mayor do? In the event of a major emergency, I have to be at the EOC. After much advice, the mayor has the authority to impose curfews, close any public building, close any business and impose “all necessary regulations to preserve the peace and order of the city.”
This is a responsibility I take seriously and hope I will never have to use it. It is comforting to know that there will be a top-notch group of people standing beside me. FBN
Jerry Nabours is the Mayor of the City of Flagstaff.
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