I. PURPOSE

A.  Each jurisdiction has designated an Emergency Operation Center (EOC) for the direction
      and control of response to a disaster.

1. Eddy County has designated an EOC at the Eddy County Sheriff's Department in both Artesia and Carlsbad.
2. Carlsbad has designated the Carlsbad Police Department as its primary EOC.
3. Artesia has designated the Artesia Police Department as its EOC.
4. Loving and Hope have designated their fire stations as EOC's.
5. An alternate EOC has been established at Living Desert State Park. Two two-way radios, five telephone lines, a generator, two computers, fax machine, and restrooms are available at this location.

B.  By State Law in New Mexico, a State Police Emergency Response Officer (ERO) must
      be contacted in the event of a HAZMAT fixed site or transportation incident. The Secretary of the
      Department of Public Safety, or his designee, shall have primary responsibility for the
      management of major emergencies involving hazardous materials.

C.  When it is anticipated an emergency situation may exhaust the resources of the local
      government(s) and require state and federal assistance and support, local government
      executives must use the State of New Mexico DISASTER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, LOCAL
     GOVERNMENT HANDBOOK to ensure eligibility for state/federal aid. This document is included
      in the Recovery section of the Eddy County Emergency Management Strategy.

A.  Direction and control is absolutely essential in any emergency and increases in importance
      with each increase in severity of a disaster.

B.  During major emergency situations, coordination of efforts is best performed at an EOC. Field
      forces can concentrate on essential, on-scene activities while EOC staff performs planning,
      logistic, and organizational duties. The smaller jurisdictions may need only small EOC's, but
      some emergency direction and control capability is essential regardless of the size of the
      community.

C.  The organizational process outlined in this plan is designed for incidents with extended
      consequences. Due to the reliance upon persons and agencies that are not routinely involved in
      emergency response, the actions described may be delayed. In many cases, resources from
      other areas may be required and therefore the local jurisdictions must plan on limited outside
      assistance for the initial 24 to 48 hours of an incident.

D.  Current mutual aid pagrements must be in effect for each jurisdiction.  This plan will serve
      that purpose for all signatories in the event of a disaster. Routine emergency situations not
      involving the activation of this plan will require MOU's between cooperating agencies.

A. General

1. The Chief Elected Official (CEO) and his/her staff will cope with most disasters within their jurisdiction. The CEO will serve as overall coordinator of disaster response or will designate a qualified person to this position.
2. For disaster events that affect more than one jurisdiction, the affected jurisdictions will coordinate their efforts through a unified command structure. This coordination will necessitate open communication between each entity involved and may be best organized through a single EOC.
3. Normally state and federal assistance units will not become actively involved until local authorities declare a disaster. This declaration should be made when the situation is larger than local authorities can handle with available resources. It does not relieve local authorities of responsibility for overall emergency response management.
4. The Incident Command System will be used to direct on-scene emergency operations and may be used in the EOC.

 
B. EOC Activation
 
1. Regardless of who first becomes aware of an emergency with a potential for disaster, the appropriate responsible official (such as the CEO, Chief Administrative Official, Sheriff, Fire Chief, or Police Chief) must be contacted. This official will then determine if the EOC must be activated and will make all necessary notifications.
2. The extent of the activation and degree of control the EOC assumes of the situation depends of the type and scope of the emergency. Any official with authority to activate the EOC may specify activation of only specific embers of the EOC. Adjustments can be made later to fit the situation.

 
C. EOC Operation
 
1. The CEO or her/his appointee serves as director of the EOC and has overall emergency control of all necessary government emergency functions within its jurisdiction.
2. The EOC should include representatives of all major functions addressed in this EOP (health and medical, communications and warning, fire and rescue, law enforcement, public works, etc.)
3. Functional or department heads in the EOC support their on-scene operations; relay instructions and information; obtain equipment and personnel; and provide technical advice and expertise.
4. The EOC must be prepared to operate 24 hours a day during the period of emergency and initial recovery phase. Shift operation must be established, with appropriately trained personnel from each department available for subsequent shifts.
5. If the active EOC is destroyed, severely damaged or isolated by loss of communications, direction and control of emergency management will switch to an alternate EOC. This could be the designated alternate EOC, another jurisdiction's EOC, or another suitable location not subject to the forces that incapacitated the primary EOC.
6. Of almost equal importance is the continuity of direction and control of other essential functional areas (e.g. fire department and public works).

b.  Functional SOP’s should spell out the procedures for an alternate control center in the
     event the primary is put out of commission.

D.  Sheriff/Police Chief:

1. Designated as Law Enforcement, Communications and Warning Officer.
2. Coordinates law enforcement activities during a disaster.
3. Ensures continued communications capabilities between EOC and field personnel.
4. Ensures that citizens and agencies are warned of hazardous circumstances by all available means of public address.
5. Provides security for the EOC while it is open.
6. Directs evacuation activities, if initiated. This includes evacuation of all nursing homes, hospitals and jails within the affected area.

 
E. Public Information Officer:
 
1. Assists the Elected Officials and EOC staff in media relations and public service announcements.
2. Develops press releases and receives approval for release of information from the Chief Elected Official.
3. Establishes rumor control procedures.
4. Present information briefings to media representatives.
F. Fire and Rescue Coordinator:
 
1. Directs fire and rescue operations.
2. Coordinates with other response agencies in the emergency medical treatment and transportation of injured persons.
3. Assists in providing warnings to the public.
4. Assists in evacuation if necessary.

 
G.  Public Works Officer:
 
1. Coordinates restoration of essential services.
2. Assists in developing, locating and allocating equipment and resources in support of field operations.
3. Establishes priority of debris removal.
4. Begins damage assessment and documentation of disaster activity.
5. Obtains public transportation as necessary.
6. Assists in rescue of trapped victims.

 
H.  Health and Medical Coordinator:
 
1. Coordinates with health care facilities and state assistance agencies for the care and treatment of injured persons during disaster situations.
2. Establishes triage centers near the disaster and coordinate treatment of injured.
3. If necessary, uses clinics, urgent care centers, and other temporary facilities to develop an emergency medical care capability.

 
I. American Red Cross:
 
1. Establishes congregate care facilities (feeding and lodging) after disasters.
2. Establishes a Disaster Assistance Center if necessary.
3. Provides food, water, and other supports services to response personnel.

J.  Income Support Division Field Office Manager:

A.  Each Jurisdiction is responsible for the proper equipping and maintenance of their Emergency
     Operations Center and for its operational readiness.  The Department of Energy will maintain the
     alternate EOC (located at Living Desert State Park), as it serves the same purpose for their
     operations.

B.  The EOC Director will designate secretarial/clerical personnel who will serve in the EOC during
      emergencies as recorders, plotters, analysts, etc.

C.  Situation reports, local disaster declarations, increased readiness reports, damage assessment
      reports and others deemed necessary will be channeled to the state EOC by the EOC Director.

B.  This annex will be updated as needed and reviewed annually.