I.  PURPOSE

To provide for continuation or restoration of those public services essential to basic human needs.

1. Jurisdictions within the county have a variety of public works departments (street, utilities, water, sewer and electric).
2. Several major construction and utility companies possess heavy equipment that could be of assistance in the event of a disaster.

1. County and city maintenance crews and equipment will be used to provide assistance at the disaster site (debris clearance, road upgrading, damage assessment, etc.) and to assist with repair and restoration of essential services and vital facilities.
2. State personnel and equipment will augment city and county crews if a localized disaster exceeds available capabilities.
3. Contract crews and equipment may assist public works when necessary.
4. The timely and accurate assessment and reporting of public and private property damage will serve as a basis for response and recovery operations. Properly accomplished and documented, it also serves as the basis for receiving state disaster assistance funds.

1. The Public Works Coordinator (PWC) operates from the EOC during an emergency to coordinate damage-limiting actions, assist in rescue, participate in damage assessment and direct recovery activities.
2. The PWC gathers all public and private heavy equipment as needed to respond to the disaster.
3. Major public works emphasis early in a disaster or potential disaster is directed towards limiting casualties and damage with such actions as shutting off power

and gas, building dikes, etc.
4. The next immediate priority centers on assisting in rescue operations, clearing roads for emergency response, using heavy equipment for rescue from collapsed buildings, etc.
5. Following rescue actions, public works priority shifts to damage assessment and short-term recovery actions to return vital life support systems to minimum operating standards (e.g., restoration of electrical power).
6. Once the situation is stabilized, the public works function becomes ensuring that long-term recovery actions are planned and prioritized.
7. Throughout disaster operations, high priority is on emergency repairs to key facilities and to ensure ongoing command and control.

1. Each jurisdiction within the county designates a PWC. The coordinator is usually the director of the public works, street, or a utility department. The PWC provides emergency/disaster public works assistance within the jurisdiction.
2. When more than one jurisdiction is affected by the disaster, each jurisdictional PWC will coordinate activities under the direction of a unified EOC.
3. The PWC of each jurisdiction will develop and maintain a list identifying the availability of public and private earth moving and other specialized heavy equipment which could support rescue, response, and recovery operations.
4. The PWC will arrange agreements with local equipment maintenance companies for quick response to repairs of emergency equipment.
5. If the normal water supply is contaminated or disrupted, potable water will be furnished by other available means (tanker, portable bladders, etc.).
6. Hazardous structures will be inspected and those designated unsafe will be demolished.
7. Trash collection/disposal must continue to prevent health hazards.
8. The public will be kept informed of public works through the Public Information Officer at the EOC.

1. The PWC coordinates logistical support for food, water, fuel, emergency power, communications, etc. for its control center and for its response personnel during emergency operations.
2. All expenditures for man hours, equipment, etc. MUST be documented in accordance with the Disaster Assistance Program Local Government if State disaster assistance funds are to be requested.
3. The County Assessor and staff will assist with documenting damage if reimbursement funds are to be requested.

1. Responsibility to maintain and update this annex rests with the jurisdiction's PWC.
2. This annex will be updated as necessary and reviewed at least annually.
3. This annex will be exercised in accordance with the exercise schedule as presented in the preparedness section of this document.