I.  PURPOSE

1. To evacuate any part of Eddy County that may be in danger from a natural or man-caused disaster.
2. To provide temporary lodging, feeding and general welfare of persons forced to leave their homes due to any kind of emergency, disaster or precautionary evacuation in Eddy County.

1. There are numerous hazards that could result in a need to evacuate a portion of the county, a municipality or one of the unincorporated communities. The most probable of these are tornadoes, floods, hazardous material spills and fires.
2. Potential evacuation areas due to disasters include all populated areas.

1. Some disasters occur slowly, providing ample time for warning and an orderly, well planned evacuation. Many types of disasters, however, occur so rapidly there is no time for evacuation preparation, and in the worst cases, not even time for warning.
2. Evacuation may be required at any time of day or night, and in any kind of weather. Maximum confusion and traffic congestion must be expected.
3. It is anticipated a large number of people would voluntarily evacuate upon being alerted of a potential problem or danger.
4. Some people will refuse to evacuate in spite of an obvious, life-threatening hazard.
5. In most situations evacuees will have little preparation time and will require maximum support in reception areas, particularly for food, bedding and clothing.
6. In any evacuation situation, those directing emergency operations must take extra precautions to insure that people with special needs are taken care of. These people include the elderly, handicapped, nursing home and hospital patients, and prisoners in all the confinement facilities within the county.
7. The American Red Cross will select and provide shelters during evacuations. Evacuees will be housed in public-type buildings (i.e., schools, churches, etc.) and not in private residences.

1. The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will normally have been activated because of the primary hazard event.
2. The Chief Elected Official of the affected political subdivision will normally order evacuation due to natural or man-made hazards. In a situation where rapid evacuation is critical to the continued health and safety of the population, the on-scene command authority may order evacuation.
3. The EOC will insure evacuees are instructed to take with them bedding, cots (if available), rugged clothing for two weeks, two weeks supply of easily prepared foods, medical items, etc., if time permits.
4. All possible news media will be used to instruct evacuees. Preparation instructions should be passed through the Public Information Officer when it first appears evacuation may be necessary.
5. Movement and Transportation of Evacuees:

1. Primary evacuation mode will be in private cars.
2. Law enforcement officials will select evacuation routes for a natural or man-caused disaster at the time of the evacuation decision.
3. If possible, two-way traffic will be maintained on evacuation routes to permit continued emergency vehicle access. Traffic control points will be located as needed for anticipated traffic volume and complexity of evacuation routes.
4. Rest areas may be necessary along the evacuation route and will be designated by the Chief Law Enforcement Officer or his designee. Patrols will provide assistance to persons with disabled vehicles.
5. The Resource and Transportation Officer coordinates public transportation resources (i.e., school buses, church buses, vans and multi-purpose vehicles).
6. The evacuation of non-ambulatory patients from nursing homes in Carlsbad and Artesia will be coordinated by the each city's ambulance service.
7. The School Superintendent will evacuate Public Schools by public or privately contracted school buses if necessary. However, if sufficient time

permits, parents will be notified to pick up their children. This prevents separation of children and parents, and makes school buses available for other transportation needs.
8. Each police chief is responsible for evacuating prisoners. Evacuating county prisoners is the responsibility of the county Sheriff. Each coordinates reception and shelter of prisoners at the facility they're going to. Each will coordinate with the other departments to assist in ensuring security of prisoners in route.
9. Impediments to evacuation may occur and plans for temporarily sheltering and feeding evacuees at an in route point should be made.

F. Essential industries coordinate the numbers of their workers with the Shelter Coordinator,
    and identify those workers to the reception center. Those from the same industry will be
    housed in the same facility nearest their work location to permit ease in returning them to
    perform essential work. Each industry provides the necessary transportation to and from the
    risk area. Families of essential workers will be housed with them.
G. The re-entry decision and permission for evacuees to return is made by the Chief Elected
    Official of the evacuated jurisdiction after the threat has passed and the evacuated area is
    determined free of dangerous contamination. Take care to ensure the plume from a
    hazardous material incident is completely dissipated. The area will be inspected by fire, law
    enforcement and utilities personnel for safety. Some specific re-entry considerations are:

1. The threat causing evacuation is completely over.
2. No contamination (or a safe level) exists.
3. Homes/buildings inspected to determine safety.
4. Determine the number of persons in shelters who require transport to their homes.
5. Determine long-term housing requirements.
6. Coordinate traffic control and movement.
7. Inform the public of proper re-entry actions such as cleanup and reactivation of utilities.

1. Evacuation Coordinator: The CAO assigns this function to the appropriate law

enforcement official. Among others, the Evacuation Coordinator works with the American Red Cross (ARC), Fire and Rescue Coordinator, and Reception and Care Coordinator.
2. Law Enforcement: Determine alternate or tertiary evacuation routes, provide traffic and movement control, establish security in the evacuated area, and assist in warning the public. Establish parking and security at the reception, lodging and feeding centers.
3. Fire Department: Respond to hazardous material and fire incidents. Perform rescue, emergency medical care, and transport of individuals injured during an event. Provide on-scene control and advise executives on evacuation. Provide fire security in evacuated areas and assistance in warning the public.
4. Public Information Officer: Inform the public of evacuation requirements and actions, and provide them with other essential emergency information.
5. Public Works/Street or Road Departments: Maintain evacuation routes and provide traffic control devices.
6. Resources and Transportation: Provide transportation for evacuees without private vehicles. Coordinate with area ambulances for transport of non-ambulatory persons and persons with special needs. Coordinate transportation from reception areas to shelters when necessary.
7. Essential Industries: Must justify necessity to the EOC Director. Essential industries provide transportation for their workers to/from the industry and the shelter. They identify and transport out of the high-risk area those resources considered essential.

All transportation, man-hours and other costs associated with evacuations must be itemized in accordance with the State of New Mexico Disaster Assistance Program Local Government Handbook, if reimbursement is desired.

1. The jurisdiction's Evacuation Coordinator is responsible for maintaining and updating this annex.
2. Update this annex as necessary and review at least annually.
3. Exercise this annex in accordance with the exercise schedule as presented in the preparedness section of this document.