TX403.90, Emergency Response Plan

Prior to catastrophic event:

1. Upon first notification of an impending catastrophic event, the State Conservationist will appoint an Incident Commander (normally the ASTC/FO or successor in the affected Zone).

2. The Incident Commander will develop a manning plan with a list of potential employees for deployment to affected offices/areas after event.

3. The State Conservationist and Incident Commander will determine the need for additional Emergency Response Staff. Additional staff may include an Operations Chief and staff to direct and conduct tactical operations to carry out objectives of Incident Action Plan, a Planning Chief and staff to manage planning process and compile the Incident Action Plan, a Logistics Chief and staff to coordinate and provide resources including contract support to support the Incident Action Plan, and a Finance/Administration Chief and staff to track costs, make payments, perform cost analysis, and provide support for all financial aspects of the Incident Action Plan.

4. The State Conservationist and Incident Commander may also consider and determine the need for additional Command Staff including a Public Information Officer to serve as a conduit for information to internal and external stakeholders including the media or other organizations, a Safety Officer to monitor safety conditions and develop measures for assuring safety of personnel, and a Liaison Officer who serves as the primary point of contact for supporting agencies assigned to the incident (normally, this will be the EWP Program Manager who will station a Point of Contact with the Joint Field Operations Center in Austin, Texas to coordinate NRCS activities with activities of other State, local, and Federal authorities).

5. EWP Program Manager contact Cartographic Center in Fort Worth, TX to arrange for before/after photos if available.

6. The Incident Commander will determine appropriate staffing of points of contact to local emergency operations centers in affected areas (such as the Coastal Bend Emergency Management Association and Houston area EMA).

7. State Conservation Engineer to identify those counties with high hazard dams that may be potentially affected by the event. The sponsors will be contacted and advised that they may need to implement their Emergency Action Plans (EAP).

8. The Incident Commander will review and evaluate the Emergency Equipment and Supplies Checklist to determine both availability and proximity to affected offices/area and contact the State Office if assistance is needed.

TX403-27(1)

Part 403 – Agency General

9. The Incident Commanders will review employee contact/call-in phone numbers and procedures for adequacy. All employees in potentially affected offices should acknowledge primary and alternate contact numbers and be reminded of call-in procedure.

10. Upon issuance of voluntary evacuation orders by appropriate authority or at the discretion of the State Conservationist and Incident Commander, staff in affected offices will execute office shut-down using the Emergency Operating Procedure (EOP) and Office Shut-Down Checklist and release employees on Admin Leave. Office shutdowns shall be coordinated with the Local Food and Agriculture Committee (LFAC), the State Food and Agriculture Committee (SFAC), local Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD), the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB), the local Resource Conservation and Development Area Boards (RC&D), and the Texas Association of RC&D Areas.

During catastrophic event:

1. Employee safety is paramount and employees are encouraged to follow emergency orders to evacuate and shelter from appropriate local authorities (all).

2. Once the location of the event is known, evaluate the need to preposition equipment/supplies to an area nearby, but not in, the affected area (State Conservationist and Incident Commander).

After catastrophic event:

1. Affected employees are directed to call in or contact by any means the designated Point of Contact to report on employee status.

2. After initial search, rescue, and stabilization of affected area by first responders (fire, police, search and rescue teams, etc.), Incident Commander and State Conservationist will determine when to deploy personnel, equipment, supplies to affected area for evaluation of damage and response.

3. State Conservationist will determine if recommended response is a normal program activity, an EWP activity, a FEMA mission assignment, or a potential for expanded authority or other authority.

4. The State Conservation Engineer will coordinate the review of high hazard dams in response to requests from TCEQ, the State Dams Safety Officer, and local sponsors.

5. Animal related emergency response should be coordinated through the appropriate State agency (normally the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC).

Information Flow:

1. Status reports and other information/requests will flow from the field, through the Incident Commander, to the State Conservationist at a minimum daily until otherwise directed.

 

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