Village of Williston Park, NY Chapter A231 Emergency Preparedness Plan

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Williston Park 8-21-1995. Amendments noted where applicable.]

§ A231-1 Purpose.

The purpose of this plan is to cite the authority, formulate procedures and provide guidance for the coordinated action in rendering assistance to the citizens within the Village of Williston Park in the event of a disaster.

§ A231-2 Basis.

Disaster planning is based on the New York State Defense Act, the regulations and orders of the State Defense Council and the State Civil Defense Commission, the Emergency Plan for the Natural Disaster of the State of New York and the National Plan for Natural Disaster Mobilization.

§ A231-3 Emergency Operations Center.

The Emergency Operations Center for the village will be located in the Village Hall, 494 Willis Avenue, Williston Park, New York. Once the Mayor, or next in line, has declared that an emergency exists, the Emergency Operations Center will be staffed on a twenty-four-hour basis until the declared emergency subsides. The Emergency Operations Center will forward all warnings, directives, information, etc., to the various local departments as appropriate. This will be done through the use of department representatives, telephones (located in the Emergency Operations Center) and/or radios in the police, fire, highway and other cooperating agencies. Each member assigned to the Emergency Operations Center will be familiar with this plan, particularly with the section pertaining to each responsible person's service duties.

§ A231-4 Records and plans.

The Mayor and the Village Clerk functioning at the Emergency Operations Center are responsible for the maintenance and availability of records, documents, plans and other materials required to discharge their and others' functions during an emergency.

§ A231-5 Sequence of actions.

A. Members of the Village of Williston Park Board and other designated personnel will assemble as soon as possible at the Emergency Operations Center upon notification of the existence of an emergency.

B. To cope with the effects of an emergency, appropriate steps will be taken at the Emergency Operations Center to mobilize fully the available personnel, resources, facilities, supplies and materials in the Village of Williston Park according to the guidelines set forth in this plan. (See the chart at the end of this plan.)

(1) The Mayor or the designated emergency coordinator is responsible for the notification and declaration of an emergency or disaster.

(2) Each department head in the Village of Williston Park is responsible for assuring maximum effectiveness and utilization of all personnel and equipment of the department to accomplish the village responsibilities. Each department head will retain control of the designated department and implement orders received from the Emergency Operations Center.

(3) The Village of Williston Park should seek the cooperation and aid of any or all surrounding communities in the event of an emergency or disaster. Arrangements for mutual aid should be made prior to any emergency or disaster.

(4) The Village of Williston Park should contact the Nassau County Emergency Management Office regarding any major emergency or disaster situation. This assistance should be requested when all local or mutual aid resources are exhausted. All requests for assistance of any nature from the Nassau County Emergency Management Office will be approved by the Mayor and will be made via direct phone or radio contact or in person.

(5) Requests for military assistance will be made by following the same procedures outlined in Subsection B(4) above.

(6) The American Red Cross is recognized as the agency responsible for mass care to persons immediately following a disaster or emergency. Local American Red Cross chapters can extend natural disaster relief assistance to both individuals and families and can assume administrative as well as financial responsibility in providing such assistance. The American Red Cross has been assigned this responsibility by the Congress of the United States. The Nassau County American Red Cross can be reached at 264 Old Country Road, Mineola, New York, 747-3500, or by contacting the Nassau County Emergency Management Office.

(7) The Highway Superintendent will be responsible for the maintenance and proper usage of streets, bridges, official vehicles and other equipment and personnel under his/her authority. The Superintendent will direct all action to check, restore and maintain essential public facilities and services, such as streets, bridges, public buildings and other vital community services. The Superintendent will also cooperate with other public agencies and departments as well as various utilities regarding the restoration of the different essential services.

(8) The Building Inspector for the Village of Williston Park is responsible for the safety inspection of damaged homes, municipality owned facilities and other businesses before evacuees are allowed to reoccupy such buildings.

(9) The Public Information Officer of the Village of Williston Park will direct the local dissemination of emergency-related information and the issuance of news reports to the public and notify the Nassau County Emergency Management Office on the status and development of emergency measures, using all methods of public communication.

(10) The Communications Officer supervises, directs, arranges and restores communications for all emergency purposes using available communication means and methods. Maximum use of all available forms of communication will be planned by all departments to aid the communications staff in carrying out their duties.

(11) The Medical Officer directs and coordinates all health- and medical-related activities for the community. The officer or staff should alert hospitals and ambulances in the area regarding anticipated medical needs.

(12) The Supply Officer (resources and production) carries out measures necessary to the emergency handling of all local resources.

(13) The Manpower Officer directs the assignment of personnel to the various emergency services that are requested.

(14) The Transportation Officer carries out measures necessary to the utilization of all transportation modes for support and rescue operations.

(15) The School Representative(s) directs the action related to care for school students in school during an emergency.

(16) Additional responsibilities and functions for all other department heads and/or those responsible for carrying out parts of the emergency operations for the Village of Williston Park shall have their responsibilities and functions listed within this plan.

§ A231-6 Responsibilities and functions. [1]

The responsibilities and functions listed below recognize only basic duties. Each of the position descriptions may be altered or expanded to suit the needs of the village. One person may fill one or more of the below-listed positions, and not all positions need to be filled.

A. The Mayor of the Village of Williston Park is responsible for the conduct of disaster operations within the Village of Williston Park.

(1) The Mayor of the Village of Williston Park shall use any and all personnel, facilities, equipment, supplies and other resources of the Village of Williston Park in such a manner as may be necessary or appropriate to cope with the disaster.

(2) The Mayor shall direct the activities of all agencies within the Village of Williston Park against the effects of the emergency in conformance with the approved plans for the rescue and relief of the people and the recovery and rehabilitation of the community of Williston Park. The Mayor will utilize the services of the Emergency Operations Center and its staff for implementation of necessary measures to achieve emergency operations.

B. The Village Board, as the elected body of the people, shall take all appropriate steps to prepare for any disaster or emergency and shall generally be responsible for the implementation of this and other preparedness plans.

C. The Village Clerk is responsible for the maintenance and availability of essential records, documents and other materials required during the emergency.

D. The Emergency Coordinator directs the implementation of the comprehensive plan for the Emergency Operations Center. Also, the Emergency Operations Center prepares estimates of the situation and recommends requests for assistance from the Nassau County Emergency Management Office.

E. The Fire Chief and other Fire Department officials will be responsible for the direction of all action to contain and extinguish fires resulting from the emergency, as well as assisting with the removal of trapped and/or injured persons from damaged buildings. The Fire Chief will activate mutual aid pacts as necessary for assistance concerning fire- or rescue-related emergencies.

F. The Police Chief may designate a Traffic Control Officer to be part of the Emergency Operations Center for the purpose of controlling traffic and population movements. The police will direct all action to maintain order, prevent looting, help alleviate panic, direct injured to medical facilities and assist handicapped persons by obtaining transportation and directing them to the nearest Emergency Operations Center. The Police Chief will call upon the Nassau County Police Department for assistance as necessary.

[1] Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).