If a disaster occurs within the City of Grand Junction or within
jurisdictions contracted with the City, an immediate response will
be required. Only personnel trained in the prearranged plans and procedures
will be prepared to make the coordinated efforts necessary to deal
with a threat to life and/or property.
If a response to a disaster exceeds the capabilities of the
City, the responsible department will request resources through mutual
aid agreements (usually discipline specific, such as fire, law enforcement,
emergency medical, or public works). All local governments and special
districts within the individual counties are responsible for coordinating
with one another and for providing mutual aid within their capabilities
as established by written agreements.
When local resources and mutual aid resources are exhausted,
the City of Grand Junction, through Mesa County, may request aid from
the State of Colorado.
This Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) is based on the concept
that emergency response functions will generally parallel the normal
operations of all City departments. To the extent possible, the same
personnel should be utilized in both cases. Day-to-day functions which
would not contribute to emergency operations may be suspended for
the duration of the emergency and recovery period. Resources normally
required for day-to-day operations may be redirected for accomplishment
of emergency tasks.
(Res. 41-15, 9-16-15)
(a) During any emergency or disaster the National Incident Management
System (NIMS) will be utilized by all emergency response agencies
to manage an emergency incident/disaster or a nonemergency planned
event. Scope and magnitude of an incident will determine level and
complexity of the management structure. NIMS outlines three conceptual
areas pertinent to incident and event response including:
(1) Communication and information management.
(3) Command and management structures.
(b) NIMS provides three structures for managing events all with different
roles and responsibilities. The three structures are:
(3) Multi-Agency Coordination Systems (Emergency Operation Centers).
(Revised by City 12/16; Res. 41-15, 9-16-15)
Unified Command (a variation of Incident Command) operations
are conducted when two agencies or jurisdictions have significant
responsibility or statutory authority to command the same incident.
Similar concepts and principals of the Incident Command System apply,
except multiple jurisdictions or agencies/departments share a command
role.
Incident objectives and selection of command and general staff
are accomplished through consensus decision making of a Unified Command
Group. Wherever possible, staff positions are integrated with representatives
of jurisdictions and agencies involved.
(Res. 41-15, 9-16-15)
The tactical level, on-scene Incident Command and management
organization is located at the Incident Command Post (ICP). It typically
consists of designated incident management officials and responders
from local agencies/departments, as well as private sector and nongovernmental
organization representatives. When multiple command authorities are
involved, the ICP may be led by a Unified Command, comprised of officials
who have jurisdictional authority or functional responsibility for
the incident under an appropriate law, ordinance, or agreement. The
Unified Command provides direct, on-scene control of tactical operations
and utilizes the National Incident Management System Incident Command
System (NIMS) (ICS) organizational structure, typically including
Operations, Planning, Logistics, and Finance/Administration Sections.
The Incident Command Post (ICP) is usually located at or in
the immediate vicinity of the incident site. The location is selected
by the agency having primary jurisdictional authority for managing
the incident at this level. Generally, there is one ICP established
for each incident. Depending on the number and location of incidents,
there may be multiple ICP’s managed by an Area Command.
(Res. 41-15, 9-16-15)
(a) Joint Information System/Center (JIS/JIC).
All City
of Grand Junction Public Information Officers (PIOs) are part of the
Mesa County JIC.
(b) The JIC serves as a focal point for the coordination and dissemination
of information to the public and media concerning incident prevention,
preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation. The JIC staff develops,
coordinates, and disseminates unified news releases. News releases
are cleared through the Multi-Agency Coordination Group (MACG) to
ensure consistent messages, avoid release of conflicting information,
and prevent negative impact on operations. This formal approval process
ensures protection of law enforcement sensitive information. Agencies
may issue their own news releases related to their policies, procedures,
and capabilities, however, these should be coordinated with the JIC.
(c) The Mesa County PIOs have created a Joint Information System (MCJIS)
Plan to establish a system for conducting public information operations
during emergency responses and other situations in which multiple
organizations need to collaborate. During a crisis response, the Joint
Information System (JIS) and the Joint Information Center (JIC) are
keys to providing concise and coordinated information to the public
and the news media.
(d) The primary focus of this plan is to provide the participating PIOs
with a structure that works within the framework of the National Incident
Management System (NIMS) Incident Command System (ICS). Utilizing
NIMS, PIOs work together in conjunction with the Emergency Operations
Center (EOC) and/or the Incident Commander (IC) to provide critical
emergency information, crisis communications, and public affairs support
to establish procedures and processes to gather, verify, coordinate,
and disseminate public information. The Mesa County Joint Information
Center/System Plan and the Mesa County Communication Officers Association
Plan can be referenced for information on working with the JIC in
Mesa County.
(Revised by City 12/16; Res. 41-15, 9-16-15)
Certain events may require the Incident Commander to perform
actions beyond the normal scope of their duties as defined by existing
laws or policies. In this event, the appropriate City official(s)
may need to provide a written delegation of authority.
A delegation of authority allows the Incident Commander to assume
command and carry out the specific functions outlined in the delegation
of authority. It does not relieve the granting authority for the ultimate
responsibility of the incident.
A delegation of authority may be required to allow resources
from other jurisdictions to operate within the corporate boundaries
of the City of Grand Junction (e.g., to allow a Type I, II or III
Incident Management Team to operate within the City).
An example of a delegation of authority can be found in Appendix F, GJMC §
42.02.800.
(Res. 41-15, 9-16-15)
It is anticipated that most incidents will be reported through
the Grand Junction Regional Communications Center (911). First responder
organizations will keep the City’s Emergency Manager informed
of escalating situations that may require coordinated multi-departmental
response and/or activation of an Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
Once notified, the Emergency Manager will monitor and/or immediately
respond to a situation, implement procedures to notify key personnel,
and under direction of the City Manager activate this Emergency Operations
Plan (EOP).
Activation of the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) serves as
notice to all municipal departments, and cooperating agencies to shift
from normal operations to emergency operations. This may require shifts
in mission, staffing and resource allocation.
Disaster responsibilities assigned to municipal departments
and employees will parallel normal activities. However, during declared
emergencies, staff not otherwise assigned emergency duties may be
made available to assist with emergency work.
This EOP will not be implemented for routine emergencies handled
by first responders and other organizations. However, if necessary,
portions of this plan (such as a particular emergency support function)
may be activated to meet unique needs created by routine emergencies.
If local resources are severely taxed or exhausted, assistance
may be requested from neighboring communities by activating mutual
aid agreements or contacting the Mesa County Emergency Manager.
(Res. 41-15, 9-16-15)