[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Berne 1-11-1995.
Amendments noted where applicable.]
The purpose of this plan is to cite the authority, formulate procedures
and provide guidance for coordinated action in rendering assistance to the
citizens within the Town of Berne in the event of a disaster.
A.
Disaster planning is based on the New York State Defense
Emergency 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.
B.
The Town of Berne recognizes that planning and preparatory
actions are required before an emergency. Emergency preparedness allows the
Town of Berne to prepare and react to emergency situations to save lives and
property if the Town of Berne is threatened or hit by a disaster or major
emergency.
C.
The Town Board of the Town of Berne shall have the primary
responsibility to see that everything possible is done to prepare for any
disaster and to provide for the safety and security of the community during
a disaster.
The emergency operations center for the Town will be the Berne Fire
Department Firehouse, Helderberg Trail, Berne, New York. Once the Town Supervisor
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 various local departments as appropriate. This will
be done through the use of Town representatives, telephones (located in the
Emergency Operations Center), radios in the Albany County Sheriff's Department,
Fire Departments, Highway Department and Civil Defense Department and in the
offices of 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.
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 Town of Berne. One person may fill one or more of the below
listed positions.
A.
The Supervisor of the Town of Berne, Albany County is
responsible for the conduct of disaster operations within the Town of Berne.
The Supervisor of the Town of Berne shall use any and all facilities, equipment,
supplies, personnel, and other resources of the Town of Berne in such a manner
as may be necessary or appropriate to cope with the disaster. The Supervisor
shall direct the activities of all agencies within the Town of Berne against
the effects of emergency in conformance with the approved plans for the rescue
and relief of the people, the recovery and the rehabilitation of the community
of the Town of Berne. The Supervisor will utilize services of the Emergency
Operations Center and its staff for implementation of necessary measures to
achieve emergency operations.
B.
The Town 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 emergency
preparedness plans.
C.
The Town Clerk is responsible for the maintenance and
availability of essential records, documents and other materials, required
during the emergency.
D.
The Emergency Coordinator appointed by the Town of Berne
Supervisor directs the implementation of the comprehensive plan for the Emergency
Operations Center, under the direction of the Supervisor. Also, under the
direction of the Town of Berne Supervisor the Emergency Coordinator coordinates
the emergency operations of the Emergency Operations Center, prepares estimates
of the situation, advises the Supervisor of operational priorities and recommends
requests for assistance from the Director of the Albany County Office of Disaster
Preparedness.
E.
The Fire Chief and Fire Officers will be responsible
for the direction of all action to contain and extinguish fires resulting
from emergencies and the removal of trapped and injured persons from damaged
buildings and flooded areas. The local Fire Chief may call upon the Albany
County Fire Coordinator or the Director of the Albany County Office of Disaster
Preparedness, under mutual aid, for advice and/or assistance concerning fire-related
emergencies, relief operations, and coordination of emergency shelter and
feeding operations.
F.
The Albany County Sheriff may designate a Traffic Control
Officer to be part of the Emergency Operations Center for the purpose of controlling
traffic and population movements. The local police will direct all action
to maintain order, prevent looting, and help alleviate panic; direct injured
to medical installations, and assist handicapped persons by obtaining transportation
and directing them to the nearest Emergency Operations Center. The Albany
County Sheriff may call upon the New York State Police for advice and/or assistance.
G.
The Highway Superintendent is responsible for the maintenance
of streets and bridges and all official trucks, cars and equipment. The Superintendent
will direct action to check, restore and maintain essential public facilities
and services, such as streets, bridges, public buildings and other vital community
services, calling upon all public works and engineering services of Albany
County for assistance. The Highway Superintendent will work in conjunction
with the Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation and/or New York State Electric &
Gas Corporation, the NYNEX, the Albany County Health Department and any other
local utility in the restoration of the various essential services.
H.
The Building Inspector of the Town of Berne will be responsible
for safety inspection of damaged homes and businesses before evacuees are
allowed to reoccupy such buildings.
I.
The Public Information Officer, under the direction of
the Supervisor of the Town of Berne, directs the local dissemination of emergency
information, the issuance of news reports to the public and notifies the Director
of the Albany County Office of Disaster Preparedness Office on the status
and development of emergency measures, using all media of public communication.
J.
The Communications Officer or staff supervises, directs,
arranges and restores communication for all emergency purposes using available
communications for all emergency purposes using available communication means
and methods. Maximum use of all available forms of communications will be
planned by all departments to aid the communications staff in carrying out
their duties.
K.
The Medical Officer or staff directs all action to render
health and medical services to the community. The officer or staff should
alert hospitals and ambulances in the area regarding anticipated medical needs.
L.
The Supply Officer (Resources and Production) carries
out measures necessary to the emergency handling of all local resources.
M.
The Manpower Officer directs the assignment of personnel
to the various emergency services as requested.
N.
The Transportation Officer carries out measures necessary
to the utilization of all transportation modes for support and rescue operations.
O.
The School Representatives direct the action related
to care for school students in school during an emergency situation.
P.
Additional responsibilities and functions. All department
heads and/or those responsible for carrying out parts of the emergency operations
for the Town of Berne shall have their responsibilities and functions listed
within this plan.
