Part 4 (1/2)

TABLE 5

QUALITATIVE a.s.sESSMENT OF STATE PREPAREDNESS ACTIVITIES

---------------------------------------------------------- Preparedness Element Capability Rating ---------------------------------------------------------- Planning 2.67 Exercises 2.64 Public Education 1.44 Public Information 1.50 Operational Capability 2.91 ----------------------------------------------------------

It should be emphasized that these ratings apply to the State's _present_ level of planning and preparedness for response to a major destructive earthquake (magnitude 8), not a moderate (San Fernando-type) event.

C. FEDERAL RESPONSE

At the Federal level the princ.i.p.al capability to respond to a catastrophic earthquake in California resides in FEMA, the agency responsible by law to coordinate Federal activities in all emergencies. FEMA has developed a basic plan for supplemental Federal a.s.sistance for a major earthquake in the San Francis...o...b..y area. This plan, however, covers only the emergency phase of response (first few days of efforts to save lives and protect property). In addition, FEMA is partic.i.p.ating in a broader effort concentrating in Southern California. This cooperative effort is getting under way with State and local governments, other Federal departments, voluntary agencies, practicing professions, business and commercial interests, labor, educators, and researchers. It is expected to develop an effective program to respond to an earthquake or a credible earthquake prediction in that part of the State. The emphasis is being placed on _public safety, reduction of property damage, self-help on the part of individuals, socioeconomic impacts, improved response and long-range recovery planning, mitigation activities, and public partic.i.p.ation for both the post-prediction and immediate post-earthquake periods_. This pilot effort is expected to be usable in other highly seismic areas of California as well as in other States.

In the event of a catastrophic earthquake, a substantial number of Federal agencies would provide support to and be coordinated by FEMA.

Ill.u.s.trative are the following:

1. Department of Defense (DOD)

Initially, local military commanders may provide necessary support to save lives, alleviate suffering, or mitigate property damage. Normally, additional DOD resources would not be committed until a presidential declaration of an emergency or major disaster.

When this occurs, the Secretary of the Army is DOD Executive Agent for military support. The Commander, Sixth U.S. Army, at the Presidio, San Francisco, has been further delegated authority to coordinate disaster relief operations in the western portion of the United States.

Extensive planning and coordination have taken place between the Sixth U.S. Army and FEMA Region IX. DOD emergency functions include: _damage survey_, _search and rescue_, _emergency medical care_, _identification and disposition of dead_, _emergency debris clearance_, _emergency roads and bridge construction_, _airfield repair_, and _identification and demolition of unsafe structures_.

Specific units have been identified to respond to an earthquake in any of the major population centers of California. For example, at this time the following units would be prepared for commitment within 8 hours after a disaster is declared by the President:

Six medical units with a 1,320 bed capacity

Seven helicopter units with 90 utility helicopters and 36 medium helicopters

One Infantry brigade of 1,500 personnel

Two engineer units with 78 pieces of heavy equipment

Two transportation units with 124 cargo trucks and trailers

These as well as additional DOD a.s.sets could be made available, contingent on defense priorities.

2. The National Communication System

This Agency's plan, the ”National Plan for Communications Support in Emergencies and Major Disasters,” provides for planning and using national telecommunications a.s.sets and resources during presidentially declared emergencies and major disasters. The plan, which has been exercised repeatedly in past disasters, provides the management structure and the communications staff to support FEMA. Restoration priorities have been a.s.signed to all critical circuits.

3. Department of Transportation (DOT)

DOT has established an Office of Emergency Transportation. This office has developed and maintains comprehensive emergency plans and procedural manuals for natural disasters and other civil crises. It constantly monitors the civil transportation system for indications of potential adverse impacts from all hazards. It conducts scheduled periodic training and readiness exercises for DOT emergency personnel and maintains quick response cells and emergency operating facilities at DOT headquarters and in the field to provide an immediate reaction capability. The system has been activated several times in the recent past (e.g., Three Mile Island, 1979 Energy/Fuel Crisis, Independent Truckers' Strike, and the Mt. St. Helens eruption).

D. CONSIDERATIONS FOR IMPROVING RESPONSE CAPABILITY