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Receive a presentation; and Adopt a resolution to accept and adopt the new Solano County Emergency Operations Plan, superseding the Solano County 2017 Emergency Operations Plan
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No __X
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No __X
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Sheriff recommends that the Board of Supervisors receive a presentation; and Adopt a resolution to accept and adopt the new Solano County Emergency Operations Plan, superseding the 2017 Solano County Emergency Operations Plan.
SUMMARY:
The California Emergency Services Act, Article 10, § 8610, requires local governments to develop an Emergency Operation Plans (EOP) for their jurisdiction that meets state and federal requirements and is consistent with California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) planning guidance. Solano County has had an accredited disaster council since 1950. Additionally, Solano County Code Chapter 7, Emergency Services, requires the Director of Emergency Services to develop and maintain an EOP for the Operational Area. The County is also required to follow the California’s Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) to be eligible to receive state grant funds, including post disaster financial assistance. In order to remain in compliance with SEMS, the EOP must be updated every five years.
An EOP defines the all-hazards approach to emergency management used within the Operational Area to ensure the protection of life, property, and the environment during emergencies and disasters. It provides the framework for a coordinated response and recovery effort between local community, county, city, special district, private sector, regional, state, and federal partners.
Solano County’s current EOP was adopted by the Board of Supervisors in 2017, and while it met FEMA and CalOES requirements at the time, legislative changes required extensive revision. In order to remain compliant with these changes and with SEMS, Solano County Office of Emergency Services entered into a contract with Tidal Basin to complete a rewrite of the EOP following a competitive bid process.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Board action will have no impact on the County General Fund as the EOP covers response procedures and does not financially obligate the County. The $223,037 project cost was included in the Sheriff’s Office FY2022/23 & FY2023/24 Adopted Budgets. The cost associated with preparing the agenda item is nominal and absorbed by the department’s FY2023/24 Working Budget.
DISCUSSION:
On February 7, 2023, the Board of Supervisors authorized the Solano County Sheriff’s Office -Office of Emergency Services to contract with Tidal Basin Group to rewrite the Solano County EOP and supporting annexes/appendices using a regional, integrated framework that is consistent with the latest State of California Emergency Plan, while reflecting the hazards and existing resources within the Operational Area. All sections of the EOP account for recent changes in laws, regulations, and guidance, to reflect the importance of inclusiveness, key concepts of accessibility, integration of Whole Community partners, and community lifelines. Annexes and appendices include appropriate tasks, checklists, references, and other resources necessary for staff to fulfill their duties and ensure the most effective execution of the plan by persons who may not have emergency management as their primary role.
Relevant County departments and other partners were consulted to ensure that the plan is relevant to Solano County. The new plan consists of a base plan, ten functional annexes, nine hazard appendices, and supplemental documents. The EOP also contains appropriate reference materials: local, State, and federal laws, and guidelines regarding emergency operations and planning, procedures, checklists, glossaries, etc.
The performance period for the rewrite began in early 2023 with full project closeout expected in June 2024. During this time, Tidal Basin completed a gap analysis, hosted planning and coordination meetings, drafted the documents for review and comment, facilitated a review of the plan by Cal OES, hosted a tabletop exercise with County staff, and will be presenting to the Board of Supervisors for adoption of the plan.
Following adoption by the Board of Supervisors, the new EOP will be made available in electronic and hard copy formats. This dual distribution approach allows partners throughout the Operational Area increased access to the EOP which is intended to increase their familiarity with the plan and improve their knowledge of necessary actions in the event of an emergency.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board of Supervisors could choose not to adopt the resolution and plan and leave the existing plan in effect. This is not recommended as legislative changes have occurred since the adoption of the current EOP. The Solano OES team worked with Tidal Basin to ensure the new EOP and supporting annexes are in compliance with current FEMA and Cal OES requirements, as well as enhancing the ability to respond and recover from emergencies.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Department of Resource Management, Department of Health and Social Services, Department of Information Technology, American Red Cross, County Administrator’s Office, Department of Agriculture, Department of Auditor-Controller, PG&E, Solano County VOAD, National Weather Service, US Geological Survey, Suisun FPD, Benicia FD, Vacaville FD, Fairfield PD, Sol Trans, and Solano Irrigation District participated in the plan process.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION