Hurricane and Emergency Plans Questions - Verified

The use of the Alert Tampa system shall be coordinated through the Communications Bureau for all emergency situations, critical incidents, as well as non-emergency administrative messages.

The affected district/division shift commander shall determine the need for use of the Alert Tampa system and the geographic area to be covered in both emergency and non-emergency notification situations. Particular focus should be directed to selecting notification areas based on grids.

Alert Tampa Non-emergency notifications can be broadcast between the hours of 0800 and 2000.

Alert Tampa - All out-going messages shall contain a phone number/contact information entered in the Caller ID field when applicable for citizens to call if they have any questions.

Cancellation of any Alert Tampa notifications shall be coordinated through Communications. It shall be the responsibility of the initiating authority to cancel the message.

The Hillsborough County Emergency Operations Center (EOC), located at 9450 E Columbus Dr, Tampa, FL 33619, serves as a valuable resource for the Tampa Police Department. It functions as a coordinating agency and an invaluable resource of unique skills and capabilities.

The City of Tampa has its own Emergency Operations Center located at 711 E. Henderson Avenue at the GTE Federal Credit Union.

The department's plans and procedures shall be reviewed annually and updated as needed. This will be the responsibility of the Emergency Management Coordinator of the Tampa Police 382 Page 2 of 15 12/20 Department or his/her designee. These plans will then be forwarded to the City of Tampa’s Emergency Management Director.

Emergency Management Coordinator: The individual who is responsible for the development, implementation and coordination of the department's emergency management programs and activities. The coordinator or his or her designee also serves as the department's representative for the Tampa Police Department Emergency Support Function 16 (ESF Law Enforcement) at both the Hillsborough County Emergency Operations Center and the City of Tampa Emergency Operation Center, during exercises and planned and unplanned events.

Florida Department Of Law Enforcement (FDLE): Coordinates state law enforcement resources in a civil disturbance (Chapter 23, F.S.). In cooperation with the DEM, FDLE shall assure the coordination of law enforcement functions with other emergency actions.

Hillsborough County Emergency Planning and Operations: Located at the Emergency Operations Center, 9450 E Columbus Dr, Tampa, FL 33619, it is responsible for the coordination of local services and NON-LAW ENFORCEMENT RESOURCES. It also maintains a liaison, during an emergency, with the Florida DEM, in accordance with § 252.38, Florida Statutes.

City of Tampa Emergency Operations Center (EOC): Located within the GTE Federal Credit Union at 711 E. Henderson Avenue, will be the location for the Mayor and her staff to direct and monitor the activities of all city departments during an emergency as well as the Tampa Police Department’s Chief, Assistant Chiefs, Emergency Management Coordinator, Legal Advisor and all required support personnel.

Hillsborough County Emergency Operations Center (EOC): Located at 450 E Columbus Dr, Tampa, FL 33619, the county EOC coordinates the response and recovery activities among the affected departments during an emergency/disaster of a multi-jurisdictional nature, such as a hurricane or tornado.

Operational Phases: Phase I: Any emergency, which curtails immediate response to calls for service, and requires the utilization of personnel from all districts situational control. Phase I is initiated by the shift commander of the affected district.

Operational Phases: Phase II: Any emergency which curtails immediate response to calls for service and requires all on-duty personnel, with the exception of those necessary to handle priority calls for service, to respond to the scene. Phase II is initiated by an assistant chief or higher authority. The Police Department Emergency Operations Center may be activated.

Operational Phases: Phase III: Any emergency which prevents response to calls for service, cannot be controlled by all on-duty personnel, requires the recall of off-duty personnel, and causes the activation of Alpha/Bravo shifts. Outside agency requests for assistance may be necessary to free up Tampa Police Department personnel for priority calls for service. Phase III is initiated by an assistant chief or higher authority. The Police Department Emergency Operations Center / Real Time Crime Center will be activated. All staff officers will assume their emergency management assignments.

Phase IV: Any emergency beyond the control of the City of Tampa. The Governor may be requested to assume direct operational control of the emergency and initiate any requests for federal assistance. Phase IV is initiated by the Chief of Police.

If an emergency cannot be controlled by a single district’s personnel, the affected shift commander will notify the affected division commander and the assistant chief of patrol operations or higher authority of the existing emergency.

Assignment: Support Services Bureau Captain: In a category 3 or greater hurricane, the police headquarters building, by virtue of its location and elevation, is vulnerable to flooding. This threat may necessitate the relocation of the City of Tampa Police Department functions to their designated COOP locations. This information is archived by the City of Tampa Police Departments Emergency Operation Coordinator and with the City of Tampa Emergency Management Division of Tampa Fire Rescue. The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for the City of Tampa will be located at the General Telephone Employee (GTE) facility, located at 711 E. Henderson Boulevard.

Assignment: Patrol District Hurricane Division Supervisor: Once a decision has been made concerning an evacuation, the squads assigned to each District’s Evacuation Group will conduct “door-to-door” or “neighborhood” notifications of residents in evacuation zones.

Emergency Operations Coordinator: Assignment: Special Support Division Commander: The Major of the Special Support Division or his/her designee will coordinate department operations with other area agencies at the Hillsborough County and the City of Tampa Emergency Operations Centers (EOC).

Alternate Emergency Operations Center for the Tampa Police Department: Assignment: Support Services Bureau Captain:

Emergency Ordinances and Agreements: Assignment: Assistant City Attorney (Liaison with TPD):

Employee Assistance Teams: Assignment: Captain of the Support Services Bureau: Under this concept, those available Department employees not having specific emergency management duties may be utilized to assist employees and/or the immediate families of employees with evacuations or special needs.

Evacuation of Police Headquarters: Assignment: Chief of Police: The decision to order an evacuation of police headquarters shall be made by the Chief of Police or, in his/her absence, the Acting Chief of Police. The decision to re-enter the facility after a major hurricane shall also be made by the Chief or Acting Chief of Police.

Law Enforcement Volunteers: Assignment: Captain of the Special Operations Bureau: The Operations Bureau Captain or his/her designee shall have the following emergency management responsibilities:

1. Coordinate incoming law enforcement assistance from other jurisdictions.
2. Coordinate incoming volunteers with the City of Tampa Volunteer Coordinator (CERT Coordinator – Office of Emergency Management).

Media Coordination: Assignment: TPD Public Information Officer: The media can provide valuable assistance by broadcasting evacuation statements, evacuation routes, shelter locations and weather information.

Pre-Supply Planning/Record Keeping: Assignment: The City of Tampa Office of Emergency Management will be the Liaison for purchasing food and supplies.

Recall Orders: Assignment: TPD Emergency Operations Coordinator: In general terms, a major disaster or the threat of an imminent major disaster will dictate a TOTAL RECALL for retained/recalled as determined by the needs for service.

Re-entry and Security Control: Assignment: District Commanders: Officers assigned to District Hurricane Branches will be the primary sources of manpower for this operation. The operation may be augmented with manpower from other divisions and sources, such as the National Guard and Community Emergency Response Team.

Assignment: Disaster Action Zone (DAZ) Supervisor:

1. Rescue: DAZ teams will be the first responders into a devastated area. Each DAZ team consists of CMG members, Tampa Fire Rescue, Tampa Public Works, and Tampa Electric. The DAZ members will be housed in twelve designated fire stations across four branches. DAZ teams will respond to calls for service as a task force under Tampa Fire Rescue.

Assignment: Shelter Security Supervisor: Designated Shelters shall be primarily manned by School Resource Officers to provide on-site security on a 24-hour basis (a minimum of one officer per 12-hour shift at each site).

Traffic Evacuation: Assignments: District Hurricane Branch Directors: Monitor all major arterial intersections and routes, which are anticipated to have the greatest volume of evacuating traffic.

Security for Relief Distribution Sites: Assignment: Special Support Division: Following a major hurricane, essentials such as food, water, and ice are generally in very limited supply. In order to provide the community with these essentials, relief distribution sites will be established throughout the City.

Security and crowd control measures must be implemented to ensure that these operations are conducted in a safe and orderly manner. A minimum of two officers will be assigned to each relief distribution site during hours of operation.