Pasco Sheriff's Office General Order 46.1 PDF

PASCO SHERIFF’S OFFICE GENERAL ORDER TITLE: UNUSUAL OCCURRENCES GENERAL ORDER: 46.1 EFFECTIVE: SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 SUPERSEDES: AUGUST 26, 2024 ACCREDITATION STANDARDS: CFA 17.06 PAGES: 21 CONTENTS...

PASCO SHERIFF’S OFFICE GENERAL ORDER TITLE: UNUSUAL OCCURRENCES GENERAL ORDER: 46.1 EFFECTIVE: SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 SUPERSEDES: AUGUST 26, 2024 ACCREDITATION STANDARDS: CFA 17.06 PAGES: 21 CONTENTS: This order consists of the following numbered sections: I. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING II. MOBILIZATION PLAN III. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES IV. HOSTAGE/BARRICADED PERSONS V. EMERGENCY OPERATIONS VI. EVACUATION VII. SHELTERS VIII. MASS CASUALTIES IX. DE-ESCALATION AND RECOVERY OPERATIONS X. MUTUAL AID REQUESTS XI. EQUIPMENT XII. TRAINING XIII. GLOSSARY PURPOSE: To assign responsibilities and establish guidelines for a comprehensive emergency management and incident command system designed to preserve life, minimize damage, and ensure an efficient agency response to all types of emergencies and disasters. SCOPE: This order applies to all members. DISCUSSION: Pasco County is exposed to many hazards, all of which have the potential to disrupt the community, cause damage, and inflict casualties. 1  G. O. 46.1 Possible natural hazards include floods, tornadoes, and fires. Other hazards include hazardous materials accidents, plane crashes, escapes, manhunts, or other law enforcement intensive operations. This procedure calls for the creation of Emergency Management Plans for responding to hurricanes, civil disturbances, mass arrests, and other emergencies that will utilize the basic procedures outlined herein. The Incident Command System (General Order 46.3) will be activated in conjunction with this order when appropriate. The complexity and variety of potential unusual occurrences make it impractical to include detailed plans for all types of emergencies in this document. Instead, this order will establish areas of responsibility for key members of the agency and provide them with the necessary authority to cope with any unusual occurrence. The success of our emergency response to a critical incident will depend on detailed preplanning and the flexibility, ingenuity, and creativity of our members. Our primary goal as an agency is to protect life and property while maintaining peace and order. Your ability to adapt to the situation while following these guidelines may be instrumental in saving lives and will greatly assist the community’s recovery from a disaster. The Sheriff and the Board of County Commissioners share responsibility for emergency management activities within the county. When an emergency exceeds the Sheriff’s and the Commission’s capability to respond, assistance will be requested under the provisions of the Florida Mutual Aid Act and the Pasco County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan. PROCEDURE: I. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING: A. Authority: The Sheriff will exercise command and control over all civil law enforcement resources committed to unusual occurrences that are countywide in nature. (Chapter 30, Florida Statutes) B. Unity of Command: All emergency management plans authorized by this order will provide for unity of command and will observe the agency’s guidelines regarding the span of control. C. The Sheriff’s Executive Staff: Appointees and employees who have attained the rank of Captain or above, bureau commanders, directors, the Sheriffs legal counsel, the Sheriff’s executive and administrative assistants, the Sheriffs executive secretary, and any other positions which may be designated by the Sheriff. All persons holding positions on the Sheriffs executive staff shall be selected by and serve in that position exclusively at the pleasure of the Sheriff without recourse except as specifically provided in Pasco County Career Service article. D. EOC Policy Group: The EOC Policy Group takes such action as determining the timing of the issuance of a Local State of Emergency, evacuation orders, curfews, and 2  G. O. 46.1 authorizing the dissemination of public protective measure recommendations. The EOC Policy Group acts in support of elected officials, the EOC staff, and field personnel by resolving conflicts within the political, financial, inter-jurisdictional, legal and other administrative frameworks. The Policy Group is composed of: the County Administrator, the Chief Assistant County Administrator (ACA), the County Attorney, the Pasco County External Affairs Officer (if appointed), the Pasco County Sheriff, the Pasco Sheriff’s Undersheriff(s), the Pasco County Health Department Director, the District School Board of Pasco County Superintendent, and the Director of the Office of Emergency Management. E. Emergency Management Coordinator (EMC): The Emergency Management Director serves as the coordinator for emergency management. Duties include the following: 1. Coordinate the development, distribution, and review of the agency’s emergency management plans and incident command system; 2. Serve as advisor for emergency management issues; 3. Maintain a liaison with the county’s Emergency Management Director, the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), local municipal police agencies, and other support agencies; 4. Coordinate the acquisition of special emergency equipment and the inspections of equipment designated for use in unusual occurrence, or critical incidents, to ensure operational readiness; 5. Establish the agency’s Situational Awareness Room (SAR) and maintain the agency’s Common Operational Picture (COP) in a state of readiness; and 6. Coordinate emergency management, incident command system, and mobilization training for key agency members related to information/knowledge management, mission/task assignment tracking and historical documentation. F. Emergency Management Plans: Plans addressing emergencies that impact the environment, life and safety in public space, infrastructure, and mobilization procedures will be published as amendments, or conjunctive procedures, to this order: 1. Weather/fire/geological events (includes but is not limited to hurricanes, threatened infrastructure, sinkholes, wildfires, and evacuations); 2. Civil Disturbances/Mass Arrests, bomb threats, white powder incidents, active shooter events, large scale search and rescue; 3. Mass casualty, significant evacuations, railway incidents, aircraft crashes, airport alerts, and marine incidents; 3  G. O. 46.1 4. Utilities/energy (includes but is not limited to widespread power outages, nuclear power plants, natural gas releases, drinking water impacts, and telecom issues); and 5. Pasco County Continuity of Operation Plan (COOP). G. Disaster Rosters: Division commanders are responsible for maintaining call out rosters for certified members. Personnel rosters will be maintained up to date and made available in both print and digital form. The roster will include the following information: 1. Member’s name; 2. Address; 3. Telephone number; 4. Pager number; if applicable 5. Cellular telephone number; and 6. Radio identification number. II. MOBILIZATION PLAN: A. Personnel Call Up Levels: Unusual occurrences require a reorganization and mobilization of resources in response to the specific nature of an incident. The incident commander should consider the following when determining the appropriate call-up level: 1. Nature, scope, and duration of the emergency; 2. Location; 3. Number of citizens affected; 4. Work force presently committed; 5. Additional work force needs (e.g. crowd control, traffic control, and perimeter security); 6. Primary and alternate assembly areas if additional workforce is needed; 7. Activation of the Incident Command System; and 8. Activation of Pasco County Continuity of Operation Plan, if necessary. 4  G. O. 46.1 B. The following personnel call up levels are designed to aid in the rapid mobilization of personnel in response to an impending or actual emergency: 1. Level I: Any emergency that curtails immediate response to calls for service and requires the utilization of all on duty law enforcement members of the affected district. The shift commander of the affected district, or higher authority, may initiate Level I activation. 2. Level II: Any emergency that curtails immediate response to calls for service and requires all on duty, sworn members from all three districts, except that necessary to handle priority calls. The commander of the affected district, or higher authority, may initiate Level II activation. 3. Level III: Any emergency that curtails response to calls for service, cannot be controlled by on duty personnel, and requires the recall of off duty members. A Level III activation may be initiated by the Field Operations Bureau commander or higher authority. A Level III activation as it relates to General Order 46.1.1, Hurricane Plan, is initiated approximately 60 hours prior to the landfall of tropical storm force winds (~2.5 days from impact). a. The Sheriff’s Situational Awareness Room (SAR) will be activated in support of incident command posts; b. The Sheriff’s Executive staff will assume their emergency management assignments; and c. The Sheriff may request activation of the county Emergency Operations Center. 4. Level IV: Any emergency beyond the control of the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff, or his designee, will request mutual aid from surrounding agencies or request that county government declare a “State of Local Emergency” and request state aid or invoke emergency related mutual aid assistance. C. Shift Schedules: A continuous 24-hour emergency activation may require the implementation of an Alpha/Bravo/Charlie/Delta schedule. The configuration, duration and staffing levels of the Alpha/Bravo/ Charlie/Delta work schedule will be determined by the Field Operations Bureau Commander, or designee, based on the nature of the unusual occurrence. 5  G. O. 46.1 III. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES A. First Responder: The first deputy on the scene of an unusual occurrence will be responsible for the following: 1. Serve as initial incident commander until relieved by a higher authority; 2. Evaluate the nature and scope of the occurrence; 3. Establish initial perimeters as necessary. 4. Report findings and summon assistance/resources; 5. Prepare reports. B. Sector Sergeant (Affected Sector): This sergeant is responsible for the following: 1. Respond to the scene immediately and assume incident commander duties; 2. Evaluate the situation and initiate action to protect life and property, and restore order; 3. Inform the shift and district commanders if the situation cannot be controlled with available members, or order cannot be restored immediately. 4. Direct all incident operations within the problem area until relieved; 5. Establish, or modify, an inner and outer perimeter around the problem area to contain the situation, to preserve evidence, and to keep innocent persons out of the area; 6. Establish adequate traffic control to provide safety to the public with minimum interruption to normal traffic flow; 7. Establish an incident command post to provide on-site control, coordination, and communication, until relieved by higher authority; 8. Assign a deputy to the incident command post to act as recorder. This deputy will establish and maintain an incident log, handle communications, and coordinate the deployment of manpower. 9. Establish safe access routes to and from the command post and staging areas. 6  G. O. 46.1 C. Shift Commander (Affected District): This shift commander is responsible for the following: 1. Assume the position of incident commander unless/until relieved by higher authority; 2. Protect life and property; 3. Deploy field forces and equipment; 4. Protect hazardous or vital installations; 5. Determine field tactics and strategy; 6. Determine equipment requirements; 7. Establish radio communications on the appropriate radio group; 8. Initiate the use of “plain language” in lieu of “10-codes” and “Signals” to facilitate communications with members not routinely assigned to road patrol and personnel from other agencies; 9. Initiate a precautionary Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) call-up in response to critical developments; a. The SWAT Team may be deployed or held in reserve at the discretion of the incident commander. b. Unless called up as a team, members of the SWAT. Team will remain at assigned posts during an unusual occurrence or critical incident. 10. Notify the unaffected shift commanders, the district commander (affected district), and the Field Operations Bureau Commander of the nature of the emergency. 11. Confirm that the communications shift supervisor has made the required notifications. 12. Submit an after action report to the Field Operations Bureau commander within 24 hours following the conclusion of the unusual occurrence or critical incident with input to and from the EMC. D. District Commander (Affected District): The commander of the affected district is responsible for the following: 7  G. O. 46.1 1. Serve as incident commander at the direction of the Field Operations Bureau Commander; 2. Respond to the incident command post or Sheriff’s Office to supervise the overall operation; 3. Coordinate the operation with other components of the agency and outside agencies; 4. Provide the Field Operations Bureau Commander with regular updates regarding the operation; and 5. Coordinate logistical support for the operation. E. Shift Commander (Unaffected District): Upon request, a shift commander from an unaffected district will assume command responsibility for the regular operation of his or her assigned district and the area of the affected district that is situated outside the problem area until relieved by the district commander. F. District Commander (Unaffected District): Upon request, the commander from an unaffected district will assume command responsibility for regular patrol functions in his or her assigned district and the area of the affected district situated outside the problem area. A sector sergeant will be assigned to function as acting shift commander for the unaffected district being impacted G. The Investigation and Criminal Intelligence Bureau will be responsible for the following: 1. Oversee the investigation of homicides, suspicious deaths, and other high priority investigations; 2. Provide manpower for casualty and missing person’s posts; 3. Coordinate field morgue operations with the Forensic Services Section, the Medical Examiner’s Office, and the Office of Emergency Management; and maintain a current list of all casualties; 4. Coordinate with the Emergency Operations Center and the Red Cross for large numbers of casualties and missing persons; and 5. Provide the incident commander with casualty and missing person information as it becomes available. 8  G. O. 46.1 H. Field Operations Bureau Commander: The Field Operations Bureau commander will coordinate the agency’s overall response to the emergency and is responsible for the following: 1. Assume incident command anytime deemed necessary; 2. Request the set up and staffing of the Situational Awareness Room (SAR) as needed; 3. Coordinate activities with other bureaus or commanders; 4. Provide the Public Information Officer (PIO) with information to include the status of the emergency, public safety hazards, and casualty and missing person information as it becomes available; 5. Coordinate a documented incident action plan in conjunction with the Emergency Management Director; 6. Coordinate with the Joint Operations and Investigation and Criminal Intelligence Bureau Commanders to arrange for security functions and investigative operations in support of incident management. 7. Coordinate mutual aid by assigning a member to act as the liaison deputy 8. Increase or decrease the operational call-up level; 9. Communicate field conditions and requirements to the Situational Awareness Room (SAR); 10. Keep the Sheriff’s Executive Staff informed of field strategies, emergency status, casualty count, and pertinent information; and 11. Facilitate the gathering and dissemination of information and intelligence. I. Emergency Management Director: (Radio call sign SBR 4). The Emergency Management Director is responsible for the following: 1. Facilitate the Sheriff’s Office response to the emergency from the Sheriff’s Situational Awareness Room (SAR) or the incident command post at the direction of the incident commander; 2. Respond to the Law Enforcement desk (ESF-13) and coordinate with the Florida Sheriff’s Association Task Force as required in the event of an EOC activation. 9  G. O. 46.1 3. Serve as liaison with the county’s Director of Emergency Management; and 4. Submit a comprehensive after action report to the Sheriff that outlines the agency’s response to the emergency. J. Operational Logistics Bureau Commander: The Operational Logistics Bureau Commander, or designee, is responsible for facilitating the following: 1. Supply and equip staging areas; 2. Provide unassigned radios and spare batteries to the staging area for distribution to members and assisting agencies; 3. Provide for the emergency requisition and distribution of supplies and equipment through the Purchasing Unit. The Fleet Unit will provide hurricane cards and/or fuel cards as needed; 4. Arrange for vehicle and equipment repairs; 5. Maintain records of vehicle and equipment assignments; 6. Arrange for vehicle refueling in the field; 7. Coordinate measures for the security of vulnerable agency property and records that may be endangered by the emergency; 8. Coordinate with county government for emergency repairs or precautionary measures to protect agency property and members (e.g. sand bags, window boarding, etc.); 9. Make advance preparations with utilities and private contractors to maintain or restore vital services on a priority basis to agency installations; 10. Make advance preparations to move computer operations to a facility with compatible equipment; and 11. Provide civilian support staff as requested by the Sheriff. K. Joint Operations Bureau Commander: The Joint Operations Commander, or designee, is responsible for facilitating the following: 10  G. O. 46.1 1. The Agency Armorer and Training Division will handle emergency requisition and distribution of ammunition. 2. Receive, analyze, and manage information and information flow. 3. Coordinate and synchronize personnel, equipment, and resources both internally and externally. 4. Disseminate information and publish orders. 5. Train bureau and other assigned personnel. L. Public Information Officer (PIO): The PIO is responsible for the following: 1. Reports directly to the Field Operations Bureau Commander during any level of activation or call-up level; 2. Send preliminary situation reports to law enforcement agencies in Pasco County, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Florida Highway Patrol informing them of the situation as it develops. The PIO will also notify these agencies when the county Emergency Operations Center (EOC) or Incident Command System (ICS) is activated and inform them of the agency plan of action; 3. Issue media releases and quell rumors at the direction of the Sheriff, an Undersheriff, or the Field Operations Bureau Commander. The PIO will coordinate joint media releases with the county EOC, when appropriate; 4. Compile victim and casualty information obtained from the Field Operations Bureau commander and other official sources; 5. Release casualty information upon approval of the Field Operations Bureau Commander; and 6. Establish and coordinate a media command post. M. General Counsel: The General Counsel is responsible for the following: 1. Provide the Sheriff with legal consultation during an emergency; and 2. Draft mutual aid agreements with other agencies. IV. HOSTAGE/BARRICADED PERSONS: [CFA 17.06] A. The shift commander or designee is responsible for the following: 1. Notify their chain of command. [CFA 17.06 ] 11  G. O. 46.1 2. Coordinate outside agencies needed to assist on the incident. (Example: police departments, fire rescue) [CFA 17.06 ] 3. Ensure a perimeter has been established to isolate the incident. [CFA 17.06] 4. Ensure the needed evacuation of bystanders, those potentially in harm’s way, and/or injured persons. (CFA 17.06] 5. Establish a command post. [CFA 17.06] 6. Conduct an after action report of the incident. [CFA 17.06] V. EMERGENCY OPERATIONS: A. Incident Command Posts: 1. Factors to Consider: The following factors should be considered when establishing an incident command post: a. Maintaining the safety of all affected personnel; b. Locate the post near the problem area, but outside the danger zone; c. Provide space for, or be close to, a staging area for the assembly of members, vehicles, and equipment; d. Restroom facilities; and e. Telephones. 2. Incident Command Post Staffing: The incident command post will be staffed by at least one member to act as recorder and/or documentation deputy, whose duties will include: a. Monitor communications (telephone and/or radio); b. Maintain a chronological log of events that includes the following information: c. The time the emergency was discovered; 1) The time the need for emergency operations was recognized; 2) The time the Department of Emergency Services (911) was notified; 3) The type of action being taken to restore order or to prevent the situation 12  G. O. 46.1 from increasing in size or intensity; 4) Member job tasks, assignments, and temporary radio call signs; 5) Intelligence reports that come to the attention of the incident commander; and 6) Other information that might be of assistance in formulating an After Action Report. B. Member Response: Members will respond to the emergency in uniform and with issued gear. They will report to the incident command post or staging area with their assigned vehicle for assignment and briefing. Under some circumstances, the incident commander may direct members to respond directly to a post or assignment. In all cases, members will report their presence to the incident command post via radio or in person. C. Deployment: Deputies will be assigned to certain areas and functions according to the requirements of the emergency. They will be assigned to squads and platoons for operational control as follows: 1. Squads: Squads will consist of a squad leader (sergeant) and no more than nine deputies. Corporals or detectives may be assigned as squad leaders until a sufficient number of supervisors are available. 2. Platoons: Platoons will consist of a platoon leader (lieutenant) with no more than four squads, an administrative aide, and support personnel as needed. Platoon leaders will be provided field command authority within a designated geographical area. a. Support personnel may include a Citizen Support Services deputy to enhance community relations during an emergency or disaster. b. Members trained in use of alternative patrol vehicles (e.g., ATV, bicycle, or vessel) may be used to patrol areas that may not be accessible by patrol vehicle due to damage or debris. 3. Other Law Enforcement Support: Law enforcement personnel from other agencies who report for assignment may be allowed to work as an independent squad to maintain agency integrity. However, a Sheriff’s Office law enforcement member will be assigned as squad leader. Personnel reporting in less than squad strength will be integrated into a Sheriff’s Office squad. D. Communications - Department of Emergency Services (911): 13  G. O. 46.1 1. All members deployed to the emergency will operate on the assigned radio group subject to the following: a. All radio traffic will be kept to a minimum. b. Radio transmissions will be initiated by Department of Emergency Services (911) or supervisory members except emergency or urgent traffic. c. Plain language will be used in lieu of “10- codes” and “Signals” to facilitate communications with members not routinely assigned to road patrol and personnel from other agencies. d. In case of repeater system failure, field units will switch to the conventional mode “talk around” and maintain critical communications with squad leaders. e. In case of individual radio failure or the total inability to communicate with other units, deputies are instructed to return to the incident command post or make telephone contact with Department of Emergency Services (911) as soon as possible. High-risk contacts (traffic stops, building searches, unassisted arrests) will not be initiated while radio communications are disrupted except in immediate life threatening situations. 2. Radio call signs for key positions and locations are as follows: a. Sheriff (Unit One) b. Undersheriff of Law Enforcement Operations (Unit Two) c. Undersheriff of Administrative Operations (Unit Three) d. Undersheriff of Community Outreach Operations (Unit Four) e. Field Operations Bureau Commander (MAJ1) f. Investigation and Criminal Intelligence Bureau Commander (MAJ2) g. Strategic Initiatives Bureau Commander (MAJ3) h. Operational Logistics Bureau Commander (MAJ4) i. Joint Operations Bureau Commander (SBR1) j. Emergency Management Coordinator (SBR4) k. Community Engagement Bureau Commander (SPR1) 14  G. O. 46.1 l. Legal Advisors (Legal One, Two and Three) m. Public Information Officer (PIO) n. Emergency Operations Center (EOC) o. Sheriff's Office Emergency Command Center (Command Center) p. Incident Command Post (ICP) VI. EVACUATION: A. Notifications: The Pasco Sheriff’s Office in partnership with the Office of Emergency Management and other public service agencies will be responsible for notifying the affected public if an evacuation of an area is required due to a storm, hazardous material spill or leak, plane crash, or other hazardous situation. Deputies, volunteers (as available), and/or other designated agency members assigned to Citizen Support Services may assist in the evacuation process by notifying neighborhood crime watch and security patrol groups. The Sheriff’s Office will partner with the Office of Emergency Management and other public service agencies to support evacuation operations as appropriate within a unified command structure. Notification methods include, but are not limited to the following, depending on resource availability, the time of day, location, nature, and scope of the emergency: 1. Telephone contact; 2. Door-to-door contact; 3. Public address system/loud speaker. 4. Digital media releases (e.g., Twitter, Facebook, You Tube); 5. E-Alerts; 6. Variable message boards; 7. News briefings; and 8. Reverse 9-1-1. B. Evacuation Refusal: If a resident refuses to vacate when informed of the emergency, the deputy will attempt to obtain the resident’s name(s), phone number, and next of kin for documentation in a CAD entry. The resident(s) will be informed that failure to obey a lawful evacuation order is punishable as a second-degree misdemeanor. Deputies will use discretion in enforcing the statute. Arrests will be made when the resident’s safety will be in great jeopardy if the person is not evacuated. If an arrest is not warranted, the information will be documented in a CAD entry associated with the incident for future use in support of search, rescue, or recovery operations as appropriate. When wireless 15  G. O. 46.1 communications and reporting systems are not operational, deputies will maintain a written record for inclusion in CAD when systems are restored to full operation. C. Transportation: Citizens who require transportation assistance (e.g. wheelchair lift vans, buses, and other vehicles), should be directed to contact the Pasco County Resident Information Center. (Deputies may be required to assist with transporting citizens out of an evacuation area in an emergency.) VII. SHELTERS: The Sheriff’s Office will coordinate security arrangements for evacuation shelters. Information concerning which shelters will be opened will be distributed by the county at the time of the emergency. The Pasco County Emergency Operations Center will update the approved shelter list as needed. VIII. MASS CASUALTIES: A. Responsibilities: The following will apply when mass casualties occur: 1. The area will be secured; 2. A secondary command post will be established within the secured area; 3. The Criminal Investigation Division and the Forensic Services Section will be notified; 4. Checkpoints will be established to control access into the area; 5. A crime scene log will be initiated; 6. The Medical Examiner’s Office will be notified for assistance; 7. Casualty information will be provided to the PIO at the direction of the incident commander; 8. Crowd and traffic control will be maintained; and 9. Recovery operations will begin as directed by the incident commander. B. Field Morgue: Victims’ bodies will remain within the secured area until otherwise directed by the Medical Examiner’s Office. Members of the missing person/casualty command post will be responsible for security of the area designated as a temporary field morgue. IX. DE-ESCALATION AND RECOVERY OPERATIONS: The agency will restore full law enforcement services as quickly as possible while conducting the following de-escalation and recovery operations: 16  G. O. 46.1 A. De-escalation and Demobilization: The incident commander will deescalate and demobilize the agency’s response in concert with the county EOC. Procedures may include: 1. Perform primary and secondary responsibilities as outlined in the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) to include: 2. Establish reentry checkpoints to evacuated areas; 3. Assist with search and rescue operations; 4. Assist with damage assessment; 5. Attempt to mitigate hazards (e.g. downed power lines, chemical spills, gas leaks, wild animals); 6. Protect unsecured property; 7. Locate missing persons and victim identification; 8. Release members whose job tasks are no longer required; and 9. Confirm that all reports and documentation related to the incident have been properly submitted to the documentation deputy after review by member’s immediate supervisor. (This may not be a member’s regular supervisor based on the requirements of the incident command system.) Each member involved in the emergency operation will submit a supplement report. Required documentation includes: a. Offense Incident Reports; b. Supplemental reports; c. Emergency daily work logs; d. Accident reports; e. Workers’ compensation reports; and f. Emergency operations checklists. B. Community Recovery: The incident commander will take the necessary action to assure the community’s orderly transition back to normal at the conclusion of the emergency. These actions include: 1. Provide adequate traffic control measures; 17  G. O. 46.1 2. Maintain a law enforcement presence including high visibility patrols to prevent looting or the gathering of crowds; 3. Continue monitoring critical installations; 4. Maintain critical checkpoints; 5. Continue intelligence gathering efforts; and 6. Provide status reports to the PIO for release to the media. C. Agency Assessment and Recovery: The agency will undertake a self-assessment when the immediate danger has passed and conditions permit. Responsibilities are as follows: 1. Bureau commanders will submit documentation to the EMC that outlines the resources needed to carry out their assigned missions and an analysis of their ability to perform normal and recovery operations. The bureau commanders should project the estimated date of full recovery; 2. The EMC will prepare a consolidated agency assessment report to the Sheriff that lists losses and casualties, needed resources, and estimates of current capabilities; and 3. The EMC, working in concert with the Pasco County Director of Emergency Management, will seek the required assistance from appropriate outside agencies. X. MUTUAL AID REQUESTS: Specific procedures for requesting and delivering mutual aid are outlined in the Florida Mutual Aid Plan and mutual aid agreements. A. Aid to Pasco County: 1. Local Law Enforcement Assistance: When an unusual occurrence or critical incident exceeds the Sheriff’s Office capabilities to resolve the situation, the Sheriff may request assistance from agencies with whom he has entered into “operational assistance agreements” under the provisions of Florida’s Mutual Aid Act. 2. State Law Enforcement Assistance: When a situation exceeds the control of the Sheriff’s Office and local agencies, the Sheriff may request state assistance in accordance with the procedures outlined in the Florida Mutual Aid Plan. 3. Florida National Guard Assistance: When an emergency is beyond the capabilities of local, state, and civil defense agencies, the Governor, at the request of the county administrator, may direct the Florida National Guard to furnish assistance. 18  G. O. 46.1 a. Military response is limited to supporting civil authorities and is not intended to substitute for civilian law enforcement. The National Guard must maintain its unit integrity at all times. Individual units of specific numbers of members and equipment will not be separated. b. National Guard members assigned inside an affected area will be accompanied by a state law enforcement representative. A local law enforcement representative will be assigned if the unit is used outside an affected area. The representatives will maintain communications with the incident command post to ensure coordination of the function. c. In the event that martial law is declared by the Governor, the agency will defer to the commanding authority as required by the Florida Constitution and State Statute. 4. Federal Law Enforcement Assistance: When an unusual occurrence or critical incident exceeds Sheriff’s Office operational capabilities, the Sheriff or his designee may request federal law enforcement assistance via the county Emergency Operations Center. B. Aid to Other Agencies: The Sheriff’s Office will provide assistance to other agencies as outlined in established mutual aid agreements. XI. SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT: The EMC is responsible for overseeing the acquisition and a documented quarterly inspection of specialized equipment for use during unusual occurrence situations. XII. TRAINING: A. Annual Review: The Emergency Management Director and supervisors with specific emergency management or incident command responsibilities will conduct an annual review of established emergency and ICS procedures with affected members. The Sheriff’s Executive staff will review and update procedures as needed. B. Annual Mobilization Drill: The Emergency Management Director will conduct an agency mobilization drill annually. C. Staff Training: The Emergency Management Director will arrange for refresher training on emergency management and incident command system issues to key staff members, annually. XIII. GLOSSARY: CASUALTY/MISSING PERSONS POST - A post established near the site of a disaster 19  G. O. 46.1 involving mass casualties that will receive, record, and investigate reports of casualties and missing persons. Deputies and Forensic Investigators assigned to this post will work with the Medical Examiner’s Office, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and the Red Cross to recover and identify casualties. CHECKPOINTS - Security checkpoints are established to control entry into heavily damaged, evacuated, or restricted areas. CRITICAL INCIDENT - An incident or event, whether man-made or natural, that is likely to cause severe damage, mass arrest, injury or death. Major pre-planned events that may strain available resources may able be considered critical indents. DANGER ZONE - An area around the scene of a critical incident that has a high probability of injury or death if entered. These areas are usually characterized by exposure to the line of fire, the proximity of hazardous devices or materials, and the possible instability of involved structures. DOCUMENTATION DEPUTY - A deputy assigned by an incident commander to maintain logs, files, and any other documentation deemed necessary to complete status reports and required after action reports. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT - Means the preparation for, and the carrying out of, all emergency responsibilities and functions, other than those for which military forces or other federal agencies are primarily responsible, to prevent, mitigate, or repair injury and damage resulting from the occurrence or imminent threat of widespread or severe damage, injury or loss of life or property resulting from emergencies. EMERGENCY OPERATIONS AREA (EOA) - Geographical areas delineated for response and recovery efforts which may be aligned with pre-existing local service areas, to assist in managing search and rescue, debris clearance, military assistance, pre-staging of equipment and resource support, etc. EMERGENCY SUPPORT FUNCTION - The Pasco County Emergency Operation Center uses a functional group response to a disaster situation. Eighteen support functions, i.e., Transportation, Department of Emergency Services (911), Public Works and Engineering, Firefighting, etc., are represented by a contact person at the EOC during a full activation. The law enforcement, security function (ESF-16) is manned by Sheriff’s Office personnel and representatives from other local and state law enforcement agencies. EOC - The County’s Emergency Operation Center, which acts as the direction and control facility during major disasters. All available resources, and requests for assistance from higher levels of government, are coordinated through this point. It is normally activated during hurricane preparation, response, and recovery operations, however, it may be activated whenever a response to an emergency requires resources beyond what the Sheriff’s Office or county government can provide. The primary EOC is in the Emergency Management/911 Facility located immediately south and adjacent to the New Port Richey Detention Facility. The secondary EOC is currently in the 20  G. O. 46.1 TECO building located at 14150 5th Street, Dade City. INCIDENT COMMAND POST - A post established by the sergeant or incident commander of the affected sector to direct emergency operations at unusual occurrence or critical incident scenes. OFFICER IN CHARGE (OIC) - The on-duty supervisor who is charged with directing and controlling the activities of the agency. PUBLIC FACILITIES - County government buildings, the courthouse, public utilities, etc. RECORDER - A deputy assigned by an incident commander to handle telephone communications, maintain a chronological log and personnel rosters. SHERIFF’S EMERGENCY COMMAND CENTER - The Sheriff’s staff will direct law enforcement emergency operations from the West Operations Building in New Port Richey, or the Land O’Lakes Detention Center, depending on the location and severity of the emergency. The Field Operations Bureau Commander will designate which location will be utilized. A secondary command center, if required, will be located in the training room in the “Bo” Harrison Building, Dade City. STAGING AREA - A safe area, located close to the command center or the incident command post, which is to be operated for the collection, storage, maintenance, disbursement, and accounting of members, vehicles, supplies and equipment used or held in reserve. The staging area may also be used for the temporary storage of recovered property and impounded vehicles. UNITY OF COMMAND - The concept that each individual in the organization has only one immediate supervisor. UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE - Any occurrence, or threat thereof, whether accidental, natural, or caused by man, which results or might result in substantial injury or harm to the population or substantial damage to or loss of property. INDEXING: DISASTERS UNUSUAL OCCURRENCES DRAFTED: NS / September 11, 2024 / Filed: 46.1 Unusual Occurrences APPROVED: CHRIS NOCCO, SHERIFF PASCO COUNTY, FLORIDA 21