KUA DISASTER PLAN

1. INTRODUCTION

A. Summary of Kosrae State Policy

The Government of the State of Kosrae has decided to use its best efforts to protect, as far as possible, the people, the state infrastructure and the state economy from the effects of disasters of all kinds. It pursuit of this, the Government of the State of Kosrae has set forth the following policies:

  1. Introduce and maintain a disaster plan for the State of Kosrae to cover preparedness, response, relief and recovery measures.
  1. Encourage the concept of preparedness and self-reliance at the state and local Government levels throughout communities.
  1. Take necessary support measures in terms of public awareness and education, and appropriate training programs.
  1. Utilize to optimum effect the resources of the local and state Government to cope with disasters.
  1. The Governor of the state of Kosrae is responsible for making such provisions as may be reasonable and necessary for the security of the State including these measures required to mitigate the effects of disasters.
  1. Direction and control of disaster response operations at the State & Local government levels is the responsibility of the Governor.

B. Disaster Threats

The disaster threats to the State of Kosrae and its municipalities comprise a wide range of nature and man-made disasters. A summary of these threats follows:

Tropical CyclonesDroughts

(Typhoons & Tropical Storms)Fires

Storm SurgesLost at Sea

EpidemicsFloods & Landslides

Oil & Chemical SpillsEnvironmental Pollution

TsunamisEarthquakes

Major AccidentsVolcanic Eruptions

II. PURPOSE

The purpose of this plan is to define the measures to be taken by the Kosrae State Government to ensure that effective disaster preparedness; response, relief and recovery are carried out. As the State Disaster Preparedness Plan, it aims to accomplish the followings:

  • Identify and assign responsibilities for planning and development of disaster preparedness programs that are designed to meet requirements at the State & Municipal governments.
  • Provide procedures for integration of programs and response to emergency situations at different levels of government and to ensure continuity in programs implementation.
  • Provides procedures for activating resources of the State Government during emergencies. The Governor, after declaring the state of emergency, may request assistance from the National Government upon his determination that the State’s resources are not sufficient to cope with the disaster. The National Government’s assistance can be requested as explained in Part IV, of this plan.
  • Provide for procedures to request FEMA or other available foreign disaster assistance to supplement FSM National Government assistance to the stricken State.
  • Assign coordination of specific disaster-related programs to particular departments, agencies, and offices with requirements for development of training and public information programs.

III. OBJECTIVES

A. The objectives of the Plan are:

  1. To save lives and minimize damages and loss of property and resources
  1. To ensure appropriate levels of awareness and preparedness for disasters
  1. To ensure effective disaster preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery
  1. To support the efforts to each State & its Municipal Governments to cope with disaster situations
  1. To ensure continuity of Government

IV. MAJOR COUNTER DISASTER MEASURES

A. Mitigation

Mitigation is the actions taken to prevent or reduce those adverse effects of disaster or hazards. Mitigation measures are usually built-in or regulated into ongoing development projects. For the purpose of this Plan, examples of mitigation include such measures as land use regulations, environmental protection regulations, housing vulnerability programs, and agricultural projects to plant disaster-resistant crops.

B. Preparedness

Preparedness measures at the State level include:

  1. Planning the utilization of available resources and the minimization of dependencies upon outside assistance.
  1. Development of appropriate levels of public awareness & education programs
  1. Development of the department or agency operational plans (contingency plans) which designates staff members responsible for specific functions.
  1. Provide training of key personnel designated to specific functions to ensure successful implementation.
  1. Maintain and update the State Disaster Preparedness Plan.

C. Response

As a necessary element in the State’s endeavor to prevent or minimize the effects of disasters, specific declaration are issued to activate response procedures and to keep the public informed of potential disaster circumstances.

1.Warnings on various conditions of a disaster are issued by the Governor. Some warnings may come from outside sources (e.g. typhoon and tsunami) to the National Government before they are relayed to the Governor of the threatened State.

2.After warning has been received and the disaster determined imminent, the Governor may execute necessary response activities ranging from boarding up to evacuation as appropriate.

3.The Governor may declare a state of emergency based upon the prevailing disaster situation, and activate this plan to deeply State resources as warranted.

4.The Governor may request disaster assistance from the FSM National Government and consequently the U.S. Federal assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), after he has obligated State resources to respond to the disaster. Requests for foreign disaster assistance must go through the National Government. Assistance from the US Government through FEMA may be requested in accordance with program requirements enumerated in the Annex II, “Guides to FEMA assistance.” The Governor may request such assistance only after he has obligated available State resources constituting a reasonable contribution to the cost of the disaster.

5.Distribution of relief supplies received from international assistance sources are controlled by the President and subject to the concurrent authorization with the Governor of the stricken State.

D. Recovery

The recovery program usually centers on the regeneration of agricultural production, reconstruction of housing and infrastructure, and other long-term restoration efforts directed toward minimizing adverse impact of disasters.

  1. National Government may provide technical, manpower, supplies, equipment, and funding to the stricken State as authorized by the President.
  1. The President’s authorize Representative (PAR) ensures that projects funded by FEMA or any other foreign donor agency are implemented in accordance with applicable regulations.
V. ORGANIZATION

A. Governor

The Governor of the State of Kosrae is responsible for formulation of policies and controls the implementation of the State Disaster Preparedness Programs, National of international assistance where it is given. The Governor’s other responsibilities include:

  • Designate a State Disaster Coordinating Officer
  • Designate Command Designate stages of warning
  • Designate a Disaster Application Center & a Disaster Field Office
  • Mobilize the Emergency Task Force and initiate necessary property and life-saving measures (evacuations, mass care, etc.).
  • Orders damage assessment as soon as feasible and relay information to FSM President when National and FEMA assistance is anticipated.
  • If disaster is declared, applies for Federal assistance on behalf of the private non-profit agencies within his jurisdiction
  • Designate his representative to work with the President’s Authorized Representative (PAR) who is the FSM point of contact (POC) on all disaster related matters. (This designation must be including in this certification, which goes with his request to the FSM President for the President’s and FEMA assistance).

2. State Disaster Coordinating Officer (SDCO)

The SCDO implements tasks allocated by the Governor’s acts as Coordinator of the Governor’s Command Post and as the Governor’s designated representative.

  • Maintain and update the State Preparedness Plan.
  • Develop public awareness and training programs with other departments or agencies and requests funds for such programs.
  • Coordinate state sponsored training and public awareness programs with appropriate departments or agency heads.
  • Prepare requests to the National Government and foreign disaster assistance for submission.
  • Ensure the warnings are issued to public when warning stages are declared by the Governor.
  • Perform all other emergency coordination functions which may be necessitated by the demands of a given disaster or emergency situation.

3. Governor’s Disaster Committee

All department or office heads constitute the Governor’s Disaster Committee, including this activity heads co-opted by the Governor to perform special assignments during a disaster. This Committee serves as an advisory body to the Governor in the formulation of his policies and the coordination of the disaster response efforts. This committee is made up of the following people:

The Governor. . . .Chairman

Cabinet. . . . Members

State DCO. . . .Secretary

4. Disaster Coordination Office

The agency of the State Government responsible for coordinating the implementation of all disaster-related matters under the direction of the Governor is the State Disaster Coordination Office. During disasters, coordination will be carried out from the designated Command Post until the Governor issues an “all clear”, whereupon it will revert to its normal location – the Office of the State DCO. The counter disaster organization presently consists of the Governor/Lt. Governor, Governor’s Disaster Committee, State Disaster Coordinating Officer, and the designated local representative and the emergency task force. The local chief executive represents his government and others designated.

5. Organizational Chart:

VI. OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES

A. Coordination

The Governor sets policies and provides direction and control of the disaster operation while the State DCO coordinates operational activities according to the assigned tasks listed in the Operational Checklists, unless otherwise preempted by the Governor.

  1. When the Governor declares an Alert (Condition II), department heads or their designed representatives will convene at the Command Post to plan appropriate response activities.
  1. The Department Heads report the specific activities being carried out by their respective departments or offices while the DCO maintains overall coordination of the operation and provide continuous and up-to-date briefings to the Governor for his decisions.

3. Implementation of the Governor’s decisions becomes the responsibility of the State DCO.

4. The State DCO through the Municipal representative does coordination of the disaster response efforts in the municipalities. If National or FEMA assistance is likely, the local representative will provide reports of ongoing activities and events to the Governor via the SDCO every 3 hours until an “all clear” is issued.

5.Requests for outside (foreign) assistance are coordinated by the FSM National Government.

Reports from the Governor to the FSM President must begin with the onset and continue every three (3) hours thereafter until an “all clear” is announced. During the Recovery phase, all reporting continues until all work is completed and the final audit made.

B. Warnings

Warnings can come from any level of government, depending on the nature of the disaster and its discovery. However, warnings in cyclones generally come from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and warnings on tsunamis come from the Tsunami Warning Center, Honolulu, Hawaii. Any warnings originating from outside the FSM, is usually directed to the Weather Services Observatory station located in Kolonia, Pohnpei, which is then relayed to the Governor of Kosrae for his information and action.

The Governor issues the official warning and makes the necessary declarations.

The following Stages of Warning are issued according to conditions. These conditions are based upon the lead-time available before the disaster strikes, and are appropriate for threats, which usually have a slow onset, such as tropical cyclones. Sudden impact disasters, such as plane crashes, or major fires, will negate these conditions and compel the activation of this Plan at the Impact Stage.

1. Watch – Condition III. A threat has identified and could affect the State within 48 to 24 hours, given its current rate of development.

2. Alert – Condition II.The identified threat has been confirmed to strike within the next 24 to 12 hours, unless it diverts from its present course.

3.Onset – Condition I.The threat is imminent and will strike within 12 hours.

4.Impact – The disaster has struck.

5.Relief – The immediate aftermath of a disaster.

C. Communications

All communications systems within the State of Kosrae can be commandeered for warning and emergency operations (as may be warranted by the destruction of designated facilities and equipment). The resources of the private sector may be utilized in a similar manner as necessary.

Note: All facilities and equipment commandeered for emergency operations will be compensated in accordance with current market rate of leasing such facility or equipment.

D. Functions of Departments of Officers

Functions assigned to each department or office is found in the Operational Checklists. In addition, an Emergency Operations Model (EOM) depicts a miniature chart of the departmental assignments and is used for a quick reference in the event of a sudden impact disaster. The Governor may also call upon the departments, offices, and/or agencies of the Kosrae State Government to perform functions in addition to those initially assigned, as the situation may require.

E. Continuity of Government

To ensure governmental functioning at all times, elected and appointed officials of the Kosrae State Government are responsible for developing Contingency Plans that ensure a line of succession whereby each department, office, or agency provides measures for safekeeping of vital records, emergency plans and procedures, utility systems maps, line of succession documents and lists of regular and auxiliary personnel, codes, statutes, constitutions, ordinances court records, official proceedings, land deeds, financial records, and others National documents or archives.

F. Resources

Resources of the Kosrae State Government likely to be useful in a disaster or emergency operation are maintained by each department or office and are filed and updated with the State DCO.

VII. IMPLEMENTATION

In the process of implementing this Plan, there is a need to integrate activities throughout the State and with the National Government in order to minimize duplication of efforts and thereby reduce the costs of disasters. It is also important to ensure that across the whole spectrum of disaster activity, ranging from preparedness to recovery, the efforts of the State and the National Government are compatible.

A. Phase of Implementation

1.Phase I – Preparedness

A period of no active disaster in which preparedness are made for such an eventuality. During this phase, the following activities need to be carried out;

  • Maintain and update this plan
  • Develop contingency plan with established department line of succession
  • Develop public education, awareness, and training programs
  • Establish and maintain a Command Post
  • Identify and inspect potential disaster shelters for safety reasons
  • Provisions of health & sanitation facilities in identified shelters
  • Plan and prepare evacuation known vulnerable communities
  • Establish communication and warning systems
  • Assess Vulnerability
  • Monitor development projects
  • Provision of emergency back-up systems
  • Maintain environmental protection measures

2.Phase II – Warning

a.Watch- Condition III. The following tasks need to be carried out

  • Open Command Post
  • Alert Governor’s Disaster Committee and other appropriate officials
  • Monitor the threat
  • Provide warning to appropriate segments of the public (e.g. small crafts warnings, etc.)
  • Tests communications & warning systems

b.Alert – Condition II. Tasks to be performed

  • Mobilize Governor’s Disaster Committee at Command Post
  • Issue warnings and notify the general public
  • Notify the FSM President
  • Evacuate (if necessary)
  • Open identified shelters
  • Close down schools
  • Secure & board up facilities & homes
  • Ensure sufficient emergency stock (fuel, etc.)
  • Radio station goes on 24 hours operation
  • Announce “all clear” if and when appropriate

3. Phase III. Operations

a. Onset – Condition I. Threat is confirmed to strike within 12 hours. Carry out the following:

  • Evacuate threatened areas
  • Conduct (and transport if possible) people to shelters
  • Provide health & sanitation measures
  • Establish & announce curfew
  • Begin situation reports to the FSM President

b. Impact – the disaster has struck

  • Rescue & initial treatment of victims

c.Relief – The period immediately after a disaster, the duration of which is to be determined by the Governor (see Cessation below), during which emergency operations are taken

  • Restore essential services
  • Conduct and transport people when necessary
  • Provide health and sanitation measures
  • Provide food & shelter for the needy

4. Phase IV. Recovery

The period following a disaster is devoted to the rehabilitation of the sick and injured and rebuilding and reconstruction of damaged or destroyed facilities and other properties. The following tasks should be carried out immediately after the completion of the emergency work.

  • Submission of requests for National & international assistance
  • Request for temporary housing assistance
  • Establish Disaster Field Office and Disaster Application Centers
  • Assign personnel’s to assist in preparation of Damage Survey Reports (DSR’s).
  • Assign personnel’s to assist in inspection/verification of damages to private homes & facilities.
  • Coordinate recovery and rehabilitation projects in the state and the municipalities according to State and National Disaster Preparedness Plan.

5. Activation

These procedures are activated automatically in the case of a sudden impact disaster; otherwise the Governor activates them.

6. Cessation

A state of emergency (and emergency operations) ceases when the Governor issues and Executive Order or Directive to that effect. No state of emergency shall exceed a period of thirty (30) days unless authorized by Joint Resolution of the State Legislature. The State Legislature may terminate a state of emergency at any time by Joint Resolution (PL 7-38).

VIII.REVIEW & ANALYSIS

A. Review and analysis are important parts of preparedness and therefore necessary components of this Plan.

1. Functions

a. Each department, office or agency should review and analyze its own Contingency Plan and revise as appropriate.

b. Recommended modifications or changes to the Contingency Plans must be copied to this Plan every time such changes are approved through review and analysis.

2. Aspect to be covered by review should include:

  • Status of plans and preparedness communications
  • Warning
  • Activation arrangements
  • Surveys, Assessments and Reporting
  • National and International support
  • Assessment of public awareness programs
IX. SUPPORT MEASURES

A. Public Awareness & Training Programs