It is important for Nebraska Extension offices to know if it is included as a resource in the county Local Emergency Operations Plan (LEOP). If so, what local functional areas is your office listed under?
What is a LEOP? The Local Emergency Operations Plan (LEOP) establishes the standardized policies, plans, guidelines and procedures allowing local emergency resources, governmental and non-governmental, to collectively manage and coordinate the preparation, response, recovery and mitigation functions effectively and in a consistent manner, as a team, when disaster strikes. The LEOP is a multi-hazard functional plan providing an integrated approach to disaster management (source: Nebraska Emergency Management Agency).
Local LEOPS can be large documents covering many of the “what ifs” that may occur in a disaster. Each LEOP is also unique to the county and organized with the following components:
• Basic Plan: Overview of your county’s approach to emergency management.
• Annexes: There may be up to twelve functional Annexes critical to emergency response and recovery in the LEOP.
o Annex A. Direction & Control. Provides procedures for centralized and coordinated management and support of emergency response activities.
o Annex B. Communications & Warning. Information and guidance on available communications and warning systems.
o Annex C. Damage Assessment. Procedures necessary to gather data to determine extent of damage and impact on the community resulting from a disaster.
o Annex D. Emergency Public Information. Procedures for rapid dissemination of emergency public information necessary for safety and survival.
o Annex E. Evacuation. Planning for implementing a timely and orderly evacuation.
o Annex F. Fire Services. Direction, control, roles and responsibilities for a coordinated response, natural or human-caused, or nuclear crisis.
o Annex G. Health and Human Services. Medical, Behavioral Health, Public Health, Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), Social Services coordination. Annex G also includes an Agriculture Disease Emergency Response Plan.
o Annex H. Law Enforcement. Responsibilities, coordination between law enforcement agencies to maintain law and order, protect public and private property and protection for essential industries, supplies, and facilities.
o Annex I. Mass Care. Plans, procedures, policies and guidelines providing for temporary lodging, feeding, coordination of relief supplies, and welfare of people forced to leave their homes. Also addresses care, sheltering, and essential needs of household animals.
o Annex J. Protective Shelter. Procedures to notify and protect people if severe weather, nuclear crisis, or other hazardous events threaten.
o Annex K. Public Works & Utilities. Continuation or restoration of basic needs of public services, debris removal.
o Annex L. Resource Management. Includes labor, materials, equipment, financial recording, and the coordination of volunteers, goods and services.
• Appendices: Address unique hazard specific requirements and support the Annexes.
• Procedures or guidelines and attachments.
Every individual and organization that is included in the LEOP should be familiar with their role and the contents of the LEOP. During blue skies, reach out to your local emergency manager or county emergency board to discuss the LEOP and the important role your office may play in emergency management.
Soni Cochran, scochran2@unl.edu