Emergency Planning

FIRE MARSHAL

NORFOLK CITY, VIRGINIA STATE.

NORFOLK CITY, FIRE EXTINGUISHING PLAN PROMULGATION

EMERGENCY FIRE EXTINGUISHING PLANPROMULGATION

In the first place, it is important to argue or mention that Norfolk city in the State of Virginia has been prone to numerous hurricanes and it is also anticipated that more may occur in the future. As a result, it is essential to come up with a specific plan in force to cater to such an emergency whenever it occurs. As mentioned in the title of this project, the plan is aimed at preventing injuries and fatalities whenever such a hurricane occurs. The plan is also aimed at reducing damages to properties and buildings as well as trying to protect the whole society or city that might be involved. Having mentioned the above information, the plan in force is having a fire extinguishing plan in Norfolk City in the State of Virginia. The reason for having this plan in place is that after a given hurricane occurs, there is a great possibility that fire may erupt and this necessitates having a plan in place that will deal with such an occurrence. The above plan is one that will comprise a variety of activities.

As an example, the fire-fighting department as an organization will install fire-fighting devices in the area and the medical department will ensure that the medical supplies have been purchased to ensure that injuries will be catered to. The other important aspect is that of the food and environmental organizations purchasing enough food supplies to cater to the food necessities during the occurrence of such a hurricane. Based on the specific plan that has been put into place, it can be realized that key organizations or departments will be involved and they include the government agencies, medical and food departments as well as the fire-fighting organizations without forgetting the most notable one which is the Red Cross. The government agencies will be tasked with providing money or budget for the plan while the food organizations will be tasked with ensuring that there are food supplies at all the time they are required.

The medical department will ensure that medicine has been supplied and is readily available while fire-fighting organizations will be tasked with ensuring that fire will be dealt with whenever it occurs. The Red Cross will be tasked with evacuations of the people that may be trapped in the different buildings and also providing medication. In all of the above organizations and departments, there will be certain individuals involved in providing services and as a result, they need to be trained adequately so that they may play their roles effectively and as it is supposed to be. The notable exercise that they need to be involved in include ensuring that finances are always available for supporting the above-mentioned plan. The Chief Executive also needs to work in collaboration with all the relevant organizations and stakeholders involved in this plan so that the anticipated results may be attained.

Nelson Nicholas

Fire Marshal, Norfolk City in Virginia State

SIGNATURE PAGE

NelsonNicholas, FireMarshal Larry Boone, Police Chief

Norfolk City, Virginia State Norfolk City, Virginia State

DiBacco John, Fire Chief Brooks Michael, Deputy Fire Chief

Norfolk City, Virginia State Norfolk City, Virginia State

Martin Thomas, Norfolk City Council Kenny Alexander, Mayor

Norfolk City, Virginia State Norfolk City, Virginia State

Gregory Michael, Financial adviser Mercy Johnson, Economic analyst

Norfolk City, Virginia State Norfolk City, Virginia State

APPROVAL AND IMPLEMENTATION

The above plan is a supersede of the Norfolk City’s Fire Extinguishing plan dated for December 2nd 2003.

In this plan dated for 2003, the General authority of the city was tasked with the activity of extinguishing fire especially on the buildings and commercial garages. It was also tasked with offering precautions concerning fire in the most sensitive areas such as the commercial buildings and parking areas near fire scenes. However, with the recent developments or occurrences of various aspects of hurricanes, there arises a great desire for delegating the authority to specific individuals with a certain commander. The activity is one that will aid in easy monitoring and extinguishing of fire incidences whenever they occur as a result of a hurricane.

The Norfolk’s City Fire extinguishing plan hereby delegates full authority to Nelson Nicholas, a Fire Marshal and one who can perform the operations of extinguishing fires that may mainly result from a hurricane. The above individual is one that will collaborate with the other specialists who will be tasked with executing all the activities of extinguishing fire in this city and this will reduce the burden of the General authority carrying out the exercise. The practice will also be highly coordinated after this delegation. In relation to this delegation, the chain of command and flow of information will appear as below.

Fire Marshal

Police Chief

Fire Chief

Deputy Fire Chief

Norfolk City Council

Mayor

RECORD OF CHANGES

RECORD OF DISTRIBUTION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE_________________________________________________1

PROMULGATION STATEMENT__________________________________2

SIGNATURE PAGE____________________________________________3

APPROVAL AND IMPLEMENTATION_____________________________4

RECORD OF CHANGES________________________________________5

RECORD OF DISTRIBUTION_____________________________________6

PURPOSE, SCOPE, SITUATION OVERVIEW, ASSUMPTIONS__________11

CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS__________17

REFERENCES __________ 22

1. Purpose, Scope, Situation, and Assumptions

Scope

Various organizations and departments are involved in this plan and as a result, it applies to all these departments and firms and they are those which are situated within the Norfolk City in the State of Virginia. The involved organizations and departments are as mentioned in the promulgation of this plan.

Characteristics

Location

The state of Virginia includes the Norfolk City and also the city ofRichmond as well as the notable city of Fairfax among the others. Therefore, the above cities are common in this state and who the plan target once completed and implemented.

Geographic

The Norfolk city is the third largest city in the State of Virginia after the Virginia Beach and Chesapeake and this is as per the 2020 census.As for the Geographic location of Norfolk City, it is situated opposite the city of Portsmouth, Virginia, north of Elizabeth River in the Hampton Roads region, south of Chesapeake Bay at the Atlantic Ocean. Therefore, the plan will be centered around this region.

Demographic

As per the 2020 census, Norfolk City in the State of Virginia had a population of 238,005 individuals and this made it to be the third-most populated city in Virginia. As a result, the city also managed to be the 94th largest nation within the United States. The above population results from the ample living conditions that are found in this region which facilitate a favorable living of the individuals.

Designated Areas of Interest

In Norfolk City within the state of Virginia, there are certain areas of interest that have been designated. The specific areas include having special sites for Commonwealth games. The area is also visited by the majority of the visitors due to the calmer waters as well as the ample and free space for parking for the visitors and tourists.

Special Events

Among the special events that are carried out in the Norfolk City in the State of Virginia include the Summer Concert and this is an occasion that attracts even 100,000 people. There are also commonwealth events that attracts a large number of participants who visit to enjoy the numerous games that are played in the region.

Economic Base and Infrastructure

The Norfolk City' s economy has evolved from its traditional tourism and textile dependence into one of great diversity. Today's commercial and industrial manufacturing base is complemented by solid and growing trade and service sectors. Much tourism activity is centered around this region of Norfolk City in the state of Virginia. There is also an economic diversification that has helped create new employment and smooth the impact of cyclical swings. The practice is also one that aided in lowering the rates of unemployment among the large population that was experiencing increased incidences of unemployment. Generally, it can be argued that the economic status of Norfolk City has improved tremendously within the past years and this is as a result of increased production. The infrastructural development has also not been left behind since roads have been developed and this has further been as a result of growth of the economy of the Norfolk City.

Hazard Profile

Potential Hazards

The Norfolk City is subjected to the effects of many disasters, varying widely in type and magnitude from local communities to statewide in scope.

Disaster conditions could be a result of a number of natural phenomena such as avalanches, earthquakes, floods, severe thunderstorms, high water, drought, severe winter weather, fires (including urban, grass, and forest fires), epidemics, severe heat, or high winds. Apart from natural disasters, the Norfolk City is subject to a myriad of other disaster contingencies. The notable one is a number of hurricanes that have hit this region with an anticipation of more and more hurricanes occurring even in the future. The above hurricanes have devastating effects on the people and the environment whenever they strike and they lead to injuries and fatalities as well as the destruction of the buildings. People are also displaced and rendered homeless without forgetting to mention of leading to food shortages and lack of clothing. The other common effect is the explosion or eruption of fire which necessitates being put off after eruption. As a result, the plan intends to deal with this menace of fire explosion that might arise whenever a hurricane strikes so that the devastating effects may be evaded.

Vulnerability Assessment

Norfolk City

The vulnerability assessment checklist for Norfolk City is shown below.

High loss of lives

High rate of building destructions

Pollution of the environment

Displacement of the people

Richmond City

The vulnerability assessment checklist for Richmond City is shown below.

Eruption of fire

Food shortages

Lack of shelter

Lack of clothing

Effective prediction and warning systems have been established that make it possible to anticipate certain disaster situations that may occur throughout the jurisdiction or the general area beyond the jurisdiction's boundaries.

It is assumed that any of the disaster contingencies could individually, or in combination, cause a grave emergency situation within the Norfolk City in the state of Virginia. It is also assumed that these contingencies will vary in scope and intensity, from an area in which the devastation is isolated and limited to one that is wide-ranging and extremely devastated. For this reason, planning efforts are made as general as possible so that great latitude is available in their application, considering they could occur in several locations simultaneously.

Initial actions to mitigate the effects of emergency situations or potential disaster conditions will be conducted as soon as possible by the local government.

Assistance to the affected jurisdictions(s) by response organizations from another jurisdiction(s) is expected to supplement the efforts of the affected jurisdiction(s) in an efficient, effective, and coordinated response when jurisdiction officials determine their own resources to be insufficient.

Federal and State disaster assistance, when provided, will supplement, not substitute for, relief provided by local jurisdictions.

It is the responsibility of officials under this plan to save lives, protect property, relieve human suffering, sustain survivors, repair essential facilities, restore services, and protect the environment.

When a jurisdiction receives a request to assist another jurisdiction, reasonable actions will be taken to provide the assistance as requested.

General

The police officers or any prevailing authority from the city will have to inform the public that a disaster has occurred and it has led to an explosion of fire especially for this case. The same officers or the authority will inform the public that they have to avoid all the affected or hit areas and ensure that the unaffected public does not disclose such areas. As an example, they may place the yellow lines which are mostly written, “Do not Cross” to secure the affected areas.

The second step will entail trying to involve the emergency response team and those to evacuate such people who have been trapped. It is also important to indicate that the firefighters will be highly involved in this case and the medical personnel will also play a key role at this step.

The essential general thing to do at this point is taking the injured to the hospitals and feeding the hungry, dressing the undressed and so forth. At this point, all the above-mentioned offices and departments will be involved and this is an aspect of collaboration and teamwork that is highly needed at such a point. Numerous evacuations will also be made at this point and these are all geared toward making sure that life has been saved as much as it would be possible.

The other general thing is that communication will start flowing and this is one that will tell persons that a hurricane has taken place and has devastating effects that need to be dealt with. As a result, the members of the family and relatives will start contacting their members to know about their safety and trying to help them.

Hazard Control and Assessment

Perceive the threat. In this step, it is important to perceive the threat by looking at its nature and magnitude, maybe its causes and prevalence and also trying to make sure or accept that the disaster has occurred and people have to cope with it.

Assess the threat. The assessment involves the extent or the damages it has caused and the number of people affected or even those residences that are impacted by such a disaster.

Control the disaster risks. After a disaster occurs, numerous and potential threats exist and they are those which might lead to further worsening the situation. as a result, they need to be controlled so that they may not lead to further destructions and this will aid in monitoring or mitigating the risk.

Monitor the hazard. In case of a fire, it will have to be monitored from all the dimensions and reduced slowly by slowly.

Control the hazard. As for this step and in case of a fire, it will be extinguished and this is a situation that will allow the participants to record their findings.

Record your findings. Essential findings and results will be recorded and these are those which may be used for dealing with the menace.

Review the controls. All of the control measures that had been put into place will be reviewed in this section and further analysis carried out.

Protective Action Selection

Telling the residents to stay out of the floodwater

Informing the residents never to use electrical devices that are wet.

In case of Power blackout, entice the affected to use flashlights.

Prevent the poisoning from the toxic gases.

Public Warning

Wear protective garments when going out.

Near walk or stay away from collapsed buildings or hanging ones.

Do not near or interfere with any material that appears to explode.

Be mindful of any other person that appears to be at risk.

Protective Action Implementation

The individuals violating the protective action should be held into account.

Control access and isolate danger area

Evacuation actions should be done by protected individuals.

Document the activities and support programs

Deal with the affected first and others come later.

Provide any form of support required may it be financial or material help.

Identify the untouched areas and deal with them effectively.

Short-term Needs

Provide shelter and food services.

Continued medical treatment

Preventing risks associated with the disaster

Ensure general security for all the affected people.

Long-term Needs

Treating the injured and the destabilized.

Sheltering the homeless.

References

Binu Jacob and Anthony R. Mawson et. al., (2018). Disaster Mythology and Fact: The case of numerous hurricanes and social attachment. Public Health Rep, 123(5). 555-566.

Rout BK. (2017). Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Control Measures in case of a Hazard.

CDC. (2018). Storm, Flood and Hurricane Response. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.