Executive Summary

Santa Rosa County is vulnerable to a variety of hazards that threaten our communities, businesses and the environment. The CEMP is a continuous “work-in-progress.” This document provides a framework for the County to be as prepared as possible to deal with all types of hazards. Division of Emergency Management will continue to evaluate all hazards listed in the CEMP and define guidelines for effective response, recovery and mitigation for each incident. Current and future guidelines will be evaluated through real-world events (local or national / world-wide), training exercises and from ‘lessons learned’. Modifications or amendments to the CEMP may be made based on recommendations from the Board of County Commissioners, Administrators, Disaster Managers Group or public comments.

Emergency Operations Center (EOC)

The purpose of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is to provide a location where multiple levels of government, agencies, and organizations can coordinate decisions, resources, and public information on a strategic level. The EOC is a support element to the Incident Command structure. For all incidents, regardless of cause, response will focus on actions taken to save lives, sustain life, and protect infrastructure.

Roles & Guidelines

The main section of the CEMP has been expanded from the original concept. This document has better defined roles, guidelines and includes detailed goals and objectives. In the annex each appendix is expanded, charts are in compliance with NIMS and maps have been updated with current data. The Communications Standard Operating Guide (SOG) and Emergency Support Function (ESF) Plan appendix are more comprehensive and better organized with greater detail.

Key Items

Key items of the CEMP include:

  • Integration of the National Incident Management System (NIMS).
  • Easy-to-read vulnerability charts with quick view situation category and a brief summary.
  • The roles and responsibilities for Santa Rosa County, Municipalities, State and citizens.
  • Emergency Management Communication Standard Operating Guide (EMCSOG) Annex describing actions taken with the initial call and notification to responders. These SOGs will be updated as required or annually.
  • Appendix 7 contains guidelines used by the ESFs.
    • Special emphasis has been placed on ESF 1 Transportation, page 24.
      • Santa Rosa County is not dependent on mass transportation, however, a plan has been outlined to initiate mass evacuation transportation, but will require State or outside assistance.
  1. Shelters
  2. Evacuation Zones
  3. Recovery Element
  4. Mitigation

Four Types of Shelters

The descriptions of the four types of shelters (pages 119 to 122):

  • Risk: operated by the American Red Cross (ARC), generally at schools or other hardened structures. Our risk shelters with capacity are:
    • Avalon Middle School (1,846)
    • Dixon Intermediate School (2,193)
    • Milton Community Center (500)
    • South section of Sims Middle School (1,000)
    • Total capacity for all four shelters at 6,937
  • Host: generally churches / other facilities are identified
  • Special Needs: operated by Santa Rosa County Health Department, North section of Sims Middle School (250 individuals, including residents, care-givers and staff)
  • Refuges of Last Resort: provides refuge for evacuees stranded along evacuation routes. These facilities are:
    • Berrydale Baptist Church
    • King Middle School
    • Milton High School
    • Pace Assembly of God
    • Woodbine United Methodist Church

Shelter Capacity Deficits

We are continuing to work on shelter capacity deficits. Safety concerns for shelters in risk areas would be compounded by the high probability of it becoming isolated due to storm surge water surrounding the shelter’s location and / or bridge failure / closure due to erosion / damage, placing unnecessary risk to citizens when moving to a safe location.

Pet Friendly

Other types of shelters being reviewed are ‘pet friendly’ shelters.