Incident Checklist
 Gaston County Emergency Operations Plan
Chairman of the Board - County Commissioners
Mayors
County Manager / Municipal Manager

Planning:
 
Ensure an adequate hazard mitigation plan is in effect.
Plan to fund hazard mitigation, planning, response and recovery.
Develop and enact ordinances/local laws appropriate to hazard mitigation, response and recovery.
Assess ongoing and changing needs in disaster planning.
Ensure emergency plans and procedures are developed that adequately address the threats to the jurisdiction.
Pre-determine policy regarding hazard mitigation, response and recovery and local states of emergency.
Communicate policy to appropriate officials.
Oversee planning and maintain coordination with Emergency Management.
Provide for training of elected and appointed government executives.
Commissioners
Elected municipal officials
County Manager
Municipal Manager
Department heads
 
Initial Response Actions:
 
Assess initial threat as presented.

Coordinate activities with Emergency Management.
Activate the Emergency Operations Center if necessary.
Report to the Emergency Operations Center when it is activated.

Assemble and brief elected officials and the Public Information Officer.
Determine available forces to cope with the threat.
Based upon information, determine the need for auxiliary forces and supplies.
Assist in the establishment of the incident command structure following guidance received during Incident Command training (IS-700).
Maintain coordination with county/municipal administration.
Contact the Finance Officer for purchases necessary to support response forces.
Ensure an adequate response resource tracking method is in place.

Serve as liaison with State and/or Federal elected officials.
Assume overall direction and control.
Prepare executive orders and/or state of emergency declarations as necessary or required.
Ensure adequate staffing of all EOC positions on a 24 hour basis or as needed.
Authorize overtime.
Authorize expenditures as needed or required.
Carry out all other executive functions necessary to respond to the threat.
 
Ongoing Response Actions:
 
Ensure citizen needs are being met.
Ensure staff needs are being met.
Ensure response force needs are being met.
Meet regularly with EOC staff to discuss issues and resolve problems.
Ensure the public is receiving accurate and timely information about the incident.
Monitor response efforts and prepare for recovery operations.
Routinely inspect damage or incident areas and remain visible and accessible to the public as long as it is safe to do so.
Continue to inform State and Federal elected officials of the response efforts as well as progress towards resolution.
Meet regularly with other elected officials to share information and continue briefings.
Establish a shift schedule that ensures a senior management official is available in the Emergency Operations Center at all times.
Ensure rosters of elected officials are maintained with 24 hour contact numbers.
Coordinate with and assist Emergency Management in the formulation of incident action plans to ensure primary goals and objects are met.
Ensure policies, procedures, ordinances and declarations of emergency are issued as needed and enforced as needed.
Consult with the County Attorney regarding legal opinions/issues and issue directives accordingly.

Request needed resources as appropriate.
 
Recovery:
 
Coordinate with Emergency Management in recovery operations.
Ensure recovery plans and procedures are implemented and maintained.
Ensure appropriate records have and are being maintained.
Gather and review expenditure records.
Initiate cleanup and/or recovery contracts as appropriate.
Maintain contacts with State and Federal elected officials for assistance in recovery funding.
Communicate recovery needs that are brought to your attention to the appropriate personnel or staff.
Inform public through media releases in coordination with the Public Information Officer, of the recovery efforts.
Prepare to meet with State and Federal officials to discuss financial needs and budget impacts.
Prepare to issue orders of curfew and maintain state of emergency if required.
Assist in obtaining additional resources if required.
   
*** End Elected/ Appointed Officials Checklist ***
Last updated: April 29, 2008