From a sewage spill to a landslide, to a mass demonstration or a terrorist attack, the City of Carlsbad disaster teams are trained and ready to respond to these crisis situations.
The city's approximately 80 fire personnel operate and respond to emergencies from six fully-equipped fire stations. Additionally, the city's 107 sworn, uniformed police officers are part of the public safety team available in emergency situations.
While the majority of emergency calls are handled by these public safety personnel, the city public works department is also equipped to respond to large-scale disasters that affect our streets, roads and water systems. For example, on April 1, a sewage pipe failed, dumping raw sewage the Buena Vista Lagoon. Crews mobilized to manage repair and begin mitigation.
In the event of a large-scale emergency or natural disaster, the city activates its Emergency Operating Center (EOC). The EOC is a fully-equipped location that functions as a “war room” for planning and communications purposes. City employees who staff the EOC are trained to follow a very strict code of incident command which is followed by all California public agencies. The EOC is divided into areas, for example communications, operations, finance and logistics. The city manager runs the EOC, and appoints an incident commander, generally the Fire Chief, or the head of the lead response agency. Each team leader is responsible to be sure his team's needs are met during the emergency response planning sessions.
Because all public agencies understand and follow this emergency protocol, multiple agencies are able to work seamlessly when responding to an incident.
This system, called the Mutual Aid system, has been in place since the 1970s. Fire resources are automatically dispatched when necessary for large-scale emergencies. Mutual Aid ensures that during a large-scale disaster, cities can call for additional resources from neighboring agencies, the state and even the federal government.
The Carlsbad Fire Department goes above and beyond the mutual aid system. About four years ago, they helped to implement a system called the “Boundary Drop.” The boundary drop ensures that the closest, most appropriate apparatus is dispatched, without regard for jurisdictional boundaries. This system provides a greater level of service to the community, while streamlining the use of precious public resources.
We practice and we are ready
The highly-trained Carlsbad EOC team participates in local, regional and county-wide “mock disasters,” which may include multiple public agencies. These practice sessions give EOC team members the opportunity to think through different disaster scenarios and to develop response plans for various emergency situations. The drills also facilitate working relationships among peers in various San Diego County public agencies, which is critical during emergencies.
The recent sewer line break emergency near the Buena Vista Lagoon is an excellent example of a regional emergency where many agencies and city departments must work together to protect the public and mitigate the disaster. The pipe was located in Carlsbad, operated and maintained by the Encina Wastewater Authority, and about 90 percent owned by the City of Vista. The state Department of Fish and Game manages the lagoon, and some federally protected birds call it home.
Working under an incident command system, the cities were able to set up a system for response that marshaled the necessary people and equipment rather quickly. The two cities, with additional outside resources, worked together to stop the sewage flow and repair the pipeline in just 36 hours. Although the monitoring of the wildlife and the long term affect on the lagoon will be on-going, both cities were able to work together to repair the pipe and begin remediation in a timely and organized may that put public safety first.
The City of Carlsbad takes great pride in our public safety services. We are dedicated to providing fast, efficient emergency response by highly trained professionals using the latest techniques with updated equipment. We continue to train and practice, both public safety personnel and behind-the-scenes City staff to ensure our community is safe.
You have read our plan, now what is yours?
We know you can't predict or control emergency situations, but you can be prepared to respond. Is your business prepared?
For disaster preparedness recommendations and tips, visit the American Red Cross Web site at www.redcross.org.
The city's approximately 80 fire personnel operate and respond to emergencies from six fully-equipped fire stations. Additionally, the city's 107 sworn, uniformed police officers are part of the public safety team available in emergency situations.
While the majority of emergency calls are handled by these public safety personnel, the city public works department is also equipped to respond to large-scale disasters that affect our streets, roads and water systems. For example, on April 1, a sewage pipe failed, dumping raw sewage the Buena Vista Lagoon. Crews mobilized to manage repair and begin mitigation.
In the event of a large-scale emergency or natural disaster, the city activates its Emergency Operating Center (EOC). The EOC is a fully-equipped location that functions as a “war room” for planning and communications purposes. City employees who staff the EOC are trained to follow a very strict code of incident command which is followed by all California public agencies. The EOC is divided into areas, for example communications, operations, finance and logistics. The city manager runs the EOC, and appoints an incident commander, generally the Fire Chief, or the head of the lead response agency. Each team leader is responsible to be sure his team's needs are met during the emergency response planning sessions.
Because all public agencies understand and follow this emergency protocol, multiple agencies are able to work seamlessly when responding to an incident.
This system, called the Mutual Aid system, has been in place since the 1970s. Fire resources are automatically dispatched when necessary for large-scale emergencies. Mutual Aid ensures that during a large-scale disaster, cities can call for additional resources from neighboring agencies, the state and even the federal government.
The Carlsbad Fire Department goes above and beyond the mutual aid system. About four years ago, they helped to implement a system called the “Boundary Drop.” The boundary drop ensures that the closest, most appropriate apparatus is dispatched, without regard for jurisdictional boundaries. This system provides a greater level of service to the community, while streamlining the use of precious public resources.
We practice and we are ready
The highly-trained Carlsbad EOC team participates in local, regional and county-wide “mock disasters,” which may include multiple public agencies. These practice sessions give EOC team members the opportunity to think through different disaster scenarios and to develop response plans for various emergency situations. The drills also facilitate working relationships among peers in various San Diego County public agencies, which is critical during emergencies.
The recent sewer line break emergency near the Buena Vista Lagoon is an excellent example of a regional emergency where many agencies and city departments must work together to protect the public and mitigate the disaster. The pipe was located in Carlsbad, operated and maintained by the Encina Wastewater Authority, and about 90 percent owned by the City of Vista. The state Department of Fish and Game manages the lagoon, and some federally protected birds call it home.
Working under an incident command system, the cities were able to set up a system for response that marshaled the necessary people and equipment rather quickly. The two cities, with additional outside resources, worked together to stop the sewage flow and repair the pipeline in just 36 hours. Although the monitoring of the wildlife and the long term affect on the lagoon will be on-going, both cities were able to work together to repair the pipe and begin remediation in a timely and organized may that put public safety first.
The City of Carlsbad takes great pride in our public safety services. We are dedicated to providing fast, efficient emergency response by highly trained professionals using the latest techniques with updated equipment. We continue to train and practice, both public safety personnel and behind-the-scenes City staff to ensure our community is safe.
You have read our plan, now what is yours?
We know you can't predict or control emergency situations, but you can be prepared to respond. Is your business prepared?
For disaster preparedness recommendations and tips, visit the American Red Cross Web site at www.redcross.org.