1. The plan becomes operational upon the decision of the Jasper County Commissioners, and/or heads of governmental jurisdictions therein, according to the altering procedures listed below.

2. When the emergency is declared, the Board of County Commissioners shall be responsible for the direction and control of operations, and for the organization of personnel, resources and facilities. Priorities will be assigned to the tasks that need attention on the basis of the situation at the time.

3. The County will respond to requests for disaster assistance from other political subdivisions within the capabilities of its organization.

4. The County shall request assistance from the State after exhausting all of its capabilities or when a needed service does not exist within its organization.

5. The County shall keep the people of the County, government officials of adjacent counties that may be affected, and the State government informed of all significant events that occur within the County.

6. Jasper County will maintain direction and control of all operations involving assistance from other areas.

7. Direction and control of operations will be given from the emergency operations center, location to be designated by the Executive.

1. There are a number of steps for each department to take in order to be ready to operate in the event of a disaster. These are the planning and training steps. They are to be explained in the annex each agency attaches to this plan.

2. During this planning and training time, each agency will write its own emergency operations plan and conduct the training necessary to prepare its staff to perform the assigned tasks.

1. Upon assessment of a potential disaster by a law enforcement officer, he may request a Blue Emergency be initiated.

2. A Blue Emergency suggests that a situation exists that could deteriorate into a more serious emergency. A Blue Emergency would initiate a positive alert to the following departments: Fire, Hospitals, Civil Defense, and other agencies deemed necessary by the Sheriff.

3. A White Emergency implies that the severity of the emergency is enough to warrant all department heads be informed of the situation and be directed to report to their respective departments to carry out the readiness activities necessary to effectively respond to their missions as outlined in this plan. Phase 1 (pre-emergency) procedures will be initiated.

4. A Red Emergency implies that the severity of the emergency is enough to fully activate the emergency operations center. All department heads or liaison should proceed to the EOC. Internal plans should be activated at the time.

5. Authorization:

Blue – Head of Department;

White – Chief Executive;

Red – Chief Executive.

1. Blue Emergency. A Blue Emergency would initiate a positive alert to the following departments: Fire, Hospitals, Civil Defense, and other agencies deemed necessary by the Sheriff.

2. White Emergency. This condition starts at the time the threat or the existence of a disaster is discovered. The following actions are to be taken during this condition:

3. Red Emergency. This condition begins when the disaster occurs and lives and property are actually endangered.

1. This period consists mainly of actions that will:

2. Activities for recovery may begin during a Red Emergency.

3. After a nuclear attack, this condition cannot be initiated until radiation levels permit.

1. Natural Disaster Warning. The natural disaster warning notifies the public that a disaster is imminent. Essential emergency information will be given to the public by radio stations.

2. Attack Warning. A civil defense warning from NORAD in Colorado Springs that an actual attack against this Country has been detected is sent to the County Sheriff’s Office over the National Warning System (NAWAS). Plans to warn the public when the Sheriff receives this warning are detailed in the warning annex.