Municipal Utility Districts and Emergency Response

Fort Bend County : Municipal Utility Districts and Emergency Response

Overview
Fort Bend County
Hurricane Ike
MUD Readiness Program
Senate Bill 361
2010 Hurricane Season
Questions

Fort Bend County
Quick Facts
Population – 530,000
886 Square Miles
30 miles from Gulf
18 jurisdictions
120+ Municipal Utility Districts

Fort Bend County

Fort Bend County EOC:
Maintains strategic view (“big picture”)
Focal point for communication/information
Supports other political subdivisions

Fort Bend County EOC:
Situation Assessment
Priority Establishment
Communication
Coordination
Resource Mgmt.
Direction and Control

Hurricane Ike

9/1/08: Tropical Depression 9, 35 mph

9/13/08: Hurricane Ike Hits Galveston

Ike Landfall in Galveston, 110 mph
Landfall in Galveston at 0200 on Saturday
In Fort Bend County, duration of tropical storm force winds approximately 14 hours

County Experiences Significant Damage
20 homes destroyed
7,000 homes damaged
130,000 homes affected
3 dead, 8 injured, 4 hospitalized

County Implements Debris Mgmt Plan
750,000 cubic yards of debris

Widespread Electricity Outages
67% of electrical services out
One week later, still 25% of services out
Severe impacts to water and wastewater utilities

Fort Bend County MUD Readiness Program

Leadership Leads to Identified Problems
“ Fort Bend County has a sophisticated emergency management system that runs from the State down to the Counties to the Cities to the Hospitals to the Schools. During Ike, it did not run down to the Municipal Utility Districts. It will in Fort Bend County during 2009 when we get to the Hurricane Season.”
-Robert Hebert, County Judge

What is the County’s MUD Readiness Program?
Series of Actions to be Taken by MUDs to be more prepared for Hurricane Season
Improve Communication between MUDs and Emergency Management staff
Encourage MUDs to take responsibility for emergency management activities

#1: Define Responder Status
Local government “Owns” the incident
MUD responsible for water and sewer services before, during, and after a storm; nobody from the County, State, or Federal Govt takes over the services

#2: Communication Improvements
Designate three Key District Contacts
Supply Complete Contact Information to County OEM
Develop Redundant Procedures for Communication

#3: NIMS Training
Comply with National Incident Management System (NIMS)
MUDs and County working off of same playbook
Key MUD staff required to complete 4 NIMS courses

#4: County Emergency Operations 101
2 ½ Hour Session
Framework of State and County Emergency Mgmt
Resource Mgmt
Checklist of Emergency Mgmt Issues
Intro to WebEOC

#5: Sharing of Critical Information
Contact Information
Service Areas
SB 361 requirements will enhance the level of information being collected
Opportunity for future sharing of additional information like GIS maps, plans, etc…

#6: Annual Preparation Meeting
Held annually in May or June
NWS presentation
Updates on Plans
Review of Resource Request Process
Review Process for Communications

#7: MUD Representation in County EOC
Utilities Console Created in EOC
Will be staffed with representatives from MUD operating firms
Liaison to “talk the language of water and wastewater”

Recognition of MUD Readiness Program Graduates

Senate Bill 361

Collaboration to Meet SB 361 Requirements
Fort Bend County coordinating with CenterPoint; MUD Law Firms; and Operating Companies to Gather Critical Data
Avoid Redundant Data Collection

Development of Web Based Application
Data Collection streamlined through use of web based program to collect critical load info
Application developed by County Judge’s Office, OEM, and IT Dept

Meeting the Senate Bill 361 Deadlines
Before Feb 1 st , County will submit all collected info to CenterPoint
By May 1 st , CenterPoint will make critical load status determinations

Coming Soon…………..
…… .The 2010 Hurricane Season

Realities for Municipal Utility Districts….
Local government “Owns” the incident
No state/federal assistance likely for at least 72 hours (or more)
Must factor in “Real World” response timelines
Must define resource needs
Must know how to request help

Is Sienna Plantation MUD 1 Prepared?
Do you have an Updated Emergency Plan?
Have you exercised the Plan?
Do you have Pre-Event Contracts for key resources?
Are you following NIMS/ICS Protocols?
Have you named primary points of contacts during times of disaster?
Have you sent Critical Load Data to County per SB 361?
Do you encourage family preparedness for your employees and District residents?
Participants in MUD Readiness Program?
Are you “Active” or “Passive” about Preparedness?

Thank You
Questions ?
Jeff D. Braun Emergency Management Coordinator Fort Bend County 307 Fort Street Richmond, TX 77469 Phone: 281-342-6185 Email: [email_address]

Municipal Utility Districts and Emergency Response

by Fort Bend County Office of Emergency Management on Mar 03, 2010

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Municipal Utility Districts and Emergency Response — Presentation Transcript

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