CITY OF PITTSBURGH BASIC PLAN
(excerpts)

1. PURPOSE

To develop, implement and maintain a comprehensive emergency operations plan that provides guidance for a coordinated effort of preparation, response and recovery activities to meet the threats posed by all natural and man-made hazards within the City of Pittsburgh.

2. SITUATION

A. City Location and Description

The City of Pittsburgh is located in the western part of Pennsylvania in Allegheny County and it covers 55,407 square miles. The 1990 census identified a total population of 369,879.

B. City Capabilities and Resources

1. Organizations and Facilities
The City of Pittsburgh maintains a combination of governmental and volunteer emergency service organizations and facilities that are adequate to cope with normal emergencies. Due to economic, manpower and equipment considerations, these organizations may not be adequate to deal with major disasters. Therefore, effective response to disasters must rely upon the development of plans, organizations, trained personnel and agreements for mutual aid that will enable the rapid mobilization and utilization of the total resource capabilities of government and the private sector.

2. Warning Systems
The City maintains a notification warning system, and can activate an EMA warning system and the emergency radio
broadcast system operated by local radio stations. In addition, NWS weather monitors are in use.

C. Summary of City Vulnerability to Hazards

1. Natural Hazards
The City of Pittsburgh, by virtue of its terrain and location, is subject to the following natural hazards: floods, winter storms, drought, hurricanes, tornadoes, wind storms, landslides, ground subsidence, and earthquakes. Flooding and winter storms occur every year. While the remaining natural hazards are unpredictable and occur less frequently, they can present significant problems for emergency response agencies.

2. Man-Made Disasters
Man-made disasters occurring within the City of Pittsburgh, in order of their frequency, are: transportation accidents, fires,
hazardous materials accidents, water supply deficiencies, energy emergencies, and mine subsidence. The fastest growing of these hazards in terms of significance to personal safety are hazardous materials accidents.

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3. CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS

A. General

1. Obligations of Elected Officials
The governing body of the City of Pittsburgh will establish an emergency management agency in accordance with the plan and program of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA). PEMA is the lead State agency for coordination of emergency operations plans. Through the review process, the PEMA Director ensures that the emergency operations plans of State departments/agencies, counties, municipalities and designated institutions are coordinated and in consonance with the Commonwealth Emergency Operations Plan. The Director also ensures that policy and program implementation are in consonance with Federal and State regulatory requirements.

2. Emergency Management Functions
Emergency Management functional assignments in this plan are based on the concept that they parallel normal day-to-day
functions as closely as possible. The same material resources and personnel will be employed as much as possible before
seeking outside assistance.

3. Declaration of Disaster Emergency
The Mayor of the City of Pittsburgh may declare a disaster emergency should the need arise. The effect of a declaration is to activate the response and recovery aspects of the emergency operations plan and to authorize furnishing aid and assistance. The period of the declaration must be given prompt and general publicity and filed with PEMA.

The Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has statutory authority (35 PA.C.S.), as amended, over State, county and
municipal government agencies for direction, control, coordination and support of response when he deems it necessary to declare a disaster emergency to meet an existing or impending hazardous
situation.

4. Unmet Needs
When all appropriate locally available forces and resources are fully committed by the City, assistance shall be requested by the EMD from Allegheny County, and/or PEMA.

B. Interjurisdictional Assistance

1. Obtaining Assistance at Municipal and County Levels
When a disaster overwhelms the resources of the City, mutual aid agreements previously developed with supporting governmental and volunteer agencies and neighboring municipalities may be executed. Mutual aid agreements with neighboring counties may be executed when resources within Allegheny County are depleted.

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4. ORGANIZATION AND RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Organization

1. Emergency Situations
In emergency situations, many governmental and volunteer organizations are mobilized to implement specific emergency response activities. The City Emergency Management Agency is augmented by representation from each participating emergency response organization. This augmented staff operated from the EOC to provide a timely, coordinated and comprehensive response to emergencies.

2. Day-to-Day Duties
Emergency functions have been assigned to parallel or complement normal day-to-day duties.

B. Responsibilities

1. Mayor

a. Direct and coordinate city emergency management.

b. Establish, equip and staff an emergency operations center.

c. Approve mutual aid agreements.

2. Governmental Department/Agencies and Volunteer Group

a. Standard Operating Procedures

b. Provide staff support and resources.

c. Alternate Sites

d. Exercises

3. City Emergency Management Agency Staff and Other Supporting Organizations

a. Emergency management Director (EMD) (Deputy Mayor) - Coordinates operations of the EMA staff; provides liaison with PEMA; reports to and advises Mayor. (See Annex A, Direction and Control.)

b. Deputy Emergency Management Director - Assists the EMD. (See Annex A, Direction and Control)

c. Operations Officer - Collects and analyzes information regarding emergency situations (including radiological defense); reports to the EMD. (See Annex A, Direction and Control)

d. Communications Officer - (Also performs duties of Warning Officer) (Assistant Chief of Communications). Directs and coordinates City communications systems and personnel in support of the EMA; functions as the Warning Officer. (See Annex A, Direction and Control; Annex B, Communications; Annex C, Warning)

e. Warning Officer - (Duties performed by Communications Officer) Receives and disseminates alert/warning information; tests and coordinates maintenance of warning systems. (See Annex A, Direction and Control; Annex C, Warning)

f. Public Information Officer - Advises on public information matters; prepare news releases to the media (See Annex A, Direction and Control; Annex D, Emergency Public Information).

g. Hazardous Materials Officer (Hazmat Team Leader) - Maintains information about hazardous substances and Title III Superfund and Reauthorization Act (SARA); assists in the coordinating hazardous materials incident responses (including spills of radioactive materials). (See Annex F.Hazardous Materials).

h. Police Services Officer (Police Chief) - Coordinates use of law enforcement resources within the City. (See Annex A, Direction and Control; Annex H, Police Services.

i. Fire Officer (Fire Chief) - Coordinates use of fire, response resources throughout the City. (See Annex A, Direction and Control; Annex I, Fire Services; Annex F, Hazardous Materials.)

j. EMS Officer (EMS Chief) - Provides information relating to health and medical problems; coordinates use of medical and health resources within the City. (See Annex A, Direction and Control; Annex J, Emergency Medical Services.

k. Rescue Services Officer (EMS Chief) - Provides information relating to rescue problems; coordinates use of rescue resources within the City. (See Annex A, Direction and Control; Annex R, Rescue Services.)

l. Mass Care Officer - Recommends mass care locations; coordinates equipping, staffing and operating mass care centers and fallout shelters.Coordinates with American Red Cross and other appropriate agencies. (See Annex A, Direction and Control; Annex K, Mass Care Center Operations.)

m. Transportation Officer (PAT Staffer) - Provides transportation information and advice; coordinates transportation resources for disaster operations. (See Annex A, Direction and Control; Annex M, Transportation).

n. Radiological Officer (Hazmat Team Leader) - Provides information and advice; assists the Hazardous Materials Officer regarding spills of radioactive materials; conducts radiological training; is a member of the Situation Analysis Team. (See Annex A, Direction and Control; Annex N, Radiological Defense)

o. Resource Manager (Duties performed by Operations Officer) - Maintains City Resource Manual; recommends allocation of City resources to EMD; manages actions to fill unmet needs. (See Annex A, Direction and Control; Annex O, Resource Management).

p. Public Works/Engineering/Water Officer (Public Works Director) (Engineering and Construction Director) (Water Department Director) - Provides information on water, sewerage, road construction and repair, engineering, building inspection and maintenance. Coordinates resources of public works within the City. (See Annex A, Direction and Control; Annex P, Public Works and Engineering Services.

q. Damage Assessment Officer (BBI Chief) - Maintains trained damage assessment teams. Coordinates all
damage assessment and reporting activities of the City in accordance with city and state procedures. (See Annex Q,
Damage Assessment and Reporting).

r. School Services Officer (Pittsburgh School District Staffer) - Provides information and advice about schools and other
educational institutions; coordinates with school districts and institutions of higher education. (See Annex A, Direction and Control; Annex S, Education Services.)

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