Hurricane Preparedness

Operation Plan

Hurricane Preparedness 2006. Elton Lewis, Police Commissioner

CHAPTER ASSIGNMENT


1. PURPOSE
This plan provides for the actions to be taken by the Office of the Police Chief in preparation for a hurricane. It also outlines the Department‘s operational structure during and after a hurricane emergency or other disaster.


2. ASSUMPTIONS
The Virgin Islands Police Department, in the preparation stage of any disaster, assumes the following:

  • That any disaster could produce a partial or complete breakdown of law and order.
  • That the Police Department, at all organizational levels, may suffer casualties to the extent that additional manpower may be required from either district in order to provide a rapid and orderly flow of personnel.

    NOTE: Should the Police be unable to maintain effective law and order on any or all three islands, assistance will be required from the Virgin Islands National Guard, under the authority of the Governor.

3. DIRECTION AND CONTROL
The Police Chief may implement all or any part of this plan in order to provide adequate police services to the community. For purposes of this annex, the word “Chief” means the Police Chief of the District or a Ranking Officer acting in his stead.


4. EXECUTIVE SUCCESSION
In order to ensure the effective continuity of operations during a disaster, the chain of command as outlined in Section 3.3.3 of the Police Rules and Procedures will be adhered to. However, in situations where the districts are separated due to the disaster, the highest ranking sworn officer in that district shall assume full control and direction of the Department until relieved by a higher rank or other competent authority.


5. ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS
Resources and services will be obtained through the unit or division that normally supplies them. Requests for mutual support from other governmental agencies will be processed through the Commissioner’s office. Stringent record keeping of resources, attendance, and expenditures of funds for supplies will be kept to facilitate reimbursements and costs analysis or the processing of Disaster Survey Reports (DSR).


6. MISSIONS
In an emergency and/or major disaster the mission of the Virgin Islands Police Department is as follows:

  • Notification and evacuation of persons in the affected area(s).
  • Search and rescue operations on land.
  • Aid in the coordination of volunteers.
  • Aid in the identification of the dead (victims).
  • Protection of life and property through the prevention of crime, the enforcement of laws, the maintenance of order and the performance of the following functions:
    • Control and regulation of the movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
    • Policing essential highways and peripheral routes.
    • Expediting and rendering aid to movement of evacuees.
    • Guarding vital and strategic facilities.
    • Patrolling damaged areas to exclude unauthorized persons.
    • Preventing looting.
    • Controlling panic.
    • Maintaining essential police service.
    • Supporting the emergency procedures outlined in the Virgin Islands Emergency Operations and Disaster Control Plan.

7. MOBILIZATION
In preparation for any hurricane, or pending situation that could cause a disaster or major emergency, the Police Force will mobilize as follows:

  • 7.1. All days off for Police and other essential personnel, as outlined in Chapter 10.1 0.10 (Exhibit # 1) of the Police Manual, will be automatically canceled.
  • 7.2. Personnel already on duty will remain on duly until properly relieved.
  • 7.3. All sworn and essential personnel will be allowed to wear appropriate clothing for rescue operations and rugged deployment.
  • 7.4. If the storm prevents personnel from traveling to the assigned duty station, personnel will travel to the sub-station nearest to their residence.
  • 7.5. Personnel on annual leave shall be activated.
  • 7.6. Personnel under the Commissioner’s Office shall report and receive instructions, without exceptions, from the Office of the Police Chief.
  • 7.7. All Peace Officers will come under the command of the Chief of Police.
  • 7.8. The Police Auxiliary Service will be activated.
  • 7.9. Should the above steps fail to produce the needed manpower, the Commissioner will petition the Governor for activation of the National Guard.

8. PREPARATORY PHASE

8.1. Functional Areas of Responsibility
During a hurricane the Police Department will perform the following functions:


Functional Area Primary Support
Transportation   X
Communications   X
Fire and Rescue   X
Mass Care   X
Health/Medical X  
Law Enforcement X  
Environmental   X
Direction/Control   X
Evacuation X  

8.2. Definitions
In order to fully understand the situation assigned to a Level of Alert (LOA), it is necessary to understand the classification of tropical cyclones and the National Weather Service (NWS) advisories.

8.2.1. Tropical Cyclone: a circulating weather system over tropical waters. They are classified as follows:

  • Tropical Depression: an organized system of clouds and thunderstorms with a defined circulation and maximum sustain winds of 38 mph (33 knots) or less.
  • Tropical Storm: an organized system of strong thunderstorms with a defined circulation and maximum sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph (34 -63 knots).
  • Hurricane: an intense tropical weather system with a well defined circulation and maximum sustained winds of 74 mph (64 knots) or higher.

8.2.2. National Weather Service (NWS) Advisories

  • Tropical Storm Watch: Tropical Storm conditions are possible in the specified area of the watch, usually within 36 hours.
  • Tropical Storm Warning: Tropical Storm conditions are expected in the specified area of the warning, usually within 24 hours.
  • Hurricane Watch: Hurricane conditions are possible in the specified area of the watch, usually within 36 hours.
  • Hurricane Warning: Hurricane conditions are expected in the specified area of the warning, usually within 24 hours.

8.2.3. Internal Bulletin
STORM WATCH: Internal advisory produced by the Office of the Police Chief that contains information received from VITEMA on any pending or approaching hurricane.

8.3. Levels of Alert (LOA)
In order to maintain continuity of operations, and an effective state of preparedness for a hurricane or pending disaster, the following series of conditions referred to as Levels of Alert (LOA) and their related interpretations have been established.

An LOA is determined by the estimated time of the storm‘s arrival and the impact the storm will have on the Department‘s ability to maintain effective law and order.

NOTE: A higher numerical LOA will supersede any previous LOA declared. Only the Chief of Police shall have the authority to change a LOA (Level of Alert).

  • 8.3.1. BLUE ALERT - LOA 1:
    Situation: Tropical Depression in the Atlantic Ocean that is within a 1000 rnile radius of the U S. Virgin Islands.
  • 8.3.2. YELLOW ALERT – LOA 2:
    Situation: Tropical Storm in the Atlantic Ocean.
    • Priority Three: Outside a 1,000 mile radius from the U.S. Virgin Islands
    • Priority Two: Within a 600-1000 mile radius from the U.S. Virgin Islands
    • Priority One: Less than a 600 mile radius from the U.S. Virgin Islands
  • 8.3.3. RED ALERT - LOA 3:
    Situation: Hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean.
    • Priority Three: Outside a 1,000 mile radius from the US. Virgin Islands
    • Priority Two: Within a 600-1,000 mile radius from the U.S. Virgin Islands
    • Priority One: Less than a 600 mile radius from the U S. Virgin Islands

9. OPERATIONAL PHASE

The following activities, not a conclusive listing, will be implemented at the different LOA‘s.

  • 9.1. BLUE ALERT - LOA 1:
    This situation would cause no disruption in the normal day-to-day operations of the Department. However, a member of the Chief’s staff will be assigned to monitor or obtain regular NWS advisories from VITEMA or other reliable sources.

    ACTION: Activation of Storm Watch.
  • 9.2. YELLOW ALERT – LOA 2:
    This situation is of concern to the Police department since a tropical storm, which can have maximum sustained winds of 73 mph, can cause wind damage and flooding in certain areas of the islands. Further, a tropical storm can develop into a hurricane within a relative short span of time.

    Priority Three - Actions
    1. Activation of Storm Watch.
    2. Roll call discussions on the Department‘s Emergency Operating Plan.
    3. Begin maintenance check of critical resources (generators, radios, vehicles, etc.)
    4. Advise police personnel to begin critical security check of their home.

    Priority Two - Actions
    1. Activation of Storm Watch.
    2. Continued Roll call discussions on the Department’s Emergency Operating Plan.
    3. Continued maintenance check of critical resources (generators, radios, vehicles, etc.)
    4. Police personnel to intensify critical security
    5. Special Commander’s Call to review Department’s plan and operation strategies.
    Depending on the closeness and maximum sustained winds of the storm, the Chief of Police may implement the following provisions of Chapter 7 of this plan:
    1. Cancellation of days off for sworn and other essential personnel (7.1.0)
    2. All sworn and essential personnel will be allowed to wear appropriate clothing for rescue operations and rugged deployment.

    Priority One - Actions
    1. Activation of Storm Watch.
    2. Continued Roll call discussions on the Department‘s Emergency Operating Plan.
    3. Continued maintenance check of critical resources (Generators, radios, Vehicles, etc.)
    4. Police personnel to intensify critical security check of their home.
    5. Special Commander’s Call to review Department‘s plan and operational strategies.
    Depending on the closeness and maximum sustained winds of the storm, the Chief of Police may implement the following provisions of Chapter 7 of this plan and activation of the Department’s E.O.C.
  • 9.3. RED ALERT - LOA 3:
    This situation is of major concern to the Police Department since any hurricane can cause extensive personal and property damages, which can result in a territory-wide breakdown of law and order.

    Priority Three - Actions
    1. Activation of Storm Watch.
    2. Roll call discussions on the Department‘s Emergency Operating Plan.
    3. Begin maintenance check of critical resources (generators, radios, vehicles, etc.)
    4. Advise police personnel to begin critical security check of their home.

    Priority Two - Actions
    1. Activation of Storm Watch.
    2. Continued Roll call discussions on the Department’s Emergency Operating Plan.
    3. Continued maintenance check of critical resources (generators, radios, vehicles, etc.)
    4. Police personnel to intensify critical security
    5. Special Commander’s Call to review Department’s plan and operation strategies.
    Depending on the closeness of the hurricane, the Chief of Police may implement all or part of Chapter 7 of this plan and activate the Department ‘S Emergency Operation Center (E. 0. C).

    Priority One - Actions
    1. Activation of Storm Watch.
    2. Continued Roll call discussions on the Department‘s Emergency Operating Plan.
    3. Continued maintenance check of critical resources (Generators, radios, Vehicles, etc.)
    4. Finalize security preparation of Department facilities, equipment, and supplies.
    5. Police personnel to intensify critical security check of their home.
    6. Special Commander’s Call to review Department‘s plan and operational strategies.
    7. Activation of Department’s Operational Plan and Disaster Control Plan (DCP).
    8. Activation of the Department’s Emergency Operation Center (EOC).
    9. Any other steps or measures necessary to ensure continuity of adequate law enforcements services to the territory.

9.4.1 Emergency Operational Center (E.O.C)
The (Rainbow Building) Police Operations and Administrative Services, # 45 Mars Hill, Frederiksted is designated the Department’s Emergency Operational Center (E 0 C).

9.4.2 Alternate Headquarters
In the event of severe structural damage to the Rainbow Building, a alternate headquarters will be established in the ranking order.

  1. Existing Sub-stations
  2. E. 0. C. (VITEMA)
  3. Air National Guard Headquarters

9.4.3 Sub-Command Posts
Sub-command posts will be commanded by a Captain or Lieutenant.

All sub-command posts are directed from the Rainbow Building by the Territorial Chief of Police or Designee.

9.4.4 Safeguard of Personnel
In the event the disaster poses significant threat to the Officer’s safety it is the responsibility of the Territorial Chief, his designee, or senior commanding officer to cease all ordered evacuations or rescue operations.

9.4.5 Augmentation of Police Force
The augmentation of the Police Force will be carried out in the following order:

  1. Activation of Police Auxiliaries to Peace Officer status.
  2. Commitment of all Peace Officers in the district to the control of the Police Department.
  3. Activation of the Virgin Islands National Guard.
  4. Federal Assistance such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), United States Marshal Service (USMS) or other federal law enforcement agencies.

9.5. DEPL0YMENT PLAN
Once the Department’s E.O.C. has been activated, the normal 8 or 10 hour tours of duty will expand to 12 hour tours. Further, the operational structure will be as follows:

  • 9.5.1. Command Structure:
    First 12 hours shift:
    • Captain (Ann Schrader Command) and Captain (Special Operations Bureau)
    • Administrative Lieutenant (Marshall Command)
    Second 12 hour shift:
    • Captain (Wilbur Francis Command.) and Captain (Ansilmo Marhall Command)
    • Administrative Lieutenant ( Wilbur Francis Command)
    NOTE: For all shifts, the senior Captain is the Office-In-Charge (OIC)
  • 9.5.2. Duties and Responsibilities:
    The following are some of the duties and responsibilities of a Commander:
    1. Provide leadership and guidance to personnel under his command
    2. Monitor all aspects of the operation during tour of duty
    3. Submit an assessment on the effectiveness of the operation to the Chief of Police at the end of the tour of duty
    4. Maintain control and supervision of all personnel, equipment. and other critical resources under his command.
      • Personnel strength
      • Work assignments
      • Overtime
      • Vehicles
  • 9.5.3. Administrative:
    Logistics/Mutual Aid matters:
    Special Assistant to the Commissioner (SAC)

    Situation Reports:
    The Senior Tour Commander will submit a situation report to the Territorial Chief of Police every 4 hours of the 12 hour tour unless directed otherwise by the Territorial Chief of Police or other competent authority.

    The following personnel will submit information on the operations of their unit/bureau to the Tour Commander for inclusion in the situation reports:

    1. Traffic Commander
    2. Chief Investigator (CIB)
    3. Fleet Commander
    4. Street Enforcement Team
    5. Homeland Security Liaison
    6. MIS/Communications

10. VITEMA / V.1. POLICE DEPARTMENT INTERFACE

In most cases, the VITEMA Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will be activated simultaneously with the Department‘s EOC. As such, effective coordination and communication between these EOCs are critical. Further, the provisions of this Chapter ensure that requests for police services, requests for resources from the Police Department, and critical information for the Police Department, will be handled in the most timely and effective manner.

10.1. Emergency Service Coordinators (ESC):
Emergency Services Coordinators are assigned to the VITEMA EOC. They represent the concerns of the Police Department at the EOC and coordinate Police Operations with other agencies. ESCs will work two 12 hour tours of duty, unless directed otherwise. Also, ESCs will be the rank of Sergeant or Lieutenant.

At the end of each tour, the senior ESC will submit to the Chief of Police a situation report on critical issues brought up at the VITEMA E0C. Further, ESCs will ensure that all requests for information or critical resources from the Police Department are addressed promptly at the EOC.

10.2. Information Management:
All information or request for services from the VITEMA E0C to the Police Department will be routed as follows:

  1. The ESC relays information to the officer assigned to the Situation Room at the Police Department‘s EOC for appropriate documentation and analysis.

    Note: The officer assigned to the Situation Room will be referred to as the “Situation Officer.”
  2. The Situation Officer will then advise the on-duty patrol Commander of the request and advise him as to the present status of critical resources (manpower, vehicles, etc.).
  3. The Patrol Commander will ensure that the request is properly addressed and notify the Situation Officer of the action taken.
  4. The Situation Officer will record the action taken and any other appropriate information relative to the request.

11. CURFEW

If the disaster is such that a curfew is declared by the Governor, the Virgin Islands Police Department will strictly enforce the curfew. Also, the Police Department will not issue curfew passes or grant permission to individuals or business to travel during the curfew hours.


12. DEACTIVATION OF PLAN

This plan is deactivated upon declaration by the Commissioner that operations are back to normal.


13. AFTER ACTION REPORT

The Senior Commander of the operation, with the assistance of all Commanders, will submit to the Chief of Police, no later than 10 working days after the end of the operation, a written After-Action Report, unless directed otherwise by the Chief of Police or higher authority.

13.1. After-Action Report Format
Although the Senior Commander may assign the writing of the report to a subordinate, the Commander is responsible for the timely submission of the report to the Chief of Police. Further, the After-Action Report will be completed in the following format:

  1. Brief Background of Operation to include the date and duration of the Operation.
  2. Short narrative of the highlights of the Operation.

    Special emphasis should be placed on the police strategy and tactics used.
  3. Command Post Information

    Location of all Command Posts

    Staffing level(s) at all command posts, to include names and duty schedules
  4. Criminal Offenses and Arrests

    List alphabetically the names of persons arrested (sex, age, charge(s) included)
  5. Death and Injuries

    This section should contain significant information concerning deaths and injuries related to the operation. Also, statistical summary of the total number of deaths and injuries will be presented in the following order:
    • Department Personnel
    • Other Law Enforcement Agencies
    • Civilians
    Following the statistical summary, there should be a description of the circumstances surrounding each death or injury. The description should include the name(s) listed alphabetically, location where the death or injury occurred, the cause and type of death or injury, and when applicable, the case number assigned.
  6. Property Damage

    This section will include a listing of all property damage. Department owned property will be listed separately. A monetary estimate of all damages will be included where possible.
  7. Personnel

    This section will include a listing of all Department Personnel who were assigned to the operation. This listing will be by rank and assignment (e.g., command post - squad one, etc.). Personnel from other agencies that supported (lie Police Department will be listed separately.
  8. Logistics

    In this section all operational expenditure of supplies and equipment will be recorded. Items to be recorded include food, coffee, fuel, chemical agents, ammunition, etc.