Title
Adoption of Resolution Determining That the Public Interest and Necessity Demand the Adoption and Implementation of the 2026 Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) to Enhance the City of Alameda’s Emergency and Disaster Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Capabilities. (Fire)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Adam W. Politzer, Interim City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The 2026 Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) builds upon previous efforts to enhance the City of Alameda’s (City) emergency and disaster preparedness, response, and recovery capabilities and includes the critical elements of the Incident Command System (ICS), Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS), the National Incident Management System (NIMS), and the National Response Framework.
BACKGROUND
The City’s first EOP was developed in the early 1980s as a multi-hazard functional planning guide, which was designed to provide a plan for each type of disaster. After the Oakland Hills Fire of 1991, the guide was revised in 1993 and was renamed the All Hazard Guide, which was a single use plan to manage all disaster scenarios and incorporate the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS), the Incident Command System (ICS), and the Multi Agency Coordination System (MACS). In the 2001 revision, the Guide was renamed the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) and revised to provide needed updates, including the addition of several positions to the emergency management organization.
In 2008, the EOP was revised again to meet new State and Federal requirements including the adoption of the National Incident Management System (NIMS). The 2008 Revision also reformatted the plan to include functional annexes and supplemental appendices. In 2019, the current plan was adopted and built on previous efforts to enhance the City’s emergency preparedness and response capabilities.
DISCUSSION
The 2026 EOP builds on the efforts undertaken in the 2019 update and includes the critical elements of the Incident Command System (ICS), Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS), the National Incident Management System (NIMS), and many of the latest requirements that have been adopted by the California Legislature (Exhibit 1).
The EOP is developed in accordance with the California Emergency Services Act and in accordance with the guidance issued in the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Comprehensive Preparedness Guide 101 (CPG 101), Version 2.0, as well as through input from each City department, according to the department’s designated responsibility in the City’s emergency response organization. The 2026 EOP is fully compliant with both State and Federal mandates and is an “All Hazard Plan” general enough to address the full range of emergency and disaster scenarios.
The 2026 EOP was prepared by Atlas Planning Solutions, a consultant to the City. The 2026 EOP addresses the City’s planned response to emergency situations, as well as coordination of the personnel, facilities, and other resources of the City into an efficient organization capable of responding to emergencies, disasters, or planned events. The EOP defines the Citywide emergency management organization and details the method by which the City will coordinate an emergency response. The EOP further details the role of the City’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) including activation, responsibilities, and operational procedures, especially when coordination with the Alameda County Operational Area or other mutual aid partners is required.
Notable changes in the 2026 plan include the incorporation of recommendations from the City’s recently completed Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan. In addition, the update includes new information regarding the City’s organizational chart, updated information pertaining to mass care and sheltering and evacuation, and greater focus on issues associated with access and functional needs (AB 2311, AB 477, AB 2645), cultural competence (SB 160 and AB 1638), and persons with pets (AB 781). While all of this new legislation focuses on county jurisdictions, this update supports those concerns to further support Alameda County’s compliance.
There are three sections to the City of Alameda Emergency Operations Plan: the Basic Plan, the Annexes, and Attachments.
The Basic Plan needs to be adopted by resolution to meet State and Federal requirements, and is supported by the Annexes, which are procedural guidelines that expand on particular functions or hazard specific issues outlined in the Basic Plan. The Annexes further describe discipline-specific operations, concepts, capabilities, organizational structures, goals, objectives, and related policies. The Attachments address subsequent plans and procedures developed in support of the EOP, such as hazard-specific plans and related procedures, which will be incorporated by reference and maintained separately from the Basic Plan. See Exhibit 2 for the list of Annexes and Attachments developed for this update.
ALTERNATIVES
• Adopt a Resolution determining that the public interest and necessity demand the adoption and implementation of the 2026 Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) to enhance the City of Alameda’s Emergency and Disaster Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Capabilities.
• Do not adopt the updated Alameda Emergency Operations Plan and rely on the 2019 plan to respond to emergency incidents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is consistent with Chapter 2-24 of the Alameda Municipal Code (City of Alameda Disaster Council), as well as applicable state law regarding emergency response.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action does not constitute a “project” as defined in California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378 and therefore no further CEQA analysis is required.
CLIMATE IMPACT
There are no identifiable climate impacts or climate action opportunities associated with the subject of this report.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution determining that the public interest and necessity demand the adoption and implementation of the 2026 Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) to enhance the City of Alameda’s Emergency and Disaster Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Capabilities.
Respectfully submitted,
Nicholas Luby, Fire Chief
By,
Dallas Andrews, Fire Captain
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Ross McCarthy, Finance Director
Exhibits:
1. 2026 Alameda Emergency Operations Plan
2. Annexes and Attachments