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Pickens County, Georgia Emergency Support Function Annex 2025 9 Search & Rescue ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 1 of 15 Emergency Support Function 9 Search & Rescue Records of Change Each update or change to the plan should be tracked. The record of changes, usually in table format, contains, at a minimum, a change number, the date of the change, the name of the person who made the change, and a summary of the change. Other relevant information could be considered. Change Number Date Part Affected Date Posted Who Posted 1 1-1-2025 New Annex 1-1-2025 Westbrook ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 2 of 15 Emergency Support Function 9 Search & Rescue Record of Distribution Agency Name Date of Delivery Copies Pickens County Fire Rescue Chief Prather 1/1/2025 1 Pickens County Sheriff’s Office Chief Hall 1/1/2025 1 City of Jasper Police Chief Dawkins 1/1/2025 1 Bent Tree Fire Rescue Chief Arp 1/1/2025 1 Big Canoe Fire Rescue Chief Jordan 1/1/2025 1 Bethany Salam Volunteers Fire Dept. Chief Easterwood 1/1/2025 1 City of Jasper Fire-Rescue Chief Sherrer 1/1/2025 1 Hinton Volunteer Fire-Rescue Chief Edwards 1/1/2025 1 Yellow Creek Volunteer Fire-Rescue Chief Smith 1/1/2025 1 Pickens County Emergency Management Director Westbrook 1/1/2025 1 Pickens County Public Safety Director Elrod 1/1/2025 1 ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 4 of 15 Emergency Support Function 9 Search & Rescue Table of Contents Contents Records of Change 1 Record of Distribution 2 1.0 Approval and Implementation 3 2.0 ESF Coordinator and Support Agencies 6 ESF COORDINATOR 6 SUPPORT AGENCIES 6 3.0 Introduction 7 7 3.1 Purpose 7 3.2 Scope 7 4.0 Concept of Operations 7 4.1 General 7 4.2 Pre-Event Phase 7 4.3 Response Phase 8 4.4 Recovery 8 4.5 Mitigation 9 4.6 ESF Role Aligned to Core Capabilities 9 5.0 Coordinator and Assignment Responsibilities 10 5.1 ESF Coordinator 10 5.2 Responsibilities 11 Support Agency Assignment of Responsibilities 11 6.0 Direction, Control, and Coordination 13 6.1 Information Collection and Dissemination 13 6.2 Communications 13 6.3 Administration, Finance, and Logistics 13 7.0 ESF Annex Development and Maintenance 14 7.1 Development & Maintenance 14 8.0 Authorities and References 14 14 ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 5 of 15 Emergency Support Function 9 Search & Rescue 8.1 Legal Authority 14 8.2 References 14 ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 6 of 15 Emergency Support Function 9 Search & Rescue 2.0 ESF Coordinator and Support Agencies ESF COORDINATOR Pickens County Fire-Rescue SUPPORT AGENCIES Pickens County Sheriff Bent Tree Fire-Rescue Bethany Salem Fire-Rescue Big Canoe Fire-Rescue Hinton Volunteer Fire-Rescue City of Jasper Fire-Rescue City of Jasper Police Yellow Creek Volunteer Fire-Rescue Pickens County Emergency Management Emergency Support Function Search & Rescue 9 ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 7 of 15 Emergency Support Function 9 Search & Rescue 3.0 Introduction 3.1 Purpose ESF-9 Search and Rescue provides operational guidance to departments/organizations that are assigned to work within this ESF. The mission of ESF-9 is to rapidly deploy local search and rescue components to provide specialized life-saving assistance during an emergency or disaster event. This, however, is not a tactical response document. ESF-9 Search and Rescue serves as the mechanism to provide coordination and resource support to local jurisdictions involved in both urban and non- urban search and rescue operations. 3.2 Scope ESF-9 acts to meet the Search/Rescue and essential elements of information needs of operations by establishing a framework for the management and coordination of Search and Rescue resources for locating, extricating and providing medical assistance to individuals in both the urban and non-urban settings. 4.0 Concept of Operations 4.1 General During an emergency or disaster, ESF-9 may be activated to support operations and assist with the development of a common operating picture. The scope, scale and magnitude of the threat/incident will dictate which support agencies will be requested for the support of ESF-9 Search and Rescue in the EOC. 4.2 Pre-Event Phase a. Maintain a current list of available resources and trained personnel that could support search and rescue operations and ensure a state of readiness. b. Ensure the development of uniformed Search and Rescue Standard Operating Procedures. c. Establish procedures for recruitment, training and certification of Search and Rescue Personnel. d. Anticipate the mobilization of personnel and equipment during existing or anticipated emergencies and be prepared to stage those resources at assigned locations. e. Establish and maintain a liaison with state Urban Search and Rescue assets and anticipate the arrival of external assets in support of operations as appropriate. f. Coordinate the development of MOU’s and Mutual Aid Agreements with appropriate ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 8 of 15 Emergency Support Function 9 Search & Rescue agencies/organizations for the provision of services to assist individuals and families affected by the emergency or disaster. g. Conduct and/or support community education programs regarding survival skillsets. h. Ensure all ESF-9 personnel integrate NIMS principles. 4.3 Response Phase a. Provide support to local agencies through the provision of necessary resources to include the mobilization and deployment of teams and equipment in support of Search and Rescue operations. b. Assume responsibility for the coordination and tracking of all resources committed to a Search and Rescue incident. This may include the placement of personnel at an Incident Command Post and the establishment of staging areas. c. Deploy liaison teams to the Incident Command Post or County EOC as necessary to support operations. d. Coordinate the utilization of available resources to augment response agencies during search and rescue operations and request state and federal assistance as necessary. e. Establish procedures for the rotation of resources to provide relief to emergency responders during extended Search and Rescue operations. f. Ensure all emergency Search and Rescue incident information is provided to the EOC to ensure the development of a common operating picture and maintain situational awareness. g. Coordinate with ESF-15 External Affairs for the dissemination of information to members of the general public and local media outlets. h. Coordinate with ESF-1 Transportation for the utilization of available resources to transport emergency workers, evacuated persons and rescued victims from the emergency scene to an identified safe location or emergency shelter. i. Coordinate with ESF-1 Transportation and ESF-8 Health and Medical for the provision of medical assistance and the transportation of victims beyond initial collection points. j. Establish procedures for the reception and deployment of State and Federal resources in support of Search and Rescue operations. 4.4 Recovery a. Maintain adequate resources to support local operations and plan for a reduction in resources. b. Inventory lost or damaged equipment and record any personnel injuries or equipment accidents. ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 9 of 15 Emergency Support Function 9 Search & Rescue c. Mitigation Conduct reviews of Search and Rescue operations with teams involved to improve future responses. 4.5 Mitigation a. Support and plan for mitigation measures. 4.6 ESF Role Aligned to Core Capabilities Core Capability ESF 9 Search & Rescue Mass Search & Rescue Operations Deliver traditional and atypical search and rescue capabilities, including personnel, services, animals, and assets to survivors in need, with the goal of saving the greatest number of endangered lives in the shortest time possible. Situational Assessment Provide all decision makers with decision- relevant information regarding the nature and extent of the hazard, any cascading effects, and the status of the response. Operational Coordination Establish and maintain a unified and coordinated operational structure and process that appropriately integrates all critical stakeholders and supports the execution of core capabilities. Table 1: Alignment with Core Capabilities ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 10 of 15 Emergency Support Function 9 Search & Rescue 5.0 Coordinator and Assignment Responsibilities 5.1 ESF Coordinator The ESF 9 Search & Rescue coordinator is the Pickens County Fire Chief or designee. Within the county EOC, the ESF-9 coordinator will serve a dual role as the ESF coordinator and the primary agency coordinator for all search & rescue operations. 5.1.1 ESF Coordinator Responsibilities Pickens County Fire-Rescue • Coordinate with each supporting agency through at least quarterly ESF meetings to ensure planning functions are carried out to support this ESF. • Develop a listing of available assets to support Search and Rescue operations. • Establish procedures for the prioritization of response actions. • Conduct a situational assessment to determine the need for Search and Rescue services based upon identified critical needs and available resources. • Establish procedures for the incorporation of private sector assets to support operations. • Establish procedures for the development and utilization of County search maps in support of operations. • Coordinate with ESF-3 Public Works/Engineering for the provision of technical assistance for the completion of structural shoring as required to ensure the safety of Search and Rescue teams. • Coordinate with ESF-15 External Affairs for the dissemination of critical public information. • Ensure communications to ensure the collection of critical information and the development of a common operating picture. • Provide technical assistance concerning any potential policy challenges. • Coordinate with ESF-3 Public Works/Engineering for debris removal and/or push back to allow Search and Rescue team movement. • Coordinate with ESF-1 Transportation for the utilization of assets to transport Search and Rescue team personnel. ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 11 of 15 Emergency Support Function 9 Search & Rescue 5.2 Responsibilities 5.2.1 Pickens County Fire-Rescue Pickens County Fire-Rescue is the lead agency responsible for Search & Rescue within unincorporated areas of Pickens County, the City of Nelson inside Pickens County and the Town of Talking Rock. Pickens County Fire-Rescue provides Search & Rescue support services to the City of Jasper Fire Department following established mutual and automatic aid agreements. 5.2.2 City of Jasper The City of Jasper Fire-Rescue is the lead agency responsible for Search & Rescue within the City of Jasper. The City of Jasper Fire-Rescue provides Search & Rescue support services to Pickens County Fire – Rescue following established automatic and mutual aid agreements. 5.2.3 All Support Agencies Support Agency Assignment of Responsibilities All Support Agencies Attend at least quarterly meetings to ensure planning functions are carried out to support this ESF. Identify Agency staff representatives to support this ESF and other operational practices during emergency and disaster operations. Ensure the presence of resources (human and physical) are in sufficient numbers to support the Agency’s responsibilities to this ESF. Conduct recovery and restoration tasks in coordination with the EOC/RCC and federal assistance program guidance. Annually evaluate Critical Workforce staffing needs and report sheltering and/or equipment staging locations as requested. Coordinate pertinent disaster recovery information with the County Joint Information Center (JIC). I Identify damages and/or losses and prepare an action plan for recovery activities. Maintain records of expenditures and document resources utilized during response and recovery operations. Develop appropriate Plans, Procedures, Mutual Aid Agreements, Checklists, Go-Kits and other supporting documentation as needed to facilitate ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 12 of 15 Emergency Support Function 9 Search & Rescue execution of the Agency’s responsibilities to this ESF. Prepare to support the EOC as necessary. Participate in drills, exercises, and other preparedness events to evaluate the Agency’s readiness to support this ESF. Ensure Agency staff maintain NIMS compliance and report compliance measurements annually as requested. Pickens County Sheriff • Act as lead investigator of all missing persons cases within jurisdiction. • Join Unified Command with other ESF 9 agencies to provide law enforcement expertise during missing person search operations. • Assume lead if search operations involve or are suspected of involving criminal acts. • Provide security for disaster search and rescue operations. City of Jasper Police Department • Act as lead investigator of all missing persons cases within jurisdiction. • Join Unified Command with other ESF 9 agencies to provide law enforcement expertise during missing person search operations. • Assume lead if search operations involve or are suspected of involving criminal acts. • Provide security for disaster search and rescue operations. Bent-Tree Fire-Rescue Bethany Salem Fire-Rescue Big Canoe Fire-Rescue Hinton Fire-Rescue Jasper Fire-Rescue Yellow Creek Fire Rescue • Provide assistance by utilizing available resources in search of victims. • Provide assistance using available resources to treat injured victims. ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 13 of 15 Emergency Support Function 9 Search & Rescue 6.0 Direction, Control, and Coordination 6.1 Information Collection and Dissemination ESF 9 Search & Rescue will report all activities to the ESF 5 Emergency Management Situation Unit for inclusion in the development of incident action plans and situational reports. All public information reports regarding ESF 9 Search & Rescue activity will be coordinated with EOC ESF 15 External Affairs. In addition to the EOC, ESF 9 Search & Rescue may provide personnel to field operations established in Pickens County, Georgia including but not limited to: Joint Field Offices (JFO), Joint Information Centers (JIC), Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) and any other incident facility established to meet operational demands for each particular incident requiring the activation of the EOP. 6.2 Communications The ESF 5 Emergency Management will provide planning assistance to all ESFs listed in the EOP. All ESFs will strive to develop operationally ready SOGs for inclusion in the EOP. ESF 9 Search & Rescue will meet as necessary to develop, review and refine SOGs that discuss specific operational processes and procedures. 6.3 Administration, Finance, and Logistics In conjunction with ESF 7 Resource Support, ESF 9 Search & Rescue will develop, review, refine and maintain lists of all resources currently available and under the control of the primary or support agencies listed in this plan. The development of these lists may be completed by several organizations and professional groups, which currently operate within this ESF. These resource lists should be compliant with the resource typing standards outlined in the National Incident Management System 2017 (NIMS). Resource requirements will be primarily determined by on scene Incident Commanders, working with the Emergency Operations Center. Resource requests flow from the Incident Commander to the EOC and may be forwarded to the State Operations Center (or through the GEMA/HS Field Coordinator) as required. Existing local resources, intrastate mutual aid, donations, Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters and Non- Governmental Organizations (NGO) provide the initial source of personnel, vehicles, equipment, supplies, and services to fulfill resource requests. ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 14 of 15 Emergency Support Function 9 Search & Rescue 7.0 ESF Annex Development and Maintenance 7.1 Development & Maintenance ESF Annexes will be updated as required and when events or exercises identify a needed change. All other maintenance will be conducted in accordance with the base plan. 8.0 Authorities and References 8.1 Legal Authority Code of Ordinances Pickens County, Georgia Chapter 22-32(3), 22-33. Code of Georgia TITLE 38, Article 2, Section 38-3-27. 8.2 References Pickens County, Georgia Emergency Operations Plan. Georgia Emergency Operations Plan. National Response Framework. FEMA 2019. National Incident Management System. FEMA 2017. National Preparedness Goal. FEMA 2015.