Logo courtesy of the City of Gridley

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) – Gridley has updated an emergency operations plan that had gone largely unchanged since 2014, shifting responsibilities beyond the police department and preparing city departments to work together during a major disaster.

CAL FIRE Division Chief Jason Dyer and Capt. Roque Zarate presented the revised Emergency Operations Plan to the Gridley City Council on Sept. 21. The council approved the update following a review of how the city would respond to emergencies ranging from flooding and hazardous-material incidents to widespread power failures and other large-scale disasters.

The plan is intended for emergencies that exceed normal day-to-day response procedures and pose major threats to life, property or the environment, officials said.

Dyer said the previous plan placed excessive responsibility on the Police Department and included conflicting titles and assignments. The revisions allow duties to be divided among city departments while maintaining a clear command structure.

Zarate said the plan also needed to better align with Butte County, state and federal emergency systems so additional resources can be brought in when a disaster exceeds Gridley’s capabilities.

“It’s not all on us,” Zarate said. “We want to activate what we can, do what we can, and then the county will step in.”

If county resources are overwhelmed, assistance can expand to regional, state and federal agencies, he said.

Among the changes is a clearer Emergency Operations Center activation guide showing different emergency levels, conditions and responsibilities. The updated plan also allows department heads or trained designees to fill roles previously assigned primarily to police.

The city clerk would be responsible for establishing the Emergency Operations Center and communications, while the police chief would continue directing emergency operations in the field. Fire personnel could also take on planning and other functions during a major response.

The plan incorporates Butte County’s RAVE emergency alert system, which can send evacuation and other emergency notices to residents who are registered for the service. Zarate said the system can also notify residents when it is safe to return.

After council members questioned how the city would assist elderly residents, people with disabilities and residents with limited English proficiency during an evacuation, Dyer said locations with potentially vulnerable populations have been identified and would be incorporated into training and emergency response priorities.

Zarate said changes in state requirements since 2016 also require emergency plans to more fully address residents with access and functional needs and language barriers.

Training is the next major step, officials said.

Dyer said a scenario has already been developed to test the revised plan. Department heads and city employees will first train on their assigned roles before the city considers broader community education and possible volunteer involvement.

The exercise could lead to additional changes if weaknesses are identified.

The plan had gone more than a decade without significant revision, although emergency operations plans are generally reviewed every three to five years to keep pace with changing laws, technology and emergency management practices.