PTI Local Government Energy Assurance Guidelines - Metropolitan ...

involve private sector energy emergency experts early in the planning process to help accurately define roles and
responsibilities.
Private sector organizations typically involved in emergency response are the ones that own, lease, and/or operate
energy supply systems located within or serving the local jurisdiction. Examples could include natural gas
and electric utilities and petroleum pipeline and terminal operators. It is important to learn about private sector
emergency response plans within the jurisdiction to the extent possible. An EAP working group might find it helpful
to pull together a handful of relevant private sector emergency response plans—as available—to help coordinate
the local government energy emergency response with private sector responses. The point of this coordination is to
avoid duplicating, accidentally contradicting, or counteracting the actions of private sector response plans. While
some private companies have valid security reasons not to share all of this information with governments (such as
electric utilities that are concerned about terrorist knowledge of vulnerable electricity supplies), most are very willing
to share lessons learned with local governments. Working with company personnel on this issue in advance of an
emergency also helps establish trust and familiarity that will prove helpful during actual emergencies.
Regional, State, and Federal Government Roles and Responsibilities
State and Federal government roles and responsibilities are discussed in more detail in Step Nine: Developing
Additional Local, State, Regional, and Federal Partnerships (Section 3.10). It is important, however, to mention some
information on these roles here. In addition to having a fundamental understanding of roles and responsibilities, it is
equally important that localities stay abreast of larger regional, State, and Federal energy issues on a regular basis.
This awareness can provide much needed context during an energy emergency, while also contributing ultimately to
a more efficient response.
Information on where local government energy emergency responsibilities begin and end, and where regional, State,
and Federal government responsibilities begin and end, is crucial information and should be a part of the EAP.
The regional Council of Government (COG) may offer significant energy planning expertise. The National
Association of Regional Councils (NARC) can help connect local government planners to their respective COGs.
NARC serves as the national voice for regionalism through its member councils of government and metropolitan
planning organizations (MPOs) that offer a wealth of energy-related expertise. NARC staff is actively involved in
regional energy planning, and is likely to know energy experts at the closest COG or MPO. Further information is
available at http://narc.org.
In addition to finding out how the COG can be of assistance in developing a local EAP, planners should be aware
of the different phases under which emergency response often takes place. Typically, the first phase of response
involves local and regional jurisdictions, with State, Federal, and NGO resources involved—depending on the
severity of the event—as the response effort continues. Of course, each emergency is unique in terms of its scope,
duration and effects. In broad terms, however, the response process often roughly follows the chronology below and
involves different jurisdictions and organizations at the local, State, and Federal level:
■ ■ First 24 hours: Local and regional authorities may be dispatched to affected areas. Such authorities would
include law enforcement (sheriff or police officers), firefighters, emergency medical technicians (ambulance),
and municipal service workers. The local Red Cross may also begin gathering disaster response teams to help
assess the location and scale of damage. If the damage is widespread and affects many homes, temporary
shelters may be set up in a predetermined location, such as a community center, school or church. The media
may play an important role in disseminating relevant information to the public.
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