Atlanta R
egional
Evacuation Coordination Plan
REFINED BASE PLAN
AUGUST 23, 2018 EDITION
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Atlanta Regional Evacuation Coordination Plan | Refined Base Plan (FOUO) 2
Handling Instructions
This Document is for Official Use Only (FOUO)
This Document is for Official Use Only (FOUO) and should be handled as sensitive
information not to be disclosed. This document should be safeguarded, handled,
transmitted, and stored in accordance with appropriate security directives.
Reproduction of this document, in whole or in part, without prior approval from the
Atlanta Regional Commission or the Georgia Emergency Management & Homeland
Security Agency is prohibited.
At a minimum, the attached materials should be disseminated only on a need- to-
know basis and, when unattended, should be stored in a locked container or area
offering sufficient protection against theft, compromise, inadvertent access and
unauthorized disclosure.
This document and all its information is protected from unauthorized disclosure by
Georgia Code [50-18 72(a)(25)(A)] - specifically, sections (ii) and (iv). This law
reads in part:
“…(25)(A) Records, the disclosure of which would compromise security against
sabotage or criminal or terrorist acts and the nondisclosure of which is necessary
for the protection of life, safety, or public property, which shall be limited to the
following:
(i)
Security plans and vulnerability assessments for any public utility, technology
infrastructure, building, facility, function, or activity in effect at the time of the
request for disclosure or pertaining to a plan or assessment in effect at such time;
(ii)
Any plan for protection against terrorist or other attacks, which plan depends for
its effectiveness in whole or in part upon a lack of general public knowledge of its
details;
(iii)
Any document relating to the existence, nature, location, or function of security
devices designed to protect against terrorist or other attacks, which devices depend
for their effectiveness in whole or in part upon a lack of general public knowledge;
and
(iv)
Any plan, blueprint, or other material which if made public could compromise
security against sabotage, criminal, or terroristic acts…”
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Table of Contents
Handling Instructions ................................................................................................................... 2
Table of Contents ......................................................................................................................... 3
Forward ........................................................................................................................................ 5
Overview ....................................................................................................................................... 6
1.0 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 7
1.1 Regional Evacuation Planning ....................................................................................... 7
1.1.1 Need for Coordinated Approach .......................................................................... 7
1.1.2 History of Coordination and Authorizing Documents ......................................... 7
1.2 Purpose and Scope of Plan ............................................................................................. 8
1.2.1 Purpose ................................................................................................................. 8
1.2.2 Scope of Plan ....................................................................................................... 8
1.3 Organization of Plan and How This Plan is Intended to Be Used ................................. 9
1.4 Situation ....................................................................................................................... 10
1.5 Planning Assumptions .................................................................................................. 11
2.0 Concept of Coordination .................................................................................................. 13
2.1 Purpose ......................................................................................................................... 13
2.2 Roles and Responsibilities ........................................................................................... 13
2.2.1 Role of the Governor ......................................................................................... 13
2.2.2 Role of the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency
(GEMA/HS) ............................................................................................................... 14
2.2.3 Role of Local Elected Officials ......................................................................... 14
2.2.4 Role of Local County Emergency Mangers ...................................................... 14
2.2.5 Role of Support Agencies .................................................................................. 15
2.3 Evacuation Coordination Process ................................................................................ 15
2.4 First Hour Activities for Decision Makers ................................................................... 16
2.5 Evacuation Response Operations ................................................................................. 18
2.6 Mutual Aid ................................................................................................................... 22
3.0 Evacuation Processes and Considerations ...................................................................... 23
3.1 Evacuation Process…………………………………………………………………… 23
3.2 Evacuation Considerations ........................................................................................... 23
4.0 Shelter Operations ............................................................................................................ 23
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Forward
In concert with local government partners, the former Metro Atlanta Urban Area Security
Initiative, Inc. (UASI), developed an evacuation plan in 2014 that over time has proven to be overly
detailed, inflexible, and too cumbersome for implementation. In 2017, the Atlanta UASI program,
under the direction of the Atlanta Regional Commission’s (ARC) Homeland Security and
Recovery Group, (HSRG) initiated an effort to refine that plan to seek approval and participation
by all stakeholders, focus more heavily on coordination, and grant the flexibility required by
rapidly changing situations. The Regional Evacuation Coordination Plan (RECP), as refined, is
designed specifically to maximize the preservation of life, while reducing the number of people
that must evacuate and the distance they must travel to seek safe refuge through the combined
actions of multiple agencies and departments; pooling of resources, and a consistent and logical
synchronization of county, regional, state, and federal activities.
During a major emergency or disaster, sheltering-in-place may be the most effective emergency
response action based upon the circumstances of a critical event. Shelter-in-place decisions are
generally influenced by two factors: 1) Evacuation would cause greater exposure to the hazard,
placing the population at greater risk; 2) To keep transportation routes clear for an at-risk
population ordered to evacuate, the not-at-risk population is asked to shelter-in-place. The general
working premises of this refined RECP include the following:
• Response decisions, including the decision to evacuate, will be based on maximizing the
preservation of life first, then protecting the environment and the economy.
• Local authorities are empowered to make evacuation decisions for their jurisdictions. The
primary role of the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency
(GEMA/HS) is to provide guidance and assistance to local authorities to aid with
evacuations.
• The local county Emergency Managers are the central point of contact for all emergency
response information flowing to and from the GEMA/HS.
• The decision to evacuate an area is not made lightly. Elected officials, county emergency
management agencies, and other supporting response organizations will coordinate with
each other to make collaborative evacuation decisions.
• Protective action decisions need to be made quickly, and should be based upon these
considerations: the nature of the threat and the time and resources required to evacuate.
• County public information officers, chief executive officers, county emergency managers
and other public officials will work collectively to develop one consistent and clear message
to inform the public about the protective actions. For incidents involving hazardous
materials protective actions may be determined based on the most recent Emergency
Response Guidebook (ERG) Guidelines.
• Sharing of resources, equipment, and personnel among jurisdictions and departments will
be critical during an emergency response.
• Evacuation routes will be determined based on incident location, available transportation
routes, and affected populations. A large-scale evacuation may be considered as the
result of a catastrophic event, and then only as a last resort.
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Overview
From its humble beginnings as a railroad terminus, Metro Atlanta has grown to become one of the
nation’s largest, most dynamic regions – and a major player on the global stage. Currently, the
Metro Atlanta area encompassed by this Plan is home to 4.6 million residents, and the region is
growing quickly with a rapidly diversifying population.
Metro Atlanta holds a pivotal position in the Southeast as a transportation hub, with the world’s
most travelled airport serving 100 million passengers, and moving 650 metric tons of freight
annually. Within the region there are numerous high-capacity regional general aviation airports,
major interstates, and a large urban mass transit system. Nuclear materials are often transported
around the metro region, as are myriad hazardous materials.
The region serves as the economic capital of the Southeast and boasts world-class universities, a
lively arts and culture scene, and notable landmarks such as the Georgia State Capitol, the Martin
Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site, Stone Mountain Park, and the Chattahoochee River
National Recreation Area. The region routinely hosts major events such as the Olympics, National
Collegiate Athletics Association conference and national championships, and Super Bowls.
Professional teams in baseball, football, basketball and soccer all call Atlanta home, and Atlanta
hosts major trade shows, conferences, automobile racing and other annual events.
The region’s vulnerability to natural and man-made threats, coupled with increasing risk profiles
underscore the need for proper disaster planning. While each disaster should be evaluated to
determine the appropriate response actions required to minimize risk to the public, in some cases
a small-scale evacuation to points outside the affected area may be all that is required. A large-
scale evacuation may be considered as a result of a catastrophic event, and then only as a last
resort.
Planners and responders in the area understand the need for a coordinated approach between all
jurisdictions within the region in the event that a cross-jurisdictional evacuation is ordered. The
Atlanta Regional Evacuation Coordination Plan (RECP), with any and all appropriate annexes
is one of the critical tools that provides guidance on how to safely and effectively execute a regional
evacuation. This refined RECP is a reflection of the region’s dedication and commitment to
ensuring the lives and safety of its citizens, and should serve as a national best practice for regional
collaboration and planning.
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1.0
Introduction
1.1
Regional Evacuation Planning
The overarching goal of the Regional Evacuation Planning project is to maximize the preservation
of life while reducing the number of people that must evacuate and the distance they must travel
to seek safe refuge.
Using a catastrophic or worst-case scenario assumption of a no-notice event, the RECP describes
how elected officials and emergency managers will cooperate and the decisions they will have to
make and implement to respond to a disaster that requires an evacuation of residents. The RECP
also aims to lessen the impact a large-scale or several simultaneous smaller-scale evacuations can
have on the host communities.
This plan is intended to supplement the all-hazards concept of operations described in the Georgia
Emergency Management & Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) Emergency Operations Plan
(GEOP) and each of the 10 counties’ EOPs. This RECP has been prepared in accordance with the
National Incident Management System (NIMS), the Incident Command System (ICS), and the
Mass Evacuation Annex of the National Response Framework.
A catastrophic event for the purposes of this RECP is any natural or man-made incident that 1)
crosses jurisdictional boundaries and 2) results in extraordinary levels of casualties, damage,
or disruption severely affecting the population, infrastructure, environment, economy, and/or
government functions.
1.1.1 Need for Coordinated Approach
All emergencies require a coordinated approach of several different organizations and disciplines
working together to ensure the protection of life, public safety, the economy, and the environment.
The level of coordination and the number of organizations increases as some emergencies expand
across jurisdictional boundaries. While evacuations from one part of a jurisdiction to another
location within the same jurisdiction requires little in the way of regional coordination, sometimes
evacuees must travel to or through surrounding jurisdictions. This multi-jurisdictional type event
requires a high level of coordination between the impacted area and the receiving host
jurisdictions.
1.1.2 History of Coordination and Authorizing Documents
The Metropolitan Atlanta region has a long history of working together on a wide range of issues.
Collaborative regional planning for emergency response and recovery makes sense. Effective
emergency response and recovery hinges on combined action, pooling of resources, and a
consistent and logical way to synchronize county, regional, state, and Federal actions.
The following Acts and agreements encourage, and in some cases mandate, all levels of
government within the metropolitan Atlanta region to work together to solve common problems:
Georgia Planning Act of 1989 established a coordinated planning program for the State of
Georgia. This program provides local governments with opportunities to plan for their future
and to improve communication with their neighboring governments. The Planning Act also
assigns local governments certain minimum responsibilities to maintain Qualified Local
Government status and, thus, be eligible to receive certain state funding.
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Article 4 of Chapter 8 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Section 80 authorizes the
creation of metropolitan area planning and development commissions, such as the ARC, for
the purposes of smart planning growth.
Statewide Mutual Aid Agreement as amended in 2016 provides the framework to support
mutual aid to assist in the utilization of resources in the event of any local emergency or
disaster.
In addition to the acts and agreements listed above, the Atlanta UASI serves to help the region
coordinate planning, prevention, mitigation, response and recovery efforts that benefit the entire
region. The UASI is governed by a Senior Policy Group (SPG) comprised of the Chief Elected
Officials (CEOs) of the following six jurisdictions: The City of Atlanta and the counties of Clayton,
Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett. Other members of the SPG are the Director of the GEMA/HS,
the Special Agents in Charge of the United States Secret Service and the Federal Bureau of
Investigation for the Atlanta region, the Chairman of the ARC and the General Manager of the
Metro Atlanta Regional Transit Authority (MARTA). The Atlanta UASI is further guided by a 25
member Urban Area Working Group (UAWG). This group makes recommendations to the SPG
and is represented by the actual Police and Fire Chiefs; the Emergency Management Agency
directors; along with representation from MARTA; the Centers for Disease Control; Grady
Hospital; a senior K-12 state educational official; a senior state Public Health official; the director
of ARC Aging and Independent Group, and a private sector member.
1.2
Purpose and Scope of Plan
1.2.1 Purpose
The purpose of this RECP is to assist elected officials, emergency managers, and external partners
in understanding their evacuation roles and responsibilities during the first hours of any event
requiring sheltering in place and/or evacuation. It documents communication methods and refers
to existing transportation and shelter resources in the various jurisdictions. Individual behavioral
analysis and population needs during an evacuation are best understood by the emergency
managers in each of the regional jurisdictions and are not a part of this plan.
1.2.2 Scope of Plan
The RECP applies to all 10 counties in the metropolitan Atlanta region, including Cherokee,
Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, and Rockdale Counties, as
well as the City of Atlanta, which encompasses portions of both Fulton and DeKalb Counties (see
Figure 1). It is not intended to supersede any other emergency plans. This RECP and any
accompanying supporting individual county appendices may serve as an annex to current
emergency operations plan (EOP) or emergency response plans.
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Figure 1 – Map of 10-County
Region
1.3
Organization of Plan and How This Plan is Intended to Be Used
This RECP in its entirety is organized into several sections: the Base Plan, Regional Interoperable
Communications Plan and one or more annexes (as necessary).
The Regional Evacuation Coordination Plan is organized as follows:
Base Plan
Appendix A: First Hour Checklist
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Regional Interoperable Communications Plan (Not in this document)
The first section, called the Base Plan, includes this introduction, situation and planning assumptions,
the concept for coordination, and plan maintenance. The Base Plan is intended to provide the overall
framework for how the 10 counties, the city, the state, and other stakeholders will coordinate and
communicate multi-jurisdictional evacuation decisions and measures. Appendix A contains the First
Hour Checklist and Evacuation Process, which provides the emergency managers with a framework to
help coordinate and implement an emergency evacuation order.
The Regional Interoperable Communications Plan provides senior leadership, the Unified Command
for an incident, and supporting jurisdictions the tactical details necessary to conduct voice and data
interoperable communications in the Metro Atlanta Region.
Additional annexes found in the original Regional Evacuation Plan include the bulleted items below.
The UAWG and its committees will consider the need for inclusion or revision of these annexes in this
or future iterations of this RECP:
The Tactical Operations Annex to provide a coordinated approach to evacuating residents and
businesses from the affected areas of the region after a disaster. This annex is an operational guide
to conducting and coordinating evacuation on a regional level.
The Regional Mass Care and Shelter Annex to provide a coordinated approach to meeting the mass
care and shelter needs of affected populations within the region after a disaster. This annex is an
operational guide to conducting and coordinating mass care and shelter on a regional level.
A Reentry Annex that provides a coordinated approach to allowing evacuated residents and
businesses back into the region after a disaster. This annex is an operational guide to conducting
and coordinating reentry on a multi-jurisdictional level.
The Emergency Public Information Annex can provide a coordinated approach to providing a
common message to the public conducting evacuation, mass care and shelter, reentry, volunteer
management, and disaster recovery operations.
A Disaster Recovery Annex to provide a coordinated approach among multiple jurisdictions to
disaster recovery. This annex is an operational guide to conducting and coordinating disaster
recovery operations on a local level within the Metro Atlanta Region.
Regional Volunteer Management Annex that would provide a coordinated approach to meeting the
volunteer management and coordination needs within multiple jurisdictions within the region after
a disaster.
1.4
Situation
Over the last three years, UASI administrators, under the leadership of the HSRG within the ARC have
made a concerted effort to adopt a Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA)
development strategy that was inclusive of stakeholder feedback. As a part of the process, input was
collected from each UASI jurisdiction via a comprehensive survey on the major threats/hazards facing
the UASI footprint, their impacts, desired outcomes and capability targets for each threat. The threats
and hazards included in the UASI stakeholder survey aligned with those found in the State of Georgia’s
Hazard Mitigation Strategy to help ensure that UASI and State preparedness efforts were in concert.
Once the survey data had been collected and analyzed, a workshop was conducted through a facilitated
discussion format where stakeholders identified the core set of threats, and then discussed the desired
outcomes, impacts and capability targets for specific core capabilities based upon those threats. All
major disciplines were represented in both the survey and at the in- person THIRA workshop, including:
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law enforcement, public health, fire/EMS, emergency management, hospitals, private sector, et cetera.
During the course of the THIRA development and subsequent annual revisions, stakeholders discussed
which of the identified threats and hazards would cause the greatest impacts, including those with low-
probability/high consequence, and decided on a subset of the entire list that would be the focus of the
UASI THIRA. As a result of this inclusive consultation process with key UASI stakeholders, it was
determined that the top five threats capable of stressing the largest number of Core Capabilities in the
UASI footprint are the following:
Active Shooter
Severe Winter Weather
Pandemic with Resulting Civil Unrest
Command, Control, Communications and Computers (C4) Cyber Attack
Improvised Nuclear Device (IND) Attack
By their very nature, each of the five threats and hazards listed above, could result in a need for
evacuation and/or shelter in place by individuals within specific jurisdictions or combinations of
jurisdictions. If deemed necessary, these sheltering and/or evacuation orders will require the
coordination of resources and planning efforts by governmental entities from across the region.
1.5
Planning Assumptions
This RECP was developed under the following assumptions:
The evacuation of individuals from the metropolitan Atlanta region may be the result of a
natural disaster or human-caused hazard such as a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear,
or explosive (CBRNE) incident that is either accidental or malicious.
Some hazards occur without notice. There is often very little or no time before the threat to
public life and safety is eminent.
Evacuation of a relatively small number of individuals in a limited area involving only one
jurisdiction occurs on a regular basis, and is appropriately handled by fire and police as a routine
part of their response operations.
Evacuation of a relatively small number of individuals in a limited area involving two or three
jurisdictions is handled using current plans and procedures and may not warrant activation of
the RECP.
Evacuation of a large number of individuals or a large area involving numerous jurisdictions
(usually four or more) may require a high level of coordination, as documented and specified
in this plan.
Shelter-in-place may be the most effective emergency response action in two situations. These
are: 1) Evacuation would cause greater exposure to the hazard, placing the population in greater
risk; and 2) To keep transportation routes clear for an at-risk population ordered to evacuate,
the not-at-risk population is asked to shelter in place. The implementation of sheltering-in-place
is highly dependent upon the specific hazards present, and local governments are responsible
for issuing specific guidance to the public for shelter-in-place situations.
Each county has emergency operations plan that describes roles and responsibilities and
designates organizations to lead, provide, and assist with emergency support functions (ESFs).
Due to the nature of the threat(s) requiring an evacuation of more than one area of the
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metropolitan Atlanta region, there may be insufficient time to evacuate the area and/or special
populations (e.g., correctional facilities). Shelter-in-place instructions may need to be provided.
Response decisions, including the decision to evacuate, will be based on maximizing the
preservation of life first, then protecting the environment and the economy.
Decision makers may consider the following principles when determining shelter in place
versus evacuation decisions:
Reduce the number of people who must evacuate and the distance they must travel to seek
safe refuge.
Evacuation may require relocating people within a county, to an adjacent county, to another
part of the state or (rarely) to other states.
For local emergencies with advance warning, many of the affected population will
voluntarily evacuate the area before being ordered to leave.
Evacuees leaving voluntarily will more likely seek shelter with friend or relatives or use
hotels rather than public shelter.
Most of the public will act in its own interest and evacuate a dangerous area when advised
to do so by authorities.
Some individuals will refuse to evacuate.
Some individuals needing transportation assistance may have companion and/or service animals
that will be accommodated in accordance with the PETS Act and in coordination with Georgia
Department of Agriculture.
Opening congregate/mass care facilities to feed and shelter evacuees is expected to be
necessary.
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2.0
Concept of Coordination
2.1
Purpose
The purpose of this section is to detail the concept of coordination for an emergency requiring an
evacuation of a large, multi-jurisdictional area in the metropolitan Atlanta region. This chapter
describes:
The roles and capabilities of various types of stakeholder groups that will provide support
during an emergency incident.
How CEOs, emergency management agencies and other supporting response organizations
from the Atlanta region will coordinate to make collaborative decisions regarding shelter-
in-place and/or evacuation.
The information needed and the type of decisions that public officials will be required to
make prior to and during the implementation of an evacuation order.
Appendix A of this plan is the implementation of the First-Hour Checklist. This First-Hour
Checklist is to help emergency managers and incident commanders implement an evacuation order
or shelter-in-place instructions. The checklist:
Provides a fill-in-the-blank field checklist for managers charged with the
evacuation/sheltering effort.
Encourages the collection of data needed for planning and executing an evacuation or
shelter in place order.
Provides a permanent record of the emergency evacuation/sheltering response efforts.
2.2
Roles and Responsibilities
In accordance with state laws, GEMA/HS has adopted a decentralized approach for evacuation
decision-making. Local authorities are empowered to make evacuation decisions for their
jurisdictions. GEMA/HS’s primary role is to provide guidance and assistance to local authorities
to aid with evacuations. The roles and responsibilities described here clarify decision-making
authority that is currently described in the Georgia Emergency Management Act and supporting
EOPs (GEMA/HS GEOP and county-specific EOPs).
2.2.1 Role of the Governor
According to the Georgia Emergency Management Act, the Governor can “direct and compel the
evacuation of all or part of the population from any stricken or threatened area within the state if
he/she deems this action necessary for preservation of life or other disaster mitigation, response
or recovery ... (and) prescribe routes, modes of transportation, and destinations in connection with
evacuation.” This action results only from emergencies that are beyond local control.
The Governor is also authorized to control traffic for evacuation (Ga. Code §38-3-24) and may
enter into, amend, supplement, and implement agreements with other states for mutual military aid
(Ga. Code §38-2-93).
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2.2.2 Role of the Georgia Emergency Management & Homeland
Security Agency (GEMA/HS)
GEMA/HS's role in evacuation decision-making is to assist and advise the local officials in their
decision-making efforts and to liaise with state and federal organizations and local jurisdictions.
Under the State hurricane plan, GEMA/HS “may recommend evacuation to save lives and property
in anticipation of direct effects of a hurricane. It would only assume direction and control in the
event evacuation requirements are beyond the capabilities of the local governments(s) affected.”
During any emergency GEMA/HS is responsible for coordinating response efforts among local
jurisdictions and providing resource and response assistance as requested by the counties and
directed by the Governor.
2.2.3 Role of Local Elected Officials
The Georgia Emergency Management Act authorizes the County Commission or elected authority
to order an evacuation when deemed necessary to protect lives. In most cases, the CEO of the
county, usually the County Commission Chairperson, has the responsibility of issuing evacuation
orders for his/her local area. In incorporated municipalities, the Mayor of an incorporated
municipality will have this authority.
During an emergency, the role of CEOs, city or county managers, and their department/division
directors is:
In coordination with the county EMA, issue emergency/disaster declarations in accordance
with GEMA/HS requirements.
Make command-level policy decisions as needed and appropriate.
Authorize emergency spending as needed.
Issue restrictions or modifications to business as usual (e.g., curfews, business closures,
driving restrictions, etc.).
Suspend meetings and coordinate the provision of county/city services and operations as
appropriate.
Serve as a spokesperson for the county and offer clear and accurate information to stop
rumors, dispel myths, avoid confusion, inform and educate the public, and convey official
information efficiently to the public.
One of the key roles and responsibilities of elected and public officials during any emergency is
to reassure the public that the government is still functioning and that everything that can be
done is being done to keep the community safe.
Elected and public officials must provide clear and consistent directions to the public. The message
to be communicated must be coordinated and accurate.
2.2.4 Role of Local County Emergency Mangers
Local County Emergency Managers have the primary role of coordinating the activities of local
public safety and volunteer support agencies, obtaining information from the National Weather
Service, tracking weather, and providing expert knowledge for evacuation decision-making to the
elected officials.
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Upon notification of an emergency that has the potential to require an evacuation or have direct
impact on a county, the county Emergency Management Agency (EMA) should contact elected
officials to update them on the situation.
Once an evacuation order has been given, EMA follows the response concepts outlined in their
EOP.
2.2.5 Role of Support Agencies
Support agencies such as law enforcement, transportation, public health, environmental protection,
human resources can provide knowledge and expertise that will impact on the probable success of
an evacuation and provide recommendations that will serve to increase the success rate. The role
of county and state agencies is described in the ESF annexes of the jurisdiction’s EOPs and
GEMA/HS’s GEOP, respectively.
Effective evacuation planning and coordination requires a partnership among all stakeholders.
Evacuees are the most important stakeholders in any evacuation. In addition, many government
and non-government personnel are involved in the planning and execution of the operation.
Table 2.1 Summarizes some of the key stakeholders in evacuations and their potential roles in
planning.
2.3
Evacuation Coordination Process
The decision to evacuate an area is not made lightly and there is a significant impact to public
safety and the economy. The following process describes how elected officials, emergency
management agencies, and other supporting response organizations from within the Atlanta region
will coordinate with each other to make collaborative evacuation decisions.
1.
Local County Emergency Manager becomes aware of a situation that may warrant
evacuation of a significant area of the Metropolitan Atlanta region.
2.
GEMA/HS and local county EMAs should gain situational awareness of the event and
understand its severity, then coordinate with fire, law enforcement, public health, HAZMAT,
and other relevant support agencies to obtain recommendations on protective actions.
a.
Triggers for contacting GEMA/HS: In accordance with county EOPs and
GEMA/HS GEOP, the affected county EMA will notify GEMA/HS:
In an event that requires the evacuation of significant portion of the population
(i.e. any event that overwhelms local capabilities).
If they require state assistance to improve response and recovery efforts, or if the
event has the potential impact other counties/jurisdictions.
As a precautionary measure, even if no assistance is needed or multi-
jurisdictional impact is immediately evident.
3.
Once GEMA/HS is alerted, they will generally arrange an initial conference call.
Additional conference calls may be coordinated as needed.
a.
The initial conference call will be for emergency management and public safety
personnel. During this call, emergency management and public safety personnel
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will obtain basic facts about the incident. Other organizations may be invited to call
by GEMA/HS or at the request of the jurisdictions.
i. Upon completion of this conference call, the affected county EMAs will
contact and provide information to and update their respective CEOs and
other public officials as appropriate and/or specified in their county EOP.
b.
GEMA/HS may coordinate additional EMA/Public Safety calls to discuss key
protective action options that are underway or planned. In most situations, during
the call, the following will be discussed:
i.
Gain regional situational awareness;
ii.
Determine response status;
iii.
Review status of initial protective actions;
iv.
Consider additional protective actions;
v.
Evaluate public information needs;
vi.
Determine next steps; and
vii.
Establish a regular time to get updates for the next regional call.
Refer to Section 2.5 for more details on activities to implement an evacuation order. A
protective action decision will need to be made quickly, considering the nature of the threat
and the time and resources required to evacuate. There is always the possibility that in the
meantime, the incident commander may have implemented protective actions to respond
immediately to the situation.
4.
Once protective action decisions have been made, the Public Information Officers (PIO)
and other jurisdictions and agencies should keep the citizens informed of the incident status
and protective actions to be implemented using all available communication resources.
5.
County EMAs and GEMA/HS implement their emergency response plans/emergency
operations plans and monitor progress.
(During an evacuation period, operational authority will remain with the jurisdictions.
State and federal operations plans may also be implemented, with appropriate
authority remaining within state and federal control. If the event is multi-
jurisdictional, a Unified Command (UC) will likely be established. In a UC structure,
the individuals designated by their jurisdictional authorities jointly determine
objectives, plans and priorities, and work together to execute them).
6.
Once the immediate response is over, recovery planning will begin. A key part of this
recovery plan will be a repatriation plan to ensure the orderly and safe return of residents.
2.4
First Hour Activities for Decision Makers
This section describes the activities that decision makers should be doing in the first hour following
an incident and the types of information that they will need to have to decide when an evacuation
is needed. See Appendix A for checklist.
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As with all emergencies, the first priority is public safety. Depending upon the incident and type
of hazard, it may be safer to shelter-in-place than to evacuate an area. There are numerous factors
that must be considered before making this decision. County emergency managers, public safety,
and CEOs must have this information to make the best decision for the residents.
1.
Incident or Threat (Regional Situational Awareness)
The Incident Commander or county Emergency Manager describes the incident.
The nature of the incident (natural disaster, accident, terrorism);
Estimated number of injuries/fatalities;
Status and damage estimates of critical infrastructures (transportation, power, medical,
water); and
If incident has not occurred, the latest information about threats to the region and potential
impacts.
2.
Response Status
The Incident Commander or county Emergency Manager describes the current response situation.
Who (name and organization) is leading the response or investigation;
Assets/agencies on scene, available, or needed; and
Threat and/or emergency declarations status (federal, state, local).
3.
Initial Protective Actions
The Incident Commander or county Emergency Manager describes protective action initiated by
first responders.
Orders to shelter-in-place or evacuation of specific areas;
Protection of the site and/or transportation measures (e.g., is public transit operational, have
HOV restrictions been lifted); and
Identify if any school/workforce/county/hospital/correctional facilities are in the hazard
area.
4.
Additional Protective Actions
CEO’s, county emergency managers, and other public officials consult with health, environmental,
and public safety officials to determine if any additional protective actions are needed to protect
the public.
Actions to consider include evacuation, in-place protection, school/work dismissal, or
cancellation.
Certain populations such as hospital patients, elderly individuals, pregnant women,
children, homeless individuals, and non-English speaking individuals may require
additional communications efforts or additional protective actions to ensure that they have
access to shelter or transportation.
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Emergency operations centers and joint information centers are activated in accordance
with local EOPs and the GEOP.
Organizations that provide emergency support such as health services, mass care,
sheltering or transportation assets are notified and activated in accordance with local EOPs
and the GEOP using mutual aid agreements.
5.
Emergency Public Information
County PIOs, CEOs, county EMAs and other public officials work together to develop one
consistent and clear message to inform the public about the protective actions.
Special consideration must be given to reach out to special populations (e.g., non-English
speaking individuals, individuals who do not have access to commonly used
communication mediums, homeless populations, and those without transportation, etc.)
2.5
Evacuation Response Operations
An evacuation of any area requires significant coordination among numerous public, private, and
community/non-profit organizations. Following a decision by the CEOs, county EMAs, and
GEMA/HS to evacuate an area, the county EOP and the GEOP will be followed to implement the
evacuation order. This section describes the agency or organizations that are typically responsible
for various response actions necessary to implement an evacuation order. Department or agency
names at a local level will be specific to the county. As with any other emergency, the local county
EMA and GEMA/HS will coordinate all response activities.
The following table (Table 2.1) highlights some major tasks associated with planning and
executing an evacuation order.
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Table 2.1
Response Activity Lead Agencies Supporting Agencies
Identify the Estimated Effects of the Event and Recommend Protective Actions
Assess the impact on public health and safety and offer a
recommendation on protective actions
Public Health
HAZMAT teams, local
and federal assets such as
CDC
Assess the impact on the environment and offer recommendations
on protective actions
Department of
Natural Resources
HAZMAT teams, LEPCs,
local and federal assets
such as USCG or U.S.
EPA Regional Response
Teams
Identify any potential or additional threats or hazards
Local Law
Enforcement
Fire, HAZMAT teams,
GEMA/HS, local county
EMAs, other federal assets
such as FBI or fusion
Identify Evacuation Routes and Manage Traffic
Provide information on the condition of evacuation routes (e.g.,
determine if roads are clear of debris, evaluate safety and stability
of bridges and other transportation infrastructure)
Local and state
Department of
Transportation or
Public Works
Local county EMAs,
County Transit
Agencies,
Department of Public
Safety, GEMA/HS,
Georgia State Patrol
Provide weather (wind direction, rain, flooding potential)
information that may impact evacuation routes
National Weather
Service, Office of
State Climatologist
GEMA/HS, local
county EMA, local
Public Works
Use data provided by support agencies and identify evacuation
routes to be used
Local and state
Department of
Transportation,
Department of
Public Works, local
Law Enforcement,
Georgia State
Patrol
Local county EMAs,
GEMA/HS
Coordinate traffic flow (use of signals, physical barriers, and law
enforcement or other public officials to assist with directing
traffic)
Local and state
Department of
Transportation,
Law Enforcement,
Georgia State
Patrol
Local and state
Department of Public
Works
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Table 2.1
Response Activity Lead Agencies Supporting Agencies
Provide support services to assist travelers (removal of broken
down cars, provision of basic traveler roadside assistance,
directions, water, gas, services at highway rest stops)
GA DOT –
Highway
Emergency
Response
Operators
Local and state
Department of
Transportation, local and
state Department of Public
Works, Convention and
Visitors Bureau,
community and faith-
based groups (not in the
affected area)
Coordinate and Communicate with the Public
Provide information to the media (radio, television, internet) in
English, Spanish, and other frequently used languages
Local and state PIO
via the JIC, Chief
Elected Officials
and county EMAs
(in accordance with
the JIC Message)
Local and state
Information Technology
Department (update
websites)
Reach out to segments of populations who do not have access to
mainstream media technology
JIC, Law
Enforcement/Fire
(if risk and time
permits driving
through evacuated
areas using
loudspeakers)
Community and faith-
based organizations (e.g.,
homeless shelters,
churches)
Communicate and coordinate with the private sector
GEMA/HS Private
Sector Liaison
Department of Agriculture,
Office of Planning and
Budget, GA Building
Authority, local Public
Works and Finance and
Budget Offices; Chambers
of Commerce,
Atlanta Convention and
Visitors Bureau
Communicate with companies most likely to supply services to
evacuees as they travel (A key component is to work with gas
suppliers to ensure that gas stations along major evacuation
routes are open and get supplies as needed)
GEMA/HS Private
Sector Liaison
Chambers of Commerce,
Atlanta Convention and
Visitors Bureau
Communicate and coordinate with neighboring jurisdictions and
states (via neighboring jurisdiction’ or state’s EMAs)
GEMA/HS and
Local county
EMAs
--
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Table 2.1
Response Activity Lead Agencies Supporting Agencies
Communicate with hospitals, nursing homes, other medical
special needs facilities and identify and coordinate for assistance
to be provided as needed and available
Georgia Department
of Public Health
GA Hospital Association,
local department of Public
Health, Regional Healthcare
Coalition, State ADA
Coalition, Region III EMS
Council, community and
faith-based organizations,
GEMA/HS and local county
EMAs
Communicate and coordinate with Correctional Facilities (most
likely to “protect-in–place”, usually unable to evacuate with
general population due to security concerns)
Georgia
Department of
Corrections, local
Law Enforcement
GEMA/HS and local
county EMAs
Communicate with elderly, homebound and other special needs
populations and identify and coordinate for assistance to be
provided as needed and available
Georgia
Department of
Public Health,
local community
services agencies
ARC – Area Agency on
Aging, community and
faith-based groups,
GEMA/HS and Local
county EMAs
Coordinate and Provide Transportation Evacuation Assistance
If it is deemed necessary and possible by the UC and others that
large-scale evacuation is necessary, arrange for transportation
(bus, rail, air) for the general population, those with pets, and
medical special needs.
Local county
EMAs,
GEMA/HS,
Atlanta Department of
Aviation, private bus and
rail operators, MARTA
and County Transit
agencies,
Local and state
Department of Public
Works, school and bus
driver representatives,
FEMA
Provide Shelters
Identify, open, and staff shelters
Local county
EMAs,
GEMA/HS
County EMAs in host
counties/cities,
community and faith-
based organizations,
DHR- DPH, DHR- DFCS,
Law Enforcement (as
requested by the American
Red Cross), school system
(host community)
Other Response Operations
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Table 2.1
Response Activity Lead Agencies Supporting Agencies
Direct other response actions (fatality management, shelter-in-
place, HAZMAT Response)
GEMA/HS, local
county EMAs
All other state and local
supporting organizations
(ESFs) as specified in
EOPs
Secure affected area and limit access
Law Enforcement
and other Federal
Assets (National
Guard)
GEMA/HS, Local county
EMAs
Availability and safety of emergency response personnel
GEMA/HS, local
county EMAs
Law Enforcement,
Fire, and other
Public Safety
organizations,
DPH
All other state and local
supporting organizations
(ESFs) as specified in
EOPs, other federal assets,
hospitals (that have been
given specific assets to
assist with emergency
response)
Maintain records and documentation of response operations
GEMA/HS, local
county EMAs
All other state and local
supporting organizations
(ESFs) as specified in
EOPs
Coordinate, request, track, and demobilize resources
GEMA/HS, local
county EMAs
All other state and local
supporting organizations
(ESFs) as specified in
EOPs
Provide animal care and assist as appropriate evacuation of
animals
State and local
Animal Control
agencies
Community and faith-
based organizations.
2.6
Mutual Aid
Sharing of resources, equipment, and personnel is critical during an emergency response. This plan
follows the mutual aid agreements and processes already in place.
The Georgia Mutual Aid Act is codified to authorize local law enforcement agencies to provide
assistance extra-territorially in emergencies (Ga. Code §36-69-1 et seq.). The statute authorizes
local mutual aid pacts (Ga. Code §38-3-29). A unit of local government in which equipment is
used is liable for loss or damage to the equipment (Ga. Code §38-3-30).
The Southern Regional Emergency Management Compact is codified (Ga. Code §38-3-81 et seq.).
The Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) is a congressionally ratified
organization that provides form and structure to interstate mutual aid. Through EMAC, the
Governor (via GEMA/HS) can request and receive valuable response and recovery resources from
other member states quickly and efficiently. EMAC addresses issues of liability, reimbursement,
licensure, workers’ compensation, etc.
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3.0
Evacuation Process and Considerations
3.1
Evacuation Process
Evacuation areas, shelter-in-place areas, evacuation routes and timing, and the determination of
who will need evacuation assistance (e.g., transportation, medical special needs) is determined by
the county. The individual county determination will assist emergency managers and decision
makers on a regional basis with understanding the amount and type of resources they will need to
implement an evacuation involving multiple jurisdictions.
3.2
Evacuation Considerations
In the Metro Atlanta area, several jurisdictions have their own transit authority operating bus and
specialized transit, as well as, a bus-link or direct access to MARTA rail service. These transit
agencies may be considered as the primary agency for evacuation during an incident.
In some EOP’s, the jurisdiction assigned the local board of education as the primary agency for
evacuation transit operations. Due to the daily school bus schedule and time of year, buses may
not be readily available to evacuate citizens. Local and/or regional transit options may need to be
considered.
4.0 Shelter Operations
Evacuations from the affected jurisdiction may result in the need for shelters in unaffected
jurisdictions. Communication and coordination among the Metro jurisdictions is critical to the
health and well-being of evacuees related to sheltering. The opening of shelters will be conducted
in accordance with the receiving jurisdictions EOP, and the GEOP As the need for shelters
escalates, GEMA/HS may include shelter management in the conference calls discussed under
Section 2.3 of this plan, or they may choose to implement a separate shelter management plan.
5.0
Transit and Transportation Operations
Transit and Transportation Operations are essential to the emergency evacuation process. For the
purposes of this document, the definition of transit and transportation operations are defined below:
Transit Operations is specifically the transit of people who may be accompanied by
companion and service animals to and from a location. In the case of evacuation, it is the
moving evacuees from the area of concern to a place of safe refuge. Transit modes include
rail, buses, motor coaches, vans, and any paratransit type vehicle.
Transportation Operations include traffic engineering services, transportation
infrastructure maintenance, and traffic management, which would include determining safe
routes for evacuation.
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5.1
Transit Operations
During a large-scale emergency or disaster, the evacuation of the public from imminent danger is
first priority. A successful large-scale evacuation cannot take place without transit operations
whether it involves local board of education buses and/or local transit providers.
Within each jurisdictions emergency operations plan, there is no specific section addressing the
evacuation emergency support function. However, the evacuation of citizens from imminent
danger is orchestrated by local jurisdictions frequently and, in some cases, daily. This is
accomplished through a largely undocumented process that has evolved as a result of the need for
evacuation transit resources for small-scale incidents.
The local county emergency managers, along with local board of education and transit partners,
may use this informal process to activate transit resources for a large-scale evacuation. The local
county emergency manager may reach out to an adjoining jurisdiction or the state for help
obtaining additional transit resources, while the local transit partner is contacting the adjoining
transit partners directly. This redundant communications flow helps to ensure timely processing of
the requests. (See Figure 2)
Surrounding Jurisdiction
Emergency Management/EOC
Requesting Jurisdiction
Emergency Management/EOC
Transit resource request may be going on simultaneously between the local EMA’s and Transit Agency
Figure 2 – Redundant Communications Flow
Surrounding Jurisdiction
Transit Agency
Requesting Jurisdiction
Transit Agency
Field Coordinator
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The process for activating transit assets during a large-scale incident for the purpose of the
evacuation of citizens can be achieved using the informal process listed in this section. However,
it does not take the place of any formal documentation existing between the local jurisdiction and
its transit partners.
5.2
Transportation Operations
Transportation operations will be provided in accordance with the local jurisdiction EOP ESF-1
Transportation and the GEOP ESF-1 Transportation. The operations include the following
essential services needed to support a large-scale evacuation:
Traffic management
Traffic engineering services
Infrastructure maintenance
In addition, public works and engineering services may be required to ensure the safety and
integrity of the evacuation routes. These services will be provided in accordance with the local
jurisdiction EOP ESF-3 Public Works and Engineering and the GEOP ESF-3 Public Works and
Engineering. The services include:
Debris removal;
Infrastructure safety inspections; and
Emergency roadway repairs.
Transportation operations may also be activated in the same manner as transit operations depicted
in Figure 2 – Redundant Communications Flow to ensure timely and accurate resource requests.
6.0
Plan Maintenance
6.1
Plan Review and Update
The Atlanta UASI, the 10 metro Atlanta counties, GEMA/HS and other state agencies with
responsibilities in this plan will conduct periodic plan reviews and updates as deemed necessary
and appropriate and commensurate with available funding. In addition, after every exercise or
incident that results in activation of this plan, the affected jurisdictions and agencies will conduct an
After- Action Review (AAR) and develop an Improvement Plan.
The concept of coordination documented in this plan should reflect and support the concept of
operations section of the GEOP and county EOPs. Any changes to the concept of operations in an
EOP will result in changes to the RECP’s concept of coordination.
6.2
Test, Training, and Exercise
The development of a comprehensive, on-going test, training, and exercise program to inform and
educate decision makers and emergency management stakeholders is essential. An initial
awareness campaign for key stakeholders including key emergency management directors, will be
conducted. Additional training sessions for elected officials will be scheduled as needed. The
region may conduct periodic exercises to test and validate the concept of coordination described
in this RECP.
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Appendix A: First Hour Checklist
The first hour checklist found on the following pages summarizes the key activities and tasks that
chief elected officials, county emergency managers, GEMA/HS and other decision-makers need
to accomplish in response to an emergency incident.
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First Hour Checklist for Regional Emergencies
Guide for Chief Elected Officials, County/City Managers,
Emergency Managers and other Decision-makers in the Metropolitan Atlanta Area
1 | IMMEDIATE ACTIONS FOR ANY INCIDENT
1. Gain Regional Situational Awareness
2. Determine Response Status
3. Review Status of Initial Protective Actions
4. Consider Additional Protective Actions
5. Evaluate Public Information Needs
6. Determine Next Steps to Coordinate and Implement Protective Actions
7. Establish Regional Conference Call
4
INITIAL PROTECTIVE ACTIONS
(SCHOOLS, WORKFORCE AND TRANSPORTATION)
Has any initial protective action occurred for schools (e.g., lockdown)?
Has any initial protective action occurred for citizens and the workforce (e.g., shelter in place)?
How have special populations been addressed?
Has any initial protective action occurred for transportation (e.g., public transit operational, HOV
restrictions lifted)?
What schools/workforce facilities are in the hazard area?
What other protective actions should be considered, and who else should be involved in discussions?
2
REGIONAL SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
If an incident occurred, what happened, including where and when?
o What kind of incident (natural disaster, accident, terrorism)?
o Estimated injuries/fatalities?
o Estimated damage to or status of critical infrastructures (transportation, power, medical, water)?
If incident has not occurred, what is the latest information/intelligence about threats to the region?
What is the potential impact?
3
RESPONSE STATUS
Who is leading the response or investigation?
What assets/agencies are on scene, available, or needed?
What is the threat status and/or emergency declarations status (federal, state, local)?
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First Hour Checklist for Regional Emergencies
Guide for Chief Elected Officials, County/City Managers,
Emergency Managers and other Decision-makers in the Metropolitan Atlanta Area
`
5
ADDITIONAL PROTECTIVE ACTIONS
What additional protective actions may be needed to protect affected general public, schools,
workforce, etc.?
o Evacuation, in-place protection, shelter in place school/work dismissal, cancellation of public
meeting and closing of government facilities.
How can you prepare for response?
o Activate emergency operations centers and joint information centers; inform health services
sector, mass care facilities, transportation assets; request mutual aid; issue public advisories
What considerations should be made when making protective action decisions?
o For a threat or hazard involving regional impact, consider shelter in place, partial/full-scale
evacuation of potentially impacted area.
o For a threat or hazard involving local impact, consider partial local evacuation unless addressed
below.
o For a short air release of toxic chemical (e.g., brief plume), consider sheltering-in-place of
people downwind of release.
o For a long air release of toxic chemical (e.g., continuously leak), if safe to do so consider local
evacuation of people downwind of release.
o For an explosion, consider evacuating the impacted area and consider secondary devices.
o For a dirty bomb, consider sheltering initially and then evacuation of people as safe to do so.
o For flooding, consider evacuation of impacted area.
6 | REGIONAL CONFERENCE CALL
GEMA/HS provides a mechanism for state, local, and other public agencies, transit and transportation,
schools, and volunteer organizations to communicate to collaborate regarding planning, information
sharing, and coordination before, during, and after a regional emergency.
1) Affected emergency management agencies will contact GEMA/HS if the event is significant, may
require state assistance, or has an impact on neighboring counties.
2) Upon notification, GEMA/HS will arrange several conference calls as needed and alert affected
emergency management agencies, public safety, state and local emergency support function
organizations, Chief Elected Officials and other public officials.
3) GEMA/HS Operations Director or his/her designee will lead the county EMA/Public Safety
conference calls to obtain regional situational awareness, response status, and discuss protective
actions.
a) Upon completion of this conference call, the affected county EMAs will contact and provide
information to and update their respective chief elected officials and other public officials as
appropriate and/or specified in their county EOP.
Agenda: During the calls, the group will discuss incident facts, response status, protective actions needed,
and regional coordination to implement protective actions.
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First Hour Checklist for Regional Emergencies
Guide for Chief Elected Officials, County/City Managers,
Emergency Managers and other Decision-makers in the Metropolitan Atlanta Area
7 | FIRST HOUR SUMMARY STATEMENT
This summary statement can be filled in with details gathered in steps 1-3.
[An incident] has occurred in [jurisdiction].
[Local and state officials] are [responding to / managing the incident].
At this time, we are asking individuals who live or work in the area to [shelter-in-place / evacuate] and
monitor local radio and television stations for further information and instructions.
Schools and daycare facilities throughout the region are [locked down. Students will not be released until
the situation has been fully assessed].
MARTA [and other transit systems] are [operational]. Roads [remain open], and HOV restrictions [have
been lifted].
[Include additional protective actions as necessary].
8 | EVACUATION STATEMENT
The emergency management agency of [insert county] is requesting all people in the area of [identify area(s)] to
immediately evacuate the area. Local officials are requesting residents to evacuate immediately. [Insert incident] has
occurred and residents in this area are in immediate danger. [insert stronger message if desired about the potential
consequences].
Residents should leave via the following route(s): [identify street(s) / road(s) to use]. MARTA [and other transit
systems] are [operational]. HOV restrictions [have been lifted].
Shelters have been opened at [identify shelter names/locations].
Residents needing emergency transportation should [call/go to] [identify emergency transportation number or
assembly location].
Please make sure your neighbors, homebound people, latchkey children, and mobility-impaired neighbors are aware
of this bulletin and assist them if possible.
Public safety officials are requesting residents follow these instructions immediately and drive safely. Tune to
[radio/television] station [identify station] for information. Follow message signs or tune to [insert radio station]
while driving for more information.
Repeat the message
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First Hour Checklist for Regional Emergencies
Guide for Chief Elected Officials, County/City Managers,
Emergency Managers and other Decision-makers in the Metropolitan Atlanta Area
Appendix B: Evacuation Process
The following chart shows the plans, procedures, and overall coordination and response process
for an incident requiring the evacuation of a significant portion of the metropolitan Atlanta region.
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Appendix C: Evacuation Order Sample Form
This section is intended to provide the county emergency managers or incident commanders with
forms to help them coordinate and implement an emergency evacuation order. The fill-in-the-blank
forms can also serve as a permanent record of the emergency evacuation. The emergency
evacuation order sample form consists of the following:
1.
Coversheet
2.
Evacuation Order
Coversheet
The coversheet provides important information including the name of the person preparing the
plan, the responsible jurisdiction, the date and time the document was completed, the printed name
of the person who approved the plan and issued the evacuation order (usually the Incident
Commander or elected officials), and a checklist identifying the sections that have been completed.
Evacuation Order
In accordance with state laws, GEMA/HS has adopted a decentralized approach for evacuation
decision making. Local authorities are empowered to make evacuation decisions for their
jurisdictions. All efforts at the state level are focused on providing information and
recommendations to local authorities to assist in this task. The evacuation order is the official
document or proclamation from the responsible official. It gives the weight of that person’s office
to the evacuation. A civil authority such as a municipal street department should generally approve
restrictions on the use of local public highways, roads, and streets in coordination with the Georgia
Department of Transportation and State Police.
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Emergency Evacuation Order – Sample Form
Evacuation Order Cover Sheet
(INCIDENT NAME / DESCRIPTION)
Prepared By:
(Name and Title)
Agency:
Date Completed:
Time:
Approved By:
(Name and Title)
Implementation Date:
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Evacuation Order
1. AUTHORITY: The authority for evacuation during this incident is based on the following references:
a. Legal Authority
b. Disaster Plan
2. RESPONSIBILITY: The agency responsible for planning, implementing, and managing an evacuation
during this incident is identified as the:
3. INCIDENT COMMANDER: I have determined the nature of this emergency may pose significant
threat to the health and safety of persons within the area described in the attached Incident Evacuation
Plan.
a. The responsible Elected Official(s) is/are requested to review the attached plan, initiate requests
to the Governor, if necessary, and order that elements of the evacuation plan be implemented.
Or
b. The nature of this emergency does not permit prior orders of evacuation through
normal channels. I order the immediate evacuation efforts as noted in the attached plan.
Or
c. The evacuation was ordered during the initial response of this incident and the attached plan
documents the decisions for that action.
Signature and Title of Incident Commander
Date and Time
4. ELECTED OFFICIAL(S): As the official(s) having legal responsibility for the approval of
evacuations within this jurisdiction:
a. The Incident Evacuation Plan has been reviewed, and the Incident Commander is granted
authority to implement elements of the evacuation plan as conditions warrant.
Or
b. The Incident Evacuation Plan has been reviewed, and it is my/our decision to withhold
approval of the Incident Commander’s request to implement elements of the plan. The basis for this
decision is attached. This decision may be reviewed and amended as conditions warrant.
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Or
c. I/we have been advised of the Incident Commander’s use of extraordinary authority to proceed
with evacuation. The basis for that decision has been reviewed and I/we do do not authorize
continued evacuation efforts.
Signature and Title
Date and Time
Signature and Title
Date and Time
Signature and Title
Date and Time
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Appendix D: Acronyms
AAA - Area Agency on Aging
ARC - Atlanta Regional Commission
CBRNE - Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear or Explosive
CDC - Center for Disease Control
CEO - Chief Elected Official
DFCS - Department of Family and Children’s Services
DHR - Department of Human Resources
DOA - Department of Agriculture
DOT - Department of Transportation
DPH - Department of Public Health
EMA - Emergency Management Agency
EMAC - Emergency Mutual Aid Compact
EOC - Emergency Operations Center
EOP - Emergency Operations Plan
EPA - Environmental Protection Agency
ESF - Emergency Support Functions
FEMA - Federal Emergency Management System
FBI - Federal Bureau of Investigation
FHWA - Federal Highway Administration
GEMA/HS - Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS)
GEOP - Georgia Emergency Operations Plan
GMAA - Georgia Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement
HAZMAT - Hazardous Materials
HOV - High Occupancy Vehicle
ICS - Incident Command System
JIC - Joint Information Center
LEPC - Local Emergency Planning Committee
MARTA - Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority
NIMS - National Incident Management System
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NOAA - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
PIO - Public Information Officer
RECP - Regional Evacuation Coordination Plan
TMC/TOC - Traffic Management Centers/Transportation Operations Centers
USCG - United States Coast Guard
Atlanta Regional Evacuation Coordination Plan | Refined Base Plan (FOUO) 37
Appendix E: Plan References
The following plans were used in support of the preparation of the Atlanta Regional Evacuation
Coordination Plan. Copies of these plans may be obtained upon request to the appropriate county
or organization.
Atlanta Regional Commission
Transportation Planning Activities for the Centennial Olympic Games: After-Action Report
Urban Evacuation Plan: Atlanta Pilot Project
Emergency Evacuation Report Card 2006
Cherokee County
Emergency Operations Plan
Hazard Mitigation Plan
Clayton County
Emergency Operations Plan
Hazard Mitigation Plan
Cobb County
Emergency Operations Plan
Hazard Mitigation Plan
DeKalb County
Emergency Operations Plan
Hazard Mitigation Plan
Douglas County
Emergency Operations Plan
Hazard Mitigation Plan
Fayette County
Emergency Operations Plan
Hazard Mitigation Plan
Atlanta Regional Evacuation Coordination Plan | Refined Base Plan (FOUO) 38
Fulton County
Emergency Operations Plan
Hazard Mitigation Plan
Emergency Shelter Plan
City of Atlanta: Emergency Response Plan – Evacuation Plan
Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency
Georgia Emergency Operations Plan
Georgia Evacuee Support Plan: Incident Annex S – Georgia Evacuee Support Plan
Georgia Emergency Management Agency: Statewide Mutual Aid and Assistance
Agreement
Regional Crisis Communication Plan
The Georgia Hurricane Plan: Appendix 3 – Sheltering Protocols
Gwinnett County
Emergency Operations Plan
Hazard Mitigation Plan
Henry County
Emergency Operations Plan
Hazard Mitigation Plan
Rockdale County
Emergency Operations Plan
Hazard Mitigation Plan
Atlanta Regional Evacuation Coordination Plan | Refined Base Plan (FOUO) 39
Acknowledgements
The Atlanta Regional Evacuation Coordination Plan is a product of the collaborative efforts of the
following departments and entities:
Emergency Management Agencies
Atlanta Fulton County Emergency Management Douglas County Emergency Management Agency
Cherokee County Emergency Management Agency Fayette County Emergency Management Agency
City of Atlanta Office of Emergency Preparedness
Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security
Agency
Clayton County Emergency Management Agency Gwinnett County Emergency Management Agency
Cobb County Emergency Management Agency Henry County Emergency Management Agency
DeKalb County Emergency Management Agency Rockdale County Emergency Management Agency
Medical and Public Health
Atlanta American Red Cross Chapter Cobb County EMS
Atlanta Regional Health Care Coalition Georgia Department of Public Health
Clayton County Public Health Gwinnett, Newton, Rockdale, County Health
Fire and Police
Atlanta Fire Rescue Department Cobb County Police Department
Atlanta Police Department Cobb County 911
Clayton County Police Department DeKalb County Fire Rescue Department
Clayton County Sheriff’s Office DeKalb County Police Department
Clayton County 911 Fulton County Police Department
Clayton County Fire and Emergency Services Gwinnett County Fire Department
Cobb County Fire Department Gwinnett County Police Department
Other Organizations
Atlanta Regional Commission, Homeland Security and
Recovery Group
Georgia Tech Research Institute
Atlanta Regional Commission, Transportation Access &
Mobility Group
Gwinnett County Transit Authority
A Tow Atlanta, Inc.
MARTA Office of Safety & Security/Emergency
Preparedness
Cobb County Transit Authority Parsons Corporation
Durmire Consulting State of Georgia Department of Education
Fulton County School Board State Road and Tollway Authority (SRTA)
Georgia DOT – H.E.R.O. and T.I.M.E. The Southern Company
Georgia State Patrol Waffle House
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