Emergency Operation Plan

The components that a sound Emergency Operation Plan should start with the contributions of every level of government. It should consist input and the involvement of state, territorial, tribal, all local officials, and to include the whole community to achieve the goal of creating a comprehensive preparedness plan (FEMA, 2010).
As the emergency managers build their framework for their plans, the process must include risk analysis of the risk that could impact the community. Information gathering on natural, technological, and human caused hazards will help the planners incorporate the right mitigation strategies in the plan. An all hazard approach should be integrated into the first part when gathering information. Emergency managers need to know their environment of their community to develop the plans to protect life and property. The focus of the managers when developing the plans will need to keep in mind that the document is a living document and that it remains flexible and scalable.
FEMA mentions to include three tiers in the planning process. The three are Strategic,
Operational, and Tactical Planning. First is the strategic part of the plan. It is vital in the strategic planning process. Here is where the managers will define how the long-term response will be addressed, and who will assume that responsibility. Decisions here come down from the senior team official; this is where priorities are also developed. Second is where the Operational part of the plans are designed. This process is to define roles, tasks, and responsibilities in the plan. The goal here is to coordinate how the different agencies will integrate their resources. This area of the planning process is very high level and comprehensive. The third area is the Tactical process in developing the plans. The primary focus here is to identify any gaps in personnel, equipment and resources requirements. Managers will want to fill any voids here at this level before continuing with the plan development ( FEMA, 2010).
The ground work should now show integrations for prevention, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation strategies. This part of the plan is a must for a solid foundation for a comprehensive operation plan. Once the framework for a sound operational plan has been completed, it is time to bring it all together. FEMA suggests synchronizing the plan at all levels to ensure that the plan has multiple levels of support from all agencies of government. During the synchronization period is where relationships are developed. Having a solid relationship between state and local officials will help local managers get the support they need during and after an event. FEMA points out that all levels of government must coordinate plans to focus on achieving the same goal, and that is having a successful comprehensive operational plan (FEMA, 2010).
Another valuable component of a comprehensive operational plan is to have an incident management system.
FEMA recommends The National Incident Management System (NIMS). It is a crucial element for all emergency operations to have. One important feature of the NIMS is The Incident Command System (ICS). It is one source for the recovery teams to receive their information and tracking of valuable resources (FEMA, 2010). The ICS is such important feature of any operations plan and should be a central focal point during any event. Communications are critical before, during and after any event. The use of ICS helps managers to coordinate vital resources, thus giving emergency managers valuable time to direct their teams. By providing the best overall personnel and resources at critical times will assist in the recovery process once the robust, comprehensive operation plan is
invoked.
There are many components needed in a sound emergency operation plan, and the ones mentioned about are just some of many, but resiliently starts by being prepared, and organized, and ready to respond.