a. Emergency operations plan amended

The Sheritrs Department or a rural fire department may have the need to evacuate all or part of a small number of buildings during smaller emergency incidents. Both departments are tasked \\.ith use of their discretion and these types of incidents do not come under the scope of this plan. In the event of an emergency or disaster resulting in the need to evacuate people and/or pets/animals/livestock the Cass County Commission Chair has the final authority on all decisions, including evacuations. When the Commission Chair is unavailable, the Chair may delegate this authority to another as identified in the EOP. It is understood that in some situations an Incident Commander (Ie) from a Rural Fire Department. the Sheriffs Department or Public Health may initiate emergency operations, such as an evacuation. However. priority will be given to the notification by the Commission Chair. the appropriate Commissioners, the County Administrator. and appropriate Department Heads. P. Special Needs Population (see Volume 11.6) Special needs populations in Cass County include. but are not limited to the elderly, children, and those with developmental disabilities. Special needs may also include visually impaired, hearing impaired; citizens \vith speech and/or language impediments. emotional disorders, multiple disorders and religious or cultural diversity. Q. Functional and Task Coordinators Significant responsibilities common to emergencies and disasters are grouped into ten areas, which are termed functions. The departments having responsibility by law or day-to-day resource and operational capability within each of these functions are identitied and assigned by specific task/responsibility, and are listed on subsequent pages. Any county or Cass County agency or department may be assigned an emergency mission. The supervisor of each department is responsible fc)r the accomplishment of an assigned task or function through the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) located at their facility. Assignment of functions and tasks are listed by functional area. In addition, each department is assigned the f()llowing general tasks: . Provide personnel, equipment, and tacilities on a 24-hour basis. . Plan and provide for the safety of employees and protection (If public property in the event of an emergency. . Coordinate actions with the County Emergency Manager and with departments having related tasks. . Train personnel assigned to emergency tasks and participate in exercises to test emergency plans and procedures. . Provide for record keeping and documentation of the emergenc) and actions taken. . Prepare damage assessments. 14