Policy Text
Revisions or additions are highlighted 1 (03/12/ 2019 ) ST. PETERSBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
Subject: DISASTER OPERATIONS PLAN
Index as: Acts of Terrorism Search and Rescue
Area Isolation and Security Security, Disaster Operations
Disaster Operations Shelter Operations
Evacuation Reentry, Disaster Operations
Evacuation, Disaster Operations Terrorism
Expansion of Police Services Terrorism, Disaster Operation
ICS Traffic Control, Disaster Operations
Incident Command System (ICS)
Accreditation : 2.1.4, 46.1.1, 46.1.2, 46.1.7, 46.1.11 and 46.2.5
Cross Reference: G.O. III -3, Mutual Aid
G.O. III -22, Emergency Mobilization Plan
G.O. III -18, C ivil Disturbances
G.O. III -26, Incident Command System
St. Petersburg Police Department Disaster Operations Manual
City of St. Petersburg Disaster Operations Plan
Florida Incident Field Operations Guide
Replaces : G.O. III -24, Disaster Operations Plan ( March 1, 2005 )
This Order consist s of the following sections:
I. Purpose
II. Policy
III. Acts of Terrorism
IV. Disaster Operations
V. Police Role in the City of St. Petersburg Disaster Operations Plan
VI. After -Action Report
VII. Planning Responsibility
I. PURPOSE
A. The purpose of this order is to provide basic operating procedures in the event of a natural or man -made disaster,
including an intentional terrorist act. In case of such an occurrence, the Department serves as the primary agency for
evacuation, security, traffic control and reentry operations. This order:
1. Establishes uniform policies and procedures consistent with disaster plans of the City of St. Petersburg, Pinellas
County, and the State of Florida.
2. Provides an organized response to disaster situations under the direction of the City Emergency Operations
Center (EOC) and the Department’s Sub -EOC.
DATE OF
ISSUE EFFECTIVE DATE NUMBER
August 2017 Immediately III-24
Distribution: All Employees
General Order III-24
Revisions or additions are highlighted 2 (03/12 /2019 ) B. The Department maintains a more comprehensive Disaster Operations Manual which is distributed to key staff
members and is available on the network at J:\Research \DisasterOperations . The Department’s plan is subordinate to
similar plans promulgated by the City and County.
II. POLICY
A. The Police Department and identified support agencies must be prepared for, and react to, natural or man -made
disasters which occur in the City. Employees may be required to be on duty before, during and after a disaster.
B. It is the policy of the St. Petersburg Police Department to mobilize all necessary personnel and resources to
preserve the safety of the public and return to normal operations after the event as quickly as possible.
1. Department employees must remain aware that they may be called back to duty at any time, and they must be
prepared to respond to notice of a mobilization when necessary.
a. Most civilian employees are considered as “Response Category 3” J:\Research \GeneralOrders \III
Operational General Orders \III-22 Emergency Mobilization Plan_Attachment A. pdf during hurricane operations. However,
during a response to a different natural or man -made disaster, they may be considered for activation at a higher level, i.e.;
Response Category 2 or 1.
b. Pre-planning for the potential of mobilization and extended du ty hours is a necessity for all employees.
2. Upon receipt of instructions from competent authority, the Communications Division Manager or the
Communications Supervisor -in-charge shall initiate the appropriate level of recall as outlined in
J:\Research \GeneralOrders \III Operational General Orders \III-22 Emergency Mobilization Plan.pdf .
C. Incident Command System (ICS)
1. When responding to a natural or man -made disaster situation, the Department shall utilize the Incident
Command System (See General Order III -26, Incident Command System ) whenever the situation:
a. Is of such a scale or duration that it goes beyond one shift for assigned personnel; and/or
b. May result in the mobilization of additional Department personnel and resources as a first step in a larger
mobilization; or
c. Extends beyond City limits or results in resources being requested from other public safety agencies outside
of the City.
2. Use of the ICS provides a common scheme of operational procedures among emergency service providers
within the City and across municipal and county boundaries.
3. Implementation of the ICS does not eliminate the need to carry out the procedures set forth in this Order or
other related policies and procedures set out in other City and County plans and as may be directed by the City Emergency
Operations Center (EOC).
D. The Department, with other City agencies, engages in an “all -hazards” approach to disaster planning, resulting in
one plan for potential hazards.
III. ACTS OF TERRORISM
(See also Annex B of the City of St. Petersburg Disaster Operations Plan. )
A. In response to an act of terrorism, the Department shall carry out assigned tasks according to existing plans and
procedures, described generally in this Order.
B. Confronted with a terrorist act, it is more likely the Department will also be called upon to provide proactive security
and safety operations in accordance with existing policies, including General Orders related to High-risk Situations and Civil
Disorders . In this situation:
1. The