The Clallam County EOC has recognized a mega quake will create isolated communities or “micro islands.” Up to twenty micro island communities have been identified based on possible road and bridge damage. The EMD plan organized the micro-islands into five Area Commands. Area Command Centers will be in Clallam Bay, Forks, Joyce, Port Angeles, and Sequim. The local command officer will manage rescue and response efforts and report to the county EOC.
Clallam County has been divided into five command areas and 20 divisions. The Joyce Operational Area serves a population of approximately 3,650. Its three divisions, sometimes called “micro-islands,” are designated Kilo (K), Lima (L) and Mike (M). Our fire chief will be our command officer. This countywide structure will be implemented in the immediate aftermath of a CSZ earthquake to address needs following anticipated damage to highways and bridges, and damage resulting from landslides and soil liquefaction. The command concept was developed based on FEMA’s Homeland Infrastructure Threat and Risk Analysis Center (HITRAC) study, completed in 2011
Our rural area is connected by secondary highways and dependent on bridges that cross many rivers and streams. A catastrophic earthquake will likely topple bridges and severely damage roads in our area. Access to food and other supplies will be hampered. Local water sources will be severely damaged and communications will be disrupted. The map at left shows the county’s five operational areas, with Joyce at its center. JEPP is collaborating with county agencies and working cooperatively with other local operational areas.
Government resources may not be available in the immediate aftermath of a catastrophic earthquake and emergency aid may not be able to reach the three micro islands within our Joyce Operational Area for days, if not weeks. The Joyce community should expect to be isolated for a while and must plan ahead for this likelihood. With this in mind, area residents are encouraged to prepare now to be able to shelter in place for up to 30 days.
The Joyce Operational Area will operate its emergency response from downtown Joyce where the Joyce Emergency Shelter will be housed in the Joyce Bible Church, immediately west of Crescent School. JEPP has made considerable progress in its effort to organize a cache of materials, tools, equipment, food, water, sanitation supplies, and other gear to assist a portion of the community unable to shelter in place in the aftermath of a catastrophe (those with medical needs, no ability to shelter in place, and those seriously injured in the disaster). JEPP has also stationed an Army field kitchen, water filtration trailer, and two generators on site. However, most area residents will be expected to manage on their own property for up to 30 days as shelter occupancy will be limited to 300.