Readying for Recoveries

CATSKILL - Neither is ever wanted but both will be willingly and wisely done as Greene County Legislature members approved contracts for disaster-related Damage Assessment and Recovery Plans.

Lawmakers, during a recent meeting, agreed to separate but related pacts with Crawford & Associates for the tasks at the behest of the county Department of Emergency Services.

The firm, based in Cumberland, Rhode Island, will be paid $21,875 and $34,375, respectively, using a mix of funds from an Emergency Management Performance grant and department operations.

A Damage Assessment Plan, according to the contract, will:

—Utilize the six-step planning process, which includes: Develop a Planning Team, Understand the Situation, Determine Goals & Objectives, Develop the Plan, Prepare, Review and Approve the Plan and Implementation and Plan Maintenance;

—Utilize the Whole Community approach to ensure the Damage Assessment Plan incorporates input from county government

departments, public health, public works, highway departments, sheriff's office, planning/GIS, and others as determined by the planning team;

—Define damage assessment methods including self-reporting, windshield surveys, site assessments. GIS and others as identified by the planning team following disasters affecting the county;

—Define roles & responsibilities of local, county, state and federal partners used in damage assessment;

—Identify processes for conducting post-disaster damage assessments, including coordination with local government departments and DHSES to support disaster declarations and federal assistance programs;

—Where needed, utilize tools such as Smartsheet surveys to gather input from local governments, public safety partners, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and residents regarding damage assessment processes.

Consider the use of WebEOC or other solutions to support the plan.

The county’s Recovery Plan, according to the contract, will similarly:

—Utilize the six-step planning process, which includes: Develop a Planning Team, Understand the Situation, Determine Goals & Objectives, Develop the Plan, Prepare, Review and Approve the Plan, Implementation and Plan Maintenance.

—Utilize the Whole Community approach to ensure the recovery plan incorporates input from county government departments, public health, public works, housing authorities, school districts, nonprofit organizations, faith-based organizations, and private sector partners.

Further, the Recovery Plan will:

—Establish a County Recovery Organization (CRO) structure that defines leadership roles such as a Recovery Coordinator/Recovery Manager and

Recovery Support Function (RSF) leads aligned with state and federal recovery frameworks;

—Align the plan with the National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF) and identify the applicable Recovery Support Functions such as Community Planning & Capacity, Building, Economic Recovery, Health &

Social Services, Housing, Infrastructure Systems, Government Services, and Natural & Cultural Resources;

—Define short-term, intermediate, and long-term recovery priorities to guide recovery operations following disasters affecting the

county;

—Identify recovery coordination processes between the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), county leadership, municipal

governments, and regional/state recovery partners;

—Identify processes for conducting post-disaster damage assessments, including coordination with local government departments and DHSES to support disaster declarations and federal assistance programs;

—Define procedures for public information and community engagement during recovery, including community meetings, public input sessions, and coordination with public information officers to communicate recovery resources and timelines;

—Identify potential Recovery Support Centers or Disaster Recovery Centers that may be used to provide recovery assistance to residents and businesses;

—Where needed, utilize tools such as Smartsheet surveys to gather input from local governments, public safety partners, nonprofit organizations, businesses and residents regarding recovery priorities and capabilities. Consider the use of WebEOC or other solutions to support the Plan.

Lawmakers, in other matters:

—Authorized the purchase of a new 2026 John Deere 135 P Tier excavator for the solid waste department, on the recommendation of the department superintendent, with dollars already budgeted.

The acquisition will be made from United Construction and Forestry, based in Clifton Park, for $139,000 following a trade-in allowance of 60 G’s for a 2023 Kobelco SK140SR LC-7 currently owned by the county.

—Authorized purchasing a Fire Extinguisher Simulator for use in firefighter training, public fire safety presentations and county employee training.

The new Bullseye V3 Base Package is a controlled fire simulation training system that provides realistic fire scenarios for hands-on fire safety, fire behavior, and fire extinguisher training.

Three quotes were received. Colden Fire and Rescue with offices in Buffalo and Baldwinsville, provided he lowest quote of $14,932.74. Funds will be taken from the county Emergency Services operational budget.

—Authorized the purchase and installation of a door access system at the County 911 Center to enhance security at the server room and other secured access points.

The county intends to utilize State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) funding through the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services for the unit.

Self Secured Networks LLC, based in Coxsackie, submitted the lone quote, $20,194.16, also providing the building security camera system.

Utilizing the same vendor for these related security projects will provide

consistency in equipment, installation, system integration, and ongoing security management, while limiting the need for multiple vendors to access secured areas and equipment;, lawmakers say.

—Authorized the purchase and installation of two new gas boilers for the county highway department’s mechanic’s shop.

Three quotes were received. Huber Enterprises in Catskill submitted the low offer of $15,500, paid from building maintenance and repair.