Emergency Preparedness in the Florida State Courts “Keep the Courts Open” Emergency Preparedness in the Florida State Courts

Presentation Overview Court Preparedness Planning Examples of Effective Court Preparedness Planning and Emergency Response The Pandemic Influenza Threat

Court Preparedness Planning “Keep the Courts Open” Court Preparedness Planning

Chief Justices of the Florida Supreme Court, 9/11 to Present Leadership We must deal with crises in a way that protects the health and safety of everyone inside our facilities We must “keep the courts open” to ensure justice for the people Justice Lewis Justice Wells Justice Pariente Justice Anstead Chief Justices of the Florida Supreme Court, 9/11 to Present

-- From the Passing of the Gavel Ceremony, June 30, 2006 Leadership Chief Justice R. Fred Lewis “First and foremost is an open and operational courts system in the face of no matter what may occur….We must prepare, prepare, prepare. We must continue to do so.” -- From the Passing of the Gavel Ceremony, June 30, 2006

The Preparedness Planning Steps Staffing Emergency coordinating officers (ECO) and public information officers (PIO) Connecting Emergency management, law enforcement, local bar association, fire and rescue, health officials, etc. Coordinating CEMG and CEMT Planning Administrative and emergency procedures Continuity of operations plans (COOP)

Administrative and Emergency Procedures Emergency Pending or Occurs Initial Response to Emergencies Will be Outlined and Should be Followed Based on the Administrative and Emergency Procedures Does Emergency Cause the Closure of Primary Facility? An Individual or Group will make an Initial Assessment as to Whether or Not the Primary Facility Needs to be Closed Immediately Is the Length of the Closure Minimal and Acceptable? Yes Handle the Emergency Situation as Outlined in the Administrative and Emergency Procedures No Address Emergency and Resume Full Operations in Primary Facility Yes Address Emergency and Resume Full Operations in Primary Facility No COOP A copy of this PowerPoint is available at www.flcourts.org (Click on “Emergency Preparedness”)

Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) Activate COOP and Begin the Process toward Performance of Mission Essential Functions in a Predetermined and Temporary Alternate Facility Can Full Operations in Primary Facility be Reconstituted in 30 Days? An Individual or Group will Assess Whether or Not Full Operations in the Primary Facility can be Reconstituted within 30 Days of COOP Activation Immediately Perform Mission Essential Functions under the COOP on a Temporary Basis Yes Perform Mission Essential Functions under the COOP on a Temporary Basis No Immediately Begin Efforts to Reconstitute Full Operations within 30 Days in a Long-Term Alternate Facility Transfer Back into Full Operations in the Primary Facility Full Operations in a Long-Term Alternate Facility Initiated within 30 Days A copy of this PowerPoint is available at www.flcourts.org (Click on “Emergency Preparedness”)

“Keep the Courts Open” Examples of Effective Court Preparedness Planning and Emergency Response

Examples of the Impact of Hurricane Ivan M.C. Blanchard Courthouse in Pensacola Florida

Examples of the Impact of Hurricane Ivan M.C. Blanchard Courthouse in Pensacola Florida

The Primary Alternate Facility The Pensacola Civic Center

Courtrooms at the Alternate Facility Courtroom with Jury Box at the Alternate Facility

Mission Essential Functions at the Alternate Facility Justice Barbara J. Pariente visits Pensacola to Review the Response to Hurricane Ivan

Long-Term Alternate Facilities Judicial Trailer Park

Examples of the Impact of Hurricane Dennis Santa Rosa County Courthouse in Milton Florida

Examples of the Impact of Hurricane Dennis Santa Rosa County Courthouse in Milton Florida

The Pandemic Influenza Threat “Keep the Courts Open” The Pandemic Influenza Threat

A Unique Concern for Florida

Current Status Interpandemic period Pandemic alert period Phase 1: No new influenza virus subtypes have been detected in humans. An influenza virus subtype that has caused human infection may be present in animals. If present in animals, the risk of human infection or disease is considered to be low. Phase 2: No new influenza virus subtypes have been detected in humans. However, a circulating animal influenza virus subtype poses a substantial risk of human disease. Pandemic alert period Phase 3: Human infection(s) with a new subtype but no human-to-human spread, or at most rare instances of spread to a close contact. Phase 4: Small cluster(s) with limited human-to-human transmission but spread is highly localized, suggesting that the virus is not well adapted to humans. Phase 5: Larger cluster(s) but human-to-human spread still localized, suggesting that the virus is becoming increasingly better adapted to humans but may not yet be fully transmissible (substantial pandemic risk). Pandemic period Phase 6: Pandemic: increased and sustained transmission in general population. Postpandemic period Return to interpandemic period. WHO global influenza preparedness plan. World Health Organization. Switzerland: Department of Communicable Disease Surveillance and Response, 2005.

Strategy for Pandemic Influenza Improved Capacity to Achieve the Strategic Goals Leads to Improved Capacity to Achieve the Tactical Objectives Leads to Improved Capacity to Implement the COOP Process for Responding to a Pandemic Leads to Complete the Planning Tasks A copy of the Strategy is available at www.flcourts.org (Click on “Emergency Preparedness”)

Wrestle with the Tough Issues Legal Issues Unsettled law, public health related cases, bench books, etc. Personnel Issues Leave, payroll, employee assistance, workers comp, etc. Technology (no or limited face-to-face contact) Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Employee Education and Family Preparedness (Two week supply?) Jury Testing and Exercising Plans

Additional Information: Questions or Comments FYI, some questions I hope you don’t ask: Has every Florida court fully developed their plans? Has implementation been like making sausage? How have the Florida courts addressed NIMS compliance? How have the Florida courts addressed respiratory protection programs and other PPE policy issues? How do courts access DHS funds? Which, if any, ESF do the courts fit into? How do courts ensure they can protect their records? What are your experiences with satellite phones? Are the courts really that important in an emergency response? Contact Information: Greg Cowan 850-922-5460 or cowang@flcourts.org Additional Information: www.flcourts.org (Click on “Emergency Preparedness”)