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

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

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

4. 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

5. -- 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

6. 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)

7. 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
(Click on “Emergency Preparedness”)

8. 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
(Click on “Emergency Preparedness”)

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

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

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

12. The Primary Alternate Facility
The Pensacola Civic Center

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

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

15. Long-Term Alternate Facilities
Judicial Trailer Park

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

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

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

19. A Unique Concern for Florida

20. 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.

21. 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
(Click on “Emergency Preparedness”)

22. 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

23. 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 or
Additional Information:
(Click on “Emergency Preparedness”)