Emergency Preparedness: San Diego
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A signing ceremony on January 13 officially activated a multi-agency plan outlining protocols and measures for reopening the Port of San Diego after a serious incident.
"The Port of San Diego Maritime Emergency Restoration Plan" was developed in 2015 to ensure that the reopening of the port after a transportation security incident or catastrophic disaster would be conducted in a safe and seamless manner.
In the past, multiple agencies at all levels of government had independent protocols and plans outlining actions for port and waterway reopening after a serious incident. It was necessary to integrate and coordinate the information into a single plan. The planning effort engaged public and private-sector partners to develop an integrated, all-hazard, multi-agency plan for reopening of the port.
The plan includes guidelines set forth in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Emergency Response Guide. It spells out the roles, responsibilities and legal authorities for all of the agencies and organizations which would play a role in damage assessments and subsequent restoration of the waterways, navigation systems, facilities and operations which make up the Port of San Diego.
"It’s reassuring to now have a plan that spells out the necessary coordination to accomplish damage assessments of waterways, navigation systems, port facilities and port operations," said San Diego Port Police Chief John Bolduc. "This is crucial to ensuring that the port’s diverse commerce and operations can get back to business in a safe and cohesive manner."
Chief Bolduc (who is a member of the AAPA Security Committee) signed the agreement on behalf of the port. Other signatories include representatives of the U.S. Coast Guard, the San Diego Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Navy Third Fleet, Navy Region Southwest, U.S. Customs & Border Patrol, U.S. Border Patrol, Transportation Security Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, San Diego County Office of Emergency Services, City of San Diego Office of Homeland Security, Coronado Fire Department, Coronado Police Department, San Diego Port Tenants Association, BAE Systems, Dole Fresh Fruit, and Pasha Automotive Services.
"To keep our citizens safe and our businesses secure, it’s imperative that all agencies and waterfront businesses are well-informed on the steps necessary for reopening the port after an incident," said Port Commission Chairman Marshall Merrifield. "I’d like to express the port’s gratitude to those who have collaborated on the development, execution and signing of the plan. Your support is essential to the safety of the port and the region."
Marshall Merrifield, Chairman of the Board of Port Commissioners, gives welcome remarks at the Jan. 13 signing ceremony for the Port of San Diego Maritime Emergency Restoration Plan. Seated next to him is San Diego Harbor Police Chief John Bolduc. Photo/ Arash Afshar, Port of San Diego
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