Hilton Head Home Builders Association

We live in Hurricane country and as such need to be prepared to deal with the coming storms. Almost everything you hear and read regarding hurricanes deals with evacuation and survival. That is only one/half of the equation. For the past few years the HBA has been working on a Post Disaster Plan to address the needs after a storm has ravaged our communities. The Plan has been accepted as part of the Beaufort County Emergency Management's overall Disaster Plan and makes the HBA a participating partner in post disaster recovery. After all, until roads are cleared, services restored and the Emergency Management folks feel good about it there will be not business. So its in our best interest to be part of the recovery so that we can get back to work faster. This plan is also devised to allow us to respond to disasters in other areas not just here at home. Currently there is an effort to make this plan a statewide plan adopted by all the HBA's in South Carolina. Take the time to read over the plan and see where and how you can be a partner with the HBA.
I. Introduction
This plan sets forth the procedures for members of the Home Builders Association of the Low Country and Home Builders Association Hilton Head Disaster Response Committees for responding to the threat of or damage from a disaster within the State of South Carolina.
II. Purpose
To assist members of the home building industry in dealing with the potential evacuation from a pending tropical storm/hurricane and coordinating the return of industry volunteers to aide local, county and state officials in their recovery efforts. HBA Disaster Response Committee will work closely with the National Association of Home Builders, Home Builders Association of South Carolina and other Home Builders Associations throughout the state of South Carolina to insure that the home building industry is active in providing assistance in any disaster recovery program.
III. Hurricane Response & Recovery
A. Industry Efforts 1. OPCON 5 Pre-Season Meet with United Way of Beaufort County to develop operations plan for the coordination of industry volunteers Provide hurricane evacuation information to industry members Annually update and coordinate industry Equipment Availability List. Plan and hold orientation meetings for industry volunteers for post disaster recovery efforts Solicit volunteers, train, and provide identification Identify and reserve lodging for key Disaster Response Committee personnel. Identify and coordinate staging areas for industry volunteers 2. OPCON 4 Notification of Storm Hurricane Committee meets to review plan HBA activates HBA Hurricane Information System for members Notification of HBA members of need to begin pre-storm preparations HBA's communicate and review preparation activities HBA staff coordinates with HBASC pending evacuation plans and communication needs 3. OPCON 3 First Warning All HBA Volunteers contacted HBA members notified of warning and need to begin pre-storm preparations immediately HBA Disaster Response Committee and Disaster Response Committee Plan Coordinators meet with groups for final reviews 4. OPCON 2 Full-Alert Evacuation Preparations HBA members and volunteers notified of pending evacuation HBA staff prepares office and equipment for evacuation 5. OPCON 1 Evacuation, Reentry and Recovery HBA Disaster Response Committee, volunteers and staff evacuate to designated area of safety pending notification of reentry 6. REENTRY HBA Disaster Response Committee set up staging area and equipment for industry members HBA Disaster Response Committee Chairman or designee meets with United Way of Beaufort County Liaison Officer to coordinate efforts HBA Staging Coordinator stages industry volunteers and equipment
IV. Other Disaster Response & Recovery
A. Industry Response 1. Notification of Need Local Disaster Response Committee Chairman or designee shall contact the Emergency Management System Director and United Way Volunteer Coordinator to obtain a preliminary estimate of needs. The local HBA within the jurisdiction shall notify the HBASC of the preliminary estimate of need. The local Disaster Response Committee Chairman shall call an emergency meeting of the Committee. 2. Volunteer & Equipment Notice The Volunteer & Equipment Coordinators shall send notices to volunteers notifying them of preliminary needs. Equipment coordinator shall coordinate with the local Emergency Management System Office to identify any special equipment needs and assist in finding such equipment. 3. Staging Volunteers The local HBA Staging Chairman shall coordinate staging of local and visiting volunteers and equipment in conjunction with the United Way or other Volunteer Coordinators.
V. HBA Disaster Response Committee Personnel
A. Committee Chairman The Committee Chairpersons are responsible for the overall coordination and implementation of the HBA's Disaster Response Plan. Meets with County and Town Emergency Management System Directors to insure and improve industry efforts. Meets with and coordinates efforts with other HBAs in the state and/or region, National Association of Home Builders and other industry organizations identified B. Volunteer Coordinator Maintains an ongoing solicitation of HBA and industry members for post disaster emergency repairs teams Coordinates with the County United Way and other agencies involved with emergency repairs Meets and coordinates other HBAs industry volunteer arriving in area C. Equipment Coordinator Maintains and updates an Equipment Inventory List Coordinates the staging of equipment. D. Information Coordinator Responsible for the preparation and dissemination of pre and post HBA hurricane information to industry members, volunteers and general public Provides information on HBA activities to local, state and national media. E. Staging Coordinator Responsible for locating and securing adequate staging facilities for volunteers and equipment. Work with United Way and other Agencies in coordination of staging areas to ensure reasonable proximity to volunteer operations.
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