The Emergency Support Function (ESF) Structure

As mentioned in the CEOP Tutorial, the most significant change from the current (2005) version of the County's Emergency Operations Plan (CEOP) to the 2010 version of the plan is that the new 2010 CEOP will be structured around Emergency Support Functions, or ESFs.  While emergency operations plans can be structured in a variety of ways, the federal government and many states (including Kansas) utilize a standardized list of 15 ESFs to organize their plans and organize their work in disaster response. While the current Johnson County plan is structured by functional annexes (Debris Removal, Mass Fatality, Mental Health, etc.), the 2010 Johnson County CEOP will be structured around the ESFs for consistency and standardization purposes.

ESF Concept: While the cause, size, severity, and scope of disasters will vary, there are a number of emergency functions that will be necessary to respond to many disasters. By organizing our plans and response efforts around these common functions we are better prepared for all disasters. Not unlike the functional approach utilized in the current version of the plan, the ESF structure is predicated on the idea that there are certain functions (or sets of coordinated activities) that are common in most disasters. The Johnson County CEOP and organizational structure in the County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will be structured around these ESFs.

ESF Annexes in the CEOP: The components of the 2010 CEOP consist of a Basic Plan, ESF Annexes, and Support Annexes.  The Basic Plan provides an overview of Johnson County's approach to emergency management and disaster response. It also describes the roles and responsibilities associated with response including an overview of ESFs.  Most of the content of the plan is captured in the 16 ESF Annexes, addressing the major functional areas required to respond to disasters. Each ESF Annex accomplishes two main objectives:

1. Describes the scope of the ESF and the associated roles, responsibilities, and coordination necessary to meet the needs generated by disaster.
2. Describes the mission, membership, and key operational concepts of the ESF team in County EOC (when activated).

ESF Team in the EOC: The Johnson County EOC will be structured around ESFs.  When activated in the County EOC, each ESF group is responsible for orchestrating the County's support within their respective function. The ESF group in the EOC can be described as an alliance of stakeholders who have common interests and/or share various levels of responsibility in the ESF. These ESF members will work together within their networks and statutory and regulatory authorities to ensure a coordinated and effective response to disasters. Each of the ESF Annexes in the CEOP will identify the organizations responsible for providing staffing for their ESF and the County EOC Manual will identify the specific tasks for each group.   

ESF Coordinating Agency: Each ESF has a County department or agency identified as an ESF Coordinator.  Organizations identified as Coordinating Agencies are responsible for coordinating the countywide planning, preparedness, and response efforts required to ensure the functions required of their ESF are performed successfully.

• Preparedness: In preparedness, Coordinating Agencies are responsible for developing and maintaining the overall content of their ESF in the CEOP.  During the planning process, they provide leadership during ESF workgroup meetings and work to build consensus among stakeholders. Coordinating Agencies also work with JCEMHS and other organizations to ensure necessary supplements to the ESF annex are developed and maintained, including but not limited to: emergency contact lists, resource lists, organizational/functional plans and/or procedures, EOC job aids (specific to their ESF), and regional plans.  
• Response:  During disaster response the ESF Coordinating Agency will be responsible for orchestrating the county's support within their respective function and serve as the coordinating link between Johnson County and other operational units. 

ESF Support Agencies:  There are a number of ESF Support Agencies identified for each ESF.  These are organizations whose expertise, resources, and/or statutory responsibility or authority make them invaluable partners in preparedness and response. 

• Preparedness: In preparedness, the Support Agencies work with the ESF Coordinating Agency and other Support Agencies to address countywide planning and capability development associated with the ESF. 
• Response:  During a disaster response, Support Agencies may be called on to provide assistance as an organization and/or may be asked to respond to the County EOC as an ESF representative.  As an ESF representative, Support Agencies will work with the Coordinating Agency to fulfill the mission of the ESF.