Planning

The Planning Section is responsible for the State Emergency Operations Plan, Continuity of Operations Plans, other operational plans, procedures manuals, and assisting other state agencies in their planning efforts. The Planning Section works with multiple state agencies and non-governmental entities in the planning process to ensure the most efficient and effective state response to any situation. The Planning Section also supports the State Emergency Operations Center.

What is the South Dakota Emergency Operations Plan?

The primary purpose of the South Dakota State Emergency Operations Plan is to assist state government agencies in responding to an emergency/disaster when it exceeds local government's capability to respond. Emergency/disaster conditions may require state agency personnel to perform their normal scope of work under unusual circumstances. Normal functions that do not contribute to the emergency operation may be suspended or redirected for the duration of the emergency. It is the responsibility of each state agency to respond in a manner consistent with its capabilities as identified and agreed to in this plan.

The South Dakota State Emergency Operations Plan establishes policy for state government agencies in their response to the threat of natural, technological, or national security emergency/disaster situations. It documents the policies, concept of operations, organizational structures, and specific responsibilities of state agencies in their response to provide for the safety and welfare of its citizens. It addresses the need for preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation activities to enhance the state's overall capability to cope with potential hazards.

What does Continuity of Operations planning mean and what does it look like in South Dakota?

Continuity of Operations planning prepares stakeholders to continue completing their essential functions during any incident or emergency that may disrupt normal operations. In South Dakota, all state agencies are required to create and maintain Continuity of Operations plans for their agencies. Planners with the South Dakota Office of Emergency Management coordinate planning efforts, host continuity training opportunities, and manage the state continuity planning software to ensure all state agencies and several other entities are able to continue completing their essential functions when any array of circumstances might otherwise interfere with normal operations.

What other plans are the Planning Section responsible for?

The Planning Section is also responsible for writing and updating the State Disaster Recovery Plan, State Emergency Operations Center Procedures Manuals, and a variety of other plans and manuals.

The State Disaster Recovery Plan is structured much like the State Emergency Operations Plan, but its purpose it to ensure the most efficient and effective state coordination to assist local jurisdictions in the recovery phase of any disaster.

The State Emergency Operations Center Procedures Manuals are also maintained by the Planning Section. These manuals contain position descriptions, checklists, and other supporting materials to ensure the State Emergency Operations Center runs smoothly and efficiently.

The Planning Section considers all of the aforementioned plans and manuals living documents. This means all of the documents are continually revised to incorporate lessons learned in past disaster experiences, training opportunities, and exercises.