GOAL A: ENSURE THAT NATURAL AND HUMAN-CAUSED HAZARDS ARE RECOGNIZED AND CONSIDERED IN DECISIONS AFFECTING THE COMMUNITY, AND THAT LAND USES REFLECT ACCEPTABLE LEVELS OF RISK BASED ON IDENTIFIED HAZARDS AND OCCUPANCY.
LAND USE
Policy A.1 Evaluate and consider existing and potential hazards in developing land use policies. Make land use decisions based on an awareness of the hazards and potential hazards for the specific parcel of land.
Action Statements
A.1.1 Encourage coordination of planning decisions, concerns and information sharing among the neighboring cities, affected agencies and interested citizen groups.
A.1.2 Retain existing residential sprinkler and fire resistive roofing requirements.
A.1.3 Encourage and cooperate with seismic and geologic investigations in the Sunnyvale planning area by such scientific agencies as the U.S. Geological Survey and the California Division of Mines and Geology.
A.1.4 Maintain the current United States Geological Survey maps of all known seismic and geologic hazards located in the city.
A.1.5 Require geotechnical reports for new developments and redevelopments north of Highway 237.
Flood Hazards
Policy A.2 Take measures to protect life and property from the effects of a 1% (100 year) flood.
Action Statements
A.2.1 Encourage the Santa Clara Valley Water District to reevaluate the capacity of Stevens Creek, Calabazas Creek, Sunnyvale East, West and El Camino Flood Control Channels in relation to a 1% (100 year) flood.
A.2.2 Encourage and monitor the work of the Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD) in maintaining all creeks and channels in Sunnyvale free of flow inhibiting vegetation, debris and silt.
A.2.3 Encourage SCVWD to maintain their dikes and levees at least 3 feet above the 1% flood level and to provide continued inspection and repair from damage caused by burrowing animals.
A.2.4 Maintain the flood plain management practices as outlined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Army Corps of Engineers.
A.2.5 Participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Hazardous Materials
Policy A.3 Promote a living and working environment safe from exposure to hazardous materials.
Action Statements
A.3.1 Maintain current information on the hazardous materials used in Sunnyvale businesses and their potential hazards to the community.
A.3.2 Participate in future development of proposed state and local code changes in storage and handling methods for hazardous materials.
A.3.3 Monitor the work of the Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Western Division (San Bruno), to ensure proper environmental clean up of the Moffett Field Land.
A.3.4 Use the Santa Clara County Hazardous Waste Management Plan (CHWMP) as Sunnyvale's policy document and planning guide for planning off-site hazardous waste management facilities and all hazardous waste management programs within the city.
Aviation Hazards
Policy A.4 Make planning decisions that establish and/or maintain a safe mix of aviation and land use for the areas affected by Moffett Field.
Action Statements
A.4.1 Oppose any effort to promote Moffett Field for civil/general aviation.
A.4.2 Consider the Air Installation Compatible Use Zone (AICUZ) in decisions concerning appropriate land use within the vicinity of Moffett Field.
Essential Services
Policy A.5 Maintain lifelines* in good operating conditions to lessen damage and increase survivability after a major disaster.
Action Statements
A.5.1 Encourage the state and county to maintain and/or improve their overcrossing to increase their ability to survive a major seismic event.
A.5.2 Encourage Pacific, Gas and Electric and Pacific Bell to assess, maintain and, if necessary, improve their facilities to increase their ability to survive a major seismic event.
A.5.3 Study, evaluate and fund the improvements needed to the east pond levee at the Water Pollution Control Plant to increase its ability to survive a major earthquake.
*Lifelines are essential services necessary for the continued normal functioning of the community, e.g. water, gas, electricity, transportation and communication lines.
GOAL B: ENSURE THAT THE CITY, ITS CITIZENS, BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ARE PREPARED TO EFFECTIVELY RESPOND TO MAJOR EMERGENCIES.
Emergency Response Facilities
Policy B.1 Maintain and construct city facilities utilized for emergency response so that they remain operable after a major seismic event.
Action Statements
B.1.1 Inspect city owned facilities to ensure compliance with seismic safety/safety standards as needed. Fund capital projects when necessary to bring critical facilities up to seismic standards.
B.1.2 Construct new city facilities to meet or exceed seismic safety /safety standards so that they will remain operable after a major earthquake or disaster.
Emergency Management Organization
Policy B.2 Provide for the emergency management of the city in order to protect life and property in the event of a disaster.
Action Statements
B.2.1 Provide annual training for those persons assigned to the Emergency Management Organization (EMO).
B.2.2 Annually review the EMO chart, responsibilities and tasks so that it reflects sound emergency management principles.
B.2.3 Maintain an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for direction and control of disaster response and recovery.
Emergency Planning & Coordination
Policy B.3 Provide an integrated approach to planning and preparedness for emergencies and disasters.
Action Statements
B.3.1 Identify, assess and maintain data on hazards to the community.
B.3.2 Maintain an Emergency Plan and update it as necessary.
B.3.3 Identify and maintain communications and coordination with community resources that will provide assistance during emergencies.
B.3.4 Coordinate planning and training with other agencies and jurisdictions to provide an effective and coordinated response to any emergency/disaster.
B.3.5 Train employees and operational units in emergency preparedness and disaster response procedures appropriate to their job function.
B.3.6 Maintain communication with and provide training exercises to improve coordination between city staff and private support organizations.
B.3.7 Evaluate city resources and make recommendations for improving city self-reliance during emergencies.
B.3.8 Provide assistance to residents and businesses in emergency preparedness.
Schools
Policy B.4 Provide information and assistance to public/private schools and day care centers to plan and prepare for emergencies and disasters.
Action Statements
B.4.1 Assist schools and day care centers in emergency preparedness.
B.4.2 Encourage private schools and day care centers not constructed under the Field Act to evaluate and improve their buildings for seismic safety.
B.4.3 Assist in the development of emergency preparedness curriculum and training materials for schools and day care centers.
Business and Industry
Policy B.5 Provide information and assistance to business and industry to plan and prepare for emergencies and disasters.
Action Statements
B.5.1 Provide available emergency preparedness information to businesses and industries that request assistance.
B.5.2 Encourage business and industry to plan for recovery from catastrophic events.
Community
Policy B.6 Provide the citizens of Sunnyvale information, encouragement and assistance with emergency planning and preparedness.
Action Statements
B.6.1 Provide citizens with information on self-help during and after a disaster.
B.6.2 Provide speakers for emergency preparedness talks to interested citizens and community groups.
B.6.3 Identify and coordinate community volunteers that wish to participate in planning, preparedness or response activities.
Communications
Policy B.7 Provide emergency radio communications for coordination of emergency response and the capability to communicate with outside agencies and citizens.
Action Statements
B.7.1 Periodically review emergency radio capabilities to enhance survivability during a major disaster.
B.7.2 Assist and encourage volunteer amateur radio operators to prepare for citizen band radio operations during a disaster or emergency.
GOAL C: ENSURE THAT THE CITY, ITS CITIZENS, BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ARE PREPARED TO RECOVER FROM DISASTERS.
City Government
Policy C.1 Provide for the continuation of city government and services following a major disaster.
Action Statements
C.1.1 Maintain a thorough and current Emergency Plan that provides information for the continuation of city government immediately following a disaster.
C.1.2 Plan for the recovery and resumption of all city operations after a disaster.
Citizens and Business/Industry
Policy C.2 Encourage citizens and business/industry to plan for recovery from disasters.
Action Statements
C.2.1 Provide assistance to local businesses in planning for recovery and resumption of business after a disaster.
C.2.2 Provide guidance to citizens on disaster recovery through brochures, talks and other public information methods.
C.2.3 Encourage citizens/businesses to purchase earthquake or other catastrophic insurance coverage.
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