Workshop Concept

The concept for the workshop is to brainstorm issues and local solutions related to an abrupt end of gasoline, natural gas, and electricity. Community members and City staff are invited to participate in this workshop to assist in the preparation of needed response plans and actions.

The City of Pacific Grove has an established emergency response program that is outlined in the Standardized Emergency Management System Multihazard Functional Plan, adopted November 1996. Part I, Section 5, Threat Summary and Assessments, provides assessments for five areas, including Earthquake, Hazard Material, Tsunami, Transportation (Airplane Crash) and National Security. An assessment area that is not currently covered is that posed by shortage of transportation fuels, natural gas and electricity. This workshop is intended to provide ideas to aid in the development of an energy shortage assessment section and protocols to guide City and neighborhood responses. It is also hoped that it will aid residents in thinking about the need to prepare their own homes for an emergency.

Workshop Design

Part I. Full Group Brainstorming - Participants will be given 10 minutes to work on their own to consider impacts associated with the threat situation of an abrupt end of gasoline deliveries (Attachment 1). At the end of this time, the participants will be asked to present their ideas to the whole group. Information will be recorded on large pads of paper. For example, the group will be asked to identify impacts associated with gasoline stoppage, e.g. food not being delivered to local stores, people not being able to get to work (reduced staffing in essential jobs in stores, public safety, schools, day care, banking, etc), no delivery of pharmaceuticals, retail goods (batteries), building, and other supplies, and potential social unrest.

Part II. Table Exercise - In the next phase of the workshop, participants will be asked to work in groups at four tables to come up with potential responses to these impacts identified in the Part I Exercise. The table groups will work on specific topic areas and be asked to report out to the full group at the end of the workshop.

Table Assignments

Table 1: Transportation and Essential Services This table is responsible for developing a threat response plan for transportation and essential services (excluding food). This table should define potential programs for distributing limited transportation fuels, programs to assist those without means to travel, food deliveries, etc.

Table participants are asked to:

Discuss the impacts of fuel shortages on the ability of people to travel to jobs and to obtain goods and services.
Identify the essential services and jobs. (schools, day care, pharmacies, hospital, nurse care facilities, garbage collectors, banks).
Discuss what steps will be needed to keep facilities open.
Develop and record strategies for maintaining workforce in critical jobs.
Prepare Public Service Announcement regarding availability of gasoline at local gas stations and use of alternative means of transportation and essential services.

Table 2 Food and Water This table is responsible for developing a threat response plan for food and water. This includes both emergency food preparation, delivery of food, food growing, and food transport.

Table participants are asked to:

Develop strategy for using existing food supply in stores for as long as possible (e.g. Coupons).
Develop concepts for emergency meal programs.
Develop program to supplement food and water supply (e.g. bringing locally grown foods from Salinas Valley, Carmel Valley, encouraging background gardens, community gardens).
Discuss potential for local food growing, and programs to encourage residents to grow and store food.
Prepare a Public Service Announcement informing the public of what food will be available and how it is to be made available and how water is to be used.

Table 3 Energy - This table is responsible for developing a threat response plan for energy. This program should address heating, cooking, and other uses of electricity.

Table participants are asked to:

Identify how residents heat their homes and cook without gas and electricity?
Identify how residents respond to periods without water due to limited pumping capacity?
Determine what other services will be impacted by lack of electricity or gasoline (e.g. banking, real estate transactions, etc.) and discuss priorities for electricity use.
Develop public service announcement to assist residents to prepare food safely, water usage. Develop public service announcement explaining the limitations on electrical usage.

Table 4 Safety This table is responsible for developing a threat response plan for maintaining order and protecting lives and property. Table participants are asked to:

Develop strategies for maintaining order at grocery stores, gas stations, banks, and other areas that may be swamped with people trying to prepare.
Discuss what will be needed to respond to emergency calls resulting from electricity backouts (medical, looting, etc.)
Determine what collaborative efforts with other cities might be needed to handle people fleeing other areas seeking refuge in Monterey.
Develop Public Service Announcement and strategies to prevent looting, stockpiling, influx of refugees from other areas.

Part III. Full Group Summation - The final part of the workshop will involve reporting back by each table of the work that they prepared. In some cases this will be in the form of a public service announcement(s), a suggested protocol, or actions. These concepts will be recorded for use preparing the Threat Assessment Summary to be included in the Standardized Emergency Management System Multihazard Functional Plan

IV. Supplies and Equipment Needed Four tables and chairs for eight people at each table. Large sheets of paper with adhesive backing, loose white 8x11 paper, lined tablets for bulletins. Color marking pens (larger tip) and ballpoint pens.

Attachment 1

Gasoline Shortage Threat Scenario

A national emergency has occurred. California has been notified that it will be without gasoline deliveries for a period of at least three to six weeks. Electricity blackouts should also be anticipated. Emergency personnel are asked to make plans to respond to this emergency.

General Situation

The availability of gasoline is something that most of Americans take for granted and any shortage of gasoline is something that few people are prepared for. Currently Americans rely on a complex network of suppliers to bring gasoline to local service stations. We assume that we will be able to fuel our cars at the nearest gasoline station and assume that we will have no problem reaching our place of work, taking our children to school, picking up groceries and pharmaceuticals, and traveling to complete other daily necessities.

The lack of gasoline and other transportation fuels (gasoline, diesel, natural gas, etc.) would also mean that emergency vehicles may be unable to respond to calls. Grocery stores would not be able to receive food supplies and other retailer such pharmacies, hardware, and department stores would be unable to receive new shipments. There could also result in secondary impacts such as long lines at gasoline stations and panic buying of food and other items as consumers become aware of future shortages and attempt to stockpile. Safety personnel would be stretched beyond their current capacity in trying to maintain order. Should, however, the shortages continue for some time, a more complex response, such as rationing, curfews or other programs will be required.

Currently, PGE provides electricity to residents and businesses in Pacific Grove. In 2005 electricity was produced using the following combination of power. Natural Gas 42%, Nuclear 24%, Large Hydroelectric 20%, Renewables 12% (Biomass and Waste 5%, Geothermal 2%, Small Hydroelectric 4%, Solar 0%, Wind 1%), Coal 1%, Other 1%. Without natural gas, electricity supply will be severly impacted.

Specific Impacts

While Pacific Grove has the advantage of being a compact walkable community it is still very vulnerable to gasoline shortages. Food is not grown within the city and viritually all goods are brought from outside the area. If service stations were unable to receive gasoline residents would be unable to travel by automobile to work sites beyond the Monterey area. Buses and other transportation that currently rely on gasoline would be unable to operate. The lack of availability of electricity will also have wide impacts in Pacific Grove. Businesses and residents are dependent on electricity for a wide range of activities, including cooking, lighting, use of the internet, etc.