covery process after disasters
granted. Permits are only needed in Phase 2 and 3.
The first re-entry phase will be for rendering safe
task force teams. The primary purpose of personnel
during this phase is to ensure the area is safe for the first
responders who will follow them to conduct life safety
operations. Personnel entering during this phase have
been pre-identified and do not need a re-entry permit.
The second phase will consist of crews conducting life
safety operations in impacted areas. These operations
include, but are not limited to, search and rescue,
emergency medical services, fire suppression, hazardous
materials control and containment, preliminary damage
assessment, essential relief staff to critical medical
facilities, and immediate utility restoration to critical
incident facilities.
The third phase will consist primarily of individuals in
the public and private sector that can restore essential
operations, services and commerce in support of re-entry
by the general public.
Phase 4 is when local residents and property owners
or businesses may re-enter the area. Permits are not
required, but proof of residency or business ownership in
the area is required.
Only one permit with an assigned phase will be issued
per company, unless a company requests access for
different personnel during both Phase 2 and Phase 3 of
the re-entry process.
Each company will be responsible for providing their
authorized workforce with electronic or paper copies
of the re-entry permit for use during the phased disaster
recover re-entry process. These permits will be valid for
three years from the date of issue.
Private companies will soon be able to apply online
through the GEMA/HS website, and receive state
re-entry certification ahead of time. While drafting this
plan, GEMA/HS looked at neighboring states, including
Florida and South Carolina, on how they run their re-
entry process.
Hang tags will no longer be used, so companies will
only be required to apply once and need one certificate
per company.
GEMA/HS or local officials have the authority to
specify permitted routes of access or deny access to
an area in order to preserve, protect, or sustain the
life, health, safety, or economic well-being of a person
or property or granting access as otherwise deemed
necessary. The agency will also have the authority
to suspend or revoke certification as a result of any
violation or abuse of this certification.
A major component of implementing the state’s new
re-entry plan is educating all stakeholders on the new
application process.
For the past year, GEMA/HS began the process
of coordinating with local emergency management
agencies on the new process and getting their buy-in.
Because disasters start local and end local as well, as
Georgia being a home-rule state, the need for county
agreement on this process was crucial.
While the state is now managing the application
and tracking process of re-entry permits, it’s important
to remember that private entities should continue
developing relationships with their local communities.
In the event of a disaster where phased re-entry would
be implemented, private partners would be working
hand-in-hand with local entities so ensuring there is
already an established and working relationship ahead
of time is critical.
Visit http://www.gema.ga.gov/Web%20Content/
Re-Entry%20Permit%20Application.pdf for the new re-
entry application.
Photo courtesy of GEMA/HS archives
Ph
Photo courtesy of GEMA/HS
DISPATCH
DISPATCH