Lecture V. Emergency Planning and Response

Emergency planning and response

are critical components of disaster management. They involve preparing for, responding to, and recovering from emergencies to minimize their impact on people, property, and the environment.

Emergency Planning

refers to the comprehensive process of developing strategies, procedures, and resources to prepare for potential emergencies. This involves conducting risk assessments to identify potential hazards, implementing mitigation strategies to reduce the impact of these hazards, creating detailed disaster plans, and educating the community on emergency procedures. The goal is to ensure that individuals, organizations, and communities are well-prepared to handle emergencies effectively and efficiently.

Emergency Response

is the immediate, systematics reaction to an unexpected or dangerous occurrence. This includes a coordinated effort to address the emergency, provide necessary medical care, ensure safety, and manage resources. The primary objective is to mitigate the impact of the event on people, property, and the environment, and to restore normalcy as quickly as possible.

Emergency Action Plans (29 CFR 1910.38)

: Requires employers to develop an emergency action plan that includes procedures for reporting emergencies, evacuation, and accounting for all employees after an evacuation

Fire Prevention Plans (29 CFR 1910.39)

: Mandates the creation of a fire prevention plan that includes a list of major workplace fire hazards, proper handling and storage procedures, and maintenance of fire protection equipment

Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) (29 CFR 1910.120)

: Establishes safety and health requirements for employers to protect employees involved in hazardous waste operations and emergency response.

Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals (29 CFR 1910.119)

: Requires employers to develop and implement a process safety management program to prevent the release of hazardous chemicals

Preparedness

: Indicates the level of precautions we can take much before any hazard occurs. It is simultaneously expected that a disaster might happen anytime, and we have to act according to our plan, using all our facilities built much earlier. The final outcome of a preparedness plan is the emergency plan.

Naturally Occurring Hazards

: Geological hazards such as earthquakes, tsunami,volcanoes, landslides, cloud burst, storm, heat waves, lightning, etc. Meteorological hazards such as floods, flash floods, droughts, fires, snow, windstorms, tropical cyclone, hurricanes, tornadoes, extreme temperatures, and lightning strikes.

Accidental Events

: Hazardous material (explosive, flammable liquid, flammable gas, flammable solid, oxidizer, poison, radiological, corrosive) spill or release. Explosion/fire, transportation accident, building/structure collapse, energy/power/utility failure, etc.

Intentional Events

: Terrorism, sabotage, civil disturbance, strike or labor dispute, criminal activity, and so on.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

: Safety glasses, goggles or face shields for eye protection, hard hats and safety shoes for head and foot protection, proper respirators, chemical suits, gloves, hoods, and boots for body protection from chemicals, special body protection for abnormal environmental conditions, such as extreme temperatures.

Emergency Supplies

: Drinking water (1 gallon a day; 3 days' supply recommended), food (keep airtight in pest-proof packaging), flashlight and extra batteries, utility knife, first aid kit with special personal needs such as prescription medication and glasses, sturdy, comfortable shoes and clean socks, space blanket or a standard blanket, light sticks, heavy-duty work gloves, cash (some in quarters), sanitation needs (such as tissue paper, small bottle of bleach, plastic bags, plastic bucket), duct tape and barrier tape, large sheets of paper, markers, pens and pencils, whistle, campus and area maps.

Roles and Responsibilities

1. Incident Commander (IC)

2. Supervisors/Safety Officers

1. : Responsible for overseeing emergency preparedness and response.

2. : Communicate with all the residents and visitors in the residential complex, conduct training, and maintain readiness.

Actions During an Emergency

Emergency Operations Center (EOC)

: A vital part of the complex emergency preparedness and response plan. It will be staffed with trained personnel whenever a crisis occurs that requires mobilization of campus-wide resources to neutralize the disaster.

Seven Critical Tasks in Response:

1. Assess the Situation and Establish Communications & Control

2. Identify the "Hot Zone"

3. Establish Inner Perimeter

4. Establish Outer Perimeter

5. Establish Scene Command Post

6. Establish Staging Area

7. Identify and Request Additional Resources

Evacuation Plan

1. Procedures

2. Drills

1. : An evacuation policy, procedures, and escape route assignments must be framed to make the residents and visitors familiar with the person who is authorized to order an evacuation, under what conditions an evacuation would be necessary, how to evacuate, and what routes to take. Exit diagrams are typically used to identify the escape routes to be followed by residents from each specific floor.

2. : Building evacuation drills are optional for all campus buildings except residence halls. Consult your IC if you wish to have an evacuation or fire drill in your building. The IC is responsible for conducting the drill and documenting it. Obtain a copy of the documentation and submit it to EOC.

Communication Plan

1. Internal and External Communication

2. Emergency Notification Procedures

1. : The campus will use a variety of communication vehicles like telephones, both intercom, mobile, and two-way radios to support its normal daily campus operations. In every intercom facility, there will be a red button which will provide the facility for speed dialing to the EOC during the emergency.

2. : When one calls any emergency number to request emergency assistance, they will be connected to the EOC and IC. Call from a safe location, remain calm, and be prepared to give the dispatcher as much information about the emergency as you can.

Fire:

• Immediately notify the fire department by pulling the alarm station. Call 911 at a safe location to provide details of the situation.

• If trained, able, and safe (with a sure and safe exit), use a portable fire extinguisher to extinguish the fire. Evacuate if one extinguisher does not put out the fire.

• Evacuate the building as soon as the alarm sounds and proceed to the Emergency Assembly Area (EAA).

• On your way out, warn others.

• Use stairs only, do not use elevators.

• Move away from fire and smoke. Close doors and windows if time permits.

• Touch closed doors. Do not open them if they are hot.

Earthquake:

Inside the Building:

• Duck under the nearest sturdy object and hold onto it until the shaking stops. If you are not near a sturdy object, make yourself as small as possible and cover your head and neck.

• If you stand in a doorway, brace yourself against the frame and watch out for a swinging door or other obstruction.

• Avoid windows, filing cabinets, bookcases, and other heavy objects that could fall or shatter.

• Stay under cover until the shaking stops, then leave the building and go to the EAA or another designated location.

• If safe, before evacuating, stabilize any laboratory procedure that could lead to further danger. (Example: turn off Bunsen burners or electrical equipment.)

Outside the Building:

• Move away from trees, signs, buildings, electrical poles and wires, fires, and smoke.

• Protect your head with your arms from falling debris.

• Proceed to the EAA or a pre-designated alternate assembly area.

• Stay alert for further instructions.

Bomb Threat

A suspicious-looking box, package, object, or container in or near your work area may be a bomb or explosive material. Do not handle or touch the object. Move to a safe area and call the Police immediately. Use a telephone in a safe area. Do not operate any power switches, and do not activate the fire alarm.

If there is an explosion:

• Take cover under sturdy furniture, or leave the building if safe and directed to do so by emergency responders.

• Stay away from windows.

• Do not light matches.

• Move away from the hazard site to a safe location.

• If instructed to evacuate, use the stairs only; do not use the elevators. If you receive a bomb threat (via the telephone):

• Stay calm and keep your voice calm.

• Pay close attention to details. Talk to the caller to obtain as much information as possible.

• Write down the date and time of the call.

• Take notes. Pay attention to details. Ask as many questions as possible:

• When will it explode?

• Where is it right now?

• What does it look like?

• What kind of bomb is it?

• Where did you leave it?

• Did you place the bomb?

• Who is the target?

• Why did you plant it?

• What is your address?

• What is your name? Listen to the caller's voice. See if you can identify speech patterns (accent, tone), emotional state (angry, agitated, calm, etc.), background noise (traffic, people talking and accents, music and type, etc.), age and gender. Write down other data: Date and time of call, how the threat was received (letter, note, telephone).

• Call the the Police and relay the information from the bomb threat telephone call or bomb threat letter. Follow the Police's instructions.

• Check your work area for unfamiliar items. Do not touch suspicious items; report them to the Police.

• If you are told by emergency responders to evacuate the building, follow the evacuation procedures.

Elevator Failure:

• If you are trapped in an elevator, use the emergency telephone inside the elevator to call for assistance or press the elevator alarm inside the elevator to signal for help.

• Call the Elevator Maintenance Company.

Conducting Periodic Emergency and Fire Drills

• The procedures for conducting fire drills must be included in the fire safety plan. When developing the fire drill procedures, consider the following factors to ensure the fire drills are relevant:

• The building use and associated fire hazards.

• The safety features provided in the building.

• The desirable degree of participation of occupants other than supervisory staff.

• The number and degree of experience of participating supervisory staff.

• The testing and operation of the emergency systems installed in buildings as per the fire code.

Availability and Display of Information During Emergency

• IC creates maps from floor diagrams with arrows that designate the exit route assignments. These maps should include locations of exits, assembly points, and equipment (such as fire extinguishers, first aid kits, spill kits) that may be needed in an emergency.

• Exit routes should be:

• Clearly marked and well lit.

• Wide enough to accommodate the number of evacuating personnel.

• Unobstructed and clear of debris at all times.

• Unlikely to expose evacuating personnel to additional hazards.

Securing Building Contents

• Many earthquake-related injuries do not come from collapsing buildings but from objects inside the building which fall on people or from windows shattering and causing lacerations. The shelves, computers, wall hangings, and equipment should be physically secured. The main things to look for are:

• Shelves or cabinets that are not bolted to the wall.

• Computers/Laptops and its accessories like UPS/Printer/Scanner etc. on desks.

• Objects on shelves which may fall or turn into projectiles.

• Freestanding objects that do not have a high enough base: height ratio to be "fall proof" (e.g., a filing cabinet over 4 feet tall).

• Desks or seating areas directly under plate glass windows.

• Heavy hanging pictures, mirrors, or plants.

• Cupboards or cabinets without secure "automatic" latches.

• Objects on wheels which are not locked in one position (e.g., an audiovisual cart).

• Heavy items which are above head height.

• Doorways that might be blocked by falling objects.

Shelter in Place Procedures

Types: Tornado Warning or other severe weather event, HAZMAT Situation, Active Shooter, Building Intruder, Civil Disturbance.

When to shelter: When you hear the All Hazards Sirens, when directed by police/fire personnel.

Specify where to shelter in your building.

What to do: Proceed to the nearest building and find a safe location. After getting to a safe location and without jeopardizing your safety, try and obtain additional clarifying information by all possible means (e.g., Purdue Homepage, TV, radio, email, etc.).

Injury and Illness

: If someone has an injury or becomes suddenly ill and requires emergency medical attention, call the designated emergency number. Advise the location of the victim and the nature of the injury or illness. In the complex, there should be a list of ambulance or emergency medical service contact numbers. For any injured or ill person:

• Call the designated emergency number.

• Keep the person as comfortable as possible.

• Do not move the person unless necessary for their safety.

• Never administer liquids to an unconscious victim.