Rad Resilient City Fallout Preparedness
(Source: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center—UPMC)
The Department of Homeland Security developed 15 All-Hazards National Planning Scenarios (PDF, 255 Kb) in response to Homeland Security Presidential Directive 8: National Preparedness (HSPD-8). The Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) observed that Nuclear Detonation by Improvised Nuclear Device is listed as the first of those scenarios.
The Center for Biosecurity of UPMC released the Rad Resilient City Preparedness Checklist, a planning tool for cities and regional partners that could help save thousands of lives following a nuclear detonation. The Center converted federal guidance and technical reports into 7 clear, actionable steps community leaders can take to protect their residents from radioactive fallout. The Checklist is based on the following concepts: terrorist-sponsored nuclear threats pose a smaller range of damage and a higher degree of survivability, casualties resulting from exposure to fallout can be prevented, and sheltering in-place—not evacuating—minimizes exposure to fallout.
“This checklist was developed with the end user in mind…it helps local government leverage the community involvement and the systems we already have in place,” said Claudia Albano, manager of the City of Oakland, CA, and member of the project's advisory group.
Other resources for this program include a multimedia library, sample public information documents, illustrations and graphics, and printer-friendly versions of the workbook.
All-Hazards Position Task Books
(Source: FEMA)
Eleven All-Hazards Position Task Books (PTBs) for Type 3 Incident Management Teams, developed to assist personnel achieve qualifications in the All-Hazard Incident Command System (PDF, 553 Kb) positions, were released this week by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to the Federal Register for a period of public comment until 3 November 2011.
The Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) noted PTBs provide the documentation necessary for agencies and organizations to evaluate their personnel and certify them as qualified to the positions. They are an important component imparting consistent performance based guidelines needed by incident management professionals as they quality to respond to Type 3 incidents (PDF, 55 Kb).
The National Integration Center requests Emergency Services Sector personnel to review and submit questions, comments, and/or recommendations to assist with finalizing these documents. Responses can be inserted at Regulations.gov and search for the PTB files by Docket#: FEMA-2011-0018.
Responding to Water Main Breaks
(Source: Fire Engineering)
In an article at fireengineering.com, the two authors explained that many underground water distribution systems leading into homes, business, etc., are old and prone to failure. “Aging grids and careless excavators are the two biggest reasons for water main failure….”
When a water main break occurs, the authors asserted that responding firefighters have the responsibility to ensure the safety of emergency personnel and citizens and also prevent damage to property. Therefore, they advise fire departments to contact local water authorities to establish a Standard Operating Procedure to follow for water emergencies.
The Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) summarized t he following operational tips from within the article for firefighters responding to water main breaks:
- Approach the scene with caution and park at a safe distance.
- Establish a Unified Command with representatives from local law enforcement and the water authority.
- Determine the source of the leak (e.g., street, sewer, or building).
- Notify the appropriate water authority regarding the location and extent of the leak.
- Contact additional resources when needed for endangered gas lines, pedestrian and traffic control, ice and snow removal, etc.
- Search for civilians who may be in danger and initiate rescue efforts as necessary.
- Establish a safety zone to ensure emergency personnel and civilians remain at safe distance.
- Conduct periodic checks for developing hazards, such as rising water lines threatening utilities.
Controlling and Communicating Information
(Source: Fire Engineering)
The Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) reviewed an article at fireengineering.com titled “Managing the Information: Preemergency Networking through Postincident Hotwash.” Its author, Assistant Chief Christopher Tracy of the Fairfield (CT) Fire Department, addressed the critical role information and intelligence management plays in a terrorism incident.
This article provides background and tools to help responders better prepare and more effectively control and communicate information at terrorist events, especially in jurisdictions outside of metropolitan and large urban areas. It recognizes that Emergency Services Sector departments and agencies face more complicated issues with terrorism compared to structure fires, motor vehicle accidents, local flooding, etc.
According to Chief Tracy, the Eight Step Process©, from the book “ Hazardous Materials: Managing the Incident,” is simple and logical, and reflects the tasks that emergency responders perform at most special operations incidents. For the consideration of first responder organizations, the Eight Step Process© is presented below:
- Site Management and Control.
- Identify the Problem.
- Hazard and Risk Evaluation.
- Select Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment.
- Information Management and Resource Coordination.
- Implement Response Objectives.
- Decontamination and Clean-Up Operations.
- Terminate the Incident.
See the FEMA website for more insights regarding Communications and Information Management. |
