CITY OF CROOKSTON

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN

PLANS SECTION

REVISION: 5/1/2011
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I. PURPOSE

The purpose of the Plans Section of the city plan is multi-fold. In non-disaster situations, it describes the Notification and Warning process within the City of Crookston and provides an overview of the Radiological and Hazardous Materials threat assessment and response capabilities within the city. In a disaster setting, it will operate a Check-in system for emergency response personnel checking in through the EOC and with the on scene incident commander to determine the number and sources of emergency personnel responding to the incident. This section will also coordinate with the Operations section in preparing action plans for each day's response to the incident. This section will keep current: maps, information for the PIO, information for the city web site, and listings of location and numbers of response personnel to the incident.

II WARNING AND NOTIFICATION

A. The Polk County Dispatch is the county warning point. The county warning point is responsible for the proper receipt and dissemination of all emergency notifications received. The County Sheriff or his/her designee will have overall responsibility for ensuring that all notifications received by the warning point are handled properly. The Sheriff’s dispatch has telephone and radio communications with all other law enforcement, fire departments and ambulance services within the county.

B. The City of Crookston warning point is the Crookston Police and Fire
Departments. The Fulltime Firefighters are responsible for relaying any
notification they receive from the sheriff’s office, NOAA Weather
Service Radio or county emergency management office (EMO), to their own
public officials and pre-determined at risk site call list. The Police patrol officers
are responsible for notifying local mobile home parks and campgrounds.

C. Upon being notified of a severe weather watch/warning or other potential
widespread incident or threat, the warning point is responsible for:

1. Notifying key public officials and departments as appropriate.
2. Activate the appropriate outdoor warning systems.
3. Polk County warning point activates the outdoor warning systems for the City of Crookston
4. Notify mobile home parks and campgrounds.
5. Schools, hospitals, nursing homes and pre-determined at risk local businesses will be notified of severe weather situations by NOAA weather radio and/or fire department call list.

III. ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN BY THE WARNING POINT WHEN THERE IS AN
IMMEDIATE THREAT TO LIFE:


A. Upon receipt of a warning from the National Weather Service, the Polk County Warning Point; for weather related emergency and or other warnings from within the County:


1. Notify the Crookston Fire Department, Police Department, KROX AM radio and affected communities by telephone or radio.
2. Activate, if necessary, the outdoor warning sirens in the City of Crookston
3. The City of Crookston does not have large numbers of special needs
population groups, e.g. hearing impaired, blind, or non-English speaking
populations. There are no special warning procedures for this group
available in the county.
4. Emergency information can be broadcast on the NOAA Weather Service Radio and through the EAS (emergency alert system).

B. The Crookston Emergency Management Director or Assistant EMD is
responsible for relaying any warning which they receive from the County warning
point to the Crookston Fire and Police Departments.

IV. TESTING PROCEDURES

STATE POLICY IS THAT STATE, COUNTY, AND MUNICIPALITIES TEST THEIR
PUBLIC WARNING SYSTEM AT 1300 HOURS (1:00 P.M.,) THE FIRST WEDNESDAY
OF EACH MONTH.

A. The county warning point will initiate the test sequence at 13:00 hrs. The warning point will acknowledge the test message when it comes in.

B. The county warning point will contact by radio the City of Crookston.

C. The county warning point will test (activate) the outdoor warning systems for the City of Crookston.

V. CHECK-IN

The process of checking in personnel and equipment is a vital process, especially in a large, protracted disaster response. The information obtained through thorough check-in procedure aids in keeping track of numbers of responders, which will in turn make it easier to provide support for the response operations. Support in the means of food and lodging for responders and equipment, fuel and supplies is more easily identified if the check-in process is begun early in the response. As the response to the disaster lessens, responders need to be demobilized in an orderly fashion. An organized check-in will aid in this process.

A work assignment check-in sheet is available on the “Emergency Management Directors
Handbook” (CD). The CD is available in the EOC supplies bin located at the EOC.

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

I. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INCIDENTS REPORTED TO THE WARNING POINT

Hazardous material (HAZMAT) incidents may occur at fixed facility sites where there are known chemicals present as listed in the Tier II Reports, or HAZMAT incidents may occur on transportation routes. No area of the county is without risk. Pipelines also can be a risk from leaks or ruptures due to construction accidents.

A. Upon notification of a HAZMAT incident, notify the Crookston Fire Department for first response coverage. If known, advise the fire department and other first responders what chemical or products may be involved.

B. The incident commander on site will make a determination if evacuation is needed and to what extent.

C. If evacuation is needed, notify the EMD/staff via telephone or pager.

D. Upon verification of a HAZMAT incident that requires evacuation, the EMD/Fire Chief will advise the police department that an evacuation has been recommended. This evacuation may require residents to leave their residence or to shelter in place.

E. Notification of residents in the affected areas may be needed. Use of KROX radio station, EAS, NOAA Weather Service radio and outdoor warning systems may be used to alert citizens of the situation.

NOTE: The Crookston Fire Department will request mutual aid and specific assistance for handling HAZMAT incidents that are beyond their training and capabilities.

II. HAZMAT LOCATIONS

A. Hazardous materials in the City of Crookston exist as common items such as household cleaners, e.g. ammonia and bleach to less common chemicals used in industry. These products may be located in fixed facilities or may be transported though our city via roads or rail. Planning is needed in order to ensure a coordinated response to all types of hazardous materials whether they occur at a fixed facility or are a result of a transportation incident.

III. RESPONSE TO HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INCIDENTS

A. Identification of facilities with hazardous materials is the first step in a response to a hazardous materials incident. The Crookston Fire Department has completed a pre-incident study of each facility and of the materials used and produced. In response to the requirements and recommendations contained in the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) of 1986, Title III, as well as other legislation, a listing of Section 302 and 304 facilities is located at the Crookston Fire Department.

B. The Crookston Fire Department uses CAMEO in conducting hazard analysis for facilities that may affect other facilities in an area. The CAMEO computer program along with the DOT Emergency Response Guide Book and other references will assist in determining areas potentially affected by a hazardous materials release.

C. Facilities possessing extremely hazardous materials are required to develop and
maintain emergency response plans as specified in 20 CFR 1910.120 or emergency action plans as specified in 29 CFR 1910.38(a), that their employees will follow in the event of a release of those materials. At the minimum, facilities are required by law to immediately notify the following in the event of an accidental emergency release: Local authorities by calling 9-1-1: State authorities by calling the state duty officer at 1-800-422-0798 and the National Response Center by dialing 1-800-424-8802.

Notifications of a release of hazardous materials may given at the time of the emergency call to 9-1-1 by the affected facility, but in most instances that information will be determined by the first responders in their initial size up.

D. Hazardous Material Response Capability

1. The Crookston Fire Department can respond to a Level II operational level HAZMAT incident.
2. A Chemical Assessment Team (CAT) is available from Moorhead, MN and an Emergency Response Team (ERT) is available from St. Paul, MN and can be accessed by calling the MN Duty Officer at 1-800-422-0798.

General Procedures for Handling a Hazardous Materials Incident

The following general guidance applies to all personnel responding to a hazardous materials incident within the City of Crookston. The Crookston Police and Fire Departments have HAZMAT response protocols in place (SOG’s).

1. Initial Response Actions in the Open:

-Stop a safe distance UPWIND and UPHILL from the incident.
-Identify the conditions involved with the scene: smoke, fire, leakage, colors, vapors, odors, etc.
-Identify topographical influence: hills, curbs, ditches, waterways, drains, culverts, etc.
-Identify any potential LIFE HAZARD locations in the area: schools, nursing homes, hospitals, day care centers, etc.
-IDENTIFY THE PRODUCT(S) INVOLVED BEFORE BEGINNING OPERATIONS

2. Initial Response Actions inside a Structure? Keep all apparatus/personnel a safe distance from the building and upwind.
- IDENTIFY THE PRODUCT(S) INVOLVED BEFORE ENTERING THE STRUCTURE
- Only two responders with PROPER PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT (PPE) will enter to assess the situation, with the assistance of one qualified representative of the occupant company when available. Two additional personnel in equal PPE will back up the two making the initial entry.
- A decontamination area must be established prior to any entry operations.


3. Identify the Product(s) Involved

- From the DOT placard
- From the 4 digit UN (United Nations) identification number
- From the product label
- From the NFPA 704 diamond (fixed facilities)
- From the company representative
- From shipping papers
- From the driver of the vehicle

4. Secure Area and Ensure Personnel Safety

- Do not allow access to the immediate area
- Do not remove material from the scene
- Allow only qualified personnel to enter the incident. Ensure the proper PPE is utilized.

5. Determine Potential Harm through Appropriate Reference Materials

- DOT Emergency Response Guidebook
- Emergency Handling of Hazardous Materials in Surface Transportation
- NIOSH/OSHA Pocket Guide
- CHRIS Manuals
- MSDS Sheets
- Pre-Plan Information
- CAMEO data base

6. Establish a Command Post and Communications Parameters

- Set up a command post in a secure area a safe distance from the scene, preferably uphill and upwind.

7. Establish an Emergency Medical Services Area

- Coordinate with local EMS providers to establish an EMS area that provides for easy entrance and exit, yet remains remote from the hazardous operations. This area must be in the cold zone and near the end of the decontamination corridor.

E. Establish an Action Plan (Responsibility of the Incident Commander)

1. Evacuation
- Secure perimeter to be evacuated
- Arrange transportation for evacuation
- Move people to pre-designated site. (Coordinate with LOGISTICS and PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER. Generally, shelter sites will be coordinated with the Red Cross).
- Calculate downhill/downwind hazard and notify residents as needed. (Coordinated with PIO)

- Large-scale evacuation should be considered when:

a. Potential exists for a toxic release, but the release has not taken place.
b. Discharge has taken place but people are sufficiently down wind to allow evacuation
c. People are threatened by a wind shift
d. Benefits of evacuation out-weigh the safety hazard of evacuation; and
e. Sheltering in place will not sufficiently protect people.

- Sheltering in place should be considered when:

a. The incident is of short duration and is of low human health hazard.
b. Vapors or gases released have a vapor specific gravity of less than 1.0.
c. If there is not sufficient time to evacuate or the path of the toxic, cloud will not allow for evacuation.

2. Containment

- Only those personnel trained at the appropriate level, and wearing appropriate PPE will participate in containment or decontamination activities.

3. Rescue

- If the victim(s) is/are still alive, every attempt will be made to affect a rescue if the appropriate PPE is available and staff are trained and fitted for its use.
- If a HOT ZONE entry is to be made, victim removal will take priority over all other HOT ZONE missions.
- Ensure that a decontamination station is established and ready to receive victims prior to making an entry. Notify receiving medical facility of type and length of exposure.

F. Determine the need for additional resources

- Determine the need for a higher level HAZMAT response team and request as needed. Authority for request rests with the Incident Commander.
- Notify Appropriate County and State Agencies as needed.

G. Clean up, disposal and site restoration

Clean up, disposal, and site restoration generally are the responsibility of the responsible party.

< The Incident Commander shall attempt to identify the responsible party. When in the opinion of local, state or federal technical personnel, the substance must be cleaned up according to appropriate statutes or regulations, the responsible party or their representative must arrange with a reputable and licensed hazardous waste handler for clean up and disposal services.

< In the event the responsible party refuses to cooperate or cannot be found, the Incident Commander should contact the state agency having jurisdiction to arrange for clean up and removal of any chemical, hazardous material and/or waste released or deposited upon any property.

< The city or county shall bear no responsibility for the removal or clean up of any hazardous material. City personnel may standby at the scene for as long as necessary to ensure the safety of the public and shall oversee the clean up in an advisory capacity.
H. Media Relations

The Incident Commander shall be responsible for ensuring that public information about the incident/accident is relayed to the PIO.

I. Evaluate Progress

1. Safety of personnel must be ongoing.
2. Evaluation of tactical procedures:

a. Verify that all salvable persons have been rescued.
b. Verify that evacuation is complete and evacuated persons have been sheltered.
c. Ensure that HAZMAT products are still the same as originally identified. Determine if chemical properties have changed, if product is hotter or colder, or if it has mixed with another substance.
d. Verify that the command post is functional, proper agencies have been contacted and that these agencies have received updated reports.
e. Verify that current and forecasted weather have been taken into account.
f. Verify that the product is isolated and contained, and that the scene is secure.
g. Verify that the vapor is suppressed/diluted and that periodic reapplication is done as needed.
h. Verify status of expendable supplies and that additional equipment and supplies meet the needs of the incident.
i. Verify the decontamination station is functioning properly and being used.
j. Verify that clean up arrangements have been made and determine if fire department support will be needed.
k. Ensure that a roster is kept of all personnel involved at the scene for subsequent medical evaluation of those personnel.

IV. Terrorism Incidents

Terrorism, although a potential possibility in the City of Crookston, is not a likely scenario. An analysis of the potential targets as well as potential threat groups has been completed and has been filed as a confidential document with the State of Minnesota, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

GENERAL PREVENTION MEASURES

• Be alert and observant and report any unusual or suspicious activity around your home or work place to the proper authority.
• Be aware of items that are out of place. You are the one most aware of what should or should not be in your work or home area. This is especially important if you need to assist in a search at your premises at any time (for example if there were a bomb threat).
• Cyber security is an on-going threat that may affect your home computer to a large business or government facility that could affect the day to day government operations.

RESPONSE TO AN INCIDENT

• First responders to an incident may or most likely, may not know they are responding to a terrorism incident. Incidents can be of the same nature as emergencies responded to in a routine basis. There may or not be any advance warning to such an incident. First responders must be aware of their surroundings in response to an incident in the event of secondary devices.
• If an incident is suspected of being a terrorist incident, the State Duty Office should be notified.
• Incidents may be of a CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear or Explosive) origin or a combination of several. Responding agencies should have written and practiced Standard Operating Guidelines in place to deal with these incidents.
• If an incident has been identified, or is suspected of being a terrorism incident, we can expect a multitude of State and Federal Agencies to become involved. A large staging and work area(s) will need to be identified for these agencies to function. Specialists involved with this incident will be assigned to the OPERATIONS SECTION, if they are hands-on personnel or to the PLANS SECTION if they are support oriented.
• The State of Minnesota has Bomb Disposal Squads available by calling the MN Duty Officer.
• The State of Minnesota has four medium and one heavy collapse rescue teams available by calling the MN Duty Officer.
• The 55th Civil Support Unit may be available for chemical incidents and may be accessed by calling the MN Duty Officer.