Categorization and Classification Overview for Offsite Agencies

Categorization and Classification Overview for Offsite Agencies EMI SIG Training Subcommittee

Introduction The purpose of this training course is to provide a foundation for an Offsite Training Program for Offsite Response entities that is in compliance with DOE Order 151.1C, Comprehensive Emergency Management System and DOE Guide 151.1-3, Programmatic Elements. The materials and training content should be standardized across the complex with the exception of site-specific responsibilities. In some areas throughout this training, it will be appropriate for DOE/NNSA sites to insert applicable site-specific material. EMI SIG Training Subcommittee

Guidance • The information contained in this presentation can be used as a foundation for sites to build site-specific training by: • Adding/inserting site-specific content, where needed. (Items in blueare appropriate areas for site input.) • Deleting content that does not apply. • Customizing content to build a meaningful training program that fits specific site needs. EMI SIG Training Subcommittee

Course Information • One lesson • Approximately 30-40 minutes to complete EMI SIG Training Subcommittee

Objectives • Define an Operational Emergency (OE) • Discuss the purpose of emergency event categorization • Discuss the purpose of emergency event classification • Alert • Site Area Emergency (SAE) • General Emergency (GE) • Identify planning considerations for a Severe Event OE EMI SIG Training Subcommittee

Operational Emergency Must be declared when a major unplanned or abnormal event or condition occurs thatmeets the following criteria: • Involves or affects DOE/NNSA facilities and activities by causing or having the potential to cause serious health and safety or environmental impacts • Requires resources from outside the immediate affected area to supplement the initial response • Requires time-urgent notifications to initiate response activities at locations beyond the incident scene EMI SIG Training Subcommittee

Purpose of Categorization and Classification The methodology is designed to: • Allow for rapid dissemination of information. • Ensure rapid recognition of emergency conditions and timely response. • Establish a set of preapproved decisions agreed to by senior management and state and local officials. • Give authority to initiate emergency communications and commit resources to personnel close to the problem/familiar with facility. EMI SIG Training Subcommittee

Categorization • Recognize an operational emergency • Identify the type and severity of the emergency • Effectively notify and communicate timely, accurate information about the emergency to: • Outside agencies • DOE Headquarters EMI SIG Training Subcommittee

Categorization (continued) • Initiate appropriate emergency response to all incidents • Includes protective actions such as: • Shelter-in-place • Evacuate • Restrict access • Lockdown EMI SIG Training Subcommittee

Operational Emergency Categories • Health and Safety • Environmental • Security and Safeguards • Offsite DOE/NNSA Transportation Activities • Hazardous Biological Agent or Toxins • Hazardous Materials (Release or Loss of Control) Note: Requires classification to indicate severity (will be discussed later) EMI SIG Training Subcommittee

Health and Safety: 1 EMI SIG Training Subcommittee

Environment: 1 EMI SIG Training Subcommittee

Environment: 2 EMI SIG Training Subcommittee

Security and Safeguards: 1 EMI SIG Training Subcommittee

Offsite DOE/NNSA Transportation Activities: 1 EMI SIG Training Subcommittee

Hazardous Biological Agent Or Toxin EMI SIG Training Subcommittee

Hazardous Materials EMI SIG Training Subcommittee

Classification Emergency event CLASSIFICATION is the process for determining the appropriate severity (i.e., area of impact of adverse health effects) of an Operational Emergency (OE) involving the actual or potential airborne release of hazardous material. The indicator of severity is the classification level for the Operational Emergency. EMI SIG Training Subcommittee

Purpose of Classification The purpose of classification is to: • Support rapid decision-making for activation of the right level of resources for response • Support decision-making for initial protective action recommendations (PARs) • Facilitate communication and understanding about magnitude of emergency EMI SIG Training Subcommittee

Use of Classification Classification is only used to further identify an Operational Emergency: Hazardous Materials Event EMI SIG Training Subcommittee

Classified Operational Emergency In general, to be considered a Classified Operational Emergency, an event or condition involving the uncontrolled release of a hazardous material (HAZMAT) must: • Immediately threaten or endanger personnel who are in close proximity of the event • Have the potential for dispersal beyond the immediate vicinity of the release in quantities that threaten the health and safety of onsite personnel or the public in collocated facilities/activities, and/or offsite • Have a potential rate of dispersal sufficient to require a time-urgent response to implement protective actions (PAs) for workers and the public EMI SIG Training Subcommittee

Levels of Classification Three levels of classification in DOE system • Alert • Protective Action Criteria exceeded within facility area • Site Area Emergency • Protective Action Criteria exceeded within site area • General Emergency • Protective Action Criteria exceeded offsite EMI SIG Training Subcommittee

Facility Boundary Site Boundary Alert 30 m >= facility area < 100 m EMI SIG Training Subcommittee

Facility Boundary Site Boundary 100 m >= site area < site boundary Site Area Emergency EMI SIG Training Subcommittee

Facility Boundary Site Boundary Site boundary >= offsite General Emergency EMI SIG Training Subcommittee

Recap of Classification Three levels of classification in DOE system • Alert • Site Area Emergency • General Emergency <Insert site specific information as needed.> EMI SIG Training Subcommittee

Severe Event Operational Emergency Severe Events are those that may potentially impact both onsite and offsite locations, for example: EMI SIG Training Subcommittee

Planning Considerations • Expect loss of infrastructure during large-scale disasters; lines of communication and chains of command will be completely disrupted • Anticipate the emergence of cascading events and impacts on multiple facilities that magnify consequences and complicate response efforts EMI SIG Training Subcommittee

Planning Considerations, continued • Anticipate a prolonged emergency time period without offsite support for DOE or onsite support for the community • Recognize that local community resources will be overwhelmed and incapable of providing support as planned EMI SIG Training Subcommittee

Planning Considerations (continued) • Anticipate the need for a variety of communications options; back-up power and utilities; loss of the emergency response center; coordination of response assets; food, water, and shelter • Expect very distracted workers; high error rates; conflicted priorities EMI SIG Training Subcommittee

Planning Considerations (continued) • Provide information to the public on the differences between PAs and PARs • Shelter-in-place (SIP) • Relocation • Evacuation • Anticipate the potential need for staged evacuations and preplanned evacuation route(s) and alternates from the DOE/NNSA site and the community EMI SIG Training Subcommittee

Planning Considerations (continued) • Coordinate with local law enforcement regarding roadblocks; contraflow; impassable roadways; timely instructions EMI SIG Training Subcommittee

Conclusion In this course, we: • Defined an Operational Emergency • Discussed the purpose of emergency event categorization • Discussed the purpose of emergency event classification(Alert, Site Area Emergency, and General Emergency) • Identified planning considerations for a Severe Event Operational Emergency EMI SIG Training Subcommittee

Categorization and Classification Overview for Offsite Agencies