CENTRAL NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIONAL EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMITTEE

Transcription

1 Updated 09/10/2013 CENTRAL NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIONAL EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMITTEE REGIONAL HAZARDOUS MATERIALS EMERGENCY PLAN Page 1

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS I. PROMULGATION STATEMENT II. III. IV. LIST OF REPC MEMBERS INTRODUCTION A. REPC PURPOSE B. SITUATION AND ASSUMPTION C. CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS D. RESPONSIBILITES MASTER LIST OF FACILITIES V. RESPONSE FUNCTIONS A. INITIAL NOTIFICATION B. INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM C. FIRE AND RESUCE D. DIRECTION AND CONTROL PROCEDURES E. LAW ENFORCEMENT F. EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES G. ON-GOING INCIDENT ASSESSMENT H. WARNING AND EMERGENCY PUBLIC NOTIFICATION I. PUBLIC INFORMATION J. PERSONAL PROTECTION PF CITIZENS K. ENVIRONMENTAL AND HUMAN SERVICES L. PUBLIC WORKS M. PUBLIC UTILITIES N. RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND RESOURCE LIST VI. VII. VIII. IX. CONTAINMENT AND RESTORATION A. RESPONSIBILITIES DOCUMENTATION AND INVESTIGATIVE FOLLOW UP TRAINING AND EXERCISING IDENTIFICATION OF MAJOR TRANSPORTATION ROUTES X. MAINTENANCE OF ANNEXS XI. APPEDIXES Page 2

3 SARA TITLE III HAZARDOUS MATERIALS PLAN I. PROMULGATION STATEMENT A. This plan is adopted by the Central New Hampshire Regional Emergency Planning Committee (CNHREPC) as the Regional Hazardous Materials Response Plan for incidents involving use, storage, or manufacture, and transportation of hazardous materials in the CNHREPC planning area. It is designed to comply with all applicable federal and state regulations, and provides the policies and procedures to be followed in dealing with such an incident. B. This plan is to serve as an annex to the local communities Emergency Operations Plan and supplement all other local plans for response to hazardous materials incidents. The CNHREPC is continually at risk from a hazardous materials incident. Although the number of fixed sites storing, using and disposing of hazardous materials in the region is moderate, the CNHREPC is vulnerable to accidents involving those materials. We recognize that releases of hazardous materials can come from fixed sites, however it is more likely to occur from transportation related incidents such as highway, rail road and pipeline related releases. The CNHREPC recognizes that the local member communities have limited resources and assets to respond to hazardous materials incidents. This plan and its associated annexes define the scope and procedures that the local communities and the CNHREPC have adopted in responding to hazardous material incidents. Initial response will be defensive in nature, and the focus of the first responding agencies will be that of focusing on the safety of the affected population and that of the first responders at the scene. Defensive actions will be executed until the Central NH Hazmat Team with proper equipment arrives on the scene of a chemical emergency. Adopted This Day of 20 James Hayes Richard E Wright Leland Kimball Leonard Deanne James Lindquist Casino Clogston David Bengston Ken Jones Page 3

4 II. LIST OF REPC MEMBERS REPC Chairperson REPC Vice Chairperson REPC Emergency Coordinator REPC Coordinator of Information The Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) requires that the REPC be appointed for each planning district In accordance with the provisions as directed by Section 301 (c) We have adopted the recommendations of The Governor s Advisory Council on Emergency Preparedness and Security which states the following membership composition of the REPC. Group Num. Group Name Representative Name Group 1 Elected Regional Official Group 2 Law Enforcement Emergency Management Fire Service EMS Health Services Hospital Transportation Environmental Organizations Group 3 Broadcast Media Print Media Group 4 Community Groups Group 5 Owners and Operators of facilities subject to the requirements of SARA Title III Page 4

5 III. INTRODUCTION A. PURPOSE 1. The purpose of this hazardous materials response plan is to develop policies and procedures for responding to hazardous materials incidents and or accidents in compliance with the requirements of Title III of the SARA Act of 1986, PL , in order to protect the community from the harmful and possible life threatening effects of a hazardous release. 2. This plan defines the roles, responsibilities, inter and intra agency organization relations of government and private organizations in response to a hazardous materials incident. 3. It forms part of the Local Jurisdiction plans by reference but is the mechanism to respond to all hazardous materials incidents throughout the CENTRAL NEW HAMPSHIRE REGIONAL EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMITTEE coverage area, to be referred to in this document from this point forward as the CNHREPC. B. SITUATION AND ASSUMPTIONS The CNHREPC officially covers 32 communities located in the Central portion of the State of New Hampshire. The area is bordered on the South by the Town of Allenstown, to the North by the Town of Waterville Valley, to the East to the town of Northwood and to the West to the Town of Bradford. The total geographic area is approximately 1500 square miles, having topography of rolling hills and steadily increasing elevation to major mountainous regions. The Pemigewasset, Winnipesauke, Winnisquam and Merrimack River basin areas cut the region in half north to south. The population served is in excess of 233, 000 people in a combination of a rural and suburban setting. The overall population density is 141 people per square mile. The majority of the communities are located in the Merrimack and Belknap Counties with the remaining populations residing in portions of Rockingham, Grafton, Carroll and Strafford Counties. The following communities are officially recognized as members of the Central NH Regional Emergency Planning Committee: Alexandria, Ashland, Barnstead, Belmont, Bristol, Boscawen, Bow, Bradford, Bristol, Campton, Canterbury, Center Harbor, Concord, Dunbarton, Ellsworth, Epsom, Franklin, Gilford, Hebron, Hill Page 5

6 Holderness, Hopkinton, Laconia, Loudon, Meredith, Northwood, Pembroke, Pittsfield, Plymouth, Rumney, Salisbury, Sanbornton, Thornton, Tilton. Light to medium industry and manufacturing are found primarily in the corridor along Interstate Route 93, and 89 along with routes 3, 28, and 106 which are many of the primary and secondary transportation routes North and South in the State of New Hampshire. In addition the area is bisected east and west by routes 4, 104 and 393. Also located within the REPC is the State Capitol, Concord. The Central NH Region is a significant tourist destination with many sensitive environmental areas. Located within the REPC is the Capital of NH, Concord, as well as the major tourist destinations of the Capital area and Lakes Region. There are numerous pipelines that traverse under the region that provide natural gas and other petroleum distillates to the metropolitan areas we service. Guilford and Pan Am Rail Service has major rights of ways providing rail transportation coming from the south, via Massachusetts to the Concord area. The proper implementation of this plan and its procedures will reduce the impact of or prevent releases and potential exposures to the public. The implementation of the plan will provide for the reduction of subsequent damage to the environment as well. There are a number of fixed site facilities reporting Extremely Hazardous Substances (EHS) that are of major concern within the CNHREPC. Planning for these facilities will be carried out using standard hazard analysis practices. Present levels of inventories reported via Tier II forms by fixed site facilitates storing, processing, and disposing of hazardous materials pose a relatively limited threat to the general population. The greatest risk is posed by transportation related accidents, and fixed facilities with large amounts of airborne toxic inhalation materials. Our experience has shown that the majority of the spills and releases are petroleum based hydrocarbon products and caustic related accidents in fixed facilities Protective actions for the general residents under hazardous materials emergencies may include such actions as in-place sheltering and or evacuation. Many of the residents in the areas of risk will self evacuate to private homes or shelters of their own choosing, rather than opt for shelter provided by local and or state authorities. Page 6

7 C. CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS The CNHREPC member community agencies have the capability to make a first response to a hazardous materials release. These responses will primarily be defensive in nature (Hazmat Operations Level) and their purpose is to assess the severity of the incident, classify the emergency and start the notification chain and or the response escalation procedures. The Central NH Hazmat Team has the capability to handle a wide range of chemical emergencies, for some incidents it may utilize other governmental and private agencies for assistance. The classification of levels in a hazardous materials incident differs from the emergency classification generally found in All Hazards Emergency Operations Plans. In a Hazardous Materials incident response level is based on the characteristics of the consequences posed to life, property and the environment. LEVEL I EMERGENCY- no evacuation other than from the immediate scene. The level of the incident does not pose a chemical exposure hazard to first responders in fire service turnout clothing and respiratory protection. The typical situation can be handled by the local fire department resources and may involve consultation with a Central NH HazMat Team Leader. Examples of this level are minor releases of fuel from vehicular accidents, small releases of petroleum based hydrocarbons into the environment where application of absorbent materials normally mitigate the incident. LEVEL II EMERGENCY- An incident or accident involving a greater hazard or larger area that poses a potential threat to life, property or the environment which may require technical assistance from Hazmat Team Leaders and a single Hazmat Team resource. Examples of this level may be releases of significant quantities of volatile organics at a fixed facility or a cargo tank release in transportation. LEVEL III EMERGENCY- An incident or accident involving potential exposure that requires numerous regional resources and a full Hazardous Materials Team response. Examples of this level may be an ongoing incident or release that has the potential to expand and require notification of outside government agencies, and spill containment procedures, coupled with technical evaluation, documentation, communication and supervision of mitigation efforts. D. RESPONSIBILITIES 1. The Central NH Regional Emergency Planning Committee has been recognized by the State of New Hampshire as the authorized Page 7

8 hazardous materials planning authority for the CNHREPC communities and as such; a. Has developed the hazardous materials annex and off-site appendixes in coordination with the local Fire Chiefs and their designees. This plan will be reviewed and updated annually, to ensure that the information is timely, up to date and accurate. The plan will be exercised when required. b. Will review the on-site emergency plans submitted by facilities to verify the completeness of these plans in order to determine if the plan is compliant with all applicable SARA Title III planning requirements. c. Will provide information to the public as required in Section 324 of Title III, consistent with Section322, Trade Secrets. d. Will receive organize, automate and maintain, and make available upon reasonable request copies of all SARA reports. e. The Fire Chief or their designee, and the Emergency Management Director in conjunction with the Facility Emergency Coordinators, will make the determinations and necessary decisions to implement the local and regional hazardous materials plan. 2. Private Sector Responsibilities As a planning requirement; any facility that produces, uses or stores any of the extremely hazardous substances in quantities greater than threshold planning quantities are required to do emergency planning. Reporting requirements; employees and agents of facilities are obligated to report any release or spill of a hazardous chemical or an extremely hazardous substance by virtue of its reportable quantity. A. Fixed Facilities a. Designated Facility Emergency Coordinators are responsible to assist in the preparation of this plan and for the preparation of a compatible on-site contingency plan. These plans will include specific responsibilities, notifications, and emergency response procedures and available resources. b. Notify 911 dispatch Centers of a Hazmat incident. Provide the dispatcher with all the appropriate information to insure an appropriate response. c. Provide personnel and technical support as requested in the development of off-site risk assessments and contingency planning. d. Provide technical support to the Incident Commander at the Command Post during an incident. e. Provide personnel, technical expertise, equipment support and Page 8

9 participate in chemical hazard exercise and other training activities. f. Notify appropriate officials or agencies of a chemical release incident as directed by federal and state regulations. B. Pipeline operators a. Are responsible for a plan that outlines the general actions and establishes policies to be followed in the event of a chemical release incident. b. Provide personnel, technical expertise, and equipment support and participate in chemical hazard exercises and other training activities. c. This plan will outline the general actions and establishes policies to be followed in the event of a chemical release incident. d. Provide personnel, technical expertise, and equipment support and participate in chemical hazard exercises and other training activities. C. Rail and highway carriers a. Notify 911 Dispatch Center of hazardous materials incident and provide the dispatcher all the appropriate information to complete the Chemical Emergency Notification Report. Also provide safe routes of entry into designated staging areas for emergency response personnel. b. Develop a chemical incident response plan. c. Maintain a response capacity in the event of a hazardous material incident involving their rolling stock. d. Provide technical assistance, personnel and resources the Incident Commander to migrate incident involving their stock or property. e. Provide personnel, technical expertise, and equipment support and participate in chemical hazard exercises and other training activities. f. Provide a list of major hazardous material commodities shipped and periodically update this list. D. Fixed Facility Planning Requirements 1. Any facility that produces, uses or stores any Extremely Hazardous Substances (EHS) in reportable quantities or quantities greater than the threshold planning quantities (TPQ) are required to accomplish emergency planning in the event of a release. Page 9

10 2. Facility Site Plans, along with a list of chemical inventory shall be submitted to the CNHREPC as required by EPA Sara Title III EPCRA. a. Facility site plans should include: 1) Initial Evacuation Area Site Plan (a) Initial Evacuation Zone (b) Preferred Shelter 2) Facility Site Plan Should Include (a) Property Lines (b) Drainage (c) Buildings (d) Roadways and Driveways (e) Fences (f) Employees Evacuation Points (g) MSDS Locations (h) Utility Shut offs (i) Hazardous Materials Locations 3) Individual Builing Plans to Include (a) Doors (b) EHS Locations (c) Stairways (d) HVAC controls (e) Individual floor plans 4) Individual Floor Plans to include (a) EHS Locations (b) Stairways (c) Doors ( d) Floor Drains E. Review of Facility Site Plans 1. Facility site plans shall be submitted electronically to the REPC Coordinator who will in return send the facility a letter of receipt of the facility site plan. 2. The REPC Coordinator will review the plan and establish a meeting with the local Fire Chief who will determine the appropriate emergency response actions for the plans. 3. Once the plan review is complete, it will be included in the appendix of the local EOP 4. The REPC coordinator will maintain sufficient copies of all plans submitted. Page 10

11 1. Relationships to other Plans a. The CNHREPC Hazardous Materials Response Plan Annex is the underlying document for the protection of health, safety and property for the public from a hazardous materials accident in the communities that are members of CNHREPC area. b. The individual local communities Emergency Operations Plan in conjunction with the hazardous materials annex provides procedures to protect the public from the transportation, storage, fixed site and transfer point hazardous materials incidents. c. Each fixed facility having extremely hazardous substances is required to develop an on-site contingency plan that specifies notification, response activities and coordination procedures with outside agencies. A copy of this plan must be filed with the CNHREPC and Local Fire Department. d. The Central NH Hazmat Team is the agency that will perform hazardous materials emergency response activities in concert with the local authorities in the event of a chemical emergency or any other event who in the opinion of the local Incident Commander requires a response from the Central NH Hazmat Team e. The state of New Hampshire has developed the Hazardous Substance Emergency Response Plan which outlines the responsibilities of the appropriate state agencies in responding to hazardous substances emergencies that exceed the CNHREPC capability. f. The National Contingency Plan provides for a coordinated federal response to a large-scale hazardous materials incident. This plan is activated by request from the Incident Commander in the case of a fixed facility incident, or through the shipper in the case of a transportation-related emergency. IV. MASTER LIST OF FACILITES a. Updated September 2013 (See Appendix a, 2012 Tier II submittals) V. RESPONSE FUNCTIONS A. INITIAL NOTIFICATION OF RESPONSE ORGANIZATIONS 1. When a hazardous substance spill occurs requiring the response of the CNH Hazmat Team the local Fire Department will initiate the response. (see Appendix B) 2. When requesting the CNH Hazmat Team the following information should be provided to the dispatch center. Page 11

12 a. The nature of the incident b. What happened c. Where and when d. Chemical name or identity (placards) e. Estimated quantity f. Nature and number of injuries g. Chemical containers present h. Shipping information i. Estimated quantity j. Type and condition of the containers k. From first responders the first estimate of Incident Level 3. Depending on the classification of the incident, many emergency functions may be necessary for the appropriate response. Notification will be made in accordance with the procedures found in the Functional Annexes of the CNHREPC the SCARIE PM Form. S-Size Up C-Command (Establish) A-Assistance R-Rescue I-Isolate E-Evacuation P- Person Responsible M- Material Identification 4. If a determination is made that the release exceeds the reportable quantity the spiller must notify the State of New Hampshire DES and the CNHREPC and Local Fire Department. 5. Public warnings will be issued in accordance with procedure set forth in the local Emergency Operating Plan. Priorities for initiating response actions will be based on these public protection options. 6. Evacuation can be completely effective if accomplished prior to the arrival of a toxic cloud. 7. In-Place Sheltering in some cases, advising people to stay indoors and attempting to reduce airflow into a structure may be the most effective protective action. 8. Ingestion Advisory Drinking water and food crops may be contaminated by a chemical release. The public must be warned of a threat to the food and water supplies. 9. Sewage and Runoff A hazardous chemical release may contaminate sewage systems area streams and lakes. Such contamination could create a public health threat and serious environmental problems. B. INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM Page 12

13 1. Responders to a hazardous materials emergency will operate using the National Incident Management (NIMS) 2. In the event of a hazardous materials incident, the local Fire Chief will establish a unified command system. All of the appropriate State of New Hampshire RSA s will be applied to this response activity. 3. First Responders from any local jurisdiction engaging in the incident shall be trained to the operations level. The maximum level of personal protective equipment available for these responders is structural fire fighting clothing and positive pressure self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). This protection is limited to a range of chemical listed in The North American Emergency Response Guidebook (DOT GUIDE). Consequently operations level response will be defensive and will not compromise the health and safety of first responders. 4. When the incident is classified as a Level II or Level III activation (beyond the resources of the local community), the Incident Commander shall request the appropriate assistance from the CNH Hazmat Team, by notifying Capital Area Fire Compact or Lake Region Mutual Fire Aid. (See Appendix B) 5. In preparation for logistical support of the CNH Hazmat Team or other outside agencies, the Incident Commander will identify a Staging area for reporting resources, and or according to local opinion activate the Emergency Operations Center. This information shall be conveyed to the appropriate dispatch agency. C. FIRE AND RESCUE 1. When the local 911-center dispatch has notified the fire department in the appropriate community of an incident involving a release of a hazardous material, the officer in charge of the first unit at the scene shall implement the ICS system. 2. During the initial phase of the incident, the Incident Commander shall; Determine the level of incident and initiate response activities commensurate with the severity of the incident. This can be accomplished by consulting the Hazmat First Response Guide (SCARIE-PM) Appendix C If it is determined that the situation cannot be handled by the local first responders, then assistance of the Central NH Hazmat Team shall be requested through the appropriate Mutual Aid Dispatch Agency be it Lakes Region Mutual Fire Aid or Capital Area Fire Compact. Life Safety for first responders is the primary objective in all hazardous materials responses. Responses to hazardous materials emergencies shall utilize the concept of defensive operations only. Personal Protective Equipment, namely structural firefighting gear provides little to no chemical protection. Isolation, evacuation, Page 13

14 evaluation, and product identification are the strategies that should be accomplished by first responding fire units. All first responders should be aware that time is of the essence. The Hazardous Materials team from the point of initial notification to the time it takes to effect initial site entry takes at a minimum of one hour under normal conditions. The CNHREPC First Response Guide (SCARIE-PM) form should be used in conjunction with the North American Emergency Response Guidebook (DOT Guidebook); whether or not the incident is transportation or fixed facility related, relevant information and protective defensive operations can be established and information gathered in an attempt to isolate evacuate and deny entry, and finally to attempt to identify the product and the responsible party. When in doubt, or in the absence of any valid information Guide 111 should be used as a universal default in making initial isolation and evacuation decisions. Whenever an incident involves a fixed facility, every attempt should be made to contact and or find the facility emergency response coordinator, in order to obtain such vital information as to the chemicals involved by means of Safety Data Sheets. Also pertinent information as to the type and capability of response if any, of the facility employees is, under emergency conditions. Any preplanned facilities which the local community has developed should be consulted to allow for prudent decision making in an emergency. D. DIRECTION AND CONTROL PROCEDURES 1. The Direction and Control function is the combined capability of the Incident Command Post (ICP) and depending on the community involved an Emergency Operations Center (EOC). This scenario would be typical of releases involving extremely hazardous substance releases having a level of concern that would impact large population segments and or serious environment consequences. 2. The command structure linking the ICP and the EOC is the National Incident Management System (NIMS) 3. The Incident Commander will maintain control of the scene and will coordinate all actions related to the incident and assign specific responsibilities to the ICP and the EOC. 4. The Incident Command Post s purpose is to provide, on-site unified command of all participating agencies to ensure coordinated operations, significance of communications, performance of logistical tasks and to assist the Incident Commander with the overall management of incident activities. Page 14

15 5. Emergency Operations Center, which is usually isolated by distance from the immediate pressures and confusion of ongoing mitigation at the scene, has extensive administrative and technical capabilities. The EOC will be the focal point for coordination of resource requirements in support of both on-site and off-site activities. 6. If specific instructions from the Incident Commander require a representative of the Central NH Hazmat Team report to the EOC a Hazmat Team Officer or Liaison will provide this support in the EOC. 7. Communication and coordination with the Central NH HazMat team in transit to an incident will be coordinated through the appropriate mutual aid dispatch agency. 8. Transmittal and follow-up orders and information will be made by the first arriving units of the HazMat team. Who will immediately establish the HazMat Branch and assign a staging area for incoming Central NH Hazmat units. 9. As a secondary priority, a member of the Central NH Hazmat team will be appointed as a liaison officer to inform and support the local Incident Commander as to the tactics and strategies that will be employed to mitigate the emergency. 10. The HazMat Branch established by the Central NH Hazmat Team will function independently of the local jurisdictions, however all actions and activities will be in concert with the actions and activities of the local jurisdiction. The health and safety of Central NH Hazmat Team members is of primary concern when mitigating chemical emergencies. All federal, state and local health and safety laws, standards will be adhered to in Central NH Hazmat Team responses. 11. During emergency operations, all departments will use their existing equipment and procedures to communicate with their field operations. The Central NH HazMat team will operate with its own communications personnel and equipment as soon as it is logistically possible at the scene of the chemical emergency. 12. Once the HazMat Branch is established by Central NH Hazmat Team personnel, the Standard Operating Guidelines (SOG s) of the Central NH Hazmat Team shall be followed. These procedures govern the rules, regulations, behaviors, documentation, and all the aspect s involved in conjunction with offensive responses to chemical emergencies. E. LAW ENFORCEMENT 1. It is recommended that all police departments train their personnel to the Hazardous Materials Awareness level. 2. Law enforcement activities will be handled by the local police in the local municipality within the boundaries of their jurisdiction. 3. In situations where the jurisdiction falls within the responsibility of the New Hampshire State Police they will retain jurisdiction. 4. On scene control will be accomplished by Law Enforcement Establishment of scene perimeters Page 15

16 Control access points Establish traffic control Provide additional resources for traffic control and crowd control 5. Any evacuation order must come from the Chief elected official or designee in any municipality. When there are time constraints, limited evacuation can be ordered by the Incident Commander. 6. The law enforcement agency designated by the local community or the Incident Commander or EOC is in charge and will direct the evacuation effort. Using the criteria listed below as a guideline. Isolate affected area and permit entry only to appropriate response personnel Notify residents in the affected areas Assist residents in relocation, and provide direction out of the area and if need to be directed to shelters Provide security for evacuated areas and reroute traffic around the affected area Coordinate all search efforts for missing persons. Establish list of missing persons Assist in return of residents, upon all clear order F. EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES 1. All members communities of the CNHREPC provide first responder response and in most cases have the capability to transport victims Members responding to EMS and Hazardous Materials emergencies will be trained to the operations level. 2. First responder agencies, utilizing appropriate personal protective equipment with fully functional SCBA can retrieve viable victims from the hot zone prior to the Central NH Hazmat Team arrival. 3. Emergency Decontamination if necessary shall be initiated by the first responder agency. 4. An ALS equipped ambulance shall be made available by the local jurisdiction for use by the Central NH Hazmat Team for treatment of any exposures to the members of the Hazmat Team. 5. There are several primary designated receiving hospitals for hazardous materials related injuries within the CNHREPC. Concord Hospital, Lakes Region General Hospital, Speare Memorial Hospital, Franklin Regional Hospital are all in the coverage area. 6. Copies of Safety Data Sheets and the appropriate toxicology databases to access chemical related information which dictates decontamination and treatment protocols should be sent with the patient to the closest receiving hospital. G. ON-GOING INCIDENT ASSESMENT 1. During the active period of a continuing chemical release of major proportions, the Central NH Hazmat Team units are responsible to Page 16

17 monitor on-site quantity, concentration and movement of the spilled material. 2. Based on Central NH Hazmat Team recommendations, the Incident Commander must initiate immediate actions in terms of safety to both response personnel and the protection of citizens. 3. Decisions that deal with citizens protection on a large scale, particularly those dealing with the residual effects of chemicals, shall rely on specialized resources dispatched by State and Federal agencies. Including but not limited to NHDES, EPA, OSHA, NHDOT, DOT, NH Public Health, CDC, US Public Health Services, Department of Energy. Consideration to effects are; Short term and long term contamination of food and water supplies Short term and long term effect in re-inhabiting structures or facilities Short term and long term effect on soil pollution Short term and long term effect on air quality ambient quality and indoor quality H. WARNING AND EMERGENCY PUBLIC NOTIFICATION 1. The local communities Emergency Operations Plan procedures shall be utilized to warn the public of immediate dangers regarding the chemical emergency. I. PUBLIC INFORMATION 1. The local community s Emergency Operation Plan procedures shall be utilized to provide the public with accurate information of the progress of a hazardous materials incident. J. PERSONAL PROTECTION OF CITIZENS 1. In-Place Sheltering When the progression of a hazardous materials incident indicates that segments of the population need to be isolated from the spreading chemical plume, in-place sheltering is the first consideration for any public protective action. In-place sheltering is considered effective when the nature and concentration of the chemical in the plume is not life threatening. In general terms not life threatening is when the level on concern is below one-tenth of the IDLH of the chemical(s) released. Page 17

18 In-place sheltering is considered effective when the rate of release and given atmospheric indications indicate rapid dispersal of the chemical will dilute the concentration very quickly. In-place sheltering is considered effective when indications that a toxic plume will be approaching citizens so rapidly that timely evacuation cannot be accomplished without putting the public at greater risk from movement Sheltering in place moves population segments form outside to a building that has its windows and doors closed. Management of HVAC systems is critical in controlling the internal environment while an ongoing release is occurring. It is important to achieve and maintain a positive pressurization in the buildings being used as shelters. This can be achieved by eliminating the fresh or make up air in the unit. Consideration as to the specific gravity and or vapor density of the chemicals involved will allow the population within the sheltered structures to move vertically within that shelter to avoid the hazards of any potential internal leakage that may occur. Decisions to shelter in place may come from any or all of the following resources. ALOHA plume dispersal modeling recommendations of the HazMat Control Branch North American Emergency Guidebook (DOT Guide) Facility emergency plans 2. Evacuation Procedures CNHREPC is identifying the pre-assigned risk zones. In general terms these are the areas in close proximity to transportation routes in all forms that, through the sheer number of Hazardous Materials shipments increase the risk to population centers bordering these pre-assigned risk corridors. Although preplanned zones are effective the area at risk must be determined from the site of the accident by the incident commander. Recommendation for evacuation should be invoked when recommendations from the North American Emergency Guidebook (DOT Guidebook) indicate that it is prudent to do so. Also such factors as rate of release ongoing or continuing release, atmospheric conditions, and chemical toxicity are valid contributing factors when making evacuation recommendations. 3. Relocation of the Population as a Strategy for Public Education Acute and chronic threats that may be posed on the environment that threaten citizens may include contamination of the soil and or the water. It may be necessary for people to move out of the area for a substantial period of time until the area of concern is Page 18

19 decontaminated, environmentally remediated, or there is natural weathering or decay of the released chemical which reduces hazard. In extreme situations it may be necessary for people to move out of the area for a substantial period of time. It is therefore a problem that needs to be addressed in the local communities annexes in order for this to be accomplished in an effective manner. If surface and ground water supplies are impacted and become contaminated, local communities should notify the public through their public works officials. In the cases where this function is not provided by the municipality or where these are private water resources, the local officials in conjunction with the State DES shall notify the public of the potential threat to the drinking water supplies. These notifications should include alternative sources for safe drinking supplies. Or give instructions as to how private water systems can be decontaminated or disinfected. A hazardous chemical entering the sewage system can cause serious and long term damage to a water treatment plant. It may be necessary to divert sewage, thus creating another public threat and an environmental problem. Each local community will be responsible to plan for and to anticipate these types of activities. K. ENVIRONMENTAL AND HUMAN SERVICES 1. Coordination of Services The New Hampshire Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management coordinate the various aspects of human services. The notification of the resources of the State of New Hampshire is the decision of the local Incident Commander in conjunction with the local municipal officials. In concert with the local EOP plan. In the case of small-scale emergencies, services may be provided by local volunteer organizations such as the American Red Cross, and the Salvation Army. The State of New Hampshire Resource list that appears in Appendix D will be used to provide support, direction, and technical sampling information. When the testing of water, soils or food supplies is required to protect the health and safety of the general public. The State of New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES) will assist in the assessment of an evolving hazardous materials incident, they will be the lead agency that will participate, initiate, and or delegate contact with the appropriate Federal agencies. Unless this authority is preempted by the local community within their legal scope of authority. Comment [O1]: Need that resource list with numbers Page 19

20 The State of New Hampshire DES will advise on the containment, cleanup and to implement the disposal procedures on all state of New Hampshire owned facilities or roads which they have jurisdiction. L. PUBLIC WORKS 1. In the event of a hazardous materials incident, the Local Highway/Public Works/Road Agent will assist the Incident Commander or the EOC staff as needed. See local community EOP resource annex for procedures and capabilities. 2. The State of New Hampshire DOT will perform this support function on State owned roads or property. 3. The activities can extend to all or some of the functions listed below Debris removal Constructions of earthen dikes to contain spills or reroute them around critical areas such as water supplies and sewer or storm drain inlets. Road or bridge repair Transportation of logistical resources to and from the scene. Emergency utility service to critical facilities if so equipped Barricade installation and removal Evacuation assistance M. PUBLIC UTLITIES 1. Public utilities such as Power Companies, Water Companies, Telecommunication Companies, Gas Companies will constitute a resource to the Incident Commander to provide for the following: Power down areas where hazards are present Provide for temporary power to emergency operations Provide detailed information on the power grid if requested Provide temporary telephone/fax communications to emergency operations Provide for the opening and closing of natural gas transmission lines if required in the hazardous materials incident N. RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND RESOURCE LISTS 1. Mitigation of problems that are caused by a hazardous materials incident may require resources found in the public and private sector domains. 2. Each community within the CNHREPC is responsible for the establishment of its own resource list. 3. The CNHREPC will maintain its own master resource list for incidents that require the deployment of Hazmat Team resources. See Appendix D 4. Resource management will be coordinated through the Incident Commander for approval in field deployment situations. Page 20

21 VI. CONTAINMENT AND RESTORATION A. RESPONSIBILITIES 1. The responsibility for selecting and implementing the appropriate countermeasures is assigned to the Incident Commander in coordination with the EOC if activated. And the technical resources provided by the HazMat Branch. 2. The responsible party is responsible by law for the costs of all cleanup and countermeasures in accordance with NH RSA 154:8-a. 3. The incident commander together with state and federal resources is responsible for determining these measures and monitoring the cleanup and disposal of contaminated materials. 4. The State of New Hampshire has a designated clean up company under contract, to respond to hazardous materials incidents if the responsible parties are unknown, unidentified as of yet, or are not willing or unable to respond correctly. Bear in mind that this contract can only be invoked and authorized by the New Hampshire DES. In simple terms the DES is the only agency that can authorize the use of the state contractor. Therefore notification of the DES under these circumstances is strongly advised in order to reduce bureaucratic delays. 5. The Incident commander is responsible for monitoring the response activity to ensure appropriate containment and control techniques are being initiated. 6. Containment methods may include: Dikes Berms and drains Trenches Booms Barriers in soil Portable catch basins Overpack drums and other forms of containerization Patching and plugging of containers or vessels Reorientation of containers 7. The Incident Commander in conjunction with the responsible party will secure a private contractor for displacement techniques. 8. Displacement techniques may include: Hydraulic and mechanical dredging Excavating Skimming pumping and treatment Dispersion/dilution Vacuuming 9. Treatment of spilled hazardous substances can be physical, chemical or biological in nature. We recognized that the best available technologies Page 21

22 would be implemented in accordance with all recognized environmental engineering practices. 10. When feasible contaminated soils and sediments and sludge bottoms will be treated on site. 11. The spiller in all cases must provide closure reports and other related documentation off-site transportation or storage, treatment or destruction, or Hazardous waste manifesting, where state or federal authorities determine that such actions are required. Or if the local community requires such documentation. VII. DOCUMENTATION AND INVESTIGATIVE FOLLOW-UP A. Level II HazMat Incident 1. In the case of a Level II HazMat incident and Incident Commander must submit to the REPC a brief description of the incident and response rendered. Where the spill exceeded reporting requirements the Incident Commander must ensure that the spiller has notified the appropriate state and federal agencies. Ensuring the spiller has notified the appropriate agency is accomplished by obtaining the federal or state incident number. Hazmat Team Officers are duly authorized personnel that represent the REPC. Should there be any questions regarding this protocol a team leader should be contacted in order to complete the paperwork process. B. Level III HazMat Incident 1. In the case of a Level III incident the Hazmat Team Officers are responsible for the preparation of a report that summarizes the entire incident. This will include all of the documentation that occurs in the Hazmat Branch of operations. This will be a comprehensive document that is in fact the site safety and health plan generated to mitigate the incident. In addition to each of these incidents an incident debriefing, critique and its conclusions will become part of the incident record. This report will be forwarded to the local Incident Commander for the purpose of audit, review and development of costs associated with the response. 2. Once the Local community has received the Hazmat team portion of the documentation, all other relevant documents that community generated that pertains to the incident thus becomes the incident record. The local community is responsible for any investigations and reports required to facilitate cost recovery from the responsible party. 3. For incidents occurring in a fixed facility, the owner or operator is required to submit a follow-up report similar to the above, to the REPC and appropriate state and federal agencies. VIII. TRAINING AND EXERCISING Page 22

23 A. Training will be based on the duties and functions to be performed by each responder of an emergency response organization, as outlined in CFR paragraph q. OSHA Haz-woper standard. It is responsibility of the local community to train and certify their own individual responders to the levels described below. 1. First Responder Awareness Level- First Responders at the awareness level are individuals who are likely to witness or discover a hazardous substance release and proper authorities of the release. They would take no further actions beyond sufficient training or had sufficient training or had sufficient experience to objectively demonstrate competency in the following areas. Understand what hazardous materials are and the risks associated with them in an accident Understandings of the potential outcomes of an emergency where hazardous materials are present The ability to identify the hazardous materials if possible An understanding of the role of the awareness first level first responder in the CNHREPC emergency response plan and the North American Emergency Response Guidebook. The ability to recognize the need for the additional resources. 2. Operations Level- First responders at the operations level are individuals who respond to releases or potential releases of hazardous substances as part of the initial response to the sites for the purpose of protecting people, property and the environment from the effects of the release. They are trained to respond in a defensive fashion without actually trying to stop the release. The process of isolation, evacuation, denial of entry and finally product identification shall be employed. Their function is to contain the release form a safe distance, keep it from spreading, and limit the exposures. First responders at the operational level shall have received at least eight hours of training or have had sufficient experience to objectively demonstrate competency in the following areas in addition to those listed for the awareness level. Knowledge of the basic hazard and risk assessment techniques Know how to select and use proper protective equipment provided to the first responder An understanding of basic hazardous material terms Know how to perform basic control, containment, and or confinement operations within the capabilities of the resources and personal protective equipment available to them Know how to implement basic decontamination procedures An understanding of the relevant standard operating procedures 3. Hazardous Materials Technicians- Are individuals who respond to releases or potential releases for the purposes of stopping the release. They will approach the release to plug, patch, or otherwise Page 23

24 stop the release. These individuals have received at a minimum 80 hours or training that demonstrate the following competencies. Know how to implement the CNHREPC emergency response procedures and plan for hazardous materials response Know how to classify, identify, and verify known and unknown materials by using field survey equipment Know how to select and use specialized chemical protective equipment Understand hazard and risk assessment techniques Are able to understand and implement decontamination procedures Are able to perform advanced control, containment, and or confinement operations with the capabilities of the CNHREPC Hazmat team. Understands termination procedures Understands basic chemical and toxicological terminology 4. Incident Commander- Individual who will assume control of the incident beyond the first responder awareness level. The individual shall receive at least 24 hours of training at the operations level or have the competency in the following areas; Know and be able to implement the New Hampshire Incident Command System. Know how to implement the notification procedures and implement the CNHREPC emergency response plan Knows and understands the hazards and risks associated with wearing chemical protective clothing. Knows how to implement the State of New Hampshire Emergency Response Plan, and the how to access and request the Federal response team. Knows and understands the importance of decontamination procedures. 5. Refresher training- All first responders, who are trained in accordance with the proceeding, will receive annual refresher training of sufficient content and duration to maintain the competencies in those areas. This may be accomplished in many ways. In the normal course of fire department operation the incident command structure is used on a daily basis. In addition responses by local departments in the course of their normal response activities will give those members the appropriate levels of experience to keep their individual competencies outlined above. Remedial training may at the local option to be given on a one on one basis. B. Exercising 1. The CNHREPC is responsible for designing, scheduling and evaluating exercises and drills. The Plan will be exercised at least annually to Page 24

25 determine overall readiness. In addition the Central NH Hazmat team will drill on some of the component parts of the overall response plan in a modular basis. Training and exercising will be reviewed, critiqued, and those lessons learned will be incorporated as changes into the CNHREPC plan. IX. IDENTIFICATION OF MAJOR TRANSPORTATION ROUTES X. IDENTIFICATION OF MAJOR PIPELINES XI. APPENDIXES A Master List Tier II Submittals B. Hazmat Team Dispatch Procedure C. SCARIE PM D. Resource Lits a. community b. hazmat team c. state agencies Page 25