Emergency Response Plan Division 15 1 January, 2017
INDEX SECTION I - EXECUTIVE SUMMARY SECTION II - IMPLEMENTATION SECTION III - DETAILED PLANS APPENDIX A APPENDIX B APPENDIX C APPENDIX D APPENDIX E APPENDIX F RISK ASSESSMENT STORM/WEATHER ACTIVITY STORM CONDITION READINESS HURRICANE CATEGORIES WMD/TERRORISM/HAZMAT USCG MARITIME SECURITY (MARSEC) LEVELS
SECTION I- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1. GENERAL STATEMENT a. This plan may to be activated to notify auxiliarists of impending heavy weather, or events in which Auxiliary assistance is requested to support Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg and/or Station Yankeetown. b. This Division 15 Emergency Response Plan shall not supersede plans of higher authority. 2. HEAVY WEATHER NOTIFICATION a. Auxiliary notification of storm related information and updates shall be communicated as outlined in SECTION II of this document. 3. DIRECT COAST GUARD SUPPORT a. In the event of an emergency, Division 15 may be requested to provide qualified personnel for direct Coast Guard support for the following positions: i. Radio Watchstanders ii. Food Service Specialists iii. Operational facilities and crews iv. Miscellaneous and administrative support b. Flotillas are encouraged to ensure they have sufficient qualified personnel to support the Coast Guard as requested. c. The flotillas shall maintain a roster of individuals willing to be deployed outside the Division 15 AOR. i. Individuals may be called upon by Sector St Petersburg to travel to areas requiring assistance. ii. Volunteers should be prepared to be out of the AOR and under USCG orders for no less than 3 days. 4. AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY a. Division 15 covers the same Area of Responsibility as Station Yankee (comprised of six coastal counties in north-central Florida). Additionally Division 15 is responsible for two (2) inland counties. These eight (8) counties total 7612 square miles. b. Approximately sixty-eight (68) percent of the division s AOR has no auxiliary presence. c. Due to the large Area of Responsibility, each flotilla will develope a response plan which meets the need of their individual geographic area. 5. ANNUAL PLAN UPDATES a. The Division 15 Emergency Response Plan, is to be completed no later than 1 January of each year and submitted to: i. Division Bridge ii. OIC, Station Yankeetown iii. XPO, Station Yankeetown iv. Station Auxiliary Support Manual v. DCAPT_W b. Flotilla plans are to be forwarded to the SO OP-15 no later than 1 March of each year. Copies of the flotilla plans will be forwarded to Station Yankeetown. 6. RESPONSIBILITY a. The Division Commander (DCDR) is responsible for the ongoing maintenance and implementation of the division plan. The Division Vice Commander (VCDR) is designated to serve in this capacity when the Division Commander is not available.
7. IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS a. This plan becomes effective when the Division Commander (or the Division Vice Commander) is notified by the U. S. Coast Guard or authorized member of the District 7 Auxiliary Staff. Upon notification, the Division Commander (or the Division Vice Commander) shall instruct each flotilla to implement their individual flotilla plan. b. See SECTION II for the complete notification process 8. COUNTY EMERGENCY OPERATION CENTER SUPPORT a. Flotillas are requested to make available qualified representatives to support the following county EOCs i. Henrico ii. Citrus iii. Levy iv. Dixie* v. Taylor* vi. Jefferson* *Due the lack of auxiliary presence in these counties, participation may be on an as available basis. b. Training of Auxiliary EOC representatives shall be coordinated through the VCDR 9. CONTROL OF AUXILIARY FACILITIES AND OPERATIONS a. The overall responsibility and control of Division 15 manpower and assets will be assigned to the U.S. Coast Guard. Station Yankeetown (as the OIA) will assign priorities and direct all missions. b. Flotilla personnel and facilities are not to report to non-coast Guard agencies, unless specifically directed to do so by the U.S. Coast Guard. 10. INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS a. Communications within the division will be by the fastest practical means available. b. During weather related events: i. Flotilla Commanders shall notify the Division Commander as to the status of their flotillas once Condition III and Condition II are set. ii. During Condition I Flotilla Commanders (or their designee) will keep the Division Commander informed as to their state of readiness and location of their vessels every six (6) hours, or as directed. 11. DIVISION 15 SAR CALLOUT PROCEDURES AND ASSET LISTING a. Procedures pertaining to SAR callouts with current contact information are maintained in the Station Auxiliary Support Manual (SASM) located in the Station Yankeetown Communications Center. b. Auxiliary asset listings with a complete vessel description are maintained in the Station Yankeetown SASM 12. EMERGENCY AUXILIARY RADIO SUPPORT PLAN a. A current copy of the Division 15 Emergency Auxiliary Radio Support plan is located in the Station Yankeetown SASM. 13. POST EVENT ACTIONS a. At the conclusion of the event, the Flotilla Commander will conduct an All Hands accounting of auxiliary members and their families. If necessary, auxiliarists will personally visit members who were not reached by telephone to ensure their safety. A complete accountability of members is to be forwarded to the DCDR at the earliest possible opportunity.
c. All flotilla members participating in the event are asked to take part in a flotilla debriefing meeting to evaluate the effectiveness of the flotilla plan, and make recommendations for changes and updates. d. Upon the completion of the debriefing, the Flotilla Commander will forward a written report to the DCDR. In turn a Division summary will be forwarded to the OIC Station Yankeetown and DCAPT West Submitted by: (s) Andrew J. Render Commander, Division 15 1 January, 2017 Date
SECTION II IMPLEMENTATION Activation of Plan. 1. The order issuing authority (Sector St. Petersburg, Station Yankeetown or authorized Auxiliary District 7 authority) shall contact a member of the Division 15 Bridge, and supply the following: a) The nature of the event / emergency b) Actions requested to be taken c) A time line as to when actions are to be implemented d) Follow-up actions required 2. The responsible Division 15 contact will immediately notify each flotilla: a) Inform the flotilla contact as to the nature of the event / emergency b) Provide the flotilla with any associated time frame requirements c) Pass along special information and follow up requirements 3. Current Division 15 contacts: DIVISION COMMANDER (PRIMARY CONTACT) Andy Render H: 352 753 3096 C: 352 454 3083 E: ajrsmail@aol.com DIVISION VICE COMMANDER (FIRST BACK UP) Ray O Connell H: 352 556 4909 C: 352 428 6844 E: roc44722@hotmail.com IMMEDIATE PAST DIVISION COMMANDER Diane Berman H: 352 332 6463 C: 352 317 6676 E: dhberman@yahoo.com
APPENDIX A - RISK MANAGEMENT All activities (afloat and ashore) are to be conducted within the framework of TCT. Additionally a GAR is to be established for each event. All personnel are reminded that during any mission: 1. Their FIRST priority is the SAFETY of our personnel. 2. Their SECOND priority is the safety of persons and property they are trying to assist. 3. Their THIRD priority is to accomplish the assigned mission. For safety considerations, communications must be available at all times with the OIA. Be mindful of the increase in hazards following a storm or disaster. These include but are not limited to: a) electrocution from downed power lines b) unstable buildings and vessels c) hazardous materials including floating LP tanks d) contaminated waterways e) falling trees f) animals (including snakes) g) personal injuries 1. burns/cuts/sprains 2. fatigue/stress/exhaustion 3. dehydration 4. exposure heat stroke/hypothermia Do not drive vehicles into flooded areas of unknown depth. When operating a vessel / vehicle in flooded areas, be mindful of underwater obstructions common in neighborhoods such as fire hydrants and mail boxes. In any vessel, avoid obstructions in moving water creating rapids, low head dams, and other hydraulics that can cause a vessel to capsize or be entrapped. Be alert to conditions from accidental or intentional hazardous materials releases resulting from an incident. Follow direction of emergency responders as to location of safe zones. Do not enter any hot zone (area where threat to life and/or need for decontamination occurs). Approach (only if safe to do so) uphill and upwind if on land and upwind and up-current if in a vessel. Avoid any areas with atypical colored smoke or where there is a sheen on the water. Do not touch, taste, or smell any product. Have an escape route at all times. In terrorist or criminal events, secondary devices timed and located to injure responders are typical and should be expected. DO NOT INSPECT OR HANDLE anything on site (such as a box, flashlight, etc.) as these innocent devices may be bombs.
APPENDIX B - STORM/WEATHER ACTIVITY STORM DAMAGE: The number of severe storms in the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico varies from year to year and many produce hurricane force winds which cross the U.S. coast line. Because of the destructive potential of these storms, prior planning and preparedness are essential. Most of a hurricanes damage is caused by wind, flood and storm serge with the greatest loss of life caused by drowning. Secondary causes of personal casualties are from electrocution from fallen power lines and flying debris. WIND: As winds increase in velocity, horizontal pressure against structure mounts with the square of the wind velocity. A tenfold increase in wind speed increases a sufficient drop in atmospheric pressure outside the closed structure. That normal inside pressure causes the building to explode outward and collapse. FLOODS: The typical hurricane brings 6 to 12 inches of rainfall in the area it crosses, often within only a few hours. STORM SURGES: Over deeper waters, waves generated by hurricane force winds may reach a height of 50 feet or more. Along the coast, the pounding waves and strong currents can erode building foundations causing them to collapse. The storm surge can extend 50 to 75 miles on either or both sides of the center of the hurricane. After passage of the center, the high tide may be followed by an equally abnormal low tide. SEICHE: Seiche occurs when the mound of water accumulated by the winds of the hurricane in one section is released during the approach of the storm center due to changes in bottom topography and coastal configuration. The water cascades across low-lying coastal areas in a series of giant waves flooding vast areas in a matter of minutes. This contrasts with a storm surge when flooding occurs gradually at the rate of 2 to 5 feet per hour. STORM TRACK: A hurricane s direction of travel may curve, recurve, or be reversed and hit the same area twice with equal or increased strength. HURRICANE EYE : The eye or center of a hurricane may be ¼ to 50 miles in diameter. While the center passes an area, there will be a calm period lasting several minutes to half an hour in which the wind and rain may cease. Personnel should remain sheltered during this period, as the wind will resume from the opposite direction often with greater force than before.
APPENDIX C STORM CONDITION READINESS STORM CONDITION V This is the stand down condition set from December 1 to May 31 each year. This period should be used to plan and prepare for the following hurricane season. STORM CONDITION IV The seasonal hurricane condition will automatically be set on 01 June each year and extend through 30 November of the year. Designated auxiliary vessels shall be fueled to at least 75% capacity at ALL TIMES and coxswains will assure their call out assignments are understood and up-to-date. Members shall review and update their personal and family action plans as well as a plan to secure property and facilities. STORM CONDITION III A condition of warning for the probability of 50 or greater knot winds within 48 hours. Members are encouraged to review their family action plans to ensure their safety and that of their family. Designated auxiliary vessels will be fueled to 100% of capacity and standby crews alerted. Flotilla Commanders are to notify the Division Commander that Condition III has been set. STORM CONDITION II A condition for winds of probability of 50 or greater knot winds expected within 24 hours. Members are to make last minute preparations to ensure their safety and that of their family. Check operation and fuel in auxiliary vehicles and generators. Check the readiness and security of flotilla supplies, radios and other flotilla equipment. Flotilla Commanders shall notify the Division Commander that Condition II has been set. STORM CONDITION I A condition of maximum preparedness for 50 or greater knot winds, expected within 12 hours. The Auxiliarist s first priority will be personal and family safety. Flotilla members will remain in a safe and secure location until the threat has eased. POST STORM ASSESSMENT Once a secure environment is assured, members should, at that time, determine their availability to support the Division Response Plan. Flotilla Commanders are to notify the Division Commander regarding the accountability of each of their members and their families. Additionally, as information becomes available, the DCDR is to be made aware of each flotilla s ability to perform post storm assignments. The DCDR shall be in contact with the OIA to keep them current on the division s wellbeing and their ability to respond to needed activities.
APPENDIX D HURRICANE CATEGORIES Category 1: 74-95 mph Damage to unanchored mobile homes, trees and signs. Low coastal roads may flood. Minor damage to piers and small boats may be pulled from moorings in exposed area. Storm surge: 4-5 feet. Category 2: 96-110 mph Major damage to mobile homes, some damage to roofs, windows and doors. Tidal surge is up to 8 feet above normal, cutting off low coastal roads. Evacuations may be required on the coast, in low lying areas and for mobile homes. Considerable damage to piers and marinas. Small boats in unprotected anchorages may be flooded. Considerable tree damage. Storm surge: 6-8 feet. Category 3: 111-130 mph Mobile homes destroyed. Roof, window and door damage and houses and buildings, some structural damage to small buildings. Large trees downed. Tidal surge is 9 to 12 feet above normal, destroying houses and small buildings near the shore and battering larger ones with waves and debris. Low ground escape routes are flooded 3 to 5 hours before landfall of hurricane s center. Flatlands 5 feet or less above sea level may flood up to 8 miles inland. Storm surge: 9-12 feet. Category 4: 131-155 mph Shrubs and trees uprooted. Extensive roof, window and door damage, complete failure of roofs on many houses, mobile homes destroyed. Tidal surge is 13 to 18 feet above normal and floods flatlands 10 feet or less above sea level as far as 6 miles inland. Near shore houses and buildings suffer manor damage or are destroyed. Storm surge 13-18 feet. Category 5: Above 155 mph Extensive damage to all buildings not destroyed. Tidal surge is 8 feet or more above normal flooding lower floors of structures less than 15 feet above sea level within 500 yards of shore. Storm surge: greater than 18 feet.
APPENDIX E - WMD/TERRORISM/HAZMAT Division 15 does not have high probability national terrorist s targets within the AOR. There are however, a closed nuclear power plant and numerous lesser and venerable entities. Clandestine drug labs also present unexpected chemical threats. Therefore we are not without risks and concerns. Flotilla deployment might well be outside our AOR and in support of the USCG as well as local responders. As previously outlined, deployment will be at the direction of Station Yankeetown. Hazardous material releases are always a concern. The Division 15 AOR is a major transportation corridor for central Florida via highway, rail and several aviation flight paths. Additionally commercial barges and commercial fishing vessels transit the area. While waterway transportation hazards are somewhat limited, release of fuel or oil into local waterways via recreational craft and fishing vessels or errant vehicles is always a possibility. Response to hazardous materials incidents would be anticipated to work in support of local responders, under the direction of Station Yankeetown. The most likely scenario would be to a low hazard response to a fuel leak from recreational boating and would involve transportation of responders and containment devices as well as general personnel support.
APPENDIX F - USCG MARITIME SECURITY (MARSEC) LEVELS The Coast Guard employs a three-tiered system of Maritime Security (MARSEC) Levels designed to easily communicate to the Coast Guard and our maritime industry partners pre-planned scalable responses for credible threats. If the Secretary of Homeland Security issues an NTAS Alert, the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard will adjust MARSEC Level, if appropriate, based on the commensurate risk, any maritime nexus, and/or Commandant consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security. MARSEC Levels are set to reflect the prevailing threat environment to the marine elements of the national transportation system, including ports, vessels, facilities, and critical assets and infrastructure located on or adjacent to waters subject to the jurisdiction of the U.S. MARSEC Levels apply to vessels, Coast Guard-regulated facilities inside the U.S., and to the Coast Guard. MARSEC Level 1 means the level for which minimum appropriate security measures shall be maintained at all times. MARSEC Level 2 means the level for which appropriate additional protective security measures shall be maintained for a period of time as a result of heightened risk of a transportation security incident. MARSEC Level 3 means the level for which further specific protective security measures shall be maintained for a limited period of time when a transportation security incident is probable, imminent, or has occurred, although it may not be possible to identify the specific target. MARSEC Level 1 generally applies in the absence of an NTAS Alert or when the Commandant determines that the Alert is not applicable to the Marine Transportation System. If an NTAS Alert is applicable, the Commandant will consider a MARSEC Level change for the maritime industry, Coast Guard, or both.