Emergency Management - doe-hdbk-1139-1-2000

DOE-HDBK-1139/1-2000

Change Notice No. 1

2.8 Emergency Management

DOE O 151.1B and its related guides establish requirements for Comprehensive

DOE O 151.1B

Emergency Management Systems. In July 1998, the DOE Office of Independent

Oversight found a number of weaknesses in both DOE and contractor Emergency

EH-2 Emergency

Management

Management programs. These findings indicate that this area should be closely

Evaluation

Volume 1

examined in the evaluation of site chemical management programs.

Volume 2

Proper risk assessment, planning, and preparation followed by appropriate and

timely response to emergencies is the most effective way to protect the worker, the

public, and the environment in case of accidental releases of hazardous substances.

Decisions regarding potential exposures should be addressed before an incident

occurs. During an emergency, little time exists to resolve such issues or to practice

and refine roles and responsibilities. Functions, authorities, and responsibilities for

emergency management should be documented and all personnel properly trained.

This goal is greatly enhanced by participation in an integrated planning process,

including exercising and periodically revising the plan as needed.

DOE sites and facilities need to evaluate preparedness for hazardous materials

incidents and plan accordingly, choosing the planning elements and processes most

appropriate to their circumstances (i.e., geographic size, types of hazards,

populations at risk, resources, and level of preparedness).

These elements should be incorporated in a single emergency preparedness and

response plan that incorporates and integrates all of the various emergency

requirements from DOE directives, as well as federal and state laws and

regulations.

Various explanations of the planning process can be found in the following

DOE O 5500.3A

DOE O 5501.1

documents: DOE Orders 5500.3A, 5501.1, .2 and .3; Guide for All-Hazard

DOE O 5501.2

DOE O 5501.3

Emergency Operations Planning [Federal Emergency Management Agency

(FEMA) State and Local Guide (SLG) 101]; Hazardous Materials Emergency

Planning Guide (NRT-1); Technical Guidance for Hazards Analysis

(EPA/FEMA/DOT); Handbook of Chemical Hazard Analysis Procedures

FEMA 141