Classification of Emergencies and Graded Response

DOE-STD-1128-98

planning" requirements. Rather than meet these requirements piecemeal

through separate programs, DOE has combined, under the EMS, all planning

and preparedness activities for emergency events having health, safety or

environmental significance.

emergencies involving hazardous materials are grouped into one of three

classes according to magnitude or severity. Classification of events is

intended to promote more timely and effective response by triggering

planned response actions generally appropriate to all events of a given class.

This principle, termed "graded response", is embodied in DOE Order

requirements and is important to the effective management of response

resources.

(d) Tiers of Emergency Management Responsibility. Within the EMS,

responsibility for emergency management extends from the individual

facility level to the cognizant DOE Field Element, and culminates at the

cognizant Headquarters Program Office. The responsibilities vested at each

level of the hierarchy are specified in DOE Order 151.1 (DOE, 2000a). The

responsibility and authority for recognizing, classifying, and mitigating

emergencies always rests with the facility staff. The head of the cognizant

Field Element oversees the response of contractors and supports the response

with communications, notifications, logistics, and coordination with other

DOE elements. The DOE Headquarters (HQ) Emergency Operations Center

(EOC) receives, coordinates, and disseminates emergency information to HQ

elements, the cognizant Program Office, Congressional offices, the White

House, and other Federal Agencies.

9.1.2

Requirements Pertaining to All DOE Operations

DOE Order 151.1 (DOE, 2000a) identifies standard program elements that

comprise each DOE facility emergency management program. The elements form a

standard framework, with the details of each program element varying according to

the nature and magnitude of the facility hazards and other factors. The Orders

require that a facility-specific hazards assessment be conducted and the results used

as the technical basis for the program element content. Using the results of an

objective, quantitative, and rigorous hazards assessment as a basis, each program is

configured to the specific hazards and response needs of the facility.

9-2