Emergency Management

DOE-STD-1128-98

9.0

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

It is DOE policy that all DOE facilities and activities be prepared to respond to operational

emergencies in a way that minimizes consequences to workers, the public and the

environment. Formal emergency management programs are the final element of DOE's

defense-in-depth against adverse consequences resulting from its operations.

9.1

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT IN DOE

DOE Order 151.1 (DOE, 2000a) requires DOE elements and contractors to plan and

prepare for the management of emergencies. The following discussion of emergency

management principles, requirements and guidance is generally applicable to DOE

plutonium facilities. Specific facility requirements are in accordance with the individual

facility DOE contract.

9.1.1

Key Emergency Management Principles

DOE emergency management policy and direction is based on four key principles:

planning and preparedness commensurate with hazards; integrated planning for

health, safety and environmental emergencies; classification of and graded

response to emergencies, and; multiple levels (tiers) of emergency management

responsibility.

NOTE ON TERMINOLOGY: Within the EMS, "planning" includes the

development of emergency plans and procedures and the identification of personnel

and resources necessary to provide an effective response. "Preparedness" is the

procurement and maintenance of resources, training of personnel, and exercising of

the plans, procedures, personnel and resources. "Response" is the implementation

of the plans during an emergency to mitigate consequences and to effect recovery.

(a)

Planning and Preparedness Commensurate with Hazards. Because of the

wide range of activities and operations under DOE's authority, standards and

criteria suited to one type of facility or hazard may be inappropriate for

another. To deal with this diversity, while assuring an adequate overall state

of preparedness, DOE Orders specify standards for the structure and features

of emergency management plans and require that the details of each feature

be tailored to the unique hazards of the specific facility. This approach

ensures a more complete and quantitative understanding of the hazards while

providing for focused and cost-effective emergency planning and

preparedness.

(b) Integrated Planning for Health, Safety and Environmental Emergencies.

A wide variety of different types of operational emergencies can occur at

DOE operations. Some may involve loss of control over radioactive or other

hazardous materials unique to DOE operations, while others may involve

security, transportation activities, natural phenomena impacts, environmental

damage, or worker safety and health concerns. Planning, preparedness and

response requirements for some types of emergency conditions are specified

by other agencies having authority over DOE facilities and activities. For

example, Federal regulations on occupational safety, environmental

protection and hazardous waste operations have consequent "emergency

9-1