Emergency Response Organization

DOE-HDBK-6004-99

Emergency Response Organization

An emergency response organization should have overall responsibility for the initial and ongoing

response to, and mitigation of, an emergency, and must perform, but not be limited to, the following

functions:

Event categorization, determination of the emergency class, notification, provision of protective

action recommendations, management and decision making, control of onsite emergency activities,

consequence assessment, medical support, public information, activation and coordination of onsite

response resources, security, communications, administrative support, and coordination and liaison

with offsite support and response organizations;

Consist of an adequate number of experienced and trained personnel, including designated alternates,

for timely performance of the functions identified above;

Assign emergency response responsibilities and tasks to specific individuals identified by title, or

position; and

Integrate local agencies and organizations which would be relied upon to provide onsite response

services and include those contractor and private organizations that may be relied upon to provide

specialized expertise and assistance to all emergency planning, preparedness, and readiness assurance

activities.

Offsite Response Interfaces

Provisions should be in place for interface and coordination with Federal, state, tribal, and local

agencies and organizations responsible for offsite emergency response and for protection of the

environment and the health and safety of the general public. Interrelationships with offsite

organizations should be prearranged and documented.

Notification

Provisions should be in place for prompt initial notification of emergency response personnel and

response organizations, including appropriate offsite elements and for continuing effective

communication among the response organizations throughout an emergency.

Consequence Assessment

Provisions should be in place to adequately assess the actual or potential onsite and offsite

consequences of an emergency and include:

1. Timely initial assessment of the actual or potential consequences.

2. Integration of consequence assessment with the process for categorization of an event as an

emergency.

3. Monitoring and evaluation of the specific indicators necessary to continually assess the

consequences of emergency events.

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