Public Information - hdbk60040144

DOE-HDBK-6004-99

Public Information

An emergency public information program should be developed to ensure that necessary public affairs

actions are planned, coordinated and taken as an integral part of the total emergency response effort.

Emergency Facilities and Equipment

Facilities and equipment, adequate to support emergency response, should be established and

maintained as follows:

1. An Emergency Operations Center (EOC) should be established from which the emergency

response organization assesses, evaluates, coordinates, and directs emergency response activities

and communicates within DOE and offsite response organizations.

2. The staffing, operation, and response activities pertaining to the EOC, should be predetermined

and documented in procedures for a timely and coordinated overall emergency response.

3. Primary and backup means of communications should be available.

4. Adequate equipment and supplies should be available and operable for emergency response

personnel to carry out their respective duties and responsibilities.

5. Training

6. Training must be provided to effected workers regarding operational emergencies, and specialized

training must be conducted for workers and be available to offsite emergency response

organizations.

7. Training should be provided annually to workers who may have to take protective actions (e.g.,

assembly, evacuation) in the event of an emergency.

8. A training program should be in place for the instruction and qualification of personnel (i.e.,

primary and alternate) comprising the facility emergency response organization to include initial

training and bi-annual retraining for both onsite and offsite incidents, including transportation

incidents.

9. Retraining should include training on weaknesses detected during drills and exercises, changes

to plans and procedures, and lessons learned from emergencies at other facilities.

10. Offsite emergency response organizations should be offered facility-specific orientation training

and information on hazards and emergency response bi-annually.

Drills and Exercises

A coordinated program of drills and exercises should be an integral part of the emergency

management program as follows:

128