Incident Command System ICS at Natural Disasters

Steve Faryan, USEPA OSC Region 5

15th Annual OSC Readiness Training Program

 15th Annual OSC Readiness Training Programwww.oscreadiness.org www.oscreadiness.org  0 USEPA’s Incident Management Handbook

CHAPTER 20 NATURAL DISASTERS EPA’s response to a natural disaster is, at its core, a hazardous substances response. As such it should be responded to under the National Response System (NRS), using the guidance provided in Chapter 15 - Hazardous Substances. In the context of a response to a natural disaster, however, EPA’s activities will likely be conducted under Emergency Support Function #10-Oil and Hazardous Materials Response Annex (ESF #10) of the National Response Plan (NRP). OSCs are encouraged to familiarize themselves with ESF #10 and the NRP as a whole.

 15th Annual OSC Readiness Training Program  www.oscreadiness.org 1 Incident Management  Review and use Incident Command System and Structure from past Responses  Flexibility to expand and contract  Establish IMT while in pre-deployment stages  Support and Logistics for IMT and responders: mobilization, command posts, lodging, Health and Safety Plan, START and ERSS Contractors,  Liaison with State and Local Emergency Management  Liaison with FEMA and other Federal Partners  15th Annual OSC Readiness Training Program  www.oscreadiness.org 2 Incident Management Structure

 Examples of Organizational Structures in Incident Management Handbook  Examples on epaosc.org (Hurricane Irene Tropical Storm Lee Region 2, Tennessee Floods Region 4  IAP’s posted on readiness site from Tennessee Floods, Hurricane Irene Tropical Storm Lee

 15th Annual OSC Readiness Training Program  www.oscreadiness.org 3

ICS Structure

 Consider use of Response Support Corps for Potable Water, Waste Water, GIS Support and Liaison Positions  Command and General Staff can operate out of Regional EOC  Operations Staff in the field and mobile  Position Liaison Officer with FEMA and State and Local agencies

 15th Annual OSC Readiness Training Program  www.oscreadiness.org 5 Development of Incident Action Plan

 Develop Health and Safety Plan, Safety Messages and use of Standard Operating Practices  Establish communications plan with back up radio or satellite communications  Use of aerial assessment to cover large areas, Helicopters, Fixed Wing (Aspect), Satellite Photos  Develop Targets: Mapping of areas of concern with GIS locations prior to mobilizing contractors

 15th Annual OSC Readiness Training Program  www.oscreadiness.org 6

Operations Assessment Branch Assessment Branch

 15th Annual OSC Readiness Training Program  www.oscreadiness.org 9 Abandoned Container Recovery Group Tank Recovery Group

 15th Annual OSC Readiness Training Program  www.oscreadiness.org 11 Disposal Branch

 Debris Collection Teams  Household Hazardous Waste Team  Sampling and Characterization  Transportation and Disposal

 15th Annual OSC Readiness Training Program  www.oscreadiness.org 12 River Assessment Team

 15th Annual OSC Readiness Training Program  www.oscreadiness.org 13 ICS at Natural Disasters Summary

 Review ICS Structure from past responses and EPA Incident Management Handbook  Assemble Incident Management Team at the office prior to mobilization  Prepare HASP, IAP, Communication Plan etc. prior to mobilization  Liaison is a key position

 15th Annual OSC Readiness Training Program  www.oscreadiness.org 14 ICS at Natural Disasters (cont.)

 Complete Air and Ground Assessment Prior to mobilizing Recovery crews  Prepare Detailed Maps with targets to guide Recovery Crews  Wait to initiate Water Recovery Operations until flood waters recede

 15th Annual OSC Readiness Training Program  www.oscreadiness.org 15