OPERATIONAL PLANS:
30-MINUTE PLAN
There are four color-coded phases of emergency response: Blue -Discovery, Green- Initial Response, Red – Sustained Response, and Orange – Termination of the emergency event.
The Discovery and Initial Response plan is initiated by first responders from the Plant and public safety.
Technician responders that are trained and equipped to work in the danger area will complete the task list outlined on the 30-Minute Plan.
The 30-Minute Plan includes a sample Incident Action Plan and safety plan and an organizational chart that complies with the Incident Command System (ICS) used by all trained hazmat response leaders.
MASTER MAPS
The Master Map playbook has a Master Map that identifies the various hazard zones within the plant and nine special emphasis maps that provide insight about utilities, monitoring systems, medical and decontamination stations, downwind and downstream control issues.
PLAYBOOKS
The four color-coded phases of an emergency have corresponding color-coded playbooks for each hazard zone within the plant as identified on the Master Map. The playbooks identify how to engage each of the color-coded checklist boxes on the 30-Minute Plan for the designated Hazard Zone.
The Blue Playbook (Discovery) provides the Plant Command Team with priority life safety, alert, notification, command, and evacuation concerns.
The Green Playbook (Initial Response) identifies how to perform a CAN report that links to emergency shutdown and critical life safety concerns within the designated hazard zone.
The Red Playbook (Sustained Response) gives the technician responders pre-entry safety information and component-specific isolation and control information.
The Orange Playbook (Termination) provides a termination order, restart and recovery safety measures, a debriefing method, and crisis management command team approaches.
PLANT COMMAND TEAM
At the core of the ASTI One Plan are four command positions (described below). Each position has assigned duties that are uniquely critical to the outcome of an incident.
The core concept of the four command positions was derived from the Incident Command System (ICS). The command team members coordinate their duties through the Plant Incident Commander and work together simultaneously to achieve the incident action plan.
PLANT INCIDENT COMMANDER (IC)
The first supervisor on the scene must take charge until the designated Plant IC assumes command. The IC must announce the command by communicating the location of the emergency, level of concern, size of the Isolation Zone, and the location of the Command Post. The IC will coordinate and command the response team to achieve the incident action plan and safety plan.
Plant IC duties:
Make sure that notifications are made for emergency support: fire, medical, rescue, and systems control support.
Define the problem, assure scene safety, evacuate employees and visitors, and manage critical tasks such as emergency shutdown and rescue of those trapped within the Isolation Zone.
The Plant IC will immediately respond to the scene of the emergency and assign command and response team duties.
The IC should meet face-to-face with the Lead Responder to receive a CAN report (Conditions – Actions- Needs). The Lead Responder will take charge of operations within the Isolation Zone.
The Notification Unit Leader will document all calls and update the Situation Status report.
The Evacuation Group Supervisor will take charge of evacuation and access control to/from the Plant.
EVACUATION GROUP SUPERVISOR
Oversee movement of personnel from their rally points to a designated evacuation staging area, which may be inside or outside location, based upon the size of the release and wind conditions.
Judge and monitor wind direction and chemical plume
Initiate an appropriate personnel movement plan.
Assign an Access Control leader to assure that incoming emergency responders are guided to the Command Post while others not involved in the emergency are staged and/or relocated to a safe location.
LEAD RESPONDER
Communicates size-up details (who, what, and where of the incident) to the Plant IC.
The Lead Responder’s team will manage the life safety threats and the emergency shut-down procedures within the Isolation Zone.
The actions performed must be in a NON-Dangerous environment unless the entry team includes trained hazmat technicians who are in proper PPE to engage an offensive action plan.
Each Hazard Zone location should have a playbook that designates the special challenges associated with emergency shut-down, rescue, medical, decontamination, pre-defined emergency shut-down procedures, and ventilation operations.
NOTIFICATION UNIT LEADER
Takes charge of notifying command team members and will accomplish all mandated notifications.
Documents all key actions and activities to include call-in and call-out information.
Assigns Notification Unit members to maintain radio logs and other key information tracking, to include coordination of communications between the Incident Commander to public information officers.
The Notification Unit Leader will move to the Command Post to monitor communications and maintaining a Situation Status Report.
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About ASTI
Established in 1987, the Ammonia Safety & Training Institute (ASTI) is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to making ammonia (NH3) the safest managed hazardous material in the world. Bringing together leaders from industry and public safety organizations with hundreds of years of combined experience, ASTI provides safety management support through effective use of Prevention, Mitigation, Preparedness, Response and Recovery (PMPRR) training. All courses meet OSHA standards.