Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
level classification system; notifies the appropriate personnel, departments and
agencies; and directs the response activities.
Other plant personnel are also assigned the task of covering the other key
functions in the initial emergency response organization until the predestinated
personnel arrive to relieve them. Initially, the production or operations manager,
who could also act as the field operations coordinator, takes the post of response
operations coordinator. Alternatively, the production supervisor of the unit where
the emergency occurs could take the latter position. These two coordinators are
in charge of organizing response activities and directing response operations at
the actual emergency scene.
Full Emergency Response Organization
The deployment of the full emergency organization is required only in the case of
severe emergencies. An example of a full emergency organization chart is given
in Figure 5.3. Multiple personnel are assigned to all emergency functions in the
event that the principal person is unavailable to cover that position. The personnel
assigned to each of the different functions shown in Figure 5.3 play key roles in
implementing the decisions made by the emergency director. They decide what
appropriate response actions to take, such as shutting down the plant, fighting
fires, evacuating plant personnel, recommending that the public be evacuated
from certain areas, carrying out emergency repair work, arranging for supplies
or equipment, and coordinating actions with local off-site agencies.
Emergency Director (Site Emergency Coordinator)
The emergency director responsibility includes those actions necessary to bring
the emergency under control and the overall supervision of the protective actions
recommended for the public, employees, and the environment. It is recommended
to the degree possible that the same hierarchical structure used during normal
operation should be maintained during an emergency. Thus, the plant manager
should be assigned the emergency director position, if possible.
Response Operations Coordinator
The response operations coordinator operates in the EOC and is responsible
for coordinating the activities. The response operations coordinator performs the
following functions:
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Assists the emergency director in organizing and directing emergency
activities
•
Formulates strategies on actions to be taken to mitigate consequences of the
event
•
Maintains direct communication with the on-scene incident commander
•
Establishes a journal/log for recording activities
•
Evaluate operational information and determines priorities
•
Requests additional personnel and equipment resources
•
