Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
The impact of an emergency event may be felt throughout the plant even if only
a relatively minor emergency has occurred. If toxic or flammable materials have
been involved in the event, the area must be decontaminated and the procedures
used should be discussed in the plan. It will be important to collect samples of
the impacted area after clean up in order to document the restored condition and
provide evidence of a clean work space. The main objective of the recovery phase
is to restore the plant to its initial condition so that normal plant operating condi-
tions can be established as quickly as possible. After the emergency is concluded,
the emergency response should be reviewed and the plan adjusted accordingly.
TRAINING, EXERCISES, AND PLAN MAINTENANCE
An emergency plan, no matter how carefully prepared, cannot be effective unless
accompanied by a training program. The objectives of training and drills are to
accomplish the following:
Familiarize personnel with the content of the plan
•
Train new or existing personnel
•
Train specific response personnel in certain special skills
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Introduce personnel to new equipment and techniques
•
Keep personnel informed of changes
•
Test the preparedness of response personnel
•
Test the validity, effectiveness, and timing of the plan
•
Test emergency equipment preparedness
•
Maintain cooperative capability with other response organizations
•
Anyone assigned to a position within the emergency response organization
needs initial training. Members of off-site emergency response organizations
should participate in training exercises because it strengthens the cooperation
among response groups and improves communication procedures. Drills and
exercises are vital to emergency preparedness. Both involve enactment of the
implementation of the response actions performed during an emergency.
There are three types of training: tabletop drills, functional drills, and full-scale
exercises. Tabletop drills are useful for orientation purposes, while functional
drills are designed to test a limited aspect of the response capability (e.g., a fire
drill). Full-scale exercises are more comprehensive and test the entire response
organization up to and including communication with off-site response organi-
zations. An important benefit of training exercises is that the response plan is
reviewed during these activities, a process referred to as
plan maintenance
.
The two main benefits of the training are individual training and system
improvement. Individual training exercises enable people to practice their roles
and gain experience in these roles, while the exercises improve the organizations
system for managing incidents and emergencies. Exercises only have value when
they lead to improvement.
