Emergency response plan testing

Feature 11—Emergency response plan tested and up to date... 

The establislunent of methods and schedules for e.xercises or drills to test emergency response plans... 

Functional drill The purpose of a functional drill is to test an individual component of the emergency response plan. The drill could test the communication system, emergency operations center, evacuation, or the shelter-in-place plan. 12 months... 

Full-scale exercise The purpose of a full-scale exercise is to test the effectiveness of the emergency response plan. A full-scale exercise should incorporate a high degree of realism, extensive involvement of resources and personnel, and an increased level of stress. The exercise should involve mutual aid groups, agencies, and outside responders. 24-36 months... 

With the distribution of federal dollars to promote preparedness activities, health departments have purchased and stockpiled personal protective equipment (PPE) for their team members. The ability to quickly locate and properly use the PPE necessary to protect staff when needed is just as important as having access to the department s emergency response plan. For optimum protection, fit testing should be conducted on a regular basis. The nurse must be included in all demonstrations of proper use of personal protective equipment to assure her ability to use more complex apparatus. (See chapter 26 for further discussion.)... 

A CDC is not able to assess the level of threat of a terrorist nuclear attack. However, for many years CDC has participated regularly in emergency-response drilLs where we have worked closely with other federal, state, and local agencies to develop, test, and implement extensive national radiological emergency- response plans. 

Federal, State and local officials work together to develop site-specific emergency response plans for nuclear power plant accidents. These plans are tested through exercises that include protective actions for schools and nursing homes. 

As an alternate or addition to scenario assessments, simulated exercises or dry-runs could be developed to test the effectiveness of the new organization. This could be similar to table-top exercises commonly run by companies to test the effectiveness of the emergency response plans as well as the use of process simulators to test response of operations personnel to process upsets. The assessment should verify that individuals can complete their critical safety responsibilities in a reasonable amount of time. 

Were the fire-water pumps and associated controls part of an inspection and test program Did the Emergency Response plan consider and address a potential release of this magnitude Was crowd control part of the emergency response plan ... 

Availability of adequate and regularly tested emergency response plans (with the logistics service provider as well as with the chemical company)... 

The emergency response plan (for a multiple tank fire) should be tested on a schedule to be agreed with the local CA inspectors. Site-specific guidance should be produced as to what is required to exercise the firefighting arrangements. 

The safety and protection of employees, company assets, and the community in which the company resides is incumbent npon the corporation. Hopefully, an emergency response plan will need to be used only during testing and exercises. However, should an incident occur, a good plan will save time, resources, money, and more importantly, lives. It will also preserve community confidence in the company, which is a very important aspect of successful business. 

An emergency response plan provides the framework for maximiun utilization of all mine personnel, including mine rescue workers. Frequent testing of the emergency response plan is essential and must involve all key players. Emergency response can then take place at a high level of efficiency. 

Feature 11. Incorporate security considerations into emergency response and recovery plans, test and review plans regularly, and update plans to reflect changes in potential... 

The emergency response and recovery plans should be reviewed and updated as needed annually. This feature also establishes the expectation that chemical facilities should test or exercise their emergency response and recovery plans regularly. 

Emergency preparedness risk management plans were submitted under the EPA Risk Management Program (RMP), and six sites in the USA communicated emergency response information contained in the plans with the public. Tests of plans were carried out at all major US sites in conjunction with municipal agencies and other industrial groups. 

Define potential emergency situations relevant to various operations, how to respond to those emergencies to protect health and safety, and how to test and drill the response plans. 

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