McDOWELL COUNTY

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS EMERGENCY PLAN

Abbreviated Table of Contents

Purpose

Situation and Assumptions

Hazard Analysis

Concept of Operations

Organization and Assignment of Responsibilities

Administration and Logistics

Continuity of Government

Plan Development and Maintenance

Authorities and References

Authentication

Appendices

I. PURPOSE

The purpose of this Hazardous Materials Emergency Plan is to comprehensively address the issue of evaluating the potential risks associated with hazardous materials, and to establish a coordinated, effective response to better protect the population and environment of McDowell County during and following hazardous materials incidents. The plan identifies measures for the prevention of, response to, and recovery from the release of hazardous substances. This plan also identifies the capabilities and limitations of the various emergency response agencies with respect to hazardous materials incidents.

II. SITUATION AND ASSUMPTIONS

A. Situation

1. The McDowell County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) was established under the State Emergency Services Act (West Virginia Code, Chapter 15, Article 5, as amended).

2. No single agency within McDowell County is equipped physically or technologically to cope with a hazardous materials incident. A large-scale event will greatly exceed the capabilities of local emergency responders.

3. Facilities in close proximity to an Extremely Hazardous Substance facility may experience some indirect effects from a hazardous materials incident or release occurring at that extremely hazardous substance facility.

a. Populations in nearby facilities may have to be evacuated.

b. Nearby facilities may have to be decontaminated.

4. The approach method to containing a hazardous materials situation depends upon the product, the product’s state, the container’s condition, weather conditions, and the amount of product involved.

5. Our complex, technological society is dependent on many volatile substances used in manufacturing processes. These substances, as classified by the U.S. Department of Transportation and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), are referred to as hazardous materials.

6. McDowell County relies on response resources in neighboring counties and the WV Office of Emergency Services Regional Response Team. Each covered facility in McDowell County maintains minimal emergency equipment for use by employees. The McDowell County Office of Emergency Services maintains a listing of emergency contacts for each facility.

B. Assumptions

1. All extremely hazardous substances and other covered facilities in McDowell County will report accurate information to the McDowell County LEPC.

2. If a hazardous materials release occurs, many residents in the affected area will spontaneously evacuate without official order or recommendation, and may leave by routes not designated as evacuation routes. Measures must be taken to keep this population out of the incident’s perimeter ⁽⁷⁾.

3. The primary hazardous materials responders (local firefighters) will need supplemental resources when a Level II or Level III incident occurs, such as additional pieces of fire apparatus, additional firefighters, hazmat response vehicles, etc.

4. In the event of a hazardous materials incident occurring in McDowell County that requires the response of a hazmat team, the Region 5 Hazmat Response Team located in Raleigh County may respond.

5. Fire departments, law enforcement agencies, EMS units, hospitals, etc. maintain mutual aid agreements with nearby organizations providing similar services.

III. HAZARD ANALYSIS

A. General

1. There are several classes of hazardous materials, including explosives, radioactive materials, flammable liquids or solids, compressed gases, poisons or toxins, corrosives, etiologic agents (hazardous biological materials), irritating materials, and Other Regulated Materials (ORM).

2. Hazardous materials in various forms can cause serious injury, long-lasting health effects, possible fatalities, and property damage to buildings, homes, the environment, and other property.

3. To properly develop this Hazardous Materials Emergency Plan, the McDowell County LEPC reviewed the various factors and areas that could be or cause a chemical hazardous problem in the event of an accident or incident.

4. There are several choices involved in reducing the dangers of hazardous materials, and the appropriate choices will vary with different substances. Methods include:

a. Elimination of the hazardous material.

b. Reducing the quantities generated.

c. Restricting the areas contaminated by containing the waste.

d. Storing the waste.

e. Reusing, recycling, or reclaiming materials and managing distribution.

B. Assessment of the Hazard

1. McDowell County is a rural, mountainous county located in the southern-most portion of West Virginia. According to 2000 Census information, the county has a population of 27,329. The county contains several small streams, as well as the Tug Fork River that could be affected by a hazardous materials incident. Other special populations, such as those at hospitals, elderly care facilities, schools, jails, etc. are all located in areas that could be affected by a hazardous materials incident ⁽⁵⁾.

2. McDowell County, being mountainous in topography, contains many areas with extremely limited access. As such, special efforts may be required where an incident actually prevents potentially-affected populations from evacuating. Areas in the situation include portions of Newhall, Brewsterdale, Filbert, Caretta, Worth, Sandy Huff, Douglas, and Litwar. Most of these communities are accessed by county roads that dead-end in or near the community.

3. A hazardous materials incident is most likely to occur along McDowell County’s transportation infrastructure or at any of the fixed facilities storing and/or handling Extremely Hazardous Substances.

a. A listing of extremely hazardous substance facilities is included in Appendix 1 of this plan⁽¹⁾.

b. Components of the transportation infrastructure likely to see hazardous materials incidents include US Route 52 and State Routes 16, 80, 83, 103, 161, 635, and along the route of the Norfolk Southern Railroad ⁽⁵⁾.

c. Additional information concerning the identification of routes that may be used for the transportation of hazardous materials can be found in the Basic Plan section of the McDowell County Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) ⁽⁷⁾.

4. Hazardous materials incidents can be intensified by climatic factors, (most notably, wind direction and velocity in the case of airborne releases) which can require the re-designation or expansion of risk areas and recommended protective actions.

a. Average Annual Maximum Temperature – 65.8°F (18.8°C)

b. Average Annual Minimum Temperature – 40.1°F (4.5°C)

c. Average Annual Temperature – 53°F (11.7°C)

d. Average Annual Rainfall – 40.2”

e. Average Annual Snowfall – 25-35”

f. Average Days with Precipitation – 13

g. Average Wind Speed – 8 mph

h. Normal Wind Direction – South, Southwest

5. Example Situation Factors

a. The actual situation and its condition (leak, fire, spill, etc.).

b. Type of product or chemical involved.

c. Types of hazards associated with the product or chemical.

d. Potential for the product to migrate.

6. Example Location Factors

a. Location and type of topography where the incident occurred.

b. Size of the geographic area affected and the population within it.

c. Risks involved in evacuating the population.

d. Ability of special needs groups to shelter-in-place.

7. Example Resources Factors

a. Ability to shelter the evacuated population.

b. Ability to notify and move the affected population.

c. Ability to respond to the incident quickly and efficiently.

d. The amount of time required for the regional hazmat team to respond to an incident.

8. History of Occurrences

a. McDowell County has not experienced a large-scale hazardous materials incident in the past. All incidents have been small and localized.

b. The possibility of an incident escalating into other areas of emergency management has been demonstrated in the past.

C. Vulnerability

1. There are currently 20 SARA Title III, Tier II listings for McDowell County on file with the West Virginia Office of Emergency Services.

2. McDowell County contains a large segment of US Route 52, as well as several miles of the Norfolk Southern Railroad.

3. The combination of mountainous terrain and a large number of creeks and streams could result in widespread contamination from a single hazardous materials event.

4. There are four (4) primary routes of entry or ways that a person can be exposed to a hazardous substance.

a. Inhalation – The hazardous substance is breathed into the lungs.

b. Ingestion – The hazardous substance is accidentally swallowed.

c. Skin Absorption – The hazardous substance is permeable and is absorbed into the skin upon contact.

d. Injection – The hazardous substance is injected into the blood stream.

D. HAZMAT Levels

1. Hazardous materials incidents are separated into categories according to the severity of the incident and the appropriate emergency response.

a. Level I – This is an incident involving hazardous materials that can be contained, extinguished, and/or abated by the initial emergency responders with little aid or assistance from other local emergency response organizations. The hazardous materials involved in a Level I incident:

i. Present little immediate risk to either the environment or public health.

ii. Present a minimal clean-up or contamination problem.

b. Level IIA – This is an incident involving hazardous materials that is beyond the capabilities of the initial emergency responders, but which can be controlled by local emergency response organizations with a limited level of assistance from other local elements or state agencies. The hazardous materials involved in a Level IIA incident:

i. Present a potential or long-term threat to life, health, or the environment.

ii. Present a significant clean-up problem.

c. Level IIB – This is an incident that is beyond the emergency response capabilities of local emergency response organizations and the chief local elected official has relinquished control to the Governor, who will appoint a state agency to lead emergency response activities. The hazardous materials involved in a Level IIB incident pose the same threat as those involved in a Level IIA incident.

d. Level III – This is an incident involving hazardous materials that is beyond the control capabilities of local emergency response units, which is of such a magnitude that it requires support and assistance from state and federal agencies and which requires the Governor to declare a State of Emergency. The hazardous materials involved in a Level III incident:

i. Present a potential or long-term threat to life, health, or the environment.

ii. Present a significant clean-up problem.

IV. CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS

A. General

1. McDowell County’s Community Emergency Coordinator is James Gianato, the county Emergency Services Director. Mr. Gianato can be reached at (304) 436-4106 or the Emergency Services office at (304) 436-6900. As Facility Emergency Coordinators may change often, the McDowell County Office of Emergency Services maintains a listing of them separately from this plan.

2. The dangers involved in attempting to bring a hazardous materials incident under control without adequate training, equipment, and logistical support are numerous and obvious.

3. Local government is initially responsible for providing protection to the people and property within the jurisdiction.

4. When a hazardous materials incident occurs, the local first response organizations and agencies (fire, law, and Emergency Medical Services [EMS]) will make the initial response to control the situation. The jurisdictional fire department will respond in a defensive fashion and be responsible for management of the incident scene, containing the release from a safe distance, and preventing exposure. The department will establish the Incident Command System (ICS) and designate an Incident Commander (IC)⁽²⁾.

5. Notification for assistance will be made to other agencies in accordance with normal operating procedures, mutual aid agreements, etc.

6. Several state agencies have legal responsibilities to respond to hazardous materials incidents, including the Division of Highways (WVDOH) and the Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP). Others, such as the West Virginia National Guard, can be provided only through the State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) after a state of emergency has been declared at the county level. The Governor must approve the use of the National Guard before soldiers can be ordered to State Active Duty (SAD). State agencies are responsible for enacting applicable state plans and procedures. State and local officials will coordinate response efforts as necessary. Federal responsibilities may include containment and cleanup and are outlined in the National Contingency Plan.

7. The West Virginia Office of Emergency Services (WVOES) is responsible for facilitating the development of and providing guidance to the six (6) hazardous materials regional response teams and generating an EOP for the State of West Virginia. The State Emergency Response Commission (SERC), through the WVOES, is responsible for providing the citizens of West Virginia with information in accordance with the requirement of 42 LT.S.C §11001, et seq. and WV Code 15-5A.

8. Covered facilities subject to the requirements of SARA Title III, Section 303(c) are listed in Appendix 1 ⁽¹⁾. These facilities shall:

a. Appoint a facility emergency coordinator ⁽³⁾.

b. Develop an on-site contingency plan, which specifies notification and emergency response capabilities, responsibilities, procedures, and methods ⁽⁴⁾.

c. Provide technical assistance and support for the development of off-site risk assessment.

d. Provide planning support for off-site release contingency planning to include vulnerable zone identification.

B. Direction and Control

1. For site-specific incidents, the IC is responsible for providing overall direction and control. For multi-jurisdictional or other incidents for which the EOC is activated, the EOC manager (or Emergency Services Director) is responsible for overall direction and control ⁽³⁾.

2. The heads of each department involved in the response to a hazardous materials incident (i.e. fire chief, chief of police, etc.) will be responsible for the direction and control of their departments.

3. Incident Command System (ICS) per the National Incident Management System (NIMS)

a. For hazardous materials incidents, the jurisdictional fire department is the designated action agency. The chief of the jurisdictional fire department, or his/her designee, is responsible for the primary coordination of the on-scene activities of all federal, state, and local agencies that may be involved in the response, and is referred to as the Incident Commander.

i. The Incident Commander is responsible for response activities, including the development of the Incident Action Plan, (IAP), making population protective action decisions, and ordering and releasing mutual aid and other resources. The Commander’s decisions may be based on information received from the affected facility or EOC.

ii. Initially, the Incident Commander will conduct an approach to determine the situation, establish an entry control point a safe distance from the incident site, communicate the initial situation assessment information to dispatch along with initial request for notification and assistance, and establish the Incident Command Post (ICP).

iii. The Incident Commander may appoint the following command staff positions per the National Incident Management System: Public Information Officer, Safety Officer, and Liaison Officer. Other general staff positions may fall under the operations, planning, logistics, and finance/administration sections. The IC may choose to activate or not activate these additional sections. Such considerations as manageable span of control should be considered when making this decision.

b. The Incident Command Post is established by the jurisdictional fire department. The Incident Command Post coordinates on-scene support of emergency service and response elements deployed to the incident site.

i. The Incident Command Post is supported by primary and back-up communications systems that assist the IC to coordinate on-scene activities and with supporting agencies, including the EOC.

c. The National Incident Management System provides a system for incident command and management that creates and allows the use of common terminology (for position titles, etc.), practical spans of control where any one (1) individual has no more than three (3) to seven (7) people under his/her command, and unity of command where each staff person is accountable to his/her section chief and each section chief is accountable to the IC.

4. EOC

a. See the Direction and Control Annex of the McDowell County EOP.

b. The OES Director is responsible for the activation, operation, and management of EOC operations in periods of emergency.

c. When the incident occurs at a fixed facility, the facility will provide a point of contact for the IC to assist him/her and provide a representative to the EOC. These individuals will be expected to provide detailed facility information and technical assistance.

d. When the EOC is activated, a media center will also be opened. The center will be located in a separate area of the building housing the EOC, or at a place near to the EOC.

i. The media center is responsible for providing an information release point for the county. This operation will be established and operated by the county PIO, or designee, and will be responsible for providing complete, accurate, and timely information and rumor control to the media and public.

ii. Upon EOC activation and the involvement of the county Public Information Officer, the Public Information Officer command staff position becomes unnecessary. All media relations, etc. are channeled through the county Public Information Officer.

5. ICS-EOC Interface

a. The Incident Commander will determine as soon as possible the need for a Regional Response Team (RRT), decontamination teams, and other mutual aid requirements. If the incident occurred at a facility, the Incident Commander will seek to gain as much information as possible from facility personnel and the designated facility coordinators. The Incident Commander will notify the EOC if additional resources are needed. The EOC will request such resources and direct them to the staging area.

i. The Regional Response Team can only be requested through the EOC. The Incident Commander must coordinate this request through the EOC Manager.

b. County departments and agencies, technical teams, state and federal officials, and others that are needed at the scene are directed to the staging area prior to going to the Incident Command Post.

c. The EOC staff will support the IC’s decisions on public notification, protective actions, requests for mutual aid and other assistance, and will coordinate for incident command with the responsible party, WVDEP, NRT-1, and others, as necessary.

C. Reporting the Incident ⁽⁴⁾

1. Hazardous materials incidents are most often reported in one of the following ways.

a. In the course of normal activities, a citizen may find or cause a release of hazardous materials. In such an instance, the citizen would notify emergency response officials by dialing 9-1-1.

b. The largest number of hazardous materials incidents occur during transportation of the materials. When a vehicle is involved in an accident or there is a failure in the container housing the hazardous materials, the operator or an observer of the incident will notify emergency response officials by dialing 9-1-1.

c. An industrial operation’s facility emergency coordinator would report a release at a manufacturing or other type of facility by dialing 9-1-1.

2. Facility and Vessel Reporting Requirements ⁽⁴⁾

a. Facility

i. In accordance with the requirements of SARA Title III (Emergency Planning) and the West Virginia Revised Code 55-1-4, the owner or operator of a facility where a hazardous chemical is produced, used, or stored shall provide emergency notification of any release.

b. Vessel

i. As with facilities above, the owner or operator of a vessel where a hazardous chemical is produced, used, or stored shall provide emergency notification of any release, as required by and in accordance with Section 304 of Title III, 42 Code of Federal Regulations.

c. Reports ⁽⁴⁾

i. The following reports should be completed by the facility or vessel owner/operator:

· Initial Report. The following minimum information should be provided.

Ø The location of the release.

Ø The chemical name(s) of any substance involved in the release and whether the substance is an extremely hazardous substance.

Ø An estimate of the quantity released into the environment.

Ø The time and duration of the release.

Ø The environmental medium or media into which the substance was released.

Ø Any known or anticipated acute or chronic health risks associated with the substance.

Ø Information regarding public protective actions that may be required.

Ø Name and number(s) of the person or persons to be contacted for further information.

· Written Follow-up Report

Ø No later than 30 days following the release, the owner or operator of a facility or vessel from which a chemical was released should make a written report to the local jurisdictional fire department, the county LEPC and to the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC).

· Transportation Incident Reporting

Ø The largest number of chemical incidents occur during transportation of the chemicals. These are extremely dangerous and difficult for which to plan response due to the many unknowns, such as type and amount of chemical, type of transportation (vehicle, pipeline, vessel, air), the geographic location, etc. Usually, reports of these incidents are made by observers of the incident and/or the operator.

ii. Recording the Initial Call

· All agencies which would normally receive the emergency call (fire departments, sheriff, WV State Police, etc.) must be prepared to handle the initial report when it comes. Two (2) forms have been developed and are attached to this plan. These forms will assist the agency receiving the call to record the information. These forms must be on hand at each dispatch station and/or telephone utilized for taking emergency calls.

D. Communications

1. See the Communications Annex of the McDowell County EOP.

2. When handling a hazardous materials incident, communications will be critical, as time in handling the materials, warning the citizens, and safeguarding the area will be short.

3. Hazardous materials incidents will be handled by the fire departments on their usual radio frequencies. Radio traffic will be relayed to the Incident Commander and the Incident Command Post. The IC will periodically update all agencies present at the Incident Command Post and the EOC (if activated).

4. Cellular telephones may be utilized as early back up. Users should identify their numbers to the dispatch center, EOC, or command post whenever they bring a new station into the situation. Radio capabilities can be expanded as amateur radio personnel are contacted and report.

5. Communications will be tested periodically during official exercises of the county’s EOP and this plan. Otherwise, all primary systems are used in daily operations, so a formal testing schedule is not required.

6. Dispatchers, the EOC Communications Officer, and on-scene communications personnel will be responsible for ensuring a flow of updated information via available communication means. Priorities and time of use of radio equipment must be closely monitored and managed.

7. Recording of communications received and sent must be a contiguous, ongoing process. All communications supervisors, dispatchers, and users involved in the hazardous materials response and support must maintain a record (log) of the communications activities at the station/location.

8. All organizations will follow Federal Communications Commission guidelines when using command channels or frequencies.

9. As a means of working toward an interoperable communications system with all participating agencies and neighboring jurisdiction, only communications certified by the US Department of Homeland Security and listed with the National Incident Management System Integration Center should be purchased and used.

E. Warning and Emergency Public Information (EPI)

1. See the Notification and Warning Annex of the McDowell County EOP.

2. Alarms may be sounded within an extremely hazardous substance facility at which there is a hazardous materials incident. However, these alarms would do little to warn the general population in immediate danger.

3. First responders will most likely be notified of an event at a fixed facility by 9-1-1 dispatch. The Facility Emergency Coordinator (FEC) will contact the Community Emergency Coordinator. The community emergency coordinator will then confirm that the incident has been called into 911 dispatch. For transportation incidents, the community emergency coordinator and first responders will most likely be notified by 9-1-1 dispatch.

4. The Incident Commander is responsible for determining what protective actions must be undertaken at the scene. The Incident Commander is also responsible for notifying the Emergency Services Director of the situation and requesting his/her assistance in public notification. The Emergency Services Director will be involved in all measures of public notification. The command staff Public Information Officer or the county Public Information Officer may also be involved in the public notification process. (Additional responsibilities of the Public Information Officer are detailed in the EOP.)

5. The Emergency Services Director is responsible for notifying all EOC staff upon activation and other jurisdictions that could potentially be affected by the incident.

6. Public alert is initiated by:

a. Using door-to-door notification, mobile speakers on emergency vehicles, electronic media by direct contact of radio/television stations, or through the use of the Emergency Alert System (EAS).

i. Personnel to conduct door-to-door notification will be provided by fire departments, law enforcement, volunteers, etc.

ii. The Emergency Services Director and appropriate law enforcement individuals are authorized to activate the Emergency Alert System.

b. Special facilities, such as nursing homes, schools, and churches, and special needs individuals, such as the hearing impaired and non-English speaking persons, will be identified and notified by the quickest method possible and by door-to-door basis if no other means is available.

7. Emergency Public Information may be released by the command staff Public Information Officer from the scene or the Emergency Services Director/county Public Information Officer from the EOC. All information to be released must be verified by the Incident Commander or the Emergency Services Director.

8. Local media may assist in the dissemination of emergency public information. Media will be provided appropriate news releases by the Public Information Officer.

9. A Joint Public Information Center may be established for large, long-lasting events that involve several outside agencies and organizations. The Joint Public Information Center will contain a listing of local media outlets and other means of disseminating Emergency Public Information, to include contact information for each. The county Public Information Officer will manage a Joint Public Information Center with the cooperation of the Emergency Services Director.

10. Rumor Control

a. Rumor control during a hazardous materials incident is extremely important and must be provided as soon as possible after the initial incident has been determined to necessitate population protective actions.

b. In order to combat rumor spreading, the Incident Commander, Emergency Services Director, and command staff/county Public Information Officer must be provided with timely, accurate, and updated information at all times.

c. It may become necessary to set up or establish a telephone hotline or use radio and television broadcasts to provide information to the largest group of people possible at one time.

11. Extremely Hazardous Substance Facility Cooperation

a. Extremely hazardous substance facilities can provide the most accurate information regarding their facility. As such, extremely hazardous substance facility cooperation is paramount.

b. The Facility Emergency Coordinator at which there is an incident will contact the Community Emergency Coordinator, as well as 9-1-1, about the incident. The Community Emergency Coordinator is responsible for contacting additional jurisdictions (including neighboring states) that may be affected.

c. Extremely hazardous substance facilities should provide public information through the Community Emergency Coordinator.

d. Extremely hazardous substance facilities may want to consider distributing public information at times prior to an occurrence, especially to those areas most likely to be affected by an incident at that facility.

12. If necessary, the American Red Cross (ARC) may assist in public notification and warning.

F. Evacuation ⁽⁷⁾

1. See the Evacuation Annex of the McDowell County EOP; evacuation routes and maps are contained there ⁽⁷⁾.

2. The Incident Commander is responsible for determining if an evacuation is necessary. The Incident Commander will notify an activated EOC if an evacuation is imminent. Evacuations may be caused by ongoing leaks, large incidents forcing evacuations down wind, etc. Affected extremely hazardous substance facilities can also provide information on whether an evacuation is imminent.

3. The Emergency Services Director will coordinate the overall evacuation effort. The Incident Commander will direct evacuation operations in the field.

4. Fire and rescue personnel from the responding departments will assist in the evacuation.

5. Law enforcement personnel will control traffic, ensure a steady flow of traffic, and enforce the perimeter of the evacuated areas.

6. It is likely that there will be special facilities within evacuation areas that may present difficulties if an evacuation is implemented. Special facilities include schools, hospitals, nursing homes, large residential treatment centers, jails, day-care centers, group homes, and detention centers. See the Evacuation Annex of the McDowell County EOP for specific procedures on evacuating special facilities.

7. If time is not sufficient to allow for the population to be warned of and prepare for an evacuation, shelter-in-place may have to be ordered. Citizens must be told what types of measures to take, such as taping windowsills, covering seams around doors, etc. when sheltering in place. Such information can be delivered during the notification process.

8. See Appendix 1 for maps showing isolation distances for each extremely hazardous substance facility. If an event occurs at one of these locations, any other facility located within that isolation distance may need to be evacuated.

G. Health and Medical ⁽⁶⁾

1. See the Health and Medical Annex of the McDowell County EOP.

2. The health and medical professionals in McDowell County will have a major role in providing data and health care information to responders in the field and emergency management personnel in an activated EOC concerning the potential health effects from hazardous material exposure. This information will also be used to determine protective actions.

3. The McDowell County Health Department will become involved in a hazardous materials incident when explosions, fires, spills, or other catastrophic incidents occur at or around facilities involved in the manufacturing, formulation, storage, or use of chemical or radioactive materials; transportation accidents involving chemical or radioactive materials; leachate discharges and atmospheric emissions from chemical dumps; or chemical contamination from accidental or intentional discharges or applications of chemicals to food, soil, water, or air. The Community Emergency Coordinator will notify the health department if they are needed.

4. Facility Emergency Coordinators will contact 9-1-1 if medical treatment is needed at their facility as a result of a hazardous materials incident.

5. Emergency Medical Service units will be dispatched by 9-1-1 and arrive to administer health care and treatment to field injuries and to assist the Incident Commander and the Incident Command Post.

a. Emergency medical services such as triage, ambulance service, etc. are described in the county EOP. If additional resources are needed, they can be procured through the EOC or Community Emergency Coordinator.

b. EMS units in McDowell County are not equipped to handle large extremely hazardous substance incidents.

6. Hospitals serving McDowell County have their own precise procedures for handling a hazardous materials incident due to location and other hospital disaster plans.

a. Specific hospitals and emergency room personnel are prepared for individual problems associated with contaminated victims.

b. Hospitals not directly involved in the initial incident can be used to treat less severely affected victims.

c. If the situation warrants a hospital evacuation, there is a separate plan that has been prepared by the hospital governing the evacuation.

7. The American Red Cross is available to assist in providing sanitation, food, and water supplies. The Red Cross will also be available to assist with re-entry.

8. Emergency mental health professionals will be contacted by the community emergency coordinator as necessary.

H. Resource Management

1. See the Resource Management Annex of the McDowell County EOP.

2. During a hazardous materials incident, the jurisdictional fire department will have on-scene responsibilities that include determining what protective measures are needed to protect first responders, the surrounding population, and property. If the material on the dispatched equipment is not sufficient, the Incident Commander must determine what extra resources will be needed.

3. Additional resources will be requested in the following order:

a. Local government or contiguous local jurisdictions (mutual aid).

b. County government resources.

c. Local private industry and/or the “spiller’s” resources.

d. State government (through the county EOC only).

e. Federal government (through the state EOC only).

4. If an incident occurs at a fixed facility, that facility’s supplies, expertise, and personnel may be used to help contain, neutralize, or suppress the hazardous material.

5. A resource list that can outline access to additional and supplemental resources to response agencies during an emergency should be available at each fire department, the E-911 dispatch center, and the McDowell County OES office. This list will be updated and maintained by the OES with assistance from local departments/agencies, private industry, contractors, and individuals that have previously been contacted to provide a particular item or expertise. This resource list will contain categories of types of resources per National Incident Management System recommendations.

6. Personnel resources will be deployed as individual training dictates, i.e. unqualified personnel will not be used to fulfill manpower requests. Certifications standards maintained by the National Incident Management System Integration Center will be used as applicable.

7. Additional resources can be procured through the EOC. Procurement is the responsibility of the county commission or municipal council.

I. Response Personnel Safety

1. Many of the techniques outlined in this section can be applicable to the general public as well, especially the decontamination procedures below.

2. Personnel responding to an incident must be fully aware of the risks involved and know how to handle the situation. Failure to do so may result in their injury or death.

3. There are many factors to consider when discussing safety, including:

a. Planning.

b. Training.

c. Equipment.

d. Health and physical fitness.

e. Public awareness.

4. Each emergency response agency in McDowell County must develop Standard Operating Guidelines that provide a workable and realistic analysis of the organization’s capabilities and limitations.

5. Threshold Limit Values and Exposure Limits

a. Values and guidelines have been set by several agencies, such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, American Conference of Governing Industrial Hygienists, and National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health. Exposure limits set are predominantly for airborne toxics that pose the greatest threat to the worker and public through inhalation.

b. These limits are based on Time-Weighted Averages for exposures a worker may receive in an 8-hour day and 40-hour week. (NIOSH TWAs)

c. Levels are also based on short-term exposure limits, which are tolerance exposure limits for short periods of time. Short-Term Exposure Limits are based on actual exposure limit studies, and because the limits are typically 15-minute time weighted averages exposures, the short-term exposure limits carry more weight than the time weighted averages and are the standard response units should utilize.

d. These time weighted averages and short-term exposure limits are exposure guides for the industry worker; however, these same levels are used for the emergency response worker who enters the site of a hazardous materials incident.

6. Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health is another listed limit that is extremely important to the responder and the public. These are listed in several places, but unfortunately not for every chemical. Listings can be found in the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health Pocket Guide, United States Environmental Protection Agency chemical profiles, and on all Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) obtainable from industry, EPA, and commercial sources.

7. Responding to the Incident

a. Response units must approach a hazardous materials incident site with extreme caution.

b. Response units should stay upwind from the incident site, and spend the least amount of time possible in the hazard zone.

i. Exclusion (Hot) Zone. The immediate danger area surrounding the site where contamination does exist or could occur. All first response personnel entering the exclusion zone must wear prescribed levels of protective clothing.

ii. Warm Zone. The area surrounding the hot zone, which presents no hazard to properly protected personnel.

iii. Cold Zone. The support area surrounding the warm zone, which presents no hazard to on-scene personnel and equipment.

c. Entry into and exit from the site must be closely monitored. The command staff Safety Officer may ensure such monitoring takes place. Entry and exit should be accompanied by an accounting procedure to record all personnel entering or leaving a site.

8. Decontamination

a. Regardless of the hazardous material, firefighters, other personnel, and equipment in the immediate area could become contaminated. The decontamination process is to ensure that any potentially harmful or dangerous residue or contaminants are removed and confined within the hazard zone and not allowed to spread to unprotected areas or the surrounding environment.

b. Several decontamination techniques are available and will vary dependent on the specific material and contaminant encountered. Local fire departments and regional response teams must be aware of these techniques and know how to handle them or who to call for assistance.

9. Response personnel must wear all appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when in the hazard zones.

a. There are four (4) levels of protective clothing.

i. Level D is primarily a work uniform and/or fire-fighting protective clothing. This type of protective clothing can be worn in (1) areas where no hazardous contaminants have been measured or (2) areas where no work functions preclude splashes, immersion, or accidental releases.

ii. Level C protection includes air-purifying respirators (full-face, canister-equipped) and chemical resistant clothing (coveralls, chemical splash suit, etc.), gloves, boots, two-way radio communications, and/or a hard hat.

iii. Level B protection consists of Self Contained Breathing Apparatus, supplied-air respirator, chemical resistant clothing, coveralls, inner and outer gloves, chemical resistant boot covers, two-way radio communications, and a hard hat.

iv. Level A protection consists of fully encapsulated chemical resistant suits, coveralls, chemical resistant inner and outer gloves, chemical resistant steel toe boots, hardhat, disposable gloves and boot covers, and two-way radio communications.

V. ORGANIZATION AND ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Organization

1. At the county-level, the McDowell County Commissioners and their appointed representative, the Emergency Services Director, will be the overall coordinator(s) of a hazmat incident with direction and control emanating from the county EOC. On-scene command will be exercised in accordance with state law and the National Incident Management System by the ranking jurisdictional fire officer on –scene (Incident Commander).

2. Due to the “combined response” nature of hazmat incidents, other local government, state and federal agency, private, and volunteer concerns may become involved. Unless escalated to a higher governmental level, the McDowell County Emergency Services Director will coordinate the response from the EOC. (See Response Levels, West Virginia Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Plan).

B. Task Responsibilities

1. Region 5 Regional Response Team

a. Respond, if activated, to a hazardous materials incident and report to the Incident Commander.

b. If not already completed, establish hazard zones.

c. Provide equipment and personnel resources to a hazardous materials incident site.

d. Contain the hazardous material.

e. Monitor the size, concentration, and migration of leaks and/or spills.

f. Sample throughout the incident area.

g. Maintain all necessary and appropriate reporting requirements.

2. Local Fire Departments

a. Control fires at disaster site, if necessary.

b. Rescue victims, if necessary.

c. Establish the Incident Command System, if necessary.

d. The Incident Commander will determine which channel or frequency will be used for communications for fire and rescue responsibilities.

e. Survey EOC and supporting facilities for fire security during emergency operations.

f. Maintain contact with fire/rescue personnel in the affected jurisdiction(s).

g. Provide back-up communications for the EOC through mobile units.

h. Maintain and record all reports on situations involving fire and rescue, casualty handling, and victim treatment and transportation.

i. Inform other jurisdictions of existing situations, actions to be taken, and provide periodic updates, as needed.

j. Assist with the re-entry of displaced persons affected by the incident.

3. McDowell County LEPC

a. Develop Hazardous Materials Emergency Plan that meets SARA requirements ⁽⁴⁾.

b. Compile SARA Title III information on covered facilities in McDowell County ⁽¹⁾.

c. Suggest to the State Emergency Response Commission and the Governor additional facilities that should be added to the list of regulated facilities ⁽¹⁾.

d. Receive notification from facilities if a SARA regulated release occurs ⁽²⁾.

e. Compile information on each regulated facility and the transportation routes for which the plan is intended.

i. On-site details.

ii. Neighboring populations.

iii. Surrounding terrain.

iv. Known impediments (tunnels, bridges).

v. Other areas at risk ^{(1) (7)}.

4. Local Law Enforcement

a. Provide security for the EOC.

b. Provide transportation for EOC crisis management team and staff, if necessary.

c. Control traffic in the vicinity of the EOC.

d. Determine what channel or frequency will be used for communications regarding law enforcement responsibilities.

e. Provide back-up communications for EOC through mobile units and communications centers.

f. Direct, control, and coordinate evacuation efforts, by order of the EOC or Incident Commander.

g. Provide security for evacuation efforts.

h. Provide direction and control for law enforcement activities.

i. Ensure proper training of law enforcement personnel for hazardous materials incidents.

j. Assist with the re-entry of displaced persons affected by the incident.

5. Emergency Medical Services ⁽²⁾

a. The primary responsibility of the EMS is to triage, stabilize, and transport patients from a triage area to a fixed medical facility. Secondary responsibilities include medical support, evacuation assistance, and warning.

b. Follow the Incident Commander’s guidance regarding protective gear, exposures, time, distances, evacuation, and decontamination.

c. Ensure individuals placed in encapsulated suits receive fluids and have vital signs taken and recorded prior to entering the “hot zone”.

d. Administer initial emergency care to members or victims of the incident.

e. Assist with decontamination of personnel and/or equipment.

f. Assist with clean-up operations.

g. Maintain a record of the response operations.

h. Participate in the critique of the incident.

6. Extremely Hazardous Substance Facilities

a. Participate, as required, in SARA Title III reporting ⁽¹⁾.

b. Appoint a Facility Emergency Coordinator, who will make the determinations that are necessary to implement the plan ⁽³⁾.

c. Notify appropriate emergency organizations upon the accidental or unauthorized release of a hazardous material ⁽⁴⁾.

d. Provide liaison to Incident Command Post and/or EOC during a hazardous materials incident at the facility.

i. Assist in the response to a hazardous materials incident at the facility.

ii. Assist in the recovery from a hazardous materials incident at the facility.

iii. Absorb cost of recovery from a hazardous materials incident at the facility.

e. Cooperate with the LEPC on SARA provisions, including evacuation, risk-area and population identification, containment and clean-up measures, etc.

f. Develop warning and communications systems which allow rapid warning and communication outside the facility area.

g. Provide manpower, resources, and technical assistance as needed to control, contain, clean-up, or dispose of the material(s) involved.

h. Provide area hospital emergency room personnel with information about the chemical compound(s) involved and provide technical assistance as required to threat victims.

i. The local planning committee must receive the following from industry:

i. Materials Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

ii. An Emergency/Hazardous chemical inventory on the standard inventory form.

j. When a facility has confirmed they have had an on-site release, spill, or discharge they will:

i. Evacuate the immediate area as necessary, according to the facility Standard Operating Guidelines.

ii. Notify the local fire department(s) advising them about the type of chemical(s) involved.

iv. Advise emergency forces about the level of the incident (Level I thru III).

k. Provide manpower, resources, and technical assistance as needed to control, contain, clean-up, or dispose of the material(s) involved.

l. Assure that victims exposed to hazardous materials have been properly decontaminated prior to delivery to the ambulance for transport.

7. McDowell County Commission

a. Appoint an Emergency Services Director for the local jurisdiction, who will decide when it is necessary to implement the plan. ⁽³⁾

b. Formulate, review, and approve policy and operational guidelines.

c. As necessary, appropriate and authorize expenditure of funds, approve contracts, and authorize distribution of equipment, materials, and supplies for emergency purposes.

d. Provide overall direction and coordination of county disaster response and recovery forces and equipment.

e. Maintain liaison and coordination with elected officials from municipalities that are included within this plan (Anawalt, Bradshaw, Davy, Gary, Iaeger, Keystone, Kimball, Northfork, War, and Welch).

f. Issue a proclamation declaring an emergency or disaster exists, if necessary.

g. Request a disaster or emergency declaration from the Governor.

h. Assign and make available for duty the employees, property, or equipment of the county.

i. Provide for the health and safety of persons and property, including emergency assistance to victims of the disaster. Convene the county commission as soon as practical for approval of disaster relief actions.

j. Authorize and order that protective action guidelines, such as evacuation, etc. be implemented based on recommendations from emergency responders and regulating agencies.

8. Local Governmental Units

a. Serve as principal point of contact between disaster forces and the Emergency Services Director.

b. Request a disaster or emergency declaration from the Governor through the McDowell County EOC.

c. Assign and make available for duty the employees, property, or equipment of the municipality.

d. Convene the municipal council as soon as practical to approve disaster relief actions.

9. McDowell County Office of Emergency Services

a. Serve as the county Community Emergency Coordinator (Director only).

b. Maintain EOC in a state of readiness.

c. Select and train an appropriate EOC staff.

d. Provide for the timely activation and recall capability of key officials and EOC staff.

e. Activate and manage the EOC and coordinate field operations from the EOC.

f. Notify the WVOES of the need for Regional Response Team services.

g. Notify neighboring (or other) jurisdictions of the incident if those jurisdictions are at risk.

i. At the direction of the McDowell County Commission, forward a disaster request to the state for assistance.

ii. Select, coordinate, and maintain an alternate EOC which can satisfy EOC requirements if the primary facility is unavailable.

iii. Conduct EOC staff briefings throughout the emergency. Ensure the Public Information Officer is aware of the situation and actions planned and/or undertaken.

iv. Forward initial disaster reports and damage and injury assessment information to the state. Ensure that damage assessment reports are compiled.

v. Ensure that all available information is supplied to the EOC staff. Maps, status boards, etc. will be in position at all times providing for the collection and display of damage assessment information in the EOC.

vi. Maintain liaison and coordination with the facility (or transporter), the state, adjacent jurisdictions, and local municipalities that are included within this plan as to their use of personnel and equipment responding to the disaster.

vii. Ensure that security is provided at the EOC facility.

viii. Coordinate the logistical aspects of the EOC operations. Ensure that auxiliary power is provided. Ensure food and billeting is considered at the time of activation.

ix. Coordinate with the American Red Cross for opening shelters.

x. Provide a central location for receiving outside resources.

xi. Ensure that logistical support (food, water, lightning, fuel, etc.) to support the emergency response personnel is deployed to the disaster site(s) as needed.

10. McDowell County Health Department

a. Determine return criteria and issue a statement, in coordination with the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, (WVDEP), West Virginia Bureau for Public Health (WVBPH), West Virginia Department of Highways (WVDOH), and the Incident Commander, through the Public Information Officer, authorizing the return of evacuees.

b. Provide health effects assessment(s) as required during the incident.

c. Provide epidemiological studies following the incident utilizing the West Virginia Bureau of Public Health, when necessary.

11. American Red Cross

a. Open and operate shelters to support evacuees.

b. Respond to inquiries about evacuees at shelters.

c. Provide subsistence to first responders and other individuals at the incident site.

d. Assign American Red Cross liaison personnel at the EOC.

e. Feed and shelter emergency workers during 24-hour operations.

i. Maintain accountability and coordinate return of sheltered evacuees.

ii. If requested, assist in the re-entry of displaced persons affected by the incident.

12. Private Hazmat Response and Cleanup Contractor(s)

a. Respond, if contracted, to the scene of a hazardous materials incident and perform clean-up activities per established guidelines.

b. If requested, perform necessary environmental assessments, biological monitoring, and/or contamination surveys.

13. General Task Requirements

a. EOC Staff

i. Staff and operate the EOC and media center.

ii. Provide support personnel and services.

iii. Coordinate response and recovery activities.

iv. Maintain communications with response elements.

v. Provide for 24-hour operation (two 12-hour shifts).

vi. Acknowledge and authenticate reports.

vii. Assist with rumor control.

viii. Maintain accurate records (logs) of all communications and transactions.

b. Public Information Officer (Command Staff and County)

i. Serve as a liaison between the Incident Command Post, EOC, and the media.

ii. Establish a media area near the EOC (if not activated, establish a center in the cold zone) where briefings can be conducted.

iii. Relay all necessary information to the media/public as authorized by the Emergency Services Director or Incident Commander.

c. Public Works Officials

i. Provide barricades to replace law enforcement officers if an evacuation has been ordered.

ii. Assist in cleanup operations if hazardous materials have entered public works systems.

iii. Cleanup debris.

iv. Restore vital utilities if they have been inoperable.

d. Human Services Professionals

i. Provide information on special needs groups in the area of the emergency.

VI. ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS

A. Administration

1. This Hazardous Materials Emergency Plan is to be used in concert with the McDowell County EOP.

2. The McDowell County LEPC monitors SARA compliance.

3. If an incident occurs, county employees will be made available for re-assignment to disaster-related activities.

4. All agencies responding to an incident shall follow all local, state, and federal requirements for reporting and documenting the incident. A copy of all documentation shall be submitted to the McDowell County OES within ten (10) days of the incident. The OES is responsible for submitting all necessary paperwork for cost recovery.

5. An extremely hazardous substance facility is responsible for the documentation of accidental releases by preparing:

a. Their version of the incident, including time, cause of the release, spill, or discharge material and quantity released, as well as their response action.

b. A chronological log that details a minute-by-minute account of the spill, release, or discharge response activities, including emergency response notification of off-site authorities, significant changes in situation, and time of recommendation to notify off-site authorities.

B. Logistics

1. All agencies/organizations involved will mutually support one-another and provide equipment and other logistical support as needed. All fire departments in McDowell County have enacted mutual aid agreements.

2. The McDowell County LEPC, in coordination with the McDowell County OES, is responsible for filing the proper reports with pertinent state and federal agencies.

3. The McDowell County LEPC, in coordination with the McDowell County OES, is responsible for ensuring methods and schedules for exercising the emergency plan ⁽⁹⁾.

VI. CONTINUITY OF GOVERNMENT

A. The lines of succession for the McDowell County Commission and municipal councils is as follows:

1. Commission President/Mayor.

2. Commission/council members, in order of seniority.

B. The line of succession for the McDowell County OES is as follows:

1. OES Director.

2. OES Deputy Director.

C. Lines of succession for fire departments, law enforcement, EMS, and regional response teams (if deployed) shall be in accordance with organizational Standard Operating Guidelines (SOGs).

VIII. PLAN DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE

A. The McDowell County LEPC is responsible for reviewing and updating this plan on a periodic basis.

B. Covered facilities listings should be updated on an annual basis.

C. Each participating agency and organization shall be responsible for the inventory of their equipment, current licensing arrangements, equipment repair and replacement, and any special operating instructions or conditions.

D. All organizations and agencies involved in hazardous materials response are responsible for maintaining and regularly updating individual SOGs.