Volcanoes Incident Management

Incident Management Guidelines

A volcano is a mountain that opens downward to a reservoir of molten rock below the surface of the earth. When pressure from gases within the molten rock becomes too great, an eruption occurs. Eruptions can be quiet or explosive; there may be lava flows, flattened landscapes, poisonous gases, and flying rock and ash. Because of their intense heat, lava flows create significant fire hazards and can destroy all structures in their paths. Ash flows can occur on all sides of a volcano, and ash debris can fall hundreds of miles downwind of the volcano. Dangerous mudflows and floods can occur in valleys leading away from volcanoes, striking with little warning. The common risks that accompany volcanic eruptions include earthquakes and tsunamis, mudflows and flash floods, landslides and rockfalls, and ashfall and acid rain.

In the event of a volcanic eruption occurring, the following points should be addressed:

✓ Action Points

1. Stand up the Incident Management and Crisis Response Teams using the SAD CHALETS system.
2. During a volcanic eruption, personnel should leave the affected area using an established evacuation plan (if advised by authorities), avoiding downwind areas and river valleys downstream of the volcano.
3. If caught indoors, personnel should close all windows, doors, and dampers; put all machinery inside a garage or barn; and bring all animals and livestock into closed shelters.
4. If personnel are outdoors, they should seek shelter indoors as quickly as possible.
5. If subjected to ashfall, personnel should seek protection by wearing long‐sleeved shirts and long pants, goggles to protect vision, and a damp cloth to assist with breathing.
6. Following a volcanic eruption, personnel should stay out of an affected area, as the effects of a volcanic eruption can be experienced many miles from the main event, including mudflows, flash flooding, forest fires, and high‐temperature ash flows.
7. When safe to do so, roofs should be cleared of ash as it can result in structural collapse.
8. Monitoring of radio stations will provide guidance as to the situation, any advisory alerts and instructions, and any governmental response measures.
9. Personnel should avoid areas susceptible to channeling floodwaters, as dangerous mudflows and floods can occur in valleys leading away from volcanoes, striking with little warning.
10. Other aspects of the IMP should be instigated where required.
11. Provide an IMP Risk Assessment Report as soon as possible.

Key People to Call (see the IMP Communications Plan)

Group	Yes/No	Group	Yes/No
• Medical organization		• Organic QRF
• Military interface		• Crisis response team
• Embassy or consulate		• Security provider (vendor)
• Police, fire, or ambulance		• Other groups

Hurricanes and Tornadoes Incident Management

Incident Management Guidelines

A hurricane is a type of tropical cyclone, which is a generic term for a low‐pressure system that generally forms in the tropics. It is defined as an intense tropical weather system of strong thunderstorms with a well‐defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 74 miles per hour (119 km/h) or greater. Tropical storms can also produce significant damage and loss of life, typically due to flooding. A tornado is a violently rotating column of air that is in contact with both a cloud base and the surface on the earth. Tornadoes come in many sizes, but are typically in the form of a visible condensation funnel, whose narrow end touches the earth and is often encircled by a cloud of debris. Most tornadoes have wind speeds of 110 miles per hour (177 km/h), are approximately 250 feet (75 m) across, and travel a few miles before dissipating.

In the event of a hurricane or tornado incident occurring, the following points should be addressed:

✓ Action Points

1. Stand up the Incident Management and Crisis Response Teams using the SAD CHALETS system.
2. Determine the location, direction, and speed of travel of the storm to evaluate which areas are most susceptible to risk (although changes in direction can occur).
3. If time permits, facilities should seek to board up windows as an emergency solution if storm windows or shutters have not been fitted.
4. Personnel should be moved to a nominated safe room with stocks of emergency stores: water, nonperishable food and medications, and lighting. Or personnel should move to a safe area, such as an interior office, or a closet or bathroom on the lower level of the facility.
5. Personnel should avoid windows, skylights, and glass doors, as debris and strong winds may shatter such structures.
6. Personnel should not leave a safe location when in the eye of a hurricane, but must wait until the storm has passed over; since there will be a short period of calm, followed by a rapid increase in wind speed from the opposite direction.
7. In case of flooding, electricity should be turned off at the main circuit breaker. If the facility loses power, major appliances, such as the air conditioner and water heaters, should be turned off to reduce damage.
8. Personnel should be advised not to touch fallen or low‐hanging wires, and to stay away from puddles with wires in or near them if leaving buildings.
9. Monitoring of radio stations will provide information as to the storm's passage, as well as emergency response measures being taken.
10. Other aspects of the IMP should be carried out as appropriate (regarding flooding, landslides, pandemics, etc.).
11. Provide an IMP Risk Assessment Report or status report as soon as possible.

Key People to Call (see the IMP Communications Plan)

Group	Yes/No	Group	Yes/No
• Medical organization		• Organic QRF
• Military interface		• Crisis response team
• Embassy or consulate		• Security provider (vendor)
• Police, fire, or ambulance		• Other groups