2012 Texas Emergency 2012 Texas Emergency Management Management ConferenceConference

Emergency Management Safety Emergency Management Safety Planning for Response and Planning for Response and RecoveryRecovery

April 5, 2012April 5, 2012

ICS SafetyICS Safety

Safety Officer (SO) must ensure safety Safety Officer (SO) must ensure safety of:of:– Responders to the incidentResponders to the incident– Deployed personnelDeployed personnel– Injured personsInjured persons– Persons threatened by incidentPersons threatened by incident– Volunteers assisting with incidentVolunteers assisting with incident– Media and general public Media and general public

ICS Forms (208, 215A)ICS Forms (208, 215A)

Site SafetySite Safety

Identify, analyze and mitigate hazardsIdentify, analyze and mitigate hazards Identify hazardous behavior/tactics and Identify hazardous behavior/tactics and

consider alternativesconsider alternatives Determine safety resources neededDetermine safety resources needed Monitor conditionsMonitor conditions Conduct inspections Conduct inspections Safety of personnel/stop unsafe actsSafety of personnel/stop unsafe acts Personal Protective EquipmentPersonal Protective Equipment Determine health/safety supplies neededDetermine health/safety supplies needed Reporting safety/security incidentsReporting safety/security incidents

Shelter SafetyShelter Safety

Facility reviewsFacility reviews– Identify/mitigate hazardsIdentify/mitigate hazards– Lighting/ventilationLighting/ventilation– General conditionsGeneral conditions

Water/waste waterWater/waste water Linens/laundryLinens/laundry HygieneHygiene Safety Safety

– Life safetyLife safety– ElectricalElectrical– Infection controlInfection control– Frequent inspectionsFrequent inspections– Generators Generators

Deployed Personnel SafetyDeployed Personnel Safety

Risks:Risks:– unfamiliar surroundings unfamiliar surroundings – adverse weather conditions adverse weather conditions – flood waters/storm surge areasflood waters/storm surge areas– hot spots/flare ups/ash hot spots/flare ups/ash – piles of rubble and other debris, human piles of rubble and other debris, human

and/or animal remains, contaminated flood and/or animal remains, contaminated flood waters waters

– collapsed structures collapsed structures – downed trees and fallen power lines. downed trees and fallen power lines.

Safety Message Safety Message ConsiderationsConsiderations

HydrateHydrate Hygiene – hand washing/sanitizerHygiene – hand washing/sanitizer Be aware of surroundings (camp/LZs/EmVeh)Be aware of surroundings (camp/LZs/EmVeh) Identify and report hazards to SOIdentify and report hazards to SO Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Protect open cuts/abrasionsProtect open cuts/abrasions First Aid Kit availabilityFirst Aid Kit availability Use proper lifting techniquesUse proper lifting techniques Heavy equipment safetyHeavy equipment safety Heat stress awarenessHeat stress awareness Safety briefing at beginning of each shiftSafety briefing at beginning of each shift

Field Safety Message Field Safety Message ConsiderationsConsiderations

Work in teams of two or moreWork in teams of two or more Check for hazards in flooded areasCheck for hazards in flooded areas

Use pole or stick to probe for holes or unseen hazardsUse pole or stick to probe for holes or unseen hazards Un-labeled container safetyUn-labeled container safety Label drinking water and non-potable Label drinking water and non-potable

containers.containers.– Do NOT use water that may be contaminatedDo NOT use water that may be contaminated

Ensure your food and water are safe before Ensure your food and water are safe before using using

Discard any food that has been exposed to heat, Discard any food that has been exposed to heat, smoke or sootsmoke or soot

Personal Protective EquipmentPersonal Protective Equipment

Fire Safety ConsiderationsFire Safety Considerations

Be aware of natural gas odorsBe aware of natural gas odors Clear means of egress/ingressClear means of egress/ingress Fire extinguishersFire extinguishers Evacuation routes and assembly Evacuation routes and assembly

sitessites Hot spots/flare upsHot spots/flare ups Report hazards immediately to SOReport hazards immediately to SO

Wildfire Safety Wildfire Safety ConsiderationsConsiderations

Do not enter a home or area until fire officials indicate Do not enter a home or area until fire officials indicate it is safe. it is safe.

Use caution when entering: Use caution when entering: – Wear leather gloves and heavy soled shoes to protect Wear leather gloves and heavy soled shoes to protect

hands and feet as hazards may still exist, including hot hands and feet as hazards may still exist, including hot spots, which can flare up without warningspots, which can flare up without warning

– Watch for power lines Watch for power lines Protect your lungs from wildfire smoke and ashProtect your lungs from wildfire smoke and ash

– Use N95 or N100 NIOSH approved particulate respiratorUse N95 or N100 NIOSH approved particulate respirator– Mask should have two strapsMask should have two straps– Fits over nose and under chin, sealing tightlyFits over nose and under chin, sealing tightly– Wet bandanas, surgical masks do not protectWet bandanas, surgical masks do not protect

Wet debris down to minimize breathing dust particles. Wet debris down to minimize breathing dust particles.

Electrical Safety Electrical Safety ConsiderationsConsiderations

Assume fallen lines are energizedAssume fallen lines are energized Downed lines can energize fences, water Downed lines can energize fences, water

pipes, cables, other objectspipes, cables, other objects Do not drive over downed linesDo not drive over downed lines Power line falls on your vehiclePower line falls on your vehicle

Stay inside your vehicle – continue to drive awayStay inside your vehicle – continue to drive away Do not leave your vehicle if it stalls Do not leave your vehicle if it stalls

– unless there are other safety reasons – jump clear and unless there are other safety reasons – jump clear and do not touch your vehicle – electric current will arc do not touch your vehicle – electric current will arc

Land with both feet together; shuffle away to Land with both feet together; shuffle away to minimize the electric current path and avoid electric minimize the electric current path and avoid electric shockshock

Electrical Safety Electrical Safety ConsiderationsConsiderations

Damp locations –Damp locations – Use GFCIUse GFCI Ensure electric cords are rated for use and in Ensure electric cords are rated for use and in

good conditiongood condition

Ensure connections are tight/protectedEnsure connections are tight/protected Bundle electrical cords, keep out of Bundle electrical cords, keep out of

standing waterstanding water Ensure power is off to before working Ensure power is off to before working

on applianceson appliances

Generator SafetyGenerator Safety

Major Causes of Injuries/FatalitiesMajor Causes of Injuries/Fatalities Shocks and electrocutionShocks and electrocution Carbon Monoxide poisoningCarbon Monoxide poisoning FireFire

Safety FirstSafety First Inspect prior to useInspect prior to use Keep it dryKeep it dry Operate in accordance with manufacturer’s Operate in accordance with manufacturer’s

instructionsinstructions Use heavy duty, grounded cords (3 pronged)Use heavy duty, grounded cords (3 pronged) Shut down before refuelingShut down before refueling Do not store fuel indoorsDo not store fuel indoors

Avoid Carbon Avoid Carbon Monoxide PoisoningMonoxide Poisoning

Carbon Monoxide (CO)Carbon Monoxide (CO) ColorlessColorless OdorlessOdorless ToxicToxic

Ensure adequate ventilationEnsure adequate ventilation Never use generator indoorsNever use generator indoors Do not place generator near vents, doors or windowsDo not place generator near vents, doors or windows Symptoms of CO poisoningSymptoms of CO poisoning

DizzinessDizziness NauseaNausea HeadachesHeadaches Tiredness Tiredness

Get victim to fresh air immediately and seek medical Get victim to fresh air immediately and seek medical attentionattention

Heat StressHeat Stress

Factors leading to heat stress:Factors leading to heat stress: High temperatureHigh temperature High humidityHigh humidity Limited air movementLimited air movement

Symptoms of Heat ExhaustionSymptoms of Heat Exhaustion Headaches, dizziness, lightheadedness, faintingHeadaches, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting Weakness or moist skinWeakness or moist skin Mood changes such as confusion or irritabilityMood changes such as confusion or irritability Upset stomach or vomitingUpset stomach or vomiting

Symptoms of Heat StrokeSymptoms of Heat Stroke Dry, hot skin with no sweatingDry, hot skin with no sweating Mental confusion or losing consciousnessMental confusion or losing consciousness Seizures or convulsionsSeizures or convulsions

Heat Stroke First AidHeat Stroke First Aid

Move victim to cooler environment Move victim to cooler environment immediatelyimmediately

Remove unnecessary clothing to Remove unnecessary clothing to expose skin to coolingexpose skin to cooling

Apply ice packs to groin, neck and Apply ice packs to groin, neck and armpits (large blood vessels are close armpits (large blood vessels are close to skin)to skin)

Do not give fever reducing medsDo not give fever reducing meds

General General DecontaminationDecontamination

Hand DecontaminationHand Decontamination Wear proper gloves for the jobWear proper gloves for the job Wash hands with soap and clean water, if availableWash hands with soap and clean water, if available ¼ teaspoon bleach/gal of water¼ teaspoon bleach/gal of water Hand sanitizerHand sanitizer Wound careWound care

Clothing, tool/equipmentClothing, tool/equipment Soap and clean water, if availableSoap and clean water, if available ¼ cup bleach/gal of water¼ cup bleach/gal of water Immerse objects for 10 min (gently agitate clothes/fabric)Immerse objects for 10 min (gently agitate clothes/fabric)

Surface (Severe)Surface (Severe) Mix 1 ½ cups of bleach/gal of waterMix 1 ½ cups of bleach/gal of water Douse surfaces and allow to sit for 3 minDouse surfaces and allow to sit for 3 min Wipe from surface with paper towels, then douse with hand Wipe from surface with paper towels, then douse with hand

wash solutionwash solution Prepare bleach solutions daily and label eachPrepare bleach solutions daily and label each

InjuriesInjuries

Report injuries to SOReport injuries to SO Seek medical attentionSeek medical attention

– ER/Medic or HC providerER/Medic or HC provider– Wound treatmentWound treatment

Report injury to employer (if Report injury to employer (if applicable)applicable)

Infection controlInfection control HygieneHygiene

Demobilization Safety Demobilization Safety ConsiderationsConsiderations

Hydration/foodHydration/food Pace of workPace of work FatigueFatigue Powered equipment risksPowered equipment risks Loading/unloadingLoading/unloading Vehicle trafficVehicle traffic Ability to stop unsafe operationsAbility to stop unsafe operations Returning home safelyReturning home safely

Safety First!!!Safety First!!!

Questions?Questions?

Contact InformationContact Information

Regan J. Rychetsky, DirectorRegan J. Rychetsky, DirectorHHS Enterprise Risk Management and HHS Enterprise Risk Management and SafetySafety1106 Clayton Lane, MC 15291106 Clayton Lane, MC 1529Austin, TX 78751Austin, TX 78751Office: (512) 706-7288Office: (512) 706-7288Fax: (512) 706-7353Fax: (512) 706-7353