Emergency Response Plan Section 3: Checklist of Emergency Response Issues

The first act of the Incident Commander must be to establish control of the site.  A site must be controlled for the protection of first responders and to exclude unnecessary personnel. The basic approach is to establish three distinct zones; the hot zone (exclusion), the warm zone (contamination reduction) and the cold zone (support).

Hot Zone

The hot zone is the area where the actual incident occurred and contamination exists.  All individuals entering the hot zone must wear the prescribed levels of personal protection and be decontaminated before leaving. Entry and exit check points will be established at the outer boundary of the hot zone to regulate the entry and exit of personnel and equipment.  The outer boundary of the hot zone is initially established by visually surveying the immediate area and determining where the hazardous materials involved are located.  Monitoring equipment may also be used to define the area.

Warm Zone

The warm zone is the transitional area between the hot zone and the cold zone. This zone generally contains the decontamination area and access control points through which personnel and equipment enter and exit.  Since this zone is less hazardous, personnel can wear lower levels of personal protection equipment.

Cold Zone

The cold zone is the outermost part of the site and is considered non-contaminated.  This is where the command post is located, along with support equipment.  Normal work clothes are acceptable in this area.  The command post should be situated upwind and upstream of the hot zone and should be easily accessible to highways or other transportation routes.  The press is allowed in this zone.

The size and distances between the hot zone, warm zone, cold zone and the command post is based on conditions specific to each incident, the material involved and the judgment of the incident commander.  The following criteria should be considered when establishing zone boundaries:

  • Physical and topographical features of the site
  • Weather conditions and wind direction
  • Field measurements of air contaminants
  • Air dispersion models of the chemical(s) involved
  • Physical, chemical, toxicological, and other characteristics of the chemical(s) present
  • Cleanup activities
  • Potential for fire or explosion
  • Adequate roads, power sources, and water
  1. Protect human health and safety
    • Protect incident responders
    • Protect the public
    • Control all hazards – in the material discharged, the equipment used, and the environments that are affected
  2. Contain the release
    • Control the source and terminate the flow
    • Contain the spill
      • Boom deployment, dikes and dams, dispersants, etc.
  3. Protect environmentally sensitive habitats and wildlife
    • Identify the habitats
    • Implement boom inlets
    • Rescue and further measures to protect wildlife
  4. Protect economically significant areas
    • Recreational areas such as parks and beaches
    • Residential areas
    • Public areas such as marinas and hotels
  5. Clean impacted areas
    • Physical recovery, chemical cleaners and bioremediation
  6. Remediate impacted areas
    • Assess natural resources damage and rehabilitate
    • Recover costs

Important Inquisitions for Major Oil Spills

  • What is the hazard (oil type, quantity, location, projected path)?
  • Have the proper response authorities been notified?
    • Law enforcement hotline:  (401) 222-3070 or (800) 498-1336
  • What human and environmental resources are most at risk?
  • Have citizens residing near the incident location been duly warned?
  • What is the source of the spill?
  • Who is the responsible party?
  • What is being done to minimize damage?
  • Who is coordinating emergency response and cleanup efforts?
  • Should additional authorities be notified?
    • If so, consult the “Notifications” section of the Emergency Response Plan

Source:  U.S. Department of Homeland Security National Response Plan, which can be found at the following link:  http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/NRP_Brochure.pdf

ESF #1 - Transportation

  • Federal and civil transportation support
  • Transportation safety
  • Restoration and recovery of transportation infrastructure
  • Movement restrictions
  • Damage and impact assessment

ESF #2 – Communications

  • Coordination with telecommunications industry
  • Restoration and repair of telecommunications infrastructure
  • Protection, restoration, and sustainment of national cyber and information technology resources

ESF #3 - Public Works and Engineering       

  • Infrastructure protection and emergency repair
  • Infrastructure restoration
  • Engineering services, construction management
  • Critical infrastructure liaison

ESF #4 - Firefighting

  • Firefighting activities on federal lands
  • Resource support to rural and urban firefighting operations

ESF #5 - Emergency Management

  • Coordination of incident management efforts
  • Issuance of mission assignments
  • Resource and human capital
  • Incident action planning
  • Financial management

ESF #6 - Mass Care, Housing, and Human Services

  • Mass care
  • Disaster housing
  • Human services

ESF #7 - Resource Support

  • Resource support (facility space, office equipment, contracting services, etc.)

ESF #8 - Public Health and Medical Service

  • Public health
  • Medical
  • Mental health services
  • Mortuary services

ESF #9 - Urban Search and Rescue

  • Life-saving assistance
  • Urban search and rescue

ESF #10 - Oil and Hazardous Materials Response

  • Oil and hazardous materials response (chemical, biological, radiological, etc.)
  • Environmental safety and short- and long-term cleanup

ESF #11 - Agriculture and Natural Resources

  • Nutrition assistance
  • Animal and plant disease and pest response
  • Food safety and security
  • Natural and cultural resources and historic properties protection and restoration

ESF #12 - Energy

  • Energy infrastructure assessment, repair, and restoration
  • Energy industry utilities coordination
  • Energy forecast

ESF #13 - Public Safety and Security

  • Facility and resource security
  • Security planning and technical and resource assistance
  • Support to access, traffic, and crowd control

ESF #14 - Long-Term Community Recovery and Mitigation

  • Social and economic community impact assessment
  • Long-term community recovery assistance to States, local governments, and the private sector
  • Mitigation analysis and program implementation

ESF #15 - External Affairs

  • Emergency public information and protective action guidance
  • Media and community relations
  • Congressional and international affairs
  • Tribal and insular affairs

Contact:  Administrator of Emergency Response – James Ball, (401) 537-4298

  • Protect the safety of incident responders and the public
  • Minimize efforts of the incident on the surrounding area
  • Deploy resources efficiently (max effect, minimum cost)
  • Safety Officer
    • Monitors safety of incident response
    • Develops measures for ensuring the safety of assigned personnel
  • Liaison Officer
    • Maintains contact with other agencies assigned to the incident response
  • Information Officer

Contact:  Chief Public Affairs Officer – Michael Healey, (401) 537-4138

Contact:  Administrator of Customer and Technical Assistance – Ron Gagnon, (401) 537-4013

  • Collect and synthesize information regarding the incident
  • Coordinate communication among incident responders
  • In cooperation with other responding agencies
  • Keeps the public, government officials, and media outlets informed

Compliance and Inspection

Contact:  Administrator of Compliance and Inspection – David Chopy, (401) 537-4442

  • Field assessment
  • Assess the impact of the incident on regulated and non-regulated facilities and dams
  • Issue appropriate warnings for responders and the public
  • Coordinate the handling of hazardous materials and waste, as well as the reestablishment of compliant facilities

Law Enforcement

Contact:  Chief of Law Enforcement – Dean Hoxsie, (401) 222-2284

  • Assess the impact of the incident on environmental law enforcement
  • Maintain order and communications within DEM
  • Provide logged 24-hour phone access to DEM with relays to the State Fire Marshall and the RI Emergency Management Agency (RI EMA)
  • Provide marine assets
  • Secure boundaries of incident site and regulate traffic with cooperating agencies (U.S. Coast Guard, state police, etc.)

Water Resources

Contact:  Administrator of Water Resources – Susan Kiernan, (401) 537-4246

  • Assess impact of incident on water quality
  • Issue appropriate warnings for responders and the public
  • Assist watershed, marine and groundwater recovery

Fish and Wildlife

Contact:  Chief of Fish and Wildlife – Phillip Edwards, (401) 789-0281

Contact:  Chief of Coastal Resources – Dan Costa, (401) 782-4587

  • Identify sensitive fishing and wildlife areas
  • Assess impact of incident on fish and wildlife
  • Issue appropriate warnings for responders and the public (suspend commercial fishing, prohibit boats from entering spill zone, etc.)
  • Minimize impacts on fish and wildlife (create barriers, tend to wildlife, etc.)
  • Assist in restoring vitality of fish and wildlife resources

Land Revitalization and Sustainable Materials Management

Contact:  Administrator of Land Revitalization and Sustainable Materials Management – Leo Hellested, (401) 537-4329

  • Assess impact of incident on solid waste generation and disposal sites
  • Issue appropriate warnings for responders and the public
  • Issue permits or waivers for emergency waste handling
  • Coordinate the containment and disposal of sources of pollution
  • Assist waste generation and disposal sites in reestablishing compliant operations

Air Resources

Contact:  Administrator of Air Resources – Laurie Grandchamp, (401) 537-4378

  • Assess impact of incident on air quality and regulated emissions
  • Issue appropriate warnings for responders and the public
  • Provide technical assistance in reestablishing compliant emissions

Parks and Recreation and Forest Environments

Contact:  Administrator of Parks and Recreation – Frank Floor, (401) 667-6200

Contact:  Chief of Agriculture and Forest Environment – Ken Ayars, (401) 537-4267

  • Assess impact of incident on state parks, forests and recreational facilities
  • Identify sensitive areas on state property
  • Issue appropriate warnings for responders and the public
  • Secure all affected facilities
  • Participate in search and rescue
  • Suppress wildland fires with cooperating agencies
  • Secure, transport and properly dispose of debris
  • Restore DEM properties and facilities for public use

Agriculture

Contact:  Chief of Agriculture and Forest Environment – Ken Ayars, (401) 537-4267

  • Assess impact of the incident on agriculture (loss of produce, potential outbreak of crop disease, etc.)
  • Monitor radioactivity in vegetation
  • Issue appropriate warnings for responders and the public
  • Coordinate the evaluation, treatment, quarantine, or euthanasia and disposal of distressed livestock or tainted agricultural products
  • Issue emergency licenses and institute procedures for pesticide application, farm pond construction or livestock transportation
  • Assist farmers in recovery

Resources Unit

Contact:  Appropriate divisions of the Bureau of Natural Resources

  • Assess and document any necessary resources (material, personnel, allied agencies, community volunteers, etc.)
  • Define optimal deployment strategies (acquisition, check-in, staging, assignment, rotation in and out of service, etc.)
  • Report to Operations on resource readiness

Situation Unit

Contact:  Administrator of Compliance and Inspection – David Chopy, (401) 537-4442

Contact:  Administrator of Land Revitalization and Sustainable Materials Management – Leo Hellested, (401) 537-4329

Contact:  Chief of Agriculture and Forest Environment – Ken Ayars, (401) 537-4267

  • Evaluate the incident and response functions
  • Identify human and environmental resources at risk
  • Support Operations in modulating response
  • Document situation status

GIS Unit

Contact:  Chief of Information Management – Warren Angell, (401) 537-4039

  • Coordinate the collection and synthesis of geographic information on environmental assets in the incident area, incident impacts and response
  • Supply Operations Section with mapping equipment and maps

Demobilization Unit

Contact:  Administrator of Compliance and Inspection – David Chopy, (401) 537-4442

Contact:  Administrator of Land Revitalization and Sustainable Materials Management – Leo Hellested, (401) 537-4329

Contact: Administrator of Water Resources – Susan Kiernan, (401) 537-4246

  • Evaluate long-range alternatives for securing or remediating the site of the incident
  • Establish procedures for takin response resources and facilities out of service
  • Plan for cost recovery

Communication Unit

Contact:  Chief of Law Enforcement – Dean Hoxsie, (401) 222-2284

Contact:  Chief of Information Management – Warren Angell, (401) 537-4039

  • Implement protocols for optimal communications among responders
  • Acquire, assign and maintain equipment for responders to speak with or leave messages for each other
  • Coordinate the collection and sharing of information among cooperating agencies
  • Report regularly to Incident Command and Public Relations

Supply Unit

Contact:  Deputy Administrator of Parks and Recreation – Jennifer Ogren, (401) 667-6200

  • Acquire personnel and materials for operation
  • Coordinate purchase, employment, and contracting with Finance and Management services

Facilities Unit

Contact:  Chief of Planning and Development – Megan DiPrete, (401) 537-4488

  • Establish site(s) for incident response (command post, staging areas, etc.)
  • Coordinate selection of sites for collection, temporary storage, or disposal of incident waste

Environmental Unit

Human Resources Unit

Contact:  Office of Human Resources – Dawn Grimes, (401) 537-4034

  • Engage personnel for incident response
  • Track and document the movement of personnel in and out of incident response
  • Coordinate emergency employment practices with the Management Services Unit

Management Services Unit

Contact:  Director Management Services – Emily Cahoon, (401) 537-4085

  • Identify funds and expedite paperwork for incident response
  • In consultation with cooperating agencies and the responsible party
  • Advise Operations Section on budget control
  • Coordinate the documenting of resources committed to the incident
  • Analyze costs and prepare documents for recovering funds

Legal Unit

Contact:  Executive Counsel of Legal Services – Mary Kay, (401) 537-4411

  • Collect evidence for potential prosecution of the responsible party

Represent DEM in legal proceedings (negotiating with and or prosecuting the responsible party, securing injunctions or restraining orders, etc.)

Chart of the Incident Command Structure for Emergency Response

Find a list of DEM Emergency Response Materials below:

This contact list is up to date as of August 6, 2020.

Name

Office/

Position

Office Phone #

Cell Phone #

Area of Expertise

James Ball

Emergency Response

Emergency Response Coordinator

(401) 537-4298

Oil & Hazardous Materials Specialist, CAMEO Proficient

John Leo

Emergency Response

(401) 222-1360, ext. 7127

Oil & Hazardous Materials Specialist, Toxicology, Chemistry

David Dumsar

Emergency Response

(401) 537-4303

Oil & Hazardous Materials Specialist, CAMEO Proficient

Jason Caswell

Emergency Response

(401) 537-4299

Oil & Hazardous Materials Specialist, CAMEO Proficient

Andrew Palmer

Emergency Response

(401) 537-4305

Oil & Hazardous Materials Specialist, CAMEO Proficient

Lynne DeBritto

Emergency Response

(401) 537-4302

Documentation

Paul Jordan

Planning and Development

Acting Deputy Chief

(401) 537-4497

GIS Specialist

Conor McManus

Marine Fisheries

Deputy Chief

(401) 423-1941

Marine Biology

Susan Forcier

Environmental Protection

Deputy Director

(401) 537-4135

Chemical Engineering

Katherine Rodrigue

Marine Fisheries

Principle Biologist

(401) 423-1944

Marine Biology

Jason McNamee

Bureau of Natural Resources

Deputy Director

(401) 537-4141

Marine Biology

Mark Dennen

Land Revitalization & Sustainable Materials Management

Deputy Administrator

 (401) 537-4323

Medical Waste Expert

Scott Marshall

Agriculture

State Public Health Veterinarian

(401) 537-4281

Veterinary Expert
Joseph Haberek

Water Resources

Administrator for Surface Water Protection

(401) 537-4238

Fisheries Closure

Matthew Puglia

Water Resources

Operations & Maintenance

(401) 537-4153

Wastewater Treatment

Olney Knight

Forest Environment

Forester, Forest Fie Program Coordinator

(401) 539-1052

(401) 539-2356

ICS Certified

Michael Byrns

RIDOH

Environmental Health Risk Assessment Toxicologist

(401) 222-7766

(630) 716-0345

Toxicology

Lenny Giuliano

Emergency Response

State Meteorologist

(401) 537-4304

Weather

Dylan Ferreira

Fish and Wildlife

Senior Wildlife Biologist

(401) 789-0281

Biology

 

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