SOP 209.10 TORNADO RESPONSE PLAN

The Fire and Emergency Medical Services are responsible for the following duties during a TORNADO RESPONSE.

1. Search and Rescue Activities
2. Medical Triage, Treatment and Transport
3. Control of Hazardous Situations
4. Fire Control and Property Conservation

OPERATIONAL READINESS (PRE-STORM PHASE)

The Shift Commander will assure that duty staff is at full capacity during a pre-storm phase (when tornado watches are issued)

The Shift Commander is authorized to:

Recall off-duty personnel as needed.

Request emergency maintenance or repairs for apparatus or equipment to assure operational readiness.

Notify the Fire Chief and/or Asst. Fire Chief that the department is at pre-storm phase readiness.

Assure that apparatus and equipment is full of fuel.

Check mobile and portable radio Communications and have radio batteries at full charge.

STORM PHASE (WHEN TORNADO STORMS ARE OCCURING)

All Department personnel should take cover and prepare as per Tornado Safety information, to insure the safety of all emergency personnel.

Remember these storms include:

Destructive Force Winds

Large Hail

Deadly Lightning

Flying Debris.

Take all precautions necessary to protect department personnel and equipment during this phase, and above all do not respond while a Tornado is on the ground.

AFTERMATH PHASE (TIME OF EMERGENCY RESPONSE)

Following the Tornado when emergency response is required, the following unsafe conditions may be present while responding:

Downed energized power-lines

Trees, Automobiles, Buildings and Debris may be blocking the street or roadway

High Water or Flooded Areas

Escaping Hazardous Chemicals, Liquids or Gases

Injured People or Animals lying in the street or adjacent easements

When responding, all personnel will follow the following rules:

Life before Property

Stabilize existing incidents found during a response and Dispatch other available units to called responses.

Maintain and inventory of resources and advise the EOC when resources of manpower and supplies are low so that ample lead-time will allow for a smooth replenishment of resources.

Report all hazardous conditions to the Field Command Post and/ or the EOC.

When your unit arrives in the area, report the type and extent of damage within your area to the EOC.

Priorities are as Follows:

1. Stabilize Conditions that may affect an extensive number of people.
2. Triage, Treatment and Transport of Injured people.
3. Search all Damaged and Fringe Areas for Injured people.
4. Rescue, Extricate, Treat and Transport any injured people found in these areas.
5. Search and Remove all fatally injured people.

NOTE: All Medical Operations will operate per SOP 209.08

NOTE: All operations included in this response will strictly adhere to SOP 205 (entire section) Safety

NOTE: All Hazardous Materials Operations will adhere to SOP 209.02 [Hazardous Materials Tactical Plans].

During these operations Mutual-Aid may not be available from near by communities because they also may be dealing with damage; therefore, modified tactical considerations must be applied.

TACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS:

Liquid Hazardous Material Spills:

Use of Hydrocarbon emulsifier.

Foam (AFFF, ATF)

Petro-Seal (Plug Leaks) .

Aqua Seal (Plug water or acid leaks)

Diking and Neutralization

Gas or Vapor Leaks

Gas Crews

Portable Clamps

Plugs or Seals

Evacuation and removal of ignition sources

Close Sector Valves or Main Natural Gas Valves at Both ends of the city to secure major natural gas leaks.

Unstable Conditions

Shut down railroad traffic due to weak tracks and debris on railroad tracks, bridges and crossings.

Close down interstate highway as tanker traffic may pose a hazard due to road, bridges and the debris upon them.

Fires

If a severely damaged structure or vehicle is “All Clear” of people, then "write it off" and protect exposures.

Perform your rescues and medical treatment and if resources are not available to protect or extinguish structures that are on fire the decision must be made to "write it off".

RULE: TREAT THE OBVIOUS, PROTECT WITHIN YOUR CAPABILITIES AND REMOVE THE POTENTIAL BEFORE IT BECOMES A PROBLEM.

POST ACTIVITY

Any apparatus or equipment that was damaged or destroyed shall be reported to the Fire Chief.

All Operational equipment shall be serviced and returned to service.

All Personnel will be debriefed and evaluated for any Post Incident Trauma or Stress.

All Reports and Documentation shall be forwarded to the Administrative Secretary.

A Full Critique will be held as soon as possible following an incident.