moline 110428 water contamination sit_man_presentation_ttx_tool

1Water Contamination Scenario

Water Contamination Scenario

Tabletop Exercise


Tabletop ExerciseTabletop Exercise

Welcome and Introductions Discuss agenda for the day Review administrative details Start the exercise


Welcome and IntroductionsWelcome and Introductions

Name

Organization

Emergency Response Experience



Bob Martin

Water Services Director

Alfred Benesch & Company


– Former General Manager DuPage Water Commission

– Developed VA and ERP

– Development of SOPs



Name

Organization



AgendaAgenda

Review exercise materials and rules Review scenario(s)

– Break

Facilitated Discussion Period Action-Planning Session (“Hot wash”) Review and Conclusion Closing Comments


Administrative DetailsAdministrative Details

Location of emergency exits Location of restrooms Cell phone/pager management Logging your time to fulfill training

requirements Sign-in sheet and participant form


Exercise Benefits:Exercise Benefits: Increase readiness in the event of an

actual emergency Provide a means to assess effectiveness

of response plans and response capabilities

Serve as a training tool for response personnel and their involvement with other response agencies

Provide an opportunity to practice skills and improve individual performance in a non-threatening environment


Exercise Benefits: (cont.)Exercise Benefits: (cont.) Require participants to network with each

other and pre-plan decisions on how to use resources

Identify planning conflicts or gaps Identify resource needs and opportunities

for sharing of resources Clarify internal and external roles and

responsibilities


Exercise Objectives:Exercise Objectives:At the conclusion of this exercise, participants should be

able to do the following:

Define or refine participants’ roles and responsibilities in regards to managing the consequences of a water contamination incident, which should be reflected in their plans, policies, and procedures and other preparedness elements currently in place or under development

Build relationships between utilities and stakeholders

Determine neighboring utility water infrastructure capabilities and needs


Exercise Objectives: (cont.)Exercise Objectives: (cont.)

Identify water infrastructure coordination requirements of state agencies coordinating under the appropriate Emergency Support Functions

Identify other needed enhancements related to training and exercises and other preparedness elements currently in place or under development.

This session will not be a success unless you as a participant go back to your office and follow through.


Roles and Responsibilities:Roles and Responsibilities: Players respond to the situation presented based

on expert knowledge of response procedures, current plans and procedures, and insights derived from training and experience

Facilitators lead the exercise by presenting the scenario narrative and facilitating the discussion period and “hot wash” (Action-Planning Session or review session)

Evaluators monitor the exercise, track accomplishments according to objectives, and may ask questions

Observers observe the exercise but do not participate in the facilitated discussion period


Exercise Rules:Exercise Rules:

There is no single solution Varying viewpoints, even disagreements are

expected Dialogue encouraged within a safe, open,

stress-free environment Respond based on your knowledge Your organization’s positions or policies do

not limit you Make your best decision based on the

circumstances presented

14

Exercise Rules: (cont.)Exercise Rules: (cont.) Assume cooperation and support from other

responders and agencies Basis for discussion consists of scenario

narratives, your experience, your understanding, and your intuition

All information required to drive discussion during the tabletop exercise is contained in exercise material

Treat every scenario as if it will affect your area - don’t “fight” the scenario

Water Contamination Scenario


Action-Planning Session:Action-Planning Session: Following the facilitated discussion period, the

facilitator will lead an Action-Planning Session, also known as a “hot wash”

Participants are encouraged to identify, discuss, and prioritize next steps, actions, tasks, and other follow-up activities

Identify additional collaborators if needed

Schedule a follow-up meeting


Water Water Contamination ScenarioContamination Scenario


Water Contamination ScenarioWater Contamination Scenario The local news reports a generalized increase in

stomach flu for the community.

Due to several recent intrusions and intentional contamination incidents on drinking water utilities around the region, the drinking water utility staff is concerned.

The drinking water utility decides to increase sampling, but during morning briefings, finds that a large percentage of the utility staff are out sick or are at home taking care of sick family members.


Water Contamination Scenario (cont.)Water Contamination Scenario (cont.) The city manager calls in the afternoon stating that

there are rumors that the drinking water is the source of the outbreak of illness and that news reports have started to mention drinking water in association with the outbreak.

A local hospital calls later in the afternoon and states that laboratory tests are completed and that positive Cryptosporidium results had been reported in clinical samples from sick patients.

The drinking water utility decides to take samples from the water distribution system to send to a laboratory for analysis.


Water Contamination Scenario (cont.)Water Contamination Scenario (cont.) The local emergency management office has called

an emergency meeting including participation from public health agencies, along with community drinking water and wastewater utilities.

An environmental group is asking whether the wastewater plants will be affected by Cryptosporidium and if the treatment plants will be able to remove or kill it before the water is discharged to the environment.

Other local drinking water utilities that receive water from the potentially affected utility are calling to see if the source of the contamination has been determined.

Other drinking water utilities downstream of the affected utility are calling to determine whether downstream utilities may also be at risk.


Facilitated Discussion PeriodFacilitated Discussion PeriodDiscuss the questions found in your Discuss the questions found in your

Situation Manual as a group Situation Manual as a group


Facilitated Discussion PeriodFacilitated Discussion Period

Notification and Activation Process How will the utility be notified of this event? How will you maintain situational awareness? How will you activate your emergency response

plan? What does the ERP activate?



Mobilization and Operations What procedures have been developed to assess

the situation and take initial action to support the response?



Coordination Who will the utility coordinate with concerning

response and remediation? What are the expectations for their support? What specific coordination procedures have been

developed to ensure successful coordination?



Coordination Where can processes and procedures for

coordinating laboratory analytical support for water contamination incidents be found?

What EPA laboratory network member laboratories may be available to provide analytical support and how can these laboratories be identified?



Logistics What procedures have been developed to

address logistical support (e.g., food, shelter, and equipment for responders) during this event?

What procedures and/or provisions are in place to support personnel with special needs (e.g., lost or damaged personal property, injured or killed family/friends, psychologically impacted by the devastation) due to the incident?



Communications How will communications be handled, including to

internal staff, to the public, and to officials? Who is responsible for internal, public, and other

communication activities during this incident? What procedures have been previously

developed for use during this type of emergency? How would internal communication procedures change if normal communication links are disrupted?



Communications How do you determine if an advisory or public

notification (such boil water or do not use) needs to be issued for this incident? How would this occur without power and if normal communication media such as TV and radio outlets are unavailable? What alternative resources could be available to issue an advisory?



Finance and Administration What procedures have been developed to

address incident-related expenses? How are financial and other incident records

maintained?



Demobilization What procedures are in place to determine if the

demands from the event have lessened to the point that the utility no longer needs support?

What activities are described during demobilization?



Recovery When does response end and recovery begin? What facilities and/or activities are most critical and

require immediate attention at the conclusion of response activities?

What tools are available to assist in identification of contaminants, water treatment methods, and infrastructure decontamination?

What procedures are in place to expedite the recovery process and return to normal business operations?



Emergency Response Plans Does the utility’s ERP address this situation? If a severe contamination event has been

discovered at the utility, what initial steps would the utility take?

What steps should be taken immediately to minimize additional supply contamination?



Utility Preparedness Are there any known vulnerabilities in the water

treatment or supply system? Has the source of contamination been identified

and can it be isolated?



Laboratory Support What laboratory support will be needed and how

will this be coordinated? Where will I identify analytical methods to detect

contaminants? [WCIT, SAM]



Business Continuity How will the utility address its continuity of

operations and the reduced number of personnel?

What actions should your utility take to ensure that additional personnel are not exposed (e.g., personal protective equipment (PPE) during routine operations)?



Local and State Coordination What local and state organizations would be

helpful in response to this type of situation and how will their support be coordinated?

Who will your utility coordinate with concerning response and remediation?



Federal Coordination If the conditions in this scenario were to escalate

and federal assistance was needed, what are the expectations for support and which agency would be contacted? Who will coordinate this effort at the utility?



Mutual Aid and Assistance What mutual aid and assistance from other

utilities will be useful in this situation? If your utility does not have enough personnel

during the incident, what other options are available and have arrangements been made in advance?



Law Enforcement What inspection or surveillance programs are in

place to detect any physical security breaches in utility appurtenances, such as water storage facilities and the distribution system? Does the utility have a “neighborhood watch” or “water watchers” program in place within the served community?


Action-Planning Session Action-Planning Session Post-Exercise “Hot Wash”Post-Exercise “Hot Wash”


Action-Planning Session:Action-Planning Session:During this “hot wash” or review, we will:

Answer the Action-Planning questions found in your Situation Manual

In the Action-Planning Matrix, identify issues and actions/tasks/follow-up

Using the Action-Planning Guide, assign responsibilities, resources, and timelines for each action/task/follow-up


Review and ConclusionReview and Conclusion


ReviewReview

Verify exercise objectives were met: Define how participants work together

during a significant water sector incident Establish relationships Determine capabilities and needs Identify strengths and areas of

improvement Identify recommendations for

enhancements to training, exercises, and other preparedness elements


ConclusionConclusion Please turn in your notes from the Action-

Planning Session, your participant evaluation form, and any additional comments you wish to share

This information will be used to develop an After Action Report and Improvement Plan


Closing RemarksClosing Remarks

Thanks for participatingThanks for participating

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