Emergency Response/Contingency Plan

Evacuation Procedures  

In the event of an emergency, such as fire, explosion, significant release of hazardous vapors, etc., the Safety Officer, Operations Section Chief or Incident Commander will sound a predetermined signal (an example would be an air horn for three 5-second intervals) indicating the initiation of evacuation procedures. All personnel will evacuate and assemble near the support zone or other safe area as identified each day. Supervisors and/or members of the Command and General Staff will assure that all APHIS personnel and contractors are accounted for at the assemble areas. The Incident Safety Officer, or designee, will communicate to field teams the status of the current situation. The Field Teams will be cautioned to stay out of the area until termination of this situation. The Incident Commander, or designee, will have the authority to initiate proper action if outside services are required. Under no conditions will incoming personnel or visitors be allowed to proceed into the area once the emergency signal has been given. The Incident Commander and/or Operations Section Chief will ensure access for emergency equipment is provided and that all sources that could feed or increase combustion has been shut down once the alarm has been sounded.  The Fire Department and other emergency response groups will be notified by telephone of the emergency as soon as possible.