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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 12141993 - 2.7 4 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FROM: Hazardous Materials Commission ;. } �;. Contra by: Barbara Masters, Executive Assistant 4 r Costa DATE: December 13, 1993 ;�ro-. County SUBJECT: Community Notification Committee Recommendations SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. Accept report from the Hazardous Materials Commission. 2. Authorize the Health Services Department to work with the CAER Technical Subcommittee in selecting the Project Manager and the engineering firm to conduct the design study. 3. Agree to appoint the Advisory Board to the Project Manager, to be comprised of three community (one each from West, Central and East), two industry and two agency representatives. BACKGROUND/REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION: Last August, following the General Chemical oleum release, the Hazardous Materials Commission held a meeting in Richmond to discuss issues relating to the release. The Commission found that the current emergency alerting and notification system was not adequate to quickly inform the public of an incident and of the protective action that is needed. The Commission unanimously adopted a motion requesting that the Community Notification Committee,which had just been established,prepare a report with recommendations regarding the implementation of a notification system that included sirens. The Commission urged that this be done with maximum speed, but no later than the end of 1993. On December 8, the Community Notification Committee issued its report which would build on the four-part system adopted by the Board of Supervisors in October 1991. It includes recommendations to: ♦ Enhance the alerting and notification system to include sirens in the industrial areas and the ability to activate pagers, tone-alerts and car radios; ♦ Conduct an engineering study to develop final design criteria for the system; ♦ Request industry to fund the infrastructure of the system and the sirens in the industrial zones where the risk from industrial accidents exists; and ♦ Develop a comprehensive and ongoing public education program. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: X YES SIGNATURE G9 � RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE _OTHER SIGN ATURE(S)A&hh ACTION OF BOARD ON Y,3 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED X OTHER jX The Board agreed to wk the Supervisors' offices for input if necessary, for nominees to the Advisory Board to the Project Manager. VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE UNANIMOUS (ABSENT ) AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD ABSENT: ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. Contact Person: Barbara Masters 370-5022 CC: Health Services Director ATTESTED j !_ Hazardous Materials Commission PHIL BATCHELOR, CLERK OF THE BOARD OF (via HSD) SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BY � DEPUTY -2- The Hazardous Materials Commission congratulates the Committee for its work in developing this report. It represents a strong consensus among the agencies, industry and the community and we support their recommendations. We also appreciate the Committee's recognition of the urgency of this project and the effort made to meet the timeframe requested by the Commission. The Commission unanimously adopted a motion on December 8 to endorse the Committee report and refer it to the Board of Supervisors for consideration. The Commission also agreed to submit the following comments made at the Commission meeting on December 8 to both the Board of Supervisors and the Community Notification Committee for consideration; no recommendations or actions on these comments were taken: 1) If possible the components of the system, particularly sirens, should be implemented sooner rather than later. (Suggested by Denny Larson, CBE). 2) The Advisory Board should be appointed as soon as possible so that it can have input into the sel�ton of the Project Manager (Suggested by Denny Larson, CBE). 3) Rather than appoint another advisory board, the Hazardous Materials Commission could serve as the advisory board to the Project Manager (suggested by a Commission member). CODDIUNITY EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION REPORT AND RE COM!?]ENDAT IONS by CONTRA COSTA COUNTY COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION COMMITTEE Authorized By CONTRA COSTA COUNTY HEALTH SERVICES DEPARTMENT And CONTRA COSTA COUNTY CAER COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION COMMITTEE MEMBERS AGENCIES : Floyd J. Cormier Jr . Richmond Fire Department Bud Markwith Martinez Police Department Randy Sawyer Health Services Department COMMUNITY AND CITY REPRESENTATIVES : David Boatwright Antioch Lynn Cherry Rodeo Henry Clark North Richmond Sabiha Gokcen Martinez Hal Habinski Crockett David Hobbs Pittsburg David Howard Richmond Marilyn Leuck Hercules INDUSTRY : Tony Semenza (Chairman) Chevron Joe Tovar Dow Chemical Eric Brink Shell Oil Company Lanny Partain Unocal ADVISORS : Pam Puckett Pagni Supervisor Jeff Smith Donna Powers Richmond City Council Tracy Hein-Silva (Staff) Health Services Department David Wise Consultant Ed Murray Crockett i SUB-COMMITTEE MEMBERS REPORT SUB-COMMITTEE Tony Semenza Randy Sawyer Pam Puckett Pagni David Howard Ed Murray Joe Tovar Eric Brink Sabiha Gokcen Lanny Partain DESIGN SUB-COMMITTEE Sabiha Gokcen Eric Brink Randy Sawyer Bud Markwith David Hobbs David Howard FUNDING SUB-COMMITTEE Lynn Cherry Floyd Cormier Marilyn Leuck Pam Puckett Tony Semenza EDUCATION SUB-COMMITTEE Joe Tovar David Boatwr_'Lg1-,.­_ Hal Habinski Tracy Hein-Silva Donna Powers Lanny Partain FIELD INVESTIGATION SUB-COMMITTEE Eric Brink Randy Sawyer David Howard Tony Semenza Joe Tovar Donna Powers ii COMKMITY NOTIFICATION COMMITTEE REPORT TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HISTORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SYSTEM DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EDUCATION RECOMMENDATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . is i n FUNDING RECOMMENDATIOIN'S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Z- PROJECT MANAGER. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 CONCLUSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 APPENDIX A — MANUFACTURER/VENDOR PRESENTATIONS . . . . 26 APPENDIX B — FIELD INVESTIGATION REPORT . . . . . . . . . . . 30 APPENDIX C LEPC ' S WALLY WISE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Community Notification Committee (CNC) was organized as a result of an industrial accident that occurred on July 26, 1993 in Richmond . This committee of community, agency and industrial representatives was formed through Community Awareness Emergency Response (CAER) and the county Health Services Department . The committee ' s role was to review emergency notification systems and to develop a report and to enhance the county ' s ability to notify residents in an emergency . These recommendations build on the current notification system to create a state-of-the-art integrated county-wide emergency alerting and notification system for the citizens of Contra Costa County . This system would provide the best possible protection by alerting and notifying people during fires, explosions, chemical releases, earthquakes and any other major incidents which might occur . The county committee focused on three main issues : the design of the system, educational requirements for a system of this magnitude, and funding the entire project • The committee spent over fifteen hundred hours meeting weekly with vendors, reviewing information and visiting sites around the country, which already have systems in place. These recommendations are a result of that process and are briefly outlined below. COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION COMMITTEE REPORT AND RECOMNENDA':IONS This report does not represent a comprehensive review of all systems in use today, but does examine systems in communities that have issues similar to those facing Contra Costa County . It is important to understand the difference between •alerting• and 'notifying' as they are used in the report . Alerting refers to the sounding of an audible alarm such as a siren . Notifying refers to an integrated communications system which uses mass media and other means to provide information regarding the nature of an emergency and instructions on how to respond to it . Recognition of the issues and consideration of the recommendations in this report will provide decision makers with necessary information to enhance the current alerting- notification systems already in place . This report is consistent with Contra Costa County ' s long-range goals as outlined by the plan adopted by the Board of Supervisors in October 1991 . That plan involved four main components : o Radio/Television Broadcasts, o Travelers Information Systems (TIS) , o Community Alert Network (CAN) , and o Audible warning Systems . 2 COK,,,',NIIY NOTIFICATION COWITTEE REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS A brief description of the recommendations made by the committee is included herein . RECOMMENDATIONS: 0 CAER should fund an engineering study by one of the following companies to develop the final design criteria for the system. 0 ATI Systems 0 SAGE Alerting Systems, Inc . 0 Wyle Laboratories 0 The project should be implemented in a phased approach . Phase one would include sirens to alert the population closest to the facility and the infrastructure for notifying the rest of the county . Phase two would expand the alerting capability county-wide . 0 Phase one should be funded by industry. Phase two should be funded by local communities . 3 COM. UNITY NOTIFICATION COMMITTEE REPOR- AND RFC0KIr_--ND.r.._I 0!1,C 0 A project manager should be appointed for Phase One of the project . 0 The system should be able to rapidly activate such things as sirens, pagers, tone-alerts, traffic-alerting signs and car radios . 0 The notification system must have the ability to ccmmnunica-_` information to major radio, TV, cable and traveler ' s information stations as soon as possible after an inciden,: occurs . 0 Activation centers should be located in selected facilities , cities and county dispatch centers , which are staffed 24 hours a day. 0 An enhanced public education program which focuses on the entire county should begin immediately . 4 CCWLTNITY NOTIFICATION COWITTEE REPORT AND RECOM Er--�-.T:ONS TIMELINE 0 Complete the engineering study by the end of the first quarter of 1994 . 0 Secure funding for Phase One by the end of the second quarter of 1994 . 0 Start Phase One implementation by the beginning of the third quarter of 1994 . 0 Complete phase one by the end of the second quarter of 199E' . 5 COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION COKVTTTEE REPOR- MD A BRIEF HISTORY The Contra Costa County CAER Group established a sub-committee, made up of agency and industrial representatives, which had begun preliminary research into emergency warning system enhancements prior to the time of the General Chemical incident . Members of this CAER sub-committee were incorporated into the Community Notification Committee . Contra Costa County, situated on the northeastern edge of the San Francisco Bay Area is ideally located for the installation of heavy industry which requires a deep water channel . The County has five large oil refineries and six large chemical plants skirting the edge of the coastline . Additionally, there are a number of smaller refineries and chemical plants . The County is traversed by several freeways and two rail lines, all involving the transport of chemicals and petroleum products . Contra Costa County is adjacent to the Berkeley and Oakland hills and its terrain and construction are also vulnerable to fires like the 1991 Oakland conflagration. 6 COWJKITY NOTIFICATION COMMITTEE REPOR'r WD REC01^2END.;TIONS In the last five years, Contra Costa County has experienced at least 15 chemical release incidents . On July 26, 1993, the General Chemical plant in Richmond experienced a large sulfuric acid leak that affected a large number of people. Approximately 24, 000 people were screened by medical personnel . Contra Costa County already has some elements of a community notification system in place, such as CAN and Radio Station Kr,.T Thesesystemshave limitations, particularly with regard to speed of notification . As a result of the General Chemical incident, CAER, in conjunction with Contra Costa County Health Services, formed Community Notification Committee, which is comprised of a cross section of representatives from industry, local communities, and government agencies . This committee has been meeting on a weekly basis at the County Office of Emergency Services since August off 1993 . Regional subcommittees in Richmond and Rodeo/Hercules/Crockett have begun exploring ways to involve the broader community in the process . 7 COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION COWITTEE REPORT AND RECOKC-ND.t,71"N--- The committee heard presentations from several vendors (see Appendix A) of emergency warning systems, viewed videos and reviewed extensive written material . Three subcommittees were formed to investigate the issues of design, education, and funding. CAER sent six CNC members to Louisiana and Texas to study communities and industries using emergency warning systems (see Appendix B. ) This investigation team met with representatives from the media, industry, government and the local communities . This report is the result of the committee ' s investigation . 8 C(>L TNITY NOTIFICATION COMMITTEE REPORT AND RECOf*-ENDA770`:� SYSTEM DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS INTRODUCTION A need exists for a fully integrated ALERT and NOTIFICATION system in Contra Costa County. An integrated system is more efficient and effective than having each individual facility within the county provide its own non-connected alerting system. This public alert and notification system should be designed to deal with emergencies such as earthquakes, floods, and fires, as well as chemical releases . The need for a fully integrated system includes the capabillt_­.- concurrently activate sirens, page emergency workers, control electronic signals, dispatch response vehicles, securely communicate between emergency command centers and transmit information to the public. GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS The Community Notification Network should build on and integrate the current elements in place to provide the most advanced, rapid acting, and comprehensive emergency alert and notification system available. 9 COWUNITY NOTIFICATION COMMITTEE REPORT AN:' RECOM_V_rNDt.713N`S 0 The system should have state-of-the-art emergency response and reaction capabilities . 0 It should provide for the rapid, secure deployment of emergency management personnel to the scene of an incident . 0 It should alert and notify the public of emergency conditions and of appropriate responses expected cf they . 0 The initial development should focus on industrialized areas of the county that pose the most significant risk to the public. 0 An engineering study should be undertaken as soon as possible to develop the specific criteria for a complete alert/notification system. This should be done through the oversight of the Contra Costa County CAER Technical Sub- committee. The scope of this study should: 0 Focus on the Industrial Zones (located from Richmond to Antioch along the Bay and Carquinez Strait . ) 0 Plan for 100% coverage for the designated emergency planning zones (initially I mile from the facility boundary. ) 10 COWT%ITY NC'r!F--,CA'ION COWIT-AEE REPORT AND RECOMMEN-j;,7:0NS 0 Consider future county-wide expansion of the system. ALERTING SYSTEM RECOMMENDATIONS The most effective way to quickly alert the public near an industrial facility is to sound sirens . The sirens alert the public to go inside, shelter-in-place, turn on their radio or TV and listen for directions relating to public health and safety. 0 Industrial facilities having sirens should be capable of alerting the population out to a distance of approximately one mile. This is the population that could be immediately affected by a toxic release and needs to be alerted first . 0 After siren installation at industrial areas is completed, siren systems may be expanded to cover the non- industrialized areas of Contra Costa County. This would alert the public for transportation accidents, fires, earthquakes, and other types of natural and man-made disasters . 0 System activation controls must be simple, user friendly, fast, and have back-up power. The system should be capable of activating individual sirens or all of the sirens in a particular zone . COMMLTNTTY NOTIFICATION COMmITTEE REPORT AND RECO1^_S-NDA-1ONS 0 The siren system must be easily tested and maintained. It should have self-diagnostic capability. 0 The siren system should be secured in such a way as to reduce the likelihood of sabotage . 0 The sound produced by the siren must be unique so it is not confused with the sound of police, ambulance, or fire sirens, or industrial signals . 0 The siren system must meet all environmental requirements and or restrictions . 0 Sirens having public address capability need only be considered if outdoor areas subject to public gatherings require it (such as recreational areas and beaches . ) 0 Generally, the siren system should be activated by government authorities after consultation with the affected industrial facility. 0 Facilities choosing to have activation capabilities should develop procedures in coordination with local and/or county agencies . 12 COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION C.OWITTEE REPORT AND RECOK---KDATZON� 0 Redundant siren activation centers are mandatory. NOTIFICATION SYSTEMS RECOMMENDATIONS The activation of a siren system does nothing more than alert the public that an unusual event has occurred. The proper response is to go inside, shelter-in-place, and turn on the radio and/or television for further instruction. An integrated not4Lficaticn system communicates the nature of the incident and any additional response requirements . Periodic informational updates can also be transmitted to keep the public fully informed. 0 In order to work effectively and reach the maximum number Of people, an integrated notification system should include the following: • Access to the Emergency Broadcast System • Access to major radio and television stations • Access to Traveler's Information Systems (TIS) • Access to local cable television 0 Community Alert Network (CAN) 13 COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION COWITTEE REPORT AND 0 Tone Alert Receivers (for Special Facilities such as schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and day care centers) 0 Emergency Pagers (for emergency responders and key emergency management personnel) 0 Telephone call-out systems for emergency personnel 0 Activation of these notification systems should be simple and fast . SUMMARY An integrated notification system is predicated on the ability ol" the system to provide accurate informaticn to the public _J .- a fast, efficient manner. The best hardware in the world will create more problems than it solves unless the public knows what to do when the siren sounds . 14 COWJNITY NOTIFICATION COWITTEE REPORT An RECOMMENDP.-,TOI;C EDUCATION RECOMMENDATIONS OBJECTIVE The objective of the educational process is to ensure that the greatest number of County residents possible understand the meaning of the audible alarms and the appropriate response to emergency notification. INTRODUCTION There are two key parts to the notification process which will require extensive public education: o Alerting the public that a problem exists, and a Notifying the public of the problem and what protective steps they need to take . Educating the public is the most difficult part of implementing an alert/notification system. This conclusion was expressed from Deer Park, Texas to Convent, Louisiana during a Committee tour through the South to review existing siren systems . 15 COK%rJNITY NOTIFICATION COWITTEE REPORT ANT RECOHMENMAT101';_q Some of the difficult issues to be addressed are : 0 People usually do not worry about emergencies until they occur . 0 People frequently move into and out of communities . It is a challenge to keep all residents informed. 0 There are many languages and dialects spoken by residents ol- this county . 0 A number of county residents do not read or write . 0 People are not always at home when incidents occur . 0 Incidents requiring notification happen infrequently and without warning . 0 The retention of information and attention span of the public is often relatively short . To overcome these obstacles, industries, cities and the county will need to develop an on-going public education program. 16 COW�.NTTY NOTIFICATION CORMI-rTEE REPORT ;,ITD RECOMMENDA710',c MESSAGE The message that must be communicated to the public is : "When the siren sounds, go inside, shelter-in-place, and listen to designated radio/television stations for further information . ,, Shelter-in-place means "take shelter indoors, close all windows and doors, and turn off all air intake devices ( fans, air conditioner vents, etc . ) Seal off any spaces which would allow air to enter the interior space . Turn on the radio and/or television for further instructions . " TARGET AUDIENCE In addition to general notification, there are target audiences that will require more focused and specialized training, a partial list of these includes : 1 . Hearing Impaired 5 . Handicapped 2 . Non-English Speaking 6 . Boaters/Marinas 3 . Businesses 7 . Motorists 4 . Private Institutions 8 . Public Institutions 17 COWJNITY NOTIFICATION COWITTEE REPORT AN-D, RECOMMENa-',7--ONS RECOMMENDATIONS INITIAL PUBLIC EDUCATION The initial installation of alerting and notifying hardware will receive extensive media coverage . A program already needs to be in place to capitalize on this media awareness . 0 Contra Costa County CAER should take an active lead in the oversight of the initial phase of the educational process . 0 A consulting firm, skilled in public education, should be considered to handle developing and presenting the initial package of information . Their responsibilities could include such things as : 0 Developing communication skills, • Developing cost effective educational materials , and • Handling mass distribution of material to targeted audiences . 18 COWJN'ITY NOTIFICATION COMMITTEE REPORT MD RECOWMENDA.-'ONIS 0 CAER ' s Community Notification Sub-Committee should take an active role in presenting information through civic organizations, businesses, safety shows, schools and other events where the public assembles . 0 There should be an initial blitz of information through a2l, forms of media including but not limited to radio, television, newspapers, billboards, utility bill insert_- , and public presentations . The purpose of this phase is to saturate as much of the public with as much information as possible. 0 The message can be reinforced with such things as stickers , refrigerator magnets, calendars, and other visual aids to keep the program in the forefront . 0 The use of a "mascot" such as LEPC ' s "Wally Wise" (see Appendix C) or CAER' s "Paul Preparedness" may be helpful in communicating the message, especially to younger people . o The educational effort should be integrated into every school ' s curriculum. o Community groups should participate in the education process . 19 COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION COWITTEE REPORT AND RECOKMEND-TIONS ON-GOING PUBLIC EDUCATION After the initial presentation of information, it will be very important to have a continuing educational program to keep the procedures fresh in the public ' s mind. This will require frequent and repetitive reinforcement of the message . 0 CAER should lead the program for broad distribution of public education information, and each industrial facility -with sirens at its site should make certain that the people within its sphere of influence are well informed. This enable both CAER and the local industrial facilities to meet some of their community outreach objectives . 0 An event such as an "Emergency Awareness Week" sponsored by CAER and the County Office of Emergency Services and endorsed by the County School Board and Board of Supervisors would provide a vehicle for program reinforcement , particularly with school age children. SUMMARY The task is clear, the obstacles are real, and the solutions are limited only by the imagination. The bottom line is that when an incident occurs and the sirens sound, the message must be clearly and universally understood. 20 C0W5.TI;:-Y NOTIFICATION COMMITTEE REPORT AND RECOMMENMATIONS FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS INTRODUCTION Until the design criteria study is complete, final cost of this project will not be known . Funding should be considered in two phases . Phase One installs a system to alert people closest to the industrial facilities and provides the capability to notify the rest of the county . Phase Two should expand alerting capability county wide . PHASE ONE FUNDING 0 This phase, which includes Installing sirens at major industrial facilities and implementing an integrated notification system, should be funded by industry . 0 Industry should develop formulas to facilitate the equitable distribution of costs . 0 Methods for funding that have been used in other locations include: 0 Borrowing funds up front with industry repaying the loan, 21 COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION COWITTEE REPORT AND R_rCONtwr_N*DA_._'0N-'_ 0 Providing industry funding through a non-profit organization overseen by key representatives from industry, 0 Providing industry funding to county agencies who oversee the project , and 0 Each industry paying directly to contractors . 0 In all cases, industry worked through their local CAER/LE_PC_ organizations . PHASE 740 FUNDING 0 This phase, which includes expanding the alerting capab-'L111L%, to the complete county, should be funded by the communities involved. 0 Possible funding solutions for communities might include ; 0 FEMA or other federal government grants 0 State grants 22 COWJNITY NOTIFICATION COMNITTEE REPORT AND R-;COM-'-ENDAO!10NZ 0 General assessments to county taxpayers 0 Use of special purpose funds such as AB-100 As the final plan is formulated, additional research should be done to explore all possible avenues for funding . 23 1 COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION COMMITTEE REPORT ANT RECOMm_--P:1Fi77 PROJECT MANAGER A project manager will be needed to oversee the installation of the alert/notification system through the completion of Phase (the industrial zones . ) CAER ' s Technical Sub-committee and the County Health Services Department should select the project manager . The project manager should report to an advisory board comprise of 7 individuals . The board makeup should include three community, two industry, and two agency representatives . (Central , East and West County should each have one community representative . ) This board should be appointed by the Count}• Board of Supervisors . 24 COWIT,"rTY NOTIFICATION COWITTEE -REPORT AND RECOK,_'1-CNDA,-..10NS CONCLUSION In conclusion, the committee believes that if the recommendations of this report are accepted, Contra Costa County will be provided a state-of-the-art Public Alert and Notification System that will enhance significantly the public health and safety in the event of a man-made or natural disaster. 25 COKMITY NOTIFICATION COW.ITTEF REPORT AND RECOKI-EEND-.7!CNS APPENDIX A MANUFACTURER/VENDOR PRESENTATIONS ATI ATI ' s presentation to the committee was on September 16, 1993 . Since they were our first presentation, they detailed the strengths and weaknesses of all facets of community alert methods . They do not manufacture sirens, they will sell any manufacturer ' s sirens to the customer . Their primary strength is integration of sirens with other warning methods . To determine the number of sirens needed in a community, ATI has a sound modeling system which will account for variables such as wind direction, barriers, topography, and weather . The volume of a siren must be at least 10 decibels (10 dcb) above the ambient noise level in order to warn the community . ATI recommended that siren volume should be 120-130 dcb at 100 feet and that lower frequency tones be used since they penetrate farther into the community . 26 COK UNITY NOTIFICATION COMMITTEE REPOR_ IND, RECOM^-'�KDIA710N_ FEDERAL SIRENS Federal ' s presentation to the committee was on September 30 , 1993 . Federal is a manufacturer of sirens . Their primary strength is their state-of-the-art voice capable siren which has clear sound reproduction from 200 to 2 , 000 hertz . This siren is designed so that there are no null zones in the siren ' s coverage . To determine the number of sirens needed in a communir-y, Federal will study the topographical maps of the region, estimate the noise density and plot siren locations using a 10 dcb drop-off per doubling of distance . Federal manufactures both voice capable and tone-only sirens as well as electronic and mechanical sirens . 27 CUTiLTNITY NOT! ICAT.ION COM_vITTEE REPORT ANT RECON 1;DAA: ''" WHELEN SIRENS Whelen ' s presentation to the committee was on October 7 , 1993 . Whelen only manufactures electronic, voice-capable sirens . Whelen ' s primary strength is the security system for siren activation which utilizes a 10 tone signal . Whelen strongly recommended that the county must have an integrated radio syste set up to carry the signals for siren activation before they could begin siren installation in the county . Whelen also recommended that a design study be performed on the county frorr: an acoustic and radio network standpoint before any siren coy;:)=ny is hired . To determine the number of sirens needed in the community, Whelen would utilize the above study placing sirens based upon a 10 dcb drop-off as distance doubles . Whelen mentioned that due to earthquake concerns in this region, different building codes would have to be considered for sirens here than in other parts of the country . 28 COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION COMMITTEE REPORT AND P_rC0t0CN0A-:0N5 SAGE SIRENS Sage ' s presentation to the committee was on October 14, 1993 . Their primary strength is their utilization of the "systems approach" , in which all warning systems are interlinked to give maximum warning coverage to the community. Sage uses American Signal sirens and is willing to integrate any existing civil defense sirens into the new warning system. They will set up the necessary radio network for siren, tone-alert , activation, etc . This network is frequency-agile in the event that one frequency is blocked during an emergency. SAGE will arrange local broadcast station agreements to carry emergency information . The security of their systems is designed with defense capability in mind, utilizing a digital data system. SAGE systems integrate all indoor and outdoor alerting with notification simultaneously, i . e . , sirens, tone alerts, pagers , etc . are activated at the same time as the local mass media is captured to inform the public . 29 C0MMU?7ITY NOTIFICATION COMMITTEE REPORT Ah'D RECO�--_rNOATTONS APPENDIX B FIELD INVESTIGATION REPORT (NOVEMBER 9 - 12 , 1993 ) Deer Park Texas (November 9 1993 ) o CNC members wish to thank the following individuals for their assistance in making our visit a successful one : o Jack Beckham (Director Of Emergency Services) o John Berra (President, J. Berra Engineering, Inc . ) o Ed Hawthorne (Manager Health and Safety, Shell Oil Company) o Sgt . J.A. Roth (Deer Park Police Department ) o Captain E.G. Sturrock (Deer Park Police Department ) o Deer Park Texas is located in a heavily industrialized area along the Houston Ship Channel . Shell Oil Company is the area ' s major facility. There is an excellent cooperative relationship between industry and government . 30 C OKrJ,',*1 T Y NOT I F7 CAT-ON COMMITTEE REPORT AND REC0MMM-ND-Aor:0,N'_c 0 A total of 9 Whelen Siren systems (with voice capability and solar charged battery back-up) have been installed on public right-of-ways . One siren contains a weather station . Currently these sirens are used only for chemical releases . They are activated from the emergency operations center located at the Deer Park Police Department . 0 The Whelen siren systems are maintained by the city . The sirens are tested monthly. It appears that the Whelen controls have been historically difficult to program. 0 Some individual industrial facilities have also installer sirens on their property . The LEPC is developing plans to coordinate the use of these sirens into the Deer Park area emergency preparedness plan. 0 The nearby towns of LaPorte and Pasadena also have installed sirens . Unfortunately, activation protocols as well as siren tone/frequency have not been standardized between these towns . 0 other notification systems available in Deer Park include: 0 Whelen tone alert boxes (with standard messages) . 31 COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION COMMITTEE REPORT AND RECMENTD-71ON" 0 CAN system (including zones) . 0 Travelers Information Service (TIS) radio. 0 Emergency Broadcast System (EBS) . 0 Motorola paging system for municipal locations and schools . 0 Cable TV interrupt- 0 CAER information line. During an incident it is standard practice for a representative from the facility in question to report to the Deer Park emergency operations center (EOC') . 0 The public education program currently includes : 0 Distribution of calendars (with facility/emergency phone numbers) to the community. 0 Various written literature. 0 Notification signs in public parks . 32 COS M41TY NO'IFICATION COWITTEE REPORT AND RECOM-KENDA77ONS 0 Book covers for school children . 0 Wally Wise Guy (shelter-in-place) . Several people interviewed agreed that public education efforts need to be expanded. The Spanish speaking population is estimated to be 10-15% . 0 Local industry (through the LEPC) took the initiative and proposed the siren system to Deer Park City Officials . Earn industrial facility contributed a base share that was applied to the first 50% of costs . The facility then contributed to the second 50% based on the number of employees on site . Baytown Texas (November 9 , 1993 ) 0 CNC members wish to thank the following individuals for their assistance in making our visit a successful one : 0 Dr. M. Reada Bassiouni (Principal Consultant - ATI Systems) 0 Howard Brister (Director of Health and Emergency Services) 33 COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION COMMITTEE K-PORT AND PZCOm2-E:_'�D;-.--'0N_ 0 Various Exxon Baytown personnel . 0 Baytown Texas is approximately 35 square miles in size wlic .- a population of approximately 67 , 000 . Exxon is the majo-- facility in this heavily industrialized area . 0 A total of 15 Whelen Sirens (with ATI controllers , voice capability and solar charged battery back-up) have been placed in the industrial zones . Sirens are located cn industrial property and public right-of-ways . This _Jn_- tia- I installation was funded entirely by industry . 0 ATI designed and installed the Baytown system. Most interviewed were pleased with the quality and reliabi_I _J �v 0- the Whelen sirens . However, it appears that Baytown has experienced some maintenance service problems with AT! . 0 The City of Baytown has a central siren activation contrcl . Each industrial facility can also activate the sirens their own property . 0 Sirens are tested monthly. ATI is working on establishing -a shorter testing cycle with a different (test ) tone . 34 COKWUNITY NOTIFICATION COWITTEE REPORT AND RECOtOENDA'7TOINS 0 The City of Baytown wants complete siren coverage in the non-industrial zones . The original plan was to have Baytown pay for this expansion. However, Baytown currently does noz have the funds to do this . The City is considering floating a loat4n- a bond measure and/or asking industry help fund the expansion. 0 Baytown has a Travelers information System (TIS) and a se-_ of standard radio messages for various incidents . There are no Community Alert Network (CAN) or tone alert systems at this time . It appears that emergency coordination and notification after the initial alert needs improvement . 0 Public education programs appear to be minimal . Communication in multiple languages does not appear to be an issue . Jefferson County Texas (November 10, 1993 ) 0 CNC members wish to thank the following individuals for their assistance in making our visit a successful one : 0 Don M. Davis (Marketing/Operations Manager - KBMT Channel 12) 35 COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION COMMITTEE REPORT AND RECOWENDAT70NS 0 Kenneth O. Doise (Fire Chief Port Neches Fire Department ) 0 G .E. "Ed" Gearhart (Consultant) 0 Judge Richard LeBlanc Jr. (Jefferson County) 0 Jim Love (Station Manager KLVI/KYKR Radio) 0 R .A. "Dick" Nugent (Coordinator of Emergency Management ) 0 C .A. " Pete" Shelton (Fire Chief - City Of Beaumont ) 0 Various Chevron Port Arthur personnel . 0 Jefferson County Texas is approximately 945 square miles in size and includes the cities of Beaumont and Port Arthur . Jefferson County is more industrialized and less populated that Contra Costa County . There is an excellent cooperative relationship between industry and government . 0 Jefferson County is the first major U.S. location to install the Sage system. Sage has installed a comprehensive state-of-the art notification system which includes : 36 COW.LT11`:TY NOTIFICATION COMMITTEE REPORT AND Rr_CO.W_--NDAT:CN_z 0 Establishment of an on-line network among industrial facilities, TV/radio stations, and central dispatch/control centers . Industrial facilities can also use this system to communicate with each other on a separate secured channel . 0 Incident reporting using standard on-line forms , terminology, and public messages tailored to specific - scenarios ( fire, chemical release, etc . ) . 0 Activation of various paging systems . 0 TV/Radio signal interrupt capability . Each designate_-J Station is equipped with a Sage system computer and a strobe light (with 30 second countdown) that notifies personnel when a signal interrupt is about to occur . 0 Addressable tone alert boxes . Approximately 250 boxes have been distributed to schools, day care centers, hospitals, nursing homes, etc . Facilities outside the notification net can purchase boxes for around $100 . Sage has also developed a combination tone alert/smoke alarm unit . 0 Future expansion capability . 37 CC"xLTNITY NOTIFICATION COWITTEE RZPOR:' AND RECOKWEND:,7101,'S This system is consistent with Jefferson County ' s goal to quickly get people ' s attention and send them a message . 0 The Jefferson County system currently deemphasises sirens . This is based on their shared belief that notification systems are more effective than siren alert systems . Several industrial facilities installed sirens before the Sage system was developed. These sirens . are on industry property and have not yet been integrated into the Sage -' d-- system. Siren activation criteria appears to vary wi. elly between individual facilities . 0 The Jefferson County Sage system has 3 not- IfIcatio.. activation zones which correspond to specific industrial areas. Each area can activate their own zone. The County Coordinator of Emergency Management (Dick Nugent ) can activate all 3 zones from either the CountY Courthouse or his mobile command post . 0 The Jefferson County Sage system is new and has not yet been tested under actual emergency conditions . However, a recent "table top" drill using the Sage system was successful . Everyone interviewed was pleased with the Sage system (including TV/Radio Station Managers . ) 38 CCW,,INTTY NOTIFICATION C01-NITTEE REPORT AND REC0K-END;,7:;DN'f 0 The public education program currently includes : 0 A speakers bureau for civic clubs and other interesse:4 groups . 0 Newspaper advertisements . 0 Various written literature . 0 Book covers for school children . Several people interviewed agreed that public education efforts need to be expanded. Communication in multiple languages does not appear to be an issue. 0 Local industry (through the LEPC) took the initiative an proposed the Sage system to Jefferson County Officials . Industrial officials established a non-profit corporation, recruited almost total industry participation, developed a funding formula and financed the $3 . 1 MM installation cost . Industry proceeded under the belief that they were here as a privilege granted by the community. 39 COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION COWITTEE REPORT MD RECOKC-NDtl.TIONS Calcasieu Parish Louisiana (November 11. 1993 ) 0 CNC members wish to thank Paul Rainwater (Coordinator Of Emergency Management) for his assistance in making our visit a successful one. 0 Calcasieu Parish Louisiana is a heavily industrialized area with a population of approximately 168, 000 . Approximately 120, 000 people are covered by the local siren system. There is an excellent cooperative relationship between industry and government . 0 A total of 37 Whelen Siren systems (with voice capability, and solar charged battery back-up) are in operation and located on various Parish right-of ways . Sirens are electronic with a mechanical motor to rotate the speaker . 0 All siren systems are repaired and maintained by the Parish . There appears to have some historical maintenance difficulty with this arrangement . 0 Sirens can be activated by each of the 3 affected individual cities and by the Parish. One or a combination of sirens can be activated. There appears to be some jurisdictional disputes going on. Local industry does not currently have activation capability. 40 COVD-'JN:TY NOTIFICATION COW47TTEE REPORT AND RECOnf-ND--'k-,7�ONS 0 other notification systems available in the Parish include : 0 Whelen tone alert boxes (with standard messages) 0 CAER radios used by local industry . 0 TV/Radio systems (no interrupt) . 0 Cable interrupt . Calcasieu Parish is planning to install a CAI,,I system in the near future. 0 The public education program currently includes : 0 A speakers bureau for civic clubs and other interested groups . 0 Public service announcements . 0 CAER brochures . 0 Magnetic boards for school children . 41 COWJNTTY NOTIFICATION COMMITTEE REPOR' WD Several people interviewed agreed that public education efforts need to be expanded. Communication in multiple languages does not appear to be an issue. 0 Local industry (through the LEPC) funded the initial siren installation approximately 9 years ago. A facility ' s contribution was determined by the number of employees on site . DoG-.- Chemical , Plaquemine ( Iberia Parish) Louisiana (Novemter 199]" 0 CNC members wish to thank the employees of Dow Plaquemine for their assistance in making our visit a successful one : 0 Dow Chemical is locate,-- in a heavily industrialized and, rural area . There is an excellent cooperative relations :-1r between industry and government . 0 There are a total of 18 'ACA sirens located in the Iberia Parish area . Sirens can be activated individually or collectively by the Parish . Dow can also activate the 2 sirens on their property. Sirens are tested monthly in coordination with drills conducted by local schools . 42 COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION COMMITTEEDINS REPORT AND RECC! NTAT:O � 0 Other notification systems available in Iberia Parish include: 0 CAN (There are currently 7 CAN zones in the Parish) . Dow can activate CAN directly and often uses it for nuisance odors and noise situations . 0 Industry radio systems that are accessible to the Parish. 0 Cable interrupt (Approximately 60-80% of Iberia Paris'; residents have cable) . Dow also utilizes a standard incident notification form that they fax to the Parish Sheriff ' s office . During an incident, it is also standard practice for a Dow representative to report to the Parish emergency operations center (EOC) . 0 Dow has implemented an impressive multi-media public education program which includes : 0 Door-to-door canvasing in neighboring communities . 0 Town meetings (poor attendance) . 43 COWUNITY NOTIFICATION COMMITTEE REPORT AND RECOKWTND.ATION 0 An education video. 0 Emergency information in telephone directories . 0 Distribution of calendars (with facility/emergency phone numbers) and refrigerator magnets to various neighborhoods . -0 Distribution of book covers and magnetic boards to school children. 0 School safety fair ( featuring Wally Wise Guy) . 0 Children ' s logo contest . 0 Design of a training flag for schools . 0 Small business outreach programs . 0 CAER brochures . Communication in multiple languages does not appear to be an issue. 44 COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION COMMITTEE REPORT A.ND, RECOWLEN-DA71ONF 0 The Iberia Parish siren system and public education programs were funded by CAER. CAER and the Parish split the cost of the CAN system installation 50/50 . St . James Parish Louisiana (November 12 , 1993) 0 CNC members wish to thank the following individuals for their assistance in making our visit a successful one : 0 G .L. Falgoust (Director Of Emergency Preparedness ) 0 Debra Jacque 0 Gaston "Hoody" Veron (Emergency Planner) 0 St . James is a small rural and heavily industrialized Parish. It has a population of approximately 25, 000 and a size of approximately 360 square miles . There is an excellent cooperative relationship between industry and government . 0 St . James Parish is currently conducting a risk analysis of fixed industrial facilities . At a later date, they plan to conduct a risk analysis of river traffic . 45 co.K-,,W-_TY NOTIFICATION COW,"TTE7 REPORT AND 0 There are a total of 54 Whelen sirens (with voice capability and solar charged battery back-up) located throughout St . James Parish. 12-14 sirens are located in industrial areas . The others are located on Parish right-of ways . 6 weather stations are connected with sirens to assist in release modelling activities . The siren PA system announces shelter-in-place decisions . This system has been in place for approximately 4 years . 0 sirens can be activated individually or collectively by the Parish using 2 mobile or 1 fixed activation center . 3 individuals are authorized to activate a siren . Sirens are tested monthly in coordination with neighboring St . Johns Parish . Overall , St James Parish is very pleased with their Whelen system. 0 other notification systems available in the Parish include : 0 Whelen tone alert boxes (with standard messages) 0 CAN . 0 Industry radio systems that are accessible to the Parish. 46 C0W,�,=Y_N0T:F1CA'r10N COMMITTEE REPORT AND REC012-ENDA7,TON'S 0 Cable interrupt (voice only) . St . James Parish has a copy of the CAMEO chemical release modeling software . Oxychem also plans to donate the SAFER chemical release modeling software package to the Parish . 0 The St . James Parish public education effort appears to be minimal . The Parish is planning to implement a Kids CAE :R program for school teachers . Communication in multiple languages does not appear to' be an issue . 0 -Industry funded the siren alert and notification systems . A formula was developed based on census, output , and the tax base . The entire project was capitalized by Prudential-Bache over a ten year period. Industry then pays an annuity to pay off the "mortgage" . On year 11 , the Parish will buy the system back from industry for $1 . 47 COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION COMMITTEE REPORT AND RECOWENDA71ONS APPENDIX C WALLY ' S WISECRACKS BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON WALLY WISE GUY, SHELTER IN PLACE CAMPAIGN The Wally Wise Guy safety awareness campaign was launched in the Texas Ship Channel area to convey the most effective means of protection in the event of a chemical release . Wally Wise Guy, a costumed character in the great parade tradition, who serves as the backbone or "shell ', of the campaign, conveys simple safety measures to be enacted in the nearest home or building known as Shelter in Place . Spearheaded by the Deer Park Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) from a concept originated by the Pasadena LEPC, Wally rise Guy, a turtle, was selected to convey this safety awareness message because a turtle retreats within his shell when faced with danger -- the heart of the Shelter in Place message . The focus of the campaign is to reach school age children who will in turn bring the message home to their parents . Wally Wise Guy and accompanying safety literature will appear in schools and at community events and festivals . 48 COWMNITY NOTIFICATION COWITTEE REPORT A,%':) RECOhL'�t,'-D�,'7TO"+- Wally Wise Guy ' s key messages are: 1) Go inside or to the nearest home or building and shut the doors and windows . 2 ) Tune into local radio and TV stations for emergency instructions, J ) Keep the phone lines open for emergency notification . In the process of trademark registration, Wally Wise Guy can on!-,,- be used for purposes of developing safety awareness education . Appropriate usage of Wally Wise Guy is highly encouraged because the goal of the core LEPC Community Awareness Task Force is to have LEPCs throughout the United States pick up this shelter in Place campaign. The core community Awareness Task Force includes LEPC representatives from Deer Park, LaPorte, Baytown and Pasadena , Texas . The Lake County, Ohio LEPC has joined the charter group and will be present for the kick off of the Wally Wise Guy campaign. 49 J O t t O Leal Enrsenty I'l,mog corm, 51 "' 4 O CD a� s 0Q �z .Z i¢ O= ¢ "' uj a IJ co ti ir o ; UJ quj Y Z J LU z 0 co ct O ur ti 2 olu X cr Q 0 zzw O t— 0= 0 U vi Oz Ir (%h LU 0 zo ui IT I� 3 z' v � U �w y o uzi w m3 '� rr 52 a ^' r f► .Y�4 TM Wally is the symbol o/Shelter in Place,the Emergency Awareness Campaign sponsored by your Local Emergency Planning Committee. 50 • DATE: �9 REwEST To SPEAK FORm (THREE (3) MINUTE LIMIT Complete this form and place it in the box near the speakers' rostrum before addressing the Board. �> NAME: Gab 1 ha 60/� C{�Y7 PHONE: ADDRESS: r7�,910 CrIY: 1797- Z I am speaking formyse f OR organization: Check one: (NAME OF ORGANIZATION) I wish to speak on Agenda Item # � My comments will be: general r/ for against I wish to speak on the subject of I do not wish to speak but leave these comments for the Board to consider.