HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 03122002 - D2 D.2
THE BOARD"OF SUPERVISORS OF
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
Adopted this Order on March 112, 2002,by the following vote:
AYES: Supervisors Ulkema-Gerber, Glover, DeSaulnier and Gioia,
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE`
On this date,the Board of Supervisors ACCEPTED the status report dated March 12,2002 from Michael
Kent,Contra Costa County Hazardous Materials Ombudsman regarding issues raised at the January 29
2002 Public Forum concerning the October 2001 releases from the Equilon Refinery;and REFERRED the
report to the Internal Operations,Hazardous Materials Commission and Public and EnvironmentalHealth
Advisory Board Committees to review and report back to the Board.
I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of
an action taken and entered on the minutes of the
Board of Supervisors on the date shown
Attested: GZ �-'. ,L—A'0
John Sweeten,Clerk of the Boards
Of Sisors and County Administrator
r
Deputy Clerk
WILLIAM B. WALKER, A D. OFFICE OF THE
HEALTH SERVICEs DIRECTOR
DIRECTOR
HAZAIU01A MAIHUALS OM`BODSMA'N
CONTRA COSTA 20 Allen Street
Martinez, California
SERVICES 94553-3191
Ph(92'5)374-5020
fax(925)370-5098
Toil free 1-877-662-8376
e-mail rnkentilPhscl.co.contra-costa.cams
March 12, 2002
MEMO
To: Board of Supervisors
cc. Lew Pasealli,Hazardous Materials Programs Director
Dr. William Walker,Health Services Director
From: Michael Kent, Contra Costa County Hazardous Materials Ombudsman fI
Re Status Report on Issues Raised at the January 29, 2002 Public,Forurn concerning
the October,2001 releases from the Equilon refinery.
On January 29, 2002 Supervisor Uilkema hosted a public forum to discuss the Root
Cause Analysis for the October, 2001 releases from the Equilon refinery. At the end of
that meetine, she asked for a status report to the Board of Supervisors on the following
items:
1) Public Access to the County Notification Policy for Chemical Releases.
The County adopted a notification policy on June 19, 2001 that describes how and when
a facility is to notify Contra Costa Health Services in the event of a chemical release or
fire. The matrix of event levels and Community Warning System responses is currently
on the Contra Costa County CAER Group web page at www.cecaer.or-.The Equilon
refinery is also in the process of mailing this notification policy to homes in the Martinez
area.Members of the public can also obtain this notification policy from the Hazardous
Materials Programs or from the Hazardous Materials Ombudsman.
r Contra Costa Community Substance Abuse Services • Contra Costa Emergency Medical Services Contra Costa Environmental Health • Contra Costa Health Plan
++r • Contra Costa Hazardous Materials Programs •Contra Costa Mental Health Contra Costa Public Health • Contra Costa Regional Medical Center Contra Costa Health Centers
2) The Community Outreach and Education efforts about the Community
Warning System and how to Shelter-in-Place being conducted by CAER.
CAER's Community Outreach group will conduct a variety of activities this year to
promote the public's understanding of the Community Warning System and how to
Shelter-in-Place. The group has a budget of$35,000 to develop and distribute educational
materials. Their planned activities this year include:
• A mailing County residents concerning how to Shelter-in-Place
• A mailing to businesses concerning how to Shelter-in-Place.
• The development of Shelter-in-Place drill at schools and childcare centers.
• The development of a Public Service Announcement for CCTV and KCRT.
• New Wally Wise trading cards.
• New Shelter-in-Place color refrigerator magnets.
• Updating the Shelter-in-Place video.
• Staffing booths at festivals and other community events.
• Updating the Community Warning System Brochure:
• Pursuing specific outreach to the Spanish-speaking community through the
development of performance-based education:
• Continuation of the mentor program to help facilities develop Shelter-in-Place plans.
• Development of a Speakers beuru with a power point presentation.
3) A Process by which the City of Martinez can Receive Notification for all levels of
release.
The City of Martinez and the Equilon refinery have developed an agreement by which
Equilon will immediately notify the Martinez Chief of Police via telephone in the event
of any incident at the facility meeting the definition of levels 0—3. The City of Martinez
will continue to receive notificationof level 2 and 3 incidents from the County via their
Community Warning System terminal.
4) A Process by which the City of Martinez can Provide Information`and Updates
to Local Residents about Local Releases.
The City of Martinez has established two methods of providing information to local
residents. They have established a telephone message line, (925) 372-3463,which will be
updated with information during local incidents. They also will broadcast up-to-date
information over their local TIS radio system, 530 AM. Eventually, the County would
like to be able to provide information to the TIS-system automatically through the,
Community Warning System. This capacity is not available yet,but is being developed
Martinez area residents will also be able to receive information during incidents from the
TV, commercial radio,National Weather Service'radios, and via e-mail.
2
5) The Development of an "All-clear" Signal.
Currently,when Contra`Costa aHealth Services determines that an incident is"all-clear"
the general public is notified via TV and radio announcements. Those homes and
businesses that received an automated telephone message through the CAN system
recommending they Shelter-in-Place also receive an automated message telling them the
incident is"all-clear". On several occasions in the past, CAER's Emergency Notification
Committeehas considered adding additional methods to the system to inform the public
when an incident is "all-clear". Primarily, the addition method considered has been
adding a siren tone, different from the one used to initially signal a"Shelter-in-place"
event, to signal "all-clear".
CAER's Emergency Notification group has chosen not to recommend this addition to
Contra Costa Health Services for several reasons. First,they felt that a second,different
signal would be confusing to people.- As sirens are now re-sound during incidents,people
may confuse the"all-clear" signal with the re-sounding of the siren recommending they
remain sheltered-in-place. Secondly,sirens are meant primarily to warn people who are
outdoors to go inside. They are not designed to be heard by people that are indoors. Since
people should already be indoors during an incident, the effectiveness of a siren signaling
"all-clear"was seen as limited.
For these reasons, CAER's Emergency Notification Group felt the Community Warning
System should be left as it is concerning notifying people of an"all-clear". They felt that,
instead of changing the system, additional'emphasis should be put on educating people of
the need to listen to the radio or watch TV during incidents to receive up-to-date
information, including the"all-clear" signal. Given this analysis and conclusion by the
Emergency Notification Group,the County is not considering any changes to the "all-
clear" signal at this time.
6) Including the Valero facility in Benicia in the Community Warning System
The Contra Costa CAER Group has contacted the Benicia Fire Department and Valero to
discuss adding the Valero facility to the Community Warning System. They are planning
to meet with both parties the first week of March to develop a'proposal.
3
OPERATION PROTOCOLS FOR THE
CMuOMNITYWARNING SYSTEM
Prepared for
USERS OF THE COMMUNITY WARNING SYSTEM
by
CONTRA COSTA HEALTH SERVICES
June 19, 2001
* f
Chapter I
Introduction
I. What the Operation Protocols Covers.
The Operation Protocols is a policy and guidance document to assist in the use of the Community
Warning System ("CWS"). It supplements the CWS User's Manual, which covers step-by-step
operation information, and the CWS Hazardous Materials Accidental :Release Matrix. The
Operations Protocol covers matters such as
-Who will operate the system.
-What the system does.
-When the system would be used and under what conditions.
11. Design of the Community Warning ,system
A. General.
The Community Warning System is designed to alert and notify the community and public agencies
when there is an accidental release of a hazardous material that could affect the community. The
system may also be used in fire,law enforcement,natural disasters,and other public health incidents.
B. Alerting.
The alerting portion of the system consists of sirens. The sirens are located around the facilities that
pose the greatest potential risk to the community from a hazardous material release. The sirens are
designed to alert the people who are outdoors in the communities closest to these facilities.
C. Notification.
The notification portion of the system consists of:
1. The ability to communicate by radio transmission between CWS computer terminals that
are located at selected facilities and at Contra Costa Health Services("Health Services"),the
Contra Costa County Office of Emergency Services ("OES"), Contra Costa County Fire
Protection District("CCCFPD"),Bay Area Air Quality Management District CBAAQMD"),
United States Coast Guard("USCG"),Sheriff's 9-1-1 dispatch ("COMM 1"),and the Cities
of Richmond, Pinole,Martinez, and Antioch Police Departments,
April 6, 2001
Page 1 ti CWY nocuMErrTWWWPFxATION PROTOcotsDoc
2. The ability to get emergency information to the media,including television stations,radio
stations, and cable television head ends.
3. The ability to connect with an automated telephone dialing system. The automated
dialing system is initiatedautomatically by the CWS for programmed'sequences. For all
other incidents, the Health Services initiates the dialing system:.
4. The ability to transmit emergency information to National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration ("NOAA")weather radios.
D "Programmed Sequences."
Classification"levels"of releases of hazardous materials,and the required emergency response and
notification for each level, have been developed. For classification levels of releases, refer to the
Community 'Warning System Hazardous Materials Accidental Release Matrix("Matrix"),
attached'hereto as Appendix 1,as the Matrix may be amended from time to time by Health Services.
The CWS has been programmed to initiate a sequence of actions for accidental releases of
hazardous materials, depending upon the "level" of the release incident. This programming is
referred to as a "programmed sequence." For example, if the CWS is activated by a facility for a
Level 0 event,the CWS will notify Health services. If the CWS is activated for a Level 3 incident,'
the CWS will activate sirens and an automated telephone dialing system, and notify designated
regulatory and response agencies and the media.
Programmed sequences have been developed for the facilities that pose the greatest potential risk to
the communities andwhich have CWS computer terminals
111. Remaining Chapters
The remaining chapters will discuss the operation protocols for the Community Warning System:.
Each of the remaining chapters has been designed to stand-alone for use in different situations.
At a future date, the County may consider developing protocols for other incidents, such as fire
incidents, law enforcement incidents,natural disasters, and public health incidents.
April$, 2001
Page 2 c:UY Dacun ENTS\cwsu.PERATION rRoxocOLSDoc
IV. Abbreviations Used
The following is a list of the abbreviations or abbreviated,terms used herein.
BAAQMD "Bay Area air Quality Management District
CAER Contra Costa County CAER Group,Inc.,a California non-profit
public benefit corporation
CCCFPD Contra Costa County Fire Protection District
COMM1 Sheriff's 9-1-1 Dispatch Center
CWS Community Warning System
EDIS Governor'sOffice of Emergency Services Emergency Digital
Information'Service
ERPG 2 Emergency Response Planning Guidelines Level 2
Health Services Contra Costa Health Services
Matrix Community Warning System Hazardous Materials Accidental
Release Matrix
NOAA Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NWS National Weather Service
OES Contra Costa County Office of Emergency Services
PMAO Petrochemical Mutual Aid Organization
USCG United States Coast Guard
April G, 2001
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fi
I
k
Chapter 2
Hazardous Material Releases
from Facilities With a CWS Computer Terminal
I. Facilities with CWS Computer Terminals and Sirens.
As of the date of this printing of the Operation Protocols, the following facilities have CWS
computer terminals and can activate sirens:
Chevron Richmond Refinery-Richmond
Tosco San Francisca Area Refinery- Rodeo
Equilon'Martinez Refining'Company(MRC)'-Martinez
Rhoda-Martinez
Ultramar Golden Eagle Refinery- Avon
Dow Chemical -Pittsburg
II. How the Community Warning System has been
Programmed
Each CWS computer terminal interfaces with the entire CWS to improve emergency
communications during certain programmed events. In addition,the CWS has been programmed to
initiate a sequence of actions for accidental hazardous materials release events. Each facility with a
CWS computer terminal has the,programmed sequences for release events from that facility
programmed into its computer terminal. Computer terminals located at COMM 1,Contra CCCFPD'
dispatch center, oES, and Health Services have been programmed with all of the Level 2''and 3'
programmed sequences for all of the facilities with computer terminals.
III. Categories of Incidents
Different'categories of incidents require different types of response. A response to a toxic gas
release will differ from a response to a fire or an explosion. Health Services has established four
categories of incidents for fixed facilities to assist the emergency response agencies in responding to
such incidents. They are:
Toxic Gas Release (TGR),
April 6, 2001
Page 4 CAMY DOCUMLNTWWSWERATION PROTOCOLS.DOC
Flammable Non-Toxic Hazardous Release (FNTHR),
Various Fires/Explosions(VFE), and
Various Spills/Plant Upsets (VSPU)."
A. Toxic Gas Release. This category,is used for those chemicals that are either gases or liquids
with a high enough vapor pressure that when released would form a vapor cloud and could have an
acute health consequence to the community. These chemicals are normally listed as extremely
hazardous substances or acutely hazardous materials.
B. Flammable Non-Toxic Hazardous Release. This category is for releases of chemicals that are
flammable,but have not ignited. This could be in the form of a vapor cloud or liquid spill. The
concern is a possible ignition and subsequent fire.
C. Various Fires/Explosions. This category is for fires or explosions at a fixed facility. In some
cases the facility may have not caused the fire(such as a grass fire),but the fire could be of concern
to the public. Different sizes of fires and explosions will require different levels of alerting and
notifications.
D. Various Spills/Plant Upsets. This category is for incidents that do not fit in the above three
categories. Examples include an oil spill on a waterway, a spill of an acidic or basic material that
could'be corrosive and dangerous to the public,ora release of an aerosol or solid powder material
that could have an acute health consequence on the public.
IV. Levels of Notification and Response
There are four levels of notification and response. See the Matrix for details on the;levels and the
notification and alerting for each level'.
Level 0 is a communication level between the facility and Health Services. The purpose of this
communication level is to inform.the Health Services Incident Response Team of any non-standard
activity at a facility'where there is a potential for public concern. A Level 0 incident must be easily
contained and controlled by plant personnel
Level 1 is the notification level used to notify Health Services;the local fire and law enforcement
9-1-1 dispatchers that have CWS terminals,BAAQMD,USCG and OES of an incident where there
is an on-site problem that,if not contained,could cause an off-site health and safety problem.
Level 2 is for an incident requiring a`response. At this level, there may be an off-site concern by
the community;however,no health risk to the community is expected. Health Services,the local fire
and law enforcement agencies/9-1-1 dispatch centers that are connected to the CWS, BAAQMD,
Apri16,2001
Page5 CAMY DOCUMENTSICWS\OPERATION PROTOCOLS.DOC
USCG,and OES are notified. Health Services and the local law enforcement and fire agencies will
respond. An advisory notification will be made to the television stations and radio stations that area
part of the system.
Level 3 is for an incident requiring a response, outside assistance to the incident, and an off-site
consequence is expected. Alerting will be done using sirens. The community will also be notified
by sending messages to television and radio stations,by the automated telephone dialing system,and
NOAA weather'radios'. Health Services,the local fire and law enforcement agencies/9-1-1 dispatch
centers that are connected totheCWS,BAAQMD,USCG,and OES will be notified. At this level,
mutual aid may be required from government agencies and the Petrochemical Mutual Aid'
Organization(PMAO). The response to hearing the sirens and the message from media notification
is to shelter-in-place and turn on a radio or television for more information.
V. Incident Notification.
Health Services' Incident Notification'Policy requires facilities to notify Health 'Services of
certain incidents. At this time, facilities are expected to notify Health Services Incident
Responders through the CWS and by pager.z
VI. Overview of System Activation, Alerting,
Notification and Emergency Response
If there is an incident of any level at a facility with a CWS' computer terminal, the facility is to
activate the CWS immediately. The facility will be able to activate the CWS by using the CWS
computer terminal and/or a push button unit at the site. Facilities with push-button capability are
expected to use that option for a Level 3 incident.
Health Services or the facility can at any time during an incident increase the classification level(e.g.
from a Level 2 to a Level 3). If it will not delay measures to protect the health and safety of the
1 CAER intends to donate NOAA Weather Radios to schools, daycare facilities, hospitals, and
long-term health care facilities in the future. In addition, the State Office of Emergency Services
plans on installing a slave transmitter on Mt.Diablo, which should improve NOAA Weather
Radio coverage in Contra Costa County.
'Immediate notification is required for any release or threatened release of a hazardous material
that poses a present or potential hazard to human health and safety,property or the environment.
(Contra Costa County Health Services Hazardous Material Incident'Notification Policy IV.A.1.)
In addition,Contra Costa County Ordinance Code section 450-2.016 requires a handler to report
to Health Services immediately upon discovery, any release of a hazardous material reportable
under any law to any federal, state or other local regulatory agency.
April 6, 2001
Page 6 CAMY DOCCIMENTWWSWERATION PROTOCOLS.DOC
community, this change in classification should be done in coordination with the Incident
Commander, the facility and other responding agencies.
VII. What the CWS .Does Upon Activation.
Level 0: Upon a Level 0 activation by'a facility, the CWS communicates the event to Health
Services.
Level 1: Upon a Level 1 activation,the CWS will notify Health Services,the local fire and law
enforcement agencies/9-1-1'dispatch centers,BAAQVID, USCG,and OES. There will be no
media notifications or alerts to the community at this level.
Level 2: Upon a Level 2 activation, the CWS will notify the same agencies notified for a Level 1
activation. The programmed sequence for a Level 2 activation will initiate a notification to the
community through the Governor's Office of Emergency Services Emergency Digital
Information Service(EDIS) which'communicates with television and radio stations.- The
message given through EDIS to the radio and television stations is an advisory that states that
there is an emergency at a particular facility and that most people will not be affected. Health
Services will respond to a classification Level 2 incident. The local fire and law enforcement
agencies may also respond to a classification Level 2 incident.
Level 3: Upon a Lever 3 activation, the CWS will notify the same,agencies notified for aLevel 1,
activation. Health Services,local fire department and law enforcement agencies will respond.
Under the programmed sequence for a Level 3 activation, the community will be notified by
television and radio through the Emergency Alert System (EAS),EDIS, and by a telephone call
using the automated telephone dialing system. The automated dialing system is initiated to make
calfs to those down wind from and nearest to the incident. The message given to the community
using all the above communication routes will be to shelter-in-place and turn on a radio or
television for updated information. The programmed sequence will also activate sirens to alert
the community. Each facility has a predetermined grouping of sirens that will be sounded. It
also possible for the facility or Health Services to activate additional sirens as needed.
VIII. Updates other than Upgrading the Classification
Level of the Incident
A. General.
As an incident progresses, updates about the incident will become necessary. Updates(other`than `
upgrading an incident)could include downgrading an incident,calling an incident"Under Control",
or issuing an "Ali Clear." Updates will come from the facility and the agencies and issued to other
agencies,the media,and other facilities. Health Services or OES will transmit to the media,updates
April 6, 2001
Page 7 CAMY DOCUMENTS\CWS\OPERATION PROTOCOLS.D€
pertaining to possible health effects of the incident A number of media follow-up message templates
have been established.
B. Downgrading, Calling "Under Control," or Issuing an "All-Clear."
After an incident command system has been established,Health Services,working with the incident
commander,the responding fire and/or law enforcement agencies,the facility,and other responding
agencies,;will decide on downgrading an incident,calling an incident"Under Control,"or issuing an
"All Clear."
The incident commander for hazardous materials releases in Contra Costa County is determined by
the location of the incident as follows:
Jurisdiction Incident Commander
City of Richmond Richmond Fire Department
Other cities City Police Department
Non Highway or road incidents in Sheriff's Department
theaunincorporated areas of the
County
Highways/non-city roads CHP
C. Follow-up Notifications and Updates from the Facility to the Agencies
A facility may use the CWS to update the agencies that are connected to the CWS. If a facility uses
its CWS computer terminalfor these updates; the same text message is given to all of the agencies
that are connected to the system. However, there may be other means of communication that are
more appropriate during an incident,such as one-on-one communication at the Incident Command
Center or with the Emergency Operations Center.
During a Level 1 incident, the facility should provide regular updates using its CWS computer
terminal The facility should update the agencies every twenty minutes during the life of a Level 1
incident,unless the facility has notified the agencies that the Level I incident will last for a specific
period of time (e.g.,excess flaring could last for a number of hours).
D Updates to the Media and the Community
Health Services or OES will do the updates to the media. The media will be requested to broadcast
the updated information to the public. Whenever possible,updates'to the media and the community
are to be done after consultation between the involved facility, the Incident Commander, Health
Services, OES and the local fire and/or law enforcement agencies.
April 6, 2001
Page 8 CAMY DOCUMENTS1CWMPERATION PROTOCOUDOC
For a Level 3 incident the automated telephone dialing system may also be used to provide updates
to the community.
IX. Upgrading the Classification Level of the Incident
It may be necessary during an incident to upgrade the classification level of the incident(ie.,Level I
to 2,Level"I to 3,Level 2 to 3)because the incident spreads,the potential consequence of the rebase
increases,or new information on the consequence of the incident becomes available. The facility,
Health Servicesorthe incident commander can initiate this upgrade.
A. Upgrading the Classification Level by the Facility
The facility may decide to upgrade the classification level of an;incident. When a facility determines
that the incident is described by a higher level, facility personnel is to activate the programmed
sequence in the facility's CWS computer terminal for the higher level.
B. Upgrading the Classification bevel by Health Services
Health Services, at its discretion, can upgrade the classification level of an incident. Whenever
possible, Health Services will consult with the Incident Commander, the facility, and other
responding agencies before upgrading an incident. When Health Services decides to upgrade an
incident,Health Services will activate a programmed sequence. This will be accomplished in one of
two ways:
If a Health Services Incident Responder has access to'a CWS computer terminal, he will
activate the programmed sequence for the higherclassification. t
If Health Services Incident Responders do not have access to a CWS computer terminal,they
will call COMM I and°ask the dispatcher to activate the:appropriate programmed'sequence
by giving the classification level of the incident.`
C. Upgrading the Classification Level by the Incident Commander
The Incident Commander can request Health Services to upgrade the classification level of an
incident. If Health Services decides to upgrade the incident, Health Services will follow the
protocols stated in the above section.
April 6, 2001
Page 9 OWY DOCUMENTSNCWSCOPER kT1ON PROTOCOLS DOC
Chapter 3
Hazardous Material Releases from Facilities
Without a CWS Computer Terminad
I. Facilities without a CWS computer terminal.
Templates, designed to assist in the activation of the CWS for Level 2.and 3 incidents will be
distributed to the facilities in the County that have a known potential to impact the community from
an accidental release of a hazardous material and do not have a CWS computer terminal. Those
facilities are:
Air Products at Equilon
+ Air Products at Ultramar
+ Antioch Water Treatment Plant
+ Calpine ,..
•
General Chemical Bay Point
• General Chemical Richmond
• GWF Antioch,(Wilbur Avenue east)
• GWF Antioch (Wilbur Avenue west)
• GWF Bay Point
• GWF Pittsburg (3'a St.)
• GWF Pittsburg(Loveridge)'
• FIASA
• Martinez Railyard
• Randall Bold Water Treatment Plant
• Pittsburg Water Treatment Plant
• Pittsburg Railyard
• Polypure
• Richmond Railyard
II How the Community 'Warning System has been
Programmed
Each CWS computer terminal interfaces with the entire CWS to improve emergency
communications during certain programmed events. In addition,the CWSwill be programmed by
July 1, 2001 to initiate a sequence'of actions for accidental'hazardous materials release events.'
April 6,2001
Page 10 C:V4Y DocUMENTs\CWS\oPERATIOW PROTocoTS.Doc
Templates have been developed for bevel 2 and 3 events for facilities that have a known potential of
having an accidental release that could impact the community and that do not have a CWS computer
terminal. Computer terminals located at COMM 1, CCFPD dispatch center, OES, and Health
Services have been programmed with the Level 2 and'`3 programmed sequences for all of these
facilities.
III. Categories of Incidents
Different categories of incidents require different types of response. A response to atoxic gas
release will differ from a response to a fire or an explosion. Health Services has established four
categories of incidents for fixed facilities to assist tate emergency response agencies in responding to
such incidents. They are
Toxic Gas Release (TCR),
Flammable Non-Toxic Hazardous Release (FNTHR),
Various Fires/Explosions (VFE),and
Various Spills/PlantUpsets (VSFU).
A. Toxic Gas Release. This category is used for those chemicals that are either,gases or liquids
with a high enough vapor pressure that when released would form a vapor cloud.and could have an
acute health consequence to the community. These chemicals are normally listed as extremely
hazardoussubstances or acutely hazardous materials.
B. Flammable Non-Toxic Hazardous Release. This category is for releases of chemicals that are
flammable, but have not ignited. This could be in the form of a vapor cloud or liquid spill, The
concern is a possible ignition and subsequent fire.
C. Various Fires/Explosions. This category is for fires or explosions at a fixed facility. In some
cases the facility may have not caused the fire(such as a grass fire),but the fire could be of concern
to the public. Different sizes of fires and explosions will require different levels of alerting and
notifications.
D. 'Various Spills/Plant Upsets. This category is for incidents that do not fit in the above three
categories. Examples include an oil spill on a waterway, a spill of an acidic or basic material that
could be corrosive and dangerous to the public, or a release of an aerosol or solid,powder material
that could have an acute health consequence on the public.
IV, Levels of Notification and Response
There are four levels of notification and response. See the Matrix for details on the levels and the
April 6, 2001
Page l 1 CAMP DOCUMENTs\CWSNOPERArioN PR€1MCOLSMOC
notification and alerting for each level.
Level d is a communication level between the facility and Health Services. The purpose of this
communication level is to inform the Health Services Incident Response Team of any non-standard
activity at a facility where there is a potential for public concern. A Level 0 incident must be easily
contained and controlled by plant personnel
Level 1 is the notification level used to notify Health Services,the local fire and law enforcement
9-1-1 dispatchers that have CWS terminals,BAAQMD,USCG and OES of an incident where there
is an on-site problem that;if not contained,could cause an off-site health and safety problem. .
Level 2 is for an incident requiring a response. At this level,there may be an off-site concern by
the community;however,no health risk to the community is expected. Health Services,the local fire
and law enforcement agencies/9-1-1 dispatch centers that are connected to the GWS;BAANID
USCG, and OES are notified, Health Services.,local law enforcement and fire'district/department'
will respond. An advisory notification will be made to the television stations and radio stations that
are a part of the system.
Level 3 is for an incident requiring a response,outside assistance to the incident,and an off-site
consequence is expected. Alerting will be done using sirens. The community will also be notified;
by sending messages to television'and radio stations,cable head ends,by the automated telephone
dialing system,'and NOAA'weather radios3. Health Services, the local fire and law enforcement.
agencies/9-1-1 dispatch centers that are connected to the CWS,BAAQMI7,USCG,andOES will be
notified.' At this level',mutual aid may be required from government agencies and the Petrochemical
Mutual Aid Organization(PMAO). The response to hearing the sirens and the message from media
notification is to shelter-in-place and turn on a radio or television'for more information.
V. Incident Notification Required.
Health Services' Incident Notification Policy requires facilities to notify Health Services of
certain incidents. Facilities without CWS computer terminals'are expected to notify
Notifying Health Services Incident Responders by'pager.`
3 CAER intends to donate NOAA Weather Radios to schools, day care facilities, hospitals, and
long-term health care facilities in the future. In addition,the State Office of Emergency Services
plans on installing a slave transmitter on Mt. Diablo,which should improve NOAA Weather
Radio coverage in Contra Costa County.
4 Immediate notification is required for any release or threatened release of a hazardous material
that poses a present or potential hazard to human health and safety,property or the environment.
(Contra Costa County Health Services Hazardous Material Incident Notification Policy W.A.I.)
April 6,2001
Page 12 C:WY DOCUMP.NTMWSWERATION PROTOCOiSDOC
V1. Overview of System Activation, Alerting,
Notification and Emergency Response
If there is an incident of any level at a facility without a CWS computer terminal,the facility is to
notify Health Services immediately. The facility can notify Health Services by pager or calling
(925)646-1112 to do this notification.
OES, CCCFPD, and COMM1 'after consulting with Health Services, and Health Services can
activate the CWS for Level 2 and 3 incidents for facilities that do not have CWS computer terminals.
Health,Services can at any time during an incident increase the classification level(e.g.from a Level
2 to a Level 3). If it will not delay measures to protect the health and safety of the community,this
change in classification should be done in coordination with the Incident Commander,the facility
and other responding agencies.
V11. What the CWS Does Upon Activation
Level 2: Upon a Level 2 activation, the CWS will notify Health Services, the local fire and law
enforcement agencies/9-1-1 dispatch centers,'BAAQMD, USCG, and'OES. The programmed
sequence for Level 2 activationwill initiate a'notification to the community through the Governor's
Office of Emergency Services Emergency Digital Information Service(EDIS),which communicates
with television and radio stations. The message given through EDIS to the radio and television
stations is an advisory that states that there is an emergency at a particular facility and that most
people will not be affected. Health Services will respond to a Level 2 incident. The'4ocal fire and
law enforcement agencies may also respond to a classification Level 2 incident.
Level 3: Upon a Level 3 activation, the CWS will notify the same agencies notified'for a Level 2
activation. Health Services, the local fire department and law enforcement agencies will respond.
Under the programmed sequence for a Level 3 activation, the community will be notified by
television and radio through the Emergency Alert System(EAS),EDIS,and by a telephone call using
the automated telephone dialing system. The automated dialing system is initiated to make calls to
those down wind from and nearest to the incident. The message given to the community using all
the above communication routes will be to shelter-in-place and turn on a radio or television for
updated information. The programmed sequence will also activate sirens to alert the community.
Each facility has a predetermined grouping of sirens that will be sounded. It is also possible for
Health Services to activate additional sirens as needed.
In addition, Contra Costa County Ordinance Code section 450-2.016 requires':a handler to report
to Health Services immediately upon discovery, any release of a hazardous material reportable''
under any law to any federal, state or other local regulatory agency.
April 6,2001 E
Mage 13 CAMY DOCUMENTS\CWS\OPERATION PROTOCOLS.DOC
i
VIII. Updates ether than Upgrading the Classification
Level QI the-Incident
A. General
As an incident progresses,;updates about the incident will become necessary. Updates (other than
upgrading an incident)could include downgrading an incident,calling an incident"Under Control",
or issuing an"All Gear." Updates will come from the agencies and issued to other agencies,and the
media. Health Services or OES will transmit to the media, updates pertaining to passible health'
effects of the incident. A number of media follow-up message templates have been established..
B. Downgrading, Calling "Under Control," or Issuing an `All-Clear."
After an incident command system has been established,Health Services,working with the incident
commander,the responding fire and/or law enforcement agencies,the facility,and other responding
agencies,will decide on downgrading an incident,calling an incident"Under Control,"or issuing an
"All Clear":
The incidentcommander for hazardous materials releases in Contra Costa County is determined by
the location of the incident as follows
Jurisdiction Incident Commander
City of Richmond Richmond Fire Department
Other cities City police Department
Non Highway or road incidents in Sheriff's Department
the unincorporated areas of the
County
Highwayslnon-city roads CHP
C. Follow-up Notifications and Updates from the Facility to the Agencies
The facility can upstate Health Services and other agencies during an incident rasing one-on-one
communication at the Emergency Operations Center or the Incident Command Center or by
telephone.
During a Level I incident, the facility should provide updates to Health Services every twenty
minutes during the life of the Level I incident, unless the facility has notified the Health Services
that the Level 1 incident will last for a specific period of time (e.g., a spill within containment that
could take hours to dispose).
April o, 200
Page 14 GAMY DOCUMENTSICWSWERRTION PROTOCOLS_DOC
D. Updates to the Media and the Community
Health Services or OES will do the updates to the media. The media will be requested to broadcast
the updated information to the public. Whenever possible,updates to the media and the community
are to be done after consultation between the involved facility, the Incident Commander, Health
Services,OES,and the local fire and/or law enforcement agencies.
For a Level 3 incident,the automated telephone dialing system may also be used to provide updates
to the community.
IX. Upgrading the Classification Level of the Incident
It maybe necessary during an incident to upgrade the classification level of the incident(i.e.,Level 1
to 2,Level 1 to 3,Level 2 to 3)because the incident spreads,the potential consequence of the release
increases,or new information on the consequence of the incident becomes available. The facility,
Health Services or the incident commander can initiate this upgrade.
A. Upgrading the Classification Level by Health Services
Health Services, at its discretion,can upgrade the classification level of an incident. Whenever
possible, Health Services will consult with the Incident Commander, the facility, and other
responding agencies before upgrading an incident. When Health Services decides to upgrade an
incident Health Services will activate a programmed sequence. This will be accomplished in one of
two ways:
If a Health Services Incident.Responder has access to a CWS computer terminal, he will
activate the programmed sequence for the higher classification.
If Health;Services Incident Responders do not have access to a CWS'computer terminal,they
will call COMM 1 and ask the dispatcher to activate the appropriate programmed sequence
by giving the classification level of the incident.
April f,2001
Page 15 C WY DOCUMENrsNcWSWERATION PROTOeaL.s.DOC
B. Upgrading the Classification Level by the Facility
The facility may decide to upgrade the classification level of an incident. When a facility
determines that the incident is described by a higher level, facility personnel is to contact Health
Services as quickly as possible by either paging Health Services or by telephone. If Health
Services decides to upgrade the incident,Health Services will follow the protocols stated above.
C. Upgrading the Classification Level by the Incident Commander
The Incident Commandercan request=Health Services to upgrade the classification level of an
incident. If Health' Services decides to upgrade the incident, Health Services will follow the
protocols stated above.
April 6, 2001
Page 16; CWY DOi Utr ENr3\CWSIOPERAnON PROTOCozs.DOC
Chapter 4
Hazardous Material Releases While in
Transportation
I. How the Community Warning System has been
Programmed
Each CWS computer terminal interfaces with the 'entire CWS to improve emergency
communications during certain programmed incidents, In addition,the CWS has been programmed
to initiate a sequence of actions for accidental hazardous materials release incidents. A sequence is
being developed for Level 2 and 3" transportation incidents involving hazardous materials.
Transportation incidents(releases)could occur anywhere in the County. Sirens may or may not be
in the vicinity of the incident and the 9-1-1 dispatcher inthearea may not have a CWS computer
terminal. Computer terminals located at COMM'1, CCCFPD, OES, and Health Services will be
programmed with the Level 2 and 3 sequences for transportation incidents.
H. Categories of Incidents
Different categories of incidents require different types of response. A response to a pipeline
incident may differ from a response to a train or truck accident,as a pipeline may not be as easily
accessible as a 'train or truck accident. The CWS has established two categories of;incidents for
transportation incidents. They are:
Pipeline Incident(PI)
Various Transportation Incidents (VTI)
A. Pipeline Incident. This category is for liquid spills-and gas releases from pipelines used for
transporting hazardous materials from, to,or between facilities that are outside the boundaries of a
facility.
B. Various Transportation Incidents. This category includes all other types of transportation
incidents,including highway,railway, waterway,and airway transportation that involve hazardous
materials.
III. Levels of Notification and Response
There are only two levels of notification and response. See the Matrix for details on the levels and
the notification and alerting for each level. For transportation incidents,.Levels 2 and 3 are
April 6, 2001
Page 17 CAMY DOCUMENTS\CWS\OPERA i!ON PROTOCOLS.DOC
applicable.
Level 2 is for an incident,requiring a response. At this level, there may be an off-site concern;
however, no health risk to the community is expected. Health 'Services, the local fire and law
enforcement agencies/9-1-1 dispatch centers that are connected to the CWS,BAAQND,USCG,and
OES are notified. Health 'Services, local law enforcement and fire agencies will respond. An
advisory notification will be made to the television stations and radio stations that are a part of the
system.
Level 3 is for an incident requiring a response, outside assistance to the incident, and an off-site
consequence is expected. Alerting will be done using sirens. The community will also be notified
through the California Emergency Digital Information System("ED1S") and the Emergency Alert
System ("EAS") that sends messages to television and radio stations, cablehead ends, by the
automated telephone dialing system,and NOAA weather radios. Health Services,the local fire and
law enforcement agenciesl9-1-1 dispatch centers that are connected to the CWS,BAAQMD,USCG,
and ETES will be notified. At this level,mutual aid may be required from,government agencies and
the Petrochemical Mutual Aid Organization (PMAO). The response to hearing the sirens and the
message from>media'notification is to shelter-in-place and turn on a radio or television for more
information.
IV. What the CWS Does Upon Activation
OES, CCCFPD, and COMM1, after consulting with Health Services, and Health Services, can
activate the CWS for Level 2 and;3 for transportation incidents involving hazardous materials.
Level 2 Upon a Level 2 activation, the CWS`will notify Health Services, the local fire and law
enforcement agencies/9-1-1 dispatch centers, BAAQMD, USCG, and OES. The programmed
sequence for a Level 2 activation will initiate a notification to the community through the Governor's
Office of Emergency Services Emergency Digital Information Service ("EDIS"), which
communicates with television,cable head ends,and radio stations. The message given through EDIS
to the radio and television stations is an advisory that states that there is an emergency at a particular
location and that most people will not be affected. Health Services will respond to a Level 2
incident'. The local fire and law enforcement agencies may also respond to a Level 2 incident.
Level 3:;Upon a Level 3 activation, the CWS will notify the same agencies notified for a Level 2
activation. Health Services, local fire department and law enforcement agencies will respond.
Under the programmed sequence for a Level 3 activation, the community will be notified by
television and radio through the Emergency Alert System("EAS"),EDIS NOAA weather radios5,
5 CAER intends to donate NOAA Weather Radios to schools, day care facilities, hospitals, and
long-term health care facilities in the future. In addition, the State Office of Emergency Services
April 6, 2001
Page 18 C:\MY D0CUMENTS\CWS\0PERATI0N PROTOCOI.S.DOC
and by a telephone call using the automated telephone dialing system. The automated dialing system
is initiated to make calls to those down wind from and nearest to the incident. The:message given to
the community using all the above communication routes will be to shelter-in-place and turn on a
radio or television for updated information. Health Services will select the zones for the automated'
telephone dialing system activation,if appropriate, as well as which sirens to activate if any.
V. Updates other than Upgrading the Classification Level
of the Incident
A. General
As an incident progresses, updates about the incident will become necessary. Updates (other than
upgrading an incident)could include downgrading an incident,calling an incident"Under Control
or issuing an "All Clear." Updates will Borne from the responding and issued to other'
agencies and the media. Health Services or OES will transmit to the media,updates pertaining to
possible health effects of the incident. A number of media follow-up message e templates have been
established:
B. Downgrading, Calling "Under Control," or Issuing an "All-Clear."
After an incident command system has been established,Health Services,working with the incident
commander, the responding fire and/or law enforcement'agencies, and other responding agencies,
will decide on downgrading an incident or calling an "All Clear".
The incident commander forhazardous materials releases in Contra Costa County is determined'by
the location of the incident as follows:
Jurisdiction Incident Commander
City of Richmond Richmond Fire Department
Other cities City Police Department
Non Highway or road incidents in Sheriff's Department
the unincorporated areas of the
County
Highways/ on-city roads
FCHP
plans on installing a slave transmitter on Mt Diablo, which should improve NOAA Weather
Radio coverage in Contra Costa County.
April 6, 2001
Page 19 CAMP noccrn rrTSCWMPExnrIax PROTOCOMMac
C. Follow-up Notifications and Updates to the Agencies
Health Services and other agencies can communicate using the CWS if they have access to a CWS
terminal during an incident or may use,if appropriate,one-on-one communication at the Emergency
Operations Center or the Incident Command Center or by telephone.
D. Updates to the Media and the Community
Health Services or OES will do the updates to the media. The media will be requested to broadcast
the updated information to the public. Whenever possible,updates to the media and the community
are to be done after consultation between the Incident Commander,Health Services,OES, and the
local fire and/or lawenforcement agencies.
For a Level 3 incident the automated telephone dialing system may also be used to provide updates
to the community.
VI. Upgrading the Classification Level of the Incident
A. General
It may be necessary during an incident to upgrade the classification level of the incident(i.e.,Level 2'
to 3) because, the incident spreads, the potential consequence of the release increases, or new
information on the consequence of the incident becomes available. Health Services or the incident
commander can initiate this upgrade.
B. Upgrading the Classification Level by;.Health Services
Health Services, at its discretion, can upgrade the classification level of an incident. Whenever
possible;Health Services will consult with the incident Commander and other responding agencies
before upgrading an incident. When Health Services decides to upgrade an incident,Health Services
will activate a programmed sequence. This will be accomplished'`in one of two ways:
If a Health Services Incident Responder has access to a CWS computer terminal, he will
activate the programmed sequence for the higher classification.
If Health Services Incident Responders do not have access to a CWS computer terminal,they
will call Sheriff's Comm, l and ask the dispatcher to activate the,appropriate programmed
sequence by giving the classification level of the incident.
C. Upgrading the Classification Level by the Incident Commander
The Incident Commander can request Health:Services to upgrade the classification level of an
incident, If Health:Services decides to upgrade the incident, Health Services will follow the
protocols stated in the above section.
April 6, 2001
Page 20 CAMY D0CUMENTSNCWS\0PERA770N PRO"OCOLs.DOC
Chapter 5
False Activation of the Community warning System
When there is a false activation of the CWS (either one or more sirens only or of a programmed
sequence),it will be necessary to notify Health Services,the local fire and law enforcement agencies,
the community, and the media. The degree of notification will depend on the level of the false
activation.
False Activation of Sirens Only.
If there is a false activation of sirens only,there is an immediate need to notify the community. The
public is being educated to shelter-in-place when they hear a siren;therefore,the community must be
notified that there was a false activation of the siren(s) and that there is no hazardous material's
incident.
If facility personnel hear`a siren and know that a Level 3 incident is not occurring at their facility,
the facility should first activate shelter-in-place procedures, and page the Health Services Incident
Responder as soon as possible.6
If an individual from afire or law enforcement agency hears a siren and is not aware of a Level 3
incident occurring in the community,that individual is to contact his 9-1`-1 dispatch center. If the 9-
1-1 dispatch center is not aware of a Level 3 incident occurring in the area,the 9-1-1 dispatcheris to
page the Health Services Incident Responder.
If a 9-1-1 dispatch center is called by the public about a siren that has been activated and the 9-1-I
dispatcher is unaware of a Level 3 incident occurring,in the area,the 9-1-1 dispatcher is to advise the
caller to "shelter-in-place" and then page the Health Services Incident Responder.
In all of the above cases, after determining that a level 3 incident is not occurring, the Health
Services Incident Responder will do one of the following:
If the Health Services Incident Responder has access to a CWS computer,;he will notify
television and radio stations,the participating 9-1-1 dispatch centers,BAAQNM,USCG,and
local fire and Iaw enforcement agencies that there has.been a false activation of a siren. A
sequence named "False Activation of Sirens" has been designed'' to assist with this
communication.
6 Sirens are tested each month on the first Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. All computer terminals have
messages stating that a test is occurring.
April 6, 2001
Page 21 CAw"DOCUMENTWWSWERAnON PROTOCOLs.DOC
If the Health Services Incident Responder does not have access to a CWS computer terminal,
he will call Sheriff's dispatch(COMM 1)and assist the 9-1-1 dispatch supervisor through the
"False Activation of Sirens" sequence to transmit the information as'descrihed above.
False Activation of the Community Warning System
A'false activation of the system could activate the sirens, automated telephone dialing system,and
give false notification messages to EDIS,EAS, the National Weather Service("NWS"), and the
electronic media.
If a,facility or an agency personnel learns that the system has been falsely activated, he should
contact the 9-1'-1 dispatch center as quickly as possible through the CWS and advise of the false
activation. (This will allow the 9-1-1- dispatcher to advise callers of the situation.) Facility or
agency personnel should page the Health Services Incident Responder immediately thereafter and
advise.Health Services of the false activation of the system.
If a 91-1 dispatch center learns that there has been a false activation of the system, the dispatcher'
should page the Health Services Incident Responder immediately.
t:
In either case, the.Health Services Incident Responder will do one of the following:
If the Health Services Incident Responder has access to a CWS computer, he will notify
television and radio stations,the participating 9-1-1 dispatch centers,BAAQMD,USCG,and
local fire and law enforcement agencies that there has been a false activation of a siren. A
sequence named "False Activation of CWS" has been designed to assist with this
communication.
If the Health Services Incident Responder does not have access to a CWS computer terminal,
e will call Sheriff's dispatch(COMM 1)and assist the 9-1-1 dispatch,supervisor through the
sequence to transmit the information as described above.
April 6, 2001
Page 22 c:WvD0CUME s\CWS\0PERAT10NPROTOGOLSDOC
Chapter
Agency Use for Unspecified Incidents
The CWS may be used for incidents that have not been described in previous chapters. Under what
conditions would,the Community Warning System.be used? How will the system be activated?
Who would activate the system? This chapter will address these questions along with follow-up
notifications and updates, and upgrading an incident.
I. Conditions for Using the Community Waring System
for Unspecified Incidents
The CWS may be used for incidents involving an imminent threat to the health and safety of the
public, or if by using the system, the health and safety of the public could be;protected. Fire
incidents, law enforcement incidents, natural disasters, and public health incidents are all types of
incidents during which the CWS could be used to provide warnings to the public;
II. No Sirens
Sirens have been'designated for use only for hazardous materials incidents.
III. Activation of the Community Warning Systems for
Unspecified Incidents
Any governmental agency can request the use of the CWS to provide notification to the public when
such use will help to protect the health and safety of the public. The governmental agency is to
contact Health Services Incident Responder for hazardous materials incidents or OES for all other
incidents through COMM land request the activation of the CWS. If the Health Services Incident
Responder or OES decides to activate the CWS for the incident that has been'requested,they will do
one of the Billowing:
If a Health Services Incident Responder or OES has access to a CWS computer, he will notify
television and radio stations,through EDIS, and the local fire and/or law enforcement agencies
of the incident that is occurring. It may also be appropriate for the Incident Responder or CIES to
activate EAS, use the automated telephone dialing system, and the NOAA weather radios.
When a CWS computer terminal is not availableto Health Services Incident Responders or OES,
April 6, 2001
Page 23 c:aAY nocvMar,TM-Ws\opERATION Przorocois.raoc
they will call Sheriff's COMM l and walk the 9-I-I dispatch supervisor through the activation of
the CWS. This will notify the participating television and radio stations,through EMS,and fire
or law enforcement agencies that are in the local area of the incident that is occurring. It may
also be appropriate for the Incident Responder or OES to activate EAS, use the automated
telephone dialing system, and the NOAA weather radios.
V. Follow-up Notification, Updates and Upgrades for
Unspecified Incidents
Heath Services or OES will do all follow-up notifications, such as an "All Clear" updates and
upgrades in coordination with the requesting government response agency. After appropriate review
of the incident by the appropriate response agencies,OES,and Health Services,Health Services or
(SES will notify the television and radio stations through EMS,and local fire or law enforcement of
the follow-up notifications, updates, and upgrades for the incident.
a,.
April 6, 2401
Page 24 C:NY DOCUMFNTSNCWS10PERAT10N PROTOCOLS.DOC
ATTACHMENT A-1
HAZARDOUS MATERIAL REPORTING
CLASSIFICATION LEVELS
LEVEL 0 (easily contained and controlled by plant personnel)
is categorized by any of the following:
1. (fin-site only.
2. Safety Supervisor,or equivalent,is placed on alert due to a release or threatened release
resulting from an emergency situation,including,but not limited to,emergency
shutdowns or major unit start-ups.
3. Liquid spill contamination.(The spill is more than three 55-gallon drums- 165
gallons--and does not meet any of requirements for notification listed in levels l -3 and
if the spill is not contained.)
4. Three(3) or more unconfirmed odor complaints within an hour.
LEVEL 1 is categorized by any of the following:
1 . On-site:,
pflssible off-'site.
2. Confirmed (3 or more odor complaints within one hour and substantiated by plant
personnel as an on-site problem)offsite odor from facility.
3. Fire/smoke which requires a response from workers outside the immediate area,but not
visible off-site.
4. Excess flaring,
5. Spill or release incident that meets an RQ(Reportable Quantity)requirement and does
not meet any of the requirements of Level 2 or 3.
LEVEL 2 is categorized by any of the following:
1. Off--site impact where eye,skin, nose and/or respiratory irritation may be possible.
2. Explosion with noise/pressure wave impact off-site.
3. Fire/smoke/plume (other than steam) visible off-site (does not include fire training
exercises).
LEVEL 3 is categorized by any of the following:
1. Off-site impact that is expected to cause eye, skin, nose and/or respiratory irritation in
the community(ERPG Level 2 concentration reading or greater).
2. Fire,explosion,heat,or smoke with an off-site impact.
Example: On;,a process unit/storage tank where mutual aid is requested to mitigate-the-------
event and the fire will last longer than 15minutes.
3. Hazardous material or fire incident' where the incident commander or unified
command,through consultation with the Hazardous Material Incident Response Team,
requests that sirens should be sounded.
WILLIAM B. WALKER. M. D. OFFICE OF THE
HEALTH SERVICES DIRECTOR
w" D REum
HAZARDOU's MAI VRIAL5 ON'MUDSMAN
CONTRA COSTA 20 Allen Street
H E A L T H S R V I C E S Martinez, California
94553-3191
Ph(925)370-5020
Fax(925)
Toll Free 1-877-662-8376
e-mail mkent@hs&co,contra-costa.ca.us
March 12, 2002
MEMO
To: Board of Supervisors
cc. Lew Pascalli,`Hazardous Materials Programs Director
Dr. William walker,Health Services Director
From: Michael Dent, Contra Costa.County Hazardous Materials Ombudsman
Re: Status Report on Issues Raised at the January 29, 2002 Public :Forum concerning
the October, 2001 releases from the Equilon refinery.
On January 29, 2002 Supervisor Uilkema hosted a public forum to discuss the Root
Cause Analysis for the October, 2001 releases from the Equilon refinery. At the end of
that meeting she asked for a status report to the Board of Supervisors on the following
items:
1) Public Access to the County Notification Policy for Chemical Releases.
The County adopted a notification policy on June 19, 2001 that describes how and when
a facility is to notify Contra Costa Health Services in the event of chemical release or
fire. The matrix of event levels and Community Waring System responses is currently
on the Contra Costa County CAER Group web page at www.cccaer.orsz. The Equilon
refinery is also in the process of mailing this notification policy to homes in the Martinez
area. Members of the public can also obtain this notification policy from the Hazardous
Materials Programs or from the Hazardous Materials Ombudsman.
Contra Costa Comrn.unity St;bstance Abuse Sermcs • Contra Costa Emergency Med.cal Services • t_outr,a Costa'L-nwonrnentai Health . C oita Costa Health Plan
� + Contra Costa Hazardous Maten&Programs +Contra Costa Meatal Health Contra Costa Public Health • Contra Costa Reyionaf t,9edical Cente-
z �`F� i. CorrCta Costa Haai'.tt Ce+Iters
2) The Community Outreach and Educationefforts about the Community
Warning System and haw to Shelter-in-Place beim conducted byCAER.
CAER's Community Outreach group will conduct a variety of activities this year to
promote the public's understanding of the Community Warning System and how to
Shelter-in-Place: The group has a budget of$35,000 to develop and distribute educational
materials. Their planned activities this year include:
• A mailing County residents concerning how to Shelter-in-Place
• A mailing to businesses concerning how to Smelter-in-Place.
• The development of a Shelter-in-Place drill at schools and childcare centers.
• The development of a Public Service Announcement for CCTV and KCRT.
• New Wally Wise trading cards.
• New Shelter-in-Place color refrigerator magnets;
• updating the Shelter-in-Place video:
• Staffing booths at festivals and other community events.
• Updating the Community Warning System.Brochure.
• Pursuing specific outreach to the Spanish-speaking community through the
development'of performance-based education.
• Continuation-ofthe'mentor r to help facilities develop Shelter-in-Place plans.
• Development of a Speake beuru w,th a power point presentation.
3) A Process by which the City of Martinez can Receive Notification for all levels of
release.
The City of Martinez and the Equilon refinery have developed an agreement by which
Equilon will immediately notify the Martinez Chief of Police via telephone in the event
of any incident at the facility meeting the definition of levels 0—3. The City of Martinez
will continue to receive notification of level 2 and 3 incidents from the County via their
Community Warning System terminal.'
4) A.Process by which the City of Martinez can Provide Information and Updates
to Local Residents about Local Releases.
The City of Martinez has established two methods of providing information to local
residents. They have established a telephone message line, (925)372-3403, which will be
updated with inforination during local incidents.'They also will broadcast up-to-date
information over their local TIS radio system, 530 AM.'Eventually, the County would
like to be able to provide information to the TIS system automatically through the
Community Warning System.This capacity is not available yet,but is being developed.
Martinez area residents will also be able to receive information during incidents from the
TV, commercial radio,National Weather Service radios, and via e-mail:
2
5) The Development of an "All-clear" Signal:
Currently,when Contra Costa Health Services determines that an incident is "all-clear"
the general public is notified via TV and radio announcements. Those homes and
businesses that received an automated telephone message through the CAN system
recommending they Shelter-in-Place also receive an automated message telling them the
incident is "all-clear". On several occasions in the past, CAER's Emergency Notification
Committee has considered adding additional methods to the system to inform the public
when an incident is "all-clear Primarily,the addition method considered has been
adding a siren tone, different from the one used to initially signal a"Shelter-in-place"
event, to signal "all-clear".
CAER's Emergency Notification group has chosen not to recommend this addition to
Contra Costa Health Services for several reasons. First, they felt that'a second, different
signal would be confusing to people. As sirens are now re-sound during incidents,people
may confuse the "all-clear" signal with the re-sounding of the siren recommending they
remain sheltered-in-place. Secondly, sirens are meant primarily to warn people who are
outdoors to go inside. They are not designed to be heard by people that are indoors. Since
people should already be indoors during an incident, the effectiveness of a siren signaling"
"all-clear"was seen as limited.
For these reasons, CAER's Emergency Notification Group felt the Community Warning
System should be left as it is concerning notifying people of an"all-clear".They felt that
instead of changing the system, additional emphasis should be put on educating people of
the need to listen to the radio or watch TV during'incidents to receive up-to-date
information, including the"all'-clear"'signal. Given this analysis and conclusion by the
Emergency Notification Group, the County is not considering any changes to the'"all-
clear" signal at this time.
6) Including the Valero facility in Benicia in the Community Warning System
The Contra Costa CAER Group has contacted the Benicia Fire Department'and Valero to
discuss adding the Valera facility to the Community Warning System. They are planning
to meet with both,parties the first week of March to develop a proposal.
3
OlVERATION PROTOCOLS FSB THE
D�IMI�I�ITY iNAR�1INQ SYSTEM
Prepared for
USERS OF THE COMMUNITY WARNING SYSTEM
by
CONTRA COSTA HEALTH SERVICES
June 19, 2001
,
Chapter l
Introduction
I. What the Operation Protocols Covers.
The Operation Protocols is a policy and guidance document to assist in the use of the Community
Warning System ("CWS"). It supplements the CWS User's Manual, which covers step-by-step
operation information, and the CWS Hazardous Materials Accidental Release Matrix. The
Operations Protocol covers matters such as:
-Who will operate the system.
What the system does.
-When the system wound be used and under what conditions.
II. Design of the Community Warning System
A. General.
The Community Warning System is designed to alert and notify the community and public agencies
when there is an accidental release of a hazardous material that could affect the community. The
system may also be used in fire,law enforcement,natural disasters,and other public health incidents.
B. Alerting.
The alerting portion of the system consists of sirens. The sirens are located around the facilities that
pose the greatest potential risk to the community from a hazardous material release. The sirens are
designed to alert the people who are outdoors in the communities closest to these facilities.
C. Notification.
The notification portion of the system consists of:
1. The ability to communicate by radio transmission between CWS computer terminals that
are located at selected facilities and at Contra Costa Health Services("Health Services'),the
Contra Costa County Office of Emergency Services ("OES"), Contra Costa County Fire
Protection District("CCCFPD"),Bay Area Air Quality Management District("BAAQMD'
United States Coast Guard("USCG"),Sheriff's 9--1-1 dispatch("COMM 1"),and the Cities
of Richmond,Pinole, Martinez, and Antioch Police Departments.
April 6, 2001
Page I CAMYDOCUMBNTSICWSWERATIONPROTOCOLS.DOC
::::x...;.::: ::::
2. The ability to get emergency information to the media,including television stations,radio'
stations, and cable television head ends.
3. The ability to connect with an automated telephone dialing system. The;automated'
dialing system is initiated automatically by the CWS for programmed sequences. For all
other incidents, the Health Services initiates the dialing system.
4. The ability to transmit emergency information to National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration'("NOAA") weather radios.
D "Programmed Sequences."
Classification"levels"of releases of hazardous materials,and the required emergency response and
notification for each level, have been developed. For classification levels of releases, refer to the
Community Warning System Hazardous Materials Accidental''Release Matrix ("Matrix"),
attached hereto as Appendix 1,as the Matrix may be amended from time to time by Health Services.
The CWS has been programmed to initiate a sequence of actions for accidental releases of
hazardous materials, depending upon the "level" of the release incident. This programming is
referred to as a "programmed sequence." For example; if the:CWS is activated by a facility for a
Level 0 event,the CWS will notify Health'Services. If the CWS is activated for a Level 3 incident,
the CWS will activate sirens and an automated'telephone dialing system, and notify designated
regulatory and response agencies and the media.
Programmed sequences have been developed for the.facilities that pose the greatest potential risk to
the communities and which have CWS computer terminals
III. Remaining Chapters
The remaining chapters will discuss the operation protocols for the Community Warning System.
Each of the remaining chapters has been designed to stand-alone for use in different situations.
At a'future date, the County may consider developing;protocols for other incidents, such as fire
incidents,law enforcement incidents, natural disasters, and public health incidents.
April 6, 2001
Page 2 CWY DOCUMENTS\CWSWERATiON PROTOCOLS.DOC
IV. Abbreviations Used
The following is a list of the abbreviations or abbreviatedterms used herein.
BAAQMD Bay Area air Quality Management District
CAER Contra Costa County CAER Group,Inc.., a California non-profit
public benefit corporation
CCCFPD Contra Costa County Fire Protection District
COMM1 Sheriff's 4-1-1 Dispatch Center
CWS Community Warning System
EDIS Governor's Office of Emergency Services Emergency Digital
Information Service
ERPG 2 Emergency Response Planning Guidelines Level 2
Health Services Contra Costa Health Services
Matrix Community Warning System Hazardous Materials Accidental
Release Matrix
NOAA Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NWS National Weather Service
OES Contra Costa County Office of Emergency Services
PMAO Petrochemical Mutual Aid Organization
USCG United States Coast Guard
April 6, 2001
Page 3'' CAMY DOCUMENTS\CWS\OPERATION PROTOCOM DOC
I
i
i
Chapter
Hazardous Material Releases
from. Facilities With a CWS Computer Terminal
I. Facilities with CWS Computer Terminals and Sirens.
As of the date of this printing of the Operation Protocols, the following facilities have CWS
computer terminals and can activate sirens:
Chevron Richmond Refinery-Richmond
Tosco San Francisco Area Refinery- Rodeo'
Equilon Martinez Refining Company(MRC)-Martinezi'"
Rhodia-Martine'
Ultramar Golden Eagle Refinery Avon
Dow Chemical Pittsburg ;'
II.` How the Community Warning System has been
Programmed
Each CWS computer terminal interfaces with the entire CWS to improve emergency
communications during certain programmed events. In addition,the CWS has been programmed to
initiate a sequence of actions for accidental hazardous materials release events. Each facility with a
CWS computer terminal has the programmed 'sequences for release events from that facility
programmed into its computer terminal. Computer terminals located at COMM 1,Contra CCCFPD
dispatch center, DES, and Health Services have been programmed'`with all of the Level 2 and 3
programmed sequences for all of the facilities with computer terminals.
III. Categories of Incidents
Different 'categories of incidents require different types of response. A response to a toxic gas
release will differ from.a response to a fire or an explosion. Health Services has established four
categories of incidents for fixed facilities to assist the emergency response agencies in responding to
such incidents. They are:
Toxic Gas Release (TGR),
April 6, 2001
Page 4 C:VvIY DOCUMENTS\CWS\OPERATiON PROTOCOUDOC
Flammable Non-Toxic Hazardous Release (FNTHR),
Various Fires/Explosions (VFE), and
Various Spills/Plant Upsets (VSPU).
A. Toxic Gas Release. This category is used for those chemicals that are either gases or liquids
with a high enough vapor pressure that when released would form a vapor cloud and could have an
acute health consequence to the community. These chemicalsare normally listed as extremely
hazardous substances or acutely hazardous materials.
B. Flannmable Non-Toxic Hazardous Release. This category is for releases of chemicals that are
flammable, but have not ignited. This could be in the form of a vapor cloud or liquid spill. The
concern is a possible ignition and subsequent fire.
C. Various Fires/Explosions. This category is for fires or explosions at a fixed facility. In some
cases the facility may have not caused the fire(such as a grass fire),but the fire could be of concern
to the public. Different sizes of fires and explosions will require different levels of alerting and
notifications.
D. Various Spills/Plant Upsets. This category is for incidents that do not fit in the above three
categories. Examples include an oil spill on a waterway, a spill'of an acidic or basic material that
could be corrosive and dangerous to the public, or a release of an aerosol or solid powder material
that could have an acute health consequence on the public.
IV Levels of Notification and Response
There are four levels of notification and response. See the Matrix for details on the levels and the
notification and alerting for each level.
Level O is a communication level between the facility and Health Services. The purpose of this
communication level is to inform the Health Services Incident Response Team of any non-standard
activity at a facility where there is a potential for public concern. A Level 0 incident must be easily
contained and controlled by plant personnel
Level l is the notification level used to notify Health Services,the local fire and law enforcement
9-1-1 dispatchers that have CWS terminals,BAAQMD,USCG and QES of an incident where there
is an on-site problem that, if not contained,could cause an off-site health and safety problem.
Level 2 is for an incident requiring a'response. At this level,there may be an off-site concern by
the community;however,no health risk to the community is expected. Health Services,the local fire
and law enforcement agencies/9-1-1 dispatch centers that are connected to the CWS, BAAQMD,
April 6, 2001
Page 5 CAMY DOCUMENTSICWS\OPERATION PROTOCOLSDOC
USCG,and OES'are notified. Health Services and the local law enforcement and fire agencies will
respond. An advisory notification will be made to the television stations and radio stations that are a
part of the system.
Level 3 is for an incident requiring a response,outside assistance to the incident, and an off-site
consequence is expected. Alerting will be done using sirens, The community will also be notified
by sendingmessages to television and radia stations,by the automated telephone dialing system;and
NOAA weather radios'. Health Services,the local fire and law enforcement agencies/9-1-1 dispatch
centers that are connected to the CWS,BAAQMD,USCG,and OES:will be notified. At this level,
mutual aid may be required from government agencies and the Petrochemical Mutual 'Aid
Organization(PMAO).`The response to hearing the sirens and the message from media notification
is to shelter-in-place and turn on a radio or television for more information.
V. Incident Notification
Health Services' Incident Notification Policy requires facilities to notify Health Services of
certain incidents. At this time, facilities are expected to notify Health Services Incident
Responders through the CWS and by pager.'
VI. Overview of System Activation, Alerting,
Notification and Emergency Response
If there is an incident of any level at a facility with a CWS computer terminal, the facility is to
activate the CWS immediately. The facility will be able to activate the CWS by using the CWS
computer,terminal and/or a push button unit at the site. Facilities with push-button capability are
expected to use that option for a Level 3'incident.
Health Services or the facility can at any time during an incident increase the classification level(e.g.
from a bevel 2 to a Level 3). If it will not delay measures to protect the health and safety of the
' CAER intends to donate NOAA Weather Radios to schools, day care facilities, hospitals, and
long-term health care facilities in the future. In addition, the State Office of Emergency Services
plans on installing a slave transmitter on Mt. Diablo, which should improve NOAA Weather
Radio coverage in Contra Costa County.
'Immediate notification is required for any release or threatened release of a hazardous material
that poses a present or potential hazard to human health and safety, property or the environment.
(Contra Costa County Health Services Hazardous Material incident Notification-Policy IV.A 1.)
In addition, Contra Costa County Ordinance Code section 450-2.416 requires a handler to report
to Health Services immediately upon discovery, any release of a hazardous material reportable
under any'law to any federal,'state or other local regulatory agency.
April 6, 2041
Page 6 OWY DOCUMENTS\CWMOPEKATION PROTOCOLS.DOC
community, this change in classification should be 'done in coordination with the Incident
Commander, the facility and other responding agencies:
VII. What the CWS Does Upon Activation.
Level 0: Upon a Level 0 activation by a facility, the CWS communicates the eventto Health
Services.
Level 1: Upon a Level l activation, the CWS will notify Health Services, the local fire and lav
enforcement agencies/9-1-1 dispatch centers,$AAQMD, USCG,and OES. There will be no
media notifications or alerts to the community at this level..
Level 2: Upon a Level 2 activation,the CWS will notify the same agencies notified for a Level 1
activation. The programmed:sequence for a Level 2 activation will initiate a notification to the
community through the Governor's Office of Emergency Services Emergency Digital
Information. Service(EDIS), which communicates with television and radio stations. The
message given through EDIS to the radio and television stations is an advisory that states that
there is an emergency at a particular facility and that most people will not be affected. Health'
Services will respond to a classification Level 2 incident. The local fire and law enforcement
agencies may also respond to a classification Level 2 incident.
Level 3: Upon a Level 3 activation,the CWS will notify the same agencies notified for a Level 1
activation. Health Services, local fire department and law enforcement agencies will respond.
Under the programmed'sequence for a Level 3 activation,the community will be notified by
television and radio through the Emergency Alert System (EAS),EDIS, and by a telephone call
using the automated telephone dialing system. The automated dialing system is initiated to make
calls to those down wind from and nearest to the incident. The message given to the community
using all the above communication routes will be to shelter-in-place and tum on a radio or
television;for updated information. The programmed sequence will also activate sirens to alert
the community. Each facility has a predetermined grouping of sirens that will be sounded. It is
also possible for the facility or Health Services to activate additional sirens as needed.
VIII. Updates ether than Upgrading the Classification
Level of the Incident
A. General,
As an incident progresses,updates about the incident will become necessary. Updates {other than
upgrading an incident)could include'downgrading an incident,calling an incident""Under Control",
or issuing an"All Clear." Updates will come from the facility;and the agencies and issued to other
agencies,the media,and other facilities. Health Services or OILS will transmit to the media,updates
April 6, 2001
Page 7 CAMY DOCUMENMCWSWERATION PROTOCOLS.DOC
3:::Iv?=jr:;::_! •::s.�y;:E€.I
IM
MIN'3'if jj8, y. 3 'N43 ?1tHf 3M# jiiN+s #3113Ei 3E3ft f 03M!M EE ••:3l1l5 a::x:
pertaining to possible health effects of the incident A number of media follow-up message templates
have been established.
B. Downgrading, Calling "Under Control," or Issuing an. "All-Clear."
After an incident command system has been established,Health Services,working with the incident
commander,the responding fire and/or law enforcement agencies,the facility,and other responding
agencies,will decide on downgrading an incident,calling an incident"Under Control,"or issuing an
"All Clear."
The incident commander for hazardous materials releases in Contra:Costa County is determined by
the location of the incident as follows:
Jurisdiction Incident Commander
City of Richmond Richmond Fire Department
Other cities City'Police"Department
Non Highway or road incidents in Sheriff's Department
the unincorporated areas of the
County
Highways/non-city roads CHP
C. Follow-up Notifications and Updates from the Facility to the Agencies
A facility may use the CWS to update the agencies that are connected to the CWS'. If a facility uses
its CWS computer terminal for these updates; the same text message is given to all of the agencies
that are connected to the system.. However, there may be other means of communication that are
more appropriate during an incident, such as one-on-one communication at the IncidentCommand
Center or with the Emergency Operations Center.
During a Level 1 incident, the facility should provide regular updates using its CWS computer
terminal. The facility should update the agencies every twenty minutes during the life of a Level 1
incident,unless the facility has notified the agencies that the Level 1 incident will last for a specific
period of time (e.g., excess flaring could last for a number of hours).
D. Updates to the Media and the Community
Health Services or OES will do the updates to the media. The media will be requested to broadcast
the updated information to the public. Whenever possible,updates to the media and the community
are to be done after consultation between the involved facility, the Incident Commander, Health
Services, OES and the local fire and/or law enforcement agencies:
April 6, 2041
Page 8 CAMY DOCUMENTStCWS\OPERATION PROTOCOLS.DOC
For a Level 3 incident the automated telephone dialing system may also be used to provide:updates
to the community.
IX. > Upgrading;.the Classification bevel of the Incident
It may be necessary during an incident to upgrade the classification levelof the incident(i.e. Level 1
to 2,Level`1t 3,Level 2 to 3)because the incident spreads,the potential consequence of the release
increases, or new information on the consequence of the incident becomes available. The facility,
Health Services or the incident commander can initiate this upgrade.
A. Upgrading,the Classification Level by the Facility
The facility may decide to upgrade the classification level of an incident. When a facility determines
that the incident is described by a higher level, facility personnel is to activate the programmed
sequence in the facility's CWS computer terminal for the higher`level.
B. Upgrading the Classification Level by Health Services
Health Services, at its discretion, can upgrade the classification level of an incident. Whenever
possible, Health Services will consult with the Incident Commander, the facility, and other
responding agencies before upgrading an incident.' When Health Services decides to upgrade an
incident,Health Services will activate;a programmed sequence. This will be accomplished in oneof
two ways:
If a Health Services Incident Responder has access to a CWS computer terminal, he will
activate the programmed sequence for the higher classification.
If Health Services,Incident Responders do not have access to a CWS computer terminal,they
will call COMM 1 and ask the dispatcher to activate the appropriate programmed sequence
by giving the classification level of the incident.
C. Upgrading the Classification Level by the Incident Commander
The Incident Commander can request Health Services to upgrade the classification level of an
incident. If Health Services decides;to upgrade the incident, Health Services will follow the
protocols stated in the above section.'
April 6, 2001
Page CAMY DOCUMENTS\CWSWERATION PROTOCOLS.DOC
.:..
Chapter
Hazardous Material Releases from. Facilities
Without a CWS Computer Terminal
I. Facilities without a CVS computer terminal.
Templates, designed to assist in the activation of the CWS for Level 2 and 3 incidents will be
distributed to the facilities in the County that have a known potential to impact the community from
Ian accidental release of a hazardous material and do not have a CWS 'computer terminal. 'Those
facilities are;
• Air Products at:Equilon
• Air Products at Ultramar
• Antioch Water Treatment Plant
• Calpine
• General Chemical Bay Paint
• General Chemical Richmond
• GWF.Antioch {Wilbur Avenue east}
• GWF Antioch (Wilbur Avenue west)
• GWF Bay Point
• GWF Pittsburg (3rd St.)
• GWF Pittsburg (Loveridge)
• HASA
• Martinez Railyard
• RandallBold Water Treatment Plant
• Pittsburg Water Treatment Plant
• Pittsburg Railyard
• Polypure
• Richmond Railyard ;
11 ow the Community Warning System has been
Programmed
mei
Each CWS computer terminal interfaces with the entire CWS to improve emergency
communications during certain programmed events. In addition,the CWS will be programmed by
July 1, 2001 to initiate a sequence of actions for accidental hazardous materials release events.
April 6, 2001
.Page 10 C.'WY DOCUMENrSCWS\OPERA71ON ProrOcr Ls.roc`
Templates have been developed for Level land 3 events for facilities that have a known potential of
having an accidental release that could impact the community and that do not have a GWS computer
terminal. Computer terminals located at COMM 1, CCCFPD dispatch center, OES, and Health
Services have been programmed with the Level 2 and°3 programmed sequences for all of these
facilities
III. Categories of Incidents
Different categories of incidents require different types of response. A response to a toxic gas
release will differ from a response to a fire;or an explosion. Health Services has established four
categories of incidents for fixed facilities to assist the emergency response aenciesin responding to
such.:incidents. They are
Toxic Gas Release (TGR),
Flammable Non-Toxic Hazardous Release (FNTHR)
Various Fires/Explosions (VFE), and
Various Spills/Plant Upsets(VSPU).
A. Toxic Gas Release. This category is used for those chemicals that are either gases or liquids
with a high enough vapor pressure that when released would form a vapor cloud and could have an
acute health consequence to the community. These chemicals are normally listed as extremely
hazardous'substances or acutely hazardous materials.
B. Flammable Non-Toxic Hazardous Release. This category is for releases of chemicals that are
flammable, but have not ignited. This could be in the form of a vapor cloud or liquid spill. The
concern is a possible ignition and subsequent fire.
C. Various Fires/Explosions. This category is for fires or explosions at a fixed facility. In some
cases the facility may have not caused the fire(such as a grass fire),but the fire could be of concern
to the public. Different sizes of fires and explosions will require different levels of alerting and
notifications.
D. Various Spills/Plant Upsets. This category is for incidents that do not fit in the above three
categories. Examples include an oil spill on a waterway, a spill of an acidic or basic material that
could be corrosive and dangerous to the public,ora release of an aerosol or solid powder material
that could have an acute health consequence on the public.
IV Levels of Notification and Response
There are four levels of notification and response. See the Matrix for details on the levels and the
April 6, 2001
Page 1 I CAMY DOCUMENTS>CWSIOPERATION PROTOCOLS.DOC
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notification and alerting for each level.
Leve 0 is a communication level between the facility and Health Services. The purpose of this
communication level is to inform the Health Services Incident Response Team of any non-standard
activity at a facility where there is a potential for public concern. A Level 0 incident must be easily
contained and controlled by plant personnel
Level 1 is the notification level used to notify Health Services,the local fire and law enforcement
9-1-1 dispatchers that have CWS terminals,BAAQMD USCG and EKES of an incident where there
is an on-site problem that,if not contained,could cause an off-site health and safety problem.
Level Z is for an incident requiring a response. At this level,there may be an off-site concern by
the community,however,no health risk to the community is expected. Health Services,the local fire
and law enforcement agencies/9-1-1 dispatch centers that are connected to the CWS, BAAQMD,
USCG, and OES;are notified. Health Services,local law enforcement and fire district/department
will respond. An advisory notification will be made to the television stations and radio stations that
are a part of the system.
Level 3 is for an incident requiring a response,outside assistance to the incident, and an off-site
consequence is expected. Alerting will be done using sirens. The community will also be notified
by sending messages to television and radio stations,cable head ends, by the automated telephone
dialing system, and NOAA weather>radios3. Health Services, the local fire and Iaw enforcement
agencies/9-1-1 dispatch centers that are connected to the CWS;BAAQMD,USCG,and OES will be
notified. At this level,mutual aid may be required from government agencies and the Petrochemical
Mutual Aid Organization(PMAO). ,The response to hearing the sirens and the message from media
notification is to shelter-in-place and turn on a radio or television for more information.
V. Incident Notification Required.
Health Services' Incident Notification Policy requires facilities to notify Health Services of
certain incidents. Facilities without CWS computer'terminals are expected to notify
Notifying Health Services Incident Responders by pager.4
3 CAER intends to donate NOAA Weather Radios to schools, day care facilities, hospitals, and
long'-term health care facilities in the future. In addition, the State Office of Emergency Services
plans on installing a slave transmitter on Mt. Diablo, which should improve NOAA Weather
Radio coverage in Contra Costa County.
4 Immediate notification is required for any release or threatened release of a hazardousmaterial
that poses a present or potential hazard to human"health-and safety,property or the environment.
(Contra Costa County Health Services Hazardous Material Incident Notification Policy`IV.A.1.)
April 6, 20011
Page 12 C:\MY n0cuMENTsicws\0PERAT10N PROTocoLs,Uoc
VI. Overview of System Activation, Alerting,
Notification and. Emergency Response
If there is an incident of any level at a'facility without a CWS computer terminal, the facility is to
notifyHealth Services immediately. The facility can notify Health Services by pager or calling
(925) 646-1112 to do this notification:
OES, CCCFPD, and COMMI after consulting with Health Services, and ''Health Services can
activate the CWS for Level 2 and 3 incidents for facilities that do not have CWS computer terminals.
Health Services can at anytime during an incident increase the classification level(e.g.from a Level
2 to a Level 3). If it will not delay measures to protect the healthand safety of the community,this
change in classification should be Clone in coordination with the Incident Commander,the facility
and other responding agencies.
VII.. What the CWS Does Upon Activation
Level 2: Upon a Level 2 activation, the CWS will notify Health Services, the local fire and law
enforcement agencies/9-1-1 dispatch centers,'BAAQIUM, USCG, and OES. The programmed
sequence for a Level 2 activation will initiate a notification to the community through the Governor's
Office of Emergency Services Emergency Digital Information Service(EDIS),which communicates
with television and radio stations. The message given through EDIS to the radio and television
stations is an advisory that states that there is an emergency at a particular facility and that most
people will not be affected. Health Services will respond to a Level 2 incident. The local fire and
law enforcement agencies may also respond to a classification Level 2 incident.
Level 3- Upon a Level 3 activation, the CWS'will notify the same agencies notified for a vel
activation. Health Services, the local fire department and law enforcement agencies will respond.
Under the programmed sequence for a Level 3 activation, the I community will be notified by
television and radio through the Emergency Alert System(EAS),EDIS,and by a telephone call using
the automated telephone dialing system. The automated dialing system is initiated to make calls to
those down wind from and nearest to the incident. The message given to the community using all
the above communication routes will be to shelter-in-place and turn on a radio or television for
updated information: The programmed'sequence will also activate sirens to alert the community.
Each facility has a predetermined grouping of sirens that will be sounded. It also possible for
Health Services to activate additional sirens as needed.
In addition,Contra Costa County'Ordinance Code section 450-2.016 requires a handler to report'
to Health Services immediately upon discovery, any release of a hazardous material reportable
under any lata to any federal, state or other local regulatory agency.
April 6 2001
Page 13' CAMY DOCUMENTSCWMPERATION PROTOCOLS.DOC
V111. Updates other than Upgrading the Classification
Level of the incident
A. General
As an incident progresses, updates about the incident will become necessary. Updates(other than
upgrading an incident)could include downgrading an incident,calling an incident"Under Control",
or issuing an"All Clear." Updates will come from the agencies and issued to other agencies,and the
media. Health Services or OES will transmit to the media, updates pertaining to possible Health
effects of the incident. A number of media follow-up message templates have been established.
B Downgrading, Calling "Under Control," or Issuing an "All-Clear."
After an incident command system has been established,Health Services,working with the incident
commander,the responding fire and/or law enforcement agencies,the facility,and other responding
agencies,will decide on downgrading an incident,calling an incident"Under Control,"or issuing an
"All Clear".
The incident commander for hazardous materials releases in Contra Costa County is determined by
the location of the incident as follows:
Jurisdiction Incident Commander
City of Richmond Richmond Fire.Department
Other cities City Police Department
Non Highway or road incidents in Sheriff's Department
the unincorporated areas of the
County'
Highways/non-city roads CIF'
C. Follow-up Notifications and updates from the Facility to the Agencies
The facility can update Health Services and other agencies'during an incident using one-cin-orae
communication at the :Emergency Operations Center or the Incident Command Center or by
telephone.
During a' Level 1 incident,`the facility should provide updates to Health Services every twenty
minutes during the life of the Level 1 incident, unless the facility has notified the Health Services
that the Level 1 incident will last for a specific period of time (e. ., a spill within containment that
could take hours to dispose).
April 6, 2001
Page 14 CAMP DOLLY € TS\CWMPERATIoN PROTocozs. OC
D. Updates to the Media and the Commu Ity
Health Services or OES will do the updates to the media. The media will be requested to broadcast
the updated information to the public. Whenever possible,updates to the media and the community
are to be done after consultation between the involved facility, the Incident Commander, Health
Services,OES, and the local fire and/or law enforcement agencies.
For a Level 3 incident,the automated telephone dialing system may also be used to provide updates
to the community.
IX. Upgrading the Classification Levu of the Incident
It may necessary during an incident to upgrade the classification level,of the incident(i.e. Level;1
to 2,Level i to 3,Level 2 to 3)because the incident spreads,the potential consequence of the release
increases, or new information on the consequence of the incident becomes available. The facility,
Health Services or the incident commander can initiate this upgrade.
A. Upgrading the Classification Level by Health Services
Health Services, at its discretion, can upgrade the classification level of an incident. Whenever
possible, Health Services will>> consult with the Incident Commander, the facility, and other
responding agencies before upgrading an incident. When Health Services decides'to upgrade an
incident Health Services will activate a programmed sequence. This will be accomplished in one of
two ways:
If a Health Services Incident Responder has access to a CWS computer terminal, he will
activate the programmed sequence for the higher classification;
If Health Services Incident Responders do not have access to a CWS computer terminal,they
will.call COMM i and ask the dispatcher to activate the appropriate programmed sequence
by giving the classification level of the incident.
April 6, 2001
DOCUMENTSICWMPERATTON PROTOCOTS,DOC
Page 15 C:UvIY
B. Upgrading the Classification Level by the Facility'
The facility may decide to upgrade the classification level of an incident. When a facility
determines that the incident is described by a higher level,facility personnel is to contact Health
Services as quickly as possible by either paging Health Services or by telephone. If Health
Services decides to upgrade the incident, HealthServices will follow the protocols stated above.
C. Upgrading the Classification Level by the Incident Commander
The Incident Commander can request Health Services to upgrade the classification level of an
incident. If Health Services decides to 'upgrade the incident, Health Services will follow the
protocols;stated;above:
April 6, 2001
Page 16 CAMY DOCUMENTS\CWSIOPERATION PF OTOCOTS.DOC
Chapter 4
Hazardous Material Releases While in
Transportation
I. Hove the Community Warning System has been
Programmed
Each CWS computer terminal interfaces with the entire CWS to improve emergency
communications during certain programmed incidents. In addition,the CWS has been programmed
ed
to initiate a sequence of actions for accidental hazardous materials release incidents. A sequence is
being developed for Level 2 and 3 transportation incidents involving 'hazardous materials.
Transportation incidents(releases)could occur anywhere in the County. Sirens may or may not be
in the vicinity of the incident and the 9-1-1 dispatcher in the area may not have a CWS computer
terminal. Computer terminals located at COMM 1, CCCFPD OES, and Health Services will be
programmed with the Level 2-and 3 sequences for transportation incidents.
H. Categories of Incidents
Differentcategories of incidents require different types of response. A response to a pipeline
incident may differ from a response to a train or truck accident, as a pipeline may not be as,easily
accessible as a train or truck accident. The CWS'has established two categories of incidents for
transportation incidents. They are:
Pipeline Incident(PI)
Various Transportation Incidents(VTI)
A. Pipeline Incident.This category is for liquid spills and gas releases from pipelines used for
transporting hazardous materials from,to, or between facilities that are outside the boundaries of a
facility.
B. Various Transportation Incidents. This categoryincludes all other types of transportation
incidents,including highway,railway, waterway, and airway transportation that involve hazardous
materials.
111. Levels of Notification and Response
There are only two levels of notification and response. See the Matrix for details on the levels and
the-notification and alerting for each level. For transportation incidents, Levels 2 and 3 are
April 6, 2001
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3EISY >a1E s:lEir ':"E�' 1pr.ASHY•:.?e1E. Wr _ _ _ _
applicable.
Level 2 is for an incident requiring a response. At this level, there may be an off-site concern;
however, no health risk to the community is expected. Health Services, the local fire and lave
enforcement agencies/9-1-1 dispatch centers that are connected to the,CWS,BAQMD,USCG,and
OES are notified. Health Services, local lacy enforcement and fire agencies will respond. An
advisory notification will be made to the television stations and radio stations that are a part of the
system.
Level 3 is for an incident requiring a response, outside assistance to the incident, and an off--site
consequence is expected. Alerting will be done using sirens. The community will also be notified
through the California Emergency Digital Information System.("EDIS")and the Emergency Alert
System ("EAS") that sends messages to television and radio stations, cable head ends,by the
automated telephone dialing system,and NOAA weather radios. Health!Services,the local fire and
law enforcement agencies/9-1-1 dispatch centers that are connected to the CWS,BAAQMD,USCG,
and OES will be notified. At this,level, mutual aid may be required from government agencies and
the Petrochemical Mutual Aid Organization ( 'MAO). The response to hearing the sirens and the
message from media notification is to shelter-in-place and turn on a radio or television for more
information.
I . 'what the CWS Does Ippon Activation
UES, C'CCFPD, and COMM1, after consulting with Health Services, and Health 'Services, can
activate the CWS for Level 2 and 3 for transportation incidents involving hazardous materials.
Level 2; Upon. a Level 2 activation, the CWS will notify Health Services, the local fire and law
enforcement agencies/9-1-1 dispatch centers, BAAQMD, 'USCG, and°OES. The,programmed
sequence for a Level 2 activation will initiate a notification to the community through the Governor's
Office of Emergency Services' Emergency Digital Information Service; ("EDIS"), which
communicates with television,cable head ends,and radio stations. The message given through EDI
to the radio and television stations is an advisory that states that there is an emergency at a particular
location and that most people will not be affected.. Health Services will respond to a Level 2
incident. The local fire and law enforcement agencies may also respond to a Level 2 incident.
Level 3 Upon a Level 3 activation, the CWS will notify the same agencies notified for a Level 2
activation. Health Services, local fire 'department and law enforcement agencies will respond;
Under the programmed sequence for a Level 3 activation, the community will be notified bey
television and radio through the Emergency Alert System("EAS"),EDIS,NOAA weather radios ,
s CAER intends to donate NOAA Feather Radios to schools, day care facilities,hospitals, and
long-terra health care facilities in the future. In addition., the State Office of Emergency Services
April 6, 2001
Page 18 C.)MY DOCUMENTSkMWPERATION ERoracais.Doc
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and by a telephone call using the automated telephone dialing system. The automated dialing system
is initiated to make calls to those down wind from and nearest to the incident. The message given to
the community using all the above communication routes will be to shelter-in-place and turn on a
radio or television for updated information. Health Services will select the zones for the automated
telephone dialing system activation, if appropriate, as well as which sirens to activate if any.
V. Updates other than Upgrading the Classification Level
of the Incident
A. General
As an incident progresses, updates,about the incident will become necessary. Updates (other than
trolll,
upgrading an incident)could include dow gradinganinci incident,u n d calling an incident"Under Con
or issuing an "All Clear." Updates will come from the responding agencies and issued to other
agencies and,z the media. Health Services or OES will..transmit to the media, updates pertaining to
possible health effects of the incident. A number of media follow-up message templates have been
established.
B. Downgrading, Calling "Under Control," or Issuing an "All-Clear."
After an incident command system has been established,Health Services,working with the incident
commander, the responding fire and/or law enforcement agencies, and other responding agencies,
will decide on downgrading an incident or calling an "All Clear".
The incident y
commander for hazardous materials releases in Contra Costa Count is detenni ned by
the location of the incident as follows:
Jurisdiction Incident Commander
City of Richmond Richmond Fire Department
Other cities City Police Department
Non Hiahway or road incidents in Sheriff's Department
the unincorporated areas of the
County
Highways/non-city roads CHP
plans on installing a slave transmitter.on Mt. Diablo, which should improve NOAA Weather
Radio coverage in Contra Costa County.
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C. Follow-up Notifications and Updates to the .Agencies
Health Services and other agencies can communicate using the CWS if they have access to a CWS
terminal during an incident or may use,if appropriate,one-on-one communication at the Emergency
Operations Center or the Incident Command Center or by telephone.
D.' Updates to the Media and the Community
Health Services or OES will do the updates to the media. The media will be requested to broadcast
the updated information to the public. Whenever possible,updates to the media and the community
are to be done after consultation between the Incident Commander,Health services,OES, and the
local fire and/or law enforcement agencies.
For a Level 3 incident the automated telephone dialing system may also be used to provide updates
to the community.
VI. Upg ading the Classification Level of the Incident
A. General
It may be necessary during an incident to upgrade the classification level of the incident(i.e.,Level 2
to 3) because the incident spreads, the potential consequence of the release increases, or new
information on the consequence of the incident becomes available. Health;Services or the incident
commander can initiate this upgrade.
B. ;Upgrading the Classification Level by Health services
Health Services, at its discretion, can upgrade the classification level of an incident. Whenever
possible,Health Services will consult with the Incident Commander and other responding agencies
before upgrading an incident. When Health services decides to upgrade an incident,Health Services
will;activate a programmed sequence. This will be accomplished in one of two ways:
If a Health services Incident Responder has access to a CWS computer terminal, he will
activate the programmed sequence for the higher classification.
If Health Services Incident Responders do not have access to a CWS computer terminal,they
will call Sheriff's Comm 1 and ask the dispatcher to activate the appropriate programmed
sequence by giving the classification level of the incident.
C. Upgrading the Classification Level by the Incident'Commander
The Incident Commander can request Health Services to upgrade the classification level of an
incident. If Health Services' decides to upgrade the incident, Health services will°follow the
protocols stated in the above section.
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Page 20 CAMY DOCUMENTS\CWS\OPERATION PROTOCOM DOC
Chapter
.Fare Activation of the om unity Warning Systern
When there is a false activation of the CWS (either.one or more sirens only or of;a programmed
sequence),it will be necessary to notify Health Services,the local fire and law enforcement agencies,
the community, and the'media. The degree of notification will depend on the level of the false
activation.
False Activation of Sirens only.
If there is a false activation of sirens only,there is an immediate need to notify the community. The
public is being educated to shelter-in-dace when they hear a siren;therefore,the community must be
notified that there was a false activation of the siren(s) and that there is no hazardous materials
incident.
If facility personnel hear a siren and know that a Level 3 incident is not occurring at their facility,
the facility should first activate shelter-in-place procedures, and page the Health Services Incident
Responder as soon as possible.
If an-individual from afire or law enforcement agency bears a siren and is not aware of a Level 3
incident occurring in the community,that individual is to contact his 9-1-1 dispatch center: If the 9-
1-1 dispatch center is not aware of a Level 3 incident occurring in the area,the 9-1-1 dispatcher is to
page the Health Services Incident Responder.
If a 91-1 dispatch center is called by the public about a siren that has been activated and the 9-1-1
dispatcher is unaware of a Level 3 incident occurring in the area,the 9-1-1 dispatcher is to advise the
caller to "shelter-in-place" and then page the Health Services Incident Responder:
In all of the above cases, after determining that a level 3 incident is not occurring,the Health
Services Incident Responder will do one of the following:
If the Health Services Incident Responder'has access to a CWS computer, he will notify,
television and radio stations,the participating 9-1-1 dispatch centers,BAAQM ),USCG,and
local fire and law enforcement agencies that there has been a false activation of a siren. A
sequence named "False Activation of Sirens" has been designed to assist with this
communication.
5 Sirens are tested each month on the first Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. All computer terminals have
messages stating that a test is occurring:
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-• ;-::�RON . `x ='
If the Health Services Incident Responderdoes not have access to a CWS computer terminal,
he will call Sheriff's dispatch(COMM 1)and assist the 9-1-1 dispatch supervisor through the
"False Activation of Sirens" sequence to'transmit the information as'described'above.
False Activation of the Community Warning System
A false activation of the system could activate the sirens,automated'telephone dialing system, and
give false notification messages to;EDIS,'EAS, the National'Weather Service ("NWS'�, and the
electronic!media.
If a facility or an agency personnel learns that the system has been falsely activated, he should
contact the 9-1-1 dispatch center as quickly as possible through the CWS and advise of the false
activation. (This will allow the 9-1-1- dispatcher to advise callers of the situation.) 'Facility or
agency personnel should page the Health Services Incident Responder immediately thereafter and
advise Health Services of the false activation of the system.
If a 9-1-1 dispatch center learns that there has been a false activation of the system, the dispatcher
should page the Health Services Incident Responder immediately.
In either case, the Health Services Incident Responder will do one of the following:
If the Health Services Incident Responder has access to a CWS computer, he will notify
television and radio stations,the participating 9-1-1 dispatch centers,BAAQMD,USCG,and
local fire and law enforcement agencies that there has been a false activation of a siren. A
sequence named "False Activation of CWS" has been designed to assist with this
communication.
If the Health Services Incident Responder does not have access to a CWS computer terminal,
he will call Sheriff's dispatch(COMM 1)and assist the 9-1-1 dispatch supervisor through the
sequence to transmit the information as described above.
April 6, 2001
Page 22 CAMY DOCUMENTS\CWMPERATION PROTOCOLS.DOC
Chapter 6
Agency Use for Unspecified Incidents
The CWS may be used for incidents that have not been described in previous chapters. Under what
conditions would the Community Warning System be used? How will the system be activated?
Who would activate the system? This chapter will address these questions along with follow-up
notifications and updates, and upgrading an incident.
I. Conditions for Using the Community Warning System
for Unspecified Incidents
The CWS may be used for incidents involving an imminent threat to the health and safety of the
public, or if by using the system, the health and safety of the public could be protected. Fire
incidents, law enforcement incidents, natural disasters, and public health incidents are all types of
incidents during which the CWS could be used to providewarnings to the public.
II. No Sirens
Sirens have been designated for use only for hazardous materials incidents.
III. Actuation of the Community Warning System. for
Unspecified Incidents
Any governmental agency can request the use of the CWS to provide notification to the public when
such use will help to protect the health and'safety of the public. The,governmental agency is to
contact Health Services Incident Responder for hazardous materials incidents or OES for all other
incidents through COMM'land request the activation of the CWS. If the Health Services Incident
Responder or OES decides to activate the CWS for the incident that has been requested,they will do
one of the following:
If a Health Services Incident Responder or OES has access to a CWS computer,,he will notify
television and radio stations,through EDIS, and the local fire and/or law enforcement agencies
of the incident that is occurring. It may also be appropriate for the Incident Responder or OES to
activate EAS, use the automated telephone dialing system, and the NOAA weather radios:
When a CWS computer terminal is not available to Health Services Incident Responders or OES,
April 6, 2001
Page 23 CAMY DOCUMENTsCwSWMATtoN PROTOeois.Doc
they will call Sheriff's COMM land walk the 9-1-1 dispatch supervisor through the activation of
the GWS. This will notify the participating television and radio stations,through EDIS,and fire
or law enforcement agencies that are in the local area of the incident that is occurring. It may
also be appropriate for the Incident Responder or OES to activate EAS, use the,automated
telephone dialing system,and the NOAA weather radios.'
IV. Follow-up Notification, Updates and Upgrades for
Unspecified Incidents
Heath Services or OES will do all follow-up notifications, such as an "All Clear" updates and
upgrades in coordination with the requesting government response agency. After appropriate review
of the incident by the appropriate response agencies,OES,and Health Services,Health Services or
OES will notify the television and radio stations through EMS,and local fire or law enforcement of`
the-follow-up notifications, updates, and upgrades for the incident.
April 6, 2001
Page 24 CAMP DOCTJTvTENMCWS\OPERAnON pxorocOLS,DOC
ATTACRMENT A 1
HAZARDOUS MATERIAL REPORTING
CLASSIFICATION LEVELS
LEVEL 0 (easily contained and controlled by plant personnel)
is categorized by any of the following.-
1.
ollowing:1. On-site only.
2. Safety Supervisor,or equivalent,is placed on alert due to a release or threatened release
resulting from an emergency situation,including,but not limited to,emergency
shutdowns or major unit start-ups.
3. Liquid spill contamination.(The spill is more than three 55-gallon drums-155
gallons-and dues not meet any of"requirements for notification listed in levels 1 -3 and
if the spill is not contained.)
4. Three(3)or more unconfirmed odor complaints within an hour.
LEVEL 1 is categorized by any of the following:
1. On-site:possible off-site.
2. Confirmed(3 or more odor complaints within one hour and substantiated by plant
personnel as an on-site problem)off-site odor from facility.
3. Firelsmoke which requires a response from workers outside the immediate area,but not
visible off-site.
4. Excess flaring.
5. Spill or release incident that;meets an RQ(Reportable 'Quantity) requirement and does
not meet any of the requirements of Level 2 or 3
LEVEL 2 is categorized by any of the following:
1. Off-site impact where eye,skin, nose and/or respiratory irritation may he possible.
2. Explosion with noise/pressure wave impact offsite.
. Fire/smoke/plume (other than steam) visible offsite (does not include" fire training
exercises).
LEVEL 3 is categorized by any of the following;
1. Offsite impact that is expected to cause eye, skin, nose and/or respiratory irritation in
the community(ERPG Level 2 concentration reading or greater).
2. Fire,explosion,heat,or smoke with an off-site impact
Example: On a process unit/storage tank where mutual aid is requested to mitigate-the-
event
itigate the event and the fire will last longer than 15 minutes.
3. Hazardous material or fire incident where the incident commander or unified
command,through consultation with the Hazardous Material Incident Response Team,
requests that sirens should be sounded.