GAMA Emergency Alerting System Activation Procedures Ascension Parish, Louisiana February 8, 2008 1
1. For the purpose of integrated emergency management, and to provide guidance for the use and management of the Geismar Area Mutual Aid emergency alerting system (EAS), the following procedures have been developed. These procedures will be included in the ESF 10 HAZMAT section (formally annex H) of the all hazards plan and will also be used as a stand alone procedure between GAMA members, the 911 center, and the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. 2. The GAMA EAS consists of seven primary components: a. The alert code. b. The alert format. c. The GAMA Radio talk group. d. Telephonic 911 contact with central dispatch. e. The CAER sirens. f. First Call Community Alerting System. g. A cable television override. 3. The GAMA alert codes are as follows: a. Alert: An incident has occurred with an undetermined impact on the community (standby for further information). b. Code 1: An incident has occurred within the plant that may alarm the general public but poses no danger to neighboring plants or population. c. Code 2: A minor spill or release that may have minimal effect outside the plant boundaries. d. Code 3: A major spill or release that may adversely affect neighboring plants or the population. e. Code 4: The spill or release has been contained and no further action is required (all clear). 4. The alert format should be provided in a SALUTE structure: a. Size: Amount of release. b. Activity: Actions being taken to control the release, SIP, and evacuation. c. Location: Location (address, telephone, company) and wind direction of plume. d. Units: Units currently on scene. e. Type: Type of chemical. f. Equipment: Equipment, roadblocks, resources required. 2
5. The GAMA radio system operates on an 800 MHZ trunk system owned and maintained by the Ascension Parish Sheriff s Office through mutual aid agreements between that office and the members of GAMA. The sheriff s office maintains a twenty-four hour dispatcher on duty to monitor and coordinate communications activities on the GAMA channels. 6. All GAMA members are required to monitor the GAMA channel at all times. GAMA members will participate in a radio check roll call every 24 hours. A 911 dispatcher will initiate the roll call and follow up with all negative responses by telephone. A report will be generated each month and distributed to GAMA members through the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness to ensure proper orientation and participation. 7. The GAMA radio system operates on three separate talk groups for the exclusive use of the members of GAMA. These talk groups are designated as follows: a. GAMA: Used for issuing alerts, emergency announcements and requests for aid. See paragraph 3 for specific codes. b. GAMA 1: Used as an alternate channel to manage heavy communications traffic during emergencies. c. Gama 2: Used as a second alternate during emergencies for nonessential communications between GAMA members. 8. GAMA 1 and GAMA 2 will typically be used for on scene emergency communications to lower the volume of traffic on the main GAMA channel. This is done to maintain an open channel on the main GAMA talk group for clear communications between GAMA members and the 911 center. 9. The 911 central dispatch center can be contacted and alerted by dialing 911. Additionally, central dispatch can be contacted by commercial telephone line by dialing (225) 621-8300 and pressing 1 once the automated answering service comes online. 10. To activate the CAER community warning sirens contact the 911 center either through GAMA radio or by telephone and relay the siren(s) identification information to the dispatcher. The dispatcher will then follow the siren activation procedures. The sheriff or chief deputy must authorize the use of the CAER community warning sirens. 11. First Call System (Outbound) is the parish telephone alerting system which was purchased in 2007. The reference grids located on maps in GAMA member EOC s are identical to the grids located on the First Call automated servers. When requesting First Call activation a GAMA member must first identify the grids that must be activated. Once the 911 3
center is contacted, either through GAMA radio or by telephone, relay the grid information to the dispatcher. A decision must be made by the GAMA member prior to contacting the 911 center as to what message will be given, which is either shelter in place or evacuate. If an evacuation order is given a direction of travel must also be relayed. The dispatcher will then relay this data to a First Call operator. The sheriff or chief deputy must authorize the use of the First Call system. 12. The First Call Inbound System is the parish s community information line that will allow the petrol chemical industry and other agencies within the parish to place recorded emergency messages relevant to any hazard within the parish. This system will reduce the impact on the 911 center, the Office of Homeland Security, and the plant involved. It is currently under development and should be fielded by June 2008. 13. If a GAMA member is authorized by their parent organization to request an emergency cable television override, or a radio station warning be issued, the message must be very concise. This message can be relayed by GAMA radio or dialing 911; however, the source of this message will be verified before obtaining authorization from the sheriff or chief deputy. 4
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