Disaster of Consequence Checklist - On Duty

DISASTER OF CONSEQUENCE ON-DUTY CHECKLIST

• Account for all people at your location
• Help injured or trapped persons.
  • Complete triage using the C.E.R.T. START process.
  • Assign care to others (C.E.R.T., bystanders etc.) in the area, as soon as possible. (DO NOT get drawn into a long term operations. It is important that you remain available to assist in the highest priority assignments as determined by the WCSO or the EOC.
• Expect secondary incidents from the event.
  • Aftershocks. These secondary shock waves are usually less violent than the main quake but can be strong enough to do additional damage to weakened structures and can occur in the first few hours, days, weeks or even months after the initial quake.
  • Debris Flows. The initial flow of water and debris may be followed by a secondary flow and debris as impacted areas release trapped contents.
• LISTEN to your radio for the latest emergency information. Continue normal contact with dispatch for normal operational traffic. Establish contact with WCSO or the EOC for event traffic. Follow the communications section of the Disaster Response Policy.
• Asses the stability of your surroundings.
  • Listen for unusual sounds that might indicate moving debris (trees cracking, boulders knocking together etc.) A trickle of flowing or falling debris or mud may precede a larger landslide. Moving debris can flow quickly and sometimes without warning.
  • If you are near a stream or channel, be alert for any sudden increase in water flow or a change in water clarity from clear to muddy. Such changes may indicate landslide activity upstream. A complete or drastic reduction in water flow may indicate an upstream blockage which can result in a sudden release of water built up behind the blockage. Be prepared to move quickly and leave belongings behind if necessary.
  • Evaluate the stability of the area related to additional disaster effects.
• Relinquish command at your location to others (C.E.R.T., bystanders etc.) as soon as possible.
• Follow Disaster Response Communications protocol and contact the Sheriff’s Office by any means available.
• Complete a windshield assessment of infrastructure damage in your area of assignment. (See Critical Infrastructure List.)
• Unless otherwise assigned, report to the nearest EOC or Emergency facility in your assigned area.
• Be alert and drive cautiously. Embankments along roadsides are susceptible to land movement, Watch for collapsed pavement, mud, falling rocks, and other indicators of hazard.
  • Avoid collapse zones if buildings have suffered significant damage or are surrounded by flood waters.
  • Avoid flood waters; water may be contaminated by oil, gas raw sewage or other contaminates. Water may also be electrically charged, or hide other hazards.
  • Avoid moving water.
  • Beware of areas with road damage or where flood waters have receded. Roads may have been weakened and could collapse under the weight of your vehicle.
  • Stay away from downed power lines, and report them to the utility company.
  • Use extreme caution when entering or exiting buildings; there may be hidden damage, to supporting structures and foundations.
• Complete a stability assessment on any facility you intend to occupy including Public Safety Buildings and EOCs.
• Integrate with or establish an Incident Command Structure as outlines in the Disaster of Response Policy.
• Prepare ALL equipment for emergency response.
  • Insure exit ways are clear.
  • Remove response equipment from the building to a staging area out of the collapse zone.
  • Turn on and check Computer monitors, communications equipment and set up needed section areas and phone banks.
  • Prepare a check in roster and prepare to begin an accountability check to determine the status of all WCSO personnel.
  • Activate security to the appropriate level for the emergency at your location.
  • Begin assessment and develop an Incident Action Plan.
  • Begin response activities based on your incident action plan and allocate needed resources and track all assigned resources.