EPCRA 42 USC §11003(c)(9) reads:
Methods and schedules for exercising the emergency plan.
The purpose of this section is to describe how and when the LEPC will exercise the emergency plan. The exercise assists in the development and coordination of emergency preparedness. The exercise is designed to evaluate emergency operation plans, procedures or facilities; train personnel in emergency management duties; and demonstrate operational capability.
Plan — Practice — Learn — Replan
The goal of the exercise is to provide an atmosphere where emergency response agencies work together. Local jurisdictions will implement the plan by involving many parts of an integrated emergency management system.
The exercise is intended to create a realistic situation. The response will be evaluated based on strategic measures taken during the exercise. The lessons learned will identify areas where planning can be improved.
The LEPC will prepare a tabletop exercise. The LEPC intents to exercise this plan annually. As the plan improves, the LEPC intends to rewrite this section and eventually hold Functional and Full Scale exercises.
The purpose of the emergency plan exercise is to improve emergency operations including the following:
... by involving stakeholders from the following organizations:
We have included the following as an example of a tabletop exercise we intend to perform. The exercise will be conducted by a "Facilitator", who will reveal the scenario to the invited participants. Maps, models, and other materials will be made available to accurately portray site conditions.
Each participant will evaluate the following scenario, and develop an effective strategy for managing the scene. Participants will analyze the material and messages as they are revealed and decide on a response. At least one "Evaluator" will record and evaluate the actions taken.
The date is January 11. It is late afternoon.
911 Dispatch has received a call about a train derailment involving a rail tank car carrying 20 000 gallons of nitric acid. The derailment occurred on the west side of DeKalb City, close to the overpass at Annie Glidden Rd. The time of the accident is coincidental with a massive egress of students from Northern Illinois University (NIU), headed to I–88. It is not known initially whether there is a leak from the tank car.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for heavy snow starting at 2000. Winds are expected to blow from the northeast at that time.
Date: Friday, January 11th, 20xx
Time: 1700 hr local
Location: Union Pacific (formerly Northwestern) RR overpass
at Annie Glidden Road, south of SR 38
Vehicle: none
Building Surroundings: single/two story, apartment buildings
Quantity: 20 000 gal rail tank car
Wind Speed: 4 mph Ground Roughness: Open country Cloud Cover: Partly cloudy, possible snow
Chemical Name: NITRIC ACID, [> 40%] Molecular Weight: 63.01 kg/kmol IDLH: 25 ppm Boiling Point: 181.40 °F Freezing Point: –42.88 °F CAS#: 7697–37–2 CORROSIVE, OXIDIZER, POISON Chemical Profile A pale yellow to reddish brown liquid generating red–brown fumes and having a suffocating odor. Very toxic by inhalation. Corrosive to metals or tissue. Prolonged exposure to low concentrations or short term exposure to high concentrations may result in adverse health effects. Density 12 lb / gal (©AAR, 1999).
Thanks to Sean O'Leary and Anne Dorman, IL Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), for their assistance to the DeKalb County LEPC in developing this Comprehensive Emergency Response Plan (CERP).
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