Emergency Management Assistance Compact FireRescue Tabletop Exercise Module

Emergency Management Assistance Compact Fire/Rescue Tabletop Exercise Module 1: Hurricane Sam

Hurricane Sam vs. Houston EMAC TTX Module 1 2

Assessment of the Impact Requests for emergency assistance are being received from many areas in Texas, including requests from north and central Texas for flooding and tornadoes, all the way to the coast and southeast Texas, which experienced heavy damage from the hurricane winds, storm surge, and subsequent flooding. The counties of Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Walker, Waller, and Wharton have been hit especially hard. EMAC TTX Module 1 9

Assessment of the Impact Reports include impassable roads due to downed trees and power lines, flooding of roadways, loss of electrical and water service, and numerous injuries due to flying debris. Reports of homes destroyed are widespread throughout the hurricane’s path. Many residents will require short- and long-term shelter due to losses from the storm. Galveston and Harris County authorities have requested assistance with short- and long-term sheltering for county residents, as well as assistance with road- and debris-clearing operations. Water supplies are considered unsafe due to the massive flooding. Boil-water orders are issued throughout the region. Damage assessment support will be required to determine the level of assistance needed by area residents. EMAC TTX Module 1 10

Storm Surge and Flooding Because the storm surge exceeded the limits for dikes and levees imposed by Federal regulations, many critical businesses in the shipping, transportation, and energy sectors have been severely impacted. Hundreds of boats, ships, and barges are capsized. The U. S. Coast Guard (USCG) estimates indicate that a onemonth closure of the major port of Houston will cost the national economy $60 billion. EMAC TTX Module 1 11

Emergency Response, Rescue, and Victim Accountability It is feared that thousands may be dead. Emergency workers are heavily tasked with fighting fires and assisting in debris-removal operations, first on major roadways and then in residential areas. Many crews are also assisting in search and rescue (SAR) operations. There is a great need for water rescue teams, as well as supplemental equipment and personnel for water rescues, as such a large area was inundated by the heavy rains and storm surge. First responders are treating large numbers of individuals with trauma injuries of various types as people try to clear their property and salvage belongings. Injuries range from minor cuts and contusions to snake bites, head injuries, and severed limbs caused by the improper use of chainsaws. Hundreds of people succumb to exposure and heatstroke as the hot, humid, Texas weather in August takes its toll. Fires are especially problematic as many people try to burn debris. Many people are also operating emergency generators unsafely or incorrectly, starting a number of electrical fires or fires with spilled fuel. EMAC TTX Module 1 12

Basic Infrastructure Estimates of the property damage and economic impact are staggering. The storm damage will cause long-term effects to structures. Damage to buildings, infrastructure, and trees in the 13 county region alone is expected to create over 4 million tons of debris. More than one-fourth of the structures (e. g. , housing, commercial/industrial, government, and transportation) across the hurricane path sustained major damage. Those that only sustained minor damage still need to be inspected and provided maintenance before they are usable again. Bridges, buildings, trains/tracks, and power/water generation all need immediate engineering attention before they can be placed back in service for use. EMAC TTX Module 1 13

Basic Infrastructure Critical facilities are expected to be heavily impacted. There are 96 hospitals with a capacity of over 15, 000 beds, 1, 973 schools, over 180 fire stations, about 200 police stations, and 12 emergency operations facilities. Power outages are widespread and many areas are expected to be without power for weeks. Utility services state that it could be 20– 30 days before electric and natural gas service to the affected areas is restored. The Gulf Coast region’s industrial enterprises are also dramatically affected. Petroleum refining operations in the Golden Triangle region are suspended prior to the storm. After the storm, many facilities suffer extensive damage, resulting in a major oil spill near Texas City. EMAC TTX Module 1 14

Fires Numerous fires and explosions occur throughout the region as a result of electrical distribution system failures, electrical shortages, and structural damage to petroleum fields and processing plants. Because of the widespread flooding and electrical outages, building and industrial fire protection systems throughout the region are damaged or off-line. This is causing thousands of automated false alarms, as well as the problem of small fires—normally held at bay with the sprinklers—raging unchecked because of fire protection system failures. EMAC TTX Module 1 15

Displaced Citizens and Public Assistance Needs As the days move on, thousands of people try to get back to their homes and property to see the damage for themselves. It is estimated that over 25% of the population ignored orders to evacuate. Within the 13 -county region, the most affected by the storm are over 1, 702, 000 households with over 4. 8 million residents. Over 10, 000 families are expected to be displaced from their homes. Approximately 5, 000 people are expected to seek assistance in public shelters. It is estimated that nearly 100, 000 people may need assistance with food. EMAC TTX Module 1 16

Medical Care and Health Issues Hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes in the affected areas sustain varying degrees of damage. Unfortunately, even if the majority of them are currently 100% functional, it still will not come close to being adequate to medically service all of the sick and injured overwhelming the emergency departments that are still open. Because the water is potentially chemically or biologically tainted in the region, and possibly thousands of dead in the affected area are still not recovered, serious public health concerns are mounting. EMAC TTX Module 1 17

Key Issues • A Category 5 hurricane has struck the Texas Gulf Coast and followed the Houston Shipping Channel up through Harris and surrounding counties (e. g. , Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Walker, Waller, and Wharton). The City and suburbs of Houston have been pounded with sustained winds of over 160 mph; stormsurge and flash flooding from torrential rains; and dangerous hazards from debris and industrial infrastructure damage. • Due to the magnitude and dimensions of the disaster, it is difficult to get an accurate picture of the extensive casualties and damage in the affected areas. EMAC TTX Module 1 18

Key Issues (cont. ) • Critical infrastructure and key resources (CI/KR) in most of the affected areas have sustained irreparable damage, including State and urban area response command, control, coordination, and communications. • Electrical power supply and generation is offline, and most fossilfuel resources (e. g. , natural gas [NG], liquefied petroleum gas [LPG], and gasoline/diesel) are heavily damaged, and, in most cases, are adding to the disaster by fueling contamination, fires, and explosions. • The majority of all land-line, cellular, and radio-repeater communication are inoperable in the affected areas. EMAC TTX Module 1 19

Key Issues (cont. ) • Highway, rail, and ship/airport systems across the affected counties have sustained moderate to severe damage. Major interstates, such as I-10, I-45, and State Highway 59, are completely blocked at several points due to debris, overpass damage, or from abandoned vehicles littering the highway due to failed evacuation attempts prior to the storm’s arrival. Even some of the bridges and overpasses that still appear to be usable must be checked by engineers before being reopened for traffic of any kind. • There is a critical need for specialized response resources to deal with the rescue, evacuation, and care for residents in medical facilities and special-needs populations in the affected areas. It is obvious that there will not be enough adequate shelter sites for the needs of the displaced populace. EMAC TTX Module 1 20

Discussion - All Functional Groups • At this point, what is the command structure of this incident? Create a rough command structure organizational chart for each of the following: – State-level EM; SEOC (think about Emergency Support Function [ESF] responsibilities) – State-level fire services/emergency services coordination (think about ESF responsibilities) – Local EM; local EOC/incident management teams (IMTs) – Local emergency response operations (specific to fire/rescue services) • How do the organizational charts in Question 1 connect to each other? Discuss the hierarchy. EMAC TTX Module 1 21

Discussion - State EM & SEOC • What actions would State EM take prior to the hurricane’s landfall? • What are the main priorities for the affected State EM/EOC within the first week (think strategically about what role State EM/EOC plays in this incident)? – Is the State EM/EOC able to fulfill its strategic role in the incident? If not, how can this role be filled? • What is the CI/KR in the affected State that would need to be restored immediately (i. e. , the CI/KR needed to support response and recovery efforts in the affected areas)? – Where will the State get the assistance to restore the CI/KR, and how long will it take? • How is the State EM/EOC communicating and coordinating with other State, local, and corporate organizations? EMAC TTX Module 1 22

Discussion – Fire /Emergency Services Coordination • What actions would State-level emergency service organizations take to support State EM preparations prior to the hurricane’s landfall? • What are the main priorities for the affected State emergency services organizations within the first week after impact (think strategically about what role State fire service/emergency service plays in this incident)? – Is State emergency services able to fulfill its strategic role(s) for fire/rescue resources in the incident? If not, how can this role(s) be filled? • What resources are needed at the State-level to support fire/rescue incident priorities? – Where will these resources come from, and how long will it take to get them to the needed areas? • How are State emergency service providers communicating and coordinating with State EM and other State, local, and corporate organizations? EMAC TTX Module 1 23

Discussion - Fire/Rescue Services • What actions would local fire/rescue organizations take immediately before and after impact? • What are the main priorities for the affected local fire/rescue organizations within the first week after impact (think strategically/tactically about what role local fire rescue plays in this incident by looking at the big picture)? – Are local fire/rescue organizations able to fulfill their strategic/tactical roles across the affected areas? If not, how can these roles be filled? • What resources are needed at the local-level to support fire/rescue incident priorities? – Are there pre-established procedures and protocols written to request assistance outside of their jurisdictions? – How do the local entities request resources from the State? • How are local fire/rescue organizations communicating and coordinating with their own local resources, as well as State emergency services and other agencies (e. g. , private, State, and Federal)? EMAC TTX Module 1 24

Discussion – Local EM and EOC • What are the actions that local EM agencies and local EOCs would take immediately after impact? • What are the main priorities for the affected local EM/EOCs within the first week after impact (think strategically/tactically about what role local EM/EOCs play in this incident by looking at the big picture)? – Are local EM/EOCs able to fulfill their strategic/tactical roles across the affected areas? If not, how can these roles be filled? • What resources are needed at the local-level to support local EM/EOC priorities? – Are there pre-established procedures and protocols written to request assistance outside of their jurisdictions? – How do the local entities request resources from the State? • How are local EM/EOCs communicating and coordinating with their own local resources, as well as State EM/emergency services and other agencies? EMAC TTX Module 1 25

QUESTIONS on Module 1? EMAC TTX Module 1 26