VTTX Winter Storm Scenario: Building Collapse Response

1. Nov 4th and 5th 2015 Virtual Tabletop Exercise (VTTX) Winter Storm Scenario

2. Welcome and Introductions Opening Remarks: • Emergency Management Institute (EMI) Introductions: • EMI douglas.kahn@fema.dhs.gov • Video Teleconference (VTC) Locations 2

3. Scope Focus on the role of your organization(s) in response to potential consequences of a building collapse, as well as the interdisciplinary and interagency coordination both at the federal, regional, state, native American tribal and local level. 3

4. Exercise Goals • Demonstrate an ability to implement components of National Incident Management System (NIMS), the National Response Framework (NRF), and other current doctrines by: • Activating emergency plans and procedures • Appropriately interfacing with the command structure • Developing public information and media plans to handle concerns • Determining resource needs of the community and potential sources of support and requesting resources as appropriate • Identifying coordination and policy issues regarding multi-agency coordination systems 4

5. Exercise Objectives • Test participants knowledge, skills, and abilities to effectively conduct all-hazards emergency response and recovery. • Enable participants to better coordinate response operations with counterparts from Federal agencies, State governments, local governments, private sector organizations, and nongovernmental agencies. • Allow participating locations to share real-time Flood related preparation, response, and recovery solutions with all participants. 5

6. Core Capabilities PPD-8/National Preparedness Goal • “A secure and resilient nation with the capabilities required across the whole community to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from the threats and hazards that pose the greatest risk.” • States and urban areas use capabilities-based planning to identify a baseline assessment of their homeland security efforts by comparing their current capabilities against the Core Capabilities. 7

7. Core Capabilities All Mission Areas: • Planning • Conduct systematic process engaging whole community • Develop strategic, operational, community-based approaches • Public Information and Warning • Deliver coordinated, prompt, reliable, and actionable information • Use clear, consistent, accessible, culturally and linguistically appropriate methods • Operational Coordination • Establish/maintain unified and coordinated operational structure and process that support the execution of core capabilities 8

8. Core Capabilities Response: • Infrastructure System • Stabilize critical infrastructure functions; minimize health and safety threats; efficiently restore and revitalize systems/services • Mass Care Services • Provide life-sustaining services to affected population focusing on hydration, feeding, and sheltering; support for reunifying families • Situational Assessment • Decision makers receive information regarding the nature and extent of the hazard, cascading effects, and status of response 9

9. Core Capabilities Recovery: • Economic Recovery • Return economic and business activities (including food and agriculture) to a healthy state and develop new business and employment opportunities that result in a sustainable and economically viable community • Health and Social Services • Restore and improve health and social services networks to promote the resilience, independence, health (including behavioral health), and well-being of the whole community 10

10. Exercise Overview • Four-hour continuous interactive exercise • The VTTX consists of: • Introductions • Hazard Briefing • Three Modules • Debrief and Evaluation • Participant engagement encouraged both locally and cross-community. • Time awareness during questions, brief outs, etc.

11. Exercise Schedule 12

12. Assumption and Artificialities • The scenario is plausible and events occur as they are presented • There is no hidden agenda and there are no trick questions • All players receive information at the same time 13

13. Ground Rules • Do NOT critique the scenario • Draw from your previous experience • Do NOT assume information • Participation is encouraged • The facilitator's job is to help you come up with solutions 14

14. Administration/Logistics Restrooms Fire Exits 15

15. Background Winter Storm Scenario

16. Background/History on the Threat • Winter storms can range from a moderate snow over a few hours to a blizzard with blinding, wind-driven, snow that lasts for several days. • Defined differently in different parts of the country. • Can affect locally, regionally, or across states. • Can strand commuters, close airports and roads, knock out utilities, and many other damages. • Exposure to cold, fires resulting from improper heater use, and vehicle accidents kill hundreds every year. • Impassable roadways create supply problems and delays in emergency and medical services.

17. Recent Examples • 1993 – “Storm of the Century” covered the Southeast with snow in mid-March with three inches falling in Mobile, AL; five inches in FL panhandle; and 13 inches in Birmingham, AL. Caused a total of $6.6 billion of damage. • 1999 – A winter snow storm that hit the Midwest with upwards of two feet of snow, 73 deaths, and a nationwide blood shortage due to reduced donations in the region. • 2007 – “Valentines Day Blizzard” causes 37 deaths, large travel disruptions, and even thunderstorms and tornadoes in the southern portion of the storm • 2010 – December blizzard dropped more than 30 inches of snow on many communities along the eastern United States. • 2011 – “Groundhog Day Blizzard” caused more than 6,000 cancelled flights, widespread power outages, and numerous accidents. 18

18. Hazard-Specific Terminology/Concerns • Blizzard Warning – issued for sustained or gusty winds of 35 mph or more, and falling or blowing snow creating visibilities at or below ¼ mile; these conditions should persist for at least three hours. • Flash Flood – a flood caused by heavy or excessive rainfall in a short period, generally less than six hours. Dam failures can also cause a flash flood. • Frost/Freeze Warning – a warning indicating that below freezing temperatures are expected and may cause damage to plants, crops, or fruit trees. • Freezing Rain – rain that falls onto a surface with a temperature below freezing. This causes it to freeze to surfaces, such as trees, cars, and roads, forming a coating or glaze of ice. Even small accumulations of ice can cause a significant hazard. 19

19. Hazard-Specific Terminology/Concerns • Snow Flurries – light snow falling for short durations. No accumulation or light dusting is all that is expected • Snow Showers – snow falling at varying intensities for brief periods of time, some accumulation is possible. • Snow Squalls – brief, intense snow showers accompanied by strong, gusty winds; accumulation may be significant. Snow squalls are best known in the Great Lakes region. • Winter Storm Watch – alerts the public to the possibility of a blizzard, heavy snow, heavy freezing rain, or heavy sleet. Winter Storm Watches are usually issued 12 to 48 hours before the beginning of a Winter Storm.

20. Regional Snowfall Index

21. Module 1: Preparedness

22. Thursday, January 21, 0900 hrs Winter Storm Watch issued 6-12” of snow expected, beginning on Wednesday Roads being prepared Friday, January 22, 2200 hrs Gusty winds begin Blizzard warning issued for 1000-2200 hrs on the 23rd Residents urged to seek shelter Long lines at stores are being reported Module 1 Situation Timeline

23. Key Issues • National Weather Service upgrades a Winter Storm Watch to a Blizzard Warning • Residents are encouraged to seek shelter and avoid travel during the storm • Cold weather and winds sending people to the hospital with hypothermia • Long lines at local stores as residents prepare; some residents evacuate

24. Discussion Questions - Preparedness • What preparedness actions have you been taking to prepare for the storm? • Will an Incident Command be established at this point? What would trigger this decision? What agency or department would have the lead, and who would need to be included? • Do you have the staff and resources available to respond 24 hours per day for the next 24-96 hours? If not, where will you look to in obtaining these resources? • What whole community resources may you need to engage in order to develop Incident Action Plans or Incident Support Plans to prepare for this storm? • What data points are you planning to monitor for Situational Awareness (SA), and how will you share your SA to develop a Common Operating Picture (COP)? What information is needed by policy- and decision-makers to ensure effective preparations are made? • What is your public information strategy at this point (i.e., what methods or means are you using to provide credible and accurate information, and what are you doing to ensure vulnerable populations are reached; do you have plans in place to use and monitor social media networks)?

25. Module 1 Outbrief • EMI will facilitate the outbrief discussion from each VTC site. • Please keep each outbrief concise, and to the point. 26

26. Module 2: Initial Response

27. Saturday, January 23, 0200 hrs Snow begins to fall Emergency plans and EOC activated Saturday, January 23, 1330 hrs Many roads becoming impassable Multiple car accidents Hospitals are filling up Saturday, January 23, 1500 hrs Public works crews have been ordered to stop working Hospitals are working with limited staff Module 2 Situation Timeline

28. Saturday, January 23 @ 1600 hrs Localized power outages begin 10 inches of snow Saturday, January 23 @ 1900 hrs Community-wide power failure Hospitals need fuel for generators Saturday, January 23 @ 2200 hrs Snow advisory in effect until 1000 hrs tomorrow Response staff is fatigued Module 2 Situation Timeline

29. Key Issues • Blizzard conditions – heavy snow, regular wind gusts of 35 mph and limited visibility • Multiple motor vehicle crashes, stranded motorists, and storm-related accidents reported • Nearly all roads are impassible, greatly hampering responders • Community-wide power outage results from transformer failure • Road crews and assisting personnel are showing signs of fatigue • Hospitals are running short on essential supplies; emergency responder vehicles are running out of fuel

30. Discussion Questions - Response • What are your response priorities, and would incident/support objectives be revised at this point? • How are you gaining SA and identifying unmet needs of the citizens within the community, and how are you sharing your SA to achieve a COP? • What entities will you be coordinating with at this point and who may be reaching out to you for assistance? How should public and media concerns and questions be handled? How can a consistent message be maintained by the Joint Information Center (JIC)? • What whole community partners might you need to include during the response? 31 31

31. Discussion Questions - Response • 5. What infrastructure systems are most at risk and which will be the most critical to restore? How is this decision made? • How is the need for crews to clear roads balanced against the danger of working in this type of conditions? • How does fatigue factor into these calculations? • What areas of your response plan identify issues related to personal protection and discontinuing response/support/coordination operations during hazardous conditions? • What role do policy- and decision-makers play in enforcing these guidelines? • At what point should a temporary shelter be established for residents without power? • What resources would be needed for a shelter?

32. Module 2 Outbrief • EMI will facilitate the outbrief discussion from each VTC site. • Please keep each outbrief concise, and to the point. 33

33. Module 3: Extended Response/Recovery

34. Sunday, January 24 @ 1000 hrs Storm has left the area 20” of snow in some areas Power will be restored some time on the 25th Large amount of people presenting with hypothermia Sunday, January 24 @ 1700 hrs Numerous calls come in asking to check on affected residents Crews continue to clear roads Lack of resource and fatigue are affecting responders Module 3 Situation Timeline

35. Monday, January 25, 1400 Power restoration is moving very slowly Residents are calling to complain Most major roads are passable Large amount of people presenting with hypothermia Tuesday, January 26, 1200 People are injuring themselves digging out snow Media is criticizing responder actions Small flooding is occurring Another, smaller storm is approaching in 48 hours Module 3 Situation Timeline

36. Key Issues • The storm has left the area and response operations have resumed • Residents continue to be admitted to the local hospital due to storm-related accidents • Residents are requesting assistance and an emergency shelter • Power has been restored to most of the community • Requests for post-storm assistance by local businesses • Media is questioning community preparedness • Community officials are worried that resources are depleted for response to another incoming storm

37. Discussion Questions – Extended Response/Recovery • When should the response transform into recovery operations? Will the impending snowfall impact this decision? What issues will result from the transformation from response to recovery operations? What issues would result from having to return back to response operations a day later? • What programs are in place to support long-term housing for survivors that are unable to return to their homes? Will the community establish an emergency shelter for residents without power? How will this decision be made? • How will your organizational structure change during the recovery phase? • What are the financial and economic assistance programs in place to support local business and survivors? What is your plan to help businesses quickly become economically viable again? • How are you helping to identify unmet needs of the survivors and/or your employees affected by the storm? What behavioral health programs should be implemented for survivors and your employees? • What public information and risk communication messages should be disseminated at this point? Should the focus be on preventing injuries relating to the first storm, or preparing residents for the second storm?

38. Module 3 Outbrief • EMI will facilitate the outbrief discussion from each VTC site. • Please keep each outbrief concise, and to the point. 39

40. Participant Questions

41. Upcoming broadcasts

42. EMI Training Resources EMI Website - http://www.training.fema.gov/EMI/ EMI Course Catalog - http://training.fema.gov/EMICourses/EMICatalog.asp FEMA Form 119-25-1, General Admission Application http://training.fema.gov/Apply/119-25-1%20Previously%20FF75-5.pdf EMI Independent Study (IS/on line/free) Courses - http://training.fema.gov/IS/ EMI Integrated Emergency Management Course (IEMC) Resident & Community Specific - http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IEMC/ EMI Master Exercise Practitioner Program (MEPP) - http://training.fema.gov/MEPP/ EMI Emergency Management Professional Program (EMPP) - http://training.fema.gov/EMPP/ EMI Tribal Curriculum - http://training.fema.gov/Tribal/ EMI School Programs - http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/emischool/ Sign up for email updates of EMI Training Opportunities - https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSFEMA/subscriber/new?topic_id=USDHSFEMA_149

43. Close out • Send FEMA Form 119-25-1, General Admission Application, and class rosters to NETCAdmissions@fema.dhs.gov and douglas.kahn@fema.dhs.gov • Return Participant Feedback Forms • e-mail: douglas.kahn@fema.dhs.gov • regular mail: Doug Kahn, 16825 S. Seton Ave, Emmitsburg, MD 21727 • Additional questions/concerns, my number is (301) 447-7645