Table of Contents. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES Policy 190

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1 Table of Contents EMERGENCY PROCEDURES Policy TRAINING ON EMERGENCY PROCEDURES EVACUATION PLAN Purpose Initiation Of Evacuation Alarm Evacuation Procedures... 3 (1) Employee Responsibilities... 3 (2) County Official Responsibilities... 4 (3) County Engineer Responsibilities... 4 (4) Evacuation Site Coordinator(S) Responsibilities... 4 (5) Emergency Management Responsibilities Evacuation Site/Evacuation Routes FIRE PLAN Causes Of Fire Fire Prevention Fire Control And Evacuation BOMB THREAT PLAN Purpose Procedures And Responsibilities Upon Receipt Of Bomb Threat... 7 (1) Person Receiving Bomb Threat... 7 (2) E911 Communications Center... 7 (3) Sheriff's Department ESSENTIAL WORKERS DESIGNATED Essential Workers Required To Report Non-Essential Workers CLOSURE OF COUNTY FACILITIES DUE TO UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES... 8 Pend Oreille County Personnel Policy Emergency Procedures Page 1

2 EMERGENCY PROCEDURES POLICY 190 THIS CHAPTER ON EMERGENCY PROCEDURES IS NOT A PUBLIC DOCUMENT AND NOT SUBJECT TO PUBLIC DISCLOSURE. EMPLOYEES SHOULD CONTACT THE HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICE PRIOR TO RELEASING THIS DOCUMENT, OR INFORMATION CONTAINED WITHIN TO NON-COUNTY EMPLOYEES. 1. TRAINING ON EMERGENCY PROCEDURES Emergency procedures familiarization training for new employees shall be included in their initial orientation training. It is the responsibility of each County Official to familiarize new employees with the specific process used within the department, evacuation routes, etc. Evacuation drills will be accomplished annually. Evacuation, fire, and/or bomb threat familiarization/refresher training shall be conducted as part of the drills. 2. EVACUATION PLAN The following evacuation procedures apply to the courthouse, annex and Garden Ave. buildings. County Officials are responsible to ensure that remote work sites have adequate evacuation procedures in place. 2.1 Purpose To provide for the rapid and safe evacuation of county facilities in the case of fires, bomb threats, hazardous material threats, and other emergency situations. To provide for clear lines of authority and a means of communicating information between County Officials, employees, and responding agencies including requests for assistance, situational updates, and authorization for return. To provide for the security of County buildings during times when evacuation procedures have been initiated. Security includes ensuring that all persons have exited the building and that, until return is authorized, members of the public and unauthorized employees remain at a safe distance and do not return to the facilities. 2.2 Initiation Of Evacuation Alarm The Courthouse, annex and Garden Avenue buildings are equipped with automatic fire detection and suppression systems. In the courthouse and annex, if the automatic detection system has not activated, verbal notification must be made to all building occupants. In the Garden Avenue buildings evacuation procedures will be initiated by activation of the building fire alarm. Fire alarm pull stations are located by the exit doors. Activation of the building fire alarm results in the notification of the E911 Communications Pend Oreille County Personnel Policy Emergency Procedures Page 2

3 Center (911) in the Hall of Justice and Sheriff s Office only. In all other buildings notification to 911 must be made by telephone. It is imperative that the employee who activates the alarm CALL 911 FIRST and explain why the alarm will be activated, before the alarm is activated. Without additional information about the situation for which the alarm is being activated, responding personnel could respond ineffectively or be placed in life threatening situations. Any employee who discovers a fire that is not immediately extinguishable, receives a bomb threat, or discovers any other hazard which immediately threatens the health and safety of employees and/or the public is authorized to initiate evacuation. The County Engineer may authorize the activation of the building alarm for testing and/or drill purposes. Activation of the evacuation alarm is considered by the County to be a serious event. Knowingly initiating a false alarm is a criminal offense. Employees who knowingly initiate the evacuation alarm when no threat exists may be prosecuted and will be separately subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment. Person Initiating Evacuation - Responsibilities a. Call or direct someone to call and notify 911 of the details of the threat. b. Pull or direct someone to activate the fire alarm or initiate a verbal notification. c. Proceed with evacuation. d. After reaching the evacuation gathering point, contact your County Official/supervisor then contact the Evacuation Site Coordinator and follow his/her instructions. 2.3 Evacuation Procedures All employees and other persons will evacuate the building upon activation of an alarm. Failure to immediately evacuate may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination. (1) Employee Responsibilities a. All personnel, including visitors, will evacuate the building. Employees should advise visitors to evacuate and assist when possible or necessary. b. Employees should take their coat, purse, and valuables if there is time. c. Lock all safes and put away monies if there is time. d. Check immediate office and department surroundings for unusual or unfamiliar items. If so noted, tell County Official/supervisor at the evacuation site. e. Use the same evacuation routes as posted for fire evacuation. Maps of evacuation routes are posted in each department. Do not use elevators. f. All employees shall leave the building and assemble at the designated evacuation site. Gather in departmental groups for accountability of employees and additional evacuation instructions from a supervisor. Pend Oreille County Personnel Policy Emergency Procedures Page 3

4 g. During evacuation, employees will not attempt to enter or move their vehicle. h. Employees shall not leave the evacuation site or return to the building unless authorized to do so by the Evacuation Site Coordinator. i. The Sheriff s Office will evacuate prisoners from the jail if determined necessary, and according to Sheriff s Department policy and procedure. (2) County Official Responsibilities a. Ensure that all employees are following evacuation plan procedures and are evacuating immediately. b. Check or designate an employee to quickly check the office area to ensure all persons, employees, and visitors have exited. c. Lock main department/division doors as you leave the building. d. Account for all employees after reaching the evacuation site. e. Contact the Evacuation Site Coordinator and follow his/her instructions. f. If employees are missing at the evacuation site, report that information to the Evacuation Site Coordinator. g. If appropriate, designate an employee who has access to all portions of the department and knowledge of the department space to assist in a search when requested. h. Do not allow personnel to leave the evacuation site or return to the building until instructed to do so by the Evacuation Site Coordinator. (3) County Engineer Responsibilities a. Prior to any drill, notify the Evacuation Site Coordinator(s). b. Follow procedures established with the Sheriff s Department specific to the type of incident to implement building security. c. If possible, conduct a quick walk through of the building to ensure all persons have evacuated. Do not jeopardize your own safety. d. Report to the Evacuation Site Coordinator for further instructions. e. If not a scheduled drill, check with County Official to advice of your safety condition and location. f. Ensure security of facility entrance points. (4) Evacuation Site Coordinator(S) Responsibilities Management of the evacuation site and the people occupying it is primary. The County will designate an Evacuation Site Coordinator(s) and alternates. The Coordinator(s) will be equipped with a vest for easy identification and a radio to provide communications with the command center and 911. The Coordinator will have authority and responsibility for the following: a. Communication between responding agency, 911, employees, and departments at the evacuation site. Pend Oreille County Personnel Policy Emergency Procedures Page 4

5 b. Communicating the authorization for exiting from the evacuation site, including sending employees back to the building, sending people home or to another location. c. Providing representatives to the command center to assist with search or other functions. (5) Emergency Management Responsibilities 2.4 Evacuation Site/Evacuation Routes a. Maintain communications with Evacuation Site Coordinators. b. Act as Incident Commander for purposes of employee and public evacuation of County facilities. c. Authorize return to county facilities, movement of employees to alternate locations, and/or closure of facilities to the public and/or employees. Evacuation Site/Evacuation Route Plans are posted in each department. All employees shall make themselves familiar with evacuation routes from their work site. 3. FIRE PLAN The primary concern is prevention and the elimination of the causes and hazards of fire. Only by creating and maintaining an environment in which the causes of fire are at their lowest potential can fire be avoided. This section of policy deals with the cause of fire, the responsibility for maintaining a fire prevention program and procedures to follow if a fire occurs. 3.1 Causes Of Fire Fires are started by many sources, some of which are: a. Flames. Burning candles are prohibited on County premises. b. Sparks from grinding, welding and static: sparks caused by static electricity are a danger when they occur near flammable vapors, gases or dust. c. Heat producing appliances. d. Electrical tools and equipment: normally fires caused by this source are the result of deficiencies of the equipment, mainly short circuit arc when insulation is damaged or removed in places; overheating at some point; sparks from operation such as motors, switches, etc. All electrical equipment should be installed and maintained in accordance with the National Electrical Code and WAC. Equipment and supplies used should be approved by Underwriters Laboratories e. Spontaneous combustion: rags with paint, oil, or other such flammable fluids on them must not be left in lockers, cupboards or other flammable enclosures or where they can cause spontaneous combustion. Approved sheet metal, safety waste containers should be used for oily or paint-saturated rags and waste. Caution must be exercised to prevent any of these sources of fire from occurring close to combustibles where the probability of fire is great. Pend Oreille County Personnel Policy Emergency Procedures Page 5

6 3.2 Fire Prevention The County is responsible for providing and maintaining the following fire prevention items: extinguishing equipment, training on fire extinguisher equipment, marked exits, alarms, properly lighted stairways, emergency lighting, and proper storage facilities for flammable liquids. If you see or know of an unsafe, structural condition or any equipment that is malfunctioning, contact the appropriate County Official and supervisor immediately. If you don t know the appropriate person to report the condition to, contact the County Human Resources Office and/or Building Maintenance. Monitored fire drills will be held annually. 3.3 Fire Control And Evacuation Each County Official shall ensure their employees are aware of where to find the closest fire extinguisher, and how to use fire extinguishers When a fire begins, it is essential to act quickly and intelligently. DO NOT PANIC this reaction increases the likelihood of additional damage. Several things should be done with good judgment, and in the proper sequence. These are: a. The first person to discover the fire should make a quick but sure appraisal of the seriousness of the situation. b. Decide whether to first attempt to extinguish the fire or call 911. Many fires can be extinguished with little difficulty if action is taken immediately. c. If the fire is in a wastebasket or is in an easily-moved article or material, it can sometimes be moved to a safer place to burn out (if not extinguished). Covering a basket tightly will extinguish the fire. If you do not know what the contents of the container are do not move it! d. Even if the fire is easily extinguishable, warn any others in the immediate vicinity who may be endangered. Raise your voice and shout if you do not want to leave the fire. e. Call 911 and explain to the dispatcher as many details as you can. f. Evacuate the building as outlined in the evacuation plan. 4. BOMB THREAT PLAN 4.1 Purpose Provide for the emergency notification of employees, citizens and 911 when bomb threats are received, and for orderly evacuation to a safe area. Provide for the security of County buildings and for the orderly search for explosive devices. Pend Oreille County Personnel Policy Emergency Procedures Page 6

7 All bomb threats shall be taken seriously and the following emergency procedures implemented. No threat shall be dismissed as a crank call. 4.2 Procedures And Responsibilities Upon Receipt Of Bomb Threat (1) Person Receiving Bomb Threat a. Direct someone to call and notify 911 of the threat. If the threat comes in by phone, do not allow the caller to hear your request. b. If possible, keep the caller talking. c. Use the Bomb Threat checklist document that should be located near each phone, to gather as much information as possible. d. If no one has called 911, do so as soon as possible. Advise dispatch that you have received a bomb threat and that evacuation procedures are being initiated. e. Activate the evacuation alarm and evacuate. DO NOT SOUND THE ALARM UNTIL AFTER THE CALLER HANGS UP. Take the bomb threat checklist to the evacuation gathering location. f. After checking in with your County Official, contact the Evacuation Site Coordinator once at the evacuation gathering location and follow his/her instructions. (2) E911 Communications Center a. 911 will advise the call receiver to follow evacuation procedures and contact the Evacuation Site Coordinator at the gathering location. b. 911 will dispatch the Sheriff s Office and notify WSP. All will be specifically advised that a bomb threat has occurred. 911 will contact a member of command staff and a commissioned deputy to secure the building. WSP will be asked to stand by. c. Place the Fire Department on standby, but advise them Not to Respond until so instructed by the Incident Commander. (3) Sheriff's Department The Sheriff s Department will assume command of the incident. The Incident Commander will coordinate resources to secure and conduct a search of the building. The Sheriff s Department will maintain policies and procedures for response and coordination of bomb threat incidents to include command, security, search, and resource acquisition. 5. ESSENTIAL WORKERS DESIGNATED It is essential during times of emergency that certain public services be maintained. In order to accomplish those services certain workers are designated as "essential workers" by the County. Essential workers may be designated for all, or only certain emergencies. Pend Oreille County Personnel Policy Emergency Procedures Page 7

8 5.1 Essential Workers Required To Report During any emergency, including short term facilities closures, essential workers who are regularly scheduled and those who may be called in are expected to report to work. Essential workers shall receive their normal rate of pay for the period worked (regular rate or overtime as appropriate) without additional compensation. 5.2 Non-Essential Workers Non-essential workers who are regularly-scheduled may also report to work during most emergencies. They shall receive their normal rate of pay for the period worked (regular rate or overtime as appropriate) without additional compensation. Non-essential workers not required for the emergency may be excused from work during the period of facilities closure if they cannot report to work due to the unusual circumstance. Employees shall report their absence in compliance with established procedures. Employees who report to work during an emergency should expect and may be required to perform duties in other departments. The County maintains the right to recall any employee to perform essential duties during any emergency, or to restore governmental functions during extended emergencies. 6. CLOSURE OF COUNTY FACILITIES DUE TO UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES It is the policy of the County to maintain hours of operation which make the best use of people and resources in serving the needs of the public. During times of inclement weather or natural disaster, it is essential that the County continue to provide vital public services. Therefore, it is expected that employees make every reasonable effort to report to work without endangering their personal safety. Inclement weather conditions or other unusual situations may from time to time necessitate the closure of County facilities to the public. Closure of facilities shall be at the discretion of the Board of County Commissioners. County facilities closed to the public shall normally remain open to employees for work purposes unless an emergency closing County facilities to employees is declared by the Board of Commissioners. If an emergency closing a County facility to employees is declared, essential workers required to report and non-essential workers able to report will be advised of an alternate reporting location(s) as appropriate. Notification may be made by means of local radio station(s) and the County s internet site. During periods when an emergency has been declared, employees may be assigned tasks outside their normal duties. Essential workers required to report will receive their normal rate of pay for the period worked (regular or overtime as appropriate) without additional compensation. Employees shall report their absence in compliance with established procedures. Pend Oreille County Personnel Policy Emergency Procedures Page 8