AFTER ACTION REPORT/IMPROVEMENT PLAN

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Leesville Dam TTX – September 23, 2010

Campbell County Table Top Exercise

September 23, 2010

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PREPARED BY:

12750 J effer son Davis Highway # 107 Chester , VA 23831

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L e e s v i l l e D a m T T X – S e p t e m b e r 2 3 , 2 0 1 0 Page 2

Administrative Handling Instructions

1. The title of this document is “Campbell County TTX 2010-Leesville Dam Exercise” After Action Report/Improvement Plan”.

2. The information gathered in this AAR/IP is classified as FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY and should be handled as sensitive information not to be disclosed except as authorized by Campbell County Officials.p

3. At a minimum the information will be distributed only on a need-to-know basis, and when unattended will be stored in a secure location offering sufficient protection against theft, compromise, or unauthorized disclosure.

4. Points of contact are: a. Scott Hechler

Public Safety Director 34 Communications Lane Rustburg, VA 24588 (434) 592-9540 b. Ken Cochran

Howlett and Associates, Inc. 800 Cedar Hill Road

Blackstone, VA (804) 641-6118 c. Willie Howlett

Howlett and Associates, Inc.

12750 Jefferson Davis Highway # 107 Chester, VA 23831

(804) 338-2441 d. Karen Briggs

Campbell County Public Safety 34 Communications Lane Rustburg, VA 24588 434-332-9843

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Administrative Handling Instructions………...………2

Table of Contents……….…..3

Executive Summary………...…4

Exercise Overview……….6

Exercise Planning Team………7

Participating Organizations………...……8

Exercise Design, Purpose and Capabilities and Activities identified for

Demonstration………...…9

Analysis of Capabilities by Objective……….…………11

Command and Control Resource Management Communications Evacuation Search and Rescue Response Recovery

Improvement Plan………15

Exercise Summary Table (MSEL)………..18

Acronyms……….23

Photographs……….27

Appendix 1: Initial Scenario Briefing……….32

Notes………36

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Executive Summary

Campbell County has an extensive history of conducting all levels of exercises. It is part of the County’s overall commitment to being a leader in emergency preparedness. This exercise is a continuation of this commitment. The “Leesville Dam TTX 2010” table top exercise was designed and conducted to evaluate seven (7) specific objectives. They are as follows:

1. The ability of the Emergency Operations Center to demonstrate Command and Control; 2. The ability to recognize, identify, track, and manage needed resources;

3. The ability to demonstrate internal and external communications requirements; 4. The ability to conduct evacuation in identified areas of the County;

5. The ability to identify the need to and conduct search and rescue operations; 6. The ability to respond to a given set of emergency conditions; and

7. The ability to develop and implement recovery needs.

The most significant point of discussion regarding this exercise was the decision to insert individuals into positions that would normally be staffed by more experienced and practiced individuals. This was done by design to increase the depth of the Campbell County Emergency Management staff. Overall, this proved to be highly successful. While there were some slight delays in decision making and task assignments, had this been a real emergency there would have been no impact on life safety, property conservation, or the environment. This initiative better positions Campbell County to be able to sustain a prolonged emergency or disaster.

Of all issues and concerns identified, none are greater than the need to identify an alternative location for the Emergency Operations Center. There simply is insufficient space to sustain a completely ramped up EOC staff. The current location limits the ability to display needed information, restricts the ability to project multi-media information, and makes conversation between the Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) difficult at best. It is recognized this is both a budget and logistics concern; however it is one that needs to be incorporated into the overall County budget and strategic planning process.

The need to communicate with the Virginia Emergency Operations Center (VEOC) is critical during any disaster. The most effective and preferred way to do this is the “WEBEOC” system. This allows all requests for assistance and situation reports to be transmitted electronically and directly to the VEOC. As a result both the state and Campbell County can constantly monitor the ongoing situation and the status of any request or ongoing issue. It is important for Campbell County to train sufficient personnel to staff this function. It requires specialized training made available through the Virginia Department of Emergency Management.

Three (3) objectives evaluated in this exercise share one issue in common. Response, Search and Rescue, and Recovery all require the ability to ensure radio communication interoperability. This issue continues to challenge all local governments as well as state and federal agencies. As the deadline of meeting narrowband requirements continues to draw closer, and the emphasis on purchasing P-25 compliant radios continues to drive the decision making on grant requests,

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Campbell County should continue to closely evaluate its overall strategy as it relates to all aspects of radio communications and interoperability. There are a number of portable, mobile, and fixed radios entering the market that provide some, but not all, of the desired features. It is important to identify all capabilities and limitations of any two way communication devise being considered for purchase.

The County should consider conducting a short (one to two hours) demonstration for all potential EOC staff on how to actually operate an EOC. This would provide the opportunity to explain each step and the significance it has on the overall operation.

An administrative assistant assigned to the individual serving in the Command and Control position (Director or Coordinator) would greatly increase the overall efficiency of the EOC. Much like the liaison position in the Incident Command System used in field operations, this individual would allow the EOC Incident Manager to focus on decision making and less on information tracking.

This exercise should be considered as very successful. Throughout the entire process the staff and all participants conducted themselves in a most professional manner. Everyone participated as if it were a real life event. As a result, the evaluators were able to identify specific details and capture information useful to provide Campbell County in this After Action Report.

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Exercise Overview

Exercise Details

Exercise Name:

Campbell County TTX 2010 – Leesville Dam Exercise Type of Exercise: Table Top Exercise Date: September 23, 2010 Duration: 6 Hours Location:

Campbell County Public Safety Building Sponsor:

Campbell County Capabilities:

Command and Control Resource Management Communications Evacuation

Search and Recovery Response

Recovery Scenario Type: Dam Failure

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Exercise Planning Team

Scott Hechler Kar en Br iggs

Campbell County Campbell County

Public Safety Director Campbell County Public Safety

Randall J ohnson Willie Howlett

Fire Marshal Howlett and Associates, Inc

Campbell County Ken Cochr an

Howlett and Associates, Inc.

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Participating Organizations

Campbell County Public Safety Campbell County Sheriff’s Office Campbell County Administrator’s Office Campbell County Community Development

Campbell County Management Services Campbell County Information Technologies

Virginia Department of Social Services American Red Cross

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Exercise Design Summary

Exercise Purpose and Design

The purpose of this exercise was to evaluate equipment in the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), as well as the ability to command and control EOC staff, track and manage resources, implement (simulated) evacuations, deploy (simulated) search and rescue teams, and respond to and recover from a significant dam failure within Campbell County.

An organizational meeting was held between Campbell County Emergency Management staff and Howlett and Associates, Inc. personnel to discuss exercise plans and to focus on developing the approach, plan, and support needed to develop, implement, and evaluate a simulated dam failure in Campbell County.

Specific objectives were defined with sub objectives being established for several objectives. A Master Scenario Events List (MSEL) was developed based on the scenario design criteria and the exercise objectives.

Exer cise Objectives, Capabilities, and Activities

All of the exercise objectives were demonstrated and evaluated during the exercise. Throughout the exercise participants successfully demonstrated and managed the events presented. Exercise play also demonstrated ways in which efficiencies can be achieved.

Capabilities-based planning allows for exercise planning teams to develop exercise objectives and observe exercise outcomes throughout the framework of the organizations participating. Based upon the identified objectives below, the exercise planning team decided to assess the following capabilities during the exercise:

Objective 1: Command and Control

Evaluate the ability to assemble the appropriate staff needed to operate the EOC, work within the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS) structure, manage information, track resources, and share data in a timely and appropriate manner.

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Objective 2: Resource Management

Evaluate the ability of each Emergency Support Function (ESF) to project needed resources, locate these resources, and arrange for timely deployment at the needed site.

 Sub Objective 2: Demonstrate the ability to effectively and efficiently track resources and their status.

Objective 3: Communications

Demonstrate proper communication techniques within the EOC, with the media, and with state, federal, and private organizations as required.

 Sub Objective 3: Demonstrate WEBEOC operations

With assistance from the Virginia Emergency Operations Center (VEOC)

demonstrate the ability to log on, submit reports, and receive verification from the VEOC

Objective 4: Evacuation

Given a specific impacted geographical area, identify the evacuation requirements, notification methodologies, and resources needed to safely remove residents.

 Sub Objective 4: Sheltering

Determine the sheltering needs, resources required to open and operate a shelter and termination procedures to close the shelter.

Objective 5: Search and Rescue:

Given a specific set of criteria, determine the resources needed to effectively provide search and rescue resources, define procedures to be used, and identify safety precautions that must be considered.

Objective 6: Response

Given a specific scenario identify response objectives, develop an incident action plan, and list the strategies and tactics to be used to accomplish the incident action plan. Objective 7: Recovery

Given a specific set of conditions develop a recovery plan to include damage assessment and restore critical services and infrastructure.

 Sub Objective 7: Debris Removal

Based on circumstances developed in the exercise define the requirements for an effective debris removal plan

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Analysis of Capabilities

The following information provides a review of the exercise objectives and the related capabilities, activities, and tasks. The observations are organized by capability and associated activities. The capabilities linked to the exercise objectivities of “Campbell County TTX 2010” are listed below. They are followed by the corresponding activities. Each activity is followed by related observations, applicable reference(s), analysis, and recommendation(s).

Objective # 1: Command and Control (Of EOC)

Summary: The EOC opened with a skeletal staff and eventually ramped up to full staffing, based on the exercise design. Several individuals normally assigned as back up participated as the primary response individual staffing their assigned ESF. This allowed the individuals who would normally staff the position to evaluate those back up individuals, who performed satisfactorily.

Activity: Individuals assigned to the various ESFs were tasked with management responsibilities for their assigned positions. This included all decision making, coordination, and related tasks normally associated with being the responsible individual for the assigned ESF.

Observations: Each ESF staffed was able to manage their responsibilities with minimal issues or complications. Those serving as the primary ESF manager for the first time would, as expected, require slightly more time to make decisions and give assignments and tasks. No significant events occurred as a result and no life safety, property conservation, or environmental issues were identified. The primary issues identified were insufficient space in the EOC and the need to move from paper message taking to an electronic process.

References: Campbell County Emergency Operations Plan; Leesville Dam Emergency Action Plan; Campbell County Reference Sheets

Recommendations: Recommendations are as follows: (1) Continue training those individuals who were operating ESFs for the first time; (2) train additional personnel as back up for all ESFs; (3) increase available resources for status tracking and pending items; and (4) consider assigned laptops to each ESF and eliminate the paper process for message taking and status tracking.

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Objective # 2: Resource Management

Summary: Management of internal and external resources involves identifying specific resources needed, where they can be obtained, time constraints, cost and many other issues. It also involves tracking the various resources and being able to communicate that information to the entire EOC staff. Currently the “SALTT” process is being utilized by Campbell County and is supported by a large and highly visible poster in the EOC.

Activity: ESF 5 (Emergency Management) coordinated resource management requests based on information and requests from several ESFs. This was supported by the Information Technology staff tracking this information electronically.

Observations: The majority of resources needed for the scenario presented were internal to Campbell County. The paper tracking system created some confusion as to what was needed when and where. It also made it difficult to coordinate with the I.T. staff tracking information electronically and sharing that data with the entire EOC staff

Reference: Campbell County EOP- 3 part color coded “EOC Message” form

Recommendations: Recommendations are as follows: (1) If the 3 part paper color form continues to be used, identify who gets which color; (2) eliminate the paper form and provide designated laptops to each ESF position; (3) connect the laptops to a network that captures an all inclusive electronic log; and (4) provide the ability to project each laptop to the entire EOC.

Objective # 3: Communications

Summary: The EOC must be able to communicate with all Campbell County agencies, the Virginia EOC, private organizations, and the media. In this scenario the focus was on being able to communicate with the media and the Virginia EOC.

Activity: The Public Information Officer position in this scenario was tasked with handling media communications. The Command Staff was tasked with establishing communications with the Virginia EOC using “WEBEOC” and with outside agencies by standard communication instruments.

Observations: Media briefings were prepared by the Emergency Management Coordinator with assistance from the PIO. Once reviewed, the PIO provided media briefings immediately outside the EOC. This maintained the security of the EOC. The interaction with “WEBEOC” encountered problems initially, but were quickly resolved. Once resolved, the process worked successfully.

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Recommendations: Recommendations are as follows: (1) Continue to use “WEBEOC” as the primary method for communicating with the Virginia EOC; (2) train and certify additional staff to use “WEBEOC”; (3) train additional personnel to serve in the PIO position; (4) continue to conduct media briefings outside the restricted area; and (5) consider reviewing the press release with the entire EOC staff prior to release.

Objective # 4: Evacuation

Summary: In the event of a required evacuation, notification methodologies, resources required, and transportation needs must all be considered. Also, when an evacuation is implemented sheltering must be available.

Activity: In this scenario the Altavista area of Campbell County would require an evacuation. Private residents, businesses, the Town Water Plant, and a rail line are all impacted.

Observations: EOC staff personnel identified the impacted area using available documents. The American Red Cross and Campbell County Social Services worked in concert to identify and prepare sheltering needs. Transportation resources were in place and the EOC Incident Command Staff were kept informed of all actions.

References: Campbell County EOP; Leesville Dam Emergency Action Plan

Recommendations: Recommendations are as follows: (1) Continue to incorporate the Leesville Dam Emergency Action Plan into the County EOP; (2) Continue to train staff in sheltering; (3) evaluate the ability to maintain a long term shelter operation; and (4) address the possibility of special considerations (i.e. sex offenders) in shelters.

Objective # 5: Search and Rescue

Summary: Any disaster involving catastrophic or major damage creates the possibility of the need for search and rescue operations. When that also involves evacuation the problem is compounded. In this scenario, the need for search and rescue was identified. Activity: The Fire Departments, Sheriff’s Office and EMS were tasked with conducting (simulated) search and rescue operations.

Observations: All agencies involved have established procedures in place and referenced the appropriate documents. Although there was never a specific plan developed for this exercise, it is likely in real life a detailed plan would have been developed.

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Recommendations: Recommendations are as follows: (1) Review current policies and procedures for possible updates; (2) review additional resources available from VDEM that may possibly be included in the EOP; and (3) evaluate the potential to increase interoperability of two way radio communications.

Objective # 6: Response

Summary: This scenario required both long term and short term planning. The ability to develop incident action plans, establish objectives, and determine tactics to be used is the responsibility of the entire EOC staff.

Activity: The EOC staff implemented a series of actions divided among several of the ESFs. The actions were tracked using the 3 part EOC Message form.

Observations: Although many actions were taken and much was accomplished, the incident action plan was not developed and an overall strategy and set of tactical objectives were never developed and communicated to the entire EOC staff.

References: Campbell County EOP

Recommendations: Recommendations are as follows: (1) Increase ICS Training to all staff members; (2) provide ICS forms to all ESF positions; (3) hold individual agency mini exercises using the ICS and selected ICS forms; and (4) provide all 2010 NIMS required and recommended training to as many staff members as possible.

Objective # 7: Recovery

Summary: After any disaster or major emergency a re-entry and recovery plan is critical to returning a community to normal. Repairing infrastructures, returning citizens to their homes, and getting businesses reopened are critical.

Activity: The EOC staff was charged by the Emergency Management Coordinator to develop a recovery and re-entry plan for Altavista.

Observations: Law enforcement was assigned security to the evacuated area. Fire personnel would take responsibility for evaluation of hazardous material issues, and EMS would be available as needed.

References: Campbell County EOP; Individual agency SOPs.

Recommendations: Recommendations are as follows: (1) Increase discussions with all first responder agencies regarding re-entry and recovery plans; (2) develop a check list of possible considerations for such plans; and (3) review the current state plans and contracts for debris removal.

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Objective # Observation Recommendations Corrective Action Description Primary Responsible Agency Agency POC Start Date Completion Date 1 Command and Control New personnel serving in primary roles Additional training for current and new staff Additional ICS-NIMS Training Emergency Management and individual agency head Each agency head TBD by each agency TBD by each agency Information management Provide dedicated laptops for each ESF Purchase of additional hardware and software Information Technology Agency head TBD TBD Information display Increase space to display information Increase wall and/or electronic display capability Emergency Management Agency head TBD TBD 2 Resource Management Tracking resource status Eliminate 3 part paper form Replace form with electronic tracking Information Technology Agency head TBD TBD Information sharing Increase ability to share with EOC

Additional projection capabilities Information Technology Agency head TBD TBD

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Objective # Observation Recommendations Corrective Action Description Primary Responsible Agency Agency POC Start Date Completion Date 3 Communications Press release not provided to all EOC staff

Have all EOC staff provide input into press release prior to briefing Policy or procedure revision Emergency Management Agency head TBD TBD Initial problems with WEBEOC Train additional personnel in use of system Schedule training Emergency Management and individual agency heads Agency head TBD TBD 4 Evacuation Systems currently in place effective Continue training and review

None noted Emergency Management and individual agency heads Agency head TBD TBD 5 Search and Rescue Systems currently in place effective Continue training and review

None noted Emergency Management and individual agency heads Agency head TBD TBD 6 Response All ICS forms not used

Use all appropriate ICS forms

Incorporate ICS form into EOC Emergency Management Agency head TBD TBD Use of NIMS

Provide staff with 2010 NIMS Training Schedule required and recommended 2010 training Emergency Management and individual agency heads Agency head TBD TBD

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Objective # Observation Recommendations Corrective Action Description Primary Responsible Agency Agency POC Start Date Completion Date 7 Recovery Lack of a detailed re-entry plan

Addition to EOP Develop a re-entry and recovery check list and/or plan Emergency Management with support from appropriate agencies Agency heads as determined TBD TBD

Debris plans Continue to track state contracts for this task No additional needs at this point Emergency Management Agency head TBD TBD

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The Master Scenar io Events List

Campbell County TTX 2010

Event # Objective Event Time Event Descr iption Responsible Contr oller Recipient

Player (s) Contr oller Notes 01 Obj. 1&3 Campbell 9-1-1 Receives notification of

possible issue with Leesville Dam-Request call from EM Director

How much info do you want to provide?

02 Obj. 1&3 Campbell 9-1-1 notifies EM Director of message from Leesville Dam

What questions should be asked?

03 Obj. 1&3 EM Director contacts Dam Operations for situation report

04 Obj. 1&3 Dam Operations reports routine inspection identified issues of minor to moderate concern

Need more information.

05 Obj. 1&3 Dam Operations reports no need for public notification at this point

Should this be questioned? How much?

06 Obj. 1&3 State EOC notifies all jurisdictions in VDEM Region 3 of potential hurricane developing with potential over Labor Day holiday

Do you want a written notification (VCIN) to hand off?

When do you open limited staffing of EOC?

07 Obj. 1&3 Additional update from VEOC indicates a possible tract similar to the 1969 storm

Do people know what this means? Should you show the graphic?

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Campbell County TTX 2010

Player (s) Contr oller Notes 08 N/A National Weather Service confirms storm

track

09 Obj. 3 VDEM reports STORM IS GOING TO HIT-Suggest staffing EOC at some level

When and what public notifications need to be issued?

10 Obj. 1 Campbell County EOC opens with skeletal staff – Briefing from EM Director

Notify VEOC EM Director gives overview of situation and ask for questions or concerns from staff.

11 Obj. 3 9-1-1 Center reports numerous calls from citizens wanting information on what to expect-Do they need to evacuate?

Has additional 9-1-1 staffing been ordered?

12 Obj. 3 EM Director prepares press release Who prepares?-What does it say?-Who approves for release?

13 Obj. 4&6 EM requests Evacuation Center be made ready to open

Who makes the call?-Who staffs?

14 Obj. 3 EM Director prepared SITREP for VEOC Who prepares?-Who approves?-Who enters on WEBEOC?

15 Obj. 3 Leesville Dam notification received-partial failure likely

What is time line projection?-What is impact zone?

DO EOC BRIEFING HERE

16 Obj. 3 & 6 EM Director requests FD-EMS-Sheriff be

placed on alert to implement evacuation notification to impacted areas

What resources are available?-How will evacuation be managed?-Will outside resources be needed?-If so, where will they come from?

17 Obj. 3 & 4 EM Director requests info for updated press release based on pending evacuation order

Who prepares?-What does it say?-Who approves for release?

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Campbell County TTX 2010

Player (s) Contr oller Notes 19 Obj. 6 9-1-1 Center is receiving many requests for

roads blocked, creeks blocked by trees and other materials.

Who will manage? Will statewide contract be implemented? What are environmental concerns?

20 Obj. 6 Water treatment plant notifies EOC of need to shut down and evacuate

Soon as failure likely

What is the impact to the citizens & to fire protection?

21 Obj. 3 & 6 Altavista residents reporting water rising in town

What is impacted?-What are the specific needs-problems?

GO TO FULL EOC OPERATION HERE

22 Obj. 2 Emergency Vehicles in Altavista reports fuel topped off on all vehicles

Where will portable fuel come from & is it available?

23 Obj. 4 Residents from several streets in need of oxygen and cannot be moved without medic unit

Emergency or non-emergency situation?

24 Obj. 5 9-1-1 Center received report of 6 year old child missing in town

Who will coordinate search and rescue?

25 Obj. 5 9-1-1 receives calls for 4 additional missing persons as water continues to rise

Who will coordinate search and rescue & what are conditions of missing persons? 26 Obj. 6 Local grocery store reports looting What resources will be committed? 27 Obj. 6 Several propane tanks sighted floating in

water

Can local resources handle?

28 Obj. 2 & 6 Shelter manager request deputy to staff shelter and additional help to register people

Is there sufficient resources?

29 Obj. 6 9-1-1 Center reports numerous requests for sand bags from residents

Are they available?-Will this request be supported?

30 Obj. 3 VEOC request SIT REP UPDATE Who will prepare?-who will approve?-who will enter in WEBEOC?

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Campbell County TTX 2010

Player (s) Contr oller Notes 31 Obj. 3 Leesville Dam reports situation appears to

be stabilizing

Based on what?-engineer report or dam manager opinion?

32 Obj. 3 Local TV reporter at EOC requesting access to EOC and interview with EM Manager

Will he be allowed in?-Will EM Manager do interview?

33 Obj. 2 EM Director requests situation update of all committed resources

Do we have resource tracking in place?

34 Obj. 6 Sheriff units report people wanting to re-enter evacuated area

Will they be allowed?-how will it be controlled?-is there a re-entry plan?

35 Obj. 7 Several businesses and individuals

requesting assistance with debris removal as water goes down

Who will assist?-what resources are available?-will burning be allowed?-will state contract be utilized?

36 Obj. 7 VDEM requesting Initial Damage Assessment report

Who will conduct?-are they trained?-is the training current?

37 Obj. 7 Fire Department reports 2 hand held radios lost during operations

What are the issues/concerns?

38 Obj. 7 Several businesses requesting assistance to reopen

What kind of assistance? Money, loans, other?

DO EOC BRIEFING HERE

39 Obj. 7 EM Director directs all ESFs to prepare for

demobilization

What is required?

40 Obj. 7 EM Director conducts debriefing prior to reducing EOC Staff

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Campbell County TTX 2010

Player (s) Contr oller Notes 41 Obj. 1 EM Director returns to skeletal staffing Who remains?

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Acronyms

NOTE: This acronym list encompasses those acronyms commonly used in exercise documentation and the HSEEP Volumes. This acronym list should be modified as needed by including any additional acronyms used in the exercise and its associated documents, and by removing any unnecessary acronyms already included in this list.

AAR After Action Report

BTS Border and Transportation Security Directorate

C&O Concept and Objectives

CBRNE Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, or Explosive

CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

C/E Controller and Evaluator

C/E Handbook Controller and Evaluator Handbook

CFR Code of Federal Regulations

CIA Central Intelligence Agency

CI/KR Critical infrastructure and key resources

COSIN Control Staff Instructions

CPX Command Post Exercise

CSEPP Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program

CSID Centralized Scheduling and Information Desk

CST National Guard Civil Support Team

DHS U.S. Department of Homeland Security

DOD U.S. Department of Defense

DOJ U.S. Department of Justice

DPETAP Domestic Preparedness Equipment Technical

Assistance Program

EEG Exercise Evaluation Guide

EMA Emergency Management Agency

EMI Emergency Management Institute

EMS Emergency Medical Services

EMT Emergency Medical Technician

EOC Emergency Operations Center

EOD Explosive Ordinance Disposal

EOP Emergency Operating Procedure

EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

EPW Exercise Plan Workshop

EvalPlan Evaluation Plan

ExPlan Exercise Plan

FAA Federal Aviation Administration

FBI Federal Bureau of Investigation

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FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency

FOIA Freedom of Information Act

FOUO For Official Use Only

FPC Final Planning Conference

FSE Full-Scale Exercise

FSLT Federal, State, Local, and Tribal

FWPCA Federal Water Pollution Control Act

GAO Government Accountability Office

G&T Office of Grants and Training

HazMat Hazardous Materials

HDER Homeland Defense Equipment Reuse Program

HHS U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

HSC Homeland Security Council

HSEEP Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program

HSGP Homeland Security Grant Program

HSPD Homeland Security Presidential Directive

HSOC Homeland Security Operations Center

IC Incident Command

ICS Incident Command System

ICTAP Interoperable Communication Technical Assistance Program

IED Improvised Explosive Device

IP Improvement Plan

IPC Initial Planning Conference

LLIS Lessons Learned Information Sharing

MEPP Master Exercise Practitioner Program

MIPT National Memorial Institute for the Prevention of

Terrorism

MMRS Metropolitan Medical Response System

MOU Memorandum of Understanding

MPC Mid-Term Planning Conference

MSDS Material Safety Data Sheet

MSEL Master Scenario Events List

MTL Master Task List

NCP National Contingency Plan

NED National Exercise Division

NEP National Exercise Program

NIC National Incident Commander

NIMS National Incident Management System

NITSEEP National Intermodal Transportation Security Exercise and

Evaluation Program

NLD-DPP Nunn-Lugar-Domenici Domestic Preparedness Program

NPD National Preparedness Directorate

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NRP National Response Plan

NSSE National Special Security Event

ODP Office for Domestic Preparedness

OPA 90 Oil Pollution Act of 1990

OSLGCP Office for State and Local Government Coordination and

Preparedness

P&D Prevention and Deterrence

PEP Pre-positioned Equipment Program

PIO Public Information Officer

POC Point of Contact

PPE Personal Protective Equipment

PREP U.S. Coast Guard National Preparedness for Response Exercise

Program

RAT Rapid Assistance Team

REPP Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program

RSP Render Safe Procedure

RSPA U.S. Department of Transportation, Research and Special

Programs Administration

SAA State Administrative Agency

SAP State Assistance Plan

SHSEEP State Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program

SIMCELL Simulation Cell

SitMan Situation Manual

SME Subject Matter Expert

SNS Strategic National Stockpile

SOE Senior Officials Exercise

SONS Spill of National Significance

SOP Standard Operating Procedure

SWAT Special Weapons and Tactics

TA Homeland Security Preparedness Technical Assistance Program

TCL Target Capabilities List

TOPOFF Top Officials National Exercise Series

TSA Transportation Security Administration

TTIC Terrorist Threat Integration Center

TTX Tabletop Exercise

UA Universal Adversary

UASI Urban Areas Security Initiative

UAWG Urban Area Working Group

UC Unified Command

UCS Unified Command System

USCG U.S. Coast Guard

USDA U.S. Department of Agriculture

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VIP Very Important Person

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Photographs

Scott Hechler (above left) welcomes personnel to Leesville Dam TTX 2010 and Ken Cochran (above right) reviews the initial briefing with participants.

The Emergency Operations Center opens (above left) with skeletal staffing. Tracy Fairchild, serving as the Acting Director, (above right) discusses initial actions with Ken Cochran.

NOTE: Events, such as those developed for this scenario, often allow time to set up the Emergency Operations Center and bring in skeletal staffing levels to develop plans, strategies, and tactics. Other disasters, such as hazardous material events, demand full staffing from the onset of the initial notification.

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Two important functions supporting the Emergency Operations Center for any type emergency or disaster are the Public Information Section (above right) and the Geographic Information Group (above left). Both are vital in assisting with information management and providing timely and accurate information to the press and the public.

As the incident escalates additional Emergency Support Functions are staffed (above left) and additional information becomes available (above right). As seen in the staffing photograph, the EOC becomes cramped. Information is tracked both electronically as seen above, as well as in paper form using the three part paper “EOC Message” forms.

As mentioned in the report, displaying and sharing this information is currently difficult, as will be illustrated in the following photographs.

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All photographs displayed here were required to be projected for the purpose of sharing needed information to various Emergency Support Functions. As evacuations were ongoing, and situation status was being tracked, only one of these could be projected at a time. This made it very difficult for the ESFs to have coordinated information. There is a definite need to expand the ability to project multiple images.

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When a local government declares a “Local Emergency” it begins to send situation reports (above) and requests for assistance to the (state) Virginia Emergency Operations Center electronically by use of “WEBEOC”. These are normally prepared by the individual ESFs (below). Currently, there is not a system in place to transfer these from the individual ESFs to the Command and Control position.

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Providing information to the media and the public is critical to support life safe, property conservation, and protection of the environment. It is typically one of the areas government at all levels is often criticized. A carefully prepared media briefing depends on input from all Emergency Support Functions and a critical review by the Command and Control position. As seen above, it should be done with specific information in written format by the Public Information position or a designated representative. The individual delivering the briefing should anticipate questions that go beyond the information provided, however they must resist the urge to speculate or provide information not approved by the Command and Control position.

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Appendix 1 Campbell TTX 2010

Initial Scenar io Br iefing

On Thursday, September 2, 2010 at approximately 2:15 pm Campbell County Emergency Communications Center received a call from the Leesville Dam Operations Superintendent. The superintendent requested that Mr. Scott Hechler , Campbell County Public Safety Director, call him right away concerning a report he had just received from the Road Runner Dam

Inspections & Engineering Incorporated of Wiley, Arizona.

E911 Deputy Director Tracy Fairchild, contacted Director Hechler, and a call was returned immediately.

The call was to inform the Director that some minor to moderate cracks were found in a routine inspection of the Leesville Dam. The Operations Superintendent explained that, at this point, there was NOT cause for great concern but was to acknowledge officially that there were some potential areas of concern that the County should be aware of.

A meeting was set-up for the next morning at 10:00 am with Representatives from the Department of Public Safety, the County Administrator, Dam Representatives and the Engineering Inspection firm.

After discussing the matter at some length and with assurances from the dam owner,

Management / Operations Representatives, and the Inspection / Engineering firm it was decided that no media announcement would be made to the public at this time.

This decision was made largely due to the upcoming Holiday weekend and due to the fact that everything appeared to be under control and within acceptable engineering limits. Therefore it was agreed that a notification, at this point, may unduly excite the public.

All parties agreed to stay in close contact and that the areas of concern would be monitored 24/7 both visually and with proper diagnostic equipment provided by the Road Runner Inspection Corporation. If conditions changed there would be immediate notification to all parties.

On September 7th Campbell County received word from the State EOC that Hurricane Karen had the potential to come ashore in the gulf area as previously predicted sometime on September 8th or very early the 9th.

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However, preliminary hurricane modeling indicated that it may have the potential to follow the path of hurricane *Camille in 1969 which came to shore in the gulf region and then traveled north and then turned right and came through Virginia from a western path causing millions of dollars in damages, loss of life and property. The State EOC said the National Hurricane Center was watching this very closely and expected more and better modeling information in the next 24 to 48 hours.

*Aug. 20, 1969, Hurricane Camille: Camille made landfall as a Category 5 hurricane, smashing into the Mississippi coast with 200 mph winds on Aug. 17. She was the strongest hurricane to make landfall in the United States this century. She maintained hurricane force winds for 10 hours as she moved 150 miles inland. Camille entered Virginia on Aug. 19 as a tropical depression, and though not a hurricane or tropical storm, she had picked up enough moisture from the warm Gulf Stream that when she slowed over the Commonwealth, her thunderstorms "trained" (one followed the other) for 12 hours. Nearly 31 inches of rain fell with devastating results. The ensuing flash flood and mudslide killed 153 people, mostly in Nelson County where 113 bridges washed out. The major flooding that occurred downstream cut off all communications between Richmond and the

Shenandoah Valley. Waynesboro on the South River saw eight feet of water downtown and Buena Vista had more than five feet. Damage was estimated at $113 million.

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With this added information Director Hechler informed County Officials of the new information with a special emphasis on the Leesville Dam Issue.

Director Hechler contacted representatives at the Dam and relayed the Hurricane Modeling information to their representatives.

He asked for an engineering study to begin immediately to see what impact additional rainfall amounts would or could have on the Dam’s situation. The Leesville Dam Superintendent indicted that “all hands were on deck” to comply with his request!

On September 8, 2010 at approximately 2:15 pm Director Hechler received a call from the Leesville Dam Superintendent. The Superintendent informed Mr. Hechler that the National Hurricane Centers’ (NHC) information was evaluated by his team and there were several issues of concern if their (NHC) modeling was correct!

A decision was made to meet at the Campbell County Department of Public Safety to discus all possible scenarios at 5:00 pm.

At approximately 4:15 pm the Campbell County ECC (911 Center) received another update from the State EOC.

They relayed the National Hurricane modeling information for Hurricane Karen as of 4:00 pm:

“Hurricane Karen was still showing signs of the 1969 projected path of Hurricane Camille! The state EOC and the National Hurricane Center advised all Virginia counties that were impacted by Camille in 1969 to begin preliminary planning for such an event for the upcoming hurricane. If predicted modeling continues to be correct it will reach southwest Virginia early September 10th.

More information to follow with updates every 12 hours beginning at 8:00pm tonight.”

Director Hechler informed Campbell County officials and reminded them of the meeting with the representatives from the Leesville Dam at 5:00pm, today.

The Meeting with County Administration, Public Safety and Representatives from Leesville Dam met as scheduled.

The r esults as follows:

Public Safety will open the EOC with skeleton staffing at 7:00am tomorrow (9/9/2010) with 12 hour shifts.

Leesville Dam Officials can no longer insure that there is no imminent danger of failure due to the possible additional rainfall and will make necessary decisions to minimize the risks and outcomes.

County Officials have agreed to make a public announcement of the situation and ask that residents and businesses, that may be affected, by the impending storm and possible dam failure to begin to take appropriate actions immediately.

County Officials will notify County Management Staff and Town Managers of the situation immediately after the meeting.

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September 9, 2010

The Director of Public Safety declared the EOC was opened at 7:00 am on 9/9/2010 with skeleton staffing.

Notification was sent to the State EOC

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