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National Interagency Fire Center

3838 S. Development Avenue

Boise, Idaho 83705

September 3, 2005

To: All Personnel

From: National Multi Agency Coordinating Group

Subject: All Hazard Recovery Effort Incident Assignments -- What to
Expect

The purpose of this memo is to provide advance notice to personnel of
what to expect when mobilized to assist in all hazard recovery efforts.
Under the National Response Plan, wildland fire resources may assist in
response to national emergencies. To date, the primary job of our
responders has been to staff distribution centers, base camps, and
mobilization centers; however there are occasions where activities may
expose personnel to a variety of hazards.

**[Conditions]{.underline}**

With few exceptions, dispatched resources will be working for
established Type 1 or Type 2 Incident Management Teams (IMTs), and the
organizational structure will be similar to that of a wildland fire
assignment. Most Incident Command Posts (ICPS) are located some distance
from the all hazard incident; however there is no assurance that
community infrastructures are intact. Attached to this memo is a two
page summary developed by the safety and health coordination team on
site. It provides a preliminary listing of the conditions responders
might expect, and some advice on how best to prepare for them in
advance. We advise that all responders familiarize themselves with this
briefing before their departure.

**[Immunizations]{.underline}**

The Fire, Aviation Safety Team consulted with Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention and U.S. Public Health Service resulting in the
following direction for all Wildland fire agencies responding to all
hazard incidents:

1.  [Diphtheria/Tetanus]{.underline}: All employees responding to all
    hazard incidents should have received a Diphtheria/Tetanus booster
    within the last 10 years as part of routine medical care. Those
    likely to be mobilized are encouraged to be current with this
    recommendation or obtain the diphtheria/tetanus booster prior to
    being dispatched. However, mobilization should not be delayed in
    order to do so. Those at highest risk are employees in the process
    of debris cleanup, tree removal and cuts by nails or sharp objects.
    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and U. S. Public
    Health Service advises that it is accepted medical protocol for a
    diphtheria/tetanus booster to be administered, if needed, shortly
    after an injury occurs for those individuals already deployed.

2.  [Hepatitis A]{.underline}: The CDC does not believe responders to
    all hazard incidents are at high risk for hepatitis A, and therefore
    are not recommending hepatitis A vaccinations. Good personal
    hygiene, ingesting clean food and water, and hand washing will
    prevent hepatitis A.

3.  [Hepatitis B:]{.underline} Most responders do not need hepatitis B.
    Only personnel providing direct patient care require this vaccine.
    Incident management teams will coordinate with medical providers on
    site to determine if this vaccination is considered necessary.

When resources obtain a pre-mobilization tetanus booster at their home
unit, the cost will be borne by that unit. It is important that receipts
and other records be kept so that reimbursement can occur if
authorization is received.

The Federal Fire and Aviation Safety Team (FFAST) is providing direct
liaison between NMAC and the health and safety coordinating team on
site. Should you have any questions, or require further information,
please contact your member of that team. They are:

John Gould -- B IA

Michelle Ryerson -- BLM

Al King -- NPS

Rod Bloms -- USFWL

Ed Hollenshead - FS

/s/ Don Artley

Chair, NMAC

**Hurricane Katrina Relief**

**Safety Considerations for Incoming Support Personnel**

The mission of the Forest Service and cooperating agencies under the
National Response Plan is to support the federal government's effort to
bring emergency relief supplies to the storm damaged areas. As requested
by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), our mission is to
provide logistical support such as managing base camps for field
hospitals, receiving and distributing equipment and relief supplies,
managing the care, feeding and logistical support of thousands of relief
workers and volunteers, for elderly and the infirm, and for other
persons unable to evacuate. This is life-sustaining work in support of
the hundreds of thousands of Americans impacted by the recent storm.

Much of the work tasked is novel to the Forest Service and our partner
agencies that have expertise in forest and range "wildland" management.
Due to the novelty of the work, special safety considerations must be
given.

**[Prior to Departure from your Home Unit]{.underline}:**

It is recommended you obtain a tetanus booster if not received within
the past 10 years. Get as much information as possible concerning
expected living conditions. If you are ordered to a coordination center
you will likely have access to telephone service, restaurants and hotel
lodging. If you are ordered to a logistical support center or other
"field assignment" you may be living and working under primitive
conditions.

**[Safety Considerations for Persons Ordered to Field
Assignments]{.underline}:**

Expect that you are going into a desperate situation. For the duration
of your tour, plan on no electricity, no refrigeration and no telephone
communications. In contrast to a "fire camp" you should assume that
there will be no Supply Unit available. Therefore bring with you the
following:

-   fresh refill of any necessary prescriptions

-   three MREs or other non-perishable meals

-   a tent

-   rain gear

-   insect repellent

-   light sleeping bag

-   flashlight and extra batteries

-   hard hat

-   gloves

-   first-aid kit with aspirin, Band-Aids, etc.

-   sleeping pad if you have room.

-   cash -- (credit cards require phone lines)

-   portable water purifier, if available

If you are driving, bring a few cases of water with you. If flying in,
purchase extra water when you have the opportunity.

**[Hazards, Threats, and Mitigation Measures]{.underline}:**

The following is a listing of the most common threats to your safety,
and recommended mitigations.

+----------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| Downed Power Lines         | If you're not sure, treat all power     |
|                            | lines as if they are live.              |
+----------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| Contaminated Drinking      | Assume all water is contaminated unless |
| Water                      | you saw the bottle it came from.        |
|                            | Municipal water supplies in severely    |
|                            | storm damaged areas are also likely     |
|                            | contaminated.                           |
+----------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| Lightning                  | Take shelter in building or vehicle.    |
|                            |                                         |
|                            | Don't operate land-line phones,         |
|                            | machinery, or electric motors.          |
|                            |                                         |
|                            | Get away from standing water.           |
|                            |                                         |
|                            | Do not use an umbrella                  |
|                            |                                         |
|                            | Observe the "30\~30" rule               |
+----------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| Snags, broken tree tops    | Weakened trees, bent trees, and broken  |
| and weakened trees.        | trees are everywhere. Secure your       |
|                            | working area using certified fallers.   |
|                            | Be wary of broken tops and limbs that   |
|                            | haven't yet fallen.                     |
+----------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| Hydration and Heat Stress  | Stay hydrated! You may need to drink up |
|                            | to a gallon of water per day to avoid   |
|                            | dehydration in this tropical            |
|                            | environment, even if you're not         |
|                            | performing any physical work! Two to    |
|                            | three gallons, supplemented with        |
|                            | Gatorade or other electrolyte           |
|                            | replacement drink, is necessary if      |
|                            | performing arduous work. Monitor        |
|                            | yourself and others for symptoms of     |
|                            | heat stress. Cool down in an            |
|                            | air-conditioned building or automobile  |
|                            | if necessary. People not acclimated to  |
|                            | high humidity are especially vulnerable |
|                            | to the southern heat.                   |
+----------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| Snakes/Insects/Animals     | Avoid snakes, insects and stray         |
|                            | animals. There are 6 varieties of       |
|                            | poisonous snakes in the area.           |
|                            | Cottonmouths will be exploring new      |
|                            | pools and rattlesnakes will be          |
|                            | searching for dry ground. Poisonous     |
|                            | spiders and yellow jackets will be      |
|                            | looking for dry areas to establish a    |
|                            | new residence.                          |
|                            |                                         |
|                            | Be sure to use insect repellant on all  |
|                            | exposed skin, socks, and pant legs.     |
+----------------------------+-----------------------------------------+

+----------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| Travel hazards including   | In storm impacted areas do not depend   |
| driving/collision with     | on cell or land-line coverage. If you   |
| other vehicles, inoperable | get lost, stuck in mud or high water,   |
| traffic lights, blown down | or trapped by fallen power lines or     |
| street signs including     | trees, it may be a very long time       |
| stop signs, downed trees,  | before you are found. Expect gasoline   |
| loose livestock, high      | shortages or pumps not working in storm |
| water, washed out roads,   | impacted areas. Daily travel should be  |
| mud, gasoline shortages,   | conducted under the following           |
| and lack of                | constraints.                            |
| communications.            |                                         |
|                            | -   When traveling alone, establish a   |
|                            |     travel route and make it known (map |
|                            |     and description) to a responsible   |
|                            |     person that will initiate a search  |
|                            |     along that route if you don't show  |
|                            |     up within a pre-determined time.    |
|                            |                                         |
|                            | ```{=html}                              |
|                            | <!-- -->                                |
|                            | ```                                     |
|                            | -   Keep gasoline tanks at least ½      |
|                            |     full.                               |
|                            |                                         |
|                            | -   Carry rain gear and enough personal |
|                            |     supplies (water, food,              |
|                            |     prescriptions, etc.) to be entirely |
|                            |     self sufficient for 48 hours in the |
|                            |     event you get stuck or lost, and    |
|                            |     have no communications.             |
|                            |                                         |
|                            | -   Listen to LOCAL radio stations      |
|                            |     while driving for information       |
|                            |     pertaining to weather, road         |
|                            |     closures, flood alerts, evacuation  |
|                            |     orders, tornado alerts, and         |
|                            |     gasoline shortages.                 |
|                            |                                         |
|                            | -   Avoid travel on rural roads at      |
|                            |     night.                              |
|                            |                                         |
|                            | -   Be wary of confused and stressed    |
|                            |     deer on roads.                      |
|                            |                                         |
|                            | -   Be wary of livestock on roads due   |
|                            |     to downed fences.                   |
|                            |                                         |
|                            | -   Be wary of traffic lights not       |
|                            |     operating and stop signs blown      |
|                            |     away. Treat uncontrolled            |
|                            |     intersections as 4-way stops.       |
|                            |                                         |
|                            | -   Heavy fog, especially along coastal |
|                            |     areas, is common. The locals know   |
|                            |     where all the curves in the road    |
|                            |     are and may be driving much faster  |
|                            |     than is safe under foggy            |
|                            |     conditions.                         |
+----------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| Desperate Survivors        | Avoid stopping except in secure         |
|                            | locations. If forced to stop, remain    |
|                            | calm and be compliant with requests. Do |
|                            | not put yourself in danger by trying to |
|                            | defend your belongings or vehicle. Get  |
|                            | out of the situation as quickly as      |
|                            | possible.                               |
+----------------------------+-----------------------------------------+