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#  LIBRARY SERVICE

**DISASTER PLAN**

1\. [Purpose:]{.underline} To outline policies & procedures for
protecting life and property in the event of an internal/external
disaster for Library Service in support of the Facility Comprehensive
Emergency Management Plan (VAMC Memorandum 516-01-00-72, March 2001).

2\. [Scope]{.underline}: Applicable to all Library Service employees and
volunteers/compensated work therapy patients who are on duty at the
time.

3\. [Policy:]{.underline} It is the policy of Library Service to assist
the facility in the event of a disaster in carrying out its duties for
the facility and the community. The Comprehensive Emergency Management
Plan (CEMP) outlines basic responsibilities for the implementation of
the plan with this service support plan in assistance. The Comprehensive
Emergency Management Plan is often known as the *Red Book* and is
located in the Medical Library Workroom.

1.  [Procedures:]{.underline} See attached sheets for individual
    procedures for the following:

> Hurricanes
>
> Casualty Reception
>
> Evacuation
>
> Fallout Shelter
>
> Bomb Treat
>
> Civil Disturbance
>
> Telephone Alert
>
> Chemical Release and Contamination
>
> Utility Disruption Plan

Diana F. Akins David M. Moots

Chief, Library Service Safety Manager

APPROVED/DISAPPROVED:

### 

### 

###  REVISED 17 April 2003

**Reviewed: 14 Feb 2003**

**Reviewed: 25 Feb 2002**

**Hurricane Plan**

The Chief Library Service or their designee, will report to the Marr
Conference Room for briefing by the Command Authority as required in any
Phase I, II, or III of the implementation of the Hurricane Plan.

a\. Home Hurricane Plans will be discussed annually at the Library
Service Staff meeting, before the beginning of Hurricane Season. The
Chief, Library Service will forward names of individuals wishing to be
part of the "Host Home Program" to the Safety Officer.

b\. Any personnel reporting for work in a hurricane situation should
bring personal toiletries, clothing, food, and water to last them a
minimum of 2 weeks.

**Phase I (Alert)**

All staff members will be notified that the implementation of the
Hurricane Plan is initiated. Circumstances permitting the Command
Authority (e.g. Director) will hold a general staff meeting to explain
the current situation, which will be attended by the Chief, Library
Service.

-   Discuss briefing and review hurricane plan with all library
    personnel.

-   Chief, Library Service, will furnish the Medical Center Director a
    list of individuals to remain on duty.

**Phase II (Preparation for Impending Disaster)**

All staff members will be notified of the impending disaster and should
commence to make final preparations to assure rapid response of their
individual responsibilities. Any individual not on duty will be
contacted by Chief, Library Service, if feasible.

A.  Ensure adequate stock of supplies:

    -   Flashlight with batteries

    -   Trash bags and tape

        -   Ensure that cell phones are charged

        -   Secure Libraries as much as feasible and safeguard equipment
            from property damage, etc.

B.  PC's secured

-   Shelf List removed

    -   Pamphlet Room Items removed from lower shelves

    -   Individuals designated to remain on duty will return home to
        make necessary preparations and return back as soon as feasible.
        All others will remain at home

    -   CWT patients should report to Domicilliary for further
        instructions

    -   Emergency parking for staff remaining on duty are at the
        following parking lots: Seminole Plaza/Burlington Coat Factory,
        (Seminole Blvd and 74^th^ Avenue North), Keswick Christian
        School (54^th^ Avenue North), and Seminole United Methodist
        Church (Seminole Blvd and 54^th^ Avenue North). Parking is at
        the risk of the vehicle owner. Facility Support Service will
        provide transportation between sites as weather and road
        conditions permit

    -   Monitor television or NOA web site coverage

    -   Notify volunteers

**Phase III (Action)**

Transition from Phase II to Phase III will be made automatically and to
the extent necessary for the protection of lives and property and for
the continuation of care and treatment to patients and members.

-   Once the staff has been mobilized, they will man their regular duty
    stations, or report as needed to various areas of the medical center
    as needed (e.g., manpower pool, etc.)

-   Medical Library and Patient Education Resource Center (PERC) both
    have emergency lighting that should be used conservatively

> Plan revised on 5/14/03

**Casualty Reception**

The Chief Library Service will report to the Marr Conference Room for
briefing by the Command Authority as required in any Phase I, II, or III
of implementation of the Casualty Reception Plan,.

a.  Discuss briefing with library personnel (including staff,
    volunteers, and compensated work therapy patients) of situation
    sending.

b.  Chief, Library Service, or designee will report to the Chief of
    Staff on the state of readiness and the availability of manpower.

c.  Non-essential personnel will report to the manpower pool in Building
    100, Radiology Outpatient area.

d.  At conclusion, the Chief, Library Service will supply emergency
    preparedness coordinator (138F) with a disaster timetable of events
    with comments of areas for improvement.

**Evacuation Plan**

**For**

**Internal or External Disasters**

In any Phase I, II, or III of implementation of the Evacuation Plan, the
Chief Library Service or designee will report to the Marr Conference
Room for briefing by the Command Authority as required. Internal
disasters may consist of fire, explosion, or major damage to the Medical
Center from unforeseen causes such as lightning, falling aircraft, etc.
External disasters may consist of an extremely dangerous hurricane or
other occurrence, which endanger the entire facility. Evictions from
external disasters are basically covered in the Hurricane Plan.

**Phase I (Alert)**

All staff members will be notified that the implementation of the
Evacuation Plan is initiated. Circumstances permitting the Command
Authority (e.g. Director) will hold a general staff meeting to explain
the current situation, which will be attended by the Chief, Library
Service.

-   Discuss briefing and review evacuation plan with all library
    personnel.

-   Check on availability of emergency supplies (e.g. batteries, plastic
    bags, etc.).

**Phase II (Preparation for Impending Disaster)**

All staff members will be notified of the impending disaster and
activation of Phase II. Library staff will commence to make final
preparations to assure rapid response of their individual
responsibilities.

C.  Ensure that flashlight has fresh batteries.

D.  Secure Libraries as much as feasible and safeguard equipment from
    property damage, etc.

E.  Individuals designated to remain on duty will do so and maintain
    their normal job functions unless ordered to do otherwise by someone
    in line of authority. Personnel may be assigned to the manpower
    pool.

F.  CWT patients should report to Domicilliary for further instructions.

**Phase III (Action)**

If an evacuation order is received from someone in line of authority,
then the Chief, Library Service will:

-   Account for all library personnel for and identify all library
    personnel after and during the evacuation.

-   Supervise the evacuation (horizontal, vertical, or total) of Library
    Service.

**Fallout Shelter Plan**

Depending upon the amount of time available, the Fallout Shelter Plan
will be activated in whole or in part according to information received
from the Department of Defense.

**Phase I (Alert)**

All staff members will be notified that the implementation of the
Fallout Shelter Plan is initiated. Circumstances permitting the Command
Authority (e.g. Director) may hold a general staff meeting to brief
personnel on tactical situations and status of conditions.

-   Discuss briefing and review plan with all library personnel.

-   Identify shelter location.

-   Medical Library and PERC -- Containers are located in interstitial
    areas in service bays.

-   Check on availability of emergency supplies (e.g. batteries, plastic
    bags, etc.).

-   Personnel should make arrangements for protection of their homes and
    families. Those individuals that return home should stay there
    unless directed otherwise by Chief, Library Service, or evacuate as
    announced by radio, television, or other means of communication.

-   Chief, Library Service will furnish Associate Director a list of
    library personnel remaining on duty.

**Phase II (Preparation)**

-   All personnel remaining on duty will take what actions necessary and
    notify Chief, Library Service when these are completed.

-   Monitor television coverage.

**Phase III (Action)**

-   All personnel will move to assigned shelter location based upon
    orders by the Medical Center Director or information reported by the
    Civil Defense via radio or television.

-   Library personnel will be under the direction of the Shelter
    Mangers, Assistant Shelter Managers, or duly designated leaders of
    the various floors.

-   In event of an attack without warning there will be no alarm signal.
    A blinding flash of high intensity light may indicate that an attack
    is in progress. If that is the case:

a.  Drop to the floor and cover your head with your hands.

b.  Lie against a wall, or under a desk, or other large object to
    safeguard against flying glass or debris.

c.  Proceed to nearest shelter area as soon as feasible.

.

# Bomb Threat Plan

Activation of this plan depends on the circumstances involved. There is
no general alert signal. If a Library Service staff member receives the
threat:

a.  Be calm and courteous. Do not interrupt the caller needlessly.

b.  Pay attention to wording, voice, and mannerisms of the caller. Keep
    the caller on line.

c.  If possible, signal for another individual to contact Medical Center
    Police (x4110 or x4111) and the telephone operator to trace call.

d.  After the bomb threat call, fill out and share information from
    Attachment A, CEMP, Chapter 5 with Medical Center Police. Notify
    Chief, Library Service.

e.  Medical Center Police will coordinate and control all necessary
    response actions.

If the threat is directed toward the immediate work area, library
personnel will search their immediate areas for any unusual boxes,
packages, or other items. If anything is found, **do not touch.**
Evacuate area and notify Medical Center Police of location.

## Civil Disturbance

If circumstances permit, the Director may call a meeting of the
Director's Control Group to consider the nature of the threat. The
results of this meeting will then be shared with Library Service.
Library Service will secure their area and await further instructions.

Library Service personnel learning of a disturbance should report the
activity to the Chief, Police and Security Service (x4112) or the
Communication Center (x4111) after regular working hours. Information
required will include the location of the disturbance, nature of the
disturbance, number of individuals participating, and other related
information.

The Casualty Reception Plan may be implemented if required.

# Telephone Alert

Library Service will keep a current "Cascade Call Back" which will be
reviewed at least annually **(April 1)** and/or updated as changes
occur. Copies will be distributed to Safety Officer (138F), ACOS for
Education, and all library personnel. A copy will be posted on the
Library Service Bulletin Board.

**Chemical Release and Contamination Plan**

**Phase I (Alert)**

All staff members will be notified that the implementation of the
Chemical Release and Contamination Plan is initiated. Circumstances
permitting the Command Authority (e.g. Director) may hold a general
staff meeting to brief personnel on tactical situations and status of
conditions.

-   Discuss briefing and review plan with all library personnel.

-   Check on availability of emergency supplies (e.g. batteries, plastic
    bags, etc.).

-   Personnel should make arrangements for protection of their homes and
    families. Those individuals that return home should stay there
    unless directed otherwise by Chief, Library Service, or evacuate as
    announced by radio, television, or other means of communication.

-   Chief, Library Service will furnish Associate Director a list of
    library personnel remaining on duty.

**Phase II (Preparation)**

-   Library personnel remaining on duty will be advise of the extent of
    the chemical contamination and be ready to respond as indicated by
    the Command Authority or Director.

-   Secure equipment.

-   CWT should report to the Domicilliary for further instructions.

**Phase III (Action)**

Phase II activities will be continues. In case of evacuation, the staff
will ensure property and equipment are secure and protected, maintain
office security, and assist as needed.

# Utility Disruption Plan

In the unlikely event that a complete power disruption should occur, the
Library Service would proceed with those functions that are feasible in
order to support direct patient care. All other items would be placed
upon hold until power is resumed. If telephone operations were still
viable, Library Service would contact Information Technology Section for
use of lap top computers.