# Presentation: 316696

## Utilization of ProForce in Emergency ResponsePresenters:Ed McDonald Peg Melberg, CEM, CHMMMay 4, 2005

## Presentation Goals

- Convey a general understanding of what a DOE Protective Force offers as a Emergency Response asset apart from traditional roles.
- Initiate/Invigorate synergistic thought on how to gain greater contribution from existing Protective Force assets and minimize costs.

## Emergency Response Challenges

- Timely Notification of Event
- Magnitude of Event
- Response Capability
- Available Equipment
- Classified Environment/Security Considerations
- Unique Hazardous Materials Environment Considerations
- Readiness Maintenance
- Budgetary Constraints

## The Protective Force Asset

- Largest group of dedicated Emergency Responders at a DOE facility (traditionally security response roles) .
- All personnel knowledgeable of site/area
- All personnel trained, equipped and experienced in communications.
- All personnel trained to execute services under crisis and/or emergency conditions.
- All Personnel trained in first aid basics.

## The Protective Force Asset (cont’d)

- All Personnel trained in radiological/hazmat protection basics.
- All personnel are vested with site law enforcement authority
- Personnel trained in emergency vehicle operations
- Staffed with cleared personnel
- Supervisory and managerial personnel trained to resolve crisis and emergency situations.
- Personnel hired as Protective Force members have varied backgrounds that are applicable to Emergency Response.

## Probable Areas of Value Added Support 

- Management and coordination of emergency response services
- Communications Support
- Medical/Field Triage Support
- Firefighting Support
- Radiological Survey/Decontamination Support
- Facility Operations Support
- Transportation/Driver Services Support
- Environmental Remediation Support

## Management and Coordination of Emergency Response Services

- Trained and seasoned mid-level managers available to augment Emergency Operations Center and Field Incident Command Center operations for security related emergency service functions.
- Trained and seasoned supervisors available to support the emergency response leadership in executing direction under crisis/stressful conditions.

## Communications Support

- Each Protective Force has one, if not several, Central Alarm Stations equipped with radio communications capability, multiple phone lines, video and alarm surveillance systems, and internet/intranet communications capability all of which is staffed by trained communicators.
- Field sites normally have fixed positions with radio and telecommunications capability.
- Each officer is equipped with radio communications as a minimum and trained in communications.

## Medical/Field Triage Support

- Trained in first aid and CPR.
- Specialized training from previous career field such as EMT certifications and military medical certifications.
- These qualifications are assets that can be utilized for a variety of emergency medical response services and can be enhanced with additional training as provided by the contractor managing the site.

## Firefighting Support

- Protective Force personnel are trained in the use of basic respiratory equipment and some are trained in basic fire fighting skills.
- All Protective Force Personnel must meet set physical fitness requirements.
- There are Protective Force members that have served in previous professions as firefighters either for a municipality or in the military (most often the case).

## Radiological Survey/Decontamination Support

- All Protective Force personnel working in radiological environments are trained in basics of radiological survey and protection procedures and equipment.
- Protective Force personnel working in radiological environments are experienced in personal radiological survey and protection measures as well as understand the hazards of working in contaminated areas.
- Protective Force members has backgrounds in working in hazardous environments through previous work experience.  Most common experience is military Nuclear, Biological and Chemical unit training.

## Facility Operations Support

- Protective Force members are normally trained in the facility functions and safety requirements.
- Protective Force familiarity with the facility through experience in operating in the facility environment.
- Examples of extended support: taking and reporting gauge readings, support the  activation of emergency equipment/proceedings, and provide back-up to shutting down critical facility operations under emergency conditions.

## Transportation/Driver Services Support

- Protective Force members are normally trained in safe vehicle operations and sometime emergency vehicle operations.  This provides a level of qualification for augmenting additional driver requirements for emergency vehicles and emergency/evacuation transports.

## Environmental Remediation Support

- Protective Force members, due to all of the aforementioned knowledge, skills, and abilities, provide a ready and able body of personnel to support suppression and remediation efforts in response to an emergency event.  Examples of support: assisting in establishing containment barriers, dispensing slurry mixtures, manning water hoses, and even manning shovels.

## Economic Considerations

- _Within Protective Force (PF) Scope and Budget_ Utilization of Protective Force members and assets in a manner that it would be a no cost value added service enhancement to the site.
- Example 1: Utilizing the Central Alarm Station as a secondary Emergency Operations Center.
- Example 2: Giving Protective Members training on firefighting equipment during normal work hours while in a service capacity (rover/responder) that allows for training.

## Economic Considerations (cont’d)

- _Within Emergency Response Organizations Budget_ – Utilize available budget dollars or redirecting budget dollars for enhancing organizational capability through the utilization of the Protective Force asset.
- Example 1: Include Protective Force members in desiring organizations training program (i.e. Radiological Protection Technician certification, EMT/First Responder certification, Basic Fire Fighter Certification)
- _Voluntary Services_ – No cost time contributions by Protective Force Members during none duty time to serve the Site’s Emergency Response Force in a non-security capacity.

## Benefits to a Site

- Expanded Emergency Response capability at minimum to no costs
- Cost reductions possibilities
- Site employee retention improvement through integrated career ladders in emergency services
- Enhanced Protective Force morale and readiness

## Challenges to Implementation

- Union Collective Bargaining Agreements.
- Liability considerations
- Imagination Limitations
- Tenacity/commitment of concept executors

## Integrated Emergency Response Management

## Parting Thoughts

- The DOE Protective Force is a Site asset that has the potential to offer far greater value than just it’s traditional role of security.
- The threat to a site has increased as defined by the newly defined Design Basis Threat.  An increased threat directly correlates to a need for an increased emergency response and remediation capability.
- Ingenuity, imagination and tenacity will be required for implementing a successful Integrated Emergency Response Program to meet present and increasing challenges.

## “Protective Force – a force that protects against all threats to life and property.” 

-Edward J. McDonald

- -Edward J. McDonald