A FEDERAL

EMPLOYEE’S

EMERGENCY

GUIDE

Working for America

UNITED STATES OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT

Dear Federal Employee,

More than ever, the work of Federal employees is critical to the

well-being and security of our Nation. However, Federal

employees face unprecedented uncertainty. Individuals who are

unwilling to impact the world through constructive efforts have

instead stated their intention to harm freedom-loving civilians.

While terrorists are determined in their hatred, they cannot

match the strength, ingenuity, or systems of our democratic

Government. Just as they typically rely on rudimentary methods

to attack unprotected and unsuspecting individuals, we must

increase our vigilance to deal effectively with man-made or natural threats.

The intent of this guide is to provide a general document that

educates Federal employees on the repercussions of various attack

scenarios (or unintentional accidents) and to identify the steps

that employees can take before and during an attack to mitigate

the repercussions of an event. While the scope of this guide is to

provide general information, resources (with website addresses)

have been included which offer more comprehensive information

on preparing for emergency events.

While your agency is responsible for designing an occupant emergency plan for dealing with emergency events and for communicating those plans to you, YOU play an important role in the

safety of your teammates and workplace. It is important for you

to ask questions about the procedures that have been put in place

at your agency. Keep in mind, it is very likely that numerous steps

have already been taken to secure your building that are not subject to open discussion. Trust your manager—this information

may be held more “tightly” to better protect you from individuals who may seek to cause harm.

Finally, be sure to talk to your manager about any suggestions you

may have which could better secure your safety.

Sincerely, 

Kay Coles James

Director

Office of Personnel Management
F ederal Employee’s Emergency Guide

2

The Federal Emergency Dismissal Protocol calls for the General

Services Administration (GSA), the Federal Emergency

Management Agency (FEMA) and the Office of Personnel

Management (OPM) to consult and decide on the operating status of the Federal Government and Federal buildings during an

emergency. These agencies have on-going access to critical information provided by Department of Homeland Security (DHS),

law enforcement and other related agencies that inform respective decision making. Your agency is a part of the network that

would immediately receive confirmed reports on any situations.

In a natural or man-made event (such as a terror incident),

FEMA, GSA and OPM will convene their principals for a review

of the situation and make decisions for each of their respective

areas of responsibility.

Your agency’s access to confirmed reports in the event of an emergency will help provide your management with guidance appropriate to ensure your safety.

Immediate notification of changes to the operating status of the

Federal Government will be relayed to key Federal and local

authorities. Following this notification, the news media, the

Federal Executive Board and other outlets across the National

Capital Region and the Nation will be alerted to the change in

operational status. The operating status of the Federal

Government is always available on the web site of the Office of

Personnel Management—www.opm.gov.

THE ROLE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

TO PROTECT CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES
F ederal Employee’s Emergency Guide

3

Federal agencies which operate in buildings managed

by the U.S. General Services Administration are

required to establish an Occupant Emergency Plan

(OEP). The OEP is a short-term emergency response

program that establishes procedures for safeguarding

lives and property. Within every agency’s OEP,

should be a component which addresses the concerns

of special needs employees.

Each Federal building has unique factors which may

affect the security measures that should be taken to

protect employees. Some of these factors include the

location of the building, proximity to other prominent landmarks or buildings, and inherent building

designs which may affect the ability to prevent, or

mitigate the damage of, an attack. For this reason, it

is inadvisable to make one Governmentwide protocol

that all agencies must follow. It is the responsibility of

each agency to communicate to employees the safety

procedures that are in place, based on both a safety

and a threat analysis.

In instances where there is a known or suspected release

of biological, chemical, or radiological agents outside an

agency, authorities may strongly recommend that

employees shelter-in-place. That means that rather than

leave their place of work, employees will stay in their

office building and wait for instructions. It is unlikely

that such an event would require employees to shelterin-place for longer than a few hours.

Safety Equipment Provided 

by the Federal Government

There have been questions about whether safety

equipment such as escape hoods and protective suits

are necessary to protect against a chemical or biological attack. It is the responsibility of each agency to

determine the risks faced by its employees, develop a

comprehensive strategy and assess the benefits provided by any protective equipment. These decisions

will be based largely on the time it takes for an agency

to evacuate the building, and other information

gained through a threat assessment. Employees

should check with their agency’s security/safety personnel to learn the status of any protective equipment

provided by their agency.

REQUIREMENT FOR INDIVIDUAL AGENCIES

Meeting Special Needs

It is the responsibility of each agency to provide a

safe working environment for all employees,

including those employees with special needs.

Within every agency’s Occupant Emergency Plan

(OEP) should be a component which addresses

the concerns of employees who may need assistance during an emergency. If you have special

needs, ask your manager about the procedures in

place to help you respond to an emergency.

One practical step to assist individuals with disabilities is to establish a “buddy” system. The

buddy system should be fully integrated into the

agency OEP. Information on setting up a buddy

system can be found at www.usfa.fema.gov/

downloads/pdf/publications/fa-154.pdf.

Additional information on emergency preparedness for disabled employees can be found at the

web site of the National Organization of the

Disabled (www.nod.org).
F ederal Employee’s Emergency Guide

4

Know Your Agency’s Safety Plan

Employees should familiarize themselves with the procedures that

have been put into place at their agency, as well as the means of notification that an agency will use to inform and instruct employees.

As part of every agency’s OEP, employee volunteers are used to

assist in effective evacuation and other duties during an emergency. During evacuation drills, employees should make a mental note of identifying garments (arm bands, caps, etc.) worn by

floor team leaders, monitors and other volunteers. In the event of

an actual emergency, it will be reassuring to know the individuals who are in place to assist with the evacuation.

Stay Aware of Your Surroundings

Be on the look out for, and report, any suspicious activity.

Observations and awareness of the surroundings may prevent

incidents from occurring and/or give responders valuable information if an event does occur.

Volunteer to Help

There are many important duties that must be performed during

an emergency. Every agency is required to have a plan in place to

deal with serious events that may affect the safety of employees.

These plans usually call for employees to volunteer to assist with

evacuations, etc.

Whether it is serving as a floor manager, stairwell monitor, or

keeping track of fellow employees during a crisis, volunteers are

critical to protecting fellow employees. You can take additional

steps to learn CPR and first aid to assist others during emergencies.

It takes courage–the people who fill these positions are heroes-inwaiting. Please consider volunteering for this important service.

Create a Personal Safety Kit

There are some items which employees may wish to assemble in

a personal safety kit that is stored at their work space. These

could be used in the event of an attack or other emergency. Items

GENERAL INFORMATION

ON WHAT EMPLOYEES CAN DO

As an employee, you may have questions about what is being

done to protect your safety. Be sure to ask your manager to

explain the agency procedures that are in place. In addition,

pass any suggestions for improved building security to your

manager. Your manager may need to contact his or her supervisor about your questions and suggestions. Be sure to follow

up so that your concerns are fully addressed.
F ederal Employee’s Emergency Guide

5

A biological attack is the deliberate release of germs or related substances. To affect individuals adversely, these substances must usually be inhaled, be ingested, or enter through cuts in the skin. Some

biological agents such as smallpox can be spread from person to person while others like anthrax do not cause contagious diseases.

Different than a conventional explosive or attack, biological

attacks may not be immediately evident. Some of the normal

indicators of this type of attack would be an increase in the number of illnesses reported by local health care workers or a large

number of dead or sick animals throughout your area. These

attacks are normally discovered by emergency response personnel

in reaction to the indicators listed above.

What Should You Do?

In the event that you witness a suspicious attack using an

unknown substance, there are a number of things you can do to

protect yourself and your family. First, leave the immediate area

as quickly as possible and protect yourself by finding something

to place over your nose and mouth. Any layered material like a tshirt, handkerchief, or towel may help prevent particles of the

substance from entering your respiratory system. If you have a

long-sleeved shirt or jacket, they would be useful in covering

exposed skin. They may also prevent bacteria from entering cuts

you may have. If you are indoors and the suspected attack takes

place outdoors, remain inside unless told otherwise by authorities.

Report the attack to emergency personnel.

You can also take precautionary measures such as keeping shots

up-to-date and making sure you practice good personal hygiene.

A healthy body will be able to better fight any potential contamination by biological agents. In the event that anyone around you

becomes ill, do not automatically assume that it is from the suspected attack as many of the symptoms from these attacks resemble common illnesses. Seek the medical advice of your physician.

BIOLOGICAL THREATS

that may be appropriate for these kits include–additional dosages

of any medication that an employee requires, bottled water, longsleeved shirt or jacket, and emergency contact numbers. You may

also think about adding such small items as snack food, an extra

pair of glasses or other “comfort” items you think are necessary.

The Department of Homeland Security has published a guide,

Preparing Makes Sense. Get Ready Now, which is an excellent

resource for employees. It can be found at the web site address,

www.ready.gov.
F ederal Employee’s Emergency Guide

6

Chemical attacks differ from biological attacks in that a toxic gas or

liquid is used to contaminate people or the environment. The prevalent symptoms you would experience from a chemical attack are

tightness in the chest, difficulty breathing, blurred vision, stinging of

the eyes, or loss of coordination.

It is worth noting that the public routinely accepts the risks posed

by accidental release of chemicals. The response to an emergency

event involving chemicals, however, is the same regardless of

whether the emergency is a result of intentional or unintentional

actions.

What Should You Do?

If you witness a suspected chemical attack outdoors, move away

from the area as quickly as possible. If you cannot leave the area,

try to get inside, away from direct exposure and follow your

instructions to shelter-in-place. If you are inside and an attack

occurs in your building, try to leave the area if possible. If not,

move to a safe location in the building and shelter-in-place.

If you suffer any of the symptoms mentioned above try to remove

any clothing you can and wash your body with water or soap and

water if available. Do not scrub the area, as this may wash the

chemical into the skin. Seek medical assistance as soon as possible.

If you see someone experiencing these symptoms, keep them away

from others as much as possible, and try to keep them comfortable.

While extensive decontamination requiring disrobing is a possibility, this will normally only occur if you become a casualty of the

agent or are evacuated and require medical treatment in a “clean”

medical facility. This procedure may be required to prevent the

spread of contamination.

CHEMICAL THREATS
F ederal Employee’s Emergency Guide

7

A nuclear blast consists of tremendous thermal (heat), light, and

blast energy. The blast can spread radioactive waste capable of

contaminating the air and surrounding landscape. While this type

of attack is less likely than a biological or chemical attack, the

remote possibility of its occurrence means you should be prepared.

What Should You Do?

If a nuclear explosion occurs, immediately drop and stay down

until any blast wave passes over you and it is safe to get up. Debris

can often cause injuries from a nuclear explosion so it is often safer

to remain down until debris stops falling. Do not look at the blast. 

When it is safe to do so, seek shelter inside a building or basement.

Since dirt or earth is one of the best forms of protection from radiation, put as much shelter between you and the potential contamination as possible. If it is safe to leave without going in the direction

from which the blast came, you should decide whether to leave the

area to minimize the amount of time you spend exposed to radiological contamination. You should always try to place as much

shielding and distance between yourself and the contamination as

possible and limit the amount of your exposure by leaving laterally

or upwind from the area when it is safe to do so.

Dirty Bombs

Dirty bombs are regular explosives that have been combined with

either radiation causing material or chemical weapons. While

most news reports talk about radiological dirty bombs, chemical

agents may be used as well. Blasts from these types of weapons

normally look more like a regular explosion, and the contamination spread is not often immediately noticeable. While this type of

attack normally spreads contamination over a more localized

area, you should be prepared to follow many of the same procedures as listed above.

After experiencing any of these types of attacks, tune to your local

channels for information and instructions. Emergency responders

are trained and equipped to evaluate and react to threats rising

from these incidents. After a nuclear blast, you may be unable to

get a signal from radio or television stations for a period of time.

This is expected; so be persistent.

While radioactive, biological, and chemical weapons do pose a

threat, they are attacks that you, and your family or fellow employees can survive if you keep a cool head and follow the instructions

given by your local responders.

NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS AND

RADIOLOGICAL CONTAMINATION
F ederal Employee’s Emergency Guide

8

The following publications are excellent resources for employees and managers to study to gain a more in-depth

understanding about the potential risks and steps that can be taken to mitigate the damage from an attack.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

 Are You Ready? A Guide for Citizen Preparedness

(www.fema.gov/areyouready)

Federal Emergency Management Agency

 Occupant Emergency Program Guide

(www.gsa.gov/attachments/GSA_PUBLICATIONS/extpub/GSA_OEP_Guide_6.doc)

General Services Administration

 Preparing Makes Sense. Get Ready Now

(http://www.ready.gov/readygov_brochurev2.pdf)

Department of Homeland Security

 Manager’s Handbook on Handling Traumatic Events

Office of Personnel Management

(www.opm.gov/emergency/)

 Federal Manager’s/Decision Maker’s Emergency Guide

(www.opm.gov/emergency/)

Office of Personnel Management
F ederal Employee’s Emergency Guide

9

Les Boord

National Institute for Occupational Safety and

Health

Lester Bush, MD

Central Intelligence Agency

Mike Byrne

Department of Homeland Security

Libby Camp

Department of Homeland Security

Duncan Campbell

Department of Homeland Security

Lucy Clark

Department of Homeland Security

Scott Deitchman, MD, MPH

National Institute for Occupational Safety and

Health

Eldon Girdner

Office of Personnel Management

Captain Elliott Grollman

Federal Protective Service

Jerome Hauer, MD

Health and Human Services

John Henshaw

Department of Labor

Paul Holbert

Office of Personnel Management

David Ippolito

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Peter Laporte

City of Washington, D.C.

Bruce Lawlor

Department of Homeland Security

Laura Lawlor

Health and Human Services

Mike Lowder

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Rich Metzler

National Institute for Occupational Safety and

Health

Ruth McCully

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Brian Montgomery

White House

Jim Rice

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Greg Rize

U.S. Secret Service

Ali Tulbah

White House

Mayor Anthony Williams

Washington, DC

Michael R. Zanotti, CEM, CBCP, NREMT-P

U.S. General Services Administration

Other agencies

Department of Homeland Security

Department of State

Department of Justice

Centers for Disease Control

Homeland Security Council

National Institutes of Health

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
United States Office of 

Personnel Management

1900 E Street, NW

Washington, DC 20415

202-606-1000

www.opm.gov