Emergency communications systems and protocols

Emergency Planning

Hazard Potential Grid

Criteria

Proba- bility

Predic- tability

Fre- quen- cy

Speed of Onset

Control- lability

Op- tions

Scope and Inten- sity

Assis- tance

Com- munity

Vulnera- bility

Score

Hazard

Earthquake

Flood

Terrorist attack

Act of war

Tornado

Blizzard

Lowest risk within ten years =1; highest risk = 5

Earthquake: St. Louis is about 200 miles from the New Madrid Fault, but because of the geology of the region, shock waves travel a very long distance with considerable force. A major New Madrid Fault earthquake could destroy many vulnerable buildings, do major damage to others, buckle highways and collapse overpasses and possibly bridges. Although the fault has not triggered a major earthquake in modern times, in 1809 and 1810 it triggered two earthquakes about six weeks apart that were both probably around 8.0 on the Richter scale. The region avoided major damage and loss of life only because the area was barely populated. Earthquakes rate highest on the chart because they can do major, devastating damage with no warning, and because the area is inadequately prepared for an earthquake.

Flood: St. Louis is located at the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. Both rivers have significant tributaries in the region. The last major regional flood was in 1993. It did major damage, made whole towns uninhabitable, destroyed millions of acres of farm crops, isolated small communities, and disrupted railroads. However, there was little loss of life, and major support services such as fire, police and medical care, remained functional and were not overwhelmed by events.

Terrorist Attacks: St. Louis has a major public attraction, which is also a national park - the St. Louis Arch. It also has a major international airport that serves as the hub for American Airlines.

Act of War: Although the United States is at war with terrorist organizations and may soon be at war with Iraq, the military installations in St. Louis and the immediate area are small. However, Fort Leonard Wood is not far from St. Louis, and is a major training base. If Ft. Leonard Wood were attacked as a military target, it would put severe strain on St. Louis public services since it is the nearest large city and a good source for fire fighters, police, and emergency medical care.

Tornado: Tornadoes are common in the St. Louis area. Recent incidents have involved small tornadoes that affected relatively small areas and did not cause extended or major damage. However, St. Louis is located on the plains, and weather systems often meet in the region. The possibility always exists of a major tornado striking the greater St. Louis area.

Blizzard: St. Louis occasionally receives heavy snowfall. One snowfall in the 1980's dropped two feet of snow in about 30 hours, paralyzing the metropolitan area for a week. The area has the capability to deal effectively with small and moderate amounts of snow, but the very heavy snowfalls that occur about every 10 years paralyze the region and make it difficult for emergency services to function. Fire trucks can't get to fires, and ambulances sometimes cannot respond to emergency calls. Hospitals are understaffed because employees have no way to get there.

Risk of Cascade Effect:

An earthquake could lead to flooding because of damage to dikes, levees and locks. If that happened, there would be little warning.

ASSETS:

Agency providing assistance

Local

Cross-

Com- munity

State

Fed.

A sector

Issue

Personnel

Skill

Facilities

Supplies

Funds

Plans

1. Direction and Control: Local law enforcement agencies, State Highway Patrol and National Guard. All have been used in the past (blizzard, heat wave). Lines of communication for quick implementation when needed have already been established.

2. Communications: In the past, short-wave radio and citizen band (CB) radio were used in a kludged-together attempt to contact emergency personnel such as doctors and nurses. While those may play an important role in future emergencies, emergency workers should consider how cell phone technology could be used in an emergency. Radio and TV are ready to help but may be off the air if there's a significant power outage, and cell phone bandwidths may quickly be overwhelmed without good planning.

3. Warning: St. Louis has an active tornado warning system that is tested once a month. Children are taught what to listen for, and schools have emergency plans in place. These sirens could be used in the unlikely event of acts of war. TV stations broadcast weather warnings.

4. Emergency Public Information: St. Louis stations are part of the Emergency Broadcast System. During danger of flood as well as severe heat wave, National Guard trucks have gone through the area announcing warnings from bullhorns, and the media has cooperated in notifying people where shelters were located.

5. Evacuation: Evacuation is a serious issue because in all four directions, to leave the greater St. Louis area, travelers have to cross over bridges. The Mississippi River is to the east; the Missouri river is to the west and curves north before joining the Mississippi, and the Meramec River flows to the south.