Riverbend City: Severe Incident Recovery
•
Introduction
•
Briefing Room Office
•
The mayor and his staff have been notified about the Southern Inlet Metropolitan (SIM)
derailment and the release of toxic chemicals.
•
Conference Room
•
Jenny Cunningham has invited an environmental representative to brief Fire Chief Bicking and
Police Chief Glen Edwards about the status of the air and water quality and the recovery
cleanup efforts.
•
Jenny Cunningham's Office
•
It's been a few weeks since the train derailment incident and Jenny is in her office putting
together her final After Action Report.
•
Conclusion
Introduction
The situations you are about to witness actually occurred in Riverbend City several years ago.
This mission is focused on the recovery from the incident. Both long-term and short-term effects of
the incident are discussed. You will witness a press conference about the meeting as well as how
Jenny Cunningham is preparing her final after action report.
Back to top
City County Building | Briefing Room
The mayor and his staff have been notified about the Southern Inlet Metropolitan (SIM) derailment
and the release of toxic chemicals. Rick Hilliard, the mayor's press secretary, briefs the press on the
response to the disaster.
Rick Hilliard, the mayor's press secretary, briefs the press on the response to the disaster.
Rick Hilliard:
Good morning, everybody, I know that you all have many questions -- we all do –so I'll update you
on what we know about the situation and then I'll open the floor to questions.
This morning at approximately 8:15, a Southern Inlet Metropolitan freight train with 62 cars derailed
downtown Riverbend City. Of the 17 derailed cars, several were carrying hazardous materials in
tanker cars and shipping drums. At least five tanker cars were breached in the derailment and one
car and an undetermined number of drums were thrown into the river by the explosions.
Emergency responders were on the scene within minutes of the first call and an incident command
post was established according to NIMS guidelines.
At least one of the derailed cars exploded, causing multiple fires. The spill also caused a cloud of
toxic vapors so that Riverbend City authorities evacuated approximately 3,500 people from homes
and businesses including a nursing home within a mile of the derailment.
Residents outside the evacuation area but within the affected area, have been advised to seek
shelter – in other words to close and lock windows and doors, turn off air conditioning, block door
and windows with dampened towels, and if possible to stay in an upper interior room with no
windows.
People exposed to the chemical cloud or smoke from the accident are urged to seek medical
attention.
The Red Cross has opened a shelter at Kennedy High School for evacuated residents to stay
tonight. Residents will be allowed to return home once the incident commander determines that the
spill is contained and no longer dangerous.
I'll take your questions now, and be sure to view the press packet.
Rick takes Victoria Moran's, reporter for WNRT television, question.
Victoria Moran:
This is Victoria Moran, with WNRT Fox. In light of the recent discovery that Al Qaeda has been
recruiting suicide bombers from the Riverbend City Somali community, has the possibility of terrorist
activity been considered?
Rick Hilliard:
Victoria, I can say with confidence that at this time we have no reason to believe there is any criminal
or terrorist connection to this unfortunate accident. Obviously, we will need to wait for the NTSB to
conduct a full investigation, but the apparent cause of the derailment was the formation of two
sinkholes along the track. I'm told that the sinkholes were probably caused by the unusually heavy
rains last week. Again, we won't have the full story until the NTSB has concluded their investigation.
Rick takes Laurie Boyett's, reporter for Riverbend City Free Press, question.
Laurie Boyett:
You mentioned that some chemicals were released into the river. As you know, the river crosses the
international border. What risk do these chemicals pose to the community of San Serrife?
Rick Hilliard:
Great question. One of the key principles of the NIMS – National Incident Management System is the
concept that incidents like this begin and end at the local level. Riverbend City has worked with San
Serrife to develop joint contingency plans.
The EPA has developed the Border 2012 initiative, and we have been in communication with them
about this accident. We have also contacted the mayor of San Serrife. I know that the ministry of
health has been in communication with the incident commander.
Rick takes Jesse Cann's, reporter for KQMS television, question.
Jesse Cann:
Rick, can you give us any more information on casualties or injuries?
Rick Hilliard:
I can tell you that the engineer and conductor of the train are being treated for minor injuries. There
is one fatality—a bystander who was near the Clellen Bridge when the blast occurred. He appears to
have been killed when he was struck by flying debris.
Several people in the area of the chemical cloud are experiencing respiratory and eye irritation and
have been taken to RCMC. Unfortunately, including children from the Washington Allston
Elementary school. I don't have the exact number of children who have been taken to RCMC, but the
accident occurred shortly before school started and so many children were in the schoolyard and
were exposed to the chemical cloud.
Rick takes David Julian's, reporter for WDDO television, question.
David Julian:
What chemicals were released by the explosion?
Rick Hilliard:
We are certain about three chemicals—anhydrous ammonia, chlorine gas, and hydrochloric acid. At
this time representatives from Southern Inlet, the corporate owners of the derailed train, do not
believe any other hazardous materials were released.
Rick takes Alice Harris', reporter for Riverbend City Press Tribune, question.
Alice Harris:
Rick, I know you've provided some information in the press kit about the chemicals that were
released, but what are the likely short-term and long-term health effects of exposure to these
chemicals?
Rick Hilliard:
Great question Alice. Inhaling hydrochloric acid vapors can cause coughing, choking, inflammation
of the nose, throat, and upper respiratory tract. The vapors from hydrochloric acid can irritate and
damage the eyes, and direct contact with the toxin can cause redness, pain, and severe skin burns.
Anhydrous ammonia produces an irritating, corrosive vapor, which causes chemical burns to the
skin, eyes, nasal passages, throat and lungs.
Chlorine gas is changed into a liquid so that it can be shipped and stored. When liquid chlorine is
released, it quickly reverts back into a gas that stays close to the ground and spreads rapidly.
Exposure to chlorine can cause coughing, tightness in the chest, burning sensation in the nose and
throat, watery eyes and blurred vision, nausea and vomiting, and skin irritation.
The main thing people should know is that if they are experiencing difficulty breathing or shortness of
breath, they need to seek medical attention. Additionally, people need to be aware that symptoms of
exposure may be delayed, so again, if they experience these things, they should seek medical
attention.
Back to top
City County Building | Conference Room
Jenny Cunningham has invited an environmental representative to brief Fire Chief Bicking and Police
Chief Glen Edwards about the status of the air and water quality and the recovery cleanup efforts.
Galen Pearson, briefs Jenny Cunningham and the team about the impact the chemical spill
has had on the city..
JENNY CUNNINGHAM:
Okay guys, we've already been through a lot, but there is a lot left to be done and I have an After
Action Report to compose. Let's not waste any time then shall we? First of all, let's welcome Galen
Pearson from the Hennsey County DNR. Galen is here to discuss ongoing air and water monitoring.
Thanks for being here, Galen.
GALEN PEARSON:
Absolutely, Jenny. Thanks for including me. The biggest issue during all this – from the perspective
of broad exposure – was the chlorine. During the event and the clean-up efforts immediately
afterwards, we had a TAGA unit at the site monitoring air quality for both ammonia and chlorine. We
also deployed personnel to conduct real time monitoring along the perimeter of the exclusion zone.
JENNY CUNNINGHAM:
Sounds good. What about water and soil sampling?
GALEN PEARSON:
Water sampling was conducted during the event and is ongoing. There was definitely contamination
and the slug moved across the border. We are aware of at least one incident involving a Canexican
fish farm.
Because of the geology in this area, soil sampling and water sampling will need to be ongoing. In
karstic terrain – terrain defined by soluble bedrock - water can run unimpeded through sinkholes and
underground caves, bypassing the normal filtering that occurs. Karstic terrain has high rates of
permeability, which basically means – from the perspective of chemical contamination, that is – that
there is a reduced opportunity for contaminants to be filtered out.
Bottom line is that we'll have to keep monitoring water. We're setting up some dye testing to
determine appropriate monitoring locations and should have that established within the next week.
JENNY CUNNINGHAM:
I see. Yes. I see. Keep me posted on your findings, if you would. Thank you again for your time.
GALEN PEARSON:
Absolutely.
JENNY CUNNINGHAM:
Thank you everyone for your time are there any questions? No? Then the meeting is adjourned.
Back to top
City County Building | Jenny's
Cunningham's Office
It's been a few weeks since the train derailment incident and Jenny is in her office putting together
her final After Action Report.
Two weeks after the incident. Jenny is talking to herself about AAR and composes emails to
Agencies..
JENNY CUNNINGHAM:
Let's see now I have a lot to follow up on to put together my final After Action Report...
What questions still need answers and who can I get the information done?
The crime Scene has been blocked for two weeks now and people want to get their cars out of the
crime area. I'll write to Chief Edwards to get a report.
Does the school open or not? I guess I have to bring this up with the school board.
What about boat traffic? When should it resume? When should the bridges open again and when
should rail traffic resume. I'll write to chief Bicking and get a report from him and HAZMAT. They
should have contacted the chemical tank owners to work with them.
Hmmm. What else? I should check to see if the hospitals have returned to normal operations.
That makes me wonder about the nursing homes. They had to evacuate. They should be back to
normal, but I'll check and see.
I'll need a report on which businesses are open and which remain closed.
I'll have to write to Galen Pearson to see if there are any areas that are still blocked because of
environmental problems.
There sure is a lot to do.
Back to top
Conclusion
Congratulations for completing the Recovery Mission. Recovery from a severe incident
such as the train derailment in Riverbend City takes time and careful planning and
coordination for both short term and long term effects.
Short-Term Recovery
Competencies Addressed in This Discussion
•
•
Competency 2: Analyze emergency management principles in a community
impact context.
Competency 3: Articulate appropriate emergency management responses to
critical incidents.
To complete this discussion, view the Incident Recovery simulation from this
unit's studies. This simulation deals with the short-term recovery after the incident
at the stadium and surrounding area.
For your main post, based on the simulation involving short-term recovery of the
stadium and surrounding area:
•
•
o
o
•
o
o
Describe what the emergency planners should have done to ensure continuity of
operations in the event of a catastrophe such as the one depicted in the simulation.
Develop an alternate plan.
What specifically would you do to ensure continuity of operations in the event of a
catastrophe such as this one?
How would you ensure the transfer of command, redundant systems, and
secondary facilities?
Compare the effects of a short-term recovery at the local venue you identified in
the Unit 6 discussion, Evacuate or Shelter in Place?, and the surrounding area in
your community.
What would the key issues of a short-term recovery in your area be? Identify at
least three issues.
Apply the ICS principles to your issues in this discussion.
Purchase answer to see full
attachment