Increasing Emergency Preparedness

 

Continuity of Operations:

Continuity of Operations is the promulgation of contingency plans, processes, and procedures to facilitate the performance of department/agency essential functions during any emergency situation that may disrupt normal operations.

 

Effective continuity planning establishes delineation of essential functions; specifies succession to office and the emergency delegation of authority; provides for the safekeeping of vital records and databases; identify alternate facilities; provides for interoperable communications; and validates this capability through tests, training, and exercise.

 

The Department of Commerce utilizes an umbrella continuity of operation plan with each departmental entity having it’s own organizational COOP annex and support plans. The Office of Security’s Emergency Preparedness Division manages this program.

 

Emergency Operations Center:

The HCHB Emergency Operations Center (EOC) located in Room 1066, provides a centralized location to perform emergency management command and control functions for any event that befalls the Department of Commerce.

 

The Emergency Operations Center is “in-the-loop”, by means of both secure and unsecured methods to other federal agencies as well as national and local authorities.

 

 

Incident Reporting:

All employees of the Herbert C. Hoover Building (HCHB) should report ANY emergency by dialing 22222.

 

Although we have been taught our whole lives to call 911 in an emergency, by calling 22222 the security force within the HCHB will notify the authorities then be able to respond quickly to the emergency while awaiting the arrival of the local responders.

 

Security Status Line:

By dialing x27400 or 1-877-860-2329, you can access the Herbert C. Hoover Building (HCHB) Security Status Line to ascertain the current Department of Homeland Security’s National Treat Level. If conditions warrant, additional information and or instructions will be disseminated by this call in feature.

 

 

 

 

Threat Condition Levels

 

Severe Condition

(RED)

Declared when there is a severe risk of terrorist attacks

 

High Condition

(Orange)

Declared when there is a high risk of terrorist attacks

 

Elevated Condition (Yellow)

Declared when there is a significant risk of terrorist attacks

 

Guarded Condition

(Blue)

Declared when there is a general risk of terrorist attacks

 

Low Condition (Green)

Declared when there is a low risk of terrorist attacks

 

 

 

Occupant Emergency Plans:

 

An occupant emergency is any event that may require you to be evacuated from your workspace or relocated top a safer area. The emergency may include fire, explosion, discovery of an explosive device, severe weather, earthquakes, chemical or biological exposure or threat, hostage takeover or physical threat to building occupants or visitors.

 

The Occupant Emergency Plan (OEP) for the Herbert C. Hoover Building (HCHB) identifies three major areas

  • An Occupant Emergency Plan Official
  • A Emergency Program
  • A Occupant Emergency Organization

 

The OEP Official is the designated official that establishes, develops, applies, and maintains the plan. The Emergency Program is the program that establishes the plans and procedures for safeguarding lives and property in and around the facility. The Occupant Emergency Organization is the group of employees (in the HCHB known as the Emergency Response Team) who are designated to carry out the emergency plans.