Example – Research Building Fire

1. Example – Research Building Fire Building statistics • Four story laboratory and office building • Built at a cost of $41m • 131,000 square feet • Laboratory uses • Biomedical research • Six main areas of research • 96 Laboratories • Animal facility

2. Baxter II Fire • ~6:30 am an Physical Plant crew performs a routine test of the emergency backup generator • ~7:00 am the crew notices smoke emanating from the basement of the building

3. Baxter II Fire • Building Occupants evacuate the building as part of their emergency action plan • Louisville Fire Department and University Police respond to the alarm. • The fire was caused by a fault in the transformer for the emergency generator and damaged circuits for both the main power AND the emergency power.

4. Emergency Operations Center • The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is activated. • The EOC is activated by the University Emergency Coordinator or the Public Safety Director after communications with the VPBA, Provost or President • There is an EOC Plan that outlines operations and other information • The EOC may be activated for any short term large event, long term event and/or for any impending or potential event.

5. Incident Command • While the Louisville Fire Department is on the scene, their highest ranking officer is the Incident Commander • DPS integrates into the Fire ICS and becomes part of the Unified Command • Once the EOC is activated the University EOC Commander becomes part of the Unified Command Staff with the Fire Department, with the DPS person on the scene becoming the liaison

6. EOC Operations • The Initial briefing for the command staff is presented by DPS since they were on the scene • Every hour The EOC staff is briefed by Planning staff after consultation with DPS, DEHS and PP • Fire is extinguished ~9:30 am • Main power and emergency power is out and will not be restored for at least 24 hours

7. Incident Command Transfer • The Fire Department turns the building back over to the University at 11:00 • The LFD IC turns command of the incident over to the University • The Provost or other designated incident commander becomes responsible for the incident

8. Executive Level Policy After life safety (everyone has evacuated the building), the protection of research animals and research materials is of the highest importance to the University. Building recovery and business continuity is at the next level of importance. The problem that caused the fire should be mitigated to prevent future occurrences.

9. EOC Commander Priorities • Well being of research animals outside temperature is expected to reach 100 F • Research samples in freezers…some at -80 must be protected • Laboratory security must be maintained, including radioactive materials • Return to normal operations

10. Incident Action Plan Developed by the Planning Officer, evaluated by the Support group and adopted by the EOC Commander • Restore power • Retrieve research animals • Preserve samples in research freezers • Maintain building security

11. Operations • Assigns Physical Plant to respond and coordinate with LG&E to restore power • Assigns Physical Plant and Research Resources Facility staff to relocate animals to the Research Resource Facility • Assigns DEHS and Research Administration to place dry ice in freezers and work to salvage materials • Assigns DPS to maintain building security

12. EOC Functions • Public Information • Develop and release information to press • Update information on a regular basis • Planning • Develop Incident Action Plans to meet priorities • Coordinate with City’s Emergency Management staff as required • Safety • Ensure the safety of teams entering the building • Logistics • Procure 5,000 lbs of dry ice • Obtain food for crews working on building repairs • Finance • Track cost of the response • Determine the total financial impact of the incident

13. Emergency Notification

14. Emergency Communications • The University relies on 9 redundant systems to maximize the effectiveness of emergency communications. • No one system is 100% effective for the entire University Community. • There is no guarantee that even using all 9 systems will ensure that every student, staff and faculty member will be notified.

15. Methods of Emergency Communication • Rave • InformaCast • Outdoor Warning Sirens • NOAA Weather Radios • Bulk Email • 1610 am Radio • Trimarc Signs • WebPage Message • Media Advisories

16. Text Messaging • A large percentage of cell phones are capable of receiving text messages • Some universities have purchased systems/software to allow them to make mass text notifications

17. Rave • Text Messaging System • Users must sign up for service (only U of L faculty, staff and students) • Will be tested twice annually • Provides basic emergency information and directs you to a web page for additional information • If you do not “opt” in, you will not receive messages

18. InformaCast • Text and audible message system • No need to sign up • Emergency messages will be sent to every VOIP phone in the University, including dorms • Messages will be brief and provide information about the emergency and actions to take. • Directs you to web page for additional Info

19. Outdoor Warning Sirens • Provides notification to people outside that an emergency is occurring • Can have PA Feature or just a Siren

20. Outdoor Warning SirensPublic Address System • Operated by Louisville Metro • Siren activation indicates that you should go into a building and seek more information from media or other source • Public Address activation will provide specific information on Belknap Campus • Sirens tested monthly on first Tuesday, PA is tested twice annually in spring and fall

21. NOAA Weather Radios • Allows immediate notification for severe weather • Is also used to make civil emergency announcements

22. NOAA Weather Radios • Radio provides a verbal message of the type of emergency and action to take. • Radio also provides indicator lights for persons with hearing disabilities • Mostly broadcasts weather emergencies, but can be used for other emergencies as well • Tested weekly at varying times

23. Bulk Email • Emails will be sent to all University accounts providing information on the type of emergency and the actions to take.

24. 1610 AM Radio • Radio system with transmitters throughout the city • Operated by Louisville Metro Government • Will provide verbal message that will include the type of the emergency and actions that should be undertook • Will be used mostly to inform people coming onto a U of Campus that the campus is closed

25. Trimarc Signs • Interstate text messaging system with locations on all interstates • Operated by Louisville Metro Government • Will provide text message that will include the type of the emergency and actions that should be undertook • Will be used mostly to inform people coming onto a U of Campus that the campus is closed

26. Web Site Message • U of L will place emergency information on the www.Louisville.edu page • Information will include more details than other methods

27. Media • Information will also be available through local media outlets • U of L will keep the media briefed as much as possible, but information may be delayed in getting “on air”