United States Department of State

Overseas Security Advisory Council

Emergency Planning
Guidelines for
American Businesses Abroad
DEPARTMENT OF STATE PUBLICATION 10216
Bureau of Diplomatic Security

Released June 1990

Revised November 1994
 Table of Contents

Overseas Security Advisory Council

(OSAC) Members v
Foreword
Honorable George P. Shultz vii
Preface ix
Chapter I. Introduction 1

Chapter II. Crisis Management 3

General 3
Organization for Crisis Management 3
Functions of the Crisis Management Team 5
Responsibilities and Actions of the
Crisis Management Team 6
Actions During a Crisis 8
Response to Acts of Terrorism 9
Assessing a Hostage Situation 11
Crisis Actions Associated with
Catastrophes and Disasters 13
Communications in a Crisis Situation 14
Release of Information to the Public 14
Crisis Management Evaluation 15
Business Recovery 16

Chapter III. Communications 19

Chapter IV. Evacuation Planning 21

General 21
Organization 22
Preplanning 22
Evacuation Concept 24
Evacuation Guidelines 25

Chapter V. Criminal Acts, Civil Unrest and Coups 27

iii
 Overall Preparations 27
Criminal Acts 28
Coups and Civil Unrest 30
War or Acts of War 31
Sabotage 31

Chapter VI. Natural Disasters 33

General 33
Cyclones/Hurricanes/Typhoons 33
Tornadoes 37
Earthquakes 40
Thunderstorms and Lighting 45
Selected Other Natural Disasters 47

Chapter VII. Epidemic and Emergency Care 55

Introduction55
Epidemics 55
Emergency Care 57

Chapter VIII. Planning for Industrial Accidents 61

Objectives 61
Chemical Accidents 61
Fires 68
Nuclear and Radiological Incidents 72

Chapter IX. Citizens Emergency Services 77

Scope and Limitations 77
Duty Officer 78
Citizens Emergency Center 78

Chapter X. Guidelines for Emergency Management Exercises 82

General 82
Exercise Guidelines 82
Developing an Exercise Scenario 83
Summary 84

Chapter XI. Conclusion 87

Publications 89
Bibliography 91
Appendix I. Departure Kit
Appendix II. Warden Systems
Appendix III. Transportation

iv
 Overseas Security Advisory Council
U.S. Department of State

(NOTE: The member organizations whose representatives serve on the Council are rotated
periodically. Those who served as members when this booklet was released for publication in
June 1990 are listed below.)

Representative Member Organization

Mr. Clark Dittmer U.S. Department of State
Director, Diplomatic Security Service
and Chairman, OSAC

Mr. George M. Murphy Mobil Corporation

Manager - Security and
Vice Chairman, OSAC

Mr. James H. Bailey Bank of America

Director - Corporate Security

Mr. William F. Beane United Airlines

Director of Corporate Security

Mr. Ronald L. Beatty Rockwell International Corporation

Director - Compliance & Security

Mr. Edmund J. Birch Occidental Petroleum Corporation

Director, Corporate Security

Mr. Robert R. Burke Monsanto Corporation

Director of Security

Mr. Philip E. Cassidy General Electric Company

Manager - Corporate Services

Mr. Brian C. Dowling U.S. Information Agency

Director, Office of Security

Mr. C. Michael Flannery Agency for International Development

Assistant Inspector General

v
Representative Member Organization
Mr. William G. Goodridge Warner-Lambert Company
Director - Corporate Security

Mr. Frank Hynes The Coca-Cola Company

Director, Corporate Security

Mr. Raymond F. Humphrey Digital Equipment Company

Director, Corporate Security

Mr. James D. Jessee Procter & Gamble Company

Director of Corporate Security

Mr. Radford Jones Ford Motor Company

Security Manager

Mr. Farrell J. Kunz Honeywell, Inc.

Corporate Director - Security

Mr. Ralph F. Laurello, Jr. Overseas Security Advisory Council

Executive Director

Mr. Thomas W. Leavitt Delta Airlines

Director - Corporate Security

Mr. Walter T. Lloyd Lockheed Corporation

Director - Security & Safety

Mr. Richard Matson U.S. Department of Commerce

Director, Operations, Communications
and Security Division

Mr. George Radcliffe CARE

Assistant Executive Director

Mr. Richard G. McCormick Trian Group

Vice President, Corporate Security

Mr. Oliver Wainwright American International Group

Director of Security

Mr. Frank J. Waldburger Hercules, Inc.

Manager - Corporate Security

Mr. Kenneth J. Wiesman Brown and Root

Director of Security

vi
 Foreward

The Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) was created

in 1985 by the U.S. Department of State to foster an exchange of
information between the American private sector conducting
business overseas and the U.S. Government. OSAC is committed
to promoting security cooperation with the American private
sector abroad.

Through OSAC representatives from American International

Businesses and government, the Council provides information and
guidance on security overseas. It focuses on planning techniques
that can be implemented by the private sector and its people, as
well as assistance available through the U.S. Government.

This booklet, along with such previous OSAC publications as

"Crisis Management Guidelines," will make a strong contribution to
the security and well-being of American citizens who live and work
abroad.

James A. Baker, III

viii
 Preface

The Overseas Security Advisory Frederick, U.S. Department of

Council (OSAC) consists of 21 Commerce. Special appreciation is
organizations from the private sector and extended to Henry Kemp, former
four U.S. Government departments and Diplomatic Security Officer, who
agencies. There are 1400-plus private tirelessly edited and updated this
sector organizations that participate in the publication.
Council's activities and are recipients of
the information and guidance it provides. The guidelines which follow are
suggested to assist American
As part of its security program, OSAC organizations in the private sector and
has prepared publications containing their personnel abroad in planning to meet
suggested security and emergency their individual needs and circumstances.
planning guidelines for American private Individuals should ensure, however, that
sector personnel and organizations any approach chosen is best suited to their
abroad. A listing of current OSAC individual situation.
publications is contained under the title
Publications on page 89. As indicated by Disasters can strike randomly and
their titles, protection against the threat of unpredictably. To be prepared for a wide
terrorism, catastrophes, crime and theft of variety of emergencies that can occur with
information is addressed in the OSAC little warning, American private
booklets. organizations abroad should be involved in
planning for such events. Any occurrence
This publication is intended for that causes a significant disruption to their
American private sector organizations and undertakings or adversely affects the
their personnel abroad. The guidelines safety of employees must be regarded as
were written by members of OSAC's an emergency or disaster. Adequate
Committee on Emergency Planning
including Chairman Kenneth J. Wiesman,
Brown & Root, Inc.; Brian C. Dowling,
U.S. Information Agency; William F.
Beane, United Airlines, Inc.; Thomas W.
Leavitt, Delta Airlines, Inc.; Edmund J.
Birch, Occidental Petroleum Corporation;
Corbett M. Flannery, Agency for
International Development; and Peter G.

ix
planning requires an emergency action vulnerability of American businesses to
plan that prevents or minimizes the loss of disasters and facilitate the role of the U.S.
life and or limb, material damage, and loss Government in rendering assistance where
of their functions and a post-disaster plan possible to all Americans and their
that expedites recovery. families living abroad.

Effective planning for emergency

preparedness will lessen the

x
 Chapter I. Introduction

Since the beginning of time, people storms, and volcanic eruptions. Although
have encountered diverse catastrophic we are unable to prevent such catastrophic
events that have resulted in great pain and events. We have learned and continue to
suffering, an enormous loss of lives, and learn a great deal about them. The most
hundreds of billions of dollars in property valuable lesson learned about natural
damage. An analysis of these catastrophes phenomena is that the implementation of
discloses certain generic characteristics. effective contingency measures for
Some, such as war, insurrection, and acts emergencies will substantially lessen the
of terrorism, are rooted in differences of loss of life, serious injury, and property
political philosophies. Others, such as damage.
criminal acts and industrial accidents, are
the result of behavioral/societal problems Preparing for emergencies is the focus
or human error. Still others, such as of this booklet. It is essential to prepare
earthquakes and violent storms and for both those emergencies over which we
resulting floods, originate from natural have limited control and those over which
phenomena over which people have no we have no control. Application of
control. preventive measures is also important to
survival from catastrophic events.
Catastrophic events frequently spawn Contingency planning for emergencies
conditions that may be even more should include the periods before, during,
insidious than the catastrophes and after the incident.
themselves. Among these conditions are
serious health hazards, such as polluted Human beings are inclined to react to
water and food supplies and disrupted events as they occur rather than to try to
sanitation systems, which may cause the anticipate or plan for them. This
spread of diseases of epidemic inclination could prove costly because
proportions. Effective emergency
planning for such problems will greatly
reduce their impact on the community
where the disaster strikes.

People have only a limited ability to

control or to prevent some of these events
and will never have the ability to prevent
others, such as earthquakes, violent

1
many disasters, such as lightning strikes, through the government of the country of
earthquakes, and acts of terrorism, are not residence and to be sure that the
preceded by a warning and an emergency plans adopted are not in
inappropriate spontaneous reaction could violation of local laws.
be fatal.
On the front of the National Archives
The guidelines presented in this booklet Building in Washington, D.C., an adage is
are intended to assist representatives of inscribed—"The Past Is Prologue." In the
U.S. corporations abroad to prepare context of the subject of this booklet, this
judiciously for emergencies. Planning adage should be regarded as axiomatic. In
and forethought are important, but so is the interest of safety for all concerns,
flexibility in execution. A static, family, employees and property, you
inflexible emergency plan will almost should never yield to the temptation to
certainly result in a lack of preparedness ignore contingency planning for
and a poorly rated crisis response. emergencies because of "a feeling that it
will not happen to me" or "it can not
Readers are reminded to supplement happen here." Such an attitude may be
the guidelines with a knowledge of the costly.
contingency plans in place and available

Chapter II. Crisis Management

General
Organization for Crisis
These Crisis Management Guidelines Management
provide information on how to plan for
and respond to various emergency Department of State
situations. They apply to situations such
as civil unrest, demonstrations, extortion, The U.S. Department of State in
hijackings, kidnapings, expatriate Washington, D.C., and abroad can provide
evacuations, nature, and environmental assistance during the implementation of a
disasters. crisis management plan at an overseas

2
location. The names of organizations, overseas that affects American citizens,
their functional responsibilities, and their the Operations Center will become the
current telephone numbers are as follows: site for a Washington task force staffed
by representatives from various
· Operations Center: The Operations government agencies that will support
Center, a 24-hour communications the U.S. response to the incident. The
facility, monitors worldwide telephone number for the center is
developments that may affect the 202-647-1512.
protection of U.S. interests abroad.
Normally, in the event of a crisis ·Washington Task Force or Working
Group: This task force is an ad hoc
working group activated only when
necessary to work closely with the U.S.
Embassy in the country where the
incident or problem exists. The
telephone number for the specific task
force can be obtained from Department
of State Operations Center
(202-647-1512).

·U.S. Government International Disaster

Response coordination is provided by
the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster
Assistance (OFDA) of the Agency for
International Development (AID). The
OFDA Duty Officer telephone number,
202-647-8924, is manned 24 hours a
day. (OFDA can also assist with
opportunities in exploring corporate
involvement with disaster relief
overseas.)

· Embassy Emergency Action responsible for developing U.S.

Committee (EAC): Every U.S. Government Crisis Management Plans
diplomatic post, i.e. Embassies and (CMPs) and recommending appropriate
Consulates, is required to have an EAC. actions to the Ambassadors at
The EAC includes, when they are Embassies or Principal Officers at
represented at the post, representatives Consulates in the event of a crisis or
from the political, security, public emergency.
affairs, defense, administration,
consular, and economic sections and U.S. Business With Operations Abroad
representatives of other U.S.
Government agencies. The EAC is A Crisis Management Team (CMT)

3
should be established at the corporate (CMP), a senior company official should
headquarters level and at all principal contact the Regional Security Officer or
business or country sites, depending on Post Security Officer of the nearest
the corporate structure. The CMT should Embassy or Consulate for assistance and
be composed of managers from such coordination. Each embassy or consulate
departments as legal, security (assets can provide advice to private American
protection and risk management), finance organizations regarding emergency
human resources, personnel, and planning.
public/government relations. In large
corporations, local or country CMTs The CMT must operate within the
should be structured to report to the guidelines of general authority set forth
corporate CMT regarding any crisis by the corporation board of directors or
and/or response. The local manager Executive Committee. The plan must
should appoint a senior executive as the resolve fixed issues in advance and deal
team's coordinator. Prior to the only with variable elements during the
development of a local crisis management crisis.
plan
The organizational structure of the
local CMT will depend on the corporate
resources available. The organization
should be chaired by a senior company
official who will be the Crisis
Management Coordinator (CMC). The
local or country CMT should also include
representation from such departments or
functions as administration, legal,
security, finance, personnel,
communications, and public relations.

Crisis Management Planning Guide

·It is recommended that each corporate

headquarters develop a CMP and a CMT
to coordinate corporate crisis activities
and decisions on which local or country
plans are based. This coordination will
create consistency and offer corporate
security officers and

other senior management officials an

opportunity to address matters in the · When the corporate CMT and/or
country plan that are specific to the headquarters approves the local CMP,
country. the CMC should conduct drills of the

4
 various elements of the plan to ensure (management, employees, and assets) and
that they are realistic and can be designated subsidiary companies. It
implemented in real-life conditions. will also act as the decision-making
authority for the management of the
· The CMP, or portions thereof, should incident by subsidiary local CMTs.
be both in English and in the local
language so that all employees can ·To ensure a consistent corporate
contribute fully in implementing it in an response, the corporate CMT should
emergency. consider the utility of dispatching a
CMT representative to the location
· CMPs will differ from country to involved; that representative will
country. In some countries certain thereafter assist in the activities of the
elements of the CMP may be local CMT. These representatives
unnecessary and/or inappropriate. should be briefed on their terms of
reference toward local officials and
· Sensitive elements of the CMP that U.S. Government representatives.
cannot be shared with all employees
should be appropriately marked with a ·The corporate CMT, under the direction
company classification stating the level of the CM Coordinator, should be
of sensitivity of the document and the responsible for developing and
distribution controls. communicating to company business
units and local CMTs the applicable
Functions of the Crisis procedures and practices to be used.
Management Team
Functions of the Local Crisis
Functions of the Corporate Crisis Management Team
Management Team
·The local CMT will appoint the CMT
· The corporate CMT will manage any members to develop the information
incidents directly affecting corporate needed and resources available. In
headquarters making functional assignments, some
responsibilities may require 24-hour
coverage in certain situations.
Alternates should be identified for each
function. Neither members of the CMT
nor their alternates should be
personally involved in the incident
being managed.

· The team will formulate and develop · A crisis management center should be
detailed plans and procedures for located within the company facility. It
handling emergency situations. should have the necessary equipment
available for rapid activation during an

5
 emergency. The equipment could ·The corporate CMT should be
include as a minimum, communications responsible for, and oversee, all actions
equipment, tape recorders, emergency of the local CMT.
plans and procedures, a log to record all
actions taken during the crisis, ·To facilitate company communications,
necessary office equipment and the corporate CMT may need to
supplies, and appropriate maps and dispatch a representative to the location
building plans, as deemed necessary. involved.
Support personnel should be identified.
Responsibilities of the Local CMT
· An assessment of the nature, degree,
and likelihood of threats to corporate The members and alternates of the
interests (personnel, facilities, CMT should be assigned the
information, and other assets) should responsibilities that follow.
be conducted to determine the
vulnerability of company personnel, ·The Crisis Management Coordinator
facilities, or assets to those threats. (CMC) is the person responsible for
preparing and implementing the CMP.
· The team will communicate the This person should speak English,
contents of the CMP to the appropriate receive proper training, possess the
employees. appropriate psychological makeup, and
be known at the U.S. Embassy or
· The team will test the CMP on a regular Consulate. The CMC directs and
basis to ensure that it is feasible and supervises the members of the local
realistic. Whenever the plan is found CMT and is responsible for the
deficient, immediate corrections following tasks:
should be made. The plan should
contain the names and telephone
numbers of key local government and
U.S. Embassy or Consulate personnel
and private organizations and
individuals that the CMT should
consider briefing or consulting with
before, during, or directly after an
emergency situation.

Responsibilities and Actions of the

Crisis Management Team
Responsibilities of the Corporate
CMT

·The corporate CMT will develop

corporate strategies and policies.

6
 � Preparing the CMP. the senior company official or
authorized designee.
� Forwarding the CMP to the
corporate CMC for review by the ·Security/Incident Coordinator: The
corporate CMT representing specific Security/ Incident Coordinator is
functional areas. responsible for briefing the CMT on
the nature and degree of threat to
� Coordinating the CMP with the company interests (personnel,
responsible regional security officer facilities, information, and assets). This
or the most appropriate official at coordinator initiates investigations to
the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. validate threats and is authorized to
convene the CMT when appropriate.
� Reviewing the CMP on a semiannual He or she also provides security and is
basis to ensure that it is current. prepared to brief the CMT on physical
protection of all assets during times of
� Training personnel who have CMP crisis; coordinates warden activities;
responsibilities. and maintains law enforcement liaison.

� Practicing the CMP and evaluating ·Administration-Personnel/Medical

CMT responses. Coordinator: This coordinator should
make available personnel and medical
� Ensuring that all appropriate records as well as essential services.
corporate company employees are He or she should also ensure that the
aware of the CMP and its functions. consular officer at the embassy or
consulate has a list of all U.S. citizens
� Preparing a written report for senior (including information on dependents),
management regarding the CMT's employed by the firm in advance of any
training and its subsequent crisis.
evaluation.
·Legal Advisor: The Legal Advisor is
� Coordinating the CMP with responsible for assessing the corporate
responsible officials of all liabilities and risks (criminal and civil)
in-country facilities or sites. as well as personal liability of CMT
members for CMP actions.
� Establishing liaison with the U.S.
Embassy or Consulate security
officer, local law enforcement,
public emergency officials, and
other corporate CMTs, if
appropriate.

�Implementing the plan when directed by

7
· Financial Coordinator: The Financial ·Assess the crisis, including possible
Coordinator should establish bank outcomes. In civil unrest situations, for
sources for funds in the country example, the crisis may threaten many
involved and be familiar with currency company assets. As one asset is
requirements and how funds can be protected, another may become
provided on short notice. vulnerable. A desired goal of crisis
management is to develop and plan
· Public Relations Coordinator: This responses so that the asset under attack
coordinator should develop and is protected yet other assets are not
maintain conventional media placed in jeopardy.
relationships for crisis situations,
including contact with host government ·Obtain executive profile information
press agencies, as well as the Public files, if appropriate.
Affairs Officer at the U.S. Foreign
Service post. He or she is responsible ·In kidnap or hostage situations, activate
for employee communications during and dispatch to crisis location the local
crisis periods and for assistance to an negotiating team; be prepared to
affected employee and/or his or her implement a negotiated agreement.
family, if appropriate.
·Determine company options and goals in
· Business Unit Manager: This individual responding to the crisis.
represents the operating component or
business unit that is the victim of the ·Delegate duties not in the CMP to be
incident. performed by CMT members.

Actions During a Crisis ·Maintain liaison with the corporate

security structure, advising them of the
When a crisis situation or local problem and action to be taken.
condition that may have an adverse impact
on the safety or security of the company's ·Advise the regional security officer, or
personnel or assets develops, other appropriate official at the U.S.
consideration should be given to the Embassy or Consulate of the actions
following actions: being taken.

· Convene the CMT.

· Verify the threat.

·Advise the corporate CMT of the crisis

and anticipated actions of the local
CMT.

8
· Report local CMT actions to corporate The following are suggested contacts at
CMT organization and update those the U.S. Embassy or Consulate:
reports as necessary.
·Ambassador or Principal Officer.
· Notify host government and law
enforcement agency at the appropriate ·Deputy Chief of Mission.
level.
·Economic Officer.
· Establish liaison locally as deemed
appropriate (other American or friendly ·Administrative Officer.
company, chamber of commerce, etc.).
·Commercial Officer.
· Schedule further CMT meetings to
handle or monitor crisis as deemed ·Regional Security Officer or Post
necessary. Security Officer.

· Provide the location and telephone ·Consular Officer.

number of the CMT crisis management
center and the alternative off-site Suggested contacts with the host
location to appropriate personnel. government, depending on circumstances,
might be the following:
· In the event of hostage release, be
prepared for evacuation, debriefing, and ·Head of State.
rehabilitation.
·Minister of Interior.
Response to Acts of Terrorism
·Government intelligence agency.
Key Local Contacts
·Chief of Police.
The local CMT should maintain a list of
all CMT members and 24-hour telephone ·Senior police official responsible for
numbers. In addition, the CMP should list area in which company facilities and
all U.S. Embassy or Consulate and host residences are situated.
government agencies and security
contacts (names, titles, addresses, and ·Senior official responsible for airport
24-hour telephone numbers) who would security.
respond to acts of terrorism such as
bombings, seizures of owned facilities,
assassinations or attempted
assassinations, assaults on personnel
and/or dependents, kidnapings or
attempted kidnapings, and hostage takings.

9
· Senior official responsible for ·Nature of threat or attack and injuries and
investigations. damages sustained.

· Senior official responsible for ·Full data concerning affected employees,

responding to acts of terrorism. including names and addresses of next
of kin in the order that they or other
Company Response interested parties should be notified.

Upon receipt of a terrorist threat, ·Report on contacts and assistance offers

action against company personnel, to next of kin and if the person resides
dependents, or facilities, the following or is located in the immediate area.
action should be taken:
·If kidnapping and/or hostage taking
· The local Security/Incident Coordinator occurs, provide:
should notify the corporate security
department by telephone, telex, or �Location, number, and identity of
telegram. victims.

· The local company senior executive �Number and identity of terrorists

should immediately notify the involved, organization(s), weapons
respective corporate management of an used, or other descriptive
emergency situation who, along with information.
corporate security, will notify the
corporate CMT of the emergency. �Terrorist demands or claims.

· The local CMT should immediately �Local assessment of the situation,

begin efforts to confirm the incident including effect on business
and evaluate the emergency. operations.

Reports �Report injuries, if any.

The swift passing of information about ·Initial actions taken by host government
an emergency incident is vital to allow the to respond to terrorist
correct functioning of the corporate CMT
and to permit the corporation to respond
to its responsibilities. The report should
include:

·Nature and circumstances of threat or

incident, including date, time, and
location.

10
 threat and/or incident if company personnel and equipment.
personnel, dependents, and facilities
are threatened or subjects of a terrorist Terrorists
attack; describe the local company's
preliminary effort in arranging ·What is known about the terrorists? What
enhanced security, medical assistance, are their goals, philosophies, and
etc., with host country officials tactics?
(police, foreign ministry, etc.).
·What are pressure points on terrorists?
· Precautionary measures taken for other Local political parties, state supporters,
employees at the location of the religious groups, the logical
incident and elsewhere in the host sympathizers, or international
country. organizations?

· Telephone number and the name of the Host Government

U.S. Embassy (consulate) officer
monitoring the incident. ·What is host government policy regarding
terrorist demands?
· Statement on whether police are
involved or whether media coverage has ·What are host government capabilities to
occurred. negotiate with terrorists?

· Name of person sending message along ·What are host country laws regarding
with complete address, telephone negotiating and paying ransom to
number, and telex number for future terrorists?
contacts.
Hostages and Other Victims
Assessing a Hostage Situation
·What is their significance to the
As the terrorist act unfolds, the CMT, terrorists?
in conjunction with the host country and
embassy or consulate officials, will ·Are health and personnel records
continue to review the following: available on hostages?

Immediate Situation

· Threats by terrorists.

· Need for extra security measures,

security arrangements for the hostage
family, special communications
arrangements, and supplemental

11
· Do hostages have any capability to extremely sensitive issues and
assist in achieving their own release? corporations should consider, in
advance, responses to possible
· Is psychiatric expertise available? hostage negotiations.

· Are aircraft available for negotiators, ·What company resources should be

psychiatrists, medical staff, security, deployed to the scene of the incident?
etc.? If no CMT exists locally in that
country, should a negotiating team be
· What on-site intelligence resources are deployed?
available?
·What immediate assistance should the
· If there are victims, what arrangements company provide to the families of the
should be made for treatment of the hostages and other victims?
injured or disposition of remains and
personal property? ·What security measures need to be taken
to protect other senior employees of
Action Options the company or its assets?

· Should senior U.S. Government ·In the event of a hostage taking, some
officials or corporate senior executives type of communication can be
be encouraged to intervene with the anticipated in the form of a letter, a
host government? telephone call, an audio tape or
videotape, or possibly a hand-delivered
· Consider the most senior level at which message or tape to the office or home
contact with the host government of the hostage. If legal, and/or
should be established. appropriate to do so, place a recorder
on the appropriate telephones at home
· Critical negotiating issues with the and office of the hostage and monitor
hostages include: them around the clock in the early
stages of the incident. Also assign
� The potential crucial threat to the someone, if the police do not, to
life of the hostage. establish effective liaison with the
appropriate post office to ensure that
� The corporation has the authority to all mail directed to the hostage's home
negotiate release. is immediately delivered, regardless of
the time of day or night. Handle the
� The company will cooperate with law contents
enforcement officials.

�It must be recognized that these are

12
 of such mail with great care to ensure notified. The corporate CMT should
that it is not unduly handled, to protect consider the following.
latent fingerprints and other evidence.
·The team should confirm that the
· Telephones in many foreign countries appropriate officials at corporate
are monitored regularly by the headquarters have been informed in
authorities, especially in crisis accordance with the CMP.
situations. It is necessary, therefore,
not to expect privacy of such telephone ·Appropriate CMT should designate
conversations. If sensitive calls must telephone numbers to be used for the
be made, go to a public telephone or crisis period (equipped with recording
use an encryption device on your equipment) and then make
telephone. arrangements for 24-hour manning of
the telephone.
· In any crisis situation requiring
negotiations or dialogue with terrorists ·Establish communication with
or hostage takers, it is imperative that appropriate U.S. and host government
the CMT member responsible for entities.
conducting the dialogue not have
ultimate decision-making authority and The initial report should provide as
should make that fact clearly much of the following information as
understood to the terrorists or hostage possible to Corporate Headquarters:
takers. This strategy provides
negotiators with a credible delaying ·Caller's name (spelled out) and job title.
tactic because they can explain that they
will do the best that they can but that ·Facility location (city and country).
they must take up the problem with
their boss, etc. The top-ranking ·Date, time, severity, and location of
executive, either at the local or crisis.
headquarters site, should never be the
CMT member cast in the role of the ·Nature of crisis.
negotiator.
·Number of people affected (killed,
Crisis Actions Associated with injured, and evacuated).
Catastrophes And/or Disasters
·Extent of damage to company facilities.
As soon as possible after a catastrophe
and/or disaster occurs, corporate ·Effect on business operations.
headquarters should be

13
· Host government involvement. and the corporate CMT is essential.
Guidance from the corporate CMT should
· Telephone, FAX, and telex number for be requested on any policy consideration
future contacts. or interpretation. All releases to the
media should pass through and be cleared
· Alternative communications channel. by the CMT. Clear communications and
coordination for media releases are vital
· Nature and extent of assistance during a crisis. Misinformation or failure
requested from corporate headquarters. to consider all factors before commenting
to the media can jeopardize security and
Initiate those portions of CMP associated the objectives of the corporation.
with disasters and/or catastrophes.
Responsibilities of the Spokesperson
Communications in a Crisis
Situation ·The local media spokesperson will
require expeditious means of
Reliable communication is a key factor communication with the local and
in the successful management of any corporate CMTs and access to
crisis. To ensure that adequate accurate, current information.
communications are available in
emergency circumstances, three basic ·If the crisis is extended in duration, an
capabilities should be considered: alternate spokesperson should also be
appointed.
· A local communications net with
employees and authorities to include an ·The spokesperson should have a
employee warden system. designated work location to facilitate
receipt and dissemination of updated
· A national link to locations in the information. The corporate
country where other facilities are spokesperson should consider having
located and national authorities are available a briefing room equipped with
headquartered. telephone jacks and telephones that can
be made available to the media at
· An international link to the company's briefings.
corporate headquarters.

For additional information regarding

communications, see Chapter III of this
booklet.

Release of Information to the

Public
Coordination between the company
spokesperson at the scene, the local CMT,

14
· The spokesperson should deal only with or amateur "experts" on terrorists'
accredited media representatives. motivation or background should be
urged.
· The spokesperson should have access
to officials and experts who can provide Crisis Management Evaluation
background information on all aspects
of the specific event. Following a completed action or crisis
incident, a critical review or evaluation of
· The spokesperson should issue factual the crisis management work should be
information at periodic briefings. conducted. A review should be conducted
of the CMP and the CMT planning and
· All press inquiries should be referred assessment procedures and how CMT
to the authorized spokesperson. No personnel responded to the crisis.
comment should be made unless it is
authorized by the CMT. Methods used for evaluation could
include:
Handling Media Interests
·CMT personnel critique of the entire
· Regular coordination with corporate event.
headquarters and the corporate CMT
concerning statements to be made to ·Post-event written reports by all CMT
the press is absolutely essential. participants.

· The spokesperson should not act as the ·Interviews with the victim(s) and/or
terrorist's "messenger" to the public. family(ies).

· Live interviews with participants and ·Final evaluation report, with

the use of minicameras at or near the recommendations for changes in the
site of the incident should be current CMP, if needed.
discouraged.
·Local CMT report to the corporate CMT
· Prudence by the press regarding actions of final details of the incident and
that might frighten the terrorists or analysis of the team's operation.
promote their cause should be urged.

· The counterproductive aspects of

reporting on any operational activities
of the police, military, or their
counterterrorism forces should be
emphasized.

·Caution with press interviews of unknown

15
Business Recovery support the freeing of prisoners from
incarceration in response to terrorist
An integral part of a corporate CMP is demands. Concessions to terrorist
the organized recovery phase. Recovery blackmail would merely invite further
plans should address the following: demands. The U.S. Government actively
encourages other governments to adopt a
· Loss of key personnel due to a disaster similar position. While the U.S.
or accident. Government will not negotiate with
terrorists on the substance of their
· Temporary replacements for affected demands, it does not rule out contact and
management personnel. dialogue with hostage takers if such action
will promote the safe release of hostages.
· Development of damage assessment.
In terrorist incidents abroad, the U.S.
· Assistance or time off for personnel so Government looks to the host government
that their personal losses (family to exercise its responsibility under
members injured), homes or vehicles international law to protect all persons
can be properly handled. within its territories and to bring about the
safe release of hostages. In some cases,
· Replacement of critical materials and the U.S. Government may be able to
equipment. provide foreign governments the services
of terrorism experts and other specialized
· Availability of business records. (Prior assistance, military equipment, and
planning is required so that the personnel.
appropriate records have been copied
and/or stored at a secure or other Specific Policy Guidance
location.)
In the event U.S. citizens are taken
· Development of computer disaster hostage abroad, the U.S. Embassy will
recovery plans to include company convey U.S. policy to the host
minicomputers and personal government. The embassy will encourage
computers. the host government to resolve any
terrorist incident in a manner that, while
General U.S. Policy safeguarding the lives of the hostages,
does not permit the terrorist to achieve
U.S. policy is firmly committed to their objectives. The host government
resisting terrorist blackmail. The U.S. will be reminded of its obligation to bring
Government will not pay ransom for the the terrorists to justice.
release of hostages. It will not

16
 International cooperation to combat Humanitarian Appeals
terrorism is essential because all
governments, regardless of philosophy, Although there is only a limited chance
are vulnerable. of successfully appealing to the terrorists'
humanitarian instincts, indirect appeals
Use of Force may have a positive influence and may
cause terrorists to be concerned about
If the host government asks for advice alienating key support groups,
from the U.S. Government regarding the sympathetic governments, or world
use of force to resolve an incident, a opinion. Appeals to the following groups
response will probably be as follows: or individuals may prove to be valuable:

· The ultimate decision regarding a ·The United Nations Secretary General.

strategy for dealing with terrorists and
the successful termination of an ·Third World countries considered
incident must remain with the host friendly to the terrorists.
government.
·The dean of the local diplomatic corps.
· The U.S. Government believes it is
inappropriate to provide advice because ·Spouses and children of hostages asking
it would not be party to negotiations or for the return of their family members.
negotiating strategy.
·The terrorists' leaders or supporter (who
In most hostage situations, including may profess innocence to involvement
hijackings, experience has shown that with the specific incident).
there is a greater likelihood of a peaceful
solution when using a strategy designed to ·Religious leaders.
buy time and wear down the terrorists. In
many cases, such a strategy will achieve a
positive outcome without substantive
concessions on the part of the targeted
government. If the host government
concludes, however, that there may be a
greater risk from waiting and talking,
assault may be the only alternative course
of action.

17
 Chapter III. Communications

To ensure that adequate (requires operational telephone

communications are available during system).
emergency circumstances at overseas
locations, three basic capabilities should ·In high-threat countries without reliable
exist: a local link with employees and telephone systems, linkage of one or
authorities, a national link to locations two firms with the nonsecure U.S.
within the country where company Embassy very high frequency (VHF)
operations or other national authorities radio network, may be possible in some
exist, and an international link to the limited cases.
company's corporate headquarters. In
addition, through the Emergency Action ·The company's radio networks, VHF
Committee of the U.S. Embassy, (local), high frequency (national), and
arrangements may sometimes be made shortwave (national and international).
with local Voice of America radio relay
stations to broadcast simple emergency ·Local commercial radio broadcasts.
and evacuation advice when appropriate
and within the local broadcast area, which ·Electronic mail capability (if available)
may cover several countries. for local, national, and international
use.
The following are communication
options available to companies and their ·Company-owned and company-
employees: operated satellite system.

· The local and/or government telephone ·Company-owned and company-

system available for intracity, national, operated telephone encryption system,
and international calls until it is independent of country's system, used
disrupted by natural or man-made in conjunction with the company's
disaster. satellite communications program.

· Local telex system, if available, able to

handle intracity, national, and
international message traffic until the
system is disrupted.
·Facsimile capability, if available, for
local, national, and international use

18
· Company-operated courier or Note: All modes of communication
messenger service providing local, should support an emergency notification
national, and international surface system that includes each U.S. citizen
and/or air service. employee and his or her family.

· Direct communication with the U.S.

Embassy or a friendly country embassy.

19
 Chapter IV. Evacuation Planning

General gradual and orderly evacuation.

An evacuation plan is designed to cope If the U.S. Government were to sponsor

with those situations that could require an an evacuation of Americans from a given
evacuation of private sector expatriate country, it would be coordinated and
employees and/or their dependents, which controlled by the U.S. Department of
removes them from the specific and/or State. It is noted that the Chief of
general source of risk or threat, to an Mission of the U.S. Embassy cannot order
out-of-country location. It outlines private American citizens to depart, but
procedures to ensure an orderly, safe, and must inform them of impending danger
expeditious evacuation of expatriate and may offer evacuation assistance from
employees and their dependents. the U.S. Government when necessary.
However, it is also considered prudent for
There are circumstances in which it is companies operating overseas to develop
obvious that a U.S. corporation operating evacuation plans. Evacuation should only
abroad must consider sending employees occur when authorized by the company
and dependents out, such as times of senior manager in country, or appropriate
serious terrorist threat, insurrection, or headquarters manager. Any evacuation
other civil disorder or when a natural ordered by a company senior manager
disaster or other event poses serious should be coordinated with the Chief of
hazard to their safety or so overburdens Mission of the U.S. Embassy. Past
the country’s ability to protect, feed, and experience indicates that both companies
house its citizens that departure is the best and employees in foreign locations show
course of action. a reluctance to develop, maintain, or
implement evacuation plans. This
Occasionally, there are other signs of reluctance stems from a false sense of
hazard, such as gradual, almost
imperceptible decline in services,
shortages in goods or services, capital
flight, increased government travel
restrictions, decreased internal security,
and declines in the attitudes of established
contacts. Country managers should be
alert to these changes and continuously
evaluate the local conditions for signs of
deterioration so that they can consider a

20
security developed through the absence of these intervals, and minutes of the
personal threats and the lack of access to meetings should be prepared and
uncensored news reports. maintained on file. A deteriorating
political climate would indicate more
The fundamental factors in conducting a frequent meetings.
safe and efficient evacuation in a
destabilized overseas environment are Preplanning
thorough prior planning, continuous and
comprehensive analysis of potential ·Employees and their families should
security threats, and timely decision register with the appropriate U.S.
making concerning the evacuation itself. diplomatic post, i.e. embassy or
Effective management of these factors consulate, or if none is present in the
should facilitate the evacuation process of host country, with the embassy’s
expatriates in a timely and orderly representative.
fashion.
·The EEC should maintain liaison with the
Organization U.S. Embassy or Consulate, as
applicable, and the American private
An evacuation organization is sector mini-council, sponsored by the
comprised of in-country management that Overseas Security Advisory Council, if
is responsible for making evacuation it exists in that area.
decisions on the scene and
communicating them to the remainder of ·Evacuation plans should be
the employee contingent. The senior communicated to employees, and a test
manager is usually assisted by an of the employee notification system
Expatriate Evacuation Committee (EEC). should be conducted periodically.

The purpose of the EEC is to refine, ·The EEC should determine that adequate
tailor, and coordinate the evacuation plan information and personnel files are
to ensure that it is functional. The EEC available.
coordinates implementation of the plan.
Liaison and coordination between the ·If appropriate, local staging areas and
EEC and the local or corporate crisis embarkation points for assembly of
management team, if one exists, should be personnel and their families should
required. If a local CMT exists the EEC
should function within the overall
framework or the CMT.

The EEC should meet on a semiannual

basis to review current events and trends
and to assess the next 6-month period.
The evacuation plan should be reviewed at

21
 be identified. Preliminary security the area of trouble or potential trouble
plans for the sites should be developed. and to advise all other personnel
As a general rule, it is preferable to accordingly. During major
assemble evacuees at a secure staging disturbances, all personnel should be
location other than the embarkation advised to return to their living quarters
point and then to move them to and to remain there until they receive
embarkation points in groups, sized to further advice.
the transport capacity and on a schedule
calculated to minimize the exposure of ·No personnel should be allowed
evacuees and the means of transport at unilaterally to attempt either to travel
the embarkation point. internally or to leave the country
without authorization and direction.
· The EEC should be in contact with
representatives of other companies so ·The success of evacuating personnel is
that rumors of evacuations can be enhanced greatly by having advance
verified. warning so that most personnel can be
withdrawn by commercial airline. The
· Primary and alternate modes of travel time required and the procedures
should be identified. Contacts and necessary to obtain exit visas should be
commitments from carriers and agents determined.
should be maintained. Preliminary
arrangements should be made to have ·Local laws should be observed at all
local nationals available to drive to and times unless the situation results in a
translate at airports, roadblocks, total breakdown of authority.
checkpoints, etc.
·An evacuation of personnel under hostile
· The EEC should consider an agreement conditions from local authorities
with other multinational companies in and/or the general public is usually not
the area to assist one another in advisable. The risk of harm to
evacuation and should also consolidate personnel is greater when trying to
the use of transportation equipment. move about the country than

· The EEC should distribute copies of the

evacuation plan (only necessary
portions) to employees.

· The EEC should designate authorized

persons to issue return-to-work
instructions.

·In the event of any emergency, personnel

should be directed to stay away from

22
 when maintaining a low profile and dependents for which a corporation has
staying indoors. Waiting for the responsibilities.
situation to stabilize generally is far
less risky than traveling about. Evacuation Concept
· The decision to evacuate personnel The purpose of the evacuation
under hostile conditions should be procedures is to establish a set of
taken only when the risk of staying put contingency plans for the withdrawal or
becomes greater than the risk of being evacuation of staff and dependents from
exposed. These conditions could arise the host country.
during a period of civil disorder, a
military uprising, or outside military The evacuation process usually evolves
intervention. If a hostile evacuation is in three phases. A special phase, which
necessary, it is hoped that all does not involve evacuation from the
dependents and nonessential personnel country, will also need to be
will already have been withdrawn by implemented. Guidelines for each phase
commercial airline. This action follow this section.
presumes that some advance warning of
worsening conditions within the ·Phase I—Alert Stage, a warning to
country or of military action from companies and individuals of host
outside the country will have been country instability.
received and acted upon. Should an
emergency arise suddenly without ·Phase II—Limited Action, increased
advance warning to withdraw preparation for evacuation includes
nonessential personnel, and if the those preparations made under
circumstances dictate an evacuation conditions of increased tension or
under hostile conditions, companies instability that could lead to partial or
will have to rely on support from complete evacuation of expatriate
outside sources. The safety of all employees and their dependents.
personnel and dependents is of the
utmost importance. In no case should ·Phase III—Evacuation Phase, final
any action be taken if that action puts preparation and/or evacuation includes
the personnel and dependents in more those preparations made under
jeopardy than they are in already. conditions in which the decision to
evacuate is imminent or has already
· Additional transportation information is been made. Withdrawal and cessation
noted in Appendix III and provides of business is imminent or underway.
planning guidelines for the emergency
movement of employees and

23
· Stand Fast—Could be implemented in designed to address rumors and a set of
the event that evacuation is not clear evacuation instructions.
considered prudent. Under this
concept, employees and their ·Evacuation priorities should be
dependents would remain in their established and individually assigned.
quarters (or other designated location) The following categories should be
for an extended period of time until considered:
tensions abate.
�First priority—dependents.
Making the decision to initiate each of
the phases or stand fast is the �Second priority—individuals other than
responsibility of the senior manager in key expatriate employees.
coordination with the EEC.
�Third priority—key expatriate
Evacuation Guidelines employees.

Phase I—Alert Stage ·Alternate routes to the international

airports, seaports, or land borders
· This is a period during which routine should be established and checked for
collection and assessment of traversability under emergency
information about local and conditions.
international events are in progress.
Phase II—Limited Action, Increased
· Documents should be identified or set Preparation for Evacuation
aside for possible future destruction.
·This phase should be initiated when, in
· Potential staging areas for assembling the judgment of the senior manager, a
employees and their dependents should situation has reached a level of tension
be reviewed and/or selected. or instability that could lead to partial
or complete evacuation of expatriate
· The senior manager should consider employees and their dependents. The
meeting periodically with the expatriate earlier an evacuation decision can be
employees to review current events and made, the more likely it can be effected
trends. It is important to develop a in a calm, secure, and less politically
procedure to deal with rumors that have sensitive atmosphere.
a tendency to emerge with the onset of
any crisis situation. Left unattended,
rumors can have a demoralizing effect.
The best countermeasures are to have
an open line of communication

24
· The contents of departure kits
(described in the next section) should
be examined and reviewed.

· An inventory of household effects alternate staging area(s), prior to

should be prepared in duplicate, one to proceeding to the international airport
accompany the employee and his or her or other departure site(s), for final
dependents and one to be left behind coordination of procedures for
with an appropriate corporate evacuation.
representative. The possibility of
having to secure or abandon personal Stand Fast
property prior to evacuations should be
addressed. ·A special phase could be implemented in
the event that evacuation is not
· Normal work routines should continue; considered prudent under certain
however, certain preparatory actions, circumstances, for example, if a coup
such as obtaining required clearances, has occurred. This concept is one in
conducting programmed document which operations may slow down or
destruction to begin on the order of the even temporarily be suspended.
senior manager, etc., should be Employees and their dependents would
undertaken, if appropriate. remain in their compound or quarters
for an undetermined period of time,
Phase III—Evacuation Phase, Final awaiting further instructions. Liquids,
Preparation and/or Evacuation canned foods, medicines, and staples to
support the family for an extended
· This phase should be initiated when, in period, should be kept on hand to
the judgment of the senior manager, the support such an eventuality, depending
situation has deteriorated to the point on the local situation.
that the decision to evacuate is
imminent or has already been made. At ·Instructions to and between families
this point, the company home office should be transmitted by whatever
should arrange for the services of other means available, depending on the
companies and outside commercial circumstances. However, it is vital that
resources necessary to support and whatever means are employed the
coordinate the evacuation process. It is senior manager receive positive
assumed that total withdrawal of feedback to ensure that all expatriate
personnel will not meet active employees are in touch and to confirm
resistance from the authorities. their daily whereabouts. An employee
warden system should be developed and
·The senior manager should determine used in times of increased threat or
whether it would be prudent and during actual emergencies. (See
desirable to relocate evacuees from Appendix II.)
their quarters to preselected primary or

25
 Chapter V. Criminal Acts,
Civil Unrest, and Coups

Overall Preparations
The first step in developing any plan for
The purpose of this chapter is to emergency preparedness is to obtain
provide guidance to American businesses significant management commitment to
overseas for managing during crises, such preparedness. To ensure an effective
as criminal acts, civil unrest, and coups. security plan, every company should
Although it is not possible to plan for appoint an on-site security manager and
every eventuality, it is only prudent to develop a Crisis Management Plan. This
make certain contingency plans outlining person should be the point of contact for
how company employees should react in the company regarding security matters;
emergency situations. Emergency his or her responsibilities should include
management is to prepare for response to ensuring that an organized method to
and recovery from emergencies of any disseminate information exists,
kind. In developing a plan for emergency guaranteeing that lines of communication
preparedness, the first step is to assess between the nearest U.S. Embassy or
the current level of vulnerability. For Consulate exist, and developing a “safe
example, businesses located in a country area” to retreat to in the event of an
that has experienced a history of emergency.
anti-American demonstrations should
determine the probability of its facility or American companies and business
employees becoming involved in a firms located overseas should make
demonstration or other more serious immediate contact with the nearest U.S.
action and devise ways to protect against Embassy to receive information on the
such incidents. Alternatively, businesses criminal, law enforcement, political, and
located in countries with a history of terrorist situation in the host country. The
coups or a high crime rate should place a Regional Security Officer (RSO) or Post
high priority in developing plans to deal Security Officer (PSO) can provide
with these emergencies. However, information regarding what you can
regardless of the location of a company or expect in the way of assistance from the
the history of security problems in the host government.
region, all areas of emergency planning
should be included in each plan. Often, a
relatively benign political situation can
change quickly.

26
 The designated security manager should
make a point to establish contact with Use local employees’ knowledge of the
other American organizations in the area country, their contacts, and inside
to determine their experience with the law knowledge.
enforcement and the criminal elements in
the area. If no other American companies Suggestions for areas that should be
are represented, try to locate companies covered in a comprehensive emergency
with which the U.S. Government has close plan follow.
ties.
Criminal Acts
If possible, it is recommended that
periodic contact be made with In many countries, local or national law
representatives of these other firms to enforcement officials cannot be depended
exchange information on criminal on for even basic services, because of
activities, threats, and the reaction of the substandard or nonexistent training and
responsible law enforcement agencies. low pay. Therefore, employees should be
trained to accept responsibility for their
The U.S. Embassy or Consulate should own security, through security awareness
be provided with a list of key company seminars, booklets, and other information.
personnel and telephone numbers for The nearest RSO or PSO can be very
contact in an emergency. Each useful in suggesting training programs, as
organization should develop an emergency can various booklets published by the U.S.
notification system to be used to contact Department of State. Training should take
employees or their families. place on a frequent basis to reinforce
individual responsibility.
If a company does not have a medical
staff, it is recommended that a list of Residential Safety
English-speaking doctors be developed
for use in an emergency involving mass The following information regarding
casualties. This information can also be selecting housing contains several items
obtained from the nearest U.S. Embassy excerpted from the Overseas Security
or Consulate. Advisory Council’s publication Security
Guidelines for American Families Living
One helpful technique in developing an Abroad.
emergency plan is to develop scenarios of
likely events and to hold periodic drills to
ensure that the entire staff, American
citizens as well as local nationals, knows
what to do. In addition to familiarizing
employees with their roles, obvious flaws
or ways to improve the plan have a
tendency to surface during these drills.

27
· Housing for employees should be in Personal Safety
relatively safe, stable neighborhoods.
The RSO at the U.S. Embassy, local Personal safety is largely the
police, and other Americans in the area responsibility of each individual.
can provide information regarding Regardless of the local threat, you should
neighborhoods. take the same safety precautions that you
take when in a large urban area of the
· The on-site security manager should be United States.
responsible for approving a residence.
Particular attention should be given to ·Keep a low profile. Do not dress
the surrounding neighborhood, that is, provocatively or wear flashy or
the condition of streets, density of obviously expensive jewelry.
vehicular and pedestrian traffic, access
into and out of the neighborhood, and ·Learn about the city as soon as you arrive.
the location and nationality of owners Most large cities have areas
of surrounding residences. Addit­ considered generally unsafe after dark
ionally, the location and types of trees or even during the day. Additionally,
and shrubs should be noted, as well as there may be some areas where
the presence of parking and the quality Americans are at greater risk.
of lighting at night.
·Do not walk alone after dark.
· Another important factor to be
considered in residential selection is ·Keep alert. If you are walking and believe
the type of residence. An apartment someone is following, go to a public or
located above the ground or first floor well-lighted area.
is usually considered more secure than
a single family dwelling. However, if ·Women should keep a firm grasp on
an apartment is chosen, care should be purses to avoid being an easy target for
taken to ensure that there are no a snatch-and-run attack. Keep the
exterior balconies or footholds that amount of money and credit cards you
would enable would-be thieves to climb carry at a minimum.
up to the apartment from the ground. In
addition, apartments should not be ·Learn at least a few phrases in the local
selected on floors above the fire language so you can ask for help, if
fighting and rescue capabilities of the needed.
local fire department.

· Once a residence is approved, adequate

technical (alarm systems) and physical
(solid exterior doors and fences and/or
walls) security should be provided.

28
· Keep your vehicle in good repair with of sending their dependents to a safe
an adequate amount of fuel at all times. country.
Keep the doors locked, and do not pick
up hitchhikers. If possible, avoid ·In times of unrest, have a bag packed for
parking on the street or in unattended each member of the family for
parking lots. evacuation on short notice.

Coups and Civil Unrest ·For emergencies, keep on hand an

appropriate amount of money and/or
In many Third World countries, coups traveler’s checks.
are not an uncommon occurrence, and all
Americans residing in those areas should ·If the threat warrants, consider having
make special efforts to keep abreast of available an open airline ticket available
the local political situation, because it can for each family member to a “safe
sometimes change almost overnight. haven” country (preferably a U.S. ally).
Open airline tickets are normally good
· It is particularly important to use local for a 12-month period; at the end of the
employees’ contacts and knowledge. period, return the tickets for a refund
and purchase new ones.
· Keep lines of communication between
businesses and the U.S. Embassy or ·Consolidate important personal records
Consulate open during times of unrest. and documents for easy access and
transportation. Keep passports and
· Be flexible; do not necessarily wait for necessary visas up to date.
action from the U.S. Government,
because private businesses may wish to ·Have in place a preplanned telephone
react to events more quickly, in contact system to ensure that all
accordance with corporate employees are aware of what is
requirements. happening.

· Monitor local news media— If a coup is attempted, the following

television, radio, and newspapers— steps can enhance personal safety:
for political developments or
increasing anti-American rhetoric.

· Maintain adequate (2-3 weeks)

stockpiles of nonperishable food and
drinking water. Keep vehicles fueled
for an immediate evacuation.

·In the event an evacuation is not deemed

necessary, give employees the option

29
· Remain at present location until further periods. In limited or local wars, life
instructions are received from the goes on and so does business. In any
security manager or U.S. Embassy or case, the political situations can change
Consulate. Under no circumstances rapidly and should be monitored
should individuals go to the troubled continuously. Since a war can have the
area(s) to find out what is occurring. same effect on personnel, resources,
and physical plant as a violent coup, the
· Stay away from windows to avoid sniper actions just described for safety during
fire. If possible, relocate to a room a coup also apply to the war situation.
that offers the greatest degree of safety One obvious difference between a war
from outside gunfire. When necessary, and a coup is that in a war situation you
seek added protection by lying on the will definitely know the belligerents
floor behind a durable piece of and their attitude toward Americans. In
furniture. Stay aware of locations of the event of a coup, that information
emergency egress in the event of a may not be readily available. If your
forced evacuation, and keep an business is associated with or can be
emergency bag with important perceived to be associated with or
documents nearby. contributing to the war effort of either
party, it may become a target for action.
· If you are in the open or on the street, In this case, your survival will depend
seek cover and remain close to the on the host government or the attacker
ground. if you are in captured territory.

· If possible remain in contact with the In the event of any act of war, the first
U.S. Embassy or Consulate or the consideration will be the possible impact
company security manager. Monitor on American expatriate employees and
local media stations for news updates. whether they should be evacuated. If the
decision is not to evacuate, at least take
War or Acts of War the preparatory steps discussed in this
chapter. (See Chapter IV for detailed
In some areas of the world, there have evacuation planning.)
been almost constant wars in progress
over a period of many years. For Sabotage
example, since the end of World War II,
few of the countries that make up the Acts of sabotage against your business
Middle East have been without war or may be initiated for a number
internal unrest for extensive

of reasons and may come in many forms. will, to a great extent, determine how they
The nature of the specific acts committed should be handled. For example, the

30
prevention and control of internal ·Consider assigning guards to observe
sabotage is frequently the primary fixed assets or to escort personnel and
responsibility of the organization’s equipment and supply shipments while
security manager and/or staff. Prevention en route.
and control of external sabotage will
normally require the assistance of the ·Provide two -way radios for personnel and
local police, although in some instances, equipment operators and train them to
depending on location, targets, and use the radios.
severity, the host country’s defense
forces may become involved. ·Vary routes and times of movement of
personnel and equipment to avoid
In the event of sabotage directed at routines.
equipment or personnel located outside
your facilities you can reduce your Depending on the nature of the threat,
vulnerability by doing the following: the first priority may be to gather all
personnel in one location (on company
· Immediately report all suspicious premises) or to evacuate the premises and
incidents to the local police agency as have all employees return to their living
well as the U.S. Embassy security quarters and remain there with their
officer. families to await further instructions.

Chapter VI. Natural Disasters

31
General all members of the family.

People have been unable to prevent Cyclones/Hurricanes/Typhoons

natural phenomena, which often result in
natural disasters, such as cyclones, Tropical cyclones, hurricanes, and
hurricanes, typhoons, earthquakes, typhoons are regional names for what is
tornadoes, floods, lightning strikes, essentially the same phenomenon.
volcanic eruptions, and the like. Depressions in the tropics that develop
into storms are called tropical cyclones in
This chapter is directed to individuals some parts of the world, hurricanes in
and American Businesses Abroad and both other areas, and typhoons in still other
are urged to read, understand, and areas. For the purposes of this
implement the precautions outlined on discussion, these storms will be referred
these pages in the interest of safe survival to as cyclones. Winds in tropical
and minimal property damage from these cyclones reach constant speeds of 74
so-called acts of God. The procedures miles per hour or more and blow in a large
outlined on these pages dealing with spiral around a relatively calm center
natural disasters are valid in the United know as the “eye.” In the Northern
States and most countries abroad, but Hemisphere, the circulation is
must be supplemented with information
available from the government of your
country of residence. For example,
warning signals for approaching storms
may differ from one country to the next,
or evacuation from low-lying terrain
before an imminent flood may be
mandatory rather than optional in some
countries. Use the general safety tips
described herein, but do not be lured into
a false sense of security by these tips
alone. Make it your business and that of
your loved ones to learn and abide by
local laws, customs, and caveats dealing
with natural disasters in your host country.

Please note well: It is not likely that

all members of a family unit will be
together at home when a natural disaster
strikes. Ensure that all members of the
family are sufficiently conversant with the
precautionary guidelines set out here to
maximize their safety regardless of their
location when the disaster strikes. This
awareness will ensure peace of mind for

32
counterclockwise, and in the Southern cyclone on record, which struck
Hemisphere, it is clockwise. Stated Bangladesh in 1970, killing more than
simply, cyclones are giant whirlwinds in 200,000 people with damage in the
which air moves in a large tightening billions of dollars. No tornado has eve r
spiral around the eye. Near the center of even closely approached such
the cyclone, winds may gust to more than unprecedented proportions of death,
200 miles per hour. The entire storm human suffering, and property damage.
dominates the ocean surface and lower
atmosphere over tens of thousands of Recommended Action to Lessen the
square miles. Effect of Cyclones

The eye of the cyclone is deceptively Over the years, much research and
insidious. If the storm is moving at its experimentation have been undertaken by
average speed of 20-30 miles an hour and meteorological scientists, governments,
the eye passes directly through a location, and emergency planners throughout the
the winds may subside to relative calm and world on the subject of tropical cyclones.
torrential rains may yield to a partly These efforts indicate that the effect of
cloudy or even a clear sky. Many people cyclones can be substantially reduced,
have been killed or injured when the calm especially personal injury and loss of life,
eye lured them out of shelter, only to be by effective emergency preparedness.
caught in the maximum winds at the far The purpose of these guidelines is to
side of the eye, where the wind blows stimulate such preparedness. Do not
from a direction opposite that of the adopt an attitude that nothing can be done
leading half of the storm. about natural disasters. Good
understanding of storm phenomena,
Tropical cyclones are frequently effective planning, and adequate
described as the most devastating of all preparation will lessen the impact on you,
natural phenomena because of their your loved ones, and your property.
tremendous size, relatively slow
movement, and at times absence of Safety Rules—Before the Storm
movement, as well as their highly erratic
path or direction. ·Most developed nations have
cyclone/hurricane/typhoon warning or
Clearly, the tornado (addressed later in alerting systems in place. Learn and
this chapter) is a much more violent storm abide by them.
(with wind speeds approaching 300 miles
per hour), but its time on Earth is short
and its devastating destructive path is
infinitesimal by comparison to the
cyclone. The average path width of a
tornado is 425 yards and the average path
length only 25 miles. Consider the worst

33
· Listen to television and radio reports storm shutters or tape. Danger to small
concerning progress of the storm. windows is mainly from wind-driven
debris. Larger windows may be broken
· Enter each storm season prepared. by wind pressure.
June through November is the hurricane
season in the United States, but seasons ·Secure outdoor objects that might be
vary in other parts of the world. Learn blown away or uprooted. Garbage cans,
the months and duration of the season garden tools, toys, signs, porch
where you reside. furniture, and a number of other
harmless items become missiles in
· Establish an emergency supply of cyclone winds. Anchor them or store
boards, tools, batteries, first-aid them inside before the storm strikes.
supplies, nonperishable foods, and
other equipment that you will need in ·If possible, remove coconuts and other
the event a cyclone strikes. heavy fruits such as mangos from trees
before the storm strikes and secure
· When a cyclone becomes imminent in them so they do not become flying
your area, plan your time before the missiles.
storm arrives and avoid the last minute
rush, which might leave you marooned ·Store drinking water in clean bathtubs,
or unprepared. jugs, bottles, and cooking utensils; the
water supply may be contaminated by
· Remain calm until the emergency ends. flooding.

· Leave low-lying areas that may be ·Monitor the storm’s position through
swept by high tides or storm waves. radio broadcasts on a battery-
powered radio. Utilities will almost
· Leave mobile homes for more certainly be interrupted.
substantial shelter. Mobile homes are
particularly vulnerable to overturning ·Keep your car fueled. Service stations
during strong winds. Damage can be may be inoperable for several days after
minimized by securing the homes with the storm strikes because of flooding
heavy cables anchored in concrete or interrupted electrical power.
footings.

· Moor your boat securely before the

storm arrives or evacuate it to a
designated safe area. When your boat
is moored, leave it and do not return
until the wind and waves subside.

·Board up windows or protect them with

34
· If your home is sturdy and on high ·Report broken sewe r or water mains to
ground, remain there; if it is not, move the water department.
to a designated shelter and stay there
until the storm is over. ·Prevent fires. Lowered water pressure
may make firefighting difficult.
· Remain indoors during the cyclone.
Travel is extremely dangerous. ·If power has been off during the storm,
check refrigerated food for spoilage.
· Know where emergency medical
assistance can be obtained and where ·Remember that cyclones moving inland
Red Cross disaster stations will be set can cause severe flooding. Stay away
up before the storm hits. Learn the safe from river banks and streams.
routes to those locations.
·Tornadoes spawned by cyclones are
· Beware of the eye of the cyclone. If among the worst killers in terms of all
the calm storm center passes directly storms. If you are alerted to a tornado
overhead, there will be a lull in the wind through the radio or if you sight such a
lasting from a few minutes to half an storm, seek inside shelter immediately,
hour or more. Stay in a safe place preferably below ground level. If the
unless emergency repairs are tornado catches you outside and there
absolutely necessary. Remember, at is not time to escape, lie flat in the
the other side of the eye, the winds rise nearest depression such as a ditch or
very rapidly to cyclone force and come ravine. (See the section on tornadoes
from the opposite direction. later in this chapter.)

When the Cyclone Has Passed ·Remain indoors during the storm,
preferably in an interior room without
· Stay out of disaster areas. Unless you windows.
are qualified to help, your presence
might hamper first-aid and rescue work. ·When electric power is disrupted, turn
off appliances and light switches so that
· Drive carefully along debris-filled electric circuits will not be overloaded
streets. Roads may be undermined and when electricity is restored.
may collapse under the weight of a car.
Landslides along roadways are also a
hazard.

· Avoid loose or dangling wires, and

report them immediately to the power
company or the nearest law
enforcement officer.

35
· Keep refrigerator and freezer doors and trash
shut. Food will stay cold for hours if
you keep the cold air inside. Tornadoes
· Use the most perishable foods first. A tornado is a violently swirling
column of air in contact with the ground.
· Have coloring books and crayons to Tornadoes usually develop from strong or
keep young minds busy to prevent severe thunderstorms. Their time on
boredom. Keep other appropriate Earth is short, and their destructive paths
games for your children where they are are rather small. Yet, when one of these
immediately accessible. short-lived, local storms marches through
populated areas, it leaves a path of almost
Here is a safety and supply checklist. total destruction. In seconds, a tornado
At the outset of the cyclone season, can reduce neighborhoods into rubble.
depending on where you live, you should
ensure that you have the following items Although most tornadoes strike during
immediately available. Unfortunately, the spring and summer, it is important to
many people do not prepare in advance for realize that they can occur anywhere, at
storms such as these and rapidly exhaust any time. The winds of the tornado can
their supplies of some of these items. Do reach speeds of 100 to 300 miles per
not be caught unprepared. hour, and the tornado travels at an average
speed of 30 miles per hour. Tornadoes
__ Flashlight can topple buildings, roll mobile homes,
__ Fresh batteries uproot trees, hurl people and animals
__ Portable radio through the air for hundreds of yards, and
__ First-aid kit fill the air with lethal, wind-borne debris.
__ Bottled water Since the direction tornadoes travel can
__ Sterno be erratic and may change suddenly, get to
__ Candles shelter immediately!
__ Matches
__ Canned and non-perishable foods If You Are in a House or Apartment
__ Manual can opener
__ Hammer ·The safest place is in the basement in a
__ Nails corner against an outside wall or
__ Duct tape underneath the basement stairway.
__ Plywood sheets
__ Rope
__ Canvas tarpaulin
__ Inflatable raft
__ Life preservers
__ Cooking and eating utensils
__ Plastic bags for storage of waste

36
· For added protection, get under
something strong, such as a workbench ·Do not stay in a motor vehicle during a
or heavy table. If possible, cover your tornado as it is the least desirable place.
body with a blanket or sleeping bag. Cars, buses, and trucks easily become
Protect your head with anything that is flying missiles as a result of tornadic
available. winds.

· Avoid windows! Flying debris does ·Never try to outrun a tornado in your car.
most of the killing, and the worst kind
of flying debris is broken glass. ·Stop your vehicle and get out. Seek
shelter someplace else. Try to get into
· Avoid taking shelter underneath a floor a basement. Do not get under or next to
that supports the refrigerator, washing your vehicle; it may roll over on you.
machine, piano, or other heavy objects.
If You Are Outdoors
· Avoid rock or brick walls and
chimneys. They have a tendency to ·If you are outdoors and there is no
collapse straight down. basement or building to get into, get as
far underground as possible.
· If the house has no basement or if there Remember, your best chance for
is not enough time to get to the survival is to get away from the killing
basement, move to an interior closet, an winds. Do not stand up and watch the
interior bathroom, or the innermost tornado.
hallway on the lowest floor. Because
the walls are closely tied together, they ·Seek shelter in a ditch, gully, ravine, or
will hold together better in the high culvert. Even just a low spot in the
winds. ground is going to give you some
protection.
If You Are in a Mobile Home
·Do not get into a grove of trees.
· Seek other shelter immediately. Remember to protect your head.

· Do not get under a mobile home.

· Make arrangements with friends or

neighbors who have basements. When
the weather looks threatening, go there.
Encourage your mobile home group to
develop its own shelter.

If You Are in a Motor Vehicle

37
If You Are in a Long-Span Building
·Get into the basement if possible.
· Grocery stores, theaters, civic centers,
shopping centers, gymnasiums, and ·Do not use elevators; the power may go
swimming pools are especially off and you could become stuck on the
dangerous because the entire roof upper floors.
structure is usually supported solely by
the outside walls. The tornado winds ·Do not open windows; time is too
knock out the supporting walls and the valuable and flying glass is dangerous.
roof collapses.
·Students and patients should be moved
· If there is not enough time to get to from the upper floors first.
another building, go to the restroom,
the next best place to be. The concrete ·Get into the inside hallways and close the
block walls, metal partitions, and doors to the outside rooms. This action
plumbing help hold things together as will keep flying glass and debris to a
well as to help support any falling minimum. Get everyone against the
debris. hallway walls, facing the wall.

· If the building is coming apart and there ·Protect your head, and make yourself as
is no time to go anywhere, seek shelter small a target as possible by crouching.
right where you are. Try to get up
against something that will support or ·Keep away from the ends of the hallways.
deflect the falling debris. In a
department store, get up against heavy Be Prepared
shelving or counters. In a theater, get
under the seats. Remember to protect ·No matter where your shelter is, have a
your head. few basic supplies there. Have spare
clothing, blankets or sleeping bags, a
· If there is time to get out of long-span portable radio and/or weather radio, and
buildings, try to get to a building that a flashlight. Fresh drinking water and
has a basement. If no building is some food are helpful, as well as a few
available, remember to get out of the tools to help you dig out in case of
winds and into a ditch, gully, or ravine. collapse.

If You Are in a School, Hospital,

Nursing Home, or Office Building

· Get into the innermost portion of the

building with the shortest span.

·Avoid windows and glass doorways.

38
· Since tornadoes usually take out power available in the White Pages of Pacific
lines, practice getting to your shelter Bell Directories. Copyright Pacific Bell
under blackout conditions at least once 1988.
before the tornado season begins and
occasionally throughout the season. This information was provided by
medical and emergency service
Earthquakes authorities and published as a public
service. While every reasonable effort
The devastation caused by an earthquake was made to insure its accuracy, Pacific
is not confined to those areas of the world Bell is not responsible and assumes no
on or near fault lines. Earthquakes can liability for any action undertaken by any
cause severe damage hundreds of miles person in utilizing such information. Any
away from a fault line. person relying upon such information
does so at his or her own risk.
During an earthquake, the “solid” earth
moves like the deck of a ship. The actual Before the Next Earthquake
movement of the ground, however, is
seldom the direct cause of death or injury. Be prepared. Take the time now to
Most casualties result from falling read the following checklists and take the
objects and debris because the shocks can necessary actions to minimize risks to
shake, damage, or demolish buildings. yourself, your loved ones and your home.
Earthquakes may also trigger landslides, You can also take an Earthquake
cause fires, and generate huge ocean Preparation class from the Red Cross.
waves called tsunamis.
Home Evaluation
The following sections, Before the
Next Earthquake, During an Check that:
Earthquake, and After an Earthquake,
are reproduced with written permission of ·The water heater is attached to the wall
the copyright owner, Pacific Bell, a studs with galvanized plumber’s tape to
Pacific Telesis Company. prevent tipping. Galvanized plumber’s
tape can be found at your local
Notice: Information in this Survival hardware store.
Guide is copied in whole or in part with
the permission of the copyright owner, ·There are no cracks in your home’s
Pacific Bell, a Pacific Telesis Company. foundation. Cracks wider than
This Survival Guide is also one-eighth inch indicate potential
weakness.

· Your house is attached to the foundation with bolts through the sill.

39
· The exterior foundation cripple walls ·Canned food, non-electric can opener,
(the walls that enclose the crawl space required medications, and powdered
under your home) are properly braced. milk for at least one week.

· Children’s play areas are located away ·Pipe or crescent wrenches to turn off gas
from earthquake hazards. Walls of and water supplies.
brick, adobe or concrete block without
steel reinforcement, and masonry ·Alternate means of cooking such as a
veneers or chimneys often collapse in barbecue or camp stove that can be used
earthquakes. outdoors. Be sure to store fuel out of
children’s reach.
· Household chemicals are stored so that
containers will not easily tip over and ·Small bottle of chlorine bleach to purify
spill their contents. drinking water.

· Contact an architect, engineer or local Know the Following:

building official for advice on needed
repairs or strengthening. If you live in ·The safest places in your home. They
an apartment, ask the building owner to should be away from heavy furniture or
do these repairs. appliances which might shift in an
earthquake, masonry veneers (e.g.
· Know the locations of emergency exits, fireplace) which might fall, and large
fire alarms, and fire extinguishers. panes of glass that might break.

Emergency Supplies ·Check the location of your gas, electric,

and water main shutoffs. Know how to
Be sure you have these basic supplies turn them off. If in doubt, ask your gas,
on hand (at home and in the office): power, and water companies.

· Portable radio (extra batteries).

· Flashlights. Any two-battery cell lights

are excellent. Lights using more than
two “D” battery cells or any lights
requiring higher voltage batteries
should be of the sealed “safety” type.

NOTE: Batteries last longer if stored in

the freezer.

·First-aid kit and handbook.

·Enough water for each family member

for at least one week and keep a canteen
of water in the car too.

40
· A place where your family can reunite local Office of Emergency Services
after the earthquake. You may be at and the Red Cross can help with
work when the earthquake occurs, or speakers, films, and printed materials.
the children may be in school. Know There may be a lack of enthusiasm for
the earthquake plan developed by your such activity. Try passing out
children’s school. You may have to newspaper clippings along with the
stay at your workplace for a day or two questionnaire (discussed next) right
following a major earthquake. after a damaging earthquake.
Transportation and communication may
be disrupted. Make sure your family ·Distribute the questionnaire in person
has a plan for what to do wherever they before the meeting. It should ask for
are when the earthquake occurs. the following information:

· The locations of your nearest fire and �Number of residents per household.
police stations and local emergency
medical facility. �Home telephone number.

Organizing Your Neighborhood �Work address and telephone number.

It may take up to 72 hours or longer for �Name, address and telephone number of
emergency assistance to reach you after a school(s).
major earthquake. You and your
neighbors will have to depend on one �Telephone number of relatives.
another to cope with the damage and
injuries until help arrives. Just like your �Special skills, such as nursing or radio
family, your neighbors will be better able operation that could be helpful in an
to cope with the aftermath of an emergency.
earthquake or any disaster if everyone is
prepared. ·At the meeting, assign emergency tasks
to each person. Assign enough work to
Some communities with an existing maintain interest, but not enough to
program to watch out for the property and discourage volunteers. Try matching
welfare of other residents, such as assignments with special skills. The
“Neighborhood Watch,” may include Medical Officer should have
earthquake preparedness as part of their professional skills or first-aid training.
program. Radio amateurs could handle
communications.
Organize Now!

Use the following checklist.

·Schedule a meeting of your neighbors to

discuss earthquake preparedness. Your

41
 Plumbers and electricians could help �DO NOT attempt to move seriously
restore utility service. injured persons unless they are in
immediate danger of further injury.
During an Earthquake
�Cover injured persons with blankets to
· If you are indoors, stay there! Get prevent shock.
under a desk or table and hang onto it.
Stay clear of windows, fireplaces, and �Wear shoes to avoid injury from broken
heavy furniture or appliances. Do not glass and debris.
rush outside. You may be injured by
falling glass or falling debris. DO NOT ·Safety check. Check for the following
try using the stairs or elevators while potential risks:
the building is shaking or while there is
danger of being hit by falling glass or �Fire or fire hazards.
debris.
�Gas leaks. If a leak is suspected or
· If you are outside, get into the OPEN, identified by the odor of natural gas,
away from buildings and power lines. shut off the main gas valve or wait
for the gas company to check it and
· If you are driving—STOP!—but stay they will turn it back on.
inside. DO NOT stop under trees,
lightposts, electrical power lines or �Damaged electrical wiring. If there is
signs. any damage to your house wiring,
shut off power at the control box.
· If you are in a mountainous area, be
alert for falling rock and other debris �Downed or damaged utility lines. DO
that could be loosened by the quake. NOT touch downed power lines or
objects in touch with them.
After an Earthquake
�Downed or damaged chimneys.
· Check for injuries, use proper first aid, Approach chimneys with caution.
and seek out and treat the most They may be weakened and could
seriously injured first. topple during an aftershock. Do not
use a damaged chimney—it could
� If a person is not breathing—use start a fire.
mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to
revive them.

�If a person is bleeding—put pressure

over the wound. Use clean gauze or
cloth, if available.

42
 � Fallen items in closets and —Only in an emergency should you use
cupboards. Beware of items the telephone. You could tie up lines
tumbling off shelves when you open needed for emergency services.
the door.
How to Shut Off a Gas Supply
· Immediately clean up any spilled
medicines, drugs, or other potentially (Do only if you suspect a leak or can
harmful materials such as bleach, lye or smell escaping gas).
gasoline or other petroleum products.
·The main shut-off valve is located next to
· Check your food and water supplies. your meter on the inlet pipe.

� DO NOT eat or drink anything from ·Use a crescent or pipe wrench and give
open containers near shattered glass. the valve a quarter turn (90 degrees) in
either direction. The valve will now run
� If power is off, plan meals to use up crosswise on the pipe and the line is
frozen food or food that spoils closed.
quickly.
How to Shut Off Electricity
� Use barbecues or camp stoves
outdoors for emergency cooking. ·Locate the ON/OFF switch on the circuit
breaker box or fuse box. The main fuse
� If water is off, you can use supplies nearest the heavy cable coming into the
from water heaters, toilet tanks, building can also be shut off.
melted ice cubes, canned vegetables.
·Be certain you can turn off the electricity
— Do not search for a gas leak with a in an emergency.
match, or lit smoking material.

— Let the gas company turn on the gas.

— Do not use lighters or open-flame

appliances until you are sure there
are no gas leaks.

— Do not operate electrical switches or

appliances, including telephones, if
you suspect a gas leak. The
appliance may create a spark that
could ignite the leaking gas.

43
Disinfection of Water Cooperate With Public Safety
Efforts
· Before attempting disinfection, first
strain water through a clean cloth or ·Do not use your telephone except to
handkerchief to remove any sediment, report medical, fire or violent crime
floating matter or glass. emergencies.

· Water may be disinfected with 5.25% ·Turn on your portable radio for
sodium hypochlorite solution information and damage reports.
(household chlorine bleach). DO NOT
use solutions in which there are active ·Do not go sightseeing afterwards,
ingredients other than hypochlorite. especially in beach and waterfront
Use the following proportions: areas where seismic waves could
strike. Stay away from heavily
Clear Water damaged areas.
Water Solution
1 quart 2 drops ·Keep streets clear for emergency
1 gallon 8 drops vehicles.
5 gallons 1/2 teaspoon
·Be prepared for aftershocks. Most of
Cloudy Water these are smaller than the main quake,
Water Solution but some may be large enough to do
1 quart 4 drops additional damage.
1 gallon 16 drops
5 gallons 1 teaspoon Thunderstorms and Lightning
· Mix water and hypochlorite thoroughly Lightning always accompanies
by stirring or shaking in a container. thunderstorms. One strike of lightning
Let stand for 30 minutes before using. can carry 100 million volts and a heat so
A slight chlorine odor should be intense that it can boil and evaporate the
detectable in the water. If not, repeat sap in a tree. Lightning travels 200 miles
the dosage and let stand for an per second; it can take less than one
additional 15 minutes. second for lightning to fatally strike a
person. Usually, people are not directly
NOTE: Water may also be purified by struck. The strike may hit a tree, and the
boiling rapidly for 3 minutes. person near the tree receives a small
charge, only 1-2 seconds of that small
charge can cause death. Lightning causes
many

44
thousands of building and forest fires each You should be alert to these symptoms
year, and it kills more people than either and mention them to the medical
hurricanes or tornadoes combined. Of professionals when they arrive.
those people struck, two -thirds survive. However, a first-aider’s primary
Probably more people would survive if concern is to sustain breathing and
those at the scene knew how to react. heartbeat.

When someone is struck by lightning, ·Many victims also have burns, ranging
all cells in the body stop functioning. The from minor redness to third-degree
sudden voltage can place the victim in charring, after being struck by
suspended animation for 5-20 minutes. lightning. The skin may appear charred
This causes a halt to respiration, heartbeat, in two areas: the point where flow of
and metabolism. An observer could easily electricity entered the body and the
assume that the victim is dead, and many point where it exited—usually the feet.
people probably die because of this faulty Treat these burns by covering them
assumption. This is not true. The with sterile gauze. The depth of injury
lightning enters and exits the body in a may be greater than it appears.
second.
·Lightning may create debris and also
First Aid for Victims of Lightning cause people to be thrown about,
Strikes resulting in wounds and broken bones.
These are treated the same way as any
· Check the breathing of the person who wounds or fractures. First try to
seems to be unconscious or even dead. control bleeding and then cover and
If the person is not breathing, begin splint possible breaks. To be sure,
mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and try keep a close watch on breathing and
to find a pulse. If there is no pulse, heartbeat and, if they stop, begin
begin cardiovascular resuscitation and emergency procedures.
continue until the body takes over and
resumes normal function. This may Precautions To Take During
take a long time, but with your efforts Thunderstorms
you are sustaining life. When the
heartbeat does return, it often begins ·Go inside when a thunderstorm develops.
with a very slow beat and gradually While inside, do not use
returns to normal. It is also possible
that the heart and breathing may stop
and start many times. Therefore,
victims must be watched continuously
until professional help arrives. Even
after recovery, the person may appear
cyanotic (blue) or complain of
numbness and even paralysis. Others
will suffer from headache or amnesia.

45
 the telephone or stand between a door such as golf clubs, an umbrella, or a
and a window metal tennis racket. Put it down and
come back for it after the storm.
· If you are in an all-metal vehicle, stay
there. In a car, do not lean against the ·Get away from and out of water. Do not
doors or play a citizen band radio. If stay out in a small open boat. In a boat,
you are in a convertible car, get go below deck or get as low as
indoors. possible. Stay as far away as you can
from the mast of a sailboat.
· It may be advisable to unplug the
television set and other appliances, e.g., ·If you are in the woods, find a low area
air conditioners, etc. If lightning under a thick growth of small trees, but
strikes a power line, the electrical be alert for flash floods. A camp tent
surge could burn out your set. Do not, in the woods is probably safe if the tent
however, unplug the set during a is not pitched near a tall, isolated tree
storm—an electrical surge at that or in an open space.
moment could cause severe injury.
·As the storm descends, resist running out
· If you cannot get indoors, do not stand to take clothes off the line.
under a natural lightning rod, such as a
single tree in an open area. Avoid small ·If you feel your hair stand on end,
sheds or barns standing alone in open suggesting that lightning is about to
spaces. strike, drop to your knees and bend
forward, putting your hands on your
· Try not to be the tallest object in an knees. Do not lie flat. You want as
area. Do not stand on a hilltop or an small an area as possible touching the
open beach. Look for a cave, an ground to minimize the danger of your
overhang, a gully, or a ditch that is body acting as a conductor.
lower than ground level, but not one
that is filling with water. Selected Other Natural Disasters
· Stay away from wire fences, metal The natural phenomena described in
pipes, railroad rails, or any other metal this section do not normally receive the
path that could conduct lightning and amounts of publicity that the previously
carry it to you. described storms do, but they can be
equally dangerous.
· If you are on a vehicle such as a
motorcycle, golf cart, or bike, get off
and find safe shelter.

·Do not carry anything made of metal,

46
Winter Storms and heater sparingly and only with the
downwind window open for ventilation.
Blizzards are the most dramatic and
perilous of all winter storms, ·Exercise by clapping hands and moving
characterized by strong winds bearing arms and legs vigorously from time to
large amounts of snow. Most of the snow time, and do not stay in one position
accompanying a blizzard is in the form of for too long.
fine, powdery particles, whipped in such
great quantities that at times visibility is ·Turn on dome light at night to make the
only a few yards. If a blizzard traps you, vehicle visible to work crews.
do the following:
·Keep watch. Do not permit all occupants
· Avoid overexertion and exposure. of the car to sleep at once.
Exertion from attempting to push your
car, shoveling heavy drifts, and Winter Storm Safety Rules
performing other difficult chores
during the strong winds, blinding snow, Keep ahead of the winter storm by
and bitter cold of a blizzard may cause a listening to the latest weather warnings
heart attack—even for people in and bulletins on radio and television.
apparently good physical condition.
·Check battery-powered equipment before
· Stay in your vehicle. Do not attempt to the storm arrives. A portable radio or
walk out of a blizzard. Disorientation television set may be your only contact
comes quickly in blowing and drifting with the world outside the winter
snow. Being lost in open country storm. Also, check emergency
during a blizzard is almost certain cooking facilities and flashlights.
death. You are more likely to be found
and more likely to be sheltered in your ·Check your supply of heating fuel. Fuel
car. carriers may not be able to service you
if a winter storm buries your area in
· Do not panic. snow.

· Keep fresh air in the car. Freezing wet ·Keep an extra food supply. Your supply
snow and wind-driven snow can should include food that requires no
completely seal the passenger cooking or refrigeration in case of a
compartment. power failure.

· Beware of carbon monoxide and

oxygen starvation. Run the motor

47
· Prevent fire hazards due to overheated candles, an empty 3-pound coffee can
coal or oil burning stoves, fireplaces, with plastic cover, facial tissue, paper
heaters, or furnaces. towels, extra clothing, high-calorie
nonperishable food, compass and road
· Stay indoors during storms and cold maps, knife, first-aid kit, shovel, sack of
snaps unless you are in peak physical sand, flashlight or signal light, windshield
condition. If you must go out, avoid scraper, booster cables, two tow chains,
overexertion. fire extinguisher, catalytic heater, and an
axe.
· Shoveling snow can be extremely hard
work for anyone in less than prime Winter travel by automobile is serious
physical condition and has been known business. Take your travel seriously.
to bring on a heart attack, a major cause
of death during and after winter storms. ·If the storm exceeds or even tests your
limitations, seek available refuge
· If you live in a rural area, make immediately.
necessary trips for supplies before the
storm develops or not at all; arrange for ·Plan your travel and select primary and
emergency heat supply in case of alternate routes.
power failure, and be sure camp stoves
and lanterns are filled. ·Check latest weather information on your
radio.
Your automobile can be your best
friend—or your worst enemy—during ·Try not to travel alone; two or three
winter storms, depending on your people are preferable.
preparations. Have your car winterized
before the storm season begins. Take ·Travel in convoy with another vehicle, if
care of everything on the following possible.
checklist before winter storms strike your
area: ·Always fill gasoline tank before entering
open country, even for a short
__ Ignition system __ Heater distance.
__ Brakes adjusted __ Battery
__ Lights __ Wiper blades ·Drive carefully and defensively.
__ Tire tread __ Defroster
__ Lubrication __ Chains
__ Fuel System Exhaust system
__ Window scraper __ Antifreeze
Winter-grade oil Snow tires installed

Be equipped for the worst. Carry a

winter storm car kit, especially if
cross-country travel is anticipated or if
you live in the Northern States. The
winter storm car kit should contain
blankets or sleeping bags, matches and

48
 Dress to fit the season. If you spend including dips, low spots, canyons,
much time outdoors, wear loose-fitting, washes, etc.
lightweight, warm clothing in several
layers; layers can be removed to prevent ·Avoid already flooded and high velocity
perspiring and subsequent chill. Outer flow areas. Do not attempt to cross a
garments should be tightly woven, water flowing stream on foot where water is
repellent, and hooded. The hood should above your knees.
protect much of the face, cover the mouth
to ensure warm breathing and to protect ·If driving, know the depth of water in a
the lungs from the extremely cold air. dip before crossing. The roadbed may
Remember that entrapped, insulating air, not be intact under the water.
warmed by body heat, is the best
protection against cold. ·If the vehicle stalls, abandon it
immediately and seek higher ground;
Several layers of thinner protective rapidly rising water may engulf the
clothing are more effective and efficient vehicle and its occupants and sweep
than single layers of thick clothing; and them away.
mittens, snug at the wrists, are better
protection than fingered gloves. ·Be especially cautious at night when it is
harder to recognize flood dangers.
Flash Floods
·Do not camp or park your vehicle along
Flash floods are a fact of life, and death streams and washes, particularly
frequently occurs along the rivers and during threatening conditions.
streams of the world. These deaths result
from heavy rains filling natural and General Floods
manufactured drainage systems, to
overflowing, with raging water. A general flood usually provides ample
warning time to those in its path. It is
Flash flood waves, moving at incredible much slower to develop than the flash
speeds, can roll boulders, tear out trees, flood. Flooding occurs when sufficient
destroy buildings and bridges, and scour rain has fallen to cause rivers
out new channels. Killing walls of water
can reach heights of 10-20 feet. You will
not always have warning that these deadly,
sudden floods are coming.

The moment you first realize that a flash

flood is imminent, act quickly to save
yourself. You may have only seconds.

·Get out of areas subject to flooding,

49
to overflow their banks and when melting ·Know your evacuation route.
snow combines with rainfall to produce
similar effects. After a flood warning:

Flood Safety Rules ·Store drinking water in clean bathtubs and

in various containers. Water service
Before the flood: may be interrupted.

· Keep materials on hand such as ·If you are forced to leave your home and
sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting, time permits, move essential items to
and lumber. safe ground; fill fuel tanks to keep
them from floating away, and grease
· Install check valves in building sewer immovable machinery.
traps to prevent flood water from
backing up in sewer drains. ·Move to a safe area before access is cut
off by flood water.
· Arrange for auxiliary electrical supplies
for hospitals and other operations that During the flood:
are critically affected by power
failure. ·Avoid areas subject to flooding.

· Keep first-aid supplies at hand. ·Do not attempt to cross a flowing stream
where water is above your knees.
· Keep your automobile fueled; if electric
power is cut off, service stations may ·Do not attempt to drive over a flooded
not be able to operate pumps for road; you can be stranded or trapped.
several days. The depth of water is not always
obvious.
· Keep a stock of food that requires little
or no cooking and no refrigeration; After the flood:
electrical power may be interrupted.
·Do not use fresh food that has come in
· Keep a portable radio, emergency contact with flood waters.
cooking equipment, lights, and
flashlights in working order. ·Boil drinking water before using. Wells
should be pumped out, and the water
· Know your elevation above flood state. tested for purity before drinking.

· Seek necessary medical care at nearest hospital. Food, clothing, shelter, and

50
 first aid are available at Red Cross medications or drugs (especially
shelters. tranquilizers and anticholinergics), and
people with weight and alcohol problems
· Do not visit disaster areas; your are particularly susceptible to heat
presence might hamper rescue and reactions, especially during heat waves in
other emergency operations. areas where a moderate climate usually
prevails.
· Do not handle live electrical equipment
in wet areas; electrical equipment Heat Wave Safety Tips
should be checked and dried before
being returned to service. ·Slow down. Strenuous activities should
be reduced, eliminated, or
· Use flashlights, not lanterns or torches, rescheduled to the coolest time of the
to examine buildings, because day. Individuals at risk should stay in
flammables may be inside. the coolest available place, not
necessarily indoors.
· Report broken utility lines to
appropriate authorities. ·Dress for summer. Lightweight,
light-colored clothing reflects heat
Heat Wave and sunlight and helps the body
maintain normal temperatures.
Heat kills by taxing the human body
beyond its abilities. U.S. Government ·Put less fuel on your inner fires. Foods
statistics, from the U.S. Chamber of (like proteins) that increase
Commerce, indicate that in the United metabolic heat production also
States more direct casualties result increase water loss.
annually from heat and solar radiation than
from other natural hazards, such as ·Drink plenty of water or other
lightning strikes, hurricanes, tornadoes, nonalcoholic fluids. Your body needs
floods, or earthquakes. Only the cold of water to keep cool. Drink plenty of
winter kills more Americans. fluids even if you do not feel thirsty.
People who: (1) have epilepsy,
Problems for Special Populations kidney, or liver disease, (2) are on
fluid-restrictive diets, or (3) have a
Elderly people, small children, chronic problem with fluid retention should
invalids, those on certain consult a physician before increasing
their consumption of fluids.

·Do not drink alcoholic beverages.

· Do not take salt tablets or increase salt · Spend more time in air conditioned
intake unless specified by a physician. places. If you cannot afford an air
conditioner, spend some time each

51
day (during hot weather) in an air
conditioned environment if possible,
because it affords some protection.

·Do not get too much sun. Sunburn makes

the job of heat dissipation much more
difficult.

52
 Chapter VII. Epidemic and Emergency Care

Introduction international travel.

A significant challenge to any health Epidemics

care system is the occurrence of a sudden
disaster such as a flood, earthquake, or Let us examine the role you can play in
hurricane. Such events create a period in protecting yourself from an epidemic
which decisions made can alter the situation. From the educational approach,
balance between life and death. The word you can review the medical history of an
disaster implies that the established area. Wherever you might travel, medical
systems of medical care are overwhelmed statistics have been collected, analyzed,
or destroyed. With this in mind, we will and summarized evaluating diseases past
examine the question of epidemic and and present. Although most authorities
emergency care concerns during a crisis. agree that significant reporting problems
exist, they still feel that the information
Even under normal conditions, health gathered is very useful in monitoring and
risks exist everywhere, and for this reflecting an area’s current state of health.
reason, international travelers are advised Although executives who travel cannot
to contact their local health department, personally do all of the research involved,
physician, or private or public health they can assign it to someone on their
agency at least four weeks prior to staffs. Without this slight advance
departure to obtain current health preparation, you could be placing yourself
information on countries that they plan to at risk.
visit. It is very important to be aware of
health problems associated with your Most industrialized countries have
scheduled destination. This focus on virtually eliminated the problem of
education, prior to departure, can assist epidemics as primary disasters, but
you in overcoming a spontaneous outbreaks can result in connection with
situation arising from some emergency some other disaster. Although poorer
after your arrival. The U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services publishes a
useful book entitled Health Information
for International Travel. Along with their
biweekly summary (also called the “Blue
Sheet”), it will provide you with accurate
information on vaccinations required for

53
developing countries also rarely the local water system becomes
experience outbreaks of communicable contaminated, do you have treatment
diseases, when it happens after a disaster, capability or stored emergency water
it usually involves encampment of for drinking and personal hygiene?
populations where meticulous attention to Would the local authorities be able to
sanitation is not a priority. The most communicate a contamination
prevalent diseases in populations stricken problem to you, or could you identify
by disaster are food intoxication because a problem immediately?
of bacterial toxins or water contamination
resulting from the breakdown of ·Sanitation: When normal sanitation
sanitation systems. systems stop working, a temporary
system must be established
Because disease can erupt in the immediately to preve nt further health
aftermath of a disaster, health authorities complications. Adequate water
monitor epidemiological factors that supplies are necessary to clean hands
determine the potential for transmitting to prevent further spread of disease
communicable diseases. These factors while executing routine duties such as
are: food preparation or care of the sick
and injured.
· Changes in preexisting levels of disease.
·Food preparation: You should have
· Population displacement. access to adequate food and the
means to prepare it properly and eat
· Population density. only well cooked foods while they are
hot.
· Disruption of public utilities.
·Insect and animal control: The concerns
· Interruption of basic public health noted above, water contamination,
services. sanitation, and food preparation, will
determine the impact of animals and
All diseases have specific preventive insects in a disaster area. They can
recommendations. Generally these become carriers in some situations if
recommendations are routine public
health measures that apply to everyday
life. Although some guidelines may seem
obvious, we need to think in terms of the
factors just listed.

The following concerns may occur after

a disaster:

·Safe water for drinking and washing: If

54
 attention is not given to vector days, depending on the size of the
control. In areas where insect and disaster. The importance of knowing life
animal diseases are endemic, use safety procedures and first-aid techniques
screening and insect repellent and cannot be overstressed during this initial
avoid contact with animals as much as period of a disaster.
possible.
The first 24 hours are critical in saving
· Crowding: As the population density the lives of injured victims. A medical
increases, all emergency services will assessment should be done immediately,
feel the effects. When any system is or as soon as possible, following the
overwhelmed, it creates additional disaster. Some injured people will not be
problems that need quick solutions. If able to survive the ordeal, and your
an epidemic potential exists, limited response should be used where it
departure from the general area will can do the most good. Those who have
remove you from the danger, but often training in first aid need to organize the
this is not feasible. Remember, others and use them in assisting and
epidemics can occur after a disaster treating the injured, thus starting to care
when encampments become for the injured and keeping the others
necessary. busy to reduce the risk of panic. A
morgue must be established to separate
· Disease surveillance, identification, the deceased people from the survivors.
immunization, isolation, and Separation is as much for psychological
treatment: Authorities will as for physical purposes.
investigate rumors and reports of
diseases, test for factual results, In a disaster setting, survival could
report to decision makers, and provide depend on an ability to care for yourself,
continuous monitoring through the your family, or your group for several
recovery phase after an epidemic. days, independent of any local, regional,
or national assistance. Survival studies
Emergency Care have suggested that it is dangerous to be
passive and to wait for help. You should
After any disaster, emergency care be ready to take charge, assess, plan, and
becomes a main part of recovery. When act, using the resources at hand to
we think of emergency care, many things maximize your chances to bring yourself
come to mind, such as ambulance and your group through the ordeal.
technicians at an accident scene or the
hospital emergency room. These two
situations are far removed from the types
of scenes found in the aftermath of a
disaster. It is possible that local
authorities could be completely
overwhelmed and committed for several

55
 In most industrialized urban work ·Warfare.
settings, health care systems are
organized so that the vast majority of ·Refugee influx.
health problems are handled quickly,
effectively, and with a minimal loss of ·Accidents.
life. As you travel, the responsibility for
knowing emergency care techniques and This information will give you some
health-related information increases idea of the magnitude of past disasters and
proportionately with the distance that their impact on the local population and
separates you from a health care system effects on health. From this information
or program on which you can depend. you can deduce the types of supplies that
Health organizations recommend a you will need, the training needed to use
working knowledge of first aid, health the supplies, and finally the kinds of drills
profile research for all destinations, and or exercises needed to prepare the
on arrival, familiarization with health care population for that type of emergency.
resources available locally.
Some basic principles of disaster
Education can provide you with management are listed here, using
information necessary to accommodate a earthquakes as the type of disaster.
responsible, reasonable emergency care
response to any disaster. Research should ·Mitigate the occurrence of structural
be done in the following areas. disasters. Significant efforts have
been made to refine construction
Types of Disasters Common to an specifications to enable buildings to
Area withstand the destructive effects of
earthquakes.
Natural
·Minimize the number of casualties
· Storms in both hot and cold climates. through controlling nonstructural
danger. Nonstructural mitigation is
· Topological disasters such as avalanches the method by which you can
and floods. earthquake-proof your environment.
This can be done at work and at home
· Telluric and tectonic events such as to prevent injury from flying debris,
earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. falling furniture or fixtures, fire
explosion, and other types of threats
· Biological problems such as insects and to life.
epidemics.

Man-made
·Civil disobedience.

56
· Prevent further casualties. After the Preparation is the key to emergency
first earthquake, you should prepare response in most cases, including
for aftershocks. Extreme care should emergency care. Listed below are
be given to detecting possible gas summarized steps to follow:
leaks, ignition points, damaged water
reservoirs, etc., to prevent additional ·Know your health status. Be aware of
injuries. Seeking a safe place and health conditions pertaining to you,
remaining there while you make a your family, or your group.
damage assessment are important. Conditions such as epilepsy, diabetes,
or heart disease will need special
· Rescue. Develop search and rescue response and planning.
skills utilizing appropriate equipment
to locate and assist victims. Without ·Know the potential disaster conditions of
the means to extricate victims, you your area. Check into previous
will be unable to treat them for disasters to understand the
injuries. implications for you, your family, and
your group. Prepare for the
· First aid. Maintain first-aid supplies in possibilities by keeping stored food
several locations to protect them and water; locating areas for
from total loss. A system of several temporary shelter; keeping on hand a
self-contained medical kits will radio, flashlights, extra batteries,
increase chances of their availability blankets, search and rescue plans,
after the event. Trained rescue groups simple tools, etc.
should administer first aid to people
who have been extricated. ·Learn first aid. Become current in
Communication will be necessary to first-aid techniques so that you can
coordinate the emergency care effort assist in the emergency care phase of
and to evacuate the injured to hospital a disaster.
facilities where available.
·Have a plan. Maintain and practice a
· Evacuate the injured. Mobilization of short and simple plan of action.
transport will be accomplished
through a communication link. If you Beyond first aid, the actual disaster
are in a foreign country, it will be casualty care can be broken down as
beneficial to predetermine the follows:
location of English-speaking medical
personnel and facilities. ·Field rescue and first aid.
Communications at any level will be
impossible without bilingual ·Casualty clearing where casualties are
capabilities. concentrated at a collection point for
evacuation.

57
· Medical evacuation to definitive care greatest good for those who can benefit
facilities. most. This austere approach to field
medical resources, along with the
· Emergency field surgical stabilization. unfavorable environment surrounding a
disaster, creates a real challenge to those
· Definitive care. who must become involved with providing
medical assistance during an emergency
Any type of disaster may involve large situation.
mass casualties that can substantially
exceed the capacity of locally available Disaster teams must be organized to
emergency medical resources. This type function effectively. These teams cannot
of incident may require summoning be set up at the time of the incident, so
outside aid and a shift to nonstandard ways units must be created before the disaster.
of treating patients. In a disaster situation, They must be trained, skilled, equipped,
it is understood that there will be and ready for mobilization, deployment,
overwhelming numbers of patients and action. Disaster responses are
needing treatment simultaneously. serious business and there is a real need
for the individual to be prepared and ready
When treating people who have been to meet the challenge.
involved in a disaster, you must care for
patients efficiently and do the

58
 Chapter VIII.
Planning for Industrial Accidents

Objectives formulating an effective emergency plan

that satisfies response team requirements
Planning and preparation are critical for at a specific site for each of the three
coping with industrial accidents and for conditions.
controlling losses under emergency
conditions. Emergency plans tailored to a Chemical Accidents
specific industry, location, or anticipated
catastrophic event could be the basis for Many large corporations with major
rational responses to particular industrial chemical operations in overseas
emergency conditions. The industrial locations have developed highly
emergency plan that is properly focused sophisticated and effective emergency
should include guidelines that enable the plans. Small companies, in many cases,
manager and response team members to need assistance from the larger corporate
make well-balanced decisions during an entities and from the host government.
emergency. Although assistance from both will take
time to develop, each small chemical
Generally, plans for industrial accidents company must initiate its own efforts to
are directed toward three universal plan for emergencies.
objectives:
First to be considered in developing an
· The protection of people. effective emergency plan for accidents at
an industrial chemical site are its location
· The protection of property. and potential effect on surrounding
communities. Other factors that may
· The continuity of operations. influence emergency planning are the
chemical processes, materials handling,
Keeping these three objectives as a product storage, and transportation. The
general framework, this section will focus goals, objectives, and general purpose of
on three emergency conditions that may the chemical unit should be reviewed in
occur on industrial sites: chemical conjunction
accidents, fires, and nuclear and
radiological incidents. Each condition has
its own unique requirements for
emergency planning. In the subsections
that follow, you will find practical
guidelines that will serve as the basis for

59
with the study of various potential completion of a detailed inventory of all
emergencies that may affect the business hazardous materials stored at each
and create serious public safety problems operating chemical unit. The complete
in surrounding communities. Some of inventory should be made and converted
these problem areas could be toxic into a simple readable chart form showing
releases, fires, explosions, chemical the same chemicals in horizontal and
spills, drinking water contamination, or vertical columns.
product contamination. When addressing
these problem areas, public safety is of This chart sets up a grid structure that
paramount importance because past permits members of management,
experience shows that numerous chemical security, safety, and other response team
accidents have adversely affected local elements to see the potential chemical
populations and the environment and have reactions that could occur at a particular
caused business interruptions that had a industrial site. The reactivity grid, as this
negative effect on the local economy. structure is called by many loss
prevention planners, is an excellent aid in
A very critical action to be taken in emergency planning. An example of the
developing preventive measures is the reactivity grid, using a few commonly
known chemicals, follows.

Chemical Phosphoric Sulfuric Nitric Potassium Sodium

Name Acid Acid Acid Hydroxide Hydroxide Ammonia

Phosphoric
Acid

Sulfuric
Acid

Nitric
Acid

Potassium
Hydroxide

Sodium
Hydroxide

Ammonia

60
 This reactivity grid enables the
emergency planner to make an organized ·Physical data.
and systematic analysis of the effect each
chemical in the inventory could have on �Boiling point.
the other chemicals. The analysis �Vapor pressure.
requires each grid to be filled out in the �Vapor density.
simplest form of technical details. �Solubility in water.
�Appearance and odor.
The second key document needed in �Specific gravity.
emergency planning for an industrial �Evaporating rate.
chemical operation is the material safety �Volatility.
data sheet (MSDS). It may be known as
the material safety data bulletin, or there ·Fire and explosion hazard data.
may be other designations used to show
specific technical data for each chemical. �Flash point.
A typical MSDS will have the following �Firefighting procedures.
format for each chemical in the inventory: �Fire and explosion ratings.

· Manufacturer’s name ·Health hazard information.

· Address �Effects of overexposure.

�First-aid procedures.
· Chemical name
·Reactivity information.
· Chemical family
�Conditions to avoid.
· Hazardous ingredients �Stability or instability.
�Compatible materials.
· Hazardous mixtures of other solids,
liquids, or gases

· Threshold limit value

· Telephone number

·Trade name

·Formula

The threshold limit value is the amount

of a product one can safely breathe eight
hours per day, five days per week for 40
years.

61
 � Decomposing materials.

· Spill or leak procedures.

· Special protection.

· Special precautions.

Copies of these MSDSs or technical general manager; the facility manager; and
publications should be kept with all representatives from the safety,
parties, including the emergency response maintenance, engineering, research,
team, or community agencies that have a finance, security, marketing, sales,
vital interest in the emergency planning
procedures at a particular chemical
operation.

Chemical spills or releases usually have

priority interest in emergency planning.
The inventory, grids, and MSDSs provide
key information for handling practically
any emergency condition. The spill or
release event requires rapid and thorough
response. A hazardous chemical data
sheet could be devised to facilitate quick
reference, diagnosis, and action.

Organizing and recording the chemical

inventory is a significant preliminary step
to emergency planning. The actual plan
must be written to cover all emergencies
that can occur. It is the basis for an
orderly approach to preventing an
accident, or it can be used to control
accidents that do happen. The emergency
plan should be constructed in a format that
enables emergency managers to
concentrate on solutions to the major
problem and still provide a framework for
others to solve the small aspects of the
emergency. The basic structure to
operate in this manner is the emergency
management team, which consists of the

62
medical, industrial hygiene, legal,
environmental, and public relations
departments. The general manager should
appoint a single team member to
coordinate all emergency activities; these
activities should include plans, rehearsals,
and actual implementation. Another staff
member should be designated to handle all
media events.

The emergency management team must

focus on preventing and controlling
emergencies in the chemical facility and
in the surrounding communities. That is
achieved only by exercising a “right to
know” philosophy for all company
employees and the community. MSDSs,
chemical inventory information, copies of
the actual plan, and emergency equipment
resources should be shared with the
appropriate emergency planning agencies
in the local communities. The unique
skills of members of the emergency
management team should be highlighted
within the team and with community
agencies. For example, those team
members with highly technical skills in
chemical processes could be very valuable
to hospitals, other medical authorities,
and community responders to various
emergencies.

A typical emergency plan for a chemical

operation may consist of the following
sections, which were researched by the
Chemical Manufacturers’ Association.

Plant emergency organization. · Designated person in charge and

alternates.

63
 �Neighboring industry
· Functions of each key individual and �Nearby residents
group.
·Names and telephone numbers (with
· Telephone numbers (office and home) alternates).
for key people and alternates.
·Designated person for media contacts.
Plant risk evaluation.
·Procedure for notifying families of
· Quantity of hazardous materials. injured employees.

· Location of hazardous materials. ·Central reporting office.

· Properties of each (per MSDS). Emergency equipment and facilities.

· Location of isolation valves. ·Firefighting equipment.

· Special firefighting procedures (if any). ·Emergency medical supplies.

· Special handling requirements. ·Toxic gas detectors (where needed).

Area risk evaluation (other ·Wind direction and speed indicators.

industries near plant).
·Self-contained breathing apparatus.
· Properties of hazardous materials at
nearby plants. ·Protective clothing.

· Contacts (names and telephone

numbers) at other sites.

· Established procedures for notification

of chemical releases at other sites in
area.

Notification procedures and

communication systems.

·Alarm systems.

·Communication equipment (radios,

hotlines, etc.).

�Emergency organization
�Plant management
�Local officials and response agencies

64
 Procedure for returning to normal ·On-going emergency preparedness
operations, includes interfacing and lines committee.
of communications with off-site officials.
Plan updates.
Training and drills.
·Annual or more frequent if needed.
· Knowledge of chemicals (properties,
toxicity, etc.). ·Reflect results of drills and tests.

· Procedures for reporting emergencies. Emergency response procedures.

· Knowledge of alarm systems. ·Communications.

· Location of firefighting equipment. ·Evacuation.

· Use of firefighting equipment. ·Medical (include handling of multiple

injuries).
· Use of protective equipment
(respirators, breathing air, clothing, ·Special procedures for toxic gas releases
etc.). (chlorine, etc.).

· Decontamination procedures for ·Hurricane procedures (coastal areas

protective clothing and equipment. only).

· Evacuation procedures. ·Utility failure procedures.

· Frequent, documented simulated ·Individual unit emergency procedures.

emergencies.
·Bomb-threat procedures.
Regular tests of emergency
organization and procedures.

· Simulated emergencies.

·Documented, frequent alarm system

checks.

·Frequent tests of firefighting equipment.

·Evacuation practice.

65
Detailed operating manuals (for each
process unit and utility system).

· Startup and shutdown emergency

procedures.

· Analysis of potential incidents.

· Emergency response and action to be agencies. The community agencies and

taken for each incident. the chemical units should exchange lists
of resources to develop a strong mutual
Liaison with local medical facilities. relationship. This effort should include a
common listing of emergency planning
· Provide copies of MSDSs. and response resources in nearby
industrial sites.
· Provide a list of personnel with
technical skills to assist in identifying Evacuation and alarm procedures must
the effects of various chemical agents be prepared in detail for each industrial
and mixtures. chemical facility. This portion of an
emergency plan must be flexible and
Emergency response information is applied as emergency situations dictate.
available for all chemical emergencies Evacuation procedures should, at the
from the Chemical Transportation minimum, follow these guidelines:
Emergency Center (CHEMTREC) in
Washington, D.C. CHEMTREC will ·Use public address media when
accept international calls from chemical appropriate to announce an
sites anywhere in the world on telephone emergency condition.
number 202-483-7616. CHEMTREC
maintains technical information on ·Use prearranged alarm signals for
approximately 4,000 chemicals, and it operating personnel who have detailed
will have 300,000 MSDSs available for instructions on various safety steps
immediate consultation on emergency for emergencies and shutdown.
responses for chemical fires, evacuation
distances, and general hazard ·Prepare detailed but simple evacuation
communication. Industrial chemical sites routes out of buildings and away from
overseas should consider establishing the total facility, if necessary.
periodic communication checks with
CHEMTREC 202-483-7616.

Managers of emergency response teams

should conduct communication and
training exercises with local community

66
· Emergency organizations like the fire
brigades, fire departments, police,
hospitals, and auxiliary volunteer
organizations should receive and
rehearse, in detail, chemical facility
evacuation plans.

· A detailed evacuation plan should have,

at the minimum, the following
emergency information:

� MSDSs.

� Facility layouts and plots that are up that it would be advisable to refer readers
to date. to the more comprehensive works on the
� Critical storage areas. subject of fire consistent with the nature
� All areas that have protective of their businesses and their personal
systems conforming to the required needs.
codes.
� Areas to store hazardous material. The management teams operating an
� Key personnel and their telephone industrial chemical site have two options
numbers. in planning the fire safety portion of a
� Location of public facilities that loss prevention plan. The first option is to
may assist in evacuation. establish and implement a written policy
on fire safety that requires immediate and
Fires total evacuation of employees from the
workplace on sounding a prearranged fire
The subject of fire at an industrial alarm signal. An effectively developed
chemical site is covered in this chapter. plan must take into consideration the fire
Otherwise, the subject of fire, fire safety, protection needs of a particular chemical
and fire prevention is not addressed here, facility. The plan must also satisfy the
even though many of the requirements of applicable fire codes, fire
recommendations are generally standards, laws, and local ordinances. A
applicable. This omission is not an written plan and policy on fire prevention
oversight; the authors recognize that fire should include the following elements:
is a premier emergency of devastating
proportions and is often a byproduct of
some of the other catastrophic events
discussed in this booklet. Firefighting,
fire safety, and fire prevention are highly
complex subjects about which excellent
and comprehensive work has been
published. The authors of this booklet felt

67
· A list of major workplace fire hazards.

· Proper storage and handling procedures

of fuel source hazards.

· Potential ignition sources.

· Types of fire protection equipment and

systems protecting against hazards and
ignition sources.

· Names of personnel responsible for

maintaining fire protection equipment
and systems.

· Procedures for controlling

accumulations of flammable and
combustible waste and maintaining
good housekeeping procedures.

· Maintenance procedures for process

safety devices used on heat-producing
equipment that prevents the accidental
ignition of combustible materials.

· Names, addresses, telephone numbers, training in recognizing the fire hazard

and language capabilities of various from materials and processes to which
local community contacts for employees may be exposed. The fire
firefighting, arson investigations, and emergency plan should be reviewed with
security protection. each employee when he or she is hired
and at least once a year. The plan must
· A brief statement on each of the local also be kept in the workplace and made
agencies and surrounding businesses available for all employees to review as
relative to their capability in response they desire.
time, training, equipment, leadership,
experience, and willingness to act on Another option could involve
direct orders or from higher authority. management at an industrial site choosing
to establish a fire brigade. These brigades
·Actions to be taken in recovering from a are most effective when a written
severely damaging fire. organizational policy establishes the
following:
Local management must also provide

68
· Existence of a fire brigade.

· Basic organizational structure of the fire

brigade.

· Type, amount, and frequency of training.

· Functions to be performed by the

brigade.

There are two basic definitions in fire

planning that are necessary for
establishing readiness of the fire brigade.
One definition deals with “incipient stage
fires.” An incipient stage fire is one in
which the critical or beginning stage can
be controlled by portable fire
extinguishers, Class II standpipe, or small
hose systems, without the need for
protective clothing or breathing apparatus.
The other definition deals with interior
structural fires. Interior structural
firefighting requires the physical activity
of fire suppression or rescue, or both,
inside buildings or enclosed structures
that have a fire beyond the incipient stage.

The management team that decides to

establish a fire brigade should meet the
following requirements:

·Assure that employees expected to fight

interior structural fires are physically
capable.

·Provide training and education for all fire

brigade members commensurate with
the duties and functions that they are
expected to perform.

·Provide the fire brigade leaders with

training and education that is more
comprehensive than that provided to
the general membership of the fire
brigade.

69
· Provide fire brigade members with
annual training and education when ·Provide, at no cost to the employee, and
they are expected to fight incipient ensure the use of quality respiratory
stage fires and quarterly training and protection devices.
education when they are expected to
fight interior structural fires. The Prefire planning is critical for the
quality of the training and education effectiveness of a fire brigade. The
must be similar to that provided by following survey for a prefire plan serves
institutions that are widely recognized as an excellent guide in familiarizing
for the quality and thoroughness of brigade members with the problems to be
their fire training. expected before the fire occurs:

· Inform fire brigade members about ·Familiarize the members with structural
special hazards, such as the storage components that could fail during a
and use of flammable liquids and fire.
gases, toxic chemicals, radioactive
sources, and water-reactive �Construction material that loses its
substances to which they may be strength when exposed to fire (for
exposed during fire and other example, steel and lime mortar).
emergencies and also any changes that �Unsupported partitions or walls.
occur in relation to the special
hazards. ·Understand conditions in the building that
can become dangerous during a fire
· Prepare and make available for
inspection by fire brigade members �Stacked or high-piled storage.
written procedures for handling �Hazardous materials.
special hazards, and include these �Utility equipment on the roof that can
written procedures in training and cause roof collapse.
education programs. �Manufacturing equipment above the
ground floor.
· Maintain and inspect, at least annually,
firefighting equipment to ensure its
safe operational condition.

· Perform monthly inspections on

portable fire extinguishers and
respirators.

· Provide at no cost to the employee and

ensure the use of personal protective
equipment.

70
· Know the physical features of the responsibility is to protect the general
building that might confuse or trap the community, and they wi ll be reluctant to
firefighter during the fire. do much more than prevent the spread of
fire to adjacent property unless they are
� Large open areas. familiar with the risks and hazards
� Dead-end corridors or hallways. involved in a particular plant. For this
� Open pits or holes. reason, each plant must meet with the
� Openings into underground utility local fire department at least once a year
shafts or tunnels. to familiarize the department with the
plant layout, fire protection systems,
· Information gathered during the survey special hazards, and any changes that have
should also include hazards that may occurred since its last visit. Such visits
be contained within a building, such are also a good time to work out details
as: for attacking potential fires and defining
how the plant brigade can best work with
� Flammable and combustible liquids. the fire department under fire conditions.
� Toxic chemicals.
� Explosives. Most fire departments are more than
� Reactive metals. happy to assist in training programs to
� Radioactive materials. help prevent and handle industrial fires
� Processes performed in the and to participate in occasional drills. It
building that are inherently is also advantageous to have the fire
dangerous. department hydrostatically test the plant
fire hose at regular intervals so that the
· Information on life safety that needs to fire brigade is confident about its safety
be collected to plan for occupant and readiness if it must be used in an
protection includes: emergency.

� Location and size of entrances and As soon as a fire has been extinguished,
exits. the brigade must begin to restore
� Location of windows suitable for automatic sprinkler systems, on-site water
rescue access. supplies, fire hoses, and extinguishers to a
� Special rescue problems such as ready condition. During this process, one
handicapped occupants and large brigade member must stand by the control
numbers of occupants (include the valve
number of people who may be in
the building at different times).

Plant management, and in particular the

fire brigade, must maintain close liaison
with their local fire department. A
municipal fire department’s main

71
for the sprinkler/monitor so that it may be critical industrial area, the management
reopened immediately if rekindling team should focus on several major
occurs. If the fire was large or in a responses:
hazardous area, a 24-hour security and fire
watch should be established with ·Ensure a safe and orderly shutdown of
extinguishers and hose lines in readiness. operations as required by emergency
conditions.
Every attempt should be made to
determine the cause of the fire, because ·Remove vital records, files, plant
corrective action may be required to equipment, and vehicles to a safe
prevent a recurrence. If the fire was of emergency relocation site.
suspicious origin, care must be taken to
leave all possible evidence undisturbed, ·Prepare an emergency site that includes
and the proper authorities must be accommodations for employees and
notified. Once everything is under family members.
control, the fire brigade should assist with
any salvage and clean-up activities that ·Implement an ongoing vulnerability
may be required. analysis to reduce the exposure of
plant property, equipment, and
Potential explosive mixtures found in personnel.
most facilities include dust, flammable
and combustible liquids, and gases in These responses are developed and
confined spaces. Since explosions refined through management actions that
generally occur without warning, it is are based on crisis relocation planning.
likely that firefighting activities will have Assuming that advance warning of a
to be supplemented by rescue operations radiological or nuclear incident is
for persons who were working in the area. possible, with enough lead time to allow
In performing these firefighting and the movement of nonessential personnel
rescue operations, emergency personnel and everything critical to rapid business
must be aware of the additional hazards of recovery out of designated high-risk areas
secondary explosions and possible and the dispersal into surrounding
structural damage to the building. low-risk areas during a radiological or
nuclear emergency.
Nuclear and Radiological
Incidents To enhance plant survival during a
nuclear emergency, the Federal
Industrial facilities using radioactive and
nuclear materials or those facilities
located near other operations with such
materials should develop emergency plans
to deal with nuclear and radiological
emergencies. In developing a plan in this

72
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assigned district to the appropriate
offers an effective management checklist leader and the name of leader to
to assist managers at an industrial site in employees in his or her district.
crisis relocation planning. A partial list of
the FEMA work is outlined in the next ·Notify the volunteer leader when an
section. employee moves into or out of his or
her district.
Personnel Resources
·Set up communication links with leaders.
This section offers key points for
systematic assessment and relocation of ·Notify leaders to hold group meetings to
employees and their families during a confirm plans.
nuclear incident. Each industrial facility
should appoint a representative of ·Notify leaders when to put evacuation
management to coordinate the following plans into effect.
actions:
·Assign a volunteer leader to develop
· Develop and maintain a list of all records of the following information
personnel; names, according to for each employee in his or her
addresses and cities (or districts, in a district:
large city).
�Number of dependents needing
· Consult your local Civil Defense office transportation.
for information on evacuation, and �Capacity of transportation available at
obtain pamphlets, maps, etc., that will each employee’s home.
be used for your evacuation plan. �Special skills of dependents; for
Provide the Civil Defense authority example, nursing, construction, and
with the total number of employees entertainment.
and dependents who will need shelter �Number of personnel in the district who
so that he or she can arrange an are classified as dependents of
evacuation site. employees in other industries.

· Recruit and assign a volunteer leader by

city, district, or districts, so there are
10-20 employees per leader grouped
in moderate-sized neighborhoods.

·Instruct volunteer leaders with the

information gathered from the Civil
Defense office.

·Provide a list of employees in each

73
 � Number and kinds of medical maintaining a schedule. Otherwise, a
problems requiring special diets, person who missed his pick-up may
medicines, etc. (e.g., diabetes), by take his own vehicle, create
name. confusion, and add to traffic
problems.
Late Planners’ Note: If you start to
plan after the evacuation warning is given, ·Distribute Civil Defense booklets
you will need a place large enough to including lists of what supplies to
assemble all company personnel. If the bring from home, how to shut down a
company has more than several hundred household when an evacuation order
employees, it may be necessary to divide is given by authorities, and what
into groups of 100-200, organized by city routes to take to get to the assigned
or district of residence. Then subdivide safe area.
into groups of 10-20, by neighborhood,
with a volunteer leader to carry out ·Conduct group meetings when the
subsequent tasks. coordinator requires, to confirm
assignments and to ensure
· Use the records developed to organize understanding by members.
and assign transportation. Assign
volunteer drivers and use the largest Area Shelter
capacity vehicles available.
This section provides direction for
· Confirm assignments of riders and establishing shelter space for employees
drivers so that all employees and and their families during a nuclear
families (plus supplies for 2 weeks of emergency. A representative of
camping out) are assured of being management should be appointed to
evacuated. Establish a rendezvous coordinate the following actions:
point for all drivers in your group to
ensure that everybody in your district ·Determine number of employees and
is accounted for before leaving for the family members evacuating (include
safe area. age and sex).

· Prepare a backup plan in case of vehicle ·Define shelter space requirements

breakdown, and fix routes so missing needed to accommodate those in
members can be found quickly by shelters.
tracing routes.

· Notify members in your district of any

assignment changes as they occur or
periodically.

·Stress the importance of establishing and

74
· Establish shelter stocking requirements. ·Management of hazardous material
incidents.
· Establish host area liaison, obtain and
survey assigned space, and assess The topics and emergency planning
upgrading requirements. steps listed in this chapter are
representative of the areas in which
· Estimate materials, equipment, labor, FEMA is providing detailed procedures
and time required to prepare shelter and are revised in two FEMA publications:
space.
·Disaster Planning Guide for Business
· Complete logistics preparation and and Industry, FEMA Publ. 141, Aug.
upgrading sequence for post-warning 1987.
completion, beginning on warning day.
·Disaster Mitigation Guide for Business
Other areas addressed by FEMA for and Industry, FEMA Publ., 1989.
nuclear emergencies include:
Copies can be obtained from:
· Protective housekeeping.
FEMA
· Industrial resource inventory. P.O. Box 70274
Washington, D.C. 20024
· Equipment inventory and equipment Attn: Printing and Publication
protection.
The host country licensing agreements
· Vulnerability rating and analysis of and regulations published by FEMA
facilities and equipment. counterparts in allied countries will
provide substantive guidelines and
· Protective measures and hardening requirements for emergency planning.
activities.

75
76
 Chapter IX. Citizens Emergency Services

Scope and Limitations provide it. With few exceptions, no

official funds are allocated to pay for
The Bureau of Consular Affairs, the services required. The amount of
Citizens Emergency Center, is cooperation provided and the quality
responsible for all consular services of professional services available vary
relating to the protection, assistance, and greatly from country to country.
welfare of American citizens abroad. The
Emergency Center supports and ·Privacy Act limitations. The provisions
supervises consular posts abroad in their of the Privacy Act, which was
services to citizens, and serves as the designed to protect the privacy and
essential point of liaison between rights of the individual, occasionally
concerned families, friends, and members complicate the handling of cases
of Congress in the United States and U.S. involving citizens abroad. As a
consular posts and citizens overseas. The general rule, consular officers may
range of assistance provided is broad. not reveal information regarding an
There are, however, significant limitations individual American’s location,
on the type and volume of assistance that welfare, intentions, or problems to
can be provided: anyone, including family members
and congressional representatives,
· Legal limitations. Consular officers without the express consent of that
must operate within the laws of the individual. For example, if an
foreign country involved, as well as American citizen who has not
those of the United States. In legal maintained contact with family or
matters, such as arrests, child custody friends is located by a consular
disputes, and deaths, it is important to officer abroad, neither that officer
keep in mind that the laws of the nor the officers in the Citizens
foreign country apply to persons or Emergency Center may
property within its territory.

· Practical limitations. In many cases,

consular officers cannot personally
provide the assistance needed but
must seek the cooperation of
government officials or qualified
professionals in the host country to

77
 report back to the family or Citizens Emergency Center
congressional office regarding the
individual’s welfare or whereabouts Arrests
unless the individual gives written
permission to do so. Americans The Citizens Emergency Center
arrested overseas often refuse to give monitors the cases of Americans arrested
permission for their families or friends abroad and acts as liaison between the
to be informed of their location or their prisoner’s family, friends, and
plight. Congressional representatives in the
United States and consular officers
Although sympathetic to the distress overseas. When a U.S. post abroad is
this can cause worried families, the advised that an American has been
Citizens Emergency Center must comply arrested, a consular officer visits the
with the provisions of the Privacy Act. American as soon as possible, provides
information regarding the foreign legal
The Department’s legal advisors have system and a list of attorneys, and offers
ruled that a congressional member is not other assistance such as contacting family
exempt from the restrictions of the Act or friends on the prisoner’s behalf. The
unless his or her request is directly consular officer’s role in arrest cases is
connected to the functions of a one of observation and support, regularly
committee or subcommittee and the visiting the prisoner and checking his or
request is supported in writing by the her welfare, monitoring human rights and
chairperson of such committee or the status of the case, and advising
subcommittee. interested parties of case developments.

Duty Officer The Citizens Emergency Center assists

in transferring private funds to U.S. posts
During the workweek, Eastern time, abroad for delivery to American prisoners
assistance is available Monday through and serves as a point of contact for
Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., at (202) concerned families and friends. When a
647-5225. prisoner’s health or life is endangered by
inadequate diet or medical care provided
A duty officer is available for by the local prison, food supplements
emergencies from 10:00 p.m. to 8:15 and/or medical care may be arranged from
a.m. during the week and at all times a U.S. Government loan authorized under
during the weekends and holidays. Call
(202) 634-3600 and ask for the Overseas
Citizens Services duty officer. On
Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., the
duty officer may be reached at (202)
647-5225.

78
the Emergency Medical and Dietary because of loss, robbery, failure of
Assistance Program. Although officers at expected funds to arrive, or similar
posts overseas and in the Department can circumstances. In these cases, the
provide informative and supportive consular officer will not only work with
assistance, they cannot “spring” an the Emergency Center to arrange for the
American from detention, serve as the prompt transfer of private funds from
prisoner’s legal representative, or home, but may also provide the individual
intervene in the foreign judicial process. or family with a small Government loan to
tide them over until private funds arrive,
Financial Assistance often enabling them to continue their
travels.
The Citizens Emergency Center works
with consular officers at U.S. posts abroad Medical Assistance
to assist Americans overseas who find
themselves in financial trouble. If The Citizens Emergency Center also
destitute American citizens turn to a works with and assists U.S. consular
consular officer for help, the officer, officers abroad in handling the serious
through the Emergency Center, first problem of Americans who become
attempts to locate private sources of physically or mentally ill while traveling
funds, usually from family, friends, or or living abroad. A consular officer who
business associates. After these private becomes aware of an ill or injured
funds are identified, the Center assists in American in his or her consular district
transmitting the funds to the individual advises the Citizens Emergency Center.
through Department of State facilities. If The Center, in addition to providing
all efforts to identify private funding guidance and support to the post abroad,
prove fruitless, normally the consular locates family members, guardians, and
officer abroad will request, and the friends in the United States and advises
Citizens Emergency Center will approve, them of the problem; identifies and
a repatriation loan that will pay for the transmits private funds when necessary;
individual’s direct return to the nearest and frequently collects information on the
port of entry in the United States. In these individual’s prior medical history and
cases, the Center also often assists by forwards it to the post abroad. When
advising the Department of Health and necessary, the Center assists in the return
Human Services of the situation, asking of the ill or injured individual to the
them to meet the individual at the port of United States with appropriate medical
entry and arrange for further financial escort via special commercial air
assistance in the United States. ambulance or,

As a result of a program approved by the

Congress, the Department is able to
provide further assistance to Americans
who find themselves temporarily destitute

79
occasionally, by U.S. Air Force medical responds to inquiries from the public and
evacuation aircraft. The use of Air Force congressional offices concerning
facilities for medical evacuation is Americans traveling or residing abroad.
authorized only under certain conditions Most cases handled by this division fall
when commercial evacuation is not into one of two categories. The first deals
possible, and the full expense must be with Americans who are presumed
borne by the citizen or the citizen’s missing abroad because they have failed to
family. return as scheduled, have not made
intended connections, or have not
Death of American Citizens communicated with family or friends for
an undue length of time. The second
When an American dies abroad, the category involves Americans traveling
consular officer reports the death by abroad who are presumed to be safe and
telephone or telegram to the next of kin well but who must be located quickly
or legal representative. Often the Citizens because a crisis has occurred in the
Emergency Center must help to locate the United States, such as the serious illness
next of kin and provide guidance on how or death of a family member. In both
to make arrangements for local burial or these cases, the Center relays the request
to return the body to the United States. for assistance and all pertinent data
The disposition of remains is affected by available on the individual to the U.S.
local laws, customs, and facilities, which Embassy or consulate responsible for the
are often vastly different from those in area where the individual is believed to be
the United States. The family’s traveling or residing. Acting on the
instructions and necessary private funds to information provided by the inquirer, the
cover the costs involved are then relayed consular officer attempts to locate these
to the Foreign Service post concerned. individuals, determine their welfare, pass
The Department of State has no funds to on any urgent messages, and, consistent
assist in the return of ashes or remains of with the Privacy Act, report back the
American citizens who die abroad. The results of search efforts.
scheduled time of arrival of the remains
and carrier data are provided in advance to In case of disasters, such as earthquakes,
the next of kin or funeral home. Upon hurricanes, and air crashes, the Citizens
completion of all formalities, the Emergency Center ascertains the names
consular officer abroad prepares a of any American citizens involved and
Foreign Service Report of Death based informs their families of their status.
upon the local death certificate and
forwards it to the next of kin or legal
representative for use in U.S. courts to
settle estate matters.
Welfare/Whereabouts

The Citizens Emergency Center also

80
Travel Advisories longer poses a threat. The advisories are
distributed to the travel industry and the
The responsibility for informing the media, and are posted in the 13 regional
public and U.S. Foreign Service posts on U.S. passport agencies. Travelers may
the advisability of travel to certain call the Citizens Emergency Center at
countries or areas is centralized in the (202) 647-5225 to learn of any travel
Office of Overseas Citizens Services. advisories for the places they are planning
The source of the information to visit.
disseminated is usually our Foreign
Service posts. The office is responsible Search and Rescue
for issuing travel advisories when events
abroad are likely to affect traveling The Citizens Emergency Center is also
Americans adversely. Travel advisories responsible for monitoring search and
usually concern civil unrest, natural rescue efforts outside the United States.
disasters, disease outbreaks, and Airplanes and/or ships search for missing
long-term criminal activities directed American Registry planes or boats that
against travelers. Many of the advisories may be carrying American passengers or
refer to temporary conditions and are crew.
cancelled when the problem no

81
 Chapter X. Guidelines for
Emergency Management Exercises

General indigenous economy, some public policy

issue, or a unique program.
A comprehensive crisis management
plan should include simulation exercises The second guideline is to identify
that replicate real events and emergency those forces that impact the
situations. Previous chapters in this organizational system. In this era of low-
booklet have dealt with several aspects of intensity conflict, critical forces could
crisis management. This chapter offers include food, energy, strategic materials,
some guidelines on how to develop an financial services, drugs, population
exercise that will cause decision makers growth, economic development,
and members of crisis management teams manufacturing and trade, technology
to analyze how they can use available transfer, environmental pollution, space
resources to solve critical problems. travel, law of the sea, terrorism, business
International business, volunteer, public, fraud, and the theft of information.
and governmental organizations can use
these guidelines to develop emergency A third guideline is to assemble enough
management exercises. information to analyze the trends and
major relationships associated with each
force. This type of analysis can be used to
Exercise Guidelines set the theoretical framework for various
emergency management exercises.
The first guideline is to define the
Sources of information in developing the
organizational system that is the subject
framework may include interviews with
of an exercise. This may not always be
area experts; market analysis;
the entire organization. It may be an
politico-military analysis; chamber of
operating entity in a specific geographical
commerce and private sector contacts;
location or locations. In defining the
liaison with government departments; and
organizational system, a good first step is
indigenous contacts in business,
to analyze the organization’s mission and
its capabilities to accomplish that
mission. Such specific factors, as studies
of markets for products and services,
could play a key role in defining the
organizational system, particularly when
the organization has a vital link to the

82
industry, and public organizations. The picture of likely emergencies the
information can be used to develop a organization may have to face. Each event
baseline scenario or normative scenario should relate to one of the validated
for the exercise. A fourth guideline is assumptions. Each event in the
participation in an established emergency emergency situation must be clearly
exercise system, such as those of the defined and documented. If it is
Department of State, Department of challenged during exercise play, it may
Defense, and other Federal Government become the basis for an alternative
agencies. Contact embassies or DOD scenario.
activities overseas to learn whether it is
possible to participate in such exercises. The concept of alternative scenarios
permits the group to play several possible
Developing an Exercise Scenario emergency events simultaneously. This
complexity will enable management to
The scenario is the heart of the look at the effect of multiple possibilities
emergency management exercise because on the total organizational system. The
it has the potential to describe, in detail, use of alternative scenarios should help
probable, possible, desirable, or management envision the best courses of
unfavorable events in the future. Events in action in real emergencies.
the scenario may occur simultaneously or
in sequence. They tell a story about the The scenario technique is particularly
real world or the logical outcome of a suited for emergency management
series of future events. exercises to be used by business,
government, or industry in
To write scenarios, an organization pulls politico-military, politico-economic, and
together an ad hoc team representing other international issues. Results from
multiple disciplines related to the core those scenario exercises can be used as a
business and the usual support functions lead-in to other analyses. Other
of personnel, information systems, advantages of the scenario technique are:
finance, security, legal, public relations,
program managers, marketing and ·It can call attention, dramatically and
strategic planning, and sales. There may persuasively, to a large range of
be other functions unique to a particular possibilities that must be considered
organization. The team should be given a when analyzing emergency actions
timeframe for envisioning the emergency and alternatives.
situation and some guidance on certain
assumptions for problems and change.
The team should validate those
assumptions and determine whether
certain events could realistically occur
now or in the future. A full description of
those events could present a complete

83
· It can serve as a realistic case study Evaluation can include three distinct
when there is a shortage of actual activities:
examples.
�Self-evaluation: This provides an
· It makes it possible to envision possible opportunity for emergency
alternative outcomes of present management team members to be
events. involved in their assessment as they
responded to scenarios projecting
· It enables key management players to alternative futures.
visualize the influence of certain �Control element’s feedback session: In
government and industry leaders on this session, the control element
social, economic, cultural, political, gives the management team its
economic, and military factors. inter-pretation and observations.
The management team can compare
· It prevents reliance on pure abstract the results of this feedback with its
considerations and forces an analysis self-evaluation.
of real details. �Joint planning and future dialogue:
Generally, the control element
The ad hoc team, in its role as control members will agree to informal
element for the exercise, should perform networking after the exercise. This
the following tasks: permits future dialogue and insight
into the response and content of the
· Assemble credible materials. baseline and alternative future
scenarios.
· Assure the relevancy of scenario
information to the organizational Summary
system.
The flow of guidelines for an
· Write the scenarios. emergency management team exercise
follows:
· Write the complete exercise plan.
Top Management
· Regulate the pace of the exercise.
·Define the organizational system.
· Supervise the physical layout, which
includes communications, use of
references and sources, and meeting
facilities.

·Facilitate liaison with top management.

·Evaluate the exercise and the players.

84
· Identify the emergency situations
impacting the system.

· Review those trends impacting each ·Felt tip markers.

situation.
·Masking tape.
Exercise Control Team
·Scotch tape.
· Develop a baseline scenario.
·Writing pads.
· Develop alternative scenarios.
·Paper clips.
· Create exercise layout.
·Word/information processing support.
· Conduct evaluation.
·Binder clips.
� Self-evaluation.
� Control element feedback session. ·Two-hole paper punch.
� Joint planning and future dialogue.
·Roll correction tape.
Administrative supplies and support for
the exercise may include the following: ·Burn bags.

· Telecommunication support for ·Scissors.

telephones and other equipment as
required. ·Area maps (as required).

· Two rooms (not more than 60 feet ·Portable clock.

apart) and a neutral meeting room.
·List of ad hoc team members.
· A storage container for confidential
information. �Names.
�Telephone numbers.
· Flip pads. �Titles.
�Specialty areas.

·Refreshments and comfort items.

85
86
 Chapter XI. Conclusion

Many American businesses abroad have high-quality emergency service from

experienced first hand the devastation usual providers. Emergency crews of all
wrought by the types of catastrophes or types are overwhelmed following a
crises described in this booklet. Perhaps disaster. Utility services, such as
some of us have felt the pain of loss of a telephones, electric power, and water and
loved one in such tragedies or the impact sewer facilities, will most often be
of substantial property damage. All of us disrupted.
have been exposed through television and
the news media to the horrible results of Finally, it is imperative that we adopt an
such events, which are occurring with attitude of continuous vigilance,
alarming frequency. It is prudent, especially in those situations where
therefore, to prepare for such warning signs of imminent trouble are
eventualities as though our lives depended apparent. Examples of such events are
on that preparation—because they may. It political or military coups, and violent
has been well established that people who storms or floods that might indicate the
prepare themselves by developing need to evacuate. Hurricanes, tornadoes,
contingency plans for emergencies—what and violent electrical storms are usually
to do before, during, and after an preceded by warnings. Hurried, last
emergency—lessen their vulnerability and minute emergency planning is usually
greatly enhance their opportunity for inadequate. Above all, avoid the attitude
survival and minimal property damage. that “it will not happen to me.”

Each American business abroad must Always be prepared, especially in the

assume responsibility for the safety of unfamiliar environment of far away
their employees and assets through places. Planning for emergencies pays
emergency planning. Emergency planning very high dividends. All of us must take
cannot be solely delegated to others, such this task seriously.
as fire departments, medical personnel, or
the government. However, cooperation
and coordination with government
emergency personnel is, of course useful,
even though the degree of assistance will
vary, depending on available resources
etc. We must recognize that widespread
chaos prevails following a major
catastrophe, and we should not expect

87
88
 Publications

The Department of State publication Emergency Planning Guidelines for

Key Officers of Foreign Service Posts: American Businesses Abroad
Guide for Business Representatives
contains essential information pertaining Security Awareness Overseas
to telephone numbers, FAX numbers, An Overview
addresses, and assigned personnel for all
U.S. diplomatic posts abroad. It is Guidelines for Protecting U.S.
available for a small price from the Business Information Overseas
Superintendent of Documents, U.S.
Government Printing Office, Washington, Personal Security Guidelines for the
D.C. 20402 (Telephone: 202-783- American Business Traveler
3228). Overseas

Under the aegis of the State These are available, as supplies last,
Department, current OSAC publications through the Overseas Security Advisory
include the following: Council, Bureau of Diplomatic Security,
U.S. Department of State. Additional
Security Guidelines for American copies of some OSAC publications are
Families Living Abroad also available at the U.S. Government
Printing Office.
Security Guidelines for American
Enterprises Abroad

89
90
 Bibliography

American Health Association, Burkle, Frederick M., Patricia Sanner, and

Washington, D.C.: Control of Barry W. Wolcott. Disaster Medicine.
Communicable Disease in Man. New Hyde Park, N.Y.: Excerpta Medica
Co., 1984.
Anderson, L.O., and Walton R. Smith.
Houses Can Resist Hurricanes. Bynum, Lester M., Ph.D., CIH. Interview
Madison, Wisc.: Forest Products with Mr. Bynum, Manager, Health,
Laboratory, Aug. 1965. Environmental and Product Safety, Mobil
Chemical Company. Interviewed by
Ascher, William. Forecasting and Oliver Wainwright. Princeton, N.J., 18
Appraisal for Policy-Makers and April 1988.
Planners. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins
Press, 1978. Carlton, David, and Carlo Shaerf.
International Terrorism and World
Blacker, Jerome, CIH. Interview with Mr. Security. New York: Halsted Press,
Blacker, Manager, Industrial Hygiene and 1975.
Safety, SCM Corp. Interviewed by Oliver
Wainwright. Baltimore, Md., 15 April Chemical Manufacturers Association.
1988. Community Awareness and Emergency
Response (CAER) Program. Washington,
Brant, Robert, ed. Mobil Chemical D.C.: Chemical Manufacturers
Emergency Prevention, Preparedness Association, 1985.
and Community Awareness Reference
Manual. Mobil Chemical Company, Chemical Manufacturers Association.
Stamford, Conn., 1985. Risk Analysis in the Chemical Industry.
Washington, D.C.: Chemical
Brant, Robert, ed. Mobil Chemical Manufacturers Association, Sept. 1985.
Safety, Health and Loss Prevention
Manual. Mobil Chemical Company, Cowles, Joseph F., Inc. Course
Stamford, Conn., 1985. Workbook, Planning for a New
Industrial Revolution: Techniques and
Tools. Washington, D.C.: Joseph F.
Cowles, Inc., 1983.

Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, the World

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Meteorological Organization and the Personal Protection. Boston:
League of Red Cross Societies. Butterworth Publisher, 1985.
Guidelines for Disaster Prevention and
Preparedness in Tropical Cyclone Kupperman, Robert H., and Darrel M.
Areas. Geneva and Bangkok, 1977. Trent. Terrorism, Threat, Reality,
(Available through the American Response. Stanford, Calif.: Hoover
Meteorological Society, 45 Beacon St., Institution Press, 1979.
Boston, Mass.: 02108.)
McElyea, William D., et al. Before the
Federal Emergency Management Agency. Storm: Managing Development to
Disaster Driving. Washington, D.C.: Reduce Hurricane Damages. Chapel
Federal Emergency Management Agency, Hill, N.C.: Center for Urban and Regional
L-116/June 1981. FEMA Pamphlet. Studies, Sept. 1981.
GPO: 1987, 720-962.
Meyers, Gerald C. When It Hits the
Federal Emergency Management Agency, Fan—Managing the Nine Crises of
and the American Red Cross. Family Business. Boston: Houghton Mifflin
Earthquake Safety Home Hazard Hunt Company, 1986.
and Drill. Washington, D.C.: FEMA
113. Sept. 1986. National Geographic Society.
"Hurricane!" National Geographic,
Federal Emergency Management Agency. Sept. 1980, 346-79.
Industrial Protection Guide.
Washington, D.C.: Federal Emergency Overseas Security Advisory Council.
Management Agency, 1981. Security Guidelines for American
Families Living Abroad. Washington,
Federal Emergency Management Agency. D.C., 1987.
Preparedness for People With
Disabilities. Earthquake Hazards
Reduction Series 9, Federal Emergency
Management Agency, Washington, D.C.,
1975.

Fink, Steven. Crisis Management,

Planning for the Inevitable. New York:
American Management Association,
1986.

Foreign Service Institute. Terrorism:

Avoidance and Survival. Washington,
D.C.: U.S. Department of State.

Houck, Catherine. Struck By Lightning.

Woman’s Day, June 16, 1987, p. 33.

Jenkins, Brian M. Terrorism and

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Pacific Bell Telephone Co. A Pacific
Telesis Company Survival Guide. U.S. Department of Commerce. Winter
Copyright 1988. San Francisco, Calif. Storms. NOAA, NWS, NOAA/PA 79018,
Rev. Aug. 1983.
Pan American Health Organization.
Guide to Sanitation in Natural U.S. Department of Health and Human
Disasters. Washington, D.C.: Pan Services Public Health Service, Center
American Health Organization, 525 for Disease Control, Division of
Twenty-third St., N.W. Quarantine. Health Information for
International Travel. U.S. Department of
Pan American Health Organization, 525 Health and Human Services Public Health
Twenty Third Street, N.W., Washington, Service, Center for Disease Control,
D.C. 20037 Atlanta, Ga., 1988.

Rand, Mark. "Crisis—A Computer U.S. Department of State. Emergency

System for Major Disasters". FBI Law Planning Handbook. Washington, D.C.:
Enforcement Bulletin (April 1988) Vol. U.S. Department of State.
57, No. 4, p. 8.
U.S. Information Agency. Security:
Schnabolk, Charles. Physical Security: Planning Handbook, Number 2.
Practices and Technology. Boston: Washington, D.C.: U.S. Information
Butterworth Publisher, 1983. Agency, 1979.

Skeet, Muriel. Manual for Disaster Western, Dr. Carl A. Epidemiologic

Relief Work. New York: Churchill Surveillance After Natural Disaster.
Livingstone Longman, Inc., 1977. Washington, D.C.: Pan American Health
Organization, 525 Twenty-third St., N.W.,
Tornado Safety. Surviving Nature’s 1983.
Most Violent Storms. NOAA/PA 82001.
U.S. Department of Commerce, National "When Lightning Strikes". Current
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Health. March 1985. p. 24.
National Weather Service. Rockville,
Md., 20852, Jan. 1982.

U.S. Department of Commerce, National

Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Thunderstorms and Lightning.
NOAA/PA 83001. National Weather
Service. Rockville, Md., 20852, Rev.
June 1985.

U.S. Department of Commerce. Floods,

Flash Floods and Warnings. NOAA,
NWS, NOAA/PA 81010. 1981.

93
94
 Appendix I

Departure Kit
 Departure Kit

The departure kit is a collection of ·Keep a supply of matches, preferably

items that should always be available for waterproof and windproof.
use in an emergency situation. The kit
should be in two parts: Part 1 consisting ·Keep a small battery-operated shortwave
of sustenance items and equipment and radio with fresh batteries. Monitor
Part 2 of a packet of vital personal papers the local news media, Voice of
and documents and a departure kit America, and the British Broadcasting
checklist. The kit should be checked Company closely, if available, for
periodically for completeness and relevant announcements from the
currentness. It should be properly tagged local government or the U.S. Embassy.
for identification and in a state of The embassies will be closely
complete readiness at the outset of Phase monitoring any situation and will
II provide further information to the
—Limited Action. liaison contact person.

Part 1—Sustenance Items and ·Have one blanket and/or sleeping bag for
Equipment each family member.

· Without hoarding, maintain a ·Do not carry baggage that exceeds 66

reasonable supply (5-7 days) of food, pounds of clothing and personal
water, and fuel. If you have a personal effects per individual. (This weight is
or company automobile, be sure it is the absolute maximum that will be
ready for immediate use. Maintain a permitted on a U.S.
full fuel tank and a reasonable supply Government-sponsored evacuation
of spares and other extras as may be aircraft). Carry the most essential
necessary. Also, periodically check items in a small handbag or carry-on
oil, water, and tires. bag in case it becomes

· Maintain a family-size first-aid kit and

an adequate supply of necessary
prescription medicine(s).

·Have a flashlight with fresh batteries

and/or candles.

1
 necessary to restrict baggage further. regular part of your kit to cover family
incidental expenses for at least 3 days
· Pets are frequently not allowed in the of travel. Include sufficient currency
emergency evacuation process. in small denominations to take care of
Consequently, owners need to be sure incidental expenses while en route to a
that they make appropriate custody safe haven.
arrangements.
·Up-to-date International Certificates of
· Do not include in the kit firearms or Vaccination.
any other weapons or liquor.
·Current inventory of household effects.
· Keep a supply of street and road maps
of the metropolitan and rural areas. ·All host country identification papers.

Part 2—Vital Personal Papers ·Essential personal papers (birth

and Documents and a Checklist certificates, marriage license, etc.).

· Current passports for all members of ·Copies of your U.S. Federal Income Tax
the family. (If passports are in the Return, if it has not already been sent
company’s custody, they will be to a safe place of record.
distributed by the custodian at the
appropriate time). ·A blank company expense statement to
keep track of expenses.
· Sufficient cash in U.S. dollars and
traveler’s checks should be a

2
 Appendix II

Warden Systems
 Warden System

General Considerations Warden Coordinator

Experience has proven that during ·Prepares lists of wardens and other
times of increased threat or actual contacts to cover the employee
emergency, a warden network consisting population.
of responsible employees who will not be
heavily engaged during an emergency, is ·Meets periodically with wardens and
an especially effective way to alternates to review responsibilities
communicate with employees residing in and update requirements.
a specific area.
·Activates the warden system on direction
A pyramid configuration of individuals from the EEC, passing information to
having access to private telephones and the employee group and receiving it,
residing centrally in areas of concentrated as appropriate.
employee population is recommended for
establishing a warden network. This Wardens
configuration should also permit the
designation of alternate wardens in the ·Prepare, update, and maintain a list of
event that a primary warden is unavailable telephone numbers and addresses of
for any reason. employees residing in the warden’s
area.
The Expatriate Evacuation Committee
(EEC) should establish a periodic review ·Appoint at least one subwarden or
and schedule of meetings with the alternate who can substitute for the
wardens (1) to review procedures and primary warden in his or her absence.
accuracy of contact lists showing names, Provide alternate warden with copies
addresses, telephone numbers, and of the lists of employees within the
number of dependents and (2) to arrange area of responsibility.
periodic tests of the network’s ability to
communicate with employees. Lists
should be filed as a part of the EEC
evacuation documents.

Action Responsibilities

1
· Along with the warden coordinator, be ·Pass, receive, and distribute messages on
familiar with assembly or staging the status of the emergency and
areas and movement routes. suggest actions to be taken. Transmit
· Keep employees in the warden area messages to those in the warden area
informed about the location of the verbatim without interpreting or
designated assembly areas and expanding on the messages.
movement routes.
·Ensure that the information contained in
· Develop a “pyramid method” or the notice is made available to all
“cascade” approach for contacting the employees in the area of
individuals within the area of the EEC responsibility when evacuation phases
responsibility. This can be or evacuation is contemplated.
accomplished by having individuals
with telephones contact each other ·Be prepared to provide the warden
and having those without telephones coordinator with the names and
be contacted by an individual who has statuses of those individuals contacted
a telephone and lives [Link] an and not contacted within the area of
emergency, the warden will: responsibility.

· Remain at home or at the office near a ·If the primary warden expects to be
telephone or emergency radio unavailable, ensure that the alternate is
network, if available, to receive available to carry out the warden’s
instructions from the company and to responsibilities.
answer questions from those
individuals in the area of
responsibility.

2
 Appendix III

Transportation
 Transportation

Background Information and may facilitate the withdrawal. If a

country manager or EEC delays
Although the U.S. Department of State evacuation until the U.S. Department of
is responsible for the protection and State closes its embassy or post and
evacuation of American citizens abroad, it recommends that all American citizens
cannot order the departure of private leave the country immediately,
American citizens from a strife-torn undoubtedly, obtaining transportation and
country but must inform private American evacuating under adverse security
citizens of impending danger and may circumstances wi ll be extremely difficult.
offer U.S. Government assistance in
evacuating when necessary. As a general Assessing Travel Options
rule, the U.S. Government does not
provide funds for the movement of ·To determine the feasibility of
persons other than U.S. Government transportation by common carrier,
employees and their dependents. investigate the frequency and normal
Nongovernment citizens evacuated by capacity of commercial flights, trains,
U.S. Government-funded transportation and ships leaving the troubled
must execute a promissory note to cover location.
the cost of transportation.
·Identify the most logical options for
The country manager should not assembly and movement of evacuees
totally rely on the U.S. Department of to the departure or embarkation
State for information on the necessity or location while maintaining the best
timing of an employee evacuation in the security posture possible. As a
event of an emergency situation. It would general rule, it is preferable to
appear prudent for an American assemble evacuees at a secure
corporation to consider early evacuation location other than the embarkation
and to give strong consideration to any point and then to move them to the
notices provided by the U.S. Department embarkation points in groups sized
of State for the evacuation of nonessential
personnel and/or the evacuation of all U.S.
citizens. During this phase, the use of
commercially scheduled airlines or
chartered aircraft should still be available

1
 to the transport capacity and on a
schedule calculated to minimize the ·The EEC should attempt to anticipate the
exposure of evacuees and the means degree of support or problems that
of transport at the embarkation point. might be offered by the host
This procedure could aid in the government in an evacuation situation.
security and effectiveness of the Identify contacts and develop
operation, but be aware that procedures that could be helpful with
circumstances may prevent a phased exit formalities. Investigate any
movement. departure problems for employees in
connection with in-country taxes and
· Determine the most appropriate sites any other business-related departure
at which to assemble potential requirements. Consider what
evacuees in anticipation of moving assistance should be asked of the host
them to points of embarkation. If government for security of assembly
long-term, plans should consider areas, convoy routes, and embarkation
shelter, security, food, water, and points if appropriate. Assign liaison
sanitation needs. The EEC should responsibilities to appropriate
appoint a responsible manager to company representatives who may
document and list evacuees and to serve as liaisons to the host
control movement to the embarkation government for the aforementioned
point. The security risks of purposes.
assembling in one place versus those
of remaining in individual homes until ·Security protection commensurate with
departure or the risk of having the risk and resources available should
employees making their way be arranged for the various evacuation
independently to embarkation points assembly areas, routes, and
should be considered. embarkation points. Details such as
assembly, timing of movements,
· In selecting assembly points and aircraft schedules, etc., should be
routes, be aware of potential choke protected from unauthorized
points, bridges, and areas that could be disclosure. Communications needs
congested and identify alternate must be developed.
routes if possible. Maps should be
developed for each route. ·Any inquiries received from the media
regarding a planned evacuation or one
· If overland movement out of the in progress
country is a possibility, define the
circumstances under which overland
transportation would be considered
and special precautions that might be
necessary.

2
 should be referred to the EEC and/or
to the country manager. Speculative ·Capabilities of scheduled airlines to
reasons for the evacuation could be respond to evacuation requirements,
harmful to the evacuation and the that is, routes, capacity, ticketing
company’s relationship with the host requirements, payment, etc.
government.
Nonscheduled (Chartered) Airlines
· As evacuees depart the embarkation
point by aircraft, vehicle, or ship, the ·Selection of a reliable carrier, foreign
EEC or country manager should and/or domestic.
inform the corporate headquarters of
the following: ·Suitability of equipment available.

� Flight data (date, time, destination, ·Response time (obtaining necessary

ETA, and arrival (port or city, if overflight and landing authority, fuel,
appropriate). etc.).

� Number of evacuees. ·Through the U.S. Department of State,

identify names of U.S. carriers that
� Number wanting assistance with have existing contracts to perform
onward transportation to the United evacuations during periods of
States. emergencies or civil unrest.

� Number who will stay at point of Sea Transportation

arrival and need arrangements for
lodging, etc. ·Identify shipping companies or shipping
agents that serve the area.
� Medical assistance needed.
·Select shipping agent or charter agent.
� List of evacuees, if appropriate.
·Describe ship to include response time,
Methods of Transportation capacity, and time required to reach
safe haven.
Scheduled Airlines
·Consider charter of ocean-going yachts
· Carriers that serve the area, both and cabin cruisers as a
foreign and domestic.

· Appropriate people to contact for

arrangements.

3
 possible method of evacuating small personal medical or other special
numbers of essential personnel who needs. Inventory and have available
may have remained in country after spare fuel, food, water, tools, first
evacuation of nonessential personnel aid, comfort supplies, maps, and
and families when it appears that compasses with each convoy.
airport embarkation points have been
closed, but seaports or shoreline use �If convoy will cross international
is still available. boundary, have
appropriate
Land Transportation documentation for
each vehicle.
Transportation by land methods should
be examined closely as it is not �Arrange security for the convoy from
recommended during sensitive times. local authorities, if possible. If
Road transportation out of a country environment is hostile, contact the
should be considered only as a last resort. U.S. Embassy for security
The following information will help in assistance.
planning and developing road
transportation. �Reconnoiter route in advance by
sending advance vehicle
· Identify by name, location, and means approximately 30 minutes or more
of contact any other sources of in advance of convoy.
vehicles that could be used in an
emergency, either by rental, loan, or �Provide communications capabilities
pooling by cooperating companies. for lead and rear convoy vehicles.

· Have a checklist for road convoys. �Make preliminary arrangements to have

local nationals available to drive and
� Designate primary and alternate translate at roadblocks,
convoy leaders. checkpoints, etc.

� Select routes (primary and �Where possible, overland evacuation in

alternate) that avoid choke points. convoy should be coordinated with
other entities, particularly UN
� Plan for rest stops. agencies and diplomatic groups.

� Determine availability of vehicles

to meet convoy requirements.

� Ensure adequate supplies of