Diocese of Davenport
Disaster Planning
May 2009
Diocesan Support Day
8:30
9:00
9:15
9:30
10:00
10:30
10:45
11:15
11:45
Registration
Welcome and Prayer
Introduction to Disaster Planning
The Floods of 2008 - Glenn Leach,
Office of Social Action, Diocese of Davenport
General Disaster Planning – part 1
Break
The Tornado of 2006: St. Patrick Church,
– Deacon Jerry Miller
General Disaster Planning – part 2
Lunch (provided)
Diocesan Support Day
12:30 Demonstrations: disaster kits, Automatic
External Defibrillators (AED),
Red Cross First Aid Training Information
1:00 The Fire of 1997: Our Lady of Guadalupe,–
Terry Eagle, Muscatine Fire Fighter, (Ret.)
1:30 Break
1:45 General Disaster Planning – part 3
2:30 Questions and Answers / Discussion
3:00 Closing
Purpose

Overview and training for disaster planning
using the new Diocesan Disaster
Preparedness and Response Planning Guide
Diocese of Davenport





SE portion of
Iowa
Population
~745,000
110,000
Catholics in 81
parishes
22 Counties;
11,438 sq mi
Mostly rural
communities
We Have Experienced Disasters
Flooding
Davenport –
1993
We Have Experienced Disasters
Flooding
Iowa City –
2008
We Have Experienced Disasters
Flooding
Hwy 1 –2008
Floods
page 68
Flash flood = a flood that occurs within six hours of a rain event, or
after a dam or levee failure, or following a sudden release of
water held by ice or debris jams.
Flash flood watch issued when heavy rains may cause sudden
flash flooding in specified areas are occurring or expected to
occur. A flash flood often occurs without any visible sign of
rainfall.
Flash flood warning means flash flooding is occurring or is
imminent along certain streams and designated areas. Move to
high ground immediately.
Floods
Flood Hazard Zones
 FEMA: http://msc.fema.gov/
 Flood warnings and cautions
 Sandbagging
 Flood safety checklists
page 68
Pandemic Planning - 2006
General Disaster Planning - 2008
Outline of the Planning Guide

Common Disaster Planning Elements
Getting Organized
Planning for People, Parishes and Plant
Planning for Specific Natural Disasters
Planning for Specific Unnatural Disasters (human made)
Where to Go For Help
Where to Go To Help

Forms






Outline of the Planning Guide

Common Disaster Planning Elements
Getting Organized
Planning for People, Parishes and Plant
Planning for Specific Natural Disasters
Planning for Specific Unnatural Disasters (human made)
Where to Go For Help
Where to Go To Help

Forms






Nature of Disasters
Disasters fall into one of two broad categories of disasters, natural
and unnatural. Within these categories there is a general range
that defines the scope of a disaster according to the area
affected:




Family Emergency
Local Disaster
State Disaster
Major Disaster
individual family (Example: home fire)
city
(Example: tornadoes)
state (Example: storms)
national(Example: pandemic influenza)
Phases of a Disaster
Mitigation – Taking steps before a disaster occurs to minimize
the effects
Preparedness - Planning how to respond
Response - Minimize the hazards created by a disaster
Recovery - Returning the community to normal
Incident Command System - ICS
ICS was developed in the 1970s in response to a series of major
wildland fires in southern California. City, county, State, and Federal
fire authorities collaborated to form the Firefighting Resources of
California Organized for Potential Emergencies (FIRESCOPE).
FIRESCOPE identified several recurring problems involving
multiagency responses, such as:
· Nonstandard terminology among responding agencies.
· Lack of capability to expand and contract as required by the
situation.
· Nonstandard and nonintegrated communications.
· Lack of consolidated action plans.
· Lack of designated facilities.
Incident Command System - ICS
People are assigned specific roles in an emergency:
Incident
Commander
Planning
Operations
Logistics
Finance &
Administration
Incident Command System - ICS
Incident Command System - ICS
Incident Commander: Sets the incident objectives, strategies, and
priorities and has overall responsibility at the incident or event.
Command Staff:
Public Information Officer: Provides information to parishioners,
parents, staff and the public, including the media or other
organizations seeking information directly from the incident or event.
Safety Officer: Monitors safety conditions and develops measures
for assuring the safety of all assigned personnel.
Liaison Officer: Primary contact for supporting agencies assisting
at an incident.
Incident Command System - ICS
General Staff:
Operations Chief: Conducts the operations to carry out the plan.
Develops the tactical objectives and directs all resources. This
includes care to the individuals present during a crisis.
Planning Chief: Prepares and documents the plan to accomplish
objectives; collects and evaluates information, maintains resource
status, and maintains documentation for incident records.
Logistics Chief: Provides support, resources, and all other services
needed to meet the operational objectives such as food, water,
bathroom facilities and transportation.
Finance/Administration Chief: Monitors costs related to the
incident, provides accounting, procurement, and time recording.
Incident Command System - ICS
The Incident Command System for the Chancery
Incident Commander: the Bishop of Davenport
• Public Information Officer: Director of Communication
• Safety Officer: Director of Liturgy
• Liaison Officer: Director of Social Action
Operations Chief: Vicar General
Planning Chief: Chancellor
Logistics Chief: Maintenance and Security Supervisor
Finance / Administration Chief: Chief Financial Officer
:
Note: At least one alternate should be identified to perform the
essential functions of each position.
Incident Command System - ICS
The Incident Command System for a Parish (only 1 of many)
Incident Commander: Pastor
Public Information Officer: Parish Council President
Safety Officer: Parish Nurse
Liaison Officer: Youth Minister
Operations Chief: DRE
Planning Chief: Liturgist
Logistics Chief: Maintenance
Finance / Administration Chief: Bookkeeper
:
Note: At least one alternate should be identified to perform the
essential functions of each position.
Incident Command System - ICS
Transfer of Command - the process of moving the responsibility for
incident command from one Incident Commander to another. This
may take place for a number of reasons:
• when a more qualified person assumes command
• a legal requirement to change command, for example, to
emergency services
• there is normal turnover of personnel on long incidents
• the incident response is concluded and responsibility is transferred
back
The transfer of command process always includes a transfer of
command briefing, which may be oral, written, or a combination of
both.
:
Form the Disaster Planning Committee
1. Disaster Coordinator ; Parishioner - Retired or active firefighter,
EMS, law enforcement
2. Incident Command Team
3. Other members with areas of expertise: doctors, nurses, crisis
counselors, childcare workers, skilled contractors
4. Work through the Disaster Preparedness and Response Planning
Guide
We Have Experienced Disasters
Tornado
St. Patrick
Church 2006
We Have Experienced Disasters
Tornado
St. Patrick
Church 2006
Tornadoes
page 77
Tornado = a violently rotating column of air extending from a
thunderstorm to the ground.
Tornadoes may accompany severe thunderstorms, and while they
can strike at any time of the year, they occur most frequently
during April, May and June.
In an average year, 800 tornadoes are reported nationwide,
resulting in 80 deaths and over 1,500 injuries.
The most violent tornadoes are capable of tremendous destruction
with wind speeds of 250 mph or more. Damage paths can be
in excess of one mile wide and 50 miles long.
Tornadoes
Debris
page 77
Tornadoes
Path of
Damage
page 77
Tornadoes
page 77
National Weather Storm Spotter Training
 Finished for the 2009 season; usually Feb - April
 https://apps.weather.gov/outreach/IA.php
A Tornado Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for
tornados to develop. Often tornado watches are issued during
severe thunderstorms. This does not mean that a tornado will
occur, only that it is possible.
A Tornado Warning means that a tornado or funnel cloud has
been spotted on the ground.
Tornadoes

Myth:

Fact:
Myth:

Fact:

Myth:

Fact:

page 77
Areas near rivers, lakes, and mountains are safe from
tornados.
No place is safe from tornados.
The low pressure with a tornado causes buildings to
“explode” as the tornado passes overhead.
Violent winds and debris slamming into buildings
causes most structural damage.
Windows should be opened before a tornado
approaches to equalize pressure and to minimize
damage.
Opening windows allow damaging winds to enter the
structure. Leave windows alone; instead, immediately
go to a safe place.
Purpose of the Diocesan Disaster and Crisis
Management Committee
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Assist parishes, schools, families and individuals in
planning for disasters by providing criteria for local
disaster plans and providing resource information
Assist the Diocese in building a system of early
responders
Monitor the environment for potential disasters and
provide advisories to the Diocese
Provide advice to the Diocese during disasters
Assist the chancery safety team in planning for
disasters that affect the chancery staff
Examine Resources – Free Training
Incident Command
System
Examine Resources – Free Training
Training Volunteers and Staff - CERT
Working toward CERT teams in the parishes
CERT = Community Emergency Response Team
Following a major disaster, first responders who provide fire
and medical services will not be able to meet the demand
Factors as number of victims, communication failures, and
road blockages will prevent people from accessing emergency
services
People will have to rely on each other for help
in order to meet their immediate life saving and life sustaining
needs.
Training Volunteers and Staff - CERT
Began in 1985, now a nationwide program with connection to
FEMA - Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and
EMI - Emergency Management Institute
New curriculum this year; waiting for release to begin CERT
training
But we aren’t going to wait!
Red Cross Training – Wed May 20: First Aid, CPR, AED
training
Start Preparing Now – Build Over Time
We Have Experienced Disasters
Fire
Our Lady of
Guadalupe 1997
Fires
page 85
Major Causes of Fire
 Careless Smoking – Enforce Iowa law that prohibits smoking
indoors.
 Combustible Waste –Combustible waste should be placed in
approved containers with tight fitting covers, so that any fire
occurring will be confined within the container. Materials
capable of spontaneous ignition should be kept in separate
containers.
 Electrical Hazards – Circuit breakers are the safety devices in
electrical wiring. All electrical appliances used in the building
must be UL approved and be inspected.
Fires
page 85
Fire Prevention
 Do not permit the obstruction of hallways, doorways and ramps,
or allow them to be used as storage areas.
 The proper operation of interior doors is necessary to divide the
parish into sections, thus providing some protection to other
areas. Keep all such doors closed when not in use.
 Working smoke detectors double your chance of surviving a
fire. Experts advise that you clean smoke detectors regularly
and replace batteries once a year.
 Plan two escape routes wherever you are.
 Windows should be easily opened, not nailed or painted shut.
If you have security bars on windows, have a fire safety
opening feature so they can be easily opened from inside.
Fires







page 85
Procedures for Persons Discovering a Fire
Look for smoke/fire or smoke detectors with solid red lights on.
Feel for heat.
When a fire is discovered, immediately call 911 and notify the
staff person in charge.
Evacuate all personnel to a safe distance as soon as possible.
If the fire can be contained, obtain one of the correct fire
extinguishers from the area nearest you and attempt to put out
the fire. If the fire is too large to extinguish, try to confine it to
one specific area by closing doors.
Report the actions you have taken and then await further
instructions.
If unable to extinguish the fire, prepare to remove records and
the Eucharist if ordered to do so.
Other Potential Disasters
Earthquake
Southern
Illinois –
2008
Potential Disasters
Earthquake
Southern
Illinois –
2008
A full Range of Disasters – In One Day
Communicating with Parishioners/Staff





Radio / TV stations / Newspapers
NOAA Weather Radio / All Hazards
Community warning systems (sirens)
Emergency E-mail & Wireless Network
Parish group e-mail to cell phone text
messaging
Radio / TV Stations / Newspapers




Frequent updates
Scrolling messages on local TV stations
Low cost
Simple monitoring
Radio / TV Stations / Newspapers
Sign up to
receive
e-mail and
cell phone
text
messages.
The
Muscatine
Journal uses
the Quad-City
Times
program.
Newspapers
Cedar Rapids Gazette
takes it further to
include weather, news,
even sports.
Be aware of limitations
NOAA Weather Radio / All Hazards


NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards (NWR) is a nationwide
network of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather
information directly from the nearest National Weather Service
office. NWR broadcasts official Weather Service warnings,
watches, forecasts and other hazard information 24 hours a
day, 7 days a week.
NWR is an "All Hazards" radio network, broadcasting warning
and post-event information for all types of hazards – including
natural (such as earthquakes or avalanches), environmental
(such as chemical releases or oil spills),
and public safety (such as AMBER alerts or
911 Telephone outages).
NOAA Weather Radio / All Hazards
NOAA Weather Radio / All Hazards
NOAA Weather Radio / All Hazards
http://audioplayer.wunderground.com/
Whether you listen to the live streaming audio or download the
static audio files, please remember that you should NOT rely on
this Internet audio to receive watches or warnings. Instead, you
should have a dedicated NOAA Weather Radio receiver which will
alert you 24 hours a day to hazards in your area.
Community warning systems (sirens)



Usually based on National Weather Service reports and spotter
reports.
Usually initiated by the city/county dispatcher using radio
remote control.
Alerts are usually announced using set protocols to reduce
delays.
Emergency
Email &
Wireless
Network
4 Steps:
Custom
system
at low
cost
Parish group e-mail to cell phones
Most cell phone companies
allow sending e-mail
messages as text
messages.
Add the 10 digit cell phone
number to the carrier’s
address.
Usually limited to 140
characters and spaces per
message.
Parish group e-mail to cell phones
•Make a chart of addresses with cell phone carriers.
•Add to Microsoft Outlook as groups.
•Copy the address book to other computers as needed or
•Use web-based e-mail such as G-mail with multiple access by those
authorized to send messages.
Contact information:

Deacon Frank Agnoli
–

Deacon David Montgomery
–

agnoli@davenportdiocese.org
montgomery@davenportdiocese.org
Website
–
–
Page dedicated to disaster planning / resources
http://www.davenportdiocese.org/disaster/
http://www.davenportdiocese.org/disaster/
Implementation: Challenges





Disaster planning is not in
peoples’ mindset…
No felt need or urgency…
Paralysis… fear or
overwhelmed by tasks…
Finances
Theological
presumptions…