Emergency Management

Title:	Emergency Management
Publication date:	5/7/2026
Effective date:	4/20/2023

BRIEF

Policy

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's (LBNL) Security and Emergency Services (SES) Division, Office of Emergency Management (OEM), maintains a comprehensive Emergency Management Program designed to minimize the consequences of emergencies, protect the health and safety of workers, the public, and the environment, and protect the Laboratory’s mission and assets. The Emergency Management Program complies with Department of Energy (DOE) Order 151.1E, Comprehensive Emergency Management System, and DOE Order 150.1B, Continuity Program.

This policy provides a high-level overview of LBNL’s Emergency Management Program and establishes the roles, responsibilities, and authorities associated with emergency planning, mitigation, response, recovery, and continuity of operations. More information on the Emergency Management Program can be found in the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP).

Who Should Read This Policy

All Berkeley Lab employees, affiliates, visitors, and subcontractors.

To Read the Full Policy, Go To

The POLICY tab on this wiki page

Contact Information

Emergency Management
Security and Emergency Services Division
[email protected]

Title:	Emergency Management
Publication date:	5/7/2026
Effective date:	4/20/2023

POLICY

A. Purpose

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's (LBNL) Security and Emergency Services (SES) Division, Office of Emergency Management (OEM), maintains a comprehensive Emergency Management Program designed to minimize the consequences of emergencies, protect the health and safety of workers, the public, and the environment, and protect the Laboratory’s mission and assets. The Emergency Management Program complies with DOE Order 151.1E, Comprehensive Emergency Management System, and DOE Order 150.1B, Continuity Program.

This policy provides a high-level overview of LBNL’s Emergency Management Program and establishes the roles, responsibilities, and authorities associated with emergency planning, mitigation, response, recovery, and continuity planning. More information on the Emergency Management Program can be found in the LBNL Comprehensive Emergency Management Base Plan (CEM-BP).

B. Persons Affected

All Berkeley Lab employees, affiliates, and subcontractors

C. Exceptions

None

D. Policy Statement

1. Overview

LBNL’s Emergency Management Program maintains a comprehensive, all-hazards emergency management system that ensures the Lab is prepared for and can respond and recover from emergencies that could impact Laboratory personnel, the public, the environment, mission-essential functions, or assets. The Program is designed to mitigate consequences, protect life and property, and support the continued execution of Laboratory missions in accordance with the Lab's Continuity of Operations Program Plan.

The Emergency Management Program is founded on an all-hazards planning basis used to identify and analyze credible hazards, threats, and potential consequences relevant to the Laboratory. As documented in the All-Hazards Planning Basis Program Plan, this analysis informs the development of scalable emergency management capabilities and the allocation of resources necessary to support the full spectrum of emergency scenarios.

2. Emergency Response Organization

The Emergency Response Organization consists of all internal and external resources responsible for emergency response at the Lab, whereas the Critical Incident Management Group (CIMG) is comprised only of LBNL response personnel. The CIMG is staffed by personnel trained and experienced in emergency response and recovery, as well as subject matter experts needed to ensure continuity of operations. Members of the CIMG assist in pre-incident mitigation efforts, as well as response and recovery.

3. Protective Actions and Jurisdictional Authorities

Per the Standardized Emergency Management System, Title 19 of the California Code of Regulations, LBNL is designated as a special district within Alameda County. This designation provides the Laboratory with multi-agency coordination authority over protective actions for the main campus. Protective actions include evacuation, shelter-in-place, and lockdown, and may include additional protective measures such as decontamination. During an emergency, the CIMG is granted jurisdictional authority over the Laboratory main site; therefore, protective actions issued during an emergency event are mandatory for all individuals on-site.

4. Drills, Training, and Exercises

Members of the CIMG participate in training and exercises to ensure their ability to respond effectively to an emergency in accordance with established plans and procedures. General employee training is provided to all LBNL personnel and subcontractors to raise awareness of the hazards and protective actions specific to LBNL. The Emergency Management Program conducts protective action drills, allowing personnel to practice the expected actions learned in training courses.

All employees are responsible for their own safety, which includes completing required annual emergency response training, participating in emergency drills, and maintaining the knowledge to implement protective actions.

5. Community Preparedness Framework

LBNL promotes a hybrid style of work, resulting in a reduced and unpredictable on-site employee presence. The Community Preparedness Framework is LBNL's approach to safety that relies on personnel understanding their duties in an emergency and, with proper training, executing duties independently. Understanding that all employees are responsible for their own safety is critical to an effective Community Response Framework.

E. Roles and Responsibilities

Role	Responsibility
Laboratory Line Management	Assigns individuals to the CIMG, as necessary. Supports employee involvement in LBNL Emergency Management training, drills, and exercises. Supports Continuity efforts by identifying critical functions and infrastructure, key personnel, and vital records. Maintains safe shutdown and restart procedures for systems and research specific to their Division.
Security and Emergency Services Division	Manages the Emergency Management and Continuity Programs. Plans, organizes, and provides emergency management training, drills, and exercises to Laboratory employees and the CIMG. Participates in off-site interface activities with the local community, county, and state in accordance with the State Emergency Management System. Provides continuous program improvement through evaluations and assessments to ensure issues are identified, corrective actions are implemented, and lessons learned are shared. Establishes and maintains the ability to communicate emergency information, including issuing protective actions.
Critical Incident Management Group (CIMG)	Coordinates emergency response and recovery efforts with first responders. Attends specialized training and participates in required drills and exercises. Utilizes subject matter expertise to perform emergency response functions as needed.
Employees	Maintain knowledge and proficiency in Protective Actions through required online training, drills, exercises, and actual incidents. Implements protective actions. Participates in personnel accountability measures. Communicates critical information to the Site Operations Center. Maintains knowledge of evacuation assembly areas and participates in accountability exercises.

F. Definitions/Acronyms

CIMG	Critical Incident Management Group
LBNL	Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
SES	Security and Emergency Services Division
SOC	Site Operations Center

G. Recordkeeping Requirements

The Emergency Management Program maintains controlled documents and records in accordance with LBNL’s Archives and Records Management Policy, 10.03.001.000 and SES.BOA.ASU.PLAN.001, Document Management Plan.

H. Implementing Documents

Document Number	Title	Type
07.06.001.001	Emergency Management	Program
SES.EM.PMA.PLAN.001	Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan	Publication
SES.HA.PMA.PLAN.001	All-Hazards Planning Basis Program Plan	Publication
SES.EM.TPB.PLAN.002	Technical Planning Basis Program Plan	Publication
SES.COO.PMA.PLAN.001	Continuity of Operations Program Plan	Publication

I. Contact Information