POLICY

A. Purpose

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's (LBNL) Security and Emergency Services (SES) Division 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 151.1D, 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).

B. Persons Affected

All Berkeley Lab employees, affiliates, and subcontractors

C. Exceptions

None

D. Policy Statement

1. Overview

LBNL's Emergency Management Program is responsible for implementing an all-hazards emergency management system designed to minimize the consequences of emergencies, protect the health and safety of workers and the public from threats, and prevent damage to the environment. Additionally, the program is responsible for protecting Laboratory assets and ensuring business continuity in accordance with, Continuity Program Plan.

The foundation of the program uses an All-Hazards Planning Basis to identify and analyze credible hazards, threats and potential consequences for the Laboratory. This process, detailed in the All-Hazards Planning Basis Program Plan, determines the necessary capabilities and resources for effective mitigation, emergency response, and recovery. 

2. Emergency Response Organization

The LBNL Emergency Response Organization (ERO) is made up of internal and external response resources, to include LBNL personnel and first responders, required by the Department of Energy. LBNL personnel responsible for managing emergencies are identified as members of the Critical Incident Management Group (CIMG). CIMG members not only respond to emergency events, but assist with mitigation efforts designed to lessen the impact of an emergency. The CIMG is staffed by LBNL personnel trained and experienced in emergency response and recovery as well as personnel with subject matter expertise in research operations and critical infrastructure needed to ensure continuity of operations should an emergency affect the science mission.

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 onsite.

4. Drills, Training, and Exercises

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

To assist with the implementation of protective actions, Building Managers are established for each occupied LBNL facility. All employees are responsible for their own safety in an emergency. This responsibility includes completing required annual emergency response training, participating in emergency drills, and maintaining the knowledge required to safely implement protective actions.

5. Community Preparedness Framework

LBNL promotes a hybrid-style of work that allows employees to utilize telework, to the extent possible, depending on their positional duties. This has resulted in both a reduced and unpredictable onsite presence necessitating a change in the way emergencies are prepared for and responded to. The Community Preparedness Framework (CPF) is an approach to safety that relies upon an LBNL community who understands their role in an emergency and, with  proper training, is capable of executing that role independently. Understanding that all employees are responsible for their own safety is critical to an effective CPF.

E. Roles and Responsibilities

F. Definitions/Acronyms

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

I. Contact Information

Emergency Management
Security and Emergency Services Division
[email protected] 

J. Revision History

DOCUMENT INFORMATION

Source Requirements Documents

• DOE Order 151.1D, Comprehensive Emergency Management System
• DOE O 150.1B, Continuity Programs

Other Driving Requirements

• California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 2, Chapter 1 – Standardized Emergency Management System
• National Incident Management System, Federal Emergency Management Agency, October 2017