HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. R20-76RESOLUTION NO. R20-76
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPTING THE UPDATED 2020 YELLOWSTONE
COUNTY HAZARD MATERIALS RESPONSE PLAN.
WHEREAS, in 1986 the Congress of the United States enacted the "Emergency Planning and
Community Right to Know Act" (EPCRA) as Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act
(SARA) to help local communities protect public health and safety and the environment from chemical hazards;
and
WHEREAS, the Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan helps meet the requirements
of Section 303 of EPCRA; and
WHEREAS, the City of Laurel, Montana has worked closely with Yellowstone County Disaster and
Emergency Services and the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) to update a county -wide Hazard
Materials Response Plan that will serve the needs of the City of Laurel and Yellowstone County; and
WHEREAS, the Yellowstone County Disaster and Emergency Services (YCDES) Coordinator also
serves as the City of Laurel's DES Coordinator; and
WHEREAS, the City of Laurel supports the 2020 Update to the Yellowstone County Hazard Materials
Response Plan as a logical means toward protecting people and property from the potential devastating effects
of accidental or intentional hazardous materials spill, release, or threat of release.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Laurel City Council hereby adopts the "Yellowstone
County, Montana Hazard Materials Response Plan — 2020 Update" as approved by the Montana Disaster and
Emergency Services, a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein.
PASSED and APPROVED by the City of Laurel this 10`x' day of November 2020.
CITY OF LAUREL
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ATTEST:
r Clerk -Treasurer
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Approved as to form:
Sam Painter, Legal Counsel
Thompson Painter Law, PC
R20-76 HMEP 2020
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Yellowstone County
Hazardous Materials Response Plan
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Edition 1— September 2020
(Supersedes previous editions)
Yellowstone County Disaster and Emergency Services
316 North 26th, Room 3201
Billings, Montana 59101
Tel. (406) 256-2775
Fax (406) 256-6947
https://www.co.yellowstone.mt.gov/des
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan
September 30, 2020
This plan serves Yellowstone County and incorporated cities
Prepared for:
Yellowstone County Disaster and Emergency Services
316 North 26th, Room 3201
Billings, Montana 59101
Tel. (406) 256-2775
Fax (406) 256-6947
https://www.co.yellowstone.mt.gov/des/
By:
` � Zylient
Zylient, Inc.
Disaster Technology and Consulting
244 Shelter Valley Dr.
Kalispell, MT 59901
Tel (406) 201-1223
www.zylient.com
Montana Department of Emergency Services Contract DMA2020-0026
This plan represents general guidelines, which can be modified by emergency personnel as appropriate.
This plan does not create any right or duty that is enforceable in a court of law.
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan
Table of Contents
Recordof Distribution...................................................................................................................................5
Recordof Changes........................................................................................................................................ 7
Introduction..................................................................................................................................................8
Purpose................................................................................................................................................... 8
Scope...................................................................................................................................................... 8
Authority....................................................................................................................................................... 8
Mission.......................................................................................................................................................... 9
Situationand Assumptions.........................................................................................................................10
Situation...............................................................................................................................................10
Assumptions.........................................................................................................................................10
Organization................................................................................................................................................11
Conceptof Operations................................................................................................................................12
Preparedness........................................................................................................................................12
EmergencyResponse............................................................................................................................16
Risk -Based Decision Making..........................................................................................................16
Levelsof Response Magnitude......................................................................................................16
Dispatch& Notification..................................................................................................................19
Operations.....................................................................................................................................20
ProtectiveActions..........................................................................................................................23
PublicAlerting................................................................................................................................25
Recovery............................................................................................................................................... 26
Directionand Control...........................................................................................................................29
Special Considerations for Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and Other Intentional Releases of
HazardousMaterials.............................................................................................................................32
MissionAssignments...................................................................................................................................32
IncidentCommander............................................................................................................................32
FireService...........................................................................................................................................33
LawEnforcement..................................................................................................................................34
Emergency Medical Service (EMS).......................................................................................................34
Public Health - RiverStone Health........................................................................................................34
Coroner................................................................................................................................................. 35
Public Safety Communications (9-1-1 Dispatch)..................................................................................35
Disaster and Emergency Services.........................................................................................................35
EmergencyOperations Center.............................................................................................................35
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 3
PublicInformation Officer....................................................................................................................36
Facility Operator/Transporter..............................................................................................................36
Principal Executive Officer....................................................................................................................36
Locally -Based Resources.......................................................................................................................37
Community Organizations Active in Disasters...............................................................................37
ResponseOrganizations.................................................................................................................37
Stateand Federal Agencies..................................................................................................................37
Support.......................................................................................................................................................37
SpecialRequirements.................................................................................................................................38
Hazardous Materials Response Plan - Review......................................................................................38
Hazardous Materials Response Plan - Distribution Summary ..............................................................38
Local Emergency Planning Committee.................................................................................................38
Glossary....................................................................................................................................................... 39
Appendices..................................................................................................................................................43
Appendix A - List of Extremely Hazardous Substances........................................................................43
Appendix B - Map of Major Transportation Routes.............................................................................44
AppendixC -Telephone Roster............................................................................................................48
Appendix D - Requesting Billings Fire Department Hazardous Materials Response Team..................50
Appendix E - Sample Incident Reporting Form....................................................................................51
Appendix F - Sample Evacuation Announcement................................................................................52
Appendix G - Sample Shelter -in -Place Announcement........................................................................53
AppendixH - Reference List.................................................................................................................54
Websites........................................................................................................................................54
Emergency Telephone Numbers....................................................................................................55
County & Federal Resources..........................................................................................................55
Books.............................................................................................................................................. 56
SmartphoneApps..........................................................................................................................56
Appendix I - Use of Social Media..........................................................................................................57
AppendixJ - LEPC By-Laws....................................................................................................................58
Annex— Reporting Facilities........................................................................................................................68
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 4
Record of Distribution
Organization/
Department
Representative
Signature
Yellowstone County
Emergency and General
Services/DES Coordinator
911/Dispatch Center
Board of County Commissioners
SherifFs Office
LEPC
RiverStone Health
YC Public Works
City of Billings
Administrator/Elected Official
Regional HazMat Team
Police Department
Billings Fire Department
Billings Logan International
Airport Operations
AMR
Public Works
City of Laurel
Public Works Department
Mayor/Chief Administrator
Police Department/Chief
Laurel Volunteer FD
Laurel EMS
Town of Broadview
Town of Broadview Fire Dept
Mayor
i
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan
Organization/
Department
Representative
Signature
Other Municipalities/Townships
Lockwood Fire Department
Worden Fire Department
Shepherd Fire Department
Fuego Fire Department
Blue Creek Fire Department
Custer Fire Department
Haley Bench Fire Department
Tribal
Crow Nation - Director of
Disaster &Emergency Services
Medical
St. Vincent Health Care/
Emergency Preparedness
Coordinator
Billings Clinic
Community/Non-Profit
American Red Cross
United Way of YC
State Agencies
Montana Disaster & Emergency
Services_
Montana DES - District Field
Officer
Montana Dept. of Transportation
Dept of Natural Resources &
Conservation
Montana Highway Patrol
Federal Agencies
Bureau of Land Management &
Fire Prevention
NWS
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan
Record of Changes
DateI Description of Revision I Name Means of
Publication/Distribution
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan
Introduction
Purpose
This Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan provides basic guidelines and establishes
policies and procedures in the event of a hazardous materials incident within Yellowstone County. This
plan is designed to prepare Yellowstone County (YC) for an incident response and to minimize the
exposure to and damage from materials that could adversely impact the environment or human health
and safety.
The plan provides guidance for hazardous materials incident planning, notification, and response in
accordance with the Emergency Planning and Community Right -To -Know Act (EPCRA), also known as the
Federal Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA Title III) of 1986. The Yellowstone
County Hazardous Materials Response Plan helps meet the requirements of Section 303 of EPCRA,
requiring the establishment of a Comprehensive Emergency Response Plan by the Local Emergency
Planning Committee (LEPC).
Scope
This plan outlines the roles, responsibilities, procedures, and organizational relationships of all local,
state, and federal agencies and private organizations responding to an accidental or intentional
hazardous materials spill, release, or threat of release into the environment from a fixed operating
facility or as the result of hazardous materials in transit within or impacting Yellowstone County. This
plan provides suggested operational guidance and should not supersede or replace individual agency
operational response plans during incident response.
This plan is structured to adapt to and meet the challenges of these situations by adopting the National
Incident Management System's (NIMS) response framework, allowing government and private entities
at all levels to work together in a coordinated manner. This framework facilitates adjusting, tailoring,
and transitioning response operations to effectively manage incident response involving chemical,
biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) materials.
The Yellowstone County LEPC prepared and maintains the 2019 Emergency Operations Plan (EOP),
which includes "Emergency Support Function (ESF) 10 - Oil and Hazardous Materials Response." This
plan is not intended to replace, but to supplement the EOP and ESF 10.
Authority
In 1986 Congress passed the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA) as Title 111
of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA). Congress enacted this law to help local
communities protect public health and safety and the environment from chemical hazards. EPCRA
requires regulated facilities that manufacture, use, or store certain amounts of hazardous chemicals to
develop and implement emergency plans, report chemical inventories, and notify authorities in the
event of a toxic release.
Montana follows EPCRA reporting requirements, with unique state -specific reporting procedures:
1. Safety Data Sheet (SDS) or chemical list reporting (EPCRA Section 311)
2. Tier II chemical inventory reporting (EPCRA Section 312)
3. Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) reporting (EPCRA Section 313)
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 8
4. Facilities must submit reports to the appropriate Tribal Emergency Response Commission
(TERC), if applicable
The LEPC is a focal point for Title III activities in the community. As stated in the law, responsibilities of
the LEPC include 1) development of an emergency plan, and collection and storage of information
provided by facilities, and 2) making that information available to the public.
Federal
1. Emergency Planning and Community Right -To -Know Act, 42 U.S.C. §§11001 et seq. (1986),
enacted as Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA; Pub.
L. 99-499)
• EPCRA Sections 304 and 312 amended under America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018
• Emergency Planning and Notification, 40 CFR 355
• Regulations governing hazardous waste, 40 CFR Part 260
• Hazardous Chemical Report: Community Right -to -Know; 40 CFR Part 370
2. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Public Law 100-707), amended by:
• Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-308)
• Disaster Recovery Reform Act (DRRA) of 2018
3. 29 CFR Part 1910 (OSHA) —Subpart H —Hazardous Materials
• Occupational Safety and Health Standards, Hazardous Materials, Training Curriculum
which level of Guidelines, 29 CFR 1910.120(q)
4. Standards for Competence of Responders to hazardous materials/WMD incidents, NFPA 472
State
1. Response to Hazardous Material Incidents, Montana Code Annotated (MCA) 10-3-1201 to 10-3-
1218
2. Employee and Community Hazardous Chemical Information Act, MCA 50-78-101 to 50-78-402
3. Local and Interjurisdictional Emergency and Disaster Agencies and Services, MCA 10-3-201
Mission
The mission of this plan is to:
1. Establish a strategy to minimize the adverse effects of hazardous materials upon life, health,
property, and the environment
2. Identify community resources for emergency planning, response, and recovery activities
3. Coordinate an effective and efficient response to a hazardous materials incident
4. Establish a community "Hazardous Materials Response Plan" to supplement the 2019
Yellowstone County Emergency Operations Plan
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 9
Situation and Assumptions
Situation
A hazardous materials incident can happen anywhere within Yellowstone County and involve any
potentially hazardous material. The YC LEPC supports county -wide planning in addition to the site-
specific planning by businesses, industries, and facilities that use hazardous materials. Residents are best
served when response capabilities meet a broad range of hazards.
History shows that the majority of hazardous materials incidents present no health hazard beyond the
immediate site of a release. This is due in part to the controls that many facilities employ and to the
response capabilities that Yellowstone County has developed. This Yellowstone County Hazardous
Materials Response Plan addresses the rare incident that may have an adverse health impact beyond
the immediate site of a release.
For a plan to be successful, it must be used. Every type of response to a hazardous materials incident
should be addressed by the plan to enable an effective transition if the scope of the incident escalates to
a major emergency.
A hazardous materials incident may be concurrent with another emergency, in which case the
operations of the Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan will be integrated with the
overall response. Examples of these emergencies include but are not limited to: a plane crash, train
derailment, marine emergency, and/or acts of terrorism.
Assumptions
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidance is limited to Extremely Hazardous Substances (EHS)
and does not address other hazardous materials that may pose hazards to the community. The YC LEPC
and the Billings Fire Department Hazardous Materials (BFD HazMat) Response Team support response
capabilities for all chemical and physical hazard types, instead of an approach directed at a list of
particular chemicals.
The YC LEPC's hazardous materials emergency planning philosophy is more comprehensive than the
EPA's "Technical Guidance for Hazards Analysis," (December 1987). The following assumptions are at
issue:
1. EPA guidance is limited to Extremely Hazardous Substances (EHS) and does not address other
hazardous materials that may also pose risk to the community. The YC LEPC, the BFD HazMat
Team, and available local industrial hazardous materials resources support response capabilities
for a broad range of chemical and physical hazard types instead of an approach directed at a list
of particular chemicals.
2. EPA guidance directs that a hazard analysis be done for each EHS present at a facility. The YC
LEPC promotes facility planning to support a comprehensive hazard analysis that considers an
"all risk" approach. It is possible that EHS chemicals may not pose the greatest vulnerability at a
site and may in fact not even be involved in the incident.
3. A hazards analysis based on the EHS list may mislead the public about chemical hazards in the
community. For example, chemicals on the EHS list may not always pose an airborne hazard to
the community. Example: Phosphorus (CAS #7723-14-0), when alloyed in carbon steel, may pose
an occupational hazard during milling or grinding. Yet in this form it is not likely to pose a hazard
to the outside community or the environment.
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 10
4. EPA guidance instructs that a vulnerability zone be identified for each facility. In Yellowstone
County this could result in identifying the same population several times while missing other at -
risk populations in other areas of the County or in neighboring communities. The YC LEPC
supports a comprehensive county -wide plan to ensure effective use of its resources for
response to a hazardous materials incident anywhere in the county.
5. In addition to the EPA guidance referenced in Items 1-4, a Risk Management Plan (RMP) is
required for an owner or operator of a stationary source that has more than a threshold
quantity of a regulated substance in a process, as determined under 40 CFR § 68.115 - Threshold
determination. Compliance with the requirements of this part are to be no later than the latest
of the following dates:
a. June 21, 1999
b. Three years after the date on which a regulated substance is first listed under §68.130
c. The date on which a regulated substance is first present above a threshold quantity in a
process
6. The owner/operator of a stationary source subject to this section must submit a single RMP to
EPA as provided in §68.150 to 68.185. The RMP shall include a registration that reflects all
regulated processes.
Organization
1. The initial Incident Commander (IC) at the scene has authority to direct and control emergency
actions and is responsible to recognize when an incident exceeds their training and capabilities
and to request the assistance of additional resources such as the BFD HazMat Team.
The 2019 EOP specifies the BFD HazMat Team as the "Local Emergency Response Authority"
(LERA) for the City of Billings, City of Laurel, Town of Broadview, and all county areas outside
those municipalities.
2. Upon incident assessment, the IC will declare a Level of Magnitude (HazMat Level 0, 1, 2, or 3)
and announce this declaration to the 911 Dispatcher, who will begin the agency dispatch and
notification assigned to that Level of Magnitude.
3. The IC will establish a Command Post from which to direct and oversee all emergency
operations. The IC will secure the site with the aid of law enforcement and other available
agencies.
4. A Unified Command system will be employed to facilitate a coordinated response by all local,
state and federal agencies.
5. Appropriate public alerting means will be employed to deliver information about protective
actions.
6. Law enforcement will assist the IC by securing and controlling access to the scene.
7. EMS will assist the IC with on -scene triage, treatment, and transportation of victims, and
medically support responding resources (e.g., BFD HazMat Team).
8. Special response teams in addition to the BFD HazMat Team are available from public and
private -sector resources, including the BFD Technical Rescue Team (e.g., Confined Space Rescue,
Swift Water Rescue), Billings SWAT and Bomb Squad, and Emergency Task Forces.
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 11
9. The IC will designate a Joint Information Center (JIC) for media representatives.
10. The Yellowstone County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) may be activated for incidents
requiring the coordination of a major response involving multiple jurisdictions or agencies.
County EOC activities are coordinated by YC DES. The City of Billings and Yellowstone County
operate a joint EOC located at 2300 9th Avenue North, Billings, Montana (basement of Fire
Station #1). This location also serves as the EOC for the City of Laurel and Town of Broadview.
11. Additional resources are available from state and federal sources. Support for local response
and/or additional capacity can be obtained through chain -of -command and Mutual Aid requests
initiated by YC DES to MT DES. If these resources are not locally based, response time is
according to their availability and travel distance. One of these resources can be a Federal On -
Scene Coordinator for Hazardous Materials Response.
12. In the event of a disaster, MCA 10-3-402 to 403 may apply. While the IC assumes operational
authority, only the Principal Executive Officer (PEO) of the affected municipality has authority to
issue a local emergency proclamation or disaster declaration. A declaration of a State of
Emergency utilizes and expands the authority of the local PEO.
Concept of Operations
Preparedness
Preparedness involves actions designed to save lives and minimize damage. It is raising awareness,
planning, and training for appropriate response prior to an emergency.
1. Community Preparedness
Efforts to raise community awareness and preparedness for all hazards is encouraged.
Suggested actions may include but are not limited to:
a. Signage and communication to residents of major, pre -designated evacuation routes
b. Promotion of FEMA www.Ready.gov resources, guides, and toolkits
c. Outreach to vulnerable populations with access or mobility challenges who may need
additional assistance during an emergency, including those with special healthcare
needs and language barriers
2. Hazard Analysis
a. Hazards Identification
Yellowstone County is an industrialized community with numerous fixed facilities that
use, store, and produce a wide variety of hazardous materials. Yellowstone County has
several transportation systems:
• Highways (including Interstate Routes 94 and 90 and Montana Highways 3, 47,
87, 212, 312)
• Railroads (BNSF east -west and north -south, Montana Rail Link east -west)
• Pipelines (including hazardous liquid and gas transmission)
• Air (including Billings Logan International Airport)
• Water (including Yellowstone River and tributaries)
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 12
An incident could occur anywhere in the County— at a fixed facility that may or may not
be subject to the planning requirements of SARA Title III, or during transportation.
Further, the incident might involve material(s) on the Extremely Hazardous Substances
list, and/or a "non -listed" hazardous material that poses a threat to the community.
An incident in a neighboring county or tribal nation may cross the border and impact
Yellowstone County.
b. Risk Analysis
Risk Analysis is an attempt to rank hazards by comparing the probability of a release
with the severity of consequences of that release:
• Occurrence:
Yellowstone County has already experienced hazardous materials incidents at
fixed facilities and on all transportation systems. The LEPC expects that incidents
will continue to occur at similar past rates.
• Consequences:
Yellowstone County has already experienced minor and moderate hazardous
materials incidents. The LEPC expects that minor and moderate incidents will
continue to occur and that a major incident is possible.
c. Vulnerability Zone
Any part of Yellowstone County may be subject to airborne material during a release of
a hazardous material. Therefore, for the purposes of this Plan and its activities, all of
Yellowstone County is designated as the "vulnerable zone."
d. Response Capabilities
Yellowstone County's hazardous materials response capabilities include the expertise of
one regional hazmat response team (BFD HazMat Team) and the resources of 11 fire
departments, 4 law enforcement agencies, 4 EMS providers (AMR, Laurel, Lockwood
Worden), and 2 healthcare systems (Billings Clinic and Saint Vincent). Further,
hazardous materials planning and response activities are supported by private -sector
organizations, numerous professional organizations, public safety training programs,
and specialized response teams at the state and federal levels.
3. Facility Planning
a. Non -Regulated Facilities
Facilities not regulated by SARA Title III should:
• Maintain a list of 24-hour contact person(s) and submit it to YC DES
Establish internal procedures for evacuation in the event of a hazardous
materials incident
b. Regulated Facilities
Facilities regulated by SARA Title III must meet planning requirements:
• Prepare both an analysis of hazards at the facility ("Facility Hazard Analysis"),
and a response procedure for those hazards ("Facility Response Procedure").
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 13
Copies are submitted to 1) the LEPC, 2) the State Emergency Response
Commission (SERC), and 3) YC DES.
• Comply with the applicable SARA reporting requirements and OSHA regulations.
• Participate in training programs identified in the "Training and Exercising"
section.
• Designate an official (available on 24-hour call) who is capable of participating in
a Command Post as a facility representative. This person will have information
and the authority to:
Identify the location, type and quantity of hazardous/flammable
chemicals or materials
Provide SDS information and technical data on properties of the
chemicals or materials present
3. Implement the Emergency Action Plan for the facility ("Facility
Emergency Contingency Plan"), if appropriate and available.
4. Facility Reporting
Yellowstone County's response is based upon effective planning and training. Primary
emergency response is most effective when the community receives prompt notification of an
incident. This section provides guidance to facilities and stresses the critical need for prompt
and accurate reporting.
a. Reporting Requirement
• A facility must immediately report the release of a reportable quantity of a
hazardous substance or extremely hazardous substance to the environment
(EPCRA §304, 40-CFR§355.40).
• The report is to be made by calling all:
1. 9-1-1 Dispatch to notify the Community Emergency Coordinator
2. YC DES: (406) 208-0506
3. MT DES Duty Officer: (406) 324-4377, alt 406-431-0411
4. Montana Department of Environmental Quality: (406) 444-0379
• This reporting requirement does not apply to any release that results in
exposure to persons solely within the site or sites on which a facility is located
(EPCRA §304(d)).
b. Local Reporting Guideline
To better protect safety and to support the primary emergency responders, the LEPC
requests that facilities immediately report "Perceptible Exposure" releases by calling 9-
1-1.
"Perceptible Exposure" means: any release of a hazardous substance or extremely
hazardous substance which is visible, produces a detectable odor or a distinctive taste,
or impacts a human or environmental receptor physically, such as causing eye irritation,
itchy skin, damaged vegetation, chronic injury, etc.
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 14
c. Follow-up Notice
As soon as practical thereafter, a written, follow-up emergency notice shall be
submitted to:
LEPC Community Emergency Coordinator
c/o Yellowstone County Disaster and Emergency Services
316 North 26th, Room 3201
Billings, Montana 59101
• Montana Department of Environmental Quality
See DEQ website for reporting requirements and to submit an online reporting
form: https:Hdeg.mt.gov/DEQAdmin/ENF
A sample follow-up notification form is provided in Appendix E.
Note: This section is intended to facilitate emergency response and does not guarantee
compliance with reporting requirements under any other environmental or health and
safety law. There may be other applicable reporting requirements depending on the
circumstances of the release.
5. Training and Exercises
a. Training
• The LEPC supports a comprehensive training program for agency personnel and
emergency staff to ensure a safe and effective response to hazardous materials
incidents.
Training requirements are established by state and federal regulations. Absent
of such criteria, in-service training will be based upon the level of knowledge or
skill required to perform the tasks associated with the job assignment. Training
deficiencies should be identified through appropriate administrative channels
for resolution.
Title III, Section 303(c)(8) requires training for those responsible to implement
chemical emergency plans. Yellowstone County intends to utilize courses
sponsored by the federal and state governments and private organizations to
fulfill this requirement. Local agencies and facilities will also schedule courses to
address the unique concerns and needs of the local hazardous materials
preparedness program.
• Local agencies, facilities, and organizations should provide in-service training to
satisfy operational needs, to maintain appropriate certification standards, and
to comply with applicable regulatory standards. It is recommended that a
training officer be designated to establish an annual training program designed
to meet requirements. Individual training records should be maintained on all
emergency responders.
• The LEPC works in conjunction with the State Emergency Response Commission
and community leaders to evaluate the hazardous materials training needs of
local emergency response personnel. The LEPC will monitor and/or coordinate
local training initiatives to ensure consistency with this plan and will take
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 15
advantage of training resources available from all levels of government and the
private sector.
b. Exercises
• The LEPC supports a comprehensive exercise program to effectively implement
and evaluate the Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan.
• Title III, Section 303(c)(9) requires local jurisdictions to establish "methods and
schedules for exercising the emergency plan." An effective exercise program will
strengthen response management, coordination, and operations, and identify
areas for improvement. Corrective actions can then be taken to improve and
refine public safety capabilities.
• Exercises are generally classified into five categories: Orientations, Drills, Table-
top, Functional, and Full-scale. Each exercise type varies in activities and
resources. Some require simple preparations and execution while others may be
more complex and require greater efforts and resources. Each provides its own
benefits and should be considered in the development of an exercise program
to satisfy community and facility needs.
• Each facility should conduct at least one annual test of their emergency plan.
These tests should be coordinated, when possible, with the appropriate fire
department. Facilities should conduct an exercise debriefing and within 30 days
prepare an after -action report noting corrective action and lessons learned.
Emergency Response
Risk -Based Decision Making
First responders and the Incident Commander, as well as Yellowstone County DES, Billings FD, and the
BFD HazMat Team, rely on a risk-based decision making process to manage and mitigate a hazardous
materials incident, termed "DECIDE." More information can be found here:
http://www.henrvcoema.org/EMA/HazMat Training Materials files/DECIDE.odf.
The DECIDE process includes the following steps:
1. Detect hazardous material presence
2. Estimate likely harm without intervention
3. Choose response objectives
4. Identify action options
5. Do best option
6. Evaluate progress
Levels of Response Magnitude
The Levels of Response Magnitude outlined below describe the impact of a hazardous materials incident
on the community and are categorized based on severity as Level 0, 1, 2, or 3. See Table 1. Criteria for
determining the incident level include:
• Characteristics of the hazardous material
• Nature of the material release
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 16
• Population and area affected (e.g., sensitive ecosystems, waterways, transportation routes)
• Extent of multi -agency and multi -jurisdictional involvement
• Evacuations, injuries, or fatalities
• Technical expertise and equipment needed to safely mitigate the incident
• Duration
The determination of incident level shall be a collective decision between the IC and the BFD HazMat
Team. If terrorist activities are suspected, the incident will be classified as a Level III and require federal
involvement and additional activities.
1. Level 0 — Non -Emergency Condition
a. Definition:
A hazardous materials incident that is not likely to adversely impact or threaten life,
health, property or the environment, where control of the incident is within the
capabilities of resources available to the local response jurisdictions.
b. Criteria:
• Incident controlled by the facility or the local response jurisdictions
• BFD HazMat Team advice may be required for technical assistance
2. Level 1— Controlled Emergency Condition
a. Definition:
A hazardous materials incident that may adversely impact or threaten life, health,
property or the environment within an area immediately surrounding the point of
release or potential release; where control of the incident is within the capabilities of
the resources locally available to responders in Yellowstone County.
b. Criteria:
• Incident can be controlled by the first municipal response agency with the BFD
HazMat Team
• Local response jurisdictions with special teams response, as defined in
Organization (page 11)
• May require evacuation or sheltering for the area immediately affected by the
release or potential release
3. Level 2 — Limited Emergency Condition
a. Definition:
A hazardous materials incident that may adversely impact or threaten life, health,
property or the environment beyond the point of release; may be across municipal
jurisdictions; where control of the incident is within the capabilities of the resources
based within Yellowstone County.
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 17
b. Criteria:
• Incident that is beyond the capabilities of the first municipal response agency
and requires broad-base community resources
• Evacuation or sheltering of residents or facilities should be considered
• Participation or support by mutual -aid agencies
• Multi -jurisdictional or multi -municipal involvement
4. Level 3 — Full Emergency Condition
a. Definition:
A hazardous materials incident that adversely impacts or threatens life, health,
property, or the environment in a large geographic area. Additional resources are
required to supplement those available within Yellowstone County.
b. Criteria:
• Serious hazard or severe threat to life, health, and the environment
• Large geographic impact
• Major community evacuation or sheltering
• Multi -jurisdictional involvement
• Requires broad-based resources
Table I Summary of Emergency Levels of Response Magnitude
LEVEL OF RESPONSE PRODUCT IMPACT
MAGNITUDE
LEVEL 0 Non -Threatening
LEVEL 1 Threat
111ALTIA W
LEVEL 3
Threat
Threat
'Special teams as defined in Organization, page 11.
AREA OF IMPACT
Confined to site
Within immediate area
of release
Beyond immediate
area of release
Multi -jurisdictional
Beyond immediate
area of release
Multi -jurisdictional
Large geographic area
CAPACITY TO
CONTROL
Local jurisdiction
...PLUS HazMat team
and special teams' as
requested by the IC
...PLUS broad-based
community resources
Broad-based resources
are required to
supplement those
available within
Yellowstone County
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 18
Dispatch & Notification
1. Level 0 — Non -Emergency Condition
Upon declaration of a Level 0 hazardous materials incident, 911 Dispatch may dispatch the
following:
• Yellowstone County DES
• Local fire department
• Local law enforcement (tell them this is a Hazardous Materials Incident)
• Local EMS
• Other agencies as appropriate
2. Level 1— Controlled Emergency Condition
Upon declaration a Level 1 hazardous materials incident, 911 Dispatch may dispatch the
following:
• All Level 0 agencies, PLUS:
• BFD HazMat Response Team
• Yellowstone County Fire Warden
• Other agencies as appropriate
3. Level 2 — Limited Emergency Condition
Upon declaration of a Level 2 hazardous materials incident, 911 Dispatch may dispatch the
following:
• All Level 1 agencies, PLUS:
• Other regional HazMat teams (e.g., Bozeman, Missoula)
• Other agencies as appropriate — EOC activation determined through consultation with
YC DES, the County Fire Warden, and the IC
4. Level 3 — Full Emergency Condition
Upon declaration of a Level 3 hazardous materials incident, 911 Dispatch may dispatch the
following:
• All Level 2 agencies, PLUS
• Other fire departments via mutual aid
• Other EMS agencies via mutual aid
• Other regional HazMat teams (e.g., Bozeman, Missoula)
• EOC activated by YC DES
• Other local State and/or Federal agencies as appropriate
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 19
Operations
Actions taken by emergency responders shall be based upon the need to protect life, health, property
and the environment.
Operations shall comply with applicable OSHA regulations, which may include:
1. 29 CFR 1910.120— Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER)
2. 29 CFR 1910.134— Respiratory Standard
3. 29 CFR 1910.156— Fire Brigade Standard
4. Standard Operating Procedures as specified by individual agencies
Approaching the Scene
Emergency responders should approach the scene of a hazardous materials incident from upwind and
uphill if possible. Emergency responders should not pass through a vapor cloud or a spill.
Arriving at the Scene
1. Emergency responders should meet with a facility representative, or other knowledgeable
person, to learn about the incident.
2. Establish a perimeter to isolate the hazard area and deny entry.
3. Address immediate life-threatening situations. If possible, begin decontamination triage.
Identifying the Materials Involved
1. Identify hazardous materials BEFORE exposing personnel or taking remedial action.
2. Binoculars may be used to view placards, license plates, vehicle identification information, and
containers for clues about product(s) involved.
3. Obtain shipping papers and/or Safety Data Sheets (SDS). Correct spelling of the chemical name is
critical.
Obtaining Hazard and Handling Information
The physical and chemical properties of a product, as well as its hazards and handling information, may
be obtained from sources including:
• Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
• Chemical reference books: US DOT—Emergency Response Guidebook, National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA) Handbooks
• CHEMTREC 1-800-424-9300
• American Association of Poison Control Centers (800) 222-1222
• Agency for Toxic Substances Disease Registry 1-800-232-4636
• Chemical data base (e.g., CAMEO mobile phone application)
• Plume dispersion and mapping models (e.g., ALOHA or ADASHI)
• E -Plan
• WISER (Wireless Information for Emergency Responders)
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 20
On -scene Measurements
On -scene measurements may be taken with direct -reading instruments including, but not limited to:
• Carbon monoxide meter
• Colormetric indicator tubes
• Combustible gas indicator
• Oxygen Meter
• Ph paper
• Radiological survey instruments
• Chemical test/detection equipment
• Multi -gas meter with photoionization detector ("PID")
Weather
Weather may play an important role in the outcome of a hazardous materials incident. The National
Weather Service can supply:
• Wind speed and direction
• Temperature
• Relative humidity
• Precipitation
• Stability of the lower atmosphere
• Forecast
Expertise
Expertise may be obtained from sources including:
• Manufacturer
• Shipper
• Carrier
• Consignee
• Facility representative
• BFD Hazardous Materials Response Team
• Chemical industry personnel
• College and university personnel
• Farm and related industry personnel
Site Control / Hazard Control Zones
The Incident Commander shall establish hazard control zones for emergency responders and the public
in accordance with state and federal guidelines:
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 21
1. Exclusion (Hot) Zone: area with actual or potential contamination and the highest potential for
exposure to hazardous substances.
2. Contamination Reduction (Warm) Zone: transition area between the exclusion and support
zones. This area is where responders enter and exit the exclusion zone and where
decontamination activities take place.
3. Support (Cold) Zone: area of the site that is free from contamination and that maybe safely
used as a planning and staging area.
The following factors should be considered in the establishment of hazard control zones:
• Wind speed and direction
• Drainage and topography
• Location of Command Post, Staging, and Emergency Medical Treatment areas
• Access control points
• Decontamination/Entry corridors
Decontamination
1. A decontamination area shall be established for victims and equipment to minimize the spread
of contamination.
2. Prior to departing an incident scene, all contaminated personnel and equipment shall be
decontaminated as much as possible. Equipment marked for further decontamination must be
completely decontaminated before returning to service.
3. It is the Incident Commander's responsibility to see that if decontamination is needed, it is
accomplished properly at the scene before any patient is turned over to EMS.
4. Once EMS is on scene, EMS decides patient care in consultation with the BFD HazMat Group
Supervisor, Incident Commander, and EMS Medical Director.
Safety and Health
The Incident Commander shall designate an on -scene Safety Officer who shall ensure that emergency
responders use personal protective equipment (PPE) and procedures that comply with local, state and
federal regulations.
Mitigating the Incident
The Incident Commander, in conjunction with facility personnel and other technical specialists,
shall develop a risk-based response process and carry -out that plan to avoid unnecessary
exposure. A risk-based response is a systematic process by which responders analyze a problem
involving hazardous materials/weapons of mass destruction (WMD), assess the hazards,
evaluate the potential consequences, and determine appropriate response actions based upon
facts, science, and the circumstances of the incident (NFPA 472 3.3.57).
2. Containment and Control:
a. Qualified emergency responders may perform containment and control tasks to
mitigate the incident and to minimize adverse environmental impacts.
b. Containment and control may include: closing valves, plugging or patching holes,
transferring material from one container to another, damming, diking, booming,
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 22
absorbing, neutralizing, diluting, suppressing vapors, extinguishing, and using water
spray to keep containers cool.
c. If flammable vapors and gases are present, combustible gas indicators may be used to
determine the potential ignition area. All ignition sources in that area should be
eliminated.
Some materials are water reactive. Water used to extinguish a fire may create a much
bigger problem when it becomes contaminated run-off. If hazardous materials are
involved in a fire, it may be best to let the fire burn.
3. In cases where contamination of the environment has occurred, the YC DES and the State of
Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) shall be informed so they may evaluate
the situation and take appropriate action.
4. In cases where contamination of a water -supply system has occurred or may occur, YC DES, MT
DEQ Riverstone Health, and the affected downstream water supplier or community shall be
informed so they may evaluate the situation and take appropriate action in accordance with the
Yellowstone County Source Water Protection Plan (2020) and state and federal laws.
In cases where contamination of a sewer system has occurred or may occur, YC DES, MT DEQ,
and the affected sewer agency or community, shall be informed so they may evaluate the
situation and take appropriate action in accordance with the Yellowstone County Source Water
Protection Plan (2020) and state and federal laws.
Radio Communications
Radio Communications are primarily between the incident site and 911 Dispatch for:
1. Dispatch and information exchange among base stations, mobiles, and portables
2. Command of personnel and resources
3. Agency Coordination
a. In situations involving mutual aid, or similar multi -agency or multi -jurisdictional
response, integration of the various communications systems can be achieved by
coordinating information at 911 Dispatch, the Command Post, and/or the EOC.
b. If it is necessary to operate a secondary, or alternate communications center, the
emergency service agency that regularly controls the channel shall provide personnel to
operate the equipment.
4. Support Systems
Public works, transportation and related agencies have the capacity to provide
equipment, vehicles, and personnel to support an incident if needed.
b. YC DES can provide a mobile unit with radio, data, and telephone communications
equipment designed for Command Post support.
c. Amateur radio and TV links can be activated through DES.
Protective Actions
Evacuation, sheltering -in-place, or a combination should be considered in defining protective actions to
reduce or eliminate public exposure to hazardous materials that are released during an incident.
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 23
1. Evacuation
Evacuating the public is a decision based on information indicating that the public is at greater
risk by remaining in or near the hazard area. Information that should be considered in the
decision to evacuate includes:
• Severity of dangers
• Population affected
• Availability of resources to evacuate the affected population
• The notification means to provide emergency instructions
• Safe passage for the evacuees, including adequate time
• Availability of reception centers, shelters, and sustenance
• Special needs of evacuees
2. Shelter -In -Place
Sheltering -in-place means advising the affected population to seek protection within the
structure they occupy or in a nearby structure. Like evacuation, this decision is based upon
hazard analysis. If the danger to the public is mitigated by sheltering -in-place, then it should be
employed as a protective measure.
With certain hazards, (e.g. short-term exposure, line -of -sight exposure) the best decision may be
to shelter -in-place. One distinct advantage of sheltering -in-place is the relative ease of
implementation. Some considerations are:
• Availability of resources
• Time available to take protective actions
• Public's understanding of sheltering -in-place
For some hazards, sheltering -in-place can be enhanced by seeking the most protected refuge in
the structure. For chemical, radiological, and some biological hazards it is enhanced by reducing
the indoor -outdoor air exchange rate.
3. Combination Protective Actions
There may be circumstances when using both evacuation and sheltering -in-place is appropriate.
For example, when time or resources cannot support the immediate need to evacuate a large
population, only those closest to the hazard and at greater danger could be instructed to
evacuate, while people outside of the immediate area would be advised to shelter -in-place.
4. Implementation of Protective Actions
The Incident Commander(s) shall be responsible to designate personnel in charge of protective
actions. Protective actions may require the declaration of a local state of emergency.
• Traffic Control Points and Access Control Points shall be established to direct traffic and
people out of the affected area and to prevent entry.
• Sources of transportation capable of supporting an evacuation shall be identified.
• All residents of the affected area should be identified and accounted for.
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 24
• Forced entry into homes and businesses shall only be performed if there is a reason to
believe that a victim may be inside.
• In the case of persons who refuse to leave their homes during an evacuation order: their
names, address, next-of-kin, and time of notification shall be documented.
5. Family Assistance Centers
The evacuees may need to stay at a temporary staging area until a suitable Family Assistance
Center can be established. The Family Assistance Center shall be coordinated by the American
Red Cross with personnel support from other COADs and/or public health representatives from
RiverStone Health.
Public Alerting
Once a decision has been made to evacuate or shelter -in-place, the Incident Commander(s) shall have
YC DES and local law enforcement alert the public.
See Appendix F for a Sample Evacuation Announcement and Appendix G for a Shelter -in -Place
Announcement.
Public Alerting provides timely and reliable emergency information pertaining to the need for protective
actions. For protective actions to be effective, the public must first be alerted that an emergency exists,
and second be instructed on what to do. Since a hazardous materials incident is normally a rapidly
developing situation, initial public alerting by emergency response personnel is a critical aspect of public
safety.
1. When to Alert the Public
• Level 0 — Non -Emergency Condition
This Level of Magnitude does not normally require Public Alerting. However, the
Incident Commander (IC) or designated Public Information Officer (PIO) shall respond to
public and media requests for information.
• Level 1— Controlled Emergency Condition
This Level of Magnitude may not require Public Alerting. However, the IC or designated
PIO shall respond to public and media requests for information.
• Level 2 — Limited Emergency Condition
This Level of Magnitude may require Public Alerting.
• Level 3 — Full Emergency Condition
This Level of Magnitude requires Public Alerting.
2. Methods of Public Alerting
• Press Release
A press release may be relayed by the PIO or through the JIC to media representatives
or made directly to on -scene media representatives.
• Route Alerting
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 25
Emergency personnel utilizing emergency vehicles, equipped with a siren, a public
address system, and appropriate PPE may drive through the affected area and announce
the emergency.
• Residential Door -to -Door Alerting
Emergency personnel, equipped with appropriate PPE, may walk through the affected
area and announce the emergency situation on a door-to-door basis.
• Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS) / CodeRed Emergency Notification
System
Activation of IPAWS and/or CodeRed can only be accomplished by YC DES, pre -
designated government officials, or the National Weather Service.
An updated roster of IPAWS-certified personnel is maintained at 911 Dispatch and YC
DES.
• Mass Notification
Mass notification through the CodeRed Notification System may be initiated by either
911 Dispatch or YC DES.
3. Public Alert Message Content
Components of a public alert message may include:
• Affected area
• Health hazards
• Protective actions
• Evacuation routes
• Location of Family Assistance Center(s)
• Medical treatment
• Telephone number for mobility impaired to call for assistance
Recovery
Recovery immediately follows emergency response. It involves direction to restore the community to
normal conditions and may include the following aspects:
• Request by the Governor for a Presidential Disaster Declaration
• Maintaining access control
• Clearing debris
• Restoring public utilities
• Providing emergency social services (shelter, clothing, food, etc.)
• Rebuilding
• Investigating the incident
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 26
• Demobilizing emergency personnel and resources, which may include emergency worker
counseling
• Adjusting traffic control perimeters
• Continuing public information —general purpose and health-related
• Maintaining security in restricted areas
• Providing long-term counseling for residents
• Continuity planning for business and industry (economic preservation)
Specific short and mid-term recovery actions should include:
1. Cleanup and Disposal
a. The cleanup and disposal of hazardous wastes will comply with applicable local, state,
and federal regulations
b. The party responsible for the incident is legally and financially responsible for the
cleanup and disposal of hazardous wastes
c. Emergency responders should understand that if they initiate contact with a commercial
cleanup company, they may be held responsible for the costs incurred
d. If the party responsible for the incident is unknown, unwilling, or unable to accomplish
cleanup and disposal, MT DEQ may hire a commercial cleanup company with State
funds
2. Relocation and Re -Entry
a. Relocation
In cases where contamination of the environment has occurred and the long-term
relocation of residents is necessary, the Montana Department of Health and Human
Services (DPHHS) may provide relocation assistance.
b. Re -Entry
Re-entry to an area that has been sheltered -in-place or evacuated shall not be allowed
until authorized by the Incident Commander(s).
The Incident Commander(s) shall confer with the YC DES and RiverStone Health and
other appropriate officials to establish re-entry procedures that will include:
• A time to return
• Safety precautions
• Health precautions
• Decontamination
• Symptoms of illness as a result of exposure
The PIO shall inform the public of the re-entry procedures. This may be done by the
following methods:
• Social media
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 27
• News release
• Emergency Alert System / CodeRed
• Mass notification system
• Announcements and/or printed materials at reception or congregate care
centers
• Printed materials issued at Traffic Control Points and Access Control Points
Traffic Control Points and Access Control Points shall be maintained, as necessary, to
ensure an orderly re-entry by the public.
3. Incident Evaluation
OSHA Standard 1910.120 requires the Incident Commander(s) to debrief and evaluate the
emergency response as soon as possible.
a. Incident Debriefing
The IC shall ensure that an incident debriefing occurs as the incident conclusion or as
responders leave the scene. The debriefing should include, but not be limited to
providing the following information:
• Hazard information
• Exposure signs and symptoms of materials involved
• Name of individual responsible for post -incident medical contact
• Administrative procedures
• Gather name(s) of all outside responders and agencies
b. Critique
The IC shall conduct a critique for all Level 1 or greater hazardous materials incidents.
Such critique will review the incident with the purpose of identifying both those areas
that worked well and those areas that need improvement. (If requested, YC DES will aid
with the critique.) The critique process should include, but not be limited to the
following:
• Be held after allowing sufficient time for the emergency to be investigated and
appropriate information collected.
• Include at least one representative of each agency that played a role in handling
the incident.
• May consist of a single multi -agency meeting or various inter -agency meetings.
• The findings of such a critique, and identity of its participants, shall be
documented in writing, in an After -Action Report with Improvement Plan.
• Areas of improvement or changes identified in local or community plans or
training will be incorporated in local or community activities as appropriate.
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 28
Direction and Control
The Incident Commander(s) will control and direct all activities at the scene in accordance with the
Incident Command System (ICS).
If a disaster is declared by the Principal Executive Officer of a political subdivision as described in MCA
10-3-402, the YC DES Director will exercise authority over all disaster operations in the municipality or
county in accordance with mission assignments contained in this Plan.
A Command Post will be established by the Incident Commander(s). This is the center from which all
emergency operations will be directed. Staffing for the Command Post, as directed by the Incident
Commander(s) should be limited to primary responders: fire, law enforcement, EMS, YC DES,
communications, and others who may be appointed by the Incident Commander(s).
The news media will assemble at the Joint Information Center (JIC) and when the Incident
Commander(s) deems the site accessible, be escorted to the scene staging area (designated by the
Incident Commander(s)). If the County's EOC is activated, the EOC Public Information Officer will
disseminate information in conjunction with the on -scene PIO.
1. Unified Command
In the event of a Level 2 or Level 3 hazardous materials incident (see response descriptions
beginning on page 16), the responders shall utilize Unified Command to provide effective
leadership, coordination, and unified on -scene command of emergency response forces.
All on -scene actions shall be consistent with the objective of ensuring the safety of all
emergency responders and the public.
A hazardous materials incident may require a broad range of on -scene response organizations
including, but not limited to: emergency response personnel from all levels of government;
industry representatives; private contractors; and the media. The need for specialized
equipment and technical knowledge during response may also be extensive, as are the number
of critical decisions that must be made in the area of the incident: containment, emergency
worker safety, public protective actions and environmental protection.
This Plan addresses the need to ensure control of a multi-jurisdictional/multi-agency response
to a hazardous materials incident and highlights the demand for a unified Incident Command
System (ICS) under the direction of the Incident Commanders.
The concept of Unified Command simply means that the main agencies that have jurisdictional
responsibilities will have an incident commander as part of the unified command system to
contribute to the process of:
• Determining overall response objectives
• Selecting response strategies
• Ensuring joint planning and application of tactical and operational activities
• Maximizing use of available resources
• Public alerting and press releases
Incident commanders from main response agencies and with jurisdictional responsibilities
include:
a. First Responder
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 29
The primary responsibility of the first responder is to determine the potential hazards to
life, health, property, and the environment resulting from the incident. If it is
determined that the incident presents a potentially hazardous situation, the first
responder should promptly communicate this to 911. The first responder should then
initiate the following actions:
• Evacuate all non -emergency personnel from the hazard area
• Attempt to identify the material(s) involved
• Establish a Command Post
• Determine if community notification, sheltering, or evacuation is needed and
the geographical area likely to be impacted
• Isolate contaminated persons in a safe location
• When representatives of the Lead Agency having jurisdiction designate an
Incident Commander(s), the first responder should brief the Incident
Commander(s) on the extent of injuries, damage and the status of efforts to
control the incident
b. Incident Commander
As part of the initial response to a hazardous materials incident, the fire department
having jurisdiction shall serve as the Lead Agency. A qualified on -scene member of that
fire department shall serve as the Incident Commander.
Using a risk-based response process and the incident response descriptions (beginning
on page 16), the Incident Commander shall establish a response plan and declare a Level
of Magnitude for the incident. If conditions change, the Level of Magnitude may be
upgraded or downgraded as appropriate.
When the designation of the Incident Commander(s) needs to be evaluated, the
following factors should be considered:
• Declared "State of Emergency"
• Geographic area affected
• Impact upon the community
• Single or multiple jurisdictions affected
• Number of response agencies
• Operational requirements
• Resources commitments
• Scope and technical complexity of the incident
The Incident Commander(s) must ensure that all participating agencies (local, state,
tribal, and federal) are effectively communicating within the designated command
structure.
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 30
If the designation of Incident Commander(s) changes where the Incident Commander(s)
is not physically at the scene, it may be necessary to designate an Operations Section
Chief.
c. Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
An EOC provides off-site incident coordination and assistance as required.
YC DES maintains procedures for activating Yellowstone County's EOC.
Upon notification of a Level 2 hazardous materials incident, YC DES shall contact the
Incident Commander to assess whether Yellowstone County's EOC needs to be activated
and the degree to which it should be staffed.
d. Command Responsibilities
Level 0 — Non -Emergency Condition
Implement incident command. The Incident Commander shall:
• Establish contact with a facility representative
• Determine the number and type of response units that are needed to handle
the incident
• Evaluate the need to declare a higher or lower Level of Magnitude
• Respond to public and media requests for information
Level 1— Controlled Emergency Condition
The above activities, plus:
• Establish a Command Post
• Establish liaison with the Facility Emergency Coordinator
• Ensure that all appropriate agencies are represented in the Command Post
• Designate Sections and Section Chiefs, as appropriate
Level 2 — Limited Emergency Condition
The above activities, plus:
• Consult with YC DES about activating the EOC
• YC DES shall notify and brief the PEO of the affected political subdivision
• The PEO of the affected political subdivision shall evaluate the need to declare a
State of Emergency, in accordance with MCA 10-3-402
Level 3 — Full Emergency Condition
The above activities, plus:
• The Incident Commander(s), YC DES, Fire Warden, EMS Coordinator, Sheriff,
Public Health Director, local officials (including local law enforcement), and the
PEO shall reevaluate the existing designation of the Incident Commander
• MT DES coordinates the application of the state's resources in an emergency
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 31
Special Considerations for Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and Other Intentional
Releases of Hazardous Materials
Typically, units from law enforcement, fire, and EMS will all be dispatched to a WMD incident in which
an intentional nuclear, chemical or biological exposure is claimed to have occurred or is imminent.
Priorities for emergency response personnel are similar to other types of hazardous materials event
responses. However, there are some special circumstances that should be considered and implemented.
• In incidents involving a known or suspected WMD, a request for the Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI) should be made. According to the National Response Plan and Presidential
Directives, the FBI is the lead federal agency for incidents involving chemical, biological, or
nuclear weapons. This means that the incident site should be considered a federal crime scene.
• A request to the Montana National Guard 83 d Civil Support Team should be considered.
• A request to the Billings Fire Department Bomb Squad should be considered.
• Increased media attention to these incidents may require an early assignment of a P10.
• A safe assessment of the entire scene, using extreme caution to avoid exposing or
contaminating any additional personnel, should occur.
• Any victims should be medically evaluated, documented, and, when possible, debriefed by law
enforcement authorities before leaving the scene.
• Handling any device that is suspected of containing potentially hazardous nuclear, chemical, or
biological materials should be kept to an absolute minimum. This is important to both preserve
evidence and to reduce the number of people that are potentially exposed to harm. Emergency
responders should not handle suspect letters or other materials.
• Personnel should be aware that the device could be "booby -trapped" and that there may be a
secondary device in the vicinity.
• Because of the possibility of a secondary explosive device, do not use radios or cellular phones
within 50 feet of the incident scene.
• Set an appropriate evacuation distance of at least 300 feet.
• Notification to YC DES is required.
Mission Assignments
Incident Commander
The senior official from the Lead Agency will, upon arrival, normally serve as the Incident Commander.
Assignment of responsibilities to all other emergency response units will be coordinated by this
individual. The Incident Commander shall:
Establish the Incident Command System (ICS) structure and staff the Command Post to handle
the operation. ICS unit responsibilities may include:
• Life safety and rescue operations
• Evaluation of incident cause and response risk
• Scene security
• Public alerting, evacuation, or shelter -in-place announcements
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 32
• Fire suppression
• Spill containment and leak control
• Re-entry and recovery
2. Direct on -scene operations to ensure that objectives are identified, and assignments are made
including hazard assessment and First Responder briefings
3. Coordinate actions through support agency representatives who will retain control of their
respective forces under the ICS
4. Designate a hazard area, define its limits, and establish other zones as needed
5. Determine the need for public alerting, sheltering -in-place or evacuation and notify the
appropriate agency representative who will initiate actions
6. Establish functional sections to support operations, in accordance with the ICS. Functional
sections may include:
• Resources Unit (within the Planning Section)
• Situation Unit (within the Planning Section)
• Medical Unit (within the Logistics Section)
• Communications Unit (within the Logistics Section)
Fire Service
1. Fire Department
As the Lead Agency, the Senior Fire Officer present should take actions to implement the ICS.
Fire Department responsibilities may include the identification of materials, bringing fires
under control, and the containment of spills. The fire department coordinates and notifies
appropriate authorities to implement the safe removal of the product and may monitor the
cleanup and decontamination of the site.
2. Billings Fire Department Hazardous Materials Response Team:
• BFD HazMat Team will provide overall technical assistance in conjunction with the on -
scene qualified industrial representative
• BFD HazMat Team may identify the product, its potential hazards, and provide this
information to the Incident Commander
• BFD HazMat Team may make entry into the hot zone to control, contain, and stop the
leak and/or spill
• BFD HazMat Team operations and recovery will be conducted in accordance with
appropriate state and federal regulations
3. County Fire Warden
If requested by the Incident Commander, or if conditions warrant, the Yellowstone County
Fire Warden shall:
• Serve as the on -scene fire liaison
• Act as the principal coordinator for mutual aid requests and the BFD HazMat Team
• Provide technical advice and assistance as required
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 33
Law Enforcement
Law enforcement duties may include securing the immediate area and limiting access at the scene of
the incident; rerouting traffic; public alerting; and possible incident investigation in the case of
accidental or criminal intent.
Emergency Medical Service (EMS)
EMS will coordinate on -scene emergency and non -emergency medical care, treatment, and
transportation for victims of a hazardous materials incident. EMS will assure adequate resources are
available for the rehabilitation and treatment of first responders operating at the incident. They will also
ensure that EMS mutual aid plans are implemented.
A release of hazardous materials into the environment may cause multiple injuries and/or casualties.
EMS may be needed to provide medical care to those injured and/or exposed (e.g., facility employees,
emergency responders, the public). Furthermore, a hazardous materials incident may require mutual aid
among EMS providers and hospitals.
1. EMS is in charge of all patient care at the scene. Patient care decisions are the providence of
the senior EMS provider at the scene and may be made in consultation with a physician via
online medical control.
2. Yellowstone County EMS Administrator
The emergency medical responsibilities of the EMS Administrator include the following:
• On scene EMS liaison
Coordination of EMS activities with the Incident Commander, EMS responders, YC DES,
area hospitals, and RiverStone Health, and in accordance with mutual aid agreements,
as required
• In response to a mass casualty event, coordination with YC DES to implement mass
casualty response procedures outlined in 1) ESF #8 Public Health and Medical Services
(2019 EOP), 2) "Mass Fatality Management Procedures" (Appendix I, 2019 EOP) , and 3)
Disaster Medical Health Plan for Billings, Laurel, Broadview, and Yellowstone County
(2011)
3. Hospitals
Hospitals shall provide primary medical care to persons who are injured and/or exposed to
hazardous materials.
Public Health - RiverStone Health
RiverStone Health serves as the Lead Agency for Yellowstone County Public Health. Incident
responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
1. Serving as the local representative of the Montana DPHHS
2. Notifying the appropriate state agencies of those incidents that result in the exposure of
hazardous materials to the public
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 34
Coroner
Coroner services in Yellowstone County are provided by the Sheriff's Office in conjunction with the
Department of Justice Medical Examiner's Office. Coroners shall provide for the management of the
deceased in accordance with "Mass Fatality Management Procedures" (Appendix I, 2019 EOP).
Public Safety Communications (9-1-1 Dispatch)
The Billings City/County 911 Communications Center is responsible for, but not limited, to the following:
1. Serving as the community point -of -contact for persons reporting hazardous materials
incidents
2. Activating dispatch/notification protocols for appropriate responders
3. Maintaining communication with the Incident Commander
4. Relaying critical information to responders on their operating channels
5. Maintaining 911 Dispatch communication services for the duration of the incident
6. Ensure notification of pipeline officials via emergency contact numbers BY REQUEST
7. Coordinate activation of community warning systems as directed by IC
8. Notify nearby critical operations and vulnerable populations (i.e. schools, hospital,
government)
Disaster and Emergency Services
YC DES responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
1. Designating an on -scene liaison to facilitate response
2. Keeping the Principal Executive Officer fully informed of all operations
3. Supporting emergency response forces at the Command Post
4. Establishing an EOC in accordance with emergency plan protocols or by request of the
Incident Commander and/or the Principal Executive Officer
5. Coordinating staffing and functions of the EOC
6. Collecting, displaying, and disseminating information in the EOC
7. Coordinating with MT DES regarding support from state and federal agencies
8. Coordinating support from private agencies and volunteer groups
9. Directing volunteer civil response organizations
10. Coordinate local damage assessment and survey
Emergency Operations Center
Depending upon the incident other governmental agencies may be required to support containment,
control, and recovery. These requests could include transportation, public works, equipment, specialized
personnel, materials, and communications. The Incident Commander(s) may request such support
directly or via the YC EOC.
The EOC will coordinate:
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 35
1. Agencies within County government, city government, the community, and the private sector
2. Command and control on behalf of the Principal Executive Officer (upon MCA 10-3-402
declaration)
3. State and federal agency response
Public Information Officer
1. Facilities and public agencies should develop media relations plans. Such plans should
designate spokespersons who are available on 24-hour call and who are prepared and
authorized to discuss an emergency situation with the media.
2. The spokesperson designated to speak on behalf of the Incident Commander is the Public
Information Officer (PIO)
3. The PIO should establish a Joint Information Center (JIC) where the media can obtain
information.
• The JIC should be located in a safe and secure area
Allowing media representatives into the Command Post is not recommended, as it can
be disruptive to the operation. However, cooperation with the media is essential to
ensure that the public is informed of the situation and what precautions and/or
protective actions are necessary.
4. As appropriate, the PIO, in conjunction with a facility spokesperson, should make joint media
releases
5. The PIO should assist in coordinating media requests for information
6. Facilities and public agencies should not make media releases without coordination with, and
approval from, the PIO
Facility Operator/Transporter
Representatives are responsible to report a hazardous materials release that is greater than the
reportable quantity and/or conditions that could result in an incident that may affect personnel and/or
the environment. In addition, a facility operator or transporter representative shall:
1. Implement the facility emergency response plan and provide supplies, trained personnel, and
equipment to mitigate the emergency
2. Provide management and technical support to the Incident Commander
3. Coordinate incident remediation and recovery (i.e., clean up company, service restoration)
Principal Executive Officer
If a State of Emergency is declared in accordance with MCA 10-3-402, the Principal Executive Officer
(PEO) is responsible for, but not limited to, the following functions:
Participate with the YC EOC, which coordinates the efforts of volunteer agencies, state and
federal authorities, public utilities, and other support agencies during the emergency
response, recovery, and re-entry phases
2. Brief other elected and appointed officials about the nature of the emergency
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 36
3. Designate a spokesperson who is prepared and authorized to discuss the emergency with the
media. The spokesperson and the Incident Command PIO shall make joint news releases as
appropriate and coordinate media requests for information.
4. Request state aid through MT DES if the emergency is beyond local capability
5. Ongoing communications with and support to the Incident Commander for on -scene
operations
Locally -Based Resources
The Incident Commander may request support from other local government agencies as required to
support the incident response and recovery, e.g. transportation, public works, specialized equipment
and personnel, and materials.
Community Organizations Active in Disasters
1. Montana211 *2-1-1, www.montana2ll.org
2. United Way Yellowstone
3. Team Rubicon
4. The Salvation Army
5. American Red Cross
Congress established the American Red Cross as the principal organization to undertake relief
activities during time of disaster. Red Cross services include:
• Identifying and staffing emergency shelters
• Providing food for victims and emergency workers
• Assisting with evacuation and distribution of emergency supplies
• Lead Agency to coordinate volunteer relief agencies in disaster operations
Response Organizations
YC DES and/or BFD maintain a list of qualified cleanup resources. Hazmat Cleanup resources:
State and Federal Agencies
State and federal laws may require the notification of other governmental agencies. Such notification is
generally the responsibility of the facility/transporter responsible for the materials involved in the
incident. Generally, the primary role of these agencies will be to assist the local emergency response
agencies and ensure that the parties responsible for the incident provide adequate cleanup and
decontamination. In most cases, state and/or federal personnel will only be dispatched to the scene of
major incidents.
Support
At the basic level, emergency response operations are initiated with locally -based responders using local
procedures and plans. However, any thoughtful planning must recognize the potential need for
additional outside resources. Such planning must outline the basic processes and established guidelines
which govern the requesting, integration, and management of such aid.
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 37
In Montana, there are two major mechanisms in place to solicit outside resources: 1) the emergency
declaration process outlined in state statutes, and 2) mutual aid agreements and policies that were
established either multilaterally by the state or region, or unilaterally between various agencies.
Special Requirements
Hazardous Materials Response Plan - Review
As required by statute, the LEPC performs an annual review of this Hazardous Materials Response Plan.
Comments, corrections, or suggestions on any part of the Plan should be forwarded to:
Local Emergency Planning Committee
c/o Yellowstone County Disaster and Emergency Services
316 North 26th, Room 3201
Billings, Montana 59101
Hazardous Materials Response Plan - Distribution Summary
1. State Emergency Response Commission
2. Members of the LEPC
3. All municipalities within Yellowstone County
4. All police, fire, and EMS agencies providing service in Yellowstone County
S. All 'covered facilities' within Yellowstone County (as defined by PL 99-499)
6. The local media
7. Yellowstone County Commissioners
8. The plan is posted on the Yellowstone County LEPC/DES website
Local Emergency Planning Committee
The YC LEPC complies with structure and process mandates:
1. The Committee carries 11 Core Membership categories that comprise essential PI relationships
in addition to General Membership categories that support the LEPC purpose and activities
2. The Committee meets on the second Thursday of each month at 1:30pm, in the Emergency
Operating Center, Billings Fire Station #1, 2305 8th Avenue North (in the basement)
3. Committee meeting minutes are disseminated to LEPC members and published on the DES
website
Since the LEPC's inception, many new environmental regulations have been passed into law. As
environmental legislation has expanded, the LEPC's role has also grown.
1. SARA Title III requires the LEPC to:
• Maintain emergency plans and community right -to -know programs
• Improve preparedness through training and education
• Conduct exercises to test plans and procedures
• Receive emergency notifications and activate the Plan
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 38
• Receive and file SARA Title III reports
2. The Hazardous Materials Transportation Safety Act of 1990 requires the LEPC to:
• Plan, train, and prepare for transportation incidents involving hazardous materials
3. The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 (including section 112r, Risk Management Planning),
requires the LEPC to:
• Improve coordination of facility and community emergency plans by sharing information
• Provide information for facility emergency response plans
• Provide information for facility Risk Management Plans
• Review plans for SARA Title III related issues
4. The Occupational Safety and Health Act requires the LEPC to:
• Improve safety of emergency responders and facility workers though employer activities
• Provide guidance on response planning and training requirements
• Provide information for facility process safety plans
• Provide information for facility emergency response plans
5. The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 requires the LEPC to:
• Improve planning and response for oil and hazardous materials discharges to water
• Coordinate the local community Plan with facility plans
6. The Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 requires the LEPC to:
• Reduce risk by promoting source reduction and pollution prevention measures
Glossary
Billings Fire Department (BFD) Regional HazMat Team —Regional hazardous materials response team
that provides local expertise for all hazmat events. The Team coordinates with six other regional
teams across Montana to respond to hazmat incidents anywhere in the state. They are
designated as the "Local Emergency Response Authority" (LERA).
CBRNE Materials—Chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive materials.
Chairperson of the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) — Principal Officer of the LEPC. The
Chairperson shall be subject to the control of the LEPC and shall, in general, supervise and
control all of the business and affairs of the LEPC.
CodeRed -- The Yellowstone County CodeRed Emergency Notification System provides the public with
the ability to receive voice, text, and/or email notifications generated by government and public
safety officials. More information is available from the Yellowstone County Emergency
Management Information Line at 406-256-2775.
Command Post (CP) — The Command Post is the nucleus of the decision-making process at any incident.
There is only one CP for the incident. In a Unified Command Structure where Incident
Commanders from several agencies or jurisdictions are involved, the responsible individuals
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 39
designated by their respective agencies would be co -located at the CP. If needed, planning and
logistics functions are also performed at the CP.
Covered Facility—see "Facility" definition.
Disaster and Emergency Services (DES) — DES is the focal point of emergency services in Yellowstone
County for all hazards incidents as well as local, state and national security emergencies. DES
develops, maintains, and administers a comprehensive emergency management plan designed
to save lives and protect property though prevention, mitigation, readiness, response, and
recovery.
Emergency Manager —The Director of Disaster and Emergency Services is the Yellowstone County
Emergency Manager.
Emergency Operations Center (EOC) —When activated, an EOC is a protected site where
representatives of government (municipal, county, state, or federal) and private sector agencies
convene during disaster situations to make decisions, set priorities, and coordinate resources for
response and recovery.
Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) — Yellowstone County ICS guidelines are included in the Yellowstone
County Emergency Operations Plan (2019).
Extremely Hazardous Substance (EHS) — Chemical substances that could cause serious irreversible
health effects from accidental release. See Appendix A for information resources about the EHS
list, known as the "List of Lists."
Facility — (A) Any building, structure, installation, equipment, pipe or pipeline (including any pipe into a
sewer or publicly owned treatment works), well, pit, pond, lagoon, impoundment, ditch, landfill,
storage container, motor vehicle, rolling stock or aircraft, or (B) any site or area where a
hazardous substance has been deposited, stored, disposed of, placed or otherwise come to be
located, at which an extremely hazardous substance is present in an amount in excess of the
applicable threshold planning quantity; except for the purposes of the release requirement for
which "facility" means any of the items listed in (A) or (B) at which a hazardous chemical is
produced, used or stored. The term does not include any consumer product in consumer use or
any vessel.
Fire Warden — In Yellowstone County, this person is responsible for all rural fire operations,
coordination, and response activities.
Hazardous Chemical — Any chemical exposure that poses a physical hazard or health hazard.
Incident Command System (ICS) —An organized system which defines standard operating procedures
and roles and responsibilities used to manage and direct emergency operations as outlined in
NIMS and the Yellowstone County Emergency Operations Plan (2019).
Joint Information Center (JIC) —A JIC is a place which receives and processes information from the
Command Post and/or the EOC, about the event for accurate and timely dissemination to the
news media and the public. Media representatives report to the JIC for official information
about the event.
Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) — The Local Emergency Planning Committee.
National Incident Management System (NIMS) —The National Incident Management System (NIMS)
guides all levels of government, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector to work
together to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to and recover from incidents.
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 40
Perceptible Exposure — Any release of a hazardous substance or extremely hazardous substance which
is visible, produces a detectable odor or a distinctive taste, or impacts a human or
environmental receptor physically, such as causing irritated eyes, itchy skin, damaged
vegetation, chronic injury, etc.
Principal Executive Officer (PEO) — The mayor, presiding officer of the county commissioners, or other
chief executive officer of a political subdivision (MCA 10-3-103, Item 11).
Protective Actions — Official direction to evacuate the area or to shelter -in-place as precaution from
harmful exposure.
Public Alerting — Decisive action to notify the public and to direct them to take specific actions. Several
means can be used by public officials.
Public Information Officer (PIO) — This is the spokesperson for the event. This person is responsible to
develop information about the incident and release information to the news media and other
agencies, after authorization from the Incident Commander(s) or the EOC Manager.
Release — Any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping,
leaching, dumping or disposing into the environment (including the abandonment or discarding
of barrels, containers and other closed receptacles containing any hazardous substance or
pollutant or containment), but excludes (a) any release which results in exposure to persons
solely within a workplace, with respect to a claim which such persons may assert against the
employer of such persons, (b) emissions from the engine exhaust of a motor vehicle, rolling
stock, aircraft, vessel or pipeline pumping station engine, (c) release of source, byproduct or
special nuclear material from a nuclear incident, as those terms are defined in the Atomic
Energy Act of 1954, if such release is subject to requirements with respect to financial
protection established by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission under 170 of such Act, and (d) the
normal application of fertilizer.
Reportable Quantity (RQ) — Determined by the EPA and set forth in Appendix A. For all other hazardous
substances, the Reportable Quantity (RQ) is one pound.
Risk Management Plan (RMP) —A document that assists the preparer in foreseeing risks, estimated
impacts, and define responses to risks.
Safety Data Sheet (SDS) — Formerly known as a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). Information sheet(s)
about a chemical product including: emergency responder precautions, protective actions,
emergency treatment, and the physical characteristics of the product, among others.
Site — All contiguous property owned or leased by the owner or operator of the facility at which the
release occurred, but does not include property across a public right of way.
State of Emergency— In the event of a disaster, rioting, catastrophe or similar public emergency, or in
the event of reasonable apprehension of immediate danger, and upon a finding by the Principal
Executive Officer (PEO) of a political subdivision that the public safety is imperiled within the
territorial limits of the county, city, town or village, the PEO of that political subdivision may
proclaim a State of Emergency within any part or all of the territorial limits of such local
government. Following such proclamation, the PEO of the political subdivision may promulgate
local emergency orders to protect life and property or to bring the emergency situation under
control in accordance with MCA 10-3-402).
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 41
Threshold Planning Quantity (TPQ) — The quantity established by the EPA for each extremely hazardous
substance (EHS) stored or processed at an industry facility that can pose a health risk should an
accidental release occur. See Appendix A for information resources about EHSs and TPQs.
Unified Command — A method for all agencies or individuals who have a jurisdictional responsibility and
in some cases for those who have functional responsibility at the incident, to contribute to:
Determining overall objectives for a safe resolution of the incident
2. Selecting a strategy to achieve these objectives
Ensuring the maximum effective use of all resources
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 42
Appendices
Appendix A - List of Extremely Hazardous Substances
1. Available by telephone:
The most current edition is available from the Federal Environmental Protection Agency's
"Emergency Planning and Community Right -to -Know HOTLINE":
1-800-424-9346 (select option #4, Monday - Friday, 10:00 a.m. — 5:00 p.m. EST)
Ask for Document EPA 550-13-19-003 (June 2019) which is known as the "List of Lists."
2. Available electronically:
https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-03/documents/list of lists.pdf
Information at the website includes:
LIST OF LISTS
Consolidated List of Chemicals Subject to the Emergency Planning and Community Right to -
Know Act (EPCRA), Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act
(CERCLA) and Section 112(r) of the Clean Air Act
This consolidated chemical list includes chemicals subject to reporting requirements under the
Emergency Planning and Community Right -to -Know Act (EPCRA), also known as Title III of the
Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA),the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and Section 112(r) of the
Clean Air Act (CAA). This consolidated list does not include all hazardous chemicals subject to
the reporting requirements in EPCRA sections 311 and 312, for which Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)
must be developed under OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200). These
hazardous chemicals are identified by broad criteria, rather than by enumeration. There are
over 500,000 products that satisfy the criteria. See 40 CFR Part 370 for more information.
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 43
Appendix B - Map of Major Transportation Routes
The following maps appear in the following pages:
1. Major & Minor Routes— Laurel
2. Major & Minor Routes— Billings
3. Major & Minor Routes— Lockwood
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 44
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Appendix C - Telephone Roster
This telephone roster is provided as a summary listing of agencies and organizations that have interest
and involvement in chemical emergencies. Plan holders are encouraged to develop an emergency
telephone roster to facilitate recall. However, because of update requirements, changes must be made
by plan holders on a continuous basis. On an annual basis this appendix will be officially updated.
Numbers not preceded by an area code are "406."
Local Emergency Responders
Police/Sheriff/Fire/EMS
From outside Yellowstone County
9-1-1
406-657-8200
Billings Fire Department HazMat Response Team
I 9-1-1
YC DES
After hours & weekends
9-1-1
406-208-0506
YC Fire Warden 406-208-0506
Local Government Agencies
Riverstone Health / DPHHS
YC Public Works
After hours & weekends
Billings Public Works
406-247-3200
406-208-0555
406-208-9077
406-657-8230
Laurel Public Works
406-628-4796
State Agencies
Montana Highway Patrol
1-855-467-3777
Montana Dept of Transportation
406-657-0217
Montana DES
406-324-4777
Montana DEQ 406-431-0014
Support Organizations
American Red Cross 1-800-272-6668
Che mTech 1-800-424-9300
Poison control 1-800-222-1222
Industry Resources
CHS Refinery
406-628-5200
Phillips 66 Refinery
406-255-2560
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 48
Exxon Refinery
Montana Rail
Cenex Pipeline, LLC
ExxonMobil Pipeline Co.
Front Range Pipeline, LLC
Montana Dakota Utilities Co.
NorthWestern Energy
Phillips Pipe Line Co
Plains Pipeline, L.P.
WBI Energy Transmission
BNSF
406-657-5320
1-800-338-4750
1-800-498-4838
1-800-421-4122
1-800-537-5200
406-657-5320
1-800-421-4122
1-800-638-3278
1-888-467-2669
1-800-231-2551
1-877-267-2290
406-255-5617
1-800-708-5071
1-888-859-7291
1-800-832-54521
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 49
Appendix D - Requesting Billings Fire Department Hazardous Materials Response Team
Dial 9-1-1 to request activation or consultation on possible activation of the Billings Fire Department
Hazardous Materials Response Team.
Be prepared to provide your name, address, phone number, and incident information.
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 50
Appendix E - Sample Incident Reporting Form
Hazardous Materials Incident Information Summary
Company Name
Date
Address
Name of Person Calling
Call Back Phone #
Location of Incident
Nature/Cause
of Release
Leak
Fire
Explosion
Derailment
Traffic Accident
Chemical Name
Time Release Started/Discovered
Duration of Release
(could be continuing)
Estimate of Quantity Released (lbs., gal., etc.)
Material Released Into: (could be more than one)
Air
Water
Ground
Number of Injuries or Deaths
Any known or anticipated health risks associated with this release
If so, what information should be released to news media?
Suggested precautions (public warning, traffic control, in place sheltering, crowd control, evacuation,
down river problems, etc.)
For further information, contact
Phone
NOTE: SARA, Title III, Section 304 requires written follow-up report with additional information. Please
forward to:
Yellowstone County LEPC
c/o Yellowstone County Disaster and Emergency Services
316 North 26th, Room 3201
Billings, Montana 59101
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 51
Appendix F - Sample Evacuation Announcement
Evacuation Announcement
"The following message is from . A Hazardous Materials Emergency
exists at (location) All persons must evacuate an area bordered by
(North) , (East) , (South) , (West) . (Repeat one time, then continue)
Please follow these main evacuation routes: (List routes)
Please cooperate by checking on persons in your neighborhood who may live alone. If they do not have
transportation, please assist them. If you know housebound or mobility impaired persons who require
assistance, contact
You should prepare to spend a minimum of one day away from home. You should take sufficient
quantities of personal care items and prescription drugs for this time period.
We remind you to take the following steps:
1. Secure your home and property.
2. Turn off all lights and electrical appliances.
3. Turn down heating systems (or turn-off air conditioning systems).
4. Drive carefully. Proceed calmly to your destination, obeying all traffic laws.
5. Please obey the police and others who will be directing traffic along the evacuation routes.
If you need a place to stay, please go to (location)
Pets (will/will not) be allowed inside the congregate care centers. However, bring your pets and
facilities will be provided for their care.
Do not use the telephone except to REPORT emergencies. Do not call government offices. You will be
kept informed of the situation through this Emergency Alert Station.
The preceding message is an announcement from regarding an order by
to evacuate all persons living in the affected area. For further information,
please stay tuned to this station."
(This message shall be repeated everyfive minutes.)
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 52
Appendix G - Sample Shelter -in -Place Announcement
"The following message is from
exists at (location]
Shelter -in -Place Announcement
A Hazardous Materials Emergency
If you live, work, or are traveling within the following area, you should take shelter by going inside a
building:
The area is bordered by (North) , (East) , (South) , (West) . (Repeat one time, then continue)
If you are traveling through the affected area, roll -up windows, close air vents, turn off heaters and/or
air conditioners. If shelter is not immediately available, place a handkerchief, towel or other similar item
snugly over your nose and mouth until you can get indoors.
Take shelter indoors and do the following:
Close all doors, windows, shades and drapes, sealing gaps with wet towels or wide tape.
Stay away from windows.
Turn off heating systems, air conditioners or fans.
Extinguish fireplaces and close fireplace dampers.
Keep pets inside.
(Read this statement only if school is in session:)
Do not telephone or go to the school your children attend. They are in a covered protected
environment. You will be notified when they are bussed home or when it is safe to retrieve
them, including instructions on where and how.
Do not use the telephone except to REPORT emergencies. Do not call government offices. You will be
kept informed of the situation through this Emergency Alert Station.
The preceding message is from advising people affected by this emergency
to take shelter. For further information, please stay tuned to this station."
(Thereafter, this message shall be repeated every five minutes.)
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 53
Appendix H - Reference List
Websites
• Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) Toxicological Profiles
https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiledocs/index.htmI
• American Chemistry Council (ACC)
www.americanchemistry.com
• American Petroleum Institute (API)
www.api.org
• American Railway Car Institute (ARCI)
www.rsiweb.org
• Association of American Railroads (AAR)
www.aar.org
• Bureau of Explosives (BOE)
http://boe.aar.com
• Chemical Hazards Emergency Medical Management (CHEMM)
https://chemm.nlm.nih.gov/
• Chemical Transportation Emergency Center (CHEMTREC)
www.chemtract.org
• The Chlorine Institute (CI)
www.chlorineinstitute.org
• Compressed Gas Association (CGA)
www.cganet.com
• Department of Homeland Security/Transportation Security Administration (DHS/TSA)
www.tsa.gov
• Department of Transportation (DOT)
www.dot.gov
• Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG)
https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/2020-08/ERG2020-WEB.pdf
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
www.epa.gov
https://www.epa.goy/epera/cercia-and-epera-continuous-release-reporting
• The Fertilizer Institute (TFI)
www.tfi.org
• Montana Code Annotated (MCA)
https:Hleg.mt.gov/bills/mca/index.html
• Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
https:Hdeg.mt.gov/DEQAdmin/ENF
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 472 & 473
www.nfpa.org
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 54
• National Propane Gas Association (NPGA)
www.npga.org
• National Response Center (NRC)
http://www.nrc.uscg.mil/
• New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control (OFPC)
www.dhses.nv.gov/ofpc/
• Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
www.nrc.gov
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
www.osha.gov
• Railway Supply Institute (RSI)
www.rsiweb.org
• Radiation Emergency Medical Management (REMM)
https://www.remm.nlm.gov index.html
• The Sulfur Institute (TSI)
www.sulphurinstitute.org/about/index.cfm
• Transport Canada (TC)
www.tc.gc.ca
• United States Coast Guard (USCG)
www.uscg.mil
• Wireless Information System for Emergency Responders (WISER)
http://webwiser.nlm.nih.gov/
Emergency Telephone Numbers
0 CHEMTREC 1-800-424-9300 or 202-887-1255
• CHEM -TEL 1-800-255-3924 or 813-979-0626
• DEC Oil/HazMat Spill Hotline 1-800-457-7362
• Department of Defense (for incidents involving military shipments)
o Dangerous Goods 1-800-851-8061
o Explosives & Ammunition 703-697-0218
• National Response Center 1-800-424-8802
County & Federal Resources
• Emergency Operations Plan — Yellowstone County, 2019
Includes Emergency Support Function (ESF) 10 - Oil and Hazardous Materials Response
https:/Iwww.co.yellowstone.mt.gov/Des/plans/EOP 2019.pdf
• Yellowstone County MultiHazard Mitigation Plan, 2019
https://www.co.yellowstone.mt.gov/des/plans/
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 55
• Hazardous Materials Incidents: Guidance for State, Local, Tribal, Territorial and Private Sector
Partners, August 2019
https://www.fema.gov/media-I i bra ry-data/1566393023589-
8134367aaf67f65c7a159453cOb8c27b/Hazardous Materials Incidents.pdf
• Disaster Medical Health Plan for Billings, Laurel, Broadview and Yellowstone County, 2011
Available upon request from YC DES
• Yellowstone County Source Water Protection Plan, 2020
Available upon request from YC DES
Books
• DOT Emergency Response Guidebook
• Firefighter's Handbook of Hazardous Materials by Charles J Baker
• NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
• Quick Selection Guide to Chemical Protective Clothing by Kristen Forsberg & S.Z. Mansdorf
• Hazardous Chemicals Desk Reference by Richard J Lewis Sr.
• Hazardous Materials Reference Book Cross Index by Daniel J Davis & Julie A Davis
• Handbook of Hazardous Chemical Properties by Nicholas P Chevemisinoff
• Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary by Richard J Lewis St.
• The Merck Index
• The First Responders' Guide to Agricultural Chemical Accidents by Charles R Foden & Jack L
Weddell
Smartphone Apps
• AskRail
• ERG 2020
• Gas Detection
• EMD PTE
• Hazmat Chemical Suit Guide
• Mobile REMM
• Rail Crossing Locator
• OSHA Heat Safety Tool
• Confined Space and Rope
• FEMA
• WISER
• HazmatlQ eCharts
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 56
Appendix I - Use of Social Media
Yellowstone County DES may utilize social media to communicate evolving incident information to the
public, including the use of the YC DES Facebook page. Information released through social media does
not replace public alerts sent via CodeRed or IPAWS, such as Shelter -in -Place or Evacuation
Announcements.
The BFD HazMat Response Team may utilize social media to communicate evolving incident information
to the public in cooperation with the PIO, JIC, and YC DES.
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 57
Appendix J - LEPC By -Laws
LEPC By -Laws are available on the YC DES website: https://www.co.yellowstone.mt.sov/des/lepc/. A
signed copy is also on record in the Clerk & Recorder's office, recording number 3198806.
BY LAWS LOCAL EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMITTEE
YELLOWSTONE COUNTY (MT)
Revised and Adopted, December 10, 2014
ARTICLE I. NAME, PURPOSE & OFFICE
SECTION 1.1 NAME
The name of this organization shall be the Yellowstone County Local Emergency Planning Committee LEPC, herein
after referred to as the "LEPC". All power of the LEPC is vested in its membership with limited powers given to the
Board of Directors.
SECTION 1.2 PURPOSE
The purpose of the LEPC shall be:
1. To carry out for County of Yellowstone and its political subdivisions those responsibilities required of the LEPC pursuant
to Public Law 99-499, Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA),Title III, and related regulations
including but not limited to:
■ Developing, training, and exercising of a hazardous material emergency response plan for
Yellowstone County and its political subdivisions;
■ Developing procedures for receiving and storing hazardous material information from Yellowstone
County businesses and processing requests from the public under the community Right -to -Know
provisions of Title III,SARA; and
■ Establishing provisions for public notification of LEPC activities.
2. To plan, develop, train and exercise community emergency response plans for all other risks and hazards identified in
Yellowstone County including but not limited to flooding, wildfires, major structure fires, winter storms, tornadoes,
terrorism, etc.
3. To implement further related activities as may hereafter be legally required by the Federal Government, the State
Emergency Response Commission (SERC), or the LEPC.
4. To develop and maintain a compliance checklist as an attachment to the bylaws which shall be used in an annual
compliance review.
SECTION 1.3 BUSINESS OFFICE
The organization's principal office shall be located in Billings, Montana. The LEPC's most current Annual Report shall identify the
location of the principal office.
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 58
ARTICLE II. MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 2.1 MEMBERSHIP
1. Membership.
Any person or firm engaged in business and who subscribes to the principles and purposes of the LEPC is eligible
for membership. If a corporation or other entity holds membership, the entity shall be considered one member
though more than one representative may participate and attend meetings.
LEPC membership shall include representatives of entities needed to ensure close mutual aid relationships and
effective regulatory compliance and those who support the purpose and activities of the LEPC. This shall include
but not be limited to representatives from the following groups or organizations: elected officials, law enforcement,
emergency management; fire response; emergency medical services; health officials, local environmental groups,
hospital personnel, transportation; owners and operators of facilities subject to reporting under the Emergency
Planning and Community Right -to -Know Act (EPCRA); broadcast and/or print media; schools, faith -based groups,
and .volunteer and public assistance agencies
2. Membership Appointments
LEPC members are officially appointed for an indefinite term, and must be reviewed by the SERC annually. A
membership application shall be completed and submitted to the Secretary by any group or organization wishing
to become a member of the LEPC. At that time, they will be added to the notification distribution list and listed in
the annual report for that year as new members. Completion of the Annual Report, submission to the County
Commissioners shall constitute official appointment of new members who will be forwarded to the State
Emergency Response Commission (SERC) and added to the official roster.
3. Membership Rights and Expectations
Membership entitles members to receive notification of meetings, copy of minutes and opportunity to participate
in activities, committees and discussions. Members shall support the purpose of LEPC, keep informed and
participate when possible in meetings and activities. Only active/voting members may vote.
4. Membership Categories
Active/Voting Members: Member firms or organizations that have been represented at more than 50% of the
regularly scheduled meetings during the previous year and identified as such as of the record date shall be
classified as active members with voting privileges. One vote will be accorded each entity regardless of the
number of individuals affiliated with that entity who attend meetings and participate.
At -large Members: Individuals with expertise in areas of LEPC concerns and not associated with a member
organization will be classified as at -large members. These persons do not need to be carried on the official roster.
5. Termination of members.
The LEPC may suspend or terminate a member from the LEPC if the LEPC has made a good faith determination
that it is in the best interests of the LEPC to do so. In addition, the LEPC may only suspend or terminate a member
from the LEPC pursuant to the following procedure, which shall be carried out in good faith. The procedure
provides:
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 59
• the LEPC must, by first class mail, give the member written notice of the suspension or
termination not less than 15 days' prior to the effective date of the proposed action and an
explanation of the reasons for it; and
• an opportunity for the member to be heard, orally or in writing, not less than 5 days before the
effective date of the suspension or termination by the LEPC.
Notwithstanding the above provisions, the LEPC shall consider a membership terminated if the member fails to make payment
of annual dues, if dues are required, or if the member fails to attend meetings for two full calendar years or notify the LEPC
of their desire to remain as active members
SECTION 2.2 DUES
The LEPC shall determine the amount of annual dues, if any, to be paid by each member. The LEPC may establish a different
amount of dues to be paid by different types of membership. The LEPC may terminate members for non-payment of annual
membership dues. The LEPC may notify members of nonpayment of dues and may provide a grace period in which to pay dues.
SECTION 2.3 MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP MEETING
The members shall convene monthly meetings on the second Thursday of each month, at the hour of 1:30 o'clock
P.M., or at another time on another day within the month that the LEPC agrees upon. Meetings shall be open to the
public and persons attending who do not wish to become members shall sign -in as a guest. Unless otherwise indicated,
all minutes are considered public record. Matters of confidentiality and vulnerability shall not be included in public
record minutes.
SECTION 2.4 SPECIAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS
The Chairperson, the Board, or the members may call a special membership meeting for any purpose or purposes
described in the meeting notice.
SECTION 2.5 PLACE OF MEMBERSHIP MEETING
The LEPC may designate any place as the meeting place for any monthly, annual or special meeting of the members.
The members may change the meeting place if a majority of the members entitled to vote at the meeting agree to
another location. If the LEPC does not designate a meeting place, then the members shall meet at the principal office
of the organization.
SECTION 2.6 NOTICE OF MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Required notice. The Secretary of the LEPC shall deliver notice of the membership meeting to each record member.
Manner of Communication. The Secretary of the LEPC may deliver to member's notice of the membership meeting
by e-mail, written notice, through a regular publication, or by a newsletter of the organization. The notice must be given
in a fair and reasonable manner; it must be in writing and state the place, day and hour of any monthly, annual or
special membership meeting. If the LEPC determines that e-mail, or a written notice, or notice by a regular publication
or a newsletter of the membership meeting is impracticable, the Secretary of the LEPC may give notice of the
membership meeting by means of a newspaper of general circulation in the area where it is published.
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 60
Adjourned Meeting. If the members adjourn any membership meeting to a different date, time, or place, the Secretary
need not give notice of the new date, time and place, if the new date, time, and place are announced at the meeting
before adjournment. However, if the LEPC fixes a new record date for the adjourned meeting, or must fix a new record
date, then the Secretary must give notice, in accordance with the requirements of paragraphs (b) of this section, to
those persons who are members as of the new record date.
Contents of Notice The notice of meetings shall include a description or agenda indicating the meeting's purpose or
purposes. If the purpose of the meeting is to amend bylaws or adopt policies a copy or summary of information to be
presented shall be sent prior to the meeting.
SECTION 2.7 FIXING OF RECORD DATE
The LEPC has fixed, in advance, a date, referred to as the record date, for the purpose of determining which members,
as of a certain date, are entitled to receive notice of a member meeting. The LEPC may also fix specific rights for
members of record as of the record date. The record date shall be the December meeting unless otherwise determined.
SECTION 2.8 MEMBERSHIP LIST
Contents of Lisf. After the LEPC fixes a record date for notice of a meeting, the officer maintaining the LEPC's record
books, shall prepare a complete record of the members entitled to the notice of the meeting and provide the list to the
SERC.
Inspection. The membership list must be available for inspection by any member, beginning 2 business days after the
Secretary gives notice of the meeting for which the list was prepared. The list shall be located for inspection at the
LEPC's principal office. A member, the member's agent, or attorney is entitled, on written demand, to inspect the list
during regular business hours. The member shall be responsible for any reasonable inspection expenses.
Limitations on Use of Membership Lisf. Without consent of the LEPC, a membership list or any part of it may not be
obtained or used by any person for any purpose unrelated to a member's interest as a member of the LEPC.
Membership lists shall not be distributed to members except for the sole purpose of conducting LEPC business.
SECTION 2.9 MEMBERSHIP QUORUM
For the purpose of official LEPC business, a quorum shall be considered 40% of LEPC active/voting members present
at the meeting. Once a vote is represented for any purpose at a meeting, the LEPC shall deem it present for quorum
purposes for the remainder of the meeting and for any adjournment of the meeting unless a new record date is or must
be set for that adjourned meeting.
SECTION 2.10 VOTING OF MEMBERSHIP
Each member (subject to the provisions of section 2.1.4) is entitled to one vote on each matter voted on by the
ActiveNoting Members. If a membership (one entity) stands of record in the names of two or more persons, the vote
of one name shall bind all names on that one membership. Three-fourths (3/4) affirmative vote is required for member
approval of LEPC merger and dissolution, and for major asset transfers. A majority vote shall carry on other matters
requiring member action, unless otherwise stated in these bylaws.
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 61
SECTION 2.11 LEPC RECORDS
The LEPC shall keep a permanent record of the minutes of all meetings of:
• its members
• the board of directors
The LEPC shall maintain appropriate accounting records, including a quarterly report of fiscal balances to the
membership.
ARTICLE III. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SECTION 3.1 GENERAL POWERS
All LEPC powers shall be exercised by or under the authority of the members of the LEPC. The Board of Directors
shall exercise only those powers given to it by the members of the LEPC and consists primarily of conducting the
business and affairs of the LEPC when the LEPC cannot meet.
SECTION 3.2 COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD
The current officers of the LEPC and the past chairperson of the LEPC, if still active and involved, shall compose the
Board. Each director shall have one vote on any matter that comes before the Board. Each director shall hold office
for the period of time they are officers or until removed in accordance with section 3.3. All Directors shall represent
ActiveNoting members of the LEPC and it is desired that the directors represent different member
organizations/agencies.
SECTION 3.3 REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS
A director (officer) may be removed if a majority of the LEPC members present at a duly constituted meeting vote for
the removal.
SECTION 3.4 DIRECTOR VACANCIES
If a vacancy among the directors occurs on the Board, the LEPC may fill the vacancy, by appointing another officer. If
the directors remaining in office constitute less than a quorum of the Board, they may continue to conduct business as
needed.
SECTION 3.5 REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND NOTICE
The Board shall hold regular meetings as necessary in the absence of the meetings of the LEPC. The Board's
Secretary shall give oral, electronic or written notice of any director meeting at least 2 days before the meeting. The
notice shall include the meeting place, day and hour.
SECTION 3.6 DIRECTOR QUORUM
A majority of the number of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any Board meeting.
ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 62
SECTION 4.1 NUMBER OF OFFICERS
The officers of the LEPC shall be a Chairperson, a Vice -Chair, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. The LEPC shall elect
these officers. In addition to the duties specifically set forth in these bylaws, each officer shall perform any other duties
that the LEPC may assign to the officer. The LEPC may appoint other officers and assistant officers, as it deems
necessary. The same individual may simultaneously hold more than one office in the LEPC.
SECTION 4.2 ELECTION AND TERM OF OFFICE
The LEPC shall elect officers of the LEPC for a two year term unless determined otherwise by the LEPC at the time of
election. There are no limits on the number of terms that may be served In the event of failure or lack of opportunity
to hold elections, the existing officers shall remain in office until new officers are installed.
SECTION 4.3 NOMINATION OF OFFICERS
The chair shall appoint a nominations committee to facilitate the election of officers. A slate will be announced one
month prior to elections. If there is a desire to submit additional nominations these must be submitted to the nominating
chair in writing, and signed by a nominator and seconder, at least 10 days prior to the election.
SECTION 4.4 REMOVAL OF OFFICERS
The LEPC may remove any officer in the manner specified in section 3.3.
SECTION 4.5 CHAIRPERSON
The Chairperson shall be the principal officer of the LEPC. The Chairperson shall be subject to the control of the
LEPC, and shall, in general, supervise and control, in good faith, all of the business and affairs of the LEPC. The
Chairperson presides at all meetings of the LEPC. The Chairperson may sign, with the Secretary or any other proper
officer of the LEPC—,any formal or legal LEPC documents requiring authorized signature on behalf of the LEPC. The
chairperson also shall facilitate the development and presentation of an annual report, serve as the public
liaison/contact for the LEPC and the TIER II reporting contact along with the secretary.
SECTION 4.6 VICE -CHAIR
The Vice -Chair shall perform, in good faith, the Chairperson's duties if the Chairperson is absent, dies, is unable or
refuses to act. If the Vice -Chair acts in the absence of the Chairperson, the Vice -Chair shall have all the Chairperson's
powers and be subject to all the restrictions upon the Chairperson. If the Vice -Chair is unable or refuses to act, then
the Se6Fetary Treasurer or another designated active member shall perform the Chairperson's duties.
Annually, during the first quarter of the calendar year, the Vice Chair shall be responsible for ensuring Bylaws and
Compliance reviews are conducted and results reported to the LEPC.
SECTION 4.7 SECRETARY/INFORMATION COORDINATOR
The Senior Administrative Coordinator of the Billings Fire Department shall serve as secretarylinformation officer of
the LEPC unless for some reason it is determined that another active member needs to be selected.
The Secretary shall:
1. Attend meetings & create and maintain the minutes of the proceedings of the Board and of the LEPC
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 63
2. Provide that all notices are served in accordance with these bylaws or as required by law
3. Be custodian of the LEPC records
4. When requested or required, authenticate any records of the LEPC
5. Keep a current register of the post office and e-mail address of each member
6. Distribute minutes of meetings and other relevant information to the LEPC membership
7. In general perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary.
8. By virtue of the role, the Secretary shall serve as the Information Coordinator for the LEPC. In this role, the
Secretary shall be responsible for processing requests for information from the public under Section 324 of
the EPCRA, including Tier II information under Section 213. Requests for information shall be documented
and the Chairperson shall be notified of such requests.
SECTION 4.8 TREASURER
The Yellowstone County Director of Emergency Services shall serve as Treasurer of the LEPC unless for some reason
it is determined that another Active/Voting member needs to be selected.
The Treasurer shall:
Have charge and custody of and be responsible for all funds and securities of the LEPC
Receive and give receipts for monies due and payable to the LEPC from any source, and deposit all moneys
in the LEPC's name in banks, trust companies, or other depositories that the LEPC shall select
May sign and issue all LEPC checks, drafts or other orders for payment of money, and notes or other evidence
of indebtedness
Submit the books and records to a Certified Public Accountant for annual audit or review
Provide a quarterly fiscal report to the membership
In general perform the entire duties incident to the office of Treasurer.
SECTION 4.9 PAST CHAIRPERSON
In order to keep continuity in the LEPC and its proceedings, the Past Chairperson, may serve on the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE V. SUBCOMMITTEES
Work may be divided among subcommittees to facilitate planning and allow members to specialize and help the LEPC
work on several projects at once. The number and type of subcommittees created shall depend on the need and goals
of the LEPC. Subcommittees may be formed or disbanded as needed. Subcommittee membership does not need to
be limited to LEPC members.
SECTION 5.1 STANDING SUBCOMMITTEES
Standing Subcommittees of the LEPC are those with an on-going responsibility and shall include
■ Exercise Design
■ Grants
■ CAER [Community Awareness and Emergency Response] / Citizens Corps
■ Health & Medical Advisory Group (HMAG)
■ Conference
■ Crisis Communication/P10
■ Communications
■ Training
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 64
The LEPC shall utilize these standing Subcommittees to more narrowly focus on critical hazardous material, safety
and/or disaster planning issues. These committees report their activities and recommendations to the LEPC. The
Chairperson of the LEPC, with the approval of the LEPC, shall appoint subcommittee chairpersons who must represent
Active/Voting members
SECTION 5.2 MEMBERSHIP OF THE STANDING SUBCOMMITTEES
All members of the LEPC are encouraged to volunteer to serve on at least one Standing Subcommittee The LEPC Chairperson
shall ensure that all committees have sufficient participation to carry out their assigned tasks. The Standing Subcommittees may
have non-voting, non-LEPC members as necessary for advice and expertise.
SECTION 5.3. MEETINGS OF THE STANDING SUBCOMMITTEES
Each Standing Subcommittee may hold a meeting between consecutive monthly membership meetings of the LEPC. Additional
meetings of the Standing Subcommittees may be called by the chairperson of those subcommittees or by the Chairperson of the
LEPC as deemed necessary. The subcommittee chair shall make certain that reasonable participation occurs for discussion and
decision-making. Activities shall be reported to the LEPC and recommendations for actions that obligate the LEPC or its members
shall be presented for approval.
SECTION 5.4 DUTIES OF THE STANDING SUBCOMMITTEES
The Exercise Design Subcommittee.
The Exercise Design Subcommittee is responsible for planning, coordinating and conducting annual or semiannual exercises that
reflect on the hazards that pose a risk to Yellowstone County. The Yellowstone County Disaster and Emergency Services Director
is a required member of this committee by nature of his/her duties.
The Grants Subcommittee.
This Grants Subcommittee may seek out, apply for and accept grant funds on behalf of the LEPC. Such grants will adhere to the
purpose of the LEPC and include but are not limited to:
o promote/enhance public awareness of emergency response activities,
o provide awareness, training and exercising of emergency response personnel,
o enhance public alerting, warning and notification and provide equipment for emergency
o support hazardous material and other natural disaster response capabilities
The Community Awareness and Emergency Response (CAER) — Citizens Corps Council Subcommittee.
The CAER/CCC Sub -committee shall coordinate and oversee activities designed to fulfill the purpose of CAER and
Citizens Corps which is:
■ Promote and encourage citizen participation and awareness to make Yellowstone County safer and
more secure through personal preparedness, training and volunteer service.
■ Offer citizen education through the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program
designed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
■ Provide coordination of national CCC programs such as CERT; Medical Reserve Corps (MRC);
Volunteers in Police Service (YIPS); Neighborhood Watch Program (NWP) and others on an as
needed and as funded basis.
■ Promote community awareness about potential hazardous materials, natural disasters, and other
emergencies
■ Advise the public of appropriate actions to take in hazardous, man-made, environmental and natural
emergencies and disasters.
Health & Medical Advisory Group (HMAG)
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 65
The mission of the Health & Medical Advisory Group is to ensure the coordination of the Yellowstone County public
health system for the purpose of preventing, preparing, responding, and recovering from events that may impact the
health of our community. The HMAG acts as a liaison in the area of awareness for both first responders and the public
in the event of large or small scale health related issues. A Community Psychological First Aid Committee shall serve
as a sub -committee of the HMAG.
The Conference Subcommittee.
This Conference Subcommittee is responsible for arranging, coordinating and conducting an annual LEPC
conference at the request of the LEPC. If the opportunity arises, the Conference Subcommittee may choose to
combine an LEPC conference with another closely -related conference with approval of the LEPC.
Communications Subcommittee
The Communications Subcommittee is charged with the development of plans / protocols for emergent
communications in Yellowstone County, including maintaining a list of resources. The plans / protocols should address
the concept of "who communicates what when on what system/device."
Crisis Communications/ Public Information Officers /PIO)
The Crisis Communications / Public Information Officers (PIO) Subcommittee shall develop and maintain the
protocols, procedures and structure for a Joint Information System (JIS) that can be used to provide information in a
timely, accurate and accessible manner to the public, local officials, responders and the media during a disaster while
maintaining information security concerns when communicating about potentially vulnerable communities during
times of crisis.
The Joint Information System includes plans for a Joint Information Center (JIC) as well as identification of a
jurisdiction lead Public Information Officer and a plan to incorporate social media regionally and geographically to
extend the effectiveness of safety alerts that the public needs most during emergencies.
Training Subcommittee
The Training Subcommittee is responsible to promote/enhance LEPC member awareness of training opportunities
and/or facilitate training to the membership. The training subcommittee should ensure records are being maintained
of training, including NIMS obligations.
SECTION 5.5. AD HOC COMMITTEES.
The Chairperson may establish/dissolve ad hoc committees as necessary to perform specific short-term functions of the LEPC
and to address unique LEPC issues as needed. The Chairperson of the LEPC, with the approval of the LEPC, shall appoint the
Chairperson and members of ad hoc committees. The LEPC shall provide a specific charge, a defined scope of work, time
constraints, reporting actions, and other appropriate requirements for each ad hoc committee.
ARTICLE VI. MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 6.1 CONTRACTS
The LEPC may authorize any officer or officers, agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute or deliver any
instruments in the name of and on behalf of the LEPC and such authorization may be general or confined to specific
instruments.
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 66
SECTION 6.2 FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the LEPC shall begin on July 1 of each year and end on June 30th of the following year. The LEPC
administrative year shall be 12 consecutive months beginning on January 15' each year.
SECTION 6.3 ANNUAL REPORT
The LEPC shall generate an annual report of activities and accomplishments following its December business meeting.
Each sub -committee shall generate independent reports that will contribute to the total LEPC report. The report shall
be considered public record and be provided to the County Commissioners and the City Councils of each incorporated
city in the county.
SECTION 6.4 AMENDMENTS
■ General. Any amendment to these bylaws must be approved by a majority vote of the Voting members of the
LEPC.
■ Notice of Meeting to Vote on an Amendment. If the LEPC or the members seek to have the amendment
approved by the members at a membership meeting, the Secretary of the LEPC shall give written or electronic
notice to the members of the proposed meeting, in accordance with section 2.6.
ARTICLE VII. REVISION AND ADOPTION
REVISED AND ADOPTED THIS 10th DAY OF December, 2014 EFFECTIVE UPON
ADOPTION.
ATTEST:
RECORDING SECRETARY
, CHAIR
, VICE -CHAIR
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 67
Annex — Reporting Facilities
A list and maps of Tier II Reporting Facilities in Yellowstone County, as received into E -Plan by
September 15, 2020, is available as an Annex to this Hazardous Materials Response Plan.
For security purposes, the Annex is not included with the Plan or posted on the YC DES website.
Freedom of Information Requests should be addressed to:
Yellowstone County Clerk and Recorder
PO Box 35001
Billings, MT 59107
Phone: (406)256-2785
Yellowstone County Hazardous Materials Response Plan 68