15 fam 830
fire emergency action plans
(CT:OBO-76; 09-18-2018)
(Office of Origin: OBO)
15 fam 831 post fire emergency action
plan
(CT:OBO-76; 09-18-2018)
a. The regional security officer is responsible for
establishing the post fire emergency action plan in accordance with Annex B of
12 FAH-1. The plan must designate personnel for the following positions:
(1) Floor wardens to facilitate evacuation of each floor
or area;
(2) Fire warden to coordinate the evacuation with
floor wardens and to account for all personnel; and
(3) Fire department liaison to coordinate fire
department activities in relation to security requirements.
b. Fire emergency actions at post must be based on the
following priority order:
(1) Sound the alarm. Assume that any fire jeopardizes
the safety of occupants. Do not delay sounding or responding to the alarm just
to determine the size and nature of the fire, as this may waste the time needed
to complete rapid evacuation of occupants;
NOTE: When a building is
equipped with a full-fire alarm detection system, the fire alarm system must
only be silenced after it has been determined that the building is fire safe. The
Selectone System or other emergency notification system (ENS) must not be
used in place of the fire alarm system to direct personnel to stay in place or
delay evacuation when the fire alarm system has been activated;
(2) Initiate evacuation of occupants immediately.
When notifying occupants to evacuate, instruct them to use the nearest safe
exit route and assemble in a designated place outside the building;
NOTE: Personnel must not
delay evacuation to investigate fire alarm activation or wait for instructions
to evacuate when the fire alarm sounds;
(3) Notify the fire department immediately. Do not
delay notifying the fire department just to investigate the size and nature of
the fire. The post fire department liaison must be prepared to coordinate fire
department activities, including fire apparatus entry onto the embassy compound;
(4) Continue to evacuate the building. If the fire is
located and is small, attempt to extinguish it with fire extinguishers but only
if this action presents minimal risk of personal injury. Post personnel must
not enter into an area of uncontrolled interior fire without specialized
training, knowledge, and protective equipment;
(5) Account for all personnel, including visitors, after
evacuation. Accountability results (including a list of missing or unaccounted
for) must be reported to the chief of mission/principal officer (COM/PO), the
U.S. representative to an international organization (when PO), regional
security officer (RSO), if applicable, or the designated officer assigned by
the COM; and
(6) Secure the fire scene after extinguishment (see 15 FAM 824).
Follow procedures in 15 FAM 821, fire
reporting in 15
FAM 823, and fire investigation in 15 FAM 825.
c. The post is responsible for distributing and
displaying the action plan to familiarize employees with its contents, their
duties, and whom they should contact for further information. Employee
familiarization must take place within the first 30 days after arrival at post,
and on an annual basis thereafter. The Office of Fire Protection, in the
Directorate for Operations, in the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations
(OBO/OPS/FIRE) recommends post display the
action plan in common places so employees can read it.
15 FAM 832 NATURAL AND LIQUIFIED
PETROLEUM (LPG) GAS EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN
(CT:OBO-51; 06-07-2016)
a. Natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) leaks
increase the risk of a fire and explosion. Personnel that suspect a natural
gas leak inside their residence or workplace must immediately stop what they
are doing, evacuate the premises, and contact the appropriate authority, post
One, or embassy office.
b. Posts must review their procedures for reporting and
responding to natural gas emergencies annually. Posts must ensure emergency
procedures exist for natural gas and LPG leaks and that natural gas and LPG
reporting protocols are clear, simple, and unambiguous. Individuals in a
position to receive emergency calls must understand the severity of a gas
emergency and know exactly what to do next.
c. Personnel must follow the procedures below for any
suspected gas leak:
(1) Immediately stop what you are doing and evacuate
the residence or building, and move at least 100 feet away from the structure.
Treat the incident as you would a fire emergency;
(2) Do not turn on or off any electrical or mechanical
devices (i.e., computers, lights, appliances, flashlights) or use your cell
phone: these devices can all cause a static spark, which may ignite any gas in
the air;
(3) Do not start any vehicles or use a garage door
opener;
(4) Do not try to find the source of the natural gas
leak, or attempt to turn off the gas;
(5) Do not open or close any windows;
(6) Use a neighbor's phone or, once at least 100 feet
away from the structure, your cell phone to call for help. Once outside,
follow the mission emergency notification procedures; and
(7) Do not re-enter the house/building for any reason
until cleared by a certified gas professional or emergency service worker.
15 fam 833 SECURE STORAGE OF WEAPONS OF
OPPORTUNITY PLAN
(CT:OBO-76; 09-18-2018)
a. OBO reminds all employees of the importance of
proper and secure storage for fire accelerants (combustible and flammable
materials) and such weapons of opportunity. This is because during attacks on
embassies and diplomatic missions, damage occurred from the use of improvised
weapons. To ensure the safety and security of mission property and personnel,
all materials that can be used as weapons of opportunity including, but not
limited to, flammable or combustible liquids, hand and power tools, rebar,
rigid conduit, loose scaffolding, and other loose construction materials or
equipment must be stored as securely as possible when not in use to prevent
access to and use by unauthorized persons.
b. OBO/OPS/FIRE has
Fire Protection Guide sections in OBO/FIRE Publications
for the following specific plans for storage of certain hazardous and
nonhazardous materials:
(1) Hazardous Materials and Chemicals reference Fire
Protection Guide Section F-5. Proper storage and protection methods, protection
of personnel, product identification methods, and methods for cleaning up
spills are addressed. Specific questions regarding identification and/or
handling of potentially hazardous materials should be directed to the Office of
Safety, Health, and Environmental Management, in the Directorate for
Operations, in OBO (OBO/OPS/SHEM);
(2) Emergency Generators safe handling and storage
are referenced in Fire Protection Guide Section F-6; and
(3) Flammable and Combustible Liquids storage,
handling, and use of flammable and combustible liquids, including waste
liquids, are referenced in Fire Protection Guide Section F-7.
15 fam 834 through 839 unassigned