Zombie Attacks and what they can teach us

Zombie attack plan and emergency measures for zombie outbreak

http://www.gov.je/StayingSafe/EmergencyPlanning/Pages/Organisation.aspx

Request

"Can the states of Jersey confirm if they have zombie attack preparedness plan? If yes, would you kindly release the public guidance that the states of Jersey would give out in the event of a localized, or global zombie outbreak?"

Response

"The States of Jersey do not hold any specific plan with relation to preparing for, or dealing with, a zombie attack. The States of Jersey Emergency Measures Plan provides overarching guidance for Emergency Services and other responders in the event of a major incident affecting the island."

Now a lot of ink has been spent saying what a waste of money this Freedom of Information request was, but what is overlooked is that it gives the States an opportunity, as in the links below the question, to set forth protocols for a major incident.

So it is actually quite good if people are drawn to the site, because they may also read the real guidelines – worth doing, as a siren around the Fuel Farm going off by mistake a few years ago caused widespread panic.

I was involved in a real life evacuation a few years ago when the gas cylinder at Gas Place caught fire. We were evacuated from work, and people in houses nearby were evacuated for several days. Incidents like these – there were another in Stopford Road a few years back involving oxy-acetylene cylinder – show us that major incidents can take place, even if localised.

It should be noted that major incidents can be quite localised but still major, for example:

2011: A major incident was declared at the General Hospital today (Sunday 14 August) shortly after 3 pm, following an incident in St Helier where a number of people were injured. Due to the nature of the casualties from the incident in St Helier, the hospital declared a major incident at approximately 3:10 pm, and for a short time, the Emergency Department was closed to non urgent cases.

2011: The General Hospital declared a major incident on Sunday 6 March 2011 following a serious road traffic collision in Trinity at approximately 12.20pm. The crash, which involved 3 cars on La Rue Es Picots, resulted in 8 casualties with varying injuries.

2012: The States of Jersey Police are currently working with other agencies dealing with the major incident declared after a fire at the Gas works.

Other events which could be major incidents include:

Major pollution of controlled waters
Disruption to aviation as a result of volcanic ash
Low temperatures and heavy snow
Severe space weather
Complete of large scale loss of gas supply for sustained period
Fire or explosion at fuel distribution site and tank storage of flammable or toxic liquids
Fire on a commercial vessel
Hazardous and noxious substance spill in marine environment
Passenger aircraft ditching at sea
Rapid accidental sinking of a passenger vessel
Major contamination incident
Collision between two commercial vessels
Oil spill inshore, offshore or in port
Storms and gales
Localised industrial accident involving a small toxic release
Accident on major trunk road
Building collapse (medium-commercial)
Local accident involving transport of hazardous chemicals
General aviation accident over major conurbation
Localised fire or explosion at fuel or toxic chemical storage site
Failure of on-Island telephony network
Non-zoonotic notifiable animal disease
Zoonotic notifiable animal disease

These are listed with medium and low term incidents at:

http://www.gov.je/SiteCollectionDocuments/Staying%20safe/ID%20Community%20Risk%20Register%2020140414%20ML%20v1.pdf


Also see:

http://www.gov.je/StayingSafe/EmergencyPlanning/Pages/Organisation.aspx

Here are a few nuggets:

“Major emergencies demand a response from more than just the emergency services, with States of Jersey departments, as well as other agencies and volunteer groups, all providing support during an incident. They each have a critical role, from supplying specialist expertise, equipment, people and resources, to providing support, care and welfare in helping to return the area and people to normal as soon as possible.”

“A great deal of work has also been done to improve emergency planning relationships between Jersey, Guernsey, the United Kingdom and France, with increased collaboration on testing our planning and response to any emergency, as well as exchanging good practice and new ideas.”

“In most emergencies, the States of Jersey Police will take the lead role in the initial response to the incident, supported by all the other relevant agencies. In some cases, such as medical emergencies or a major fire, the lead may fall to another department, such as Health and Social Services or the Fire Service”

The Emergency Planning Officer maintains an Emergency Planning web site detailing these working groups that can be accessed at:

www.gov.je/emergencyplanning

Definition of a Major Incident

“A major incident is any emergency that requires the implementation of special arrangements by one or all of the emergency services, and will generally include the involvement, either directly or indirectly, of large numbers of people. For example:

 rescue, treatment and transportation of a large number of casualties
 large-scale combined resources of the emergency services
 mobilisation and organisation of the emergency services to manage the threat of death, serious injury or homelessness to large numbers of people
 handling of a large number of enquiries likely to be generated from the public and the news media (usually addressed to the police)

And in the uncertain world in which we live, we have also this note:

“Acts of terrorism including suspected involvement of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear devices are subject to a specific multi-agency response, supported by the United Kingdom.”

Key Emergency responders are:

States of Jersey Police
Honorary Police
States of Jersey Fire and Rescue Service
Jersey Airport Rescue and Fire Service
States of Jersey Ambulance Service
Jersey Coastguard
Health and Social Services Department
Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD)
Chief Minister’s Department
Transport and Technical Services Department
Environment Department (Including Jersey Meteorological Office)

There’s also a mnemonic for response, rather oddly named “methane”.

The first Emergency Responder is required to provide their Control with a detailed situation report using the mnemonic ‘METHANE’ to alert the services of a major incident and provide more detailed casualty information:

Major = Major incident declared

Exact = Exact location of incident, with map references if possible

Type = Type of incident, details of vehicles, buildings, and aircraft involved18 States of Jersey Emergency Measures Plan 2014

Hazard = Hazards present and potential

Access = Access routes and suitable provisional rendezvous points (RVPs)

Numbers = Approximate number of casualties by priority category: P1 (Seriously injured), P2 (Moderately injured), P3 (Walking injured) P4 (Dead) & (P1 Expectant/Likely to die - blue corner of label turned down)

Emergency = Emergency services present and required including States Departments

Another document available gives practical advice in the case of a major incident:

http://www.gov.je/Freedom%20of%20Information%20library/ID%20FOI%20EmergencyPlanningGuidancePracticalAdvice%20English%2020091217%20ML%20030315.pdf

Making a list of important contacts, such as family, friends and neighbours, your children’s school, you’re GP, veterinary surgery, gas, water, electricity supplier, and your insurers. Carry this in your wallet or handbag and keep copies handy at home, at work or in the car.

o Consider support for vulnerable relatives, neighbours and friends.
o Arrange for a friend or relative out of your area to be the family contact point in case your family becomes separated during an emergency.
o Make up an emergency pack for home; work and the car (see details below).
o Know how to turn off your gas, electricity and water supplies.
o Know how to tune into your local radio station for public safety information.
o Check that your insurance cover is up to date.
o If in a flood risk area, keep a stock of empty sandbags and sand.

At Home

Prepare an Emergency Pack grab bag containing:

o A battery-powered or wind up radio (with local radio frequencies marked)
o Torch and spare batteries
o First aid kit
o A copy of your contact list
o A supply of food and water – enough for 4 to 7 days

Make an evacuation checklist of items to pack quickly if you are suddenly advised to leave your home. This list might include:

o Your emergency pack (Described above)
o Warm clothing
o Personal items e.g. glasses
o Baby food and nappies
o Wallet, purse and bank cards
o Mobile phone and charger
o Pet carrier, collar and lead, food and water (Take your pets with you if possible, as the emergency could be prolonged)

In the Car

This may vary according to the time of year, but keep these items in the car as a basic emergency kit:

o Bottled water
o First aid kit
o Torch & batteries
o Cigar plug lead for mobile phone
o Sweets, long life snacks
o Blanket, warm tracksuit and woolly hat
o Waterproof coat
o Wellington boots
o Spare socks (can also be used as gloves)

At Work

Know the emergency procedures for your workplace thoroughly. In some situations, you might have to remain at your workplace for safety. Your building may have good facilities but, even so, it could pay to think about what you would need if you had to stay overnight!