Emergency Action Plan (EAP) template for small referable dams · Web viewEmergency action planning should be viewed as an ongoing continued improvement process that incorporates detailed

Emergency Action Plan

for very low or low consequence category dam1

<Insert name of the referable dam>

Version <insert number>

Registered dam ID: <insert registered dam’s ID number>

Current as at: <insert the date the EAP was approved by the chief executive>1

Approved to: <insert the date the EAP is approved to>2

Dam owner

Name: <insert name of dam owner (or name of owner’s representative>

Date: <insert date the EAP was submitted to the chief executive>

Approval and authorisation

Prepared by Title Date<insert name of dam owner (or name of owner’s representative)> dd/mm/yyyy

Endorsed by: Title Date<insert name of dam owner (or name of owner’s representative> Dam Owner dd/mm/yyyy

<insert name of Chair of Local Disaster Management Group (or name of Chair’s representative>

Chair Disaster Management Group dd/mm/yyyy

<insert name of Chief Executive Officer of the Local Council or name of representative>

Chief Executive Officer, ## Council dd/mm/yyyy

DisclaimerYou should note that the wording is not intended to be relied upon as an exact statement of the requirements of the legislation and users should refer to the relevant Acts when considering the legislative requirements.

Notwithstanding anything in the template that might be interpreted to the contrary, the provisions of the relevant Act hold force.

No responsibility is accepted for actions taken or any losses sustained based on reliance on an interpretation of this guideline to the exclusion of the relevant legislative provisions.

1 Please refer to the ANCOLD Guidelines on the Consequence Categories for Dams for specific definitions2To be inserted after approval by the chief executive.

In particular, dam owners and their agents must take their own legal advice as to whether their actions meet the requirements of the legislation and community expectations.

Emergency action planning should be viewed as an ongoing continued improvement process that incorporates detailed disaster risk management principles and aligns with Local Government Disaster Management Plans.

Distribution list2

EAP distributed to Name, position and postal address Distribution copy no.

Dam owner <insert name/s and address/es of the dam owner/s 1

Emergency contact <insert names and addresses of the emergency contact>

2

Local Disaster Management Group

<insert names and addresses of the LDMG> 3

District Disaster management Group

<insert names and addresses of the DDMG> 4

Chief Executive Officer, ## Council

<insert name and address of the Local Council 5

Dam Safety Regulator, DEWS

Director, Dam SafetyWater Planning and RegulationDepartment of Energy and Water SupplyPO Box 15456City East Qld 4002

6

Dam personnel <insert names and postal addresses of any dam owner personnel who have a copy of the EAP for operational purposes>

Others <insert names and postal addresses of any others who have a copy of the EAP for operational purposes>

2 Note that while the chief executive is required to give a copy of the approved plan to the QFES Commissioner, and publish the approved in the register of approved emergency action plans, s. 352N(b) of the Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Act 2008 requires the dam owner to make it available to an individual—

(i) Who has a function under the plan; or(ii) Who, under the plan, is named and required to be personally notified of a dam hazard event or

emergency event.

Emergency Action Plan for <insert name of dam> EAP version No. Approved: <insert date after approved>

Page 3

1. Dam information

Dam name: <insert name of the dam>

Referable dam register no.: <insert the RDR identification number>

Owners name: <insert name of dam owner’s site contact>

Owners phone no.: <insert contact details for the site>

Emergency contact name:(if dam owner cannot be contacted)

<insert the name of emergency contact> as the standby operator, who will undertake all the roles and responsibility of this EAP in the absence of <insert the name of dam owner>.>

Emergency contact phone no.: <insert contact details of the alternate contact>

Stream name: <insert stream name if on a watercourse. If dam is not on a watercourse, insert ‘Not on a watercourse’>

Reservoir name: <insert name of the reservoir, if relevant>

Construction completed <insert date construction completed, if known>

Type of dam <insert type of dam e.g. earthfill embankment>

Purpose of dam <insert purpose for dam e.g. irrigation>

Storage capacity <insert storage capacity at Full Supply Level (in megalitres)>

Dam Height <insert dam height in meters>

Dam Crest Level <insert Dam Crest Level elevation (EL) in meters>

Full Supply Level <insert Full Supply Level elevation (EL) in meters>

Spillway Type and width <insert description of spillway and width in meters>

Population at risk (PAR) <insert PAR from Failure Impact Assessment (for Sunny Day Failure and Flood Failure cases)>

Dam Consequence Category2 <insert >2 Note that this template can only be used for “very low” or “low” consequence category dam. Please refer to the ANCOLD Guidelines on the Consequence Categories for Dams for specific definitions.


Page 4

2. Dam location

Latitude: <insert latitude of dam – input as decimal degrees or in degrees, minutes and seconds. This information may appear in the FIA for your dam or be taken from Google Earth.>

Longitude: <insert longitude of dam – input as decimal degrees or in degrees, minutes and seconds. This information may appear in the FIA for your dam or be taken from Google Earth.>

Physical address: <insert address of dam or property on which it is located>

Lot and plan numbers: <insert Lot on Plan details for the land on which the dam is located e.g. Lot 123 on RP12345>

3. Dam owner responsibilities Develop an emergency action plan in consultation and collaboration with local government

and disaster management group/s who may be affected by a dam hazard identified in the plan.

Provide a copy of the EAP to each local government and disaster management group who may be affected by a dam hazard identified in the plan. These stakeholders have 30 business days to review the plan. The local government must provide a notice back to the dam owner within the 30 business days, the disaster management group may provide a notice, however it is not compulsory.

The local government assessment notice of the EAP against the Disaster Management Plan and all notices received by the dam owner from the chairperson/s of the district (disaster management) group/s must be provided to DEWS at the time of EAP submission.

Assess the EAP against the outcomes of the Queensland Emergency Management Assurance Framework (https://www.igem.qld.gov.au/assurance-framework/Pages/default.aspx). The Emergency Management Prioritisation Tool (https://www.igem.qld.gov.au/assurance-framework/Pages/Prioritisation-Tool.aspx) may be utilised for this purpose.

Submit the EAP to the chief executive for assessment. The EAP must be accompanied by each notice given by a local government (must have), disaster management group for the plan (if received) and any notice responses by the dam owner.

Maintain and update documents annually (before 1 October each year)

Distribute current approved EAP to all parties listed in the distribution list.

Respond in accordance with the approved EAP in all dam relevant incidents.

Activate the EAP and maintain an incident log (including visual inspection of the dam and any notifications that have been made).


Page 5

https://www.igem.qld.gov.au/assurance-framework/Pages/Prioritisation-Tool.aspx

https://www.igem.qld.gov.au/assurance-framework/Pages/default.aspx

Provide timely and accurate notifications to all relevant parties mentioned in the notification list in a relevant dam hazard event or emergency event.

Report all incidents and failures in writing to the chief executive within forty-eight (48) hours of becoming aware of the incident or failure.

Prepare Emergency Event Report (EER) and submit to the chief executive within 30 business days after the end of the emergency event.

Ensure the Population at Risk (PAR) have an appropriate evacuation plan in the event of a dam failure.

Ensure the Population at Risk (PAR) have an understanding of the purpose of the warning and notifications in the event of a dam emergency or dam hazard.

Ensure appropriate training for all personnel with responsibilities under the EAP.

Undertake periodic testing of EAP to ensure telephone numbers are correct and the notification priority list is logical. Make appropriate dam safety related decisions based on advice from a consulting engineer where appropriate. The dam owner is also responsible for authorising any immediate expenditure so that urgent repair work will not be delayed.

Undertake regular on-site monitoring and visual inspection of the conditions at the dam. The dam owner is responsible for conducting a safety evaluation of the dam and to identify any deficiency in the dam’s safety. Where deficiencies exist, the dam owner is required to take appropriate steps to minimise the potential risk of dam failure from these deficiencies.

4. Warning and communication plan There are high community expectations that all dam owners will provide timely warnings and notifications of a dam hazard event or emergency event. For this reason the Act requires the Dam owner to state within the EAP when and how PAR and relevant entities will be contacted in the event of a dam emergency (including priority order).

The purpose of emergency warnings is to inform the PAR of an impending or current threat and promote an appropriate responsive action.

Depending on the location of the dam and the number of PAR that may need to be notified of warning it may be appropriate that the warning is issued via a personalised phone call or personal visit.


Page 6

4.1 Notification listing

Relevant agencies Priority order4

Name Location Contact details3 Notification requirement4 Flood failure

Sunny day

failure

<insert name if PAR is other than the dam owner(s)>

<insert address of the PAR>

<insert contact details of PAR>

Provide necessary information regarding the developing dam hazard event or emergency event at regular interval

Immediately request to evacuate if the dam is likely to fail

Chief Executive (Dam Safety Regulator, DEWS)

Brisbane 1300 596 709 Advise of details of activation of EAP to ‘Stand-up’ level of activation.

Keep informed of any changes in dam status as emergency situation develops.

Notify any incidents or failures in accordance with safety conditions, if applicable, where applied to the dam.

Local Disaster Management Group

<insert the name of the local disaster management group and location of the contact>

<insert contact details>

<Notification requirements for this and following sections of the table must be consistent with the event escalation tables produced later in the document. These will vary on a case by case basis and will need to be discussed with the relevant Local Disaster Management Group. This section should also set out who needs to be notified and in what circumstances this is required with reference to the relevant dam hazard event or emergency event level.>

Locall Council

<insert name and location of the


<The local government might only need to be advised if road closures need to be considered. Discuss with relevant local

3 Important contacts may require multiple lines of contact to ensure some redundancy is provided in order to maximise the reliability of contact being made4 Notification requirements of the dam owner will need to be determined on a case by case basis in association with the Local Disaster Management Group4The priority order of notification should take in an account of the response required by the notification receiving entity during the emergency

Emergency Action Plan for <insert name of dam> EAP version….Approved: <insert date after approved>

Page 4


Name Location Contact details Notification requirement Flood failure

Sunny day

failure

local council> government.>

Local Police Station

<insert name and location of the local police station>

000<also insert contact details for the local police station>

<The local police may only need to be contacted during an event where an evacuation is required.>

Executive Manager, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services

<insert name and location of the local QFES centre


State Disaster Coordination Centre Watch Desk Officer

<insert name and location of the local SDCC centre

< insert contact details>

State Emergency Service (SES) (if relevant)

<insert name and location of the local SES centre>


<Discuss with the Local Disaster Management Group whether the SES is likely to be needed.>

National Security Hotline

1800 123 400 The National Security Hotline is your single point of contact to provide information on possible signs of terrorism and about issues that may relate to national security.

Consulting Engineer

<insert name and location of the



Page 5


Name Location Contact details Notification requirement Flood failure

Sunny day

failure

consulting engineer who you would contact in the event of problems at the dam>

Staff contacts

<insert name and location of relevant staff involved in the EAP (if any)>


Bureau of Meteorology

Weather radarRainfall and river conditionsForecasts

www.bom.gov.au/qld

No notification requirements

Website to be used during a rainfall event to predict the impact of flows from the catchment into the dam


Page 6

http://www.bom.gov.au/qld

http://www.bom.gov.au/qld

4.2 Downstream affected properties (PAR) 5

Name Location Contact details Notification requirementAffected house 1 Phone:

UHF Radio:

Affected house 2 Phone:

UHF Radio:


UHF Radio:


UHF Radio:


UHF Radio:


UHF Radio:

Other affected infrastructure Phone: <May need to insert details

for notification of impact on downstream roads or other infrastructure if relevant>

55 Ideally ‘affected house’ should be listed in order of the general priority of contact if a dam hazard event or an emergency event occurs. The notification requirement may depend on which hazard or emergency events at the dam impact on given properties. (For example, if a dwelling is not affected by a ‘sunny day’ type emergency event, there may be no prioritised need to contact those at that dwelling during such an event and time may be better spent contacting others who will be affected.) Dam owners also need to consult with affected persons to determine the format and frequency of notifications. It is expected that the frequency and content of the notifications will be very dependent on the level of activation of the EAP.

Emergency Action Plan for <insert name of dam> EAP version…Approved: <insert date after approved>

Page 7

5. Dam Hazard, Dam Hazard Event and Dam Emergency event

The emergency action plan must identify each dam hazard for the dam.

Under the Act ‘dam hazard’ means a reasonable foreseeable situation or condition that may: cause or contribute to the failure of the dam, if the failure of the dam may cause harm to

people or property; or require an automatic or controlled release of water from the dam, if the release of water

from the dam may cause harm to people or property.

The main purpose of an emergency action plan is to minimise the risk of harm to persons and property if a dam hazard event or an emergency event for the dam happens. The difference between a ‘dam hazard event’ and an ‘emergency event’ will relate to the scale and severity of an event.

A ‘dam hazard event’ is an event arising from a dam hazard if: the dam owner plans to warn people who may be harmed, or whose property may be harmed, about the event under the dam owner’s emergency action plan; but a coordinated

response with one or more relevant entities is unlikely to be required.

In other words, a dam hazard event is an event or a point in time, related to a dam hazard, when the dam owner plans to respond under the dam owner’s emergency action plan.

An ‘emergency event’, for a dam, means an event arising from a dam hazard if:(a) persons or property may be harmed because of the event; and(b) any of the following apply—

(i) a coordinated response involving 2 or more of the relevant entities mentioned in paragraphs (b) to (d) of the definition relevant entity is likely to be required to respond to the event;

(ii) the event may arise because of a disaster situation declared under the Disaster Management Act;

(iii) an entity performing functions under the State disaster management plan may, under that plan, require the owner of the dam to give the entity information about the event.

The EAP must identify each ‘dam hazard event’ and ‘emergency event’ and include a table of actions for each event. The table should provide clear and concise instructions to enable dam operation personnel to complete the task during each ‘dam hazard event’ and ‘emergency event’.


Page 8

6. EAP activationThe appropriate EAP triggers should be activated when an ’dam hazard event’ or ‘dam emergency event’ happens at the dam and there is the potential for the dam to place persons and property at risk.

There may be no need to activate this EAP if minor incidents happen (e.g. cracking, small slips, sinkholes) if they will not endanger the integrity of the dam. However, minor incidents need to be investigated, monitored and adequate works completed to prevent further deterioration.

6.1 Emergency management

be alert to potential developments and maintain close vigilance during extreme events or perceived abnormal behaviour of the dam

maintain safety requirements at all times during response actions take actions as outlined in the event escalation tables maintain communication equipment is in working order


Page 9

6.2 Dam hazard event and emergency event escalation tables

<Event escalation tables are designed to give the dam owner a clear indication of who needs to be contacted and when this is required. The example here shows the four potential emergency levels as the alert phase, the lean forward phase, the stand-up phase and the stand-down phase. Event escalation tables generated by the dam owner must contain the same terminology and show the events which will be occurring at each level and indicate who will need to be notified under these circumstances.

Notifications and timing of notifications should be consistent with the approved disaster management standards.>

6.2.1 Flooding

Table 1: Flood/dam failure flood: actions and notification

Emergency triggers

Developing flood in the dam catchment Actions and notifications (as pre-determined with the relevant disaster group)

ALERT Significant rainfall in catchment with lake levels rising towards FSL and a spillway discharge expected.

• Dam owner to undertake visual inspection of dam and recording of water level of the dam. If possible also monitor rainfall activity on the BOM radar.

• Dam inspection and recording of water level at regular intervals.• Advice Notification to Disaster management group (DMG) and PAR alerting them

to the situation. The intent of the message is to advise PAR that there is no immediate danger however, they should keep themselves up-to-date with developments.

LEAN FORWARD

Spillway flows increasing but as yet are unlikely to impact on downstream PAR and infrastructure.

• Dam owner to continue dam inspections, monitoring and recording of water level of the dam.

• Dam Inspections and recording of water level at regular intervals.• Preliminary Warning Watch and Act:

o Update notifications to those who received previous notifications plus notifications to the chief executive and those who might be impacted by increasing spillway discharges.

o The message should convey that it is likely that they will be impacted by the emergency. That they will be in danger and should start taking action to protect their life and that of their family


Page 10

Emergency triggers

Developing flood in the dam catchment Actions and notifications (as pre-determined with the relevant disaster group)

o Updates should be scheduled for example, to be provided every 4 hours, but may need to be more frequent when deemed appropriate.

STAND-UP Spillway discharge increasing with flows that are likely to impact on downstream PAR and infrastructure.If flood activity continues a dam failure may occur due to overtopping.Dam failure is initiated.

• Dam owner to continue dam inspections, monitoring and recording of water level of the dam if safe to do so.

• Dam inspections and more frequent recording of lake level.• Evacuate to high ground to avoid any impending flood / dam failure flows.• More frequent notifications to all relevant entities including DMG and Chief

Executive. Updates to be provided at least every few hours but also when ‘benchmark’ lake levels or discharge are being reached such as:

o discharges likely to close critical roads and other infrastructureo record flood levels are occurring in the damo dam crest is being reached or is being overtopped.

• Warning message:o Prepare to take action messages to all relevant entities and PAR

• Emergency Warning:o Take immediate action messages to all relevant entities, PAR and the

wider community.• Immediately notify DMG and other relevant entities when the dam failure initiates.• Advise the chief executive of dam failure as soon as reasonably possible after

those who are likely to be affected are notified.

STAND-DOWN Flood levels receding with lake levels dropping back towards FSL and dam releases are unlikely to impact on PAR and downstream infrastructure.

• Issue Advice Notification to previously notified entities and PAR advising the end of the dam hazard event or emergency event

• Prepare Emergency Event Report (EER) and submit to the chief executive within 30 business days after the end of the emergency event.


Page 11

6.2.2 Structural Concerns/Sunny Day Failure

Dam safety issues may include: Identification of new seepage area Increase in seepage not due to storage rise Signs of embankment cracking or sliding Earthquakes Differential movement of walls etc.

Table 2: Sunny day failure and seepage events notification and actions

Emergency triggers Characteristics Potential notifications (as pre-determined with the relevant disaster group)

ALERT Identification during routine inspection of initial signs of embankment distress such as cracks.Identification of new areas of seepage or increase in existing seepage.

• Dam owner shall inspect affected area of embankment and look for source of seepage.

• Monitor the seepage and determine whether the seepage rate is increasing or monitor sign of cracks progressing.

• Advice Notification to Disaster management group (DMG), PAR and the Chief Executive alerting them to the situation. The intent of the message is to advise PAR that there is no immediate danger however; they should keep themselves up-to-date with developments.

• Contact a suitably qualified dam engineer for advice and if necessary employ a contractor to perform adequate remedial works.

LEANFORWARD

Cracking becoming more significant to the point where dam stability may be starting to be impaired.Detection of signs of cloudy water.

• Continue monitoring the issue.• Upgrade efforts at remedial works or load reduction if practical.• Preliminary Warning Watch and Act:

o Update notifications to those who received previous notifications. Inform them of any downstream infrastructure that may be impacted by a dam failure.

o The message to the PAR should convey that it is likely that they will be impacted by the emergency. That they will be in danger and should start taking action to protect their life and that of their family

o Updates should be scheduled for example, to be provided


Page 12

Emergency triggers Characteristics Potential notifications (as pre-determined with the relevant disaster group)

every 4 hours, but may need to be more frequent when deemed appropriate.

STAND-UP Increasing in cracking to a state where the safety of the dam is significantly impaired.Increasing seepage discharge rate and clouding. Piping failure has initiated.Progressive internal erosion of the embankment or foundation to form an open conduit or a pipe and the dam failure is likely.

• Continue monitoring the condition of the dam and the issue if safe to do so.

• Continue remedial work or load reduction if safe to do so.• Evacuate to the high ground if dam failure is anticipated.• More frequent notifications to all relevant entities including DMG and

Chief Executive. Updates to be provided at least every 2 hours or be more frequent when deemed appropriate.

• Warning message:o Prepare to take action notifications to all relevant entities and

PAR • Emergency Warning:

o Take immediate action notifications to all relevant entities, PAR and the wider community.

• Immediately notify DMG and other relevant entities when the dam failure initiates.

• Advise the chief executive of dam failure as soon as reasonably possible after those who are likely to be affected are notified.

STAND-DOWN Remedial works completed and there’s no risk of failure or it is determined that the issue is manageable and is not going to develop into a failure condition.Failure occurs and the reservoir drains.

• Issue Advice Notification advising the end of the dam hazard event or emergency event to previously notified entities and PAR

• Complete the remedial works and confirm that there is no risk of dam failure.

• Prepare Emergency Event Report (EER) and submit to chief executive, DEWS within 30 business days after the end of the emergency event.


Page 13

6.2.3 Terrorist or High Energy ImpactAny identified sabotage or vandalism should be treated seriously and the following actions are recommended:-

Immediately report the incident to Queensland Police Service by calling 000 Report the incident to National Security Hotline by calling 1800 123 400. Take photographs of the damage or incident site If possible and safe to do so, record and photograph unusual vehicle details

including registration, description, time, date etc. Barricaded the area to enable the incident site to be inspected and

investigated Conduct a dam safety inspection.

7. Emergency Event ReportThe dam owner is required to prepare an emergency event report (EER) and submit it to the chief executive within 30 business days (or another period agreed in writing with the chief executive) at the conclusion of an emergency event which has resulted in the activation of the EAP, where:

a) a person or property has been or may have been harmed because of the event; and

b) any of the following applies -

(i) a coordinated response involving two or more relevant entities;

(ii) an event arose because of disaster situation declared under the Disaster Management Act;

(iii) an entity performing functions under the State Disaster Management Plan, required the dam owner to provide information about the event,

An emergency event ends when the dam hazard, that triggered the event, no longer presents a material risk to persons or property.

The EER should provide a timeline of events, including monitoring and inspection data (rainfall, storage level, seepage and etc), which were used to make EAP activation decisions. The EER should also outline responsibilities associated with emergency communications between the dam owner, governments (local and state), disaster management groups (local and district) and the PAR and the wider community (if relevant). The EER should include photographs of the event.


Page 14

8. Plan for damage control<This section is optional and may be used by dam owners in order to help manage risks to the dam as well as providing quick access to the relevant contacts.>

Assess the severity of the dam defect requiring damage control resulting from storm, flood or any other factor

Is notification required?

*If unable to secure repair services, notify emergency contacts. Remember that once started, progress to failure may be rapid

Enact emergency action plan

Select the personnel, plant, equipment and materials to assist in damage mitigation repair from the listing below

Personnel sources Plant and equipment sources Materials sources

8.1 Personnel sources

Name Phone AddressConsulting engineerLabour

8.2 Plant and equipment sources

Name Phone AddressEquipmentPlantOther

8.3 Material sources

Name Phone AddressClaySand, gravel or rockGeofabric sheet, plastic sandbagsOther


Page 15

9. MapsAn EAP should include:

Locality map and site access Catchment map Maps identifying the areas likely to be affected by each dam hazard event or emergency

event, which may happen because of a dam hazard Emergency Access routes

9.1 Dam locality map

EXAMPLE ONLY


Page 16

9.2 Area map

<On this page, insert a map showing the individual PAR locations. This map can be a mud map, a Google Earth image or another type of map which adequately shows the locations of each individual PAR location. Note that the level of detail required for this map will vary depending on the circumstances of each individual dam.>

EXAMPLE ONLY


Page 17

9.3 Catchment map

<May be included if desired, or if addition of the catchment map is deemed to add some benefit to the emergency action plan.>

EXAMPLE ONLY


Page 18

9.4 Dam failure inundation map

<If inundation maps are available for the dam, then they need to be inserted on this page. If there are no inundation maps available, depending on the individual case of the dam, a mud map may suffice.>

EXAMPLE ONLY


Page 19

10. Other maps or drawings<Please insert any other maps or dam drawings that may be of benefit to the emergency action plan.

These could include for example, critical lake levels – spillway crest levels; height of embankment; embankment crest levels; length/location of dam embankment spillways and outlets.>

EXAMPLE ONLY


Page 20

Emergency Action Plan (EAP) template for small referable dams · Web viewEmergency action planning should be viewed as an ongoing continued improvement process that incorporates detailed

Documents