CBRN and Hazmat Incidents at Major Public Events: Planning and Response

APPENDIX C

Template for a CBRN/HAZMAT Site Survey

INTRODUCTION

No single template can accommodate every combination or permutation of possibilities for a major event. Venues can range from a golf course to a football stadium, with every conceivable type of area and structure in between. The example here is a very minimal template; an elaborate survey can contain far more information.

The underlying principle that should guide the preparation of the CBRN/HAZMAT survey is the following question: “What would responders and incident commanders want to know if they had to respond to a CBRN/HAZMAT incident at this venue?” If you approach the survey from the standpoint of thoroughly answering that one question, you will end up with a product that has merit, even if it looks nothing at all like the template described below.

Write the survey in the simplest possible terms. Assume that the reader is not from the local area and is not familiar with the site at all, even if it a famous venue. Remember that when someone reads the survey, they may be in a very stressful situation. Short, declarative sentences using simple terms are best. Assume the reader is a bit of an idiot. It is better to insult the reader's intelligence than to have an on-scene commander say: “What the hell does that mean?”

Sometimes precise information may not be available at the time the survey is prepared, such as exact event schedules. When exact information is unavailable, say so. Provide estimates when you can, but ...