Tornado Emergency Contingency Plan for Killeen, Texas

Kaymarie Mandavis
Excelsior College
MCJ651
Dr. Jack Howell
October 15, 2021
Tornado Emergency Contingency Plan for Killeen, Texas

Tornado Emergency Contingency Plan for Killeen, Texas

Killeen City is a mid-sized city in Texas, priding ourselves as a military boom town and a

historical center. The city and the county have a solid disaster preparedness and management

plan which is used as an all-hazards approach to ensuring the safety of the city and its people.

This document is a contingency plan establishing the procedures to safeguard the recovery of

Killeen City, Texas, in the case of a tornado. The contingency plan outlines necessary

interventions in response and recovery of essential services for the residents of the city.

SCOPE AND ACTIVATION

The contingency plan applies to the local city government operations and emergency

planners. The plan supplements the current Bell County Emergency Management Plan and

applies specific tornadoes and resulting disasters and disruptions.

RECORD OF CHANGES

Modifications made to this plan since its last printing will be recorded here:

Page Number Change Comment Date Authority &

Signature

NOTIFICATION AND ACTIVATION

This contingency plan will be activated after notification of a tornado affecting parts or

entirety of Killeen. The primary responsibility for response to disaster within the city is the local

government and response is escalated depending on the scope of the disaster and government

resources available (Bullock & Coppola, 2017). The primary responsibility for implementing this

contingency plan lies with the City of Killeen Office of Homeland Security & Emergency
Tornado Emergency Contingency Plan for Killeen, Texas

Management (OHSEM) under the leadership of the emergency management coordinator

(Killeen, Texas, n.d.). The contingency plan will be activated upon the city council’s decision to

declare and emergency.

TORNADO INDICATORS

 Strong, determined turn in the cloud base.

 A debilitated greenish or greenish dark tone to the sky.
 An abnormal calm that happens inside or soon after the rainstorm.
 Clouds moving by exceptionally quick, particularly in a turning example or combining
toward one space of the sky.
 Whirling residue or garbage on the ground under a haze base ─ cyclones at times have no
pipe!
 Hail or substantial downpour followed by either dead quiet or a quick, exceptional breeze
shift. Numerous cyclones are enveloped by substantial precipitation and can't be seen.
 Day or night: Loud, constant thunder or thunder, which doesn't blur in a couple seconds
like thunder.
 Night: Small, brilliant, blue green to white glimmers at ground level almost a tempest
(rather than shimmering lightning up in the mists). These mean
 electrical cables are being snapped by exceptionally solid breeze, possibly a twister.
 Night: Persistent bringing down from the cloud base, enlightened or outlined by lightning
─ particularly in case it is on the ground or there is a blue-green-white force streak under.

TORNADO PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE

 If a cyclone "WATCH" is given for your space, it implies that a twister is

"conceivable."
Tornado Emergency Contingency Plan for Killeen, Texas

 If a cyclone "WARNING" is given, it implies that a twister has really been

spotted, or is emphatically shown on radar, and the time has come to go to a
protected haven right away.
 Be aware of what's going on outside also. If you see a twister and it isn't moving
to the right or to the passed-on comparative with trees or force shafts somewhere
out there, it could be pushing toward you!
IMMEDIATE ACTION
 Persons with versatility concerns should look for cover at the hour of a cyclone watch.
Try not to sit tight for a twister notice.
 When there is a twister cautioning or you see one, take cover right away! A twister
WARNING means that an extreme climate is probable as well as that a cyclone has really
been spotted close by or is demonstrated on climate radar. Find and stay in a protected
spot immediately.
o REMAIN CALM. Keep away from PANIC. There is no surefire safe spot during a
cyclone, yet you will limit your openness by discovering cover in the most ideal area.

o AREAS TO SEEK: Rooms and passageways in the deepest piece of a structure at the
least level conceivable. Close all entryways, including fundamental halls to the extent
that conceivable. Squat close to the floor or under weighty, very much upheld items
and cover your head.

o AREAS TO AVOID: Stay clear of windows, hallways with windows or enormous

unattached regions, for example, theaters and cafeterias. Try not to utilize lifts during
a cyclone notice.

IN CASE YOU ARE CAUGHT OUTDOORS

 Seek cover in a storm cellar, asylum, or solid structure.

 If you can securely drive away from the twister, do as such.

Tornado Emergency Contingency Plan for Killeen, Texas

 If there is a durable construction accessible, head inside.

 If no structure is accessible, it very well may be smarter to pull over, stop the vehicle (yet
leave it running so the air sacks work) and squat down beneath the windows. The airbags
and casing of the vehicle will offer some measure of assurance, however unquestionably
not outright wellbeing.

 A long-standing wellbeing rule has been to escape the vehicle and into a trench. If you do
that, you ought to move far enough away from the vehicle that it doesn't tumble onto you.
Being beneath the overall ground level might protect you from a portion of the cyclone
wind and flying flotsam and jetsam, yet there is still risk from those.

 Do not escape a vehicle and move up under the bank of a scaffold or bridge. This
frequently builds your danger.

AFTER A TORNADO STRIKE

 Remain quiet and tune in for data and guidelines from crisis staff.

 Give emergency treatment when proper. Try not to attempt to move the truly harmed
except if they are in impending peril of additional injury.

 Stay away from electrical cables and puddles with wires in them; they might in any case
be conveying power.

 Watch your progression to keep away from broken glass, nails, and other sharp articles.

 Stay out of any intensely harmed houses or structures; they could implode at any time.

 Do not utilize matches or lighters, if there should arise an occurrence of releasing gaseous
petrol lines or fuel tanks close by.

Readiness
Tornado Emergency Contingency Plan for Killeen, Texas

Readiness includes a consistent course of preparation, preparing, preparing, and working

out. Anticipating twisters requires recognizing a spot to take cover, being comfortable with and

observing your local area's admonition framework and setting up techniques to represent people

in the structure. Bosses might have to get extra hardware as well as assets (for example Crisis

Supply Kits) distinguished in the arrangement. Furthermore, laborers should be prepared, and

designs should be polished to guarantee that staff know about what to do in case of a twister.

Preparation

o Recognizing Shelter Locations

An underground region, for example, a cellar or tornado shelter, gives the best security from a
cyclone. On the off chance that an underground asylum is inaccessible, think about the
accompanying:

 Look for a little inside room or corridor on the most reduced floor conceivable

 Avoid entryways, windows, and outside dividers

 Stay in the focal point of the room, and keep away from corners since they draw in
flotsam and jetsam

 Rooms developed with built up cement, block or square without any windows and a
weighty substantial floor or rooftop framework overhead

 Stay away from halls, cafeterias and exercise centers that have level, wide-range
rooftops.

Faculty ought to likewise know about what to do whenever got outside when a twister is
undermining. Look for cover in a storm cellar or a strong structure. In case one isn't inside
strolling distance, attempt to drive in a vehicle, utilizing a safety belt, to the closest sanctuary. On
the off chance that flying garbage is experienced while in a vehicle, there are two choices: 1)
remaining in the vehicle with the safety belt on, keeping your head beneath the windows and
Tornado Emergency Contingency Plan for Killeen, Texas

covering it with your hands or a cover, 2) in case there is a region which is perceptible lower
than the street, lie around there and cover your head with your hands.

Responsibility methods
The accompanying advances are prescribed to assist with guaranteeing the wellbeing of staff if a
cyclone happens:
 Foster a framework for realizing who is in the structure in case of a crisis

 Set up an alert framework to caution laborers

o Test frameworks much of the time

o Foster intends to impart alerts to staff with handicaps or who don't

communicate in English

 Record for laborers, guests, and clients as they show up in the haven

o Utilize a pre-arranged list or agenda

o Take a head count

 Appoint explicit obligations to laborers ahead of time; make agendas for every
obligation. Assign and train laborers substitutes if the allotted individual isn't there or is
harmed.

Contingency Actions

Based on the current disaster management and preparedness plan, there are five main

essential services required for day-to-day livelihood. The contingency actions listed here are for

each of the 5 essentials and will be implemented based situational analysis and predictions.

1. Healthcare

A tornado may cause destruction and injury that may need urgent medical care. In the

case of the destruction of existing healthcare facilities, the locals also need ongoing healthcare
Tornado Emergency Contingency Plan for Killeen, Texas

services. The recommended contingency action is the establishment of mobile clinics for the

provision of primary care in worst-affected areas (Bitterman & Zimmer, 2018). The Bell County

Public Health District allocates funding for emergency health services, and this may be used to

establish temporary mobile clinics in the most deserving neighborhoods.

2. Power

A tornado can easily wipe away or damage the power facilities and resources available

for the city. Killeen maintains a centralized cold backup generator which can be used for the

main public hospital and government services. Collaboration with local businesses will also avail

portable generators that can be deployed and used in vulnerable neighborhoods. In the case of

extended power outage and the risk of freezing in some of the areas, community centers will be

open for locals to seek shelter and these centers have backup generators as well.

3. Clean Water and Food

Any form of disaster can affect the supply chain for food and clean water. Tornadoes,

especially, are likely to interrupt businesses and may lead to lack of food and water. According

to Bullock and Coppola (2017), an emergency fund for providing food and water in the case of a

disaster is a recommended solution. A proposal to establish an emergency fund for Killeen will

be developed as there currently is none. The current contingency plan is to access food and water

from volunteers and disaster relief allocations by the federal government to sustain the most

affected populations in the case of a tornado.

4. Sanitation

The lack of sanitation services due to a disaster can exacerbate the existing problem by

leading to a disease outbreak. The lack of water to flush toilets or even the destruction of
Tornado Emergency Contingency Plan for Killeen, Texas

sanitation systems in general can be addressed by temporary ecological sanitation latrines. The

approach provides an opportunity to collect excreta which can then be reused for agricultural

purposes (Borges et al., 2020). Portable ecological sanitation latrines will be provided in the

affected areas as the permanent drainage system is fixed. The solution allows for availability of

hygienic waste disposal while also supporting sustainability in the disposal process.

5. Transport and Communication

Because of the importance of communication during disaster, emergency responders will

be equipped with satellite phones if the current communication lines have been affected or cut by

the disaster. Satellite phones are highly dependable and can aid in the search and rescue process.

Additionally, Killeen City will use its social media platforms to communicate about the disaster,

disaster areas, and the necessary actions that residents should take to reduce the risk of the

tornado. The power of social media has been demonstrated in previous disasters and in this case,

it can help provide directions and fast communication for safety (Gosnell, 2015). The city

maintains an active social media presence and will use the official accounts to communicate the

risk and occurrence of disaster. Also, emergency evacuation using city’s fire department in

collaboration with the police is a necessary transportation intervention (Fahad et al., 2019).

Depending on severity of the tornado, travel advisories will be issued, and the fire department

and police be deployed to evacuate those at risk.

Escalation Protocol

When the local resources are overwhelmed by the emergency or disaster, escalation to the

Governor of Texas is necessary for the state to intervene and if necessary, request declaration of

disaster by the president and additional assistance (Bullock & Coppola, 2017). This contingency
Tornado Emergency Contingency Plan for Killeen, Texas

10

plan is a temporary fix to the essential services in the case of a tornado, but more assistance may

be requested from the governor if city and county resources are overwhelmed.

Return to Normal Operations

The return to normalcy will be a gradual removal of contingency resources and

replacement with permanent running services and resources. When essential services are back up

and running, return to normalcy is initiated. The withdrawal of additional resources such as food

and water supplies will be done after the emergency team has assessed community progress.

Support withdrawal will be done only after the essential services are adequate and at normal

operating capacity after restoration.

Conclusion

This contingency plan applies specific to Killeen, Texas, and has been defined in

readiness for a tornado disaster. Contingency services provided are temporary and will be

withdrawn when normal services are up and running. The OHSEM oversees reviewing and

implementing this contingency plan and will collaborate with all relevant stakeholders to

effectively implement it. Disaster preparedness and a contingency plan keep Killeen ready for

disaster mitigation and recovery.

Tornado Emergency Contingency Plan for Killeen, Texas

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References

Bitterman, N., & Zimmer, Y. (2018). Portable health care facilities in disaster and rescue zones:

Characteristics and future suggestions. Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, 33(4), 411-

417. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1049023X18000560

Borges Pedro, J. P., Oliveira, C. A. D. S., de Lima, S. C. R. B., & von Sperling, M. (2020). A

review of sanitation technologies for flood-prone areas. Journal of Water, Sanitation and

Hygiene for Development, 10(3), 397-412. https://doi.org/10.2166/washdev.2020.019

Bullock, J.A., & Coppola, D.P. 2017). Introduction to emergency management (6th Edition).

Butterworth-Heinemann Publications.

Fahad, M. G. R., Nazari, R., Bhavsar, P., Jalayer, M., & Karimi, M. (2019). A decision-support

framework for emergency evacuation planning during extreme storm

events. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 77, 589-605.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2019.09.024

Gosnell, A. (2015, May 5).  Social media’s role in disaster response. Emergency Management.

http://bit.ly/2f3xoFb

Killeen, Texas. (n.d.). Emergency management. https://www.killeentexas.gov/285/Emergency-

Management