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Emergency Response Plan For Blizzard Denver, CO

Created by Jerod Fahrenbruch and Bryce Ellis

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Emergency Response Plan Table of Contents Background ........................................................................................................................... 3 Hazard ......................................................................................................................... 3 Financial ...................................................................................................................... 3 Government ................................................................................................................ 4 Planning for Disaster ............................................................................................................ 4 Other considerations ................................................................................................... 4 Communication Plan ............................................................................................................ 4 Before Disaster Strikes ............................................................................................... 5 Town Hall meeting ........................................................................................... 5 During .......................................................................................................................... 5 Restoration Plan ................................................................................................................... 6 Restoration Plan ....................................................................................................... 6-7 Financial Plan .............................................................................................................. 8 Appendices ........................................................................................................................... 9

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Background: Denver Colorado roughly sits at 5,280 ft., it’s at the base of the foothills. There are around 704,000 people that live in Denver with a population density of 4,519 people per square mile, of those 704,000 there are around 5,300 that are homeless in the metro area. There are 5 main highways that run through Denver and 6 airports that feed into Denver. Around 340,000 people use the light rail on a daily basis, 4% of people in Denver walk to work every day, 6% use public transport every day, and 73% drive alone.

(Appendix 1)

Hazard Blizzards are long lasting snow storms that have high speed winds the blow the snow falling and snow on the ground all over. The winds can range from 30-100 mph and will sustain those speeds through the entire storm. Temperature can range from 10°F and lower, you visibility will also be hindered to only being able to see 0.25 mi or less. One meteorologists said they are “Violent and very cold winds which is laden with snow, some part, at least, of which has been raised from snow covered ground."

(Appendix 2)

Financial The United States of America is a high economic country based on its population compared to economic gain. The population affected would be the entire population of Denver because a blizzard would affect everyone there. The GDP of America is 19.39 trillion USD. I predict that everyone in Denver will be affected by the disaster at full force because that will be the main 3

point of impact. There is also a large chance for bordering cities to be affect because of the widespread of a Blizzard. Whenever a severe Blizzard like this occurs in Colorado, there is usually a very low death toll because homes are providing heat while the Blizzard dies down. I believe that 7 or less people will die based on the harshest Blizzards of the past 25 years in America. I would estimate that it would cost around 2 million dollars because some of the power lines could go down and cars could become unusable. The government will also need to call a clean-up of the snow so past transportation can resume as soon as possible. Planning for Disaster There are a few things you need to plan for in a Blizzard one main one is warm clothes, maybe even water proof clothes too. You will need a lot of clothes because the snow will be coming down very heavy and there will be very chilling winds. You will also need to plan ahead to store food in case you can’t get out of your house for a few days. In some blizzards the snow will pile up at your door and it can make it very hard to get out, their also will be very large snow drifts formed by all the wind so you won’t be able to use your car either. The US is a Constitutional Federal Republic which is where the head of state and other officials are representatives of the people for each state. The US also shares the same government type as Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, Austria, Nepal, Federated States of Micronesia. They also have a constitution which forms the idea of amendments and amendments are proposed as a “joint resolution” by Congress. But the constitution is the frame for the government with 27 amendments, which they just tell us our rights and duties as citizens. The US also has 3 main branches of government executive, judicial, and legislative they work together to do a variety of different jobs. Within America, 76.2% of the population currently uses internet which means that a government emergency radio announcement will reach most U.S. citizens in time so they can get ready by preparing food, water, and shelter. The announcement can also go to U.S. Cellular devices in order for them to prepare for any disaster that occurs. If a U.S Citizen does not receive any warning because they don’t have a device that uses the internet, the government will also play an air siren in order to alarm everyone in the area. This will allow for everyone to be informed about the incoming disaster. Some other ideas you can consider is preparing with emergency communication inside your home just in case there is a power outage or you have no access to power at your current location. This can allow the government to contact you for rescue with a battery powered radio. If an individual were to prepare this equipment, then they would have a much higher chance of survival because the government would be able to save them with callouts on the radio. Communication Plan Before the disaster strikes: Heavy snowfall and extreme cold can immobilize an entire region. Even areas that normally experience mild winters can be hit with a major snowstorm or extreme cold. Winter storms can result in flooding, storm surge, closed highways, blocked roads, downed power lines and hypothermia. 4

Include the following in your disaster supplies kit: • Rock salt to melt ice on walkways • Snow shovels and other snow removal equipment. Prepare for isolation in your home by having sufficient heating fuel, store a good supply of dry food and water, wood for your fireplace or wood-burning stove.

(Appendix 3)

(Appendix 4)

Town Hall meeting: In a town hall meeting they would talk about how to prepare for a blizzard and what everyone needs to do in order to be prepared and safe. They would talk a little bit about what materials you should have in order to keep yourself safe and healthy. Also, they would talk about bringing in supplies to help people in the affected area and would try to help people that were just visiting and got stuck in this natural disaster. During the disaster: During the disaster you really want to communicate to your family what you should do and how to stay safe. You also want to communicate with the younger members of your family to make sure they aren't scared. There will also be a lot of communicating to help plow the major roadways so that people can start to drive and get out of the area. Also, there will be communicating to help bring power back on because people need the power to help survive during a blizzard. 5

(Appendix 5)

Restoration Plan Health: • • •

Be aware of exhaustion. Drink plenty of clean water. Eat well. Wear sturdy work boots and gloves.

Safety issues: •

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Be aware of new safety issues created by the disaster. Watch for washed out roads, contaminated buildings, contaminated water, gas leaks, broken glass, damaged electrical wiring, and slippery floors. Inform local authorities about health and safety issues, including chemical spills, downed power lines, washed out roads, smoldering insulation, and dead animals. Frostbite, frostbite causes loss of feeling and color around the face, fingers, and toes. o Signs: Numbness, white or grayish-yellow skin, firm or waxy skin o Actions: Go to a warm room. Soak in warm water. Use body heat to warm. Do not massage or use a heating pad. Hypothermia is an unusually low body temperature. A temperature below 95 degrees is an emergency. o Signs: Shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech, or drowsiness. o Actions: Go to a warm room. Warm the center of the body first—chest, neck, head, and groin. Keep dry and wrapped up in warm blankets, including the head and neck.

(Appendix 6)

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Train derailment: •

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If a train derailment were to occur it will disrupt the proper operation of the railway system, and they are potentially seriously hazardous to human health and safety. Usually, a derailment of a train can be caused by a varied of things including a collision with another object, an operational error, the mechanical failure of tracks, such as broken rails, or the mechanical failure of the wheels. There are usually derail or catch points on the train tracks to prevent a more serious accident. How to re-rail a train: •

• •

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It is necessary to replace the vehicle on the track. If there is no significant track damage then it can be put back on the track without any further work needed. However, when a train derails at a high rate of speed, a considerable length of track may be damaged or destroyed, far worse damage may be caused if a bridge is encountered. With derailments that are close to the track, it is possible to pull the derailed wheelsets back on to the track using re-railing ramps; these are metal blocks designed to fit over the rails and to provide a rising path back to the track. If the derailed vehicle is further from the track, or its configuration is different (such as a high center of gravity or a very short wheelbase) ramps will be impossible use, so jacks may be used. The process involves lifting the vehicle frame and then allowing it to fall off the jack towards the track. This may need to be repeated. When more complex re-railing work is needed various combinations of cable and pulley systems may be used, or the use of one or more rail-borne cranes to lift a locomotive. In special cases road cranes are used, as these have greater lifting and reach capacity, if road access to the site is feasible.

Rail-borne crane (Appendix 7)

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Financial Plan: I predict that the majority of people in Denver will be affected by the disaster at full force because that will be the main point of impact. There is also a large chance for bordering cities to be affect because of the widespread of a Blizzard. Whenever a severe Blizzard like this occurs in Colorado, there is usually a very low death toll because homes are providing heat while the Blizzard dies down. I would estimate that it would cost around 2 million dollars because some of the power lines could go down and cars could become unusable. The government will also need to call a clean-up of the snow so past transportation can resume as soon as possible.

Sources: https://www.fema.gov/pdf/areyouready/areyouready_full.pdf

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Appendices 1.

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