TB 144 - Tsunami Response Plan

Question 1

The travel time of a “LOCALLY” generated tsunami, from initiation to arrival at coastal communities may be within ____ to _____ minutes.

Answer 1

5 to 30 minutes

Question 2

Planning for “LOCAL” source tsunamis is extremely difficult.

Preparation, public outreach and _______ are key components to saving lives.

Answer 2

Education

Question 3

Tsunamis from “DISTANT” sources are the ______ (most or least?) common type observed along the Pacific Coast of the United States.

Answer 3

Most common

Question 4

The time required for a “DISTANT” tsunami to reach the Hawaiian and mainland coasts will vary between ____ and ____ hours, depending upon the tsunami place of origin.

Answer 4

5 ½ to 18 hours

Question 5

LAFD Tsunami inundation maps provide detailed information such as:

Answer 5

-location of pre-determined evacuation routes

-safe refuge areas

-schools

-medical facilities

Question 6

Alert and Notification

The West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Center (WC/ATWC) in Palmer, Alaska, and the Hawaii based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Honolulu monitor potential tsunamis.

This warning system is only effective for tsunamis of _____ origin.

Answer 6

-distant origin

(The WC/ATWC may not detect a locally generated tsunami in sufficient time to warn authorities to evacuate potential tsunami-impact areas.)

Question 7

A strong earthquake felt along the coastal areas of the City lasting longer than _____ seconds, should be considered a warning sign of a potential near source tsunami.

Answer 7

20 seconds

Question 8

If an earthquake is felt, coastal residents, business owners and visitors should evacuate tsunami inundation areas.

What is often the first visible indication of an approaching local source tsunami?

Answer 8

-recession of water

(Any withdrawal of the sea should be considered a warning of an approaching wave.)

Question 9

What are the seven types of Tsunami Alerts?

Answer 9

1. Tsunami Warning (highest level)
2. Tsunami Watch
3. Tsunami Advisory
4. Tsunami Information Bulletin
5. Tsunami Information Message
6. Tsunami Cancellation
7. Tsunami Communication Test

Question 10

Tsunami ______ is the highest level of alert.

It is given to local jurisdictions within an expected impact area after a tsunami triggering event has occurred, or when a tsunami has been detected anywhere in the Pacific Basin.

Answer 10

Tsunami Warning

(For earthquake magnitudes greater than 7.5, a Tsunami Warning is issued to areas within a 3 hour tsunami travel-time zone.)

Question 11

Tsunami ______ is the second highest alert and is given to local jurisdictions outside of the “warning” area that a seismic event has occurred in the Pacific Basin and may have caused a tsunami.

It provides advance alert to areas that could be impacted by a tsunami and indicates these jurisdictions should monitor the event.

Answer 11

Tsunami Watch

(For earthquake magnitudes greater than 7.5, a Tsunami Watch is issued to areas within a 3 to 6 hour tsunami travel-time zone.)

Question 12

A Tsunami ______ indicates that an area is either outside the current warning and watch regions, or that the tsunami poses no danger to that area.

Answer 12

Tsunami Advisory

(As conditions warrant, the Advisory will either be continued, upgraded to a watch or warning, or ended.)

Question 13

The WC/ATWC issues Tsunami _________ to assure coastal residents and emergency managers that there is no tsunami danger.

Answer 13

Tsunami Information Messages

Question 14

Tsunami waves from a DISTANT source often come as a series of waves, with the first wave NOT ALWAYS being the LARGEST.

In the event of a _______ source tsunami, the FIRST wave will be the largest wave.

Answer 14

Local

Question 15

Tsunami Response

Concerned officers shall maintain LCES at all times when operating in the inundation zones.

Personnel and resource ________ shall be of the highest concern for all members.

Answer 15

accountability

Question 16

What LA City Dept will be responsible for Shelter and Welfare during a Tsunami response?

Answer 16

LA Dept of Recreation and Parks

Question 17

In the event of a confirmed “Tsunami Warning”, what is the LAFD’s highest priority?

Answer 17

-Evacuation of LAFD resources from fire stations within inundation zone

-Establish Unified Command Post in affected Battalions

Question 18

It is the responsibility of _________ to provide immediate notification to the LAFD of all tsunami watches, warnings and advisories affecting the coastal areas of the City of Los Angeles.

Answer 18

Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACoFD)

Question 19

A Tsunami Warning with an estimated arrival time of 0 to 4 hours, MFC will immediately place the Department in Level ____ Tsunami mode.

Answer 19

-Level III Tsunami Mode

The following immediate actions shall occur:
1. MFC will notify and direct all fire stations and Fire Department resources in the pre-identified inundation zones to immediately evacuate to their pre-determined safe areas.

2. MFC transmit long ring and Special Notice to all work locations, and simulcast on all dispatch frequencies.
3. Affected LAFD resources immediately evacuate to pre-determined safe areas
4. BC’s to initiate CAR/PAR with resources under their command

Question 20

LAFD Level III Tsunami Mode

Immediately following the evacuation of LAFD resources to their pre-determined safe areas, affected Battalion Commanders shall initiate a CAR/PAR with all affected resources under their command.

To expedite this process, affected Battalions shall use the following Tactical Channels:
Battalion 4: LFD T-?
Battalion 6: LFD T-?
Battalion 9: LFD T-?

Answer 20

Battalion 4: LFD T-3

Battalion 6: LFD T-2

Battalion 9: LFD T-3

Question 21

A Tsunami Warning with an estimated arrival time of 4 to 8 hours, MFC will immediately place the Department in Level ____ Tsunami mode.

Answer 21

-Level II Tsunami Mode

The following immediate actions shall occur:
1. MFC shall immediately transmit a long ring and Special Notice to all work locations, and simulcast on all dispatch frequencies

2. DDC will direct MFC to activate the DOC.
3. Affected BC’s will coordinate with officers under their commands to ensure preparation for Level III Tsunami Mode
4. LAFD Command Staff shall coordinate with the City’s Emergency Operations Organization (EOO) to coordinate activation of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and initiation of possible evacuations.

Question 22

A Tsunami Warning with an estimated arrival time of 8+ hours, MFC will immediately place the Department in Level ____ Tsunami mode.

Answer 22

Level I Tsunami Mode

The following immediate actions shall occur:
1. MFC shall immediately transmit a long ring and Special Notice to all work locations, and simulcast on all dispatch frequencies

2. Deputy Dept Commander to prepare activation of DOC
3. DDC along with CMD 22 and CMD 42 to determine activating Level II Tsunami Mode
4. LAFD Command Staff to coordinate with EOO to activate EOC and initiate possible evacuations

Question 23

During all Level Tsunami Modes, who determines if the Department will respond to incidents in the inundation zones?

Answer 23

Deputy Department Commander

Question 24

Upon receipt of a Tsunami Watch Notification, MFC will:

Answer 24

Transmit a Special Notice to all work locations placing the Department in the Tsunami Watch Mode.

(MFC does not transmit on dispatch channels)

Question 25

Upon receipt of a Tsunami Advisory Notification, MFC will:

Answer 25

Transmit a Special Notice to all work locations placing the Department in the Tsunami Advisory Mode.

(MFC does not transmit on dispatch channels)

Question 26

In general, after receipt of a Tsunami Warning, agencies can assume all-clear status when their area is free from damaging waves, strong currents and extreme tidal changes for _____ hours.

Answer 26

2 hours

(Exception: WC/ATWC has announced additional ETA’s, or local conditions warrant continuation of the Tsunami Warning status.)

Question 27

One of the primary tsunami response responsibilities of the LAFD is the coordination of care and transportation for people with?

Answer 27

mobility issues and those residing in health care facilities and nursing homes.

Question 28

The LAFD will share evacuation responsibility with numerous City and County agencies to include:

Answer 28

-LAPD

-Department of Aging

-Department on Disabilities

-LADOT

-MTA

Question 29

General evacuations and the establishment of evacuation routes is the primary responsibility of the ________.

Answer 29

LAPD

Question 30

Concerned officers shall refer to LAFD ________ for the location of target occupancies, evacuation routes and safe refuge areas within the inundation zones.

Answer 30

Tsunami Inundation Maps

Question 31

The goal of the City of Los Angeles is to achieve Federal recognition as a “Tsunami Ready Community.”

To achieve this status, a community must successfully implement and/or complete the following four (4) requirements:

Answer 31

1. Planning
2. Public Outreach and Education
3. Signage
4. Alert and Notification

Question 32

All companies within the inundation areas of the City should make every effort to provide outreach and education to the general public.

Tsunami warning signs have been installed throughout the inundation areas in the City of Los Angeles. These signs indicate the following:

Answer 32

-Entering Tsunami Hazard Zone

-Leaving Tsunami Hazard Zone

-Tsunami Evacuation Route

-Tsunami Hazard Zone

Question 33

Which battalions will be most at risk for a tsunami?

Answer 33

Batt 4, 6, and 9

(During the Tsunami notification process, MFC will notify the DDC, CMD22, CMD42, LAFD Air Ops and Battalions 4,6, and 9)

Question 34

How many Tsunami Mode Levels can the LAFD be placed in?

Answer 34

3

Lvl 3: Tsunami within 4 hours

Lvl 2: Tsunami within 4-8 hours

Lvl 1: Tsunami outside of 8 hours