Responding to Incidents
To protect public exposure to sewage, support residents/businesses affected by sewage flooding, to allow crews to focus on the fix, to ensure jurisdiction notification and to support internal/external communications
Why does Community Services provide emergency response services?
Our top work priority
What is Emergency Response?
Relay the information to DCB/Main Control and await instructions.
What should CS team members do if the public notifies them about a potential sewage overflow?
A King County raincoat or reflective vest. A hard hat. WTD-issued hard toed rubber boots. Protective eye wear. Warm clothes, sometimes stored at one's desk.
What clothing should a CS responder wear to the field?
DO NOT GO IN ALONE. Note the size of the contaminated area. Safely photograph conditions. Do NOT stand in water and avoid wet areas with extension cords or plug sockets.
Note if you are in a residence or business. Confirm if the overflow is ongoing. Direct the community member to turn off the power/HVAC.
What steps should a CS responders' incident site assessment include for a structure?
Unplanned wastewater discharges with risk of public contact, such as parks, homes, businesses or recreational waterways.
Or as directed by WTD management
What type of incidents does CS respond to?
24/7, 365 days a year, on a rotating basis
When is CS staff on emergency standby?
What happened?
Where did the incident occur?
When did the incident occur?
Is it ongoing?
Who is in charge on site?
What questions should the primary responder ask DCB/Main Control when first called about an incident?
50 copies of the Emergency Cleanup Assistance flyer. Facility one-lines. Risk business cards. Red "DANGER" tape. Cable ties. A 3-5lb sledgehammer. An all-purpose tool. A flashlight. Waterproof notebook, pens/pencils. Duct tape. Garbage bags. Door hangers. Latex gloves. Work gloves. A staple gun.
What's in the jump kit?
Contaminated materials are removed. Surfaces are disinfected. The affected area is dried out.
What happens during a cleanup?
(Check for fume sensitivity, encourage temporary lodging and remind about vapor barriers.)
Combined sewer overflows (CSOs), overflows within a WTD facility, stormwater overflows, problems outside WTD system, such as those involving local sewers, residential sewers not directly connected, or overflows outside the service area
What incidents does CS NOT respond to?
Work cell phones, County cars, WTD iPads and County issued PPE
What equipment does CS use to support emergency response?
Coordinate with Government Affairs (GA) regarding who will contact the MWPAAC rep in the affected area. Notify local sewer/water district contacts identified in Sections 8 (East) and 9 (West) in Overflow Manual. Make sure to speak with someone directly at the local agency and follow up with an email. Update the primary responder, supervisor and GA when finished.
What should the secondary responder do upon learning of an incident?
Think safely. Do not be a hero. Plan to work safely and together. Manage adaptively. Stay in touch with your team. Drive safely. Check road conditions. Take the SUV. Use flashers when parked. Notify others when you leave/return
What steps does a CS responder take to get to the incident site safely?
Discusses conditions with the affected property owner/tenant. Documents conditions, taking photos of everything affected that can be seen safely. Distributes sewage spill safety information. Explains cleanup steps and gets signed authorization. Oversees temporary accommodation set up once authorized by incident commander.
How does CS support a residential cleanup?
Incidents related to overflowing creeks, ditches, stormdrains
What type of calls do we forward to WLRD's King County Stormwater services?
Is available to respond at any time during his or her weekly shift. Answers the phone, gets preliminary information on incident. Contacts secondary responder to coordinate a response. Leads development of initial community assessment. Goes to the field first, if necessary.
What does the primary CS responder do?
Available county vehicles. 3 stocked jump kits. PPE. Beach closure signs. Stakes/T-posts. A stake driver.
What ER tools are found on the "B" level, including the storage locker?
Work in pairs. Always have another WTD staff in eyesight and know your exit route.
Be aware of hazards, including downed trees, flooded areas, overflowing creeks
Stay out of standing water - anything above the bootheel is too high!
How does a CS responder work safely at an incident site?
"A sewer overflow poses a public health risk. My job is to help protect the health and safety of those affected by the overflow."
“The incident is still under investigation, so I can not confirm its cause. I am here to help address potential public health risks related to it.”
“I’m sorry this happened to you. I can help you get temporary lodging including reimbursement for meals while your home is cleaned.
"You should remove and dispose of affected materials, documenting your losses. You can also authorize King County to clean up of areas within the property affected by the overflow."
What can a CS responder say to an affected property owner or occupant?
206-477-4811
What is the WLRD phone number we use to notify King County Stormwater services about stormwater flooding?
Serves as backup contact for Main Control/DCB. Helps plan CS team's response. Develops and distributes internal/external notifications. Goes to the field to support primary responder. Coordinates with Supervisor on internal communications, staffing. Provides information to Media Planner upon request. Assists with temporary lodging.
What does the secondary/#2 responder do?
R-I-S-K
What is the combination for the B level storage locker?
Switch shoes before entering the emergency vehicle. Bag your boots in the bags found in the trunk or the garbage bags in the jump kit. Spray boots off at PPE wash station on “A”. Store boots in “B” locker. Wash your hands
What steps does a CS responder take to avoid contamination before returning from the field?
Gets authorization to offer accommodations from IC, DCB/Main Control, or management. Documents needs (e.g. number of people, special access or medical needs, etc.) Works with admin or PAM staff to identify appropriate lodging, using government rate and kitchenette facilities to the extent possible. Provides occupant with temporary accommodations letter outlining the terms of hotel/meal info.
How does a CS responder support providing temporary accommodations for affected occupants?