When a catastrophic event occurs the incident investigation must be coordinated with emergency response activities. This requires a well-written and rehearsed emergency and disaster plan, sometimes known as a crisis management plan. It also requires a documented incident investigation procedure that is well understood by all parties involved.
The Emergency and Disaster Plan should be multi-layered to provide immediate response from onsite personnel and include provisions to expand response activities with off-duty and outside personnel on short notice. The plan should make the best use of all available resources including public and private sectors. It must be a functional plan that recognizes the need to protect the:
Health and welfare of people (employees and the public)
Environment
Property and equipment
Continuity of operations (customers and stockholders)
Company's reputation
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Environmental Protection Agency
Department of Transportation
Office of Homeland Security
State and local agencies
A comprehensive plan anticipates and prepares for:
Coordination of response activities via the Incident Command System (ICS)
Onsite response, shelter-in-place and evacuation
Off-site notification and response
Response to community needs
Dealing with the press
Incident investigation
Post-incident clean up and restoration of operations
On- and off-site claims handling including litigation
Post-incident regulatory inquiries and investigations
Police, fire and ambulance personnel
Local, state and federal agencies
Media representatives
Community leaders
Employees and family members
Plaintiff attorneys
Host employers
The Incident Investigation Procedure should anticipate investigations by one (1) or more of the following groups:
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
United States Coast Guard (USCG)
Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
Department of Transportation (DOT)
State Police / Law Enforcement / Local District Attorney
Chemical Safety Board
Insurance companies
Plaintiff Attorneys
Assignment of an Investigation Team and Team Leader
Assignment of a trained investigator to work within the Incident Command System (ICS) to begin gathering data for the formal investigation
