Approved as of May 3, 2001
About...
Emergency Operations
Mission
Administer and direct the programs of DOE's and NNSA's emergency response capability to ensure availability and viability to respond to emergencies at DOE and NNSA facilities and field sites, and to nuclear and radiological emergencies within the United States and abroad.
Functions
EO serves as DOE's primary point of contact for all emergency management activities, developing and issuing all policy, procedures, and guidance and overseeing implementation of DOE's Emergency Management System. EO's key customers include the Secretary of Energy, the NNSA Administrator, DOE and NNSA facilities and field sites, and DOE and NNSA headquarters.
Its core functions include the following:
- Operate and develop policy for DOE's Emergency Management System for sites, facilities, and operations
- Manage the development of implementing policies, plans, and procedures for emergency response activities worldwide associated with nuclear weapons programs and facilities, and all radiological and nuclear emergencies on behalf of the United States Government
- Coordinate and concur on all emergency management activities, including intra- and interdepartmental and international activities, departmental commitments, and exercise and response activities
- Oversee the evaluation and appraisal of all line and program integrity through integration of all programs, systems, assets, capabilities, training, and response
- Ensure emergency management program integrity through integration of all programs, systems, assets, capabilities, training, and response
EO comprises the Office of Emergency Management and the Office of Emergency Response:
a. Office of Emergency Management (OEM)
The Office of Emergency Management serves as the primary point of contact for DOE emergency management activities. OEM develops, issues, and oversees the implementation of DOE's Emergency Management System for NNSA and DOE sites, facilities, and transportation activities. The office also manages headquarters emergency response facilities and operations.
The office has four core functions:
- Operations and Training - operates and maintains headquarters emergency operations facilities and supports emergency management/emergency response preparedness through training at both headquarters and field elements
- Exercises - manages a centrally controlled and decentrally executed program for all NNSA and DOE emergency response exercises
- Policy - develops and maintains all emergency management policies
- Site Response - supports NNSA and DOE site/facility emergency planning and response
b. Office of Emergency Response (OER)
The Office of Emergency Response (OER) manages seven departmental Radiological Emergency Response assets/capabilities that support both Crisis Response and Consequence Management. The office provides the overall program management and the organizational structure during both emergency and nonemergency conditions for the personnel, equipment, and activities that collectively make up the program.
Other functions include the following:
- Support federal programs as they relate to nuclear/radiological counterterrorism and consequence management
- Assist program offices with the implementation of emergency management and response programs at their sites and facilities
- Conduct staff assistance visits to assist program and DOE Operations
Offices with the resolution of previously identified emergency management
and response deficiencies
Internal and External Relationships - Emergency Operations represents DOE, as appropriate, in activities in the United States with the Department of Defense to fulfill legally mandated multiagency responsibility for protecting public health and safety in response to radiological or nuclear emergencies. EO also serves as interagency liaison for all emergency management and counterterrorism activities. It establishes, charters, administers, and chairs the standing Emergency Management Coordinating Committee and the Emergency Management Advisory Committee.
Changes in Structure and Staffing - Subject to approval by the Secretary of Energy, EO will be staffed primarily through the transfer of personnel from DOE-SO and from NNSA program office personnel currently performing EO functions.
Approved as of May 3, 2001