Graded Homework

Precious Brown
Interagency Disaster Management
August 29, 2016
Columbia Sothern Un8iversitry

When it comes to disaster preparedness and prevention many things will be factored into
the appropriate response. The factors that will come into play will always be configured loosely
do to the ability to always be ready for any change in circumstances. However each emergency
is unique and knowing the actions to take for each threat will impact the specific decisions and
preparations made. By knowing about these specific threats, you are preparing and planning to
react in any emergency. When creating a preparedness model you must, survey to identify
threats and vulnerabilities, analyze all available material, plan how to prepare, prevent and/or
respond, and mitigate any impact. Most models for you specific town, city, or business will be
similar do to resources that are available will be the same.
This paper will divulged into all aspects of the preparedness model of the
infamous Parris Island in South Carolina. “Today, male recruits from the eastern United States
and all female recruits train here, totaling nearly 18,000 recruits annually. Marines were first
stationed at Parris Island deep in the salt marshes of South Carolina in 1891. On November 1,
1915, Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) Parris Island was officially designated as a recruit
training base, and it has been making Marines ever since. Parris Island is one of the most visited
military facilities in the world, hosting more than 120,000 visitors a year.”[MCR14] Adding to
the number of recruits that are trained on Parris Island there are many active duty military and
civilian personnel that work aboard the installation. These people are in charge of the everyday
operations and the support of Marine Corps Boot Camp. Living on Parris Island as well are the
families of the Marines that work there. The greatest number of people can be found during
Marine Corps boot camp graduation and family day.
Parris Island has many threats and vulnerabilities. Most of the threats and vulnerabilities
would be natural disasters, but one of the biggest threats would be a terrorist attack. The

installation is located on the east coast in the Port Royal Sound between Saint Helena Island and
Hilton Head Island. Being on the east coast the possibility of a hurricane is a real issue. Several
hurricanes and tropical storms have made land fall in and around the Marine Corps Recruit
Depot (MCRD) since 1900. Some of which have caused extensive damage and have been rated
in the top twenty worst hurricanes since 1900. Flooding due to heavy rains and rising tides is
another threat to the safety and wellbeing of the installation and the people aboard. “The Depot
consists of 8,095 acres, of which only 3,262 are habitable. The remaining acres are primarily salt
marsh.”[MCR14] The salt marsh which is low lying land does not create any real barrier to stop
rising tides that would threaten the base. Possibly the most frightening risk and vulnerability
would be the possibility of a terrorist attack to the installation. The base is highly visited by
people from all walks of life and from all over the world. The Parris Island museum which is
open to the public which allows people to come and go with no military affiliation if they like.
MCRD is also a highly visible target with its long history and mass graduations on a weekly
basis.

Like most military installations Parris Island has its own medical personnel and
emergency first responders. The Depots fire department has several fire trucks, medic trucks, a
hazmat truck and even boats. The fire department has the ability to respond to structural fires but,
can also respond to medical emergencies and water rescues. Along with the fire department there
is the Marine Corps Police Department. The Police Department has several departments to
include a Swift Reaction Team (SRT) who can breech doors and clear buildings as well has
observing and taking long range shots on hostile targets if needed. There is also a K9 section
which has many highly trained and efficient dogs that can detect drugs, explosives, and people.

There are also dogs who can scout areas for people as well as track people over long distances.
The department also has an accident investigation division as well as the everyday patrol
officers. All personnel who work for the police department are also trained first responders. The
base has medical clinics that can treat minor to moderate injuries but for the more tasking issues
there are two hospitals located right off the installation. There are support units that will help
place barriers, transport mass groups of people, and help with wok details to accomplish the
mission.
On average, South Carolina experiences a land following hurricane every seven years. Between
1900 and 2000, 14 hurricanes made landfall along the coast of South Carolina including three
major hurricanes; hurricane Hugo (1989), hurricane Gracie (1959), and hurricane Hazel (1954).
Although major hurricanes are rare for the coastal sections of South Carolina, averaging one
every 25 years, impact realized in property damage and loss of life makes each of these storms
worthy of note.[Dep14]
Hurricanes can be very serious and deadly occurrences. The last major hurricane to make
land fall in the general area was hurricane Hugo. Having a base with so many working parts and
people, advanced plans need to be in place. There are five hurricane conditions that the Marine
Corps follow each one of these conditions have a certain set of guidelines. The first condition is
Destructive Weather Condition V (DWC V). The potential for the occurrence of destruction but
no specific system threatens the area. DWC V indicates a seasonal destructive weather readiness
level, i.e. Atlantic Hurricane Season (1 June to 30 November). As the condition code states there
is no real worry of a storm, but it is the season and the base will be in this condition throughout
the hurricane season. With this being said a couple of steps to help be prepare would be as
follows. Create internal roster for all pregnant military, civilian, and spouses. Also make sure to

update monthly. Next would be to make sure all emergency personnel are coordinated and have
all final plans in order. Making sure personnel understand their roles is vital and it would be
helpful to complete a few table top exercises to understand the flow of everything. The second
code is Destructive Weather Condition IV (DWC IV / 72 Hours). A specific destructive weather
system with sustained winds of 50 knots (58 MPH) or greater is forecasted to affect area within
72 hours. This step is probably the most important because you know that the storm is coming
and all preparations need to be set in motion. The incident coordinator must notify all on duty
personnel and key personnel: fire, law enforcement, public works, support command, and all
higher echelon personnel. Start preparation for destructive weather around work areas. Secure
loose items such as trash cans, outdoor furniture and unconfined objects inside or attach them
firmly to the ground. Ensure advance party personnel roster is

finalized and submitted the base

commander and incident commander. All personnel will not be needed and it should be noted
those who have families and can be released as nonessential. Ensure evacuation roster is
finalized and submitted base and incident commander. Accept 15 members of Auxiliary Security
Force from the PI Band (OPCON to PMO) and conduct deadly force training for ASF (Augment
Security Forces) and RTR (Recruit Training Regiment) personnel responsible for weapons
security during movement to MCLB Albany. If boot camp graduation is ready is scheduled for
the time of inclement weather it can be pushed up. Prepare to support early graduation.
Coordinate with G-4 for (75) rounds per ASF member to be drawn from ASP (Ammo Supply
Point). Notify Initial Emergency Response Personnel. Initiate phone contact with all PMO
personnel/advise them of the threat and of recall procedures. Dispatch on-duty Patrols to identify
and assist in securing loose gear. Identify Augment Security Force (PI Band) and advise them of
recall procedures. Notify Emergency Maintenance of any potential hazards. Another set of steps

would be to ensure equipment for emergency personnel is ready. Ensure all essential operating
data from hard drives is backed up to the share drive. Inventory/Safeguard all emergency
equipment /gear. Stage equipment in the Detention Cells, until evacuation to Bldg #149. Confirm
disaster supply and hurricane EVAC lockers are fully stocked. Perform operations check on all
generator. Account for all barricades. Coordinate replacement of vehicles that will have a hard
time operating in flooded conditions. Coordinate communications assets. (PRC-77w/batteries)
Refuel vehicle assets. Conduct communications check. Fill gas cans.
Destructive Weather Condition III (DWC III, 48 Hours). A specific destructive weather
system with sustained winds of 50 knots (58 mph) is forecast to affect the area within 48 hours is
the next condition code. Another set of procedures will follow. Notify all on duty personnel and
key personnel. Continue to introduce and finalize those steps still outstanding from Condition IV.
Upon direction of higher authority, recall all personnel (PMO, Augment Security Force, and
assigned additional

personnel), to Bldg #455. Upon arrival, assign personnel duties and

shifts. Restrict liberty to messing facility (HQSVCBN), and maintain liberty log. At this time
accountability of all personnel is paramount. Receive from Maintenance, chains and locks, for
securing building. Dispatch unit to ensure routes are clear to EOC. Post assigned personnel for
TCP (Traffic Control). **Exact routes are TBD** Coordinate with Fire Department and Motor
Transport, Heavy Equipment, in placement of barricades at Main Gate and key points. Start
patrols in housing areas by grid, report back to D/S of status. Set up Sign boards with EVAC
timeline. Upon direction of higher authority, conduct prep work for move from Bldg #455 to
Bldg #149 which is a more stable building which able to be a command post for long periods.
Complete prep work for move to Bldg #149. Ensure generator is

checked and fueled.

Complete formation for accountability and to pass direction. Issue Disaster gear (Flak Jackets,

Helmets, Etc.) Account for Disaster vehicles w/drivers, ensure vehicles are fully gassed,
equipped with radio and code lights. Report total bottled water and rations count for PMO and
Augment Security Force to incident command. Destructive Weather Condition II (DWC II, 24
Hours). A specific destructive weather system with sustained winds of 50 knots (58mph) is
forecasted to affect the area within 24 hours. Full activation of the EOC should be anticipated.
Notify all on duty personnel and key personnel. Finalize those steps still outstanding from
Condition III. Upon receiving evacuation order, dispatch all patrols to

sound/order

evacuation of personnel from housing areas. Dispatch units to set up barricades (water filled),
assign personnel for checkpoints, to ensure residents do not return to evacuated areas. Ensure
that evacuation of single marine and sailor quarters is completed. Notify South Carolina and
Georgia State/County police of route of movement and the number of buses in EOC serial/march
unit and their time of departure. Conduct Sweep and secure all facilities, upon completion of
evacuation order. Destructive Weather Condition I (DWC I, 12 Hours). A specific destructive
weather system with sustained winds of 50 knots (58 mph) is forecast to affect the area within 12
hours. Notify all on duty personnel and key personnel. Finalize those steps still outstanding from
Condition II. Contact the Fire Department and Heavy Equipment; establish Barrier Plan at the
Main Gate and key areas. Main Gate secured (inbound only). Allow only authorized personnel
and equipment to enter. Prepare to evacuate Augment Security Force and PMO personnel.
Complete last sweep of area (by grid). Ensure Bldg #455 has been cleared, secured and display
relocation signs. Destructive Weather Condition I Recovery (DWC IR). The destructive weather
system has passed the area; however, safety and storm hazards remain. All orders, restrictions,
and guidance established in previous DWCs remain in effect. The emergency management
structure is affecting the speedy return to normal operations by eliminating safety concerns, re-

establishing services, utilities, transportation systems, clearing debris, and performing essential
repairs. Notify all on duty personnel and key personnel. Return to Depot, Main Gate to open,
establish sentries’ control. Clear road to provide damage control and clear-up vehicle passage.
Dispatch units to identify damage. Post and supervise emergency sentries and patrols, to patrol
damaged and devastated areas, to prevent theft/looting. Assist in recovery operations, as directed
by incident command.
Mitigating disasters and disaster recovery is no small task. The effort put in by all entities
needs to be at a hundred percent in order to lessen risks and save persons and property.

References
Bibliography
Department of Natural Resources. (2014, 06). Retrieved from Historical Hurricanes in South
Carolina: http://www.dnr.sc.gov/climate/sco/Education/facts/historical_hurricanes.pdf
MCRD Parris Isand. (2014, 06). Retrieved from Marines.com:
https://www.marines.com/operating-forces/presencedetail/-/presence/detail/pres_loc_parrisisland