Optimizing EAPs and ERPs, part 1: Risk-based planning

This paper is the first in a three-part series designed to help emergency planners to improve and coordinate emergency action plans (EAPs) and emergency response plans (ERPs). Through risk-based planning, there is potential to significantly improve dam safety and emergency response. Optimizing EAPs and ERPs, Part 1 presents an introduction to risk-based planning criteria based on the author's research. Key parameters include excess evacuation time and lethality zones, including chance zones, compromised zones, and safe zones. Related parameters provide means of estimating warning time and evacuation time. The remainder of the paper provides practical illustrations of how to assess subpopulations at risk within the floodplain from the standpoint of life-loss risk, and how to optimize and coordinate EAP and ERP priorities accordingly. Locations illustrated include road crossings, cabins, campgrounds, fishing reaches, islands, residential neighborhoods, facilities housing persons with reduced mobility, and lakes. Key planning principles are identified and applied throughout the illustrations. Part 2 of the series describes a team approach to EAP/ERP development. Part 3 of the series describes a new approach to prescriptive EAP/ERP flood inundation maps that is consistent with the principles presented in Parts 1 and 2.