Risk - based emergency response

ABSTRACT

A prerequisite to developing, reviewing, enhancing, or auditing an emergency response program is a thorough understanding of the hazards that may evolve into events that will require a response. Thus, hazard identification is critical, and in making such identifications, one has to go beyond traditional events, such are fires and spills, to include all the events that present a potential for fatalitiesm injuries, property damage and/or business interruption. While it would be comforting to preplan for every conceivable emergency, precious resources dictate that it makes more sense -- from a cost - benefit standpoint -- to address those risks where there is a high probability of occurrence. complementing an understanding of frequency are the results of consequence modelling. This will aid in determining the extent of impact, e.g., on - site or off - site equipment and programs. In this paper, through the provocative use of case studies, the methodology for risk - based emergency response will be presented. In doing so, the benefits associated with this approach are clearly demostrated (AU)