Reclamation's emergency management activities help to guide Reclamations response to incidents of national significance.

Reclamation is responsible for major water projects in all of the 17 contiguous western states, including more than 500 dams, 348 reservoirs, and 58 hydroelectric powerplants.  Because of Reclamation’s vital role in providing water, power, agricultural products, and recreational opportunities to the entire nation, the safety and security of Reclamation facilities and the people visiting them is of critical importance.

Emergency Action Plans: Reclamation has Emergency Action Plans (EAP) for all high- and significant-hazard dams. These plans are updated annually and exercised every three years with a table top exercise and functional exercise utilized on an alternating schedule.

The exercises may involve Reclamation employees, other local, state, and Federal agencies, and downstream first responders who have responsibility for protecting the downstream public. Exercises are conducted with a variety of initiating scenarios including numerous natural, environmental, security, or terrorism-related scenarios.

Reclamation Emergency Operations Center (EOC):This center, located in Denver, provides a central coordination of Reclamation operations and communications with Regions, Washington Office leadership,the Department of the Interior and other Federal agencies.

Human cases of 2009 H1N1 flu (swine flu) have been identified in several states and in other countries. It is important to recognize the ongoing nature of this event and the fact that public health guidance may change as this event transpires and more becomes known about this new virus. Public health officials advise that good health habits like covering your cough and washing your hands often can help stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like the flu.

When H1N1 virus is confirmed in a community, persons who develop influenza-like-illness (fever with either cough or sore throat) should be strongly encouraged to self-isolate in their home for 7 days after the onset of illness or at least 24 hours after symptoms have resolved, whichever is longer. Persons who experience influenza-like illness and wish to seek medical care should contact their health care providers to report illness (by telephone or other remote means) before seeking care at a clinic, physician’s office, or hospital. Persons who have difficulty breathing or shortness of breath or are believed to be severely ill should seek immediate medical attention. The best source of guidance for Interior employees and their familites can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/ , More...

Secretary of the Interior's Memorandum to DOI Employees (216 KB - pdf)

The Office of International Affairs advises DOI official travelers should adhere to a CDC recommendation to avoid all non-essential travel to Mexico. Additional information regarding travel to Mexico is available at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentSwineFluMexico.aspx/

State Department Travel Advisory

CDC Guidance for Schools Within DOI Bureaus

The Bureau of Indian Education operates 184 schools in 23 states. There are no reports of swine flu in any schools operated by DOI bureaus. Should such cases occur, CDC guidance regarding school dismissal can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/mitigation.htm.

DOI Emergency Management Web Site

DisasterHelp.gov

FEMA Homepage

Ready.gov

Hurricane Response and Recovery (FEMA)

Department of Homeland Security

National Weather Service

DOI Information on Avian Flu and Pandemic  Influenza Preparedness