1. What is an Occupant Emergency Plan (OEP)?
The Occupant Emergency Plan (OEP) is a General Services Administration requirement under the Federal Property Management Regulations. The OEP provides the specific procedures to protect life and property in a specific Federally-occupied space. The DOE Office of Management (MA) has responsibility for implementing the overall program for the DOE Headquarters facilities. In leased facilities, the lead agency is responsible for coordinating the overall plan. Each Program Secretarial Office is responsible for the implementation of the detailed OEP requirements for the areas of the building that they occupy.

2. What are each Program Office's OEP requirements in DOE-occupied space?
The OEP requirements are briefly summarized as follows:

1. Identifying members of an Occupant Emergency Team consisting of Wardens and Monitors who are responsible for ensuring the safe evacuation of all personnel from the floor or area they are assigned to cover and providing direct assistance to those with special needs to reach an area of refuge.
2. Communicating information and instructions for emergency procedures.
3. Discussing special needs and making arrangements for personnel as needed.
4. Designating a safe location outside of the building as an assembly point.
5. Conducting an accounting of personnel to determine who may be missing and provide this information to the Command Post.
6. Advising appropriate personnel of any personnel who are missing and/or injured as well as other conditions requiring immediate attention by emergency personnel.
7. Providing training to OEP Team members.

3. What are “Areas of Refuge”?
An “Area of Refuge” is a protected space in the path of travel leading to a public way. In most buildings, areas of refuge are located on each floor in designated exit stairwells. Personnel with special needs who cannot safely exit the building using the exit stairs because of mobility or other impairments wait here with a Monitor for emergency assistance. These areas are equipped with a device that allows for communication with emergency personnel as well as an evacuation chair. During an emergency, the elevators are not to be used, except by emergency personnel or if specifically directed to do so by emergency personnel.

4. Is there a voice broadcast communication system throughout the Forrestal and Germantown Buildings?
The Forrestal Building and Germantown Main Building, both, have a public address system. This system allows for the emergency personnel to provide information to occupant within the building. Announcements could be whole building announcements or be targeted to specific zones.

5. What other measure is DOE exploring to improve notification to personnel about events such as power outages or other circumstances that might be perceived as “emergencies”?
DOE already uses DOECAST messages to provide information during emergencies and is testing the use of broadcast phone messages.

6. Are there any special considerations that should be given when determining whether to volunteer as a member of the OEP Team?
Yes, performance of OEP Team member duties (such as a Floor Warden or Monitor) is demanding in an actual emergency.  Consideration should be given to each individual's ability to effectively respond to scenarios such as smelling smoke; dealing with panicky people, chaos, or other conditions; and dealing rationally with hazards and stresses that often accompany emergencies such as fires, chemical spills, workplace violence, terrorism or natural hazards. Some considerations include:

1. Physical - Volunteers should not have any significant impairment to their mobility, vision, hearing, speech, or sensory areas such as smell.
2. Presence - Volunteers should be comfortable speaking in a loud, clear and concise manner with personnel. They must be prepared to take charge and act as leaders to respond to the specific circumstances of the emergency.
3. Behavior - Volunteers should remain calm under stress and be able to react quickly and decisively in a rational, logical, analytical, and persuasive manner as necessary.
4. General - Volunteers should be available, reliable, resourceful, committed and knowledgeable about the physical layout, organizational structure, and personnel related to their OEP duties and responsibilities.

7. How can I obtain more information about emergency preparedness?
Contact Cherylynne Williams or Steven M. Scott on 202-586-1005 for more information about emergency preparedness. You can also contact your NTEU representative or your program office's safety and health representative.