Emergency Response & Preparedness Flashcards
7 cards from real CSM practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Emergency Response & Preparedness flashcards as text
During a stormwater emergency, which document serves as the primary operational guide for coordinating multi-agency response?
Answer: Incident Command System (ICS) Incident Action Plan
The Incident Action Plan (IAP) developed within the ICS framework guides multi-agency coordination during stormwater emergencies.
A large spill of hydraulic fluid enters a storm drain inlet during a construction emergency. The FIRST priority for responders is to:
Answer: Stop or minimize the source of the spill
Source control is always the first priority in spill response to prevent additional pollutants from entering the stormwater system.
Which federal law requires facilities that store hazardous substances above threshold quantities to develop emergency response plans for spills to water?
Answer: Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA)
EPCRA (SARA Title III) mandates emergency planning for facilities with hazardous substances, including spill scenarios affecting stormwater.
After a major flood event contaminates a stormwater detention pond with sewage overflow, what is the correct sequence for restoring normal operations?
Answer: Remove debris, inspect infrastructure, test water quality, resume normal flow
Debris removal followed by infrastructure inspection ensures the system is structurally sound before water quality testing confirms safety for resumed operations.
What is the purpose of a 'dry run' or tabletop exercise in stormwater emergency preparedness?
Answer: To test communication systems and decision-making without field deployment
Tabletop exercises test communication, decision-making, and role clarity among emergency responders without the cost and complexity of field deployment.
A stormwater manager receives a report of an unknown sheen on the surface of a retention pond. Under the Clean Water Act, sheens from petroleum products:
Answer: Must be reported to the National Response Center if from a vessel or facility
The Clean Water Act requires reporting petroleum sheens to the National Response Center (NRC) at 1-800-424-8802 when caused by discharges from vessels or facilities.
Which containment strategy is most appropriate for stopping a liquid chemical spill from reaching a storm drain inlet located 10 feet away?
Answer: Absorbent booms or berms placed between the spill and the drain
Absorbent booms or berms are the standard rapid-deployment tool to intercept spills before they reach storm drain inlets.