CSM Emergency Response & Preparedness 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a stormwater emergency, which document serves as the primary operational guide for coordinating multi-agency response?
- Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)
- Incident Command System (ICS) Incident Action Plan (Correct answer)
- National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit
- Standard Operating Procedure manual
Correct 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.
Question 2: A large spill of hydraulic fluid enters a storm drain inlet during a construction emergency. The FIRST priority for responders is to:
- Collect water samples downstream
- Stop or minimize the source of the spill (Correct answer)
- Notify the state environmental agency
- Document the spill volume
Correct 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.
Question 3: Which federal law requires facilities that store hazardous substances above threshold quantities to develop emergency response plans for spills to water?
- Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)
- Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) (Correct answer)
- Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)
- Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
Correct 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.
Question 4: After a major flood event contaminates a stormwater detention pond with sewage overflow, what is the correct sequence for restoring normal operations?
- Test water quality, remove debris, inspect infrastructure, resume normal flow
- Remove debris, inspect infrastructure, test water quality, resume normal flow (Correct answer)
- Inspect infrastructure, remove debris, resume normal flow, test water quality
- Resume normal flow, inspect infrastructure, remove debris, test water quality
Correct 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.
Question 5: What is the purpose of a 'dry run' or tabletop exercise in stormwater emergency preparedness?
- To physically deploy containment booms in a practice scenario
- To test communication systems and decision-making without field deployment (Correct answer)
- To collect baseline water quality data before emergencies occur
- To inspect stormwater infrastructure for pre-existing damage
Correct 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.
Question 6: 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:
- Are permitted if the volume is below 1 gallon
- Must be reported to the National Response Center if from a vessel or facility (Correct answer)
- Only require reporting if they affect drinking water sources
- Are exempt from reporting if naturally occurring
Correct 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.
Question 7: Which containment strategy is most appropriate for stopping a liquid chemical spill from reaching a storm drain inlet located 10 feet away?
- Activated carbon filters placed inside the drain
- Absorbent booms or berms placed between the spill and the drain (Correct answer)
- Diluting the spill with water to reduce concentration
- Covering the drain with a plastic tarp after the spill reaches it
Correct 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.
CSM Emergency Response & Preparedness 2
During a stormwater emergency, which document serves as the primary operational guide for coordinating multi-agency response?