NSC Emergency Preparedness 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is a 'continuity of operations plan' (COOP) designed to ensure for an organization?
- That employees receive emergency pay during disasters
- That essential functions continue during and after a disruption (Correct answer)
- That all non-essential staff are evacuated first
- That insurance claims are filed within 24 hours
Correct answer: That essential functions continue during and after a disruption
A COOP ensures that an organization's essential functions and operations continue with minimal interruption during and after an emergency or disaster.
Question 2: What is the danger of using a generator indoors or in an attached garage during a power outage?
- Risk of electrical fire from overloading circuits
- Risk of carbon monoxide poisoning (Correct answer)
- Risk of fuel spill contaminating groundwater
- Risk of noise ordinance violations
Correct answer: Risk of carbon monoxide poisoning
Generators produce carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless gas that can reach fatal concentrations indoors within minutes.
Question 3: According to NSC guidance, which of the following actions should you take BEFORE an earthquake if you live in a seismically active area?
- Store all supplies in upper cabinets for quick access
- Secure heavy furniture and appliances to walls (Correct answer)
- Identify the nearest high-rise building for shelter
- Keep all windows open to reduce pressure buildup
Correct answer: Secure heavy furniture and appliances to walls
Securing heavy furniture, water heaters, and appliances to walls prevents them from tipping and causing injuries during earthquake shaking.
Question 4: What is the correct Drop, Cover, and Hold On technique during an earthquake?
- Drop to the ground, run to a doorway, and hold the frame
- Drop to hands and knees, get under sturdy furniture, hold on until shaking stops (Correct answer)
- Drop flat on your stomach, cover your head, and crawl outside
- Drop to your knees, stand against an interior wall, and hold on
Correct answer: Drop to hands and knees, get under sturdy furniture, hold on until shaking stops
Drop, Cover, and Hold On means getting on hands and knees, taking shelter under a sturdy desk or table, and holding on until shaking stops to protect against falling objects.
Question 5: Which government-issued system assigns severity levels to weather threats using a five-tier color-coded scale?
- National Terrorism Advisory System
- NOAA Storm Prediction Center Outlook (Correct answer)
- National Weather Service Hazard Scale
- Emergency Alert System Threat Matrix
Correct answer: NOAA Storm Prediction Center Outlook
The NOAA Storm Prediction Center uses a five-tier color-coded outlook (marginal through high) to communicate severe weather threat levels to the public.
Question 6: What is the role of a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) member?
- To replace professional first responders at major disaster scenes
- To support professional responders and assist neighbors with basic disaster response skills (Correct answer)
- To manage federal disaster funding distribution
- To operate emergency communications infrastructure
Correct answer: To support professional responders and assist neighbors with basic disaster response skills
CERT members are trained volunteers who support professional responders by performing basic rescue, first aid, and fire suppression until help arrives.
Question 7: What is the primary reason emergency managers recommend having a physical copy of important documents in your emergency kit?
- Digital devices can be hacked during emergencies
- Power outages and damaged infrastructure can make electronic access impossible (Correct answer)
- Government agencies only accept paper documentation
- Physical copies are legally required during federal disaster declarations
Correct answer: Power outages and damaged infrastructure can make electronic access impossible
During major disasters, power outages and damaged cell towers or internet infrastructure can prevent access to digital documents when they are most needed.
NSC Emergency Preparedness 5
What is a 'continuity of operations plan' (COOP) designed to ensure for an organization?