BISHKEK EAC MEETING ON EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 000027

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/CEN
DEPT ALSO FOR DS/IP/SPC - WEINBERG
DEPT ALSO FOR DS/IP/NEA/SA - GALLO
ASTANA FOR LEGATT

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC CASC KG PGOV PINR PREL
SUBJECT: BISHKEK EAC MEETING ON EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS


1. (SBU) The Ambassador chaired a meeting of the Emergency
Action Committee (EAC) on January 11, 2007 to develop an
earthquake preparedness plan. Present were the AMB, DCM,
RSO, POL/ECON, POL/RA, USAID, CONS, DAO, MGT, MSG, PAS, and
LEG.


2. (SBU) In response to recent earthquake activity locally
and predictions of increased future activity, the EAC met to
develop an earthquake preparedness plan to protect American
hire employees at the Embassy. The FSN Committee is also
working to develop a parellel plan for their protection. The
DCM reviewed the model developed by Embassy Tashkent and
suggested this model with modifications to fit circumstances
in Bishkek. Future EAC Earthquake Preparedness meetings will
focus on plans to assist AmCits and the local community.


3. (SBU) Following discussion, these actions will be taken:

a. RSO and GSO will divide housing units into clusters with
one residence designated as the central point for
prepositioned communications equipment and emergency
supplies. A cluster leader would also be preappointed. In
the event local communications systems fail, employees will
make their way to their predesignated central point to inform
their cluster leader that they are safe or if they need
assistance. This designated residence will be stocked with a
one week supply of food, water, blankets, first aid kit, and
digging tools.
b. CLO office will disseminate the cluster designations,
along with maps and directions prepared by the MGT section.
c. RSO, in coordination with Embassy Health Unit and MGT
Officer will identify a "first responder" team and prepare a
support plan for the MSG on duty.
d. IMO will prepare telephone and communications equipment
training so that all employees and family members know how to
operate radios. An inventory will be taken of the number of
satellite phones already available for use, and enough
additional phones will be ordered so each cluster point has
one satellite phone.
e. Facilities Maintenance staff will go to each residence
and clearly label shut-off valves for water, gas, and
electricity, and provide instructions specific to each
residence for any anomalies. They will inspect all back-up
generators to assure keys and operating instructions are
readily available.
f. MGT office will maintain and update a list of where
family members may be reached during duty hours. A plan will
be made for transporting children from school to home in the
event of an emergency.
g. MGT will update the emergency "phone tree" list.
h. GSO will stock the Alternate Command Center (the MGT
officer's residence) with extra supplies and a full
compliment of communications equipment, including necessary
equipment for MGT officer to prepare emergency travel orders
in the event of evacuation.
i. RSO will identify alternate overland evacuation routes
out of the country.
j. RSO will identify alternate routes from residences to the
Embassy and will distribute maps.
k. RSO, in coordination with GSO and DAO, will identify
several staging areas for AmCit evacuation, possibly Manas
Airbase, the Hyatt Hotel, or Bishkek International School.
l. DAO will initiate discussions with the Airbase Commander
to establish emergency contacts and plans.
m. MGT will prepare a check list for each cluster house,
including phone lists, instructions, guidelines, a list of
emergency supplies, and SOP's.
n. MED will provide first-aid training seminars for
employees so there will be at least one trained employee in
each housing cluster.
o. CON will draft an earthquake warden message, including a
link on the embassy website to earthquake preparedness
information in English and Russian.
p. Encourage all employees to prepare "fly away kits."
q. PAO will develop a media strategy, including a list of
key contacts; Radio OK (FM 105.5) has agreed to broadcast any
warden messages.
r. EAC Committee will update the Emergency Action Plan and
will have it electronically available to all employees.
s. MGT will organize teams to contact cluster leaders and
coordinate response to cluster sites needing assistance.
t. RSO will develop search and rescue plans that would be
based on reports received from cluster leaders, and pre-stage
rescue equipment at Alternate Command Center and the Embassy.

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4. (SBU) The EAC appointed the DCM as Emergency
Coordinator. The Emergency Coordinator requested that the
cluster designations, list of emergency supplies that should
be maintained at each residence, the list of supplies to be
maintained at each cluster point residence, and the list of
first responders be completed by January 19.


5. (U) The EAC will convene another meeting after January
19 to review and finalize the Earthquake Preparedness Plan.
YOVANOVITCH