47.5 MB - The Whole Building Design Guide

Figure 4-45:Damaged apparatus baydoors at Port SulphurVolunteer Fire Department.4.4.8 Utility Plumbing SystemsFailures of public utility systems during Katrina were very common.Many first responder facilities were forced to improvise short-termsolutions until public utilities were restored. The Gulfport Fire DepartmentHeadquarters was able to back-feed water into its lines byisolating the building’s water supply lines from the public municipalsupply system. They then fed water directly into the building’swater lines in order to have water to shower and wash during thetwo weeks that they were without water in the facility. This capabilityshould be considered for all emergency response facilities, asit minimizes disruption of basic sanitary functions.In many facilities, flooding caused sewage to backflow into buildings,causing sanitary crises that directly affected their operations.Valuable time was spent cleaning up the facilities instead ofhelping others. To prevent this from occurring in future events theinstallation of backflow inhibitors (check valves) is recommended.The Pass Christian Fire Department managed the loss of sanitarysystems with plastic bags and buckets, while the staff at the GulfportPolice Department was able to acquire and use portable toiletsand bottled water until public utility systems were restored. TheJackson County, Mississippi, EOC is equipped with a pressurizedOBSERVATIONS ON THE PERFORMANCE OF CRITICAL FACILITIES4-61