March 26, 2003

The Secretary of Energy’s Office of Independent Oversight and Performance Assurance (OA) conducted a review of emergency response plans and performance at DOE Headquarters (HQ) in February 2003.

This report provides the results of an independent oversight review of emergency response plans and performance of the Department of Energy's (DOE) Headquarters organizations.  The review was performed in February 2003 by the DOE Office of Independent Oversight and Performance Assurance.  The purpose of the review was to evaluate the readiness and effectiveness of DOE and National Nuclear Security Administration emergency response teams for a postulated emergency at a field site, and the Headquarters Incident Command Team for an emergency affecting the Forrestal building.  The review team also evaluated the current status of DOE’s Continuity of Operations program plans.