The Lab contracts with the Alameda County Fire Department (ACFD) to have first responders on site for any type of emergency incident. While the trucks might go on several false alarm calls in a month, the call of “fire” is one that starts the adrenaline pumping. The Lab, sitting on 200 acres of wildland, is always ripe for a wildfire that can cause serious damage to the Lab and to the community.

Last week the fire department responded to a fire alarm system notification about a fire at Building 77A. The fire was a burning cigarette urn outside of the building. The most likely scenario for the cause of the fire was trash or accumulated cigarette butts in the urn, with a still burning or smoldering butt tossed in. That was enough to cause a fire.

Luckily, deputy building manager Gabor Paulovits was leaving for the day, saw the fire, and pulled the nearest fire alarm box. He then used a portable fire extinguisher to put out the fire. The county firefighters responded to ensure the fire was out and that the fire had not spread to the building. The damage was scorched paint and one melted urn, with some limited damage to the asphalt below the urn.

For smokers, use the pavement to make sure the material is fully extinguished. Then pick up that cigarette butt and place it in the smoking urn. If you see a fire, even a small one like this one in the smoking urn, call 911. ALWAYS CALL 911 FIRST.

If there is a fire extinguisher nearby and you know how to use it, and you feel it is safe to do so, you can attempt to put out the fire after notifying the fire department by calling 911.

On Thursday, July 8 at approximately 9:30 a.m., the Lab’s Emergency Management Department will be testing the LabAlert system by sending cascading alerts to all Lab employees, affiliates, and contractors who have accessed the Lab’s hill site that morning. This drill is targeting only those who have badged in so Emergency Management can test different systems, as well as the ability to target recipients. Those who have badged in to other Lab sites in Berkeley and Emeryville, and those who are teleworking, will not be part of this drill.

If you are at the Lab’s hill site on July 8 and receive a LabAlert message, please respond with your status and location. The cascading alert starts by sending an email, then a text message to registered mobile devices, then a phone call. You will only need to respond to one of the messages, but it is critical that you do so. The notifications will continue until you respond.

This drill is part of the Department of Energy’s continuity of operations efforts. Participation in this drill will help keep you and your colleagues safe during an emergency.

The best way to receive emergency information is by enrolling your cell phone in the LabAlert system. LabAlert will be used during and after emergencies to broadcast safety information and instructions. If you have not registered your cell phone, please do so today.

LabAlert messages can also:

1. Expedite search and rescue efforts
2. Reduce the risk to first responders by minimizing unnecessary rescue efforts.
3. Begin communication with people on travel in areas experiencing emergencies.
4. Reach mission critical personnel 

On Friday, July 23, and Friday, July 30, the Lab’s building 90 will be used for an emergency exercise with local public safety agencies. This exercise is an opportunity for the Lab to partner with local law enforcement and other emergency response partners as part of the Lab’s required annual emergency exercise. 

The scenario for this exercise is an active shooter in the building and will explore how the Lab and local emergency responders react to and recover from an active shooter incident. Building 90 was selected due to its relative isolation from other Lab buildings to minimize disruption. 

The exercise will include the Lab’s Emergency Response Organization and UC Police, the Berkeley Fire Department, and the Alameda County Fire Department. The Lab’s partner agencies will also use the building for Rescue Task Force training that is designed to help law enforcement and rescue personnel work together to save lives during an active shooter incident. 

Want to learn more about this emergency exercise? Curious about how the Lab partners with outside agencies to be prepared for emergency events? SES will host a brown bag on July 15 at noon. 

You can also submit a question in advance.

A tree removal contractor working for Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) will remove 41 eucalyptus trees on the steep hillside between Building 77 and Lawrence Road as part of a wildland fire risk reduction plan. The project is expected to last through Friday, April 2, and will affect traffic on Lawrence Road.

Between approximately 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily, Lawrence Road will be reduced to one lane between the intersections of Glaser Road on the east and west ends, to accommodate the removal process and equipment. Flaggers will direct traffic.

This tree removal project is part of PG&E’s multi-year wildland fire risk reduction plan. Berkeley Lab partnered with PG&E to ensure environmental impacts were assessed. A certified wildlife biologist and certified arborist confirmed no nesting birds or bats are present in the trees being removed. Planning for tree replacement is currently underway and it involves input from several subject matter experts, including PG&E safety experts, a consulting arborist, consulting biologists; and the Lab’s Fire Marshal, Facilities groundskeeping planners, and Environmental Planner.

The Lab plans additional fire risk reduction activities this spring and early summer, including tree trimming, groundcover removal, and of course, the famous goat grazing.

There has been an increase in dangerous driving maneuvers on Lab property.  Drivers have been observed tailgating, passing other cars, operating at high speeds, cutting through parking lots to pass other drivers, and rolling through stop signs. 

If this sounds dangerous, that’s because it is. Lab roadways are narrow, hilly, and winding. Pedestrians are a common sight, and crosswalks or oncoming cars are not easy to see because of the hills and curves. Add in the unexpected appearance of turkeys, deer, and other wildlife, and the potential for a tragic accident is there. The 15 MPH speed limit on Lab property and other traffic requirements are designed to keep Lab personnel and property safe. It is imperative that drivers follow safe driving rules at the Lab. 

Lab policy states that all drivers on Lab property must follow all posted rules and directions and all state regulations for motor vehicle operation. Also, drivers who violate safety and traffic rules are subject to the Lab’s disciplinary process may get ticketed by UC Police and may lose driving privileges for repeated occurrences.  

Witnesses to unsafe driving are encouraged to report the incident to the Security Operations Center at 510-486-6999 or SOC@lbl.gov. Include the date, time, and location of the incident, as well as a vehicle description if possible. Also, include any additional witnesses. Together we can keep everyone – humans and wildlife – at Berkeley Lab safe.