Emergency Management
Hazard ...a dangerous event or circumstance that has the potential to lead to an emergency or disaster Natural hazards - caused by natural events Technological hazards - caused by tools, machines, and substances
Four Principles of EM Preparedness Response Recovery Mitigation
The Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) or Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) provide information to responders regarding policies and procedures for coordinating emergency and disaster operations. Given the existence of the CEMP or EOP as well as the various Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and agency policy and procedure manuals, the responder has all the guidance they need to perform in a disaster.
The EOC should include the following core functions: Coordination Communications Resource allocation and tracking Information collection, analysis, and dissemination
The Incident Command System: Is a standardized, on-scene, all-hazards incident management concept. Allows its users to adopt an integrated organizational structure to match the complexities and demands of single or multiple incidents without being hindered by jurisdictional boundaries
Using management best practices, ICS helps to ensure: The safety of responders and others. The achievement of tactical objectives. The efficient use of resources.
ICS happens in the field ESFs operate in the EOC Don't confuse the two.
EOC Operations can be divided into to categories: Facility Management Operational Management
The steps for establishing incident objectives include: Step 1: Understand agency policy and direction. Step 2: Assess incident situation. Step 3: Establish incident objectives. Step 4: Select appropriate strategy or strategies to achieve objectives. Step 5: Perform tactical direction. Step 6: Provide necessary followup
Initial decisions and objectives are established based on the following priorities: #1: Life Safety #2: Incident Stabilization #3: Property/Environmental Conservation
Interoperability is critical in our infocentric environments. Information systems must be able to easily exchange quality data. Components of data quality: Accuracy Completeness Timeliness Consistency Data versus Information Information is comprised of sorted, analyzed and processed data.
OASIS - Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards - International community dedicated to expanding interoperability between information systems.
The EOC, when activated, must operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This operational tempo does not allow downtime for maintenance that is possible during a typical 8-10 hour workday. Activation will result in increased need for janitorial services and garbage collection.
The EOC must be ready to activate with little or no notice Systems must be ready for nearly instantaneous activation. Computer, network and communications systems must be constantly upgraded and patched - no time for this to occur upon activation. Requires manpower and resources even when not activated to maintain readiness
Command: The act of directing, ordering, or controlling by virtue of explicit statutory, regulatory, or delegated authority. In NIMS, responsibility for this process is delegated to the on-scene Incident Commander by the Executive/Senior Official. Examples of command activities include: Determining incident objectives. Establishing operational periods. Assigning and supervising field resources.
The act of directing, ordering, or controlling by virtue of explicit statutory, regulatory, or delegated authority.
"Bottom-up approach" refers to the preferred method of dealing with disasters in the United States. Remember the phrase 'all disasters are local'. Each city/town/jurisdiction manages their own disasters, and requests aid/assistance/resources first from the State
This is in contrast to a top-down approach, where the national government controls the response.
According to Canton and Staikos, the success of coordinated response depends on these factors: Redundant and interoperable communications systems Comprehensive ability to to quickly determine and coordinate asset utilization Organization flexibility to accommodate a variety of response entity Support in depth situational awareness (common operating picture) Access to supporting resources
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ICS requires the use of common terminology. Common terminology helps to define: Organizational functions. Incident facilities. Resource descriptions. Position titles
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National Incident Management System NIMS
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Technology allows the following: Predict hazards more quickly. Respond more effectively Communicate quickly
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The Emergency Operations Center (EOC), which contains the ESFs, is completely different from the Incident Command System in the field. The EOC and ESFs exist to support the ICS structure which exists at the incident. The EOC does not direct or use ICS to manage an incident.
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Ongoing Management and Maintenance. DHS/FEMA manages the development and maintenance of NIMS. This includes developing NIMS programs and processes as well as keeping the NIMS document current
An incident is . . . . . . an occurrence, caused by either human or natural phenomena, that requires response actions to prevent or minimize loss of life, or damage to property and/or the environment.
Preparedness. Effective incident management and incident response activities begin with a host of preparedness activities conducted on an ongoing basis, in advance of any potential incident. Preparedness involves an integrated combination of planning, procedures and protocols, training and exercises, personnel qualification and certification, and equipment certification.
Communications and Information Management. Emergency management and incident response activities rely on communications and information systems that provide a common operating picture to all command and coordination sites. NIMS describes the requirements necessary for a standardized framework for communications and emphasizes the need for a common operating picture. NIMS is based on the concepts of interoperability, reliability, scalability, portability, and the resiliency and redundancy of communications and information systems.
Preparedness Activities Minimize disaster damage Enhance disaster response operations Prepare organizations and individuals to respond
Examples... Training, community outreach, stockpiling of materials and supplies, planning evacuation routes, etc
EDXL - Emergency Data Exchange Language XML (Xtensible Markup Language) based format designed to streamline data exchange between systems. EMIS that are capable of EDXL transfers are, in thoery, interoperable.
FEMA
The Incident Commander creates an Incident Action Plan (IAP) that: Specifies the incident objectives. States the activities to be completed. Covers a specified timeframe, called an operational period. May be oral or written—except for hazardous materials incidents, which require a written IAP. Takes into account legal and policy considerations and direction
Incident communications are facilitated through: The development and use of a common communications plan. The interoperability of communication equipment, procedures, and systems.
Defines what needs to be done to prepare for, prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from a major event, how it needs to be done, and how well it needs to be done. Provides a systematic approach for all levels of government, the private sector, and nongovernmental organizations to work seamlessly together. Applies to all incidents regardless of cause, size, location, or complexity.
NIMS integrates existing best practices into a consistent, nationwide approach to domestic incident management. NIMS is applicable at all jurisdictional levels and across functional disciplines in an all-hazards context
The EOC serves as a communications hub, providing support to the Incident Command Post(s)
Provides multiple communications channels for the Incident Commander to utilize as needed
Provide emergency assistance Reduce probability of additional injuries or damage Speed recovery operations Examples... Fire fighting, search and rescue, etc.
Recovery Activities Return systems to normal levels Short-term Vital systems - approximately two weeks Long-term Stabilizes all systems, can take years Examples... Debris clearance, restoration of utilities, repair of bridges and infrastructure, temporary housing, rebuilding homes.
The true force behind the evolution of the internet is the 'killer app' - that one thing/service/application that drives growth and adoption. The first killer app was email. Email drives (even today) adoption of new internet technologies. Blackberry, Gmail, collaboration and 'workflow' applications like Lotus Notes all extended from the desire to send messages around the world simply, easily, and instantaneously. What is the current killer app?
The internet is one large Information System (recall last week's lecture). Input: that which is consumed by a service - data that is "input" into a system or how you interface with a system (computer, cell phone, GPS, VOIP) Transformation: the processing of your input. A conversion, translation, encryption/decryption, transmission of data through a system. Output - the end result, user view or data consumed by the user
General Staff members may exchange information with any person within the organization. Direction takes place through the chain of command. This is an important concept in ICS. General Staff positions should not be combined. For example, to establish a "Planning and Logistics Section," it is better to initially create the two separate functions, and if necessary for a short time place one person in charge of both. That way, the transfer of responsibility can be made easier.
An Incident Management Team (IMT) is an incident command organization made up of the Command and General Staff members and other appropriate personnel in an ICS organization. The level of training and experience of the IMT members, coupled with the identified formal response requirements and responsibilities of the IMT, are factors in determining the "type," or level, of IMT. IMTs may be designated prior to an incident in order to train and exercise together to become qualified to response to different types of incidents.
Resource Management. Resources (such as personnel, equipment, and/or supplies) are needed to support critical incident objectives. The flow of resources must be fluid and adaptable to the requirements of the incident. NIMS defines standardized mechanisms and establishes the resource management process to: identify requirements for, order and acquire, mobilize, track and report, recover and demobilize, reimburse for, and inventory resources.
Command and Management. The Command and Management component within NIMS is designed to enable effective and efficient incident management and coordination by providing flexible, standardized incident management structures. The structure is based on three key organizational constructs: the Incident Command System, Multiagency Coordination Systems, and Public Information.
Incident Command Post (ICP) Is a physical location Is located on-scene Administers incident command
Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Is a physical location Is located separately from on-scene ICP Supports on-scene response by providing external coordination and resource cont
Steps in conducting a needs assessment for EM use: Evaluate Current Use Determine Vulnerabilities Educating Community Interagency Coordination Hazard Prediction Better Response Most Likely Scenarios Technology Acquisition Based on Funding
GIS (Geospatial Information Systems) are, in effect, databases for storing and retrieving information that INCLUDES location information. If you have used Google maps, you have used a type of consumer based GIS. We will talk about GIS later in the semester, but they are a critical part of modern EM information systems.
Emergency management ....an organized analysis, planning, decision making, and assignment of available resources to mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from the effects of all hazards
Goal / Mission of Emergency Management - To Save Lives, Prevent Injuries, and Protect Property and the environment if an emergency occurs
The IC may need additional resources to manage the incident The EOC will allocate those resources as they become available and track that allocation. The EOC does not manage incident resources directly.
The Incident Command, Area Command or Unified Command may lack the ability to gather and analyze data and information, the EOC performs this function and then disseminates the information. Examples may include weather reports, damage assessments, terrorist intelligence reports.
Why is it critical to establish command from the beginning of incident operations?: Lack of command becomes a safety hazard for responders. Size-up and decisionmaking are impossible without a command structure. It is difficult to expand a disorganized organization if the incident escalates.
The Incident Commander: Provides the overall leadership for incident response. The Incident Commander is in charge of overall management of the incident and must be fully qualified to manage the incident. Takes policy direction from the Executive/Senior Official. Delegates authority to others to manage the ICS organization. Ensures the safety of incident responders and the public. Provides information to internal and external stakeholders. Establishes and maintains liaison with other agencies participating in the incident. Establishes incident objectives. Directs the development of the Incident Action Plan.
The Incident Commander is responsible for establishing incident objectives. The Operations Section Chief is responsible for managing all tactical operations at an incident. The Incident Action Plan provides the necessary guidance. The need to expand the Operations Section is generally dictated by the number of tactical resources involved and is influenced by span of control considerations. The Planning Section Chief is responsible for providing planning services for the incident. Under the direction of the Planning Section Chief, the Planning Section collects situation and resources status information, evaluates it, and processes the information for use in developing action plans. Dissemination of information can be in the form of the Incident Action Plan, in formal briefings, or through map and status board displays.
The Logistics Section Chief provides all incident support needs with the exception of logistics support to air operations. The Finance/Administration Section Chief is responsible for managing all financial aspects of an incident. Not all incidents will require a Finance/Administration Section. Only when the involved agencies have a specific need for finance services will the Section be activated.An ICS organization is a modular organization, which means that it: Develops in a top-down, modular fashion. Is based on the size and complexity of the incident. Is based on the hazard environment created by the incident
Multiagency coordination is a process that allows all levels of government and all disciplines to work together more efficiently and effectively
Examples of coordination activities include: Adjusting agency budgets, policies, and work priorities to make funds and resources available. Facilitating interagency decisionmaking. Coordinating interagency public information. Dispatching additional resources.
Mitigation Activities Occur before the emergency or disaster Eliminate/reduce the probability of occurrence Include actions to postpone, dissipate, or lessen the effect Examples... Improved stormwater systems, enhanced building codes, moving buildings in flood plains, purchase of flood prone property, programs to harden homes to wind damage.
Integrated Emergency Management Requires a functional approach to planning Incorporates all available resources Considers a full range of disasters Addresses all phases of emergency management Incorporates all levels of government, non-profits, and the private sector
