ANNEX HOW EVENTS ARE MANAGED (Authority Guidance):
(National Response Framework Overview Graphic)
Emergency Declarations:
Typically small local events such as a train derailment, flooding, fire, etc. that occur in our cities, towns and counties are handled effectively through response services already in place. When a disaster strikes that is recognized to be beyond the capabilities of local resources, then a county’s, Board of County Commissioners’ will declare a “State of Emergency” that will require through request, for the resources and support from the state through the governor office.
If the event is recognized to be, beyond the state’s capabilities, the governor will request for federal assistance through the regional Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) office. State & Federal officials will conduct a “Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDA)”.
Based on a governor’s request, the President may declare that a major disaster or emergency exists, thus activating an array of Federal programs to assist in the response and recovery effort. Determination of which Federal programs to be initiated would be based on the needs found during the PDA and other information that may be discovered.
(Further information on this process can be found through FEMA’s “The Disaster Process and Disaster Aid Programs” at the following site: http://www.fema.gov/hazard/dproc.shtm )
Rights & Responsibilities:
Rights: Under the guise of existing Acts, Laws; Statutes, Standards, etc, Responders would typically fall under the same guidance that any professional would. There of course would be exceptions for volunteers converging on a site. If you are a responder or disaster worker, you should already be aware of standards established through FEMA: (Ready Responder): http://www.ready.gov/responder the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/emergencypreparedness/gettingstarted.html#response &
http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owastand.display_standard_group?p_toc_level=1&p_part_number=1910
You must also follow, along with industry standards (including those incorporated by reference) such as National Fire Protection association (NFPA) http://www.nfpa.org/catalog/category.asp?category_name=Codes+and+Standards&Page=1&order_src=C038 , National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH): http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/emres/responders.html & http://www.cdc.gov/NIOSH/
It should stand to reason that emergency Responders would feel confident that over all, hazard exposure concerns are being scrutinized and addressed at all times. If this is accomplished we are allowing them to properly perform their respective duties with less fear of an un-known. (But let’s be careful and know that no matter how hard we may try, in the real world, environments and situations can and will change at the drop of a dime and we need to be aware of this).
Example: During damage assessments, fire and even explosions may occur from broke or fractured natural gas lines, etc.
Acts, Codes, Ordinances, Laws, Regulations, Standards, Statutes, etc:
There are untold scores upon scores of existing & proposed acts, guidelines, laws, standards and statutes, etc directly or indirectly related to the safety and welfare of emergency responders’.
What does drive or propel emergency & safety? It’s a combination of many things but includes as its basis codes, laws, ordinances regulations; standards and statutes. These include but are not limited to Comprehensive Emergency Management Plans (CEMP). Contact your local Office of Emergency Management and browse your local CEMP.
Ref: Please refer to the Federal Disaster Plans Annex.
FEMA Policies & Guidelines: http://www.fema.gov/about/policies/index.shtm
National Response Framework: http://www.fema.gov/emergency/nrf/
Note: Please refer to the Legislation Annex for further details
Emergency and Disaster Guidance.
As outlined earlier, we deal with local emergencies fairly well. That’s where the specialty of Fire-Rescue-EMS, Law Enforcement and Emergency Management chimes in.
It’s when the event escalates beyond the capabilities of the local municipalities, counties or even on a state level that Federal response is needed.
Locally, most emergencies are on a level that can be appropriately addressed as with motor vehicle accidents, structural fires, hazardous material events, etc.
It’s when we have exhausted or have knowledge that our assets will not sustain the event being dealt with. When we step onto the state and federal playing field is when the guideline for managing a large scale event takes place. We follow guidelines outlined in The National Response Framework (NRF). (Department of Homeland Security and FEMA).
The NRF calls for utilizing all of the elements of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and its core guidance of the Incident Command System (ICS)
This is not a course but a simple outline of the NIMS/ICS system. We strongly urge any responder to become versed in how it’s supposed to work and be applied.
Please contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s website http://www.fema.gov/training-0 and take those on-line and independent study courses for you to become confident in your level of NIMS/ICS knowledge.
“This is the so called same sheet of music we’re all supposed to be working off of”
Who Are the Players?
We’ve already attempted to recognize who first responders are, they have diverse expertise and job functions. This is exactly, why response must be a “TEAM” function.
“ORGANIZATION CHART OF ICS”
The Incident Command System (ICS): A remarkable tool was created out of the efforts of the fire services. The ICS was originally developed and modified to aid forestry fire operations. It was recognized that a need existed to allow for a centralized command and management that could address and handle one or multiple fire scenes at once. The system also allowed for operations to expand or contract as the event demanded.
The NIMS/ICS system has been evolving into an effective match for emergency management. Dependent upon the size and scope of the event, it can be expanded or scaled back as the circumstances dictate.
COMMAND STAFF:
Incident Commander: Sets the incident objectives, strategies, and priorities and has overall responsibility for the incident.
The Incident Commander is specifically responsible for:
• Ensuring incident safety.
• Providing information to internal and external stakeholders.
• Establishing and maintaining liaison with other agencies participating in the incident.
These are critical functions and, until delegated, are the responsibility of the Incident Commander.
The Incident Commander may appoint one or more Deputies. Deputy Incident Commanders must be as qualified as the Incident Commander.
Public Information Officer (PIO): The PIO serves as the conduit for information to internal and external stakeholders, including the media and the public.
Accurate information is essential. The PIO serves as the primary contact for anyone who wants information about the incident and the response to it.
Safety Officer: the Safety Officer, who monitors conditions and develops measures for assuring the safety of all personnel. The Safety Officer is responsible for advising the Incident Commander on issues regarding incident safety, conducting risk analyses, and implementing safety measures.
Liaison Officer: the Liaison Officer, who serves as the primary contact for supporting agencies assisting at an incident. Additionally, the Liaison Officer responds to requests from incident personnel for contacts among the assisting and cooperating agencies, and monitors incident operations in order to identify any current or potential problems between response agencies.
ICS Management Functions
Operations: Conducts operations to reach the incident objectives. Establishes the tactics and directs all operational resources.
Planning: Supports the incident action planning process by tracking resources, collecting/analyzing information, and maintaining documentation.
Logistics: Provides resources and needed services to support the achievement of the incident objectives.
The Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) is a mutual aid agreement between states and territories of the United States. It enables states to share resources during natural and man-made disasters, including terrorism.
EMAC complements the national disaster response system. EMAC is used alongside federal assistance or when federal assistance is not warranted. EMAC facilitates the maximum use of all available resources within member states’ inventories
Finance: Monitors costs related to the incident. Provides accounting, procurement, time recording, and cost analyses.
