NIMSCAST needs to become less about tracking numbers (which change all the time) and more about training and capabilities in the broader areas within NIMS. NIMS is more than just who understands ICS. What is more important is that capabilities within, and between, the MAC entities exists. Time to progress past FEMA 101 ICS coursework
One of the biggest problems in the emergency response sector is the usage of different terminology across the country. Having taught for the NFA in numerous states I have seen first hand the confusion this causes. NIMS needs to take the lead in requiring the same terminology being adopted nationwide. It should be tied into grant money just as NIMS compliance is. Purse strings are the only thing that cause agencies to ...more »
One of the biggest problems in the emergency response sector is the usage of different terminology across the country. Having taught for the NFA in numerous states I have seen first hand the confusion this causes. NIMS needs to take the lead in requiring the same terminology being adopted nationwide. It should be tied into grant money just as NIMS compliance is. Purse strings are the only thing that cause agencies to react. More and more we are being forced by mother nature to interact on disaster response and the verbeage has been and will continue to be an issue until the government intervenes and forces change.
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Hold more CERT training courses in the disaster prone areas. Offer it to all groups (schools, churches, clubs). This training does help prepare someone to handle all types of disasters. Let's face it the more that know, even a little something, are better equipped then those knowing nothing at all
EPI can help save lives and properly at all stages if emergency response. The classic PIO response model as taught in NIMS for EPI does not always work. Over 60 years of warning research housed at the (Center for Disaster and Risk Analysis (CDRA) shows that many life safety warnings typically fail to get out simply because the warnings are not originated. NIMS education and training should clearly identify EPI as a resource ...more »
EPI can help save lives and properly at all stages if emergency response. The classic PIO response model as taught in NIMS for EPI does not always work. Over 60 years of warning research housed at the (Center for Disaster and Risk Analysis (CDRA) shows that many life safety warnings typically fail to get out simply because the warnings are not originated. NIMS education and training should clearly identify EPI as a resource to be considered and managed at the start of response. Possible reason: EPI does not clearly and cleanly fall in the basic ICS categories of Finance, Logistics, Operations, and Planning. Possible remedy: A separate span of control category for EPI reporting directly to the Incident Commander.
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Many NIMS related documents apply several terms inconsistently – or interchangeably for Authority Having Jurisdiction, Agency Administrator/Executive, Responsible Official, Chief Elected or Appointed Official, Public and Elected/Appointed Official, Department and Agency Head, Authorized Official, etc. These and other terms describing who has jurisdictional or administrative authority need to be defined – more importantly ...more »
Many NIMS related documents apply several terms inconsistently – or interchangeably for Authority Having Jurisdiction, Agency Administrator/Executive, Responsible Official, Chief Elected or Appointed Official, Public and Elected/Appointed Official, Department and Agency Head, Authorized Official, etc. These and other terms describing who has jurisdictional or administrative authority need to be defined – more importantly – these titles need to be used consistently or eliminated.
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Although the Emergency Support Functions (ESF) are a National Response Framework (NRF) related response support mechanism, it may be beneficial to consider them during this current NIMS review process. Specifically, ESF-13 Public Safety and Security continues to be identified in lessons learned and preparedness assessment documents as an area lacking maturity or a place for future improvement to support incident management. ...more »
Although the Emergency Support Functions (ESF) are a National Response Framework (NRF) related response support mechanism, it may be beneficial to consider them during this current NIMS review process. Specifically, ESF-13 Public Safety and Security continues to be identified in lessons learned and preparedness assessment documents as an area lacking maturity or a place for future improvement to support incident management.
ESF-13 is a topic for discussion, especially in the NIMS areas of preparedness, resource management and command and management. As we plan and prepare for the next significant incident or major disaster, have we truly learned the lessons of the 9/11 attacks, Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Sandy or the other incidents\disasters that greatly tested our federal, state, local or tribal preparedness? Have we fully addressed and resolved authority and role issues such as state deputation for federal law enforcement officers and other responders that may not fully adhere to mutual aid agreements and guidance for novel events? If we anticipate leveraging non-traditional resources during a significant incident that do not inherently possess the authorities, training and equipment, should we not consider and discuss it now? Must the same lessons learned in this arena continue to appear in repeated after action reports? This is another opportunity to consider and resolve these issues for better support, coordination and command via NIMS (and NRF).
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I have described this before in other venues but it fits. Emergency managers should support the development of Community Orgnaizations Active in Disasters (COADs). By its title it is inclusive of all aspects of the community, hense "whole community" and can be adopted to fit the particulars of the jurisdiction it is created to serve. a COAD can be equally inclusive of the business sector, non profits of all kinds, all ...more »
I have described this before in other venues but it fits. Emergency managers should support the development of Community Orgnaizations Active in Disasters (COADs). By its title it is inclusive of all aspects of the community, hense "whole community" and can be adopted to fit the particulars of the jurisdiction it is created to serve. a COAD can be equally inclusive of the business sector, non profits of all kinds, all faith based organizations, and all the government agencies in the community. It takes time and patience to create a COAD because community "buy in" is critical, but there are successful models and it can be done. Better to do it before a disaster strikes than try to develop such a group after disaster strikes. I would refer you to http://www.fema.gov/private-sector-division-0/public-private-partnership-models where you can look at the city and county models. This shows that these kinds of Public Private Partnerships can be developed for different sized jurisdictions, jurisdictions with different demographics, in different parts of the nation, with different threats. This is a win win for the community able to develop such an organization.
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The Core Capabilities are still very unclear to many State and Local emergency responders. If any linkages are to be made between NIMS elements and Core Capabilities, additional clarifications should be made to help people understand how to implement the Core Capabilities. As an example, it is easy to see where our EMS and Medical assets tie into the Capabilities (Public Health and Medical Services) but it is more ...more »
The Core Capabilities are still very unclear to many State and Local emergency responders. If any linkages are to be made between NIMS elements and Core Capabilities, additional clarifications should be made to help people understand how to implement the Core Capabilities.
As an example, it is easy to see where our EMS and Medical assets tie into the Capabilities (Public Health and Medical Services) but it is more abstract on how our local Fire services fit into the capabilities.
These things need to be clarified if they are to be tied into a NIMS Revision which people will be required to follow for grant compliance and best practices.
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NIMS represent a core set of doctrines, concepts, principles, terminology, and organizational processes that enables effective, efficient, and collaborative incident management. Capabilities are the means to accomplish a mission, function, or objective based on the performance of related tasks, under specified conditions, to target levels of performance. The most essential of these capabilities are the core capabilities ...more »
NIMS represent a core set of doctrines, concepts, principles, terminology, and organizational processes that enables effective, efficient, and collaborative incident management. Capabilities are the means to accomplish a mission, function, or objective based on the performance of related tasks, under specified conditions, to target levels of performance. The most essential of these capabilities are the core capabilities identified in the National Preparedness Goal. Preparedness involves actions to establish and sustain necessary capabilities to execute a full range of emergency management and incident response activities. For NIMS to function effectively, jurisdictions and organizations should set expectations about the capabilities and resources that will be provided before, during, and after an incident. The inventorying and categorizing of resources available for an incident or planned event is a critical element of preparedness, as it helps to establish and verify the level of capability needed. Additionally, the concept of identifying this level of capability is woven throughout the components of NIMS, including the credentialing system.
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The "Core Competency Framework for Multiagency Coordination Systems," Final Report 6 February 2009, by the Homeland Security Institute, introduced the concept of Coordination Complexity. The capability of a MAC (such as an EOC) must be expanded in large, catastrophic disasters in order to meet the requirements of the event. The desired capability of an EOC can be derived from the coordination complexity of the event. ...more »
The "Core Competency Framework for Multiagency Coordination Systems," Final Report 6 February 2009, by the Homeland Security Institute, introduced the concept of Coordination Complexity. The capability of a MAC (such as an EOC) must be expanded in large, catastrophic disasters in order to meet the requirements of the event. The desired capability of an EOC can be derived from the coordination complexity of the event.
Coordination complexity has yet to be defined within NIMS. The Homeland Security Institute did develop a list of coordination complexity parameters. An event involving multiple agencies of varying capability increases the number and type of tasks to be completed, which in turn increases the number and competency of staff required to perform effective coordination. Media attention to the event increases demands for current information.
The State of Florida ESF 6 Mass Care developed a Coordination Complexity Scale to use in determining the capability of a mass care task force. The ESF 6 operational procedure which outlines this concept can be found at: http://floridadisaster.org/training/esf6/documents/ESF6%20SOG%202013%20v2.doc
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I would like to propose the creation of an ICS 215E form and process that would assist in the identification of environmental issues and permits required for the work assignments identified upon the ICS 215, Operational Planning Worksheet. This would allow the Environmental Unit in the Planning Section to provide work assignment specific information to be included in the ICS 204, Assignment List.
Emergency Public Information has not kept up with the community. We can discuss and add points in the comments below, but here are a few suggestions to start. * Each Section could have a Joint Information Center Liaison who's job is to coordinate information with the PIO. Sections need to understand that all information generated within the command structure is public by default. Release of information can only be ...more »
Emergency Public Information has not kept up with the community. We can discuss and add points in the comments below, but here are a few suggestions to start.
* Each Section could have a Joint Information Center Liaison who's job is to coordinate information with the PIO. Sections need to understand that all information generated within the command structure is public by default. Release of information can only be delayed, and only if releasing it would directly compromise life safety or violate a law (e.g.,HIPPA, PCII.). Establish guidelines for delay criteria.
* Change the PIO title to "Information Officer" and use the JIC to coordinate all incident information. Have a Assistant Information Officer (AIO) for Public Information who is responsible for working specifically with crafted messaging and the media. Mandate that this group collect incident data and publish it to the public in real-time unless it meets a delay criteria. There should also be a AIO for Warning.
* Streamline the approval process for incident information. The Incident Commander should be able to approve facts and crafted messages, but should not be required to re-approve facts for every different medium they may be published onto.
* Establish a Emergency Public Information Coordination Center (EPICC) like a MACC. That center will coordinate EPI across jurisdictions when multiple jurisdictions are independently responding to incidents.
What other ideas can we come up with? Leave them in the comments, and I'd love to hear what you think about the suggestions above!
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I agree full with incorporating GIS even more into the planning and decision making process, as well as into other operations activities. GIS is not just maps, it's a whole system to manage/analyze data for anything that can have, or be connected in some way to something with a geographic reference. There are a lot of people out there with an interest in GIS, but there isn't much training available for them (especially ...more »
I agree full with incorporating GIS even more into the planning and decision making process, as well as into other operations activities.
GIS is not just maps, it's a whole system to manage/analyze data for anything that can have, or be connected in some way to something with a geographic reference.
There are a lot of people out there with an interest in GIS, but there isn't much training available for them (especially in emergency management).
If you find a good GIS operator, it is amazing what kind of information they can generate. Don't just look at them as techs that you can stick in the corner; they need to be included so they can advise on what capabilities there are.
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As I watched the terror unfold in Boston I was alarmed that the workers were just wearing simple yellow vests that can be bought at Walmart and the ID tags were on a variety of lariats with the photo ID facing the owners body rather than the public.Lariats can be bought anywhere and any ID added. I believe that a specific vest in a color, fabric and design should be provided and available after passing a background check ...more »
As I watched the terror unfold in Boston I was alarmed that the workers were just wearing simple yellow vests that can be bought at Walmart and the ID tags were on a variety of lariats with the photo ID facing the owners body rather than the public.Lariats can be bought anywhere and any ID added. I believe that a specific vest in a color, fabric and design should be provided and available after passing a background check and/OR a firefighter, nurse, Medic or MD status should be provided in order to prevent terrorists from infiltrating the site and causing even more casualties or removing paraphernalia that was used to cause the event. Any users who do not meet the above criteria and are found on site should be fined such as those impersonating a police officer. Realizing that this complicates things and even may prevent some persons from stepping in to help, there should be clauses in place for "other" parties to remove the injured from the scene that can avoid prosecution. Carrying an ID card or attaching information to a drivers license can be part of this procedure.
God bless America!
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As preparedness and homeland security grants and related funding likely diminish in the near future due to the current fiscal challenges and evolving priorities, the updating and enhancing of NIMS becomes even more important at this time. The challenge is to maintain and increase the value and appreciation of NIMS throughout the nation without financial incentives as the primary driver for adoption and compliance. Although ...more »
As preparedness and homeland security grants and related funding likely diminish in the near future due to the current fiscal challenges and evolving priorities, the updating and enhancing of NIMS becomes even more important at this time. The challenge is to maintain and increase the value and appreciation of NIMS throughout the nation without financial incentives as the primary driver for adoption and compliance. Although it may be a rather cynical view, financial incentives have likely played more of an influencing role for NIMS adoption rather than the simple appreciation of the commonality of the incident command system for NIMS adoption, compliance and implementation. An analysis of the increase in compliance rates does appear to be correlated to guidance, mandates and requirements for grant access and distribution.
Since future preparedness and homeland security funding may not be as easily obtained during the life cycle of the next version of NIMS, we must incorporate an expanded and enhanced value of NIMS into the document to maintain and augment the appreciation of its importance for all hazards and the value of its adoption for the whole of community. Frankly, the next version needs to sell it even more beyond the converted. How do we do it?
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.MACS consist of a combination of elements: personnel, procedures, protocols, business practices, and communications integrated into a common system. For the purpose of coordinating resources and support between multiple jurisdictions, The ‘WHOLE COMMUNITY’ (Public-Private Partnerships, NVOADs, VOADs, NGOs, CI/KR, Faith-Based, etc.) need to be integrated not only into the MAC but also as equal partners in the emergency ...more »
.MACS consist of a combination of elements: personnel, procedures, protocols, business practices, and communications integrated into a common system. For the purpose of coordinating resources and support between multiple jurisdictions, The ‘WHOLE COMMUNITY’ (Public-Private Partnerships, NVOADs, VOADs, NGOs, CI/KR, Faith-Based, etc.) need to be integrated not only into the MAC but also as equal partners in the emergency management organization need to conform to the protocols of; planning, training, equipping, exercising, evaluating, and taking action to correct and mitigate. Public-private partnerships can also support emergency management through resource sharing. By sharing resources, partnerships can more efficiently prepare for, respond to, and mitigate incidents. In order to effectively share resources, partnerships should create a resource sharing plan (Contract/Agreement/MOU). The plan should determine how resources will be managed, organized, and used to support partnership goals. In many cases, a resource inventory can be used to manage available resources in preparation for an incident. Partnerships should be required to ensure that partners develop their own capabilities, which in turn help the partnership to sustain itself. Partners can improve their ability to prepare for, respond to, and mitigate disasters by engaging in: Accreditation and certification, Joint exercises, Business continuity planning Public-Private Partnerships, NVOADs, VOADs, NGOs, CI/KR, Faith-Based, etc. need to be required to obtain and retain their own insurance.
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If NIMS is going to be a qualification based system retirees, as well as others who have earned the qualification should be capable of and perform in the Command roles on an Incident. The USCG (OPA-90) has already adopted this to include the responsible in the Command structure (Unified Command) on an incident. It seems short sighted that people who are not currently in a government organization cannot perform in a Command ...more »
If NIMS is going to be a qualification based system retirees, as well as others who have earned the qualification should be capable of and perform in the Command roles on an Incident. The USCG (OPA-90) has already adopted this to include the responsible in the Command structure (Unified Command) on an incident. It seems short sighted that people who are not currently in a government organization cannot perform in a Command role if qualified.
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Whenever we discuss the whole community concepts in emergency preparedness the community health centers are in the background. All organizations have an important role to play. Community Health Centers have the capability to treat most injuries in a disaster as statistics show most injuries are treatable in an outpatient setting. With licensed staff the Community Health Center can relieve the burden on the local hospital ...more »
Whenever we discuss the whole community concepts in emergency preparedness the community health centers are in the background. All organizations have an important role to play. Community Health Centers have the capability to treat most injuries in a disaster as statistics show most injuries are treatable in an outpatient setting. With licensed staff the Community Health Center can relieve the burden on the local hospital emergency department. Community Health Centers also have a line of open communication with hard to reach populations and can partner with law enforcement and other first responders in getting critical information to the public. Inclusion of the "whole community" is critical to the success of NIMS.
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prevention and preparation it,is necessary for all people, I think that people from othrers countries that is living in this country needs specially trainingin .
Congress should enact legislation to create a national strategy so emergency public public information is always coordinated with other emergency response measures. Such legislation can use the PPW report, "A National Strategy for Integrated Public Warning and Capability" as a starting point. this action is necessary to realize the full potential of the strategy behind FEMA's CAP warning tool, the Integrated Public Alert ...more »
Congress should enact legislation to create a national strategy so emergency public public information is always coordinated with other emergency response measures. Such legislation can use the PPW report, "A National Strategy for Integrated Public Warning and Capability" as a starting point. this action is necessary to realize the full potential of the strategy behind FEMA's CAP warning tool, the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS). See the PPW report written in 2003:
www.partnershipforpublicwarning.org/ppw/docs/nationalstrategy.pdf
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My agency still has outstanding invoices for Federal lands Mutual Aid Fire assistance reimbursements from last year due to supporting paperwork not correctly submitted by the agency. A guideline document is needed as to what paperwork and forms (i.e. DUNS #, SAM Reg, Tax ID, etc) is required by Fed Agencies to promptly reimburse local gov't for Mutual Aid assignments and how to correctly apply for and fill it out ...more »
My agency still has outstanding invoices for Federal lands Mutual Aid Fire assistance reimbursements from last year due to supporting paperwork not correctly submitted by the agency.
A guideline document is needed as to what paperwork and forms (i.e. DUNS #, SAM Reg, Tax ID, etc) is required by Fed Agencies to promptly reimburse local gov't for Mutual Aid assignments and how to correctly apply for and fill it out these forms before being assigned to assist on a Fed Mutual Aid fire (i.e. incidents occurring on USFS, NPS, and BLM lands).
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1. The "self certification" for NIMS participation is weak and there should be a way to do compliance checks to keep ICS from being used at will vs at every incident the way they are supposed to be using it. 2. The term- Emergency Manager needs to be eliminated! People get Emergency Management confused with Incident Command when they hear and use this. 3. Every jurisdiction should have a stand-alone EOC regardless ...more »
1. The "self certification" for NIMS participation is weak and there should be a way to do compliance checks to keep ICS from being used at will vs at every incident the way they are supposed to be using it.
2. The term- Emergency Manager needs to be eliminated! People get Emergency Management confused with Incident Command when they hear and use this.
3. Every jurisdiction should have a stand-alone EOC regardless of whether they are part of a local or regional LEPC.
Thanks,
Peter Prieto
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Only setup POSITION TASKBOOKS for positions that don't already have a NATIONAL STANDARD. There are already NATIONAL STANDARDS for WILDIRE,STRCTURAL FIRE, LPN, RN, etc. The positions that don't have a standard and any SUPERVISORY need a PTB.
Consider physical, programmatic, and communication access needs of community members with disabilities when organizing community meetings. Identify barriers to participation in emergency management meetings (e.g., lack of childcare or access to transportation, and time of the meeting) and provide solutions where feasible (e.g., provide childcare, arrange for the meeting to be held in a location accessible by public transportation, ...more »
Consider physical, programmatic, and communication access needs of community members with disabilities when organizing community meetings. Identify barriers to participation in emergency management meetings (e.g., lack of childcare or access to transportation, and time of the meeting) and provide solutions where feasible (e.g., provide childcare, arrange for the meeting to be held in a location accessible by public transportation, and schedule for after-work hours). Every year, foreign-born residents and visitors are among those affected by disasters in our country. Reach out to local foreign country representatives through consulates or embassies to incorporate international partners in a Whole Community approach to domestic disasters. Discuss how organizations can have a formal role in the community’s emergency plan and, when feasible, include them in training activities and exercises.
One example of a preparedness activity for special needs populations might be designating lead agencies for special needs populations, and having an evacuation plan for a skilled-care facility and training staff to execute the plan. Voluntary organizations such as the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army are responding to the needs of individuals and families by providing mass care services such as shelter, food, and resource distributions.
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Virtual coordination into incident support, coordination, and management in support of incident operations will tend to be unreliable during floods, earthquakes, and cyber-attacks. This appears to be very risky approach during TYPE-1,2, and TYPE-3 incidents especially where a local operating telephone company central office becomes damaged or destroyed during the incident. This was evidenced during 9-11 and KATRINA-2005. ...more »
Virtual coordination into incident support, coordination, and management in support of incident operations will tend to
be unreliable during floods, earthquakes, and cyber-attacks. This appears to be very risky approach during TYPE-1,2, and TYPE-3 incidents especially where a local operating telephone company central office becomes damaged or destroyed during the incident. This was evidenced during 9-11 and KATRINA-2005. Three solutions are suggested;
1. Implement minimum communications requirements for its primary facilities and its alternate and other continuity facilities, as appropriate, which support the continuation of that organization’s essential business functions.
2. Possess interoperable and available communications capabilities in sufficient quantity and mode/media, and that are commensurate with that organization’s responsibilities during conditions of an emergency.
3. Possess communications capabilities that can support the organization’s senior leadership while they are in transit to continuity facilities
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