Terrorism Response Checklist and Guide
(Source: International Association of Fire Chiefs)
The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) released the Third Edition of “ Terrorism Response: A Checklist and Guide for Fire Chiefs and Community Preparedness Leaders (PDF, 1.2 Mb). According to IAFC, this document by first responders for first responders and community leaders was designed to be comprehensive but succinct so “busy leaders may fully and effectively prepare their communities for acts of terrorism, whether foreign or domestic in origin.”
The Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) noted that this edition enables fire chiefs and other community leaders to assess, prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from a terrorist attack or other local calamity. It can serve as a beneficial tool for chief officers and public safety leaders to use jointly within any town, city, or municipality that seeks guidance on terrorism and all-hazard preparedness.
To provide a methodical, clear, and comprehensive approach for the users, a Summary Checklist, How-To Guide, and References are included. The Summary Checklist outlines the most critical actions to ensure preparedness for any acts of terrorism. The How-To Guide provides detailed guidance for achieving a level of readiness that warrants a completed check-off.
National Preparedness Goal
(Source: Department of Homeland Security)
The Department of Homeland Security published a press release announcing the National Preparedness Goal (PDF, 597 Kb), the first deliverable required under Presidential Policy Directive 8 (PPD-8): National Preparedness. The Goal defines the core capabilities needed to fulfill the five mission areas detailed in PPD-8: prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery, and outlines measureable objectives for each.
“The Goal is designed to prepare our Nation for the risks that will severely tax our collective capabilities and resources. Each community contributes to the Goal by assessing and preparing for the risks that are most relevant and urgent for them individually, which in turn strengthens our collective security and resilience as a Nation.”
Th e Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) noted t he other requirements of PPD-8: the development of a National Preparedness System, a Campaign to Build and Sustain Preparedness, and yearly National Preparedness Reports. FEMA states they plan to “coordinate closely with our partners throughout the homeland security and emergency management community, the private and non-profit sectors and with the public to implement the requirements.”
All-Hazards Position Specific Training
(Source: Emergency Management Institute)
National Incident Management System (NIMS) Incident Command System (ICS) Position Specific training is designed to provide all-hazards competencies and behaviors for the eight Command and General Staff ICS positions and select unit leader positions. Competencies in the training are focused around the ability of the student to assume the position responsibilities, lead assigned personnel, communicate effectively, and ensure the completion of assigned tasks to meet identified objectives for the position.
The Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) ascertained that NIMS ISC Position Specific training should be completed by personnel who desire to become credentialed as members of Type III or IV Incident Management Teams (PDF, 55 Kb), or those seeking credentials/certification in an ICS Command and General Staff or Unit Leader positions. The following courses are prerequisites for this training: IS 100, IS 200, IS 700, and ICS 300 and ICS 400.
Available train-the-trainer classes can be located at the website for EMI Courses and Schedules. (See courses E-953 to E-978 for the First Semester and E-947 to E-976 for the Second Semester.) Interested personnel should submit a completed FEMA Application Form 119-25-1 (General Admission Application) (PDF, 634 Kb) through the appropriate State Training Officer to the National Emergency Training Center (NETC) Admissions as soon as possible.
Personnel who plan to take regional offerings can identify available classes at the same website for EMI Courses and Schedules. (See courses L-952 to L-975 for the First Semester and L-960 to L-975 for the second semester.) Contact M r. Robert Ridgeway at robert.ridgeway@dhs.gov to acquire the local point of contact (POC) for each class.
All students representing state and local government agencies who attend classes at the NETC campus in Emmitsburg (MD) are eligible for stipend reimbursements. This compensation program pays the costs associated with travel and lodging for students, but does not pay for meals or incidentals.
Regional Healthcare Coordination
(Source: St. Louis Medical Operations Center)
Th e Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) recently received a commentary by Deborah Beezley, Director, Health Information Management, St. Anthony's Medical Center. As an example of successful healthcare coordination, Director Beezley explained that the St. Louis Medical Operations Center (SMOC) offers a unique opportunity to pool resources and information with the emergency services to better serve the public.
Under the SMOC, which was established by the Regional Healthcare Coordination Plan (PDF, 5.4 Mb), public health agencies partner with hospitals and first responders to coordinate relief efforts and allocate assets. The Operations Center provides the analytical, coordination, and communication capability needed for hospitals, emergency responders, and other healthcare organizations to be able to effectively respond to any type of emergency event.
During an emergency, the SMOC serves as a center for collecting and disseminating current information about healthcare resources and needs (including equipment, bed capacity, personnel, supplies, etc.), developing priority allocations, tracking disbursement of resources, and other relevant healthcare response matters.
According to Ms. Beezley, “the partnership between public health, hospitals, and first responders through the SMOC structure has also increased awareness among the participating agencies of the issues faced by all organizations that the public relies on during threats to public safety and the quality of life.”
To learn more about the SMOC, which does not have a dedicated website, contact Director Beezley at debbie.beezley@samcstl.org |
