Session 231 National Incident Management Systems Session 23 Slide Deck

Session 232 Session Objective 1.Discuss Reviews and Assessments of NIMS

Session 233 Topics Federal Grants Emergency Response Operations under a Unified Command NIMS Implementation and Upgrades Working with the media and the Joint Information Center Unified Command Politics of disasters Language and NIMS GIS and NIMS

Session 234 Federal Grants NIMS has and continues to enhance State preparedness NIMS requirements should be fully funded “What is compliant?” Turnover of personnel and training results in few organizations being 100% compliant in NIMS A resource management tool should be developed before attempting to type resources Routine response equipment may not need classification nor warrant the time to classify and maintain the database NIMS should have graduated requirements for small communities An overarching recommendation is slow down, think strategically, and build the system from the bottom up.

Session 235 Emergency Response Operations under a Unified Command Evaluating Agency Emergency Planning Organizations – NIMS compliance a good indication of agency capabilities

Session 236 LLIS and TOPOFF 3 General Analysis Poor integration between the off-site UCP and activities at the incident scene Challenges for integrating the UC with other emergency response organizations and operating centers Concern over the lack of alignment between the National Oil and Hazardous Materials Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP) and the National Response Framework (NRF), which plays out most significantly at the UC Limited understanding of the scope of UC responsibilities

Session 237 LLIS and TOPOFF 3 General Recommendations Defining the roles and responsibilities of the UC Developing standard operating procedures External information flow processes

Session 238 LLIS and TOPOFF 3 Understanding Scope of Responsibilities /Recommendations Expand NIMS to include more detail on the UC Develop standard operating procedures for the UC, which detail the transition from a single incident command, determination of membership, coordinating functions, avenues for conflict resolution among members, determination of its location, and scope of its responsibilities

Session 239 LLIS and TOPOFF 3 Integration between the UC Post and the Incident/Recommendations Provide full-time representation in the UCP. Processes for regular sharing of information with personnel Develop standard operating procedures for the UC, which detail the transition from a single incident command, determination of membership, coordinating functions, avenues for conflict resolution among members, determination of its location, and scope of its responsibilities.

Session 2310 NIMS Implementation and Upgrades Resource Management Resource typing Rules to ensure the continuity and cohesion Significant progress but more to do Integral component of emergency preparedness and a prerequisite to overall operational success in future emergencies

Session 2311 NIMS Upgrades Stakeholder Group review Roles and activities of elected and appointed officials Content, format, and design

Session 2312 NIMS Four Years Later NIMS has had major impact on emergency management Not a One and Done Proposition Proposed Change 1: Revise current training programs to reflect the reality that personnel turnovers Proposed Change 2: Develop and implement a long-term plan for maintenance of the minimum levels of proficiency

Session 2313 Working with the Media / JIC Washington Post article: Access denied photographers and reporters BP calling the shots – Coast Guard and BP deny allegation Proprietary information FAA Cite security concerns Safety parameters Bad images

Session 2314 Working with the Media / JIC New York Times Article Journalists turned away from public areas Filtering what the public sees Information trickle Transparency and public scrutiny Access without compromising response and clean- up Media and federal officials together Civilian flights over spill area

Session 2315 Unified Command Non-existent unified command Disregard for local knowledge and expertise No action allowed without unified command approval Taking matters in their own hands Should have tapped local knowledge and capabilities

Session 2316 UC and the State-Federal Response to Katrina in Mississippi NIMS in the field Modifications in Mississippi –Joint Section chiefs / Joint supervisors co-located –Communication of objectives –Span of control Unresolved issues –Objectives and methods for achieving objectives –FCO and Federal responsibilities Conclusions –Training critical –Doctrine for large scale disasters –Reform the National Response Plan

Session 2317 Politics of Disasters Criticism by elected officials First responder decisions Who has the authority to make decisions Pair NIMS structure with parallel political structure NIMS decision making capabilities Elected officials decision making capabilities

Session 2318 Politics of Disasters Adoption of NIMS NIMS and the NRP Who is in charge? NIMS and Mutual Aid – not just “paper” agreements Coordination and Exercising

Session 2319 Language and NIMS Common language a challenge Not all first responders speak the same language Major changes for first responders Health workers and police How to create a common language

Session 2320 GIS and NIMS Sharing GIS information GIS critical to disaster response BP spill-related GIS products not shared Not NIMS compliant