Did you know? National Emergency Management System

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1 Did yu knw? Natinal Emergency Management System Frm Are Yu Ready Citizen Level: Every citizen in this cuntry is part f a natinal emergency management system that is all abut prtectin prtecting peple and prperty frm all types f hazards. Think f the natinal emergency management system as a pyramid with yu, the citizen, frming the base f the structure. At this level, yu have a respnsibility t prtect yurself and yur family by knwing what t d befre, during, and after an event. Lcal Level: It is smetimes necessary t turn t thers within the lcal cmmunity fr help. The lcal level is the secnd tier f the pyramid, and is made up f paid emplyees and vlunteers frm the private and public sectrs. These individuals are engaged in preventing emergencies frm happening and in being prepared t respnd if smething des ccur. Mst emergencies are handled at the lcal level, which puts a tremendus respnsibility n the cmmunity fr taking care f its citizens. Amng the respnsibilities faced by lcal fficials are: Identifying hazards and assessing ptential risk t the cmmunity. Enfrcing building cdes, zning rdinances, and land-use management prgrams. Crdinating emergency plans t ensure a quick and effective respnse. Fighting fi res and respnding t hazardus materials incidents. Establishing warning systems. Stcking emergency supplies and equipment. Assessing damage and identifying needs. Evacuating the cmmunity t safer lcatins. Taking care f the injured. Sheltering thse wh cannt remain in their hmes. Aiding recvery effrts. State Level: If supprt and resurces are needed beynd what the lcal level can prvide, the cmmunity can request assistance frm the state. The state may be able t prvide supplemental resurces such as mney, equipment, and persnnel t clse the gap between what is needed and what is available at the lcal level. The state als crdinates the plans f the varius jurisdictins s that activities d nt interfere r cnflict with each ther. T ensure persnnel knw what t d and effrts are in agreement, the state may ffer a prgram that prvides jurisdictins the pprtunity t train and exercise tgether. Federal/Natinal Level: The natinal emergency management system is built n shared respnsibilities and active participatin at all levels f the pyramid. The whle system begins with yu, the citizen, and yur ability t fllw gd emergency management practices whether at hme, wrk, r ther lcatins. Emergency Planning Municipalities Natinal Incident Management System (NIMS) Frequently Asked Questins The Natinal Incident Management System is a structure fr management large-scale r multijurisdictinal incidents. It is being phased in at the federal, state and lcal levels. Eventually, any 1 P a g e

2 Natinal Emergency Management System - cntinued jurisdictin seeking federal Hmeland Security grant mney will have t demnstrate that it is NIMS cmpliant. The fllwing FAQs were prepared by NIMS n-line, which has additinal infrmatin at What is NIMS? NIMS is the first-ever standardized apprach t incident management and respnse. Develped by the Department f Hmeland Security and released in March 2004, it establishes a unifrm set f prcesses and prcedures that emergency respnders at all levels f gvernment will use t cnduct respnse peratins. Develped by the Secretary f Hmeland Security at the request f the President, the Natinal Incident Management System (NIMS) integrates effective practices in emergency respnse int a cmprehensive natinal framewrk fr incident management. The NIMS will enable respnders at all levels t wrk tgether mre effectively and efficiently t manage dmestic incidents n matter what the cause, size r cmplexity, including catastrphic acts f terrrism and disasters. Federal agencies als are required t use the NIMS framewrk in dmestic incident management and in supprt f state and lcal incident respnse and recvery activities. The benefits f the NIMS system will be significant: Standards fr planning, training and exercising; Persnnel qualificatin standards; Equipment acquisitin and certificatin standards; Interperable cmmunicatins prcesses, prcedures and systems; Infrmatin management systems with a cmmnly accepted architecture; Supprting technlgies - vice and data cmmunicatins systems, infrmatin systems, data display systems, specialized technlgies; and Publicatin management prcesses and activities. Hw lng d jurisdictins have t adpt the NIMS? The NIC will be develping additinal NIMS cmpliance guidance as time prgresses and jurisdictins will be prvided resurces t help them thrugh the NIMS cmpliance prcess. The NIMS shuld be seen as a living dcument that will require cntinuus maintenance by the jurisdictins implementing it. Is the adptin f the NIMS a requirement fr Department f Hmeland Security funds? As mandated by Hmeland Security Presidential Directive-5, beginning in FY 2005, adptin f NIMS will be a cnditin fr the receipt f federal preparedness funds, including grants, cntracts and ther activities. Hw will jurisdictins be measured, evaluated and assessed? In the shrt term, jurisdictins will be cnsidered t be in cmpliance the NIMS by adpting the Incident Cmmand System and NIMS principles and plicies. Other aspects f the NIMS will require additinal develpment and refinement t enable cmpliance at a future date. 2 P a g e

3 Hw will cmpliance be measured against NIMS evaluatin criteria? 3 P a g e Natinal Emergency Management System - cntinued Cmpliance prtcls, standards and guidelines fr determining whether jurisdictins are cmpliant are currently under develpment. NIC custmers will be ntified and these materials are cmpleted and psted n the NIMS Integratin Center Web page. Hw will jurisdictins be measured against NIMS during the perid 2005 t 2009? The NIC will be develping additinal NIMS cmpliance guidance as time prgresses and jurisdictins will be prvided resurces t help them thrugh the NIMS cmpliance prcess. The NIMS shuld be seen as a living dcument that will require cntinuus maintenance by the jurisdictins implementing it. D NIMS standards currently exist? Standards are currently being develped specifically fr NIMS by the NIC, hwever, there currently exist several standards fr incident cmmand r incident management systems, and these are being reviewed fr cnsideratin by the NIC. As NIMS standards are develped they will be psted n the NIC Web page and jurisdictins will be ntified thrugh infrmatin bulletins. What is the NIC? The NIMS Integratin Center was established by the Secretary f Hmeland Security t prvide "strategic directin fr and versight f the Natinal Incident Management System. Supprting bth rutine maintenance and the cntinuus refinement f the system and its cmpnents ver the lng term."the NIMS Integratin Center is a multi-jurisdictinal, multidisciplinary entity made up f federal stakehlders and state, lcal and tribal incident management and first respnder rganizatins. It is situated in the Department f Hmeland Security s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The rganizatin f the Center includes the fllwing branches: Standards and Resurces Training and Exercises System Evaluatin and Cmpliance Technlgy, Research and Develpment Publicatins Management The acting directr f the NIMS Integratin Center is Gil Jamiesn, at DHS/FEMA. Operatins f the Center are currently in Phase I, which includes the develpment f NIMS awareness training, educatin and publicatins; NIMS training and guidance and tls t help participants understand and cmply with NIMS; and the identificatin f existing capabilities, initiatives and resurces fr NIMS and the NIMS Integratin Center. Phase I als will see the establishment f an Advisry Cmmittee, functinal wrking grups and the preparatin f prgrams and prcesses. What natinal standards will the NIC develp? The NIC will facilitate the develpment f natinal standards needed in a range f areas t increase the effectiveness f incident respnse peratins. Fr example, it will facilitate the develpment f natinal standards t ensure interperability f equipment and cmmunicatins and the certificatin f emergency respnse and incident management persnnel. This means it will wrk n the develpment f standardized criteria fr the qualificatin, training and certificatin f respnse persnnel. It will prmte cmpatibility amng NIMS natinal level standards and thse develped by ther public,

4 Natinal Emergency Management System - cntinued private and prfessinal grups. And it will facilitate the develpment f a system f typed and categrized resurces, t include equipment, teams and persnnel. Why must rganizatins cnduct Natinal Incident Management System (NIMS) training and exercises? HSPD-5 requires federal departments and agencies t make adptin f NIMS by state and lcal rganizatins a cnditin fr federal preparedness assistance by FY Organizatins and persnnel at all gvernmental levels and in the private sectr must be trained t imprve all-hazard incident management capability. These rganizatins and persnnel must als participate in realistic exercises t imprve integratin and interperability. Hw will the NIMS Integratin Center (NIC) assist jurisdictins in meeting NIMS training and exercise needs? The NIMS Integratin Center will: Facilitate the develpment f and the disseminatin f natinal standards, guidelines and prtcls fr incident management training; Facilitate the use f mdeling and simulatin in training and exercise prgrams; Define general training requirements and apprved training curses fr all NIMS users, including instructr qualificatins and curse cmpletin dcumentatin; and Review and apprve, with the assistance f key stakehlders, discipline-specific training requirements and curses. What rle des the NIC have in determining emergency respnse persnnel NIMS qualificatin and certificatin? Under NIMS, preparedness is based n natinal standards fr qualificatin and certificatin f emergency respnse persnnel. Managed by the NIC, standards will help ensure that the participating agencies and rganizatins field persnnel pssess the minimum knwledge, skills and experience necessary t perfrm activities safely and effectively. Will NIMS training be ne f the NIMS-related standards? Yes. The standards will include training, experience, credentialing, currency and physical and medical fitness. Persnnel wh are certified t supprt interstate incidents will be required t meet natinal qualificatin certificatin standards. What NIMS training is currently available t jurisdictins? The Emergency Management Institute (A DHS/FEMA cmpnent) has develped a Web-based curse that is entitled The Natinal Incident Management System, an Intrductin. The curse is available free f charge t US residents via the FEMA training Web site. The curse describes the purpse, principles, key cmpnents and benefits f NIMS. Als included in the curse are n-line "Planning Activity" tls that help the user t measure hw cmpliant his/her rganizatin is with NIMS. What infrmatin des the Natinal Incident Management System, an Intrductin curse prvide? After cmpleting the curse, participants will be able t: 4 P a g e

5 Natinal Emergency Management System - cntinued Describe the key cncepts and principles underlying NIMS; Identify the benefits f using ICS as the natinal incident management mdel; Describe when it is apprpriate t institute an Area Cmmand; Describe when it is apprpriate t institute a Multi agency Crdinatin System; Describe the benefits f using a Jint Infrmatin system (JIS) fr public infrmatin; Identify the ways in which NIMS affects preparedness; Describe hw NIMS affects hw resurces are managed; Describe the advantages f cmmn cmmunicatin and infrmatin management systems; Explain hw NIMS influences technlgy and technlgy systems; and Describe the purpse f the NIMS Integratin Center. What is the Resurce Typing System? The NIC has develped a natinal Mutual Aid Glssary f Terms and Definitins as well as Resurce Typing definitins fr sme f the mst cmmnly used resurces during a respnse. Resurce typing is an integral cmpnent f the Natinal Incident Management System (NIMS). It enhances the ability f emergency respnders t find needed resurces during a disaster. In cmpliance with and in supprt f the Incident Cmmand System (ICS), the Resurce Typing Definitins and Mutual Aid Glssary f Terms and Definitins als help prmte cmmn terminlgy f descriptins, standards, and types f lcal, state and federal respnse assets. Resurce typing definitins prvide emergency managers with the infrmatin they need t request and receive the resurces they need during an emergency r disaster. Typed definitins fr 120 respnse resurces have been cmpleted. Like the Glssary, the Resurce Typing Definitins will be cntinuusly updated, revised, and expanded. Eight grups representing key functinal disciplines cnsisting f federal, state and lcal specialists were part f the effrt t develp the definitins. Resurces are classified by Categry which refers t functin and Kind, t include teams, persnnel, equipment, and supplies. Infrmatin abut level f capability is referred t as Type, which is a measure f minimum capabilities t perfrm the functin. Type I implies a higher capability than Type II. The metrics shwn fr each resurce are measurements f standards and are applicable t like resurces. What is the Natinal Mutual Aid and Resurce Management System Initiative? The Natinal Mutual Aid and Resurce Management System is an initiative undertaken by the Department f Hmeland Security thrugh the Natinal Incident Management Systems (NIMS) Integratins Center (NIC) and the Federal Emergency Management (FEMA), in cperatin with the Natinal Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). This system will enhance emergency readiness and respnse at all levels f gvernment thrugh a cmprehensive and integrated system that will allw a jurisdictin t augment respnse resurces if needed. The system will allw emergency management persnnel t identify, lcate, request, rder and track utside resurces quickly and effectively. It will allw them t btain infrmatin n specific resurce capabilities, lcatin, cst and supprt requirements. The key cncepts f the Natinal Mutual Aid and Resurce Management System include: The use f pre-incident agreements (including mutual aid, Emergency Management Assistance Cmpact (EMAC), and thers) by dnr and requesting jurisdictins. Prtcls fr dcumenting and inventrying disaster respnse resurces in terms f categries, kinds, cmpnents, metrics and typing definitins; 5 P a g e

6 Natinal Emergency Management System - cntinued A natinal deplyable inventry f pre-identified credentialed, categrized and capability-typed resurces. These resurces wuld be entered int the system vluntarily by federal, state, tribal r lcal authrities, n-gvernment, and/r private sectr entities participating in mutual aid disaster respnse peratins. An Autmated Resurce Management System (ARMS) t access and search the inventry/catalg t lcate, request, rder, and track resurces requested by incident management persnnel in need f assistance. The initiative fsters a prcess fr typing and inventrying federal, state and lcal resurces. Officials at all levels currently are participating in the initiative and they are cnsulting key emergency management rganizatins and assciatins thrughut the prcess. Isn t FEMA already wrking n a Natinal Mutual Aid and Resurce Management System? Yes. This FEMA initiative supprts the NIMS and is part f the Center s Standards and Resurces effrt. The system s wrk team, the Natinal Resurce Management Wrking Grup, has been wrking n a natinal prtcl fr typing respnse resurces. The system will assist all federal, state and lcal jurisdictins lcate, request and rder resurces thrugh mutual aid agreements when lcal capabilities are verwhelmed. What is the Incident Cmmand System (ICS)? ICS is a standardized n-scene incident management cncept designed specifically t allw respnders t adpt an integrated rganizatinal structure equal t the cmplexity and demands f any single incident r multiple incidents withut being hindered by jurisdictinal bundaries. In the early 1970s, ICS was develped t manage rapidly mving wildfires and t address the fllwing prblems: T many peple reprting t ne supervisr; Different emergency respnse rganizatinal structures; Lack f reliable incident infrmatin; Inadequate and incmpatible cmmunicatins; Lack f structure fr crdinated planning amng agencies; Unclear lines f authrity; Terminlgy differences amng agencies; and Unclear r unspecified incident bjectives. In 1980, federal fficials transitined ICS int a natinal prgram called the Natinal Interagency Incident Management System (NIIMS), which became the basis f a respnse management system fr all federal agencies with wildfire management respnsibilities. Since then, many federal agencies have endrsed the use f ICS, and several have mandated its use. An ICS enables integrated cmmunicatin and planning by establishing a manageable span f cntrl. An ICS divides an emergency respnse int five manageable functins essential fr emergency respnse peratins: Cmmand, Operatins, Planning, Lgistics, and Finance and Administratin. Figure 1 shws a typical ICS structure. 6 P a g e

7 Natinal Emergency Management System - cntinued What is a Unified Cmmand (UC)? Althugh a single Incident Cmmander nrmally handles the cmmand functin, an Incident Cmmand System (ICS) rganizatin may be expanded int a Unified Cmmand (UC). The UC is a structure that brings tgether the "Incident Cmmanders" f all majr rganizatins invlved in the incident in rder t crdinate an effective respnse while at the same time carrying ut their wn jurisdictinal respnsibilities. The UC links the rganizatins respnding t the incident and prvides a frum fr these entities t make cnsensus decisins. Under the UC, the varius jurisdictins and/r agencies and nn-gvernment respnders may blend tgether thrughut the peratin t create an integrated respnse team. The UC is respnsible fr verall management f the incident. The UC directs incident activities, including develpment and implementatin f verall bjectives and strategies, and apprves rdering and releasing f resurces. Members f the UC wrk tgether t develp a cmmn set f incident bjectives and strategies, share infrmatin, maximize the use f available resurces, and enhance the efficiency f the individual respnse rganizatins. We currently use the ICS fr ur incident respnse peratins. Hw will ur current ICS system relate t the NIMS? The NIMS utilizes ICS as a standard incident management rganizatin fr the management f all majr incidents. These functinal areas include cmmand, peratins, planning, lgistics and finance/administratin. Additinally, the principle f unified cmmand has been incrprated int NIMS t ensure further crdinatin fr incidents invlving multiple jurisdictins r agencies. This unified cmmand cmpnent nt nly crdinates the effrts f many jurisdictins, but als prvides fr and assures jint decisin n bjectives, strategies, plans, pririties and public cmmunicatins. Is current Incident Cmmand System (ICS) training applicable t NIMS? The NIMS recgnizes the Natinal Wildfire Crdinating Grup (NWCG) ICS training as a mdel fr curse curricula and materials applicable t the NIMS: ICS-100, Intrductin t ICS ICS-200, Basic ICS ICS-300, Intermediate ICS ICS-400, Advanced ICS The USFA s Natinal Fire Academy and Emergency Management Institute bth fllw this mdel in their ICS training curricula. At the lcal level, agencies may cntact the fire department fr infrmatin and training n ICS. 7 P a g e

8 Natinal Emergency Management System - cntinued What is a mutual aid agreement? Mutual-aid agreements are the means fr ne jurisdictin t prvide resurces, facilities, services, and ther required supprt t anther jurisdictin during an incident. Each jurisdictin shuld be party t a mutual-aid agreement (such as the Emergency Management Assistance Cmpact) with apprpriate jurisdictins frm which they expect t receive r t which they expect t prvide assistance during an incident. This wuld nrmally include all neighbring r nearby jurisdictins, as well as relevant privatesectr and nngvernmental rganizatins. States shuld participate in interstate cmpacts and lk t establish intrastate agreements that encmpass all lcal jurisdictins. Mutual-aid agreements are als needed with private rganizatins, such as the American Red Crss, t facilitate the timely delivery f private assistance at the apprpriate jurisdictinal level during incidents. At a minimum, mutual-aid agreements shuld include the fllwing elements r prvisins: definitins f key terms used in the agreement; rles and respnsibilities f individual parties; prcedures fr requesting and prviding assistance; prcedures, authrities, and rules fr payment, reimbursement, and allcatin f csts; ntificatin prcedures; prtcls fr interperable cmmunicatins; relatinships with ther agreements amng jurisdictins; wrkers cmpensatin; treatment f liability and immunity; recgnitin f qualificatins and certificatins; and sharing agreements, as required. Authrized fficials frm each f the participating jurisdictins will cllectively apprve all mutual-aid agreements. Why d we need reginal mutual aid agreements? The cncept f reginal mutual aid is based n cnsistency and simplicity and is brne ut f the prspect f a large-scale incident (such as WMD) invlving multiple jurisdictins in the respnse. Crdinatin f resurces and respnse persnnel acrss multiple cunties will be mre effective if similar agreements are in place, expectatins are cnsistent, and reimbursement prcedures have been negtiated with reginal input prir t an event. What if my jurisdictin already has a mutual aid agreement in place with anther jurisdictin? The reginal mutual aid agreements are designed t enhance this regin s respnse capability and are nt designed t supplant existing agreements. Hwever, in the case f an existing agreement including cmpnents that cnflict with the reginal agreements, the reginal agreements will prevail fr guiding respnse. The Incident Cmmand System (ICS) 8 P a g e

9 Natinal Emergency Management System - cntinued The Incident Cmmand System cnsists f persnnel, plicies, prcedures, facilities, and equipment that wrk tgether in an rganized structure designed t greatly imprve emergency respnse effectiveness, respnse time, and efficiency fr all disasters, n matter hw big r cmplex. The ICS is based ff a cmmn cmmand structure that allws all fficials in rganizatins, n matter private r public, in any jurisdictin t effectively cmmunicate with each ther in emergency situatins. The gal f ICS is designed t reduce any prblems with cmmunicatin and emergency techniques in such incidents in which quick respnse and prper peratins are critical. The ICS fcuses n a system f management and prcedures n a temprary basis fr an incident f any size r severity. The ICS has a general emphasis n preparedness, with all aspects f its peratins practiced and persnnel trained well befre an incident ccurs. When an incident des ccur, the ICS frmulates a management hierarchy that is used t cntrl funds, emplyees, facilities, equipment, resurces, and cmmunicatins. Persnnel are selected because f their training and their ability t meet the guidelines set frth by the ICS. The ICS establishes its resurces and structure fr emergency situatins frm the mment that an incident is respnded t until they are n lnger needed and the incident needs n further attentin. The Incident Cmmand System is designed t nt nly be structural guidelines, but als t be flexible enugh t adapt t unexpected circumstances. Fr example, in an emergency situatin that wuld cver many jurisdictins, the ICS system is designed t meet the needs f each ne f thse jurisdictins and t establish firm cmmunicatin with all f them. In the event f an incident, the ICS system will allw fr many different agencies and rganizatins t quickly frmulate a management structure, using cmmn terminlgy fr easy cmmunicatin vital in a time f crisis. In additin, the ICS prvides lgistical supprt t an peratinal staff, is designed t be cst effective by aviding dubled wrk, and delivers a unified system f rganizatin. Histry f the Incident Cmmand System: The ICS was frmed during the 1970s during massive wildfires that tk place in Califrnia that ravaged several urban areas in the state. There was a massive amunt f prperty damage and many lives were lst in the fires. Studies that were cnducted fllwing the disaster shwed that the reasn why there was s much damage that ran int the millins and lives lst was because f management and cmmunicatin deficiencies rather than a lack f resurces r ineffective tactics. Plicies f the ICS were eventually adpted int the Hmeland Security Directive number 5 with the frmulatin f the Natinal Incident Management System. The ICS imprved n the fllwing prblems with emergency management and respnse fr incidents: * Unclear chain f cmmand and a lack f accuntability; * Cmmunicatin was pr due t equipment incmpatibilities and different uses f terminlgy; * N clear planning prcess t g by; * There were n clear guidelines n hw t integrate several rganizatins int a single chain f cmmand; * N crdinatin between individuals with specialized skills and thse wh were first respnders in an 9 P a g e

10 Natinal Emergency Management System - cntinued emergency; * Knwledge abut terminlgy was either lacking r unclear during emergencies. Underlying Cncepts f the Incident Cmmand System The Incident Cmmand System (ICS) is a prtcl f hw persnnel, plicies, prcedures, facilities, resurces and equipment all wrk tgether in an rganized structure t respnd t an emergency r prevent a crisis frm happening. Incident cmmand systems are generally designed s that cperatin between several different agencies and rganizatins spanning varius jurisdictins is structured under a firm guideline. Incident cmmand systems put a general fcus n cmmunicatin and structure s that a respnse t a natinal crisis is bth efficient and effective. The Incident Cmmand System in the United States was riginally established in Califrnia in the 1970s when a wildfire created millins f dllars wrth f damaged and cst the lives f many peple. After a study f hw emergency fficials handled the situatin, it was fund that the reasn why the fires were nt cntained sner was nt because f a lack f resurces r pr tactics, but rather it was a lack f prper cmmunicatin and structural rganizatin. Many agencies wrked tgether t cntain the fire, but they did nt cmmunicate well and use a universal terminlgy. In additin, the hierarchy f cmmand was unclear, and as a result, many peple did nt use a cncise chain f cmmand. The Incident Cmmand System eliminated structural and cmmunicatin prblems that is assciated with agency cperatin during a natinal crisis. The Incident Cmmand System Cncepts: The Incident Cmmand System established many key cncepts that wuld be the fundatin fr prper emergency respnse in the event f a crisis. Later, these ideas wuld be integrated int the Federally-funded Natinal Incident Management System in Unity f Cmmand: In an emergency respnse situatin, every persn wrking a task reprts t nly ne supervisr. This rule eliminates the pssibility f individuals t receive cnflicting infrmatin and rders frm a variety f supervisrs. This essentially eliminates a great deal f ptential cnfusin that can happen in a chain f cmmand. It als increases accuntability, prevents freelancing, facilitates the flw f infrmatin, better crdinates peratins, and ensures safety f all wrkers in the emergency situatin. Universal Terminlgy: 10 P a g e

11 Natinal Emergency Management System - cntinued Befre the establishment f incident cmmand systems, agencies develped and used their wn terminlgy fr their peratins separately. Cnsequently, a term used in ne agency may mean smething cmpletely different in anther. During a emergency, if agencies are required t wrk tgether, there may be a great deal f cnfusin between the wrkers if a cmmn terminlgy is nt used between the tw. The Incident Cmmand System prmtes and requires the use f a universal terminlgy and has develped a bank f terms that gives the use a cnsistent meaning t wrds. Universal terminlgy is especially imprtant fr cmmanding psitins. Management by Objective: This basically means that in the incident cmmand system, a task is nt assigned until a clear bjective is first established that the task will help lead t. Objectives are encuraged t be as specific as pssible and attainable. When an bjective is utlined, there shuld als be a time frame and schedule t g alng with it t determine when it may be achieved. Flexible and Mdular Organizatin: Depending n the incident, nly rganizatins and individuals wh are needed at a current pint in time are brught in and dismissed immediately after their duties are carried ut. This helps t minimize csts and als prvides efficiency t the task at hand. Span-f-Cntrl: The Incident Cmmand System states that any given individual s span f cntrl shuld nly be between three and seven peple. A manager shuld nt be spread t thin amng several subrdinates. If mre than seven individuals are managed by ne. Hme Incident Cmmand Incident Cmmand System Curses Incident Cmmand System Incident Cmmand Training NIMS Natural Disasters Disaster Preparedness Natural Hazards Organizatins 11 P a g e

12 Natinal Emergency Management System - cntinued The American branch f the Red Crss is the humanitarian mvement within the United States that prvides similar functins such as disaster relief aid and preventin f human suffering as its internatinal sister rganizatins. Disaster relief help is just ne f its many functins. The American Red Crss helps the needy, prvides cmmunicatin services fr the military, the cllectin f bld and related prducts fr thse that need it, prvides educatinal resurces abut health and safety, and internatinal disaster relief aid develpment initiatives. All f the decisins made by the American Red Crss are dne by vlunteers and dnatins frm the cmmunity help supprt it. It has 700 chapters and 36 different Bld Service regin all acrss the cuntry. Abut 30,000 vlunteers prvide mbilized services fr American Red Crss disaster relief duties fr peple effected by almst 70,000 disasters annually. It is als the largest supplier f bld and bld-related prducts, prviding them t ver 3,000 hspitals acrss the entire natin. Disaster Services: 12 P a g e

13 Natinal Emergency Management System - cntinued The American Red Crss respnds quickly t prvide disaster relief help t many different disasters, ranging frm apartment fires t situatins that are much mre severe, such as hurricanes, flds, earthquakes, trnades, spill hazards, vehicle accidents, explsins, tsunamis and many ther natural and man-made disasters. The American Red Crss is nt a gvernment rganizatin, althugh it has an enfrced respnsibility and authrity that was granted in 1905 by a cngressinal charter which read: [The American Red Crss may] carry n a system f natinal and internatinal relief in time f peace and apply the same in mitigating the sufferings caused by pestilence, famine, fire, flds, and ther great natinal calamities, and t devise and carry n measures fr preventing the same. This cngressinal charter gave the American Red Crss an bligatin t prvide disaster relief help t the natin and the victims that are effected by emergencies. In the event f a disaster r natinal emergency, n matter hw severe, the American Red Crss prvides diaster relief aid in the frm f shelter, fd, clean water and medical services t peple wh need it and were affected by the crisis. The disaster relief aid prvided by the rganizatin als gives families and victims the assistance needed t carry n their nrmal rutines and start their life up again. They even enlist multilingual vlunteers in situatins that may need it, especially if the American Red Crss helps natins abrad. Many peple believe that the American Red Crss, in additin t disaster relief help, they als carry ut search and rescue missins and send ambulances t areas effected by a majr disaster. This is nt the case, hwever, and is a cmmn miscnceptin by the public. The American Red Crss prvides disaster relief aid but they d nt perfrm immediate-respnse actins. Their gal is, rather, t perfrm services that lk mre twards the lng-term s that peple can be put back n their feet. Emergency Services This is the first phase in emergency and natural disaster management that respnds t the actual incident. An disaster respnse team usually includes firefighters, plicemen, and medical teams sent in as a first measure t cntain a situatin befre it gets ut f hand, search fr survivrs and assess the situatin. Disaster respnse and disaster aid is the step f disaster management that precedes mitigatin and preparedness. Respnse effrts are greatly imprved when prper mitigatin and preparedness is established first befre a disaster ccurs. 13 P a g e

14 Natinal Emergency Management System - cntinued Emergency Services: When a crisis situatin ccurs and disaster respnse teams are needed, emergency services are sent t the lcatin t cntain it and save lives. Emergency services are rganizatins established t ensure the safety f the public. Each rganizatin is designed t handle different types f situatins and ther sme specifically handle situatins that are severe in nature. Main Types f Emergency Services: Plice: Tasked with prviding cmmunity safety and enfrce the law t reduce crime. Fire Departments: Prvide disaster aid by carrying ut fire and rescue missins and ther disaster respnse services. Medical Service: Medical staffs that prvide disaster aid by tending t injured persns. Other Emergency and Disaster Respnse Organizatins: Castguard: Patrl the cast t ensure security near the cean and als carry ut search and rescue missins. Military: Used in times f catastrphic disasters t prvide disaster respnse thrugh bmb dispsal and relieving civil vilence. Technical Rescue: Prvide disaster aid in search and rescue missins that require specialty services t carry ut. Wildland fire suppressin: A service that predicts, identifies and helps t cntrl wildfires frm starting r spreading. Civil Emergency Services: Public Utilities: These emergency services specialize in electricity and gas t safeguard these dangerus hazards. Emergency Radside Service: Prvide disaster respnse t drivers that are stranded r need help n the rads. Pisn Cntrl: Prvide supprt fr pisned victims wh need disaster aid. Animal Cntrl: Prvide disaster aid fr situatins invlving ptentially dangerus animals. Effective emergency service crdinatin invlves all agencies wrking in a disaster situatin t have prper cmmunicatin. Withut useful cmmunicatin in a disaster, many lives culd be lst r the situatin culd becme wrse. The natinal standard, Natinal Incident Management System (NIMS), is a structure f emergency management used in the United States and develped by the United States Department f Hmeland Security. Deriving frm the Incident Cmmand System established in Califrnia after a catastrphic wildfire, NIMS prvides a system f effective cmmunicatin established between agencies. These agencies can be lcated in different jurisdictins, whether they are private, public r gvernmental rganizatins. While the NIMS structure is nly used in severe disaster respnse situatins, millins f emergency wrkers take NIMS curses t better their skills and management in any situatin, n matter hw severe. 14 P a g e