Natural Hazards Observer
| March 2005 | Volume XXIX | Number 4 |
U.S. National Response Plan Complete
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has announced completion of the National Response Plan (NRP). The NRP establishes a unified and standardized approach to help protect public health, safety, property, and the environment from terrorist attacks and other natural and human-induced hazards. It is a comprehensive, all-hazards tool for domestic incident management across the spectrum of prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery that incorporates best practices and procedures from incident management disciplines, such as homeland security, emergency management, law enforcement, firefighting, public works, public health, response and recovery worker health and safety, emergency medical services, and the private sector. All federal departments and agencies that may be involved in a national incident will use the NRP. When fully implemented, the NRP will supersede the Initial National Response Plan, the Federal Response Plan, the U.S. Government Interagency Domestic Terrorism Concept of Operations Plan, and the Federal Radiological Emergency Response Plan.
The NRP uses the National Incident Management System (NIMS) to establish standardized training, organization, and communications procedures for multijurisdictional interaction and identifies authority and leadership responsibilities. Together, the NRP and NIMS establish incident management processes to improve coordination and integration between federal, state, local, tribal, regional, private sector, and nongovernmental organization partners; integrate the federal response to catastrophic events; improve incident management communications and increase cross-jurisdictional coordination and situational awareness; improve federal to federal interaction and emergency support; maximize use and employment of incident management resources; and facilitate emergency mutual aid and federal emergency support to state, local, and tribal governments.
The plan is organized around five components:
- The Base Plan describes the structure and processes comprising a national approach to domestic incident management designed to integrate the efforts and resources of federal, state, local, tribal, private-sector, and nongovernmental organizations. It includes planning assumptions, roles and responsibilities, concept of operations, incident management actions, and plan maintenance instructions.
- Appendixes provide other relevant, more detailed supporting information, including terms, definitions, acronyms, authorities, and a compendium of national interagency plans.
- The Emergency Support Function Annexes detail the missions, policies, structures, and responsibilities of federal agencies for coordinating resource and programmatic support to states, tribes, and other federal agencies or other jurisdictions and entities.
- The Support Annexes provide guidance and describe the functional processes and administrative requirements necessary to ensure efficient and effective implementation of the NRP’s incident management objectives.
- The Incident Annexes address contingency or hazard situations requiring specialized application of the NRP. They describe the missions, policies, responsibilities, and coordination processes that govern the interaction of public and private entities engaged in incident management and emergency response operations across a spectrum of potential hazards.
Find out more and download a copy of the plan at http://www.dhs.gov/nationalresponseplan/. To get more information, first responders and incident management authorities may call (800) 368-6498.
U.S. National Response Plan Online Training
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has released a new independent study course to introduce emergency management practitioners to the National Response Plan (NRP). The course, The National Response Plan, an Introduction, IS-800, is designed primarily for U.S. Department of Homeland Security and other federal department/agency staff responsible for implementing the NRP. State, local, and private sector emergency management professionals can also benefit from this course. Students who successfully complete this course will be able to describe the purpose of the NRP, locate information within the NRP, describe the roles and responsibilities of entities as specified in the NRP, identify the organizational structure used for NRP coordination, describe the field-level organizations and teams activated under the NRP, and identify the incident management activities addressed by the NRP. Access this course on the Web at http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/is/is800.asp.
U.S. Plans to Improve Tsunami Detection and Warning System
Following the recent Indian Ocean tsunami, the United States announced plans to expand its tsunami detection and warning capabilities as part of the Global Earth Observation System of Systems, the international effort to develop a comprehensive, sustained, and integrated Earth observation system. The plan, which commits a total of $37.5 million over the next two years, will enable enhanced monitoring, detection, warning, and communications that will protect lives and property in the United States and a significant part of the world.
With this new investment, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will deploy 32 new advanced technology DART (deep-ocean assessment and reporting of tsunami) buoys, expanding monitoring capabilities to the Atlantic and Caribbean basins and strengthening them in the Pacific. Also playing an important role, the U.S. Geological Survey will enhance its seismic monitoring and information delivery from the Global Seismic Network, a partnership with the National Science Foundation. The plan calls for a fully operational tsunami warning system with nearly 100 percent detection capability for U.S. coastal tsunami by mid-2007.
More information about NOAA’s tsunami programs can be found at http://www.noaa.gov/tsunamis.html.
NIMS Training Information Available Online
In late December, the National Incident Management System (NIMS) Integration Center (NIC) launched a new NIMS Training information Web page to serve as a NIMS-related training resource during the development of a national standard curriculum. This resource currently lists only NIMS-related courses that are available through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security training entities (i.e., Emergency Management Institute, National Fire Academy), but the final curriculum will be built around all available federal training opportunities and course offerings that support NIMS implementation. The purpose of the curriculum is to clarify needed NIMS compliance training and streamline the training approval process for courses recognized by the curriculum. Visit the Web page at http://www.fema.gov/nims/nims_training.shtm. Questions concerning NIMS and related training issues may be directed to the NIC at NIMS-Integration-Center@dhs.gov or (202) 646-3850.
NIMS Compliance Assessment Tool Released
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Incident Management System (NIMS) Integration Center (NIC) have released a Web-based self-assessment system that will allow federal, state, tribal, and local departments and agencies to evaluate their incident preparedness and response capabilities. The voluntary system, the National Incident Management Compliance Assessment Support Tool (NIMCAST), is also designed to help users determine what they need to do to comply with National Incident Management System (NIMS) requirements.
Access NIMCAST at http://www.fema.gov/nimcast/. For more information about NIMS and NIMCAST, contact the NIC at NIMS-Integration-Center@dhs.gov or (202) 646-3850.
FEMA Releases Updated Are You Ready?
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced the release of the updated, in-depth guide to citizen preparedness, Are You Ready? The guide provides a step-by-step approach to disaster preparedness by walking the reader through how to get informed about local emergency plans and identify hazards that affect their area and instructing them on how to develop and maintain an emergency communications plan and build a disaster supplies kit. Other guide topics include evacuation, emergency public shelters, animals in disaster, and information specific to people with disabilities.
To broaden the usage of the Are You Ready? materials, a facilitator guide is available for those interested in delivering the disaster preparedness content in a classroom or small group setting. The facilitator guide includes training modules for adults and older and younger children and contains a CD-ROM toolkit that includes customizable slides and hazard specific fact sheets. Are You Ready? is also a study guide for the independent study course Are You Ready? An In-Depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness, IS-22. College credit for successful completion of the course is available through Frederick Community College in Frederick, Maryland.
The updated guide is available from the FEMA Web site in both English and Spanish. Download a copy at http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/. English-only copies are also available by mail from FEMA’s Publications Warehouse at (800) 480-2520. Access the course at http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/is22.asp.
New Emergency Preparedness Guide for Homeowners
The result of a collaborative effort between the Homeownership Alliance, a coalition of more than fifteen organizations committed to ensuring support for the American housing system, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Emergency Preparedness Guide: Protecting Your Family and Your Home is a new resource designed to help homeowners prepare for potential terrorist attacks and other emergencies. Produced by the Homeownership Alliance based on components of DHS’ Ready campaign, the guide outlines the simple steps homeowners can take to prepare for an emergency. It includes information on emergency supplies, effective emergency plans for families, various threats homeowners may face, and resources available to homeowners through DHS, the Homeownership Alliance, and local government and community officials. In addition to being available for download on the alliance’s Web site, http://www.homeownershipalliance.com/documents/emergency_final_000.pdf, the nine-page guide will also be distributed through the National Association of Realtors and Habitat for Humanity International.
Hurricanes Set Record for FEMA in 2004
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has reported that in 2004 the president issued 68 major disaster declarations, surpassing the previous year’s total by 12 and ranking second only to the 75 issued in 1996. According to FEMA data, a record-setting 27 of these declarations were for hurricane-related damage in 15 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, exceeding the previous high of 19 declarations set in 1999. FEMA figures also showed that $4.85 billion of the more than $5.53 billion expended for disaster aid in 2004 was provided for hurricane relief, which topped the previous record of $2.25 billion obligated for hurricane damage in 1998.
Among other major events that FEMA responded to in 2004 were winter weather, floods, tornadoes, earthquakes, Pacific storms, and wildfires. Statistically, Florida and South Carolina led the nation in the need for federal aid, with each requiring four major disaster declarations, followed by three each for New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia, and two each for Arkansas, California, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Jersey, and North Carolina. To find out more, visit the “Federally Declared Disasters Archive” on FEMA’s Web site at http://www.fema.gov/library/drcys.shtm.
U.S. Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Climatic Data Center has updated its report that tracks U.S. billion dollar weather and climate disasters from 1980 to the present. The update includes revised figures for 2003 events and new data for 2004 events. Four events made the list in 2004: Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne. Combined, these four storms caused at least 152 deaths and more than $42 billion in damage.
The report is available at http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/reports/billionz.html along with various graphics and links to more extensive reports about each event. For more information, contact the report’s authors Tom Ross (Tom.Ross@noaa.gov) and Neal Lott (Neal.Lott@noaa.gov) or the National Climatic Data Center, Federal Building, 151 Patton Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801; (828) 271-4800.
Notice on Cost Share Adjustments for Disasters
Pursuant to a final rule issued in 1999 (see the Observer, July 1999, p. 5), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) annually adjusts the statewide per capita threshold used to recommend an increase of the federal cost share from 75 percent to not more than 90 percent of the eligible cost of permanent work under section 406 and emergency work under section 403 and section 407 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act). The adjustment to the threshold is based on the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published annually by the U.S. Department of Labor. For disasters declared on January 1, 2005, through December 31, 2005, the qualifying threshold is $110 of state population. This means that if a disaster is so extraordinary that actual federal obligations under the Stafford Act, excluding FEMA administrative costs, meet or exceed $110 per capita, FEMA may recommend a 90 percent federal/10 percent state cost-share arrangement, as opposed to the normal 75 percent/25 percent requirement.
The complete text of the notice is in the February 1, 2005, Federal Register (Vol. 70, No. 20, p. 5201), which can be found in any federal repository library or online at http://www.access.gpo.gov/. For more information, contact Magda Ruiz, Recovery Division, FEMA, 500 C Street SW, Washington, DC 20472; (202) 646-4066.
New Planning Rule for Management of National Forests and Grasslands
To allow forest managers to adapt more quickly to changing forest conditions and emerging threats, the Forest Service has released a final rule that provides the framework for individual forest management plans governing national forests and grasslands. The rule establishes requirements for sustaining social, economic, and ecological systems and developing, amending, revising, and monitoring land management plans. The intended effects of the rule are to streamline and improve the planning process by making plans more adaptable to changes in social, economic, and environmental conditions; to strengthen the role of science in planning; to strengthen collaborative relationships with the public and other governmental entities; and to reaffirm the principle of sustainable management consistent with the Multiple-Use Sustained-Yield Act and other authorities.
The Forest Service is developing planning directives to set forth the legal authorities, objectives, policy, responsibilities, direction, and overall guidance needed by Forest Service employees and others to use this planning rule. A request for public comment on the Forest Service directives will be published in the Federal Register.
The new rule can be found at http://www.fs.fed.us/emc/nfma/ and in the January 5, 2005, Federal Register (Vol. 70, No. 3, pp. 1023-1061), which is available in any federal repository library or online at http://www.access.gpo.gov/. For additional information, contact Dave Barone, Ecosystem Management Coordination Staff, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Mail Stop 1104, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250–1104; (202) 205-1019.
Citizen Corps Partners with American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Citizen Corps has joined forces with the American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary to help raise public awareness about the importance of emergency preparedness and volunteer service. Through these partnerships, American Legion Posts and American Legion Auxiliary Units across the nation will assist in developing local Citizen Corps Councils to involve citizens in preparedness efforts. This affiliation will also focus on engaging America’s youth in hometown security, elevating Flag Day as a day of citizenship and emergency preparedness, and providing support to Veteran’s Affairs Hospitals in emergency preparedness efforts. For more information about Citizen Corps, visit http://www.citizencorps.gov/. To learn more about the American Legion, visit http://www.legion.org/. And, for more information about the American Legion Auxiliary, visit http://www.legion-aux.org/.
New Alliance Aims to Enhance Public Safety
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is working with the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS) to establish a new communication link with NOAA’s National Weather Service (NWS) to increase public safety through improved dissemination of weather forecasts and warnings. This relationship features a two-way link between NLETS, an interstate law enforcement network, and the NOAA Weather Wire Service, a satellite collection and dissemination system that provides timely delivery of NWS weather information products. An initial evaluation is underway. National implementation is slated for mid-2005. Visit the partners on the Web at http://www.noaa.gov/ and http://www.nlets.org/.
NOAA Introduces Web Mapping Portal
In a continuing effort to improve maritime safety and commerce and to monitor physical changes in weather, oceanographic, and river conditions, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has introduced nowCOAST. nowCOAST is a Web mapping portal that provides real-time coastal observations and NOAA forecasts for major U.S. estuaries and seaports, coastal regions, and the Great Lakes. The portal allows users to specify location, type of observation or forecast, variables (e.g., water level, air temperature, wave height), and time, providing rapid access to a wide range of observational and forecast information. Developed by the NOAA Ocean Service’s Coast Survey Development Laboratory, nowCOAST’s real-time observations include meteorological, oceanographic, hydrological, and water quality data from federal, state, and educational observing networks on land and water. For more information, visit nowCoast on the Web at http://nowcoast.noaa.gov/ or e-mail nowcoast.team@noaa.gov.
Call for Fifth Homeland Security Center of Excellence
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has released a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) calling for proposals to create a university-based Center of Excellence for the Study of High Consequence Event Preparedness and Response. This BAA invites eligible institutions and groups of investigators to form consortia capable of creating and sustaining innovative research and education in emergency preparedness, with special emphasis on acts of terrorism. The center will engage in mission-oriented research to significantly enhance the capabilities of first responders and others. The notice invites colleges and universities to submit full proposals by April 22, 2005. The BAA is accessible at http://www1.eps.gov/spg/DON/ONR/ONR/BAA05-008/listing.html. Read more about the Homeland Security Centers of Excellence at hazlib@colorado.edu (see p. 5 of this Observer).