Newsletter Vol. 4 May 2009
Inside this issue
1. From the Deputy Director
2. Training
3. Exercises
4. ABCDP & DEM
5. Mitigation Plan
6. ECC Plan
7. Homeland Security
From the Deputy Director:
There are a number of exciting and challenging projects that DEM is working on that are being addressed in individual staff inputs onto this bulletin board. Several of the note worthy items are; Homeland Security Audit by the State Auditors Office, working further with Regional Health District with the H1N1 (Swine) flue planning process and evaluation of the local incident, a re-write of the Emergency Coordination Center/ECC (formally the Emergency Operations Center/EOC) plan, collecting data and support documentation for the Federally Declared Disaster (winter 2008/09) and now that mother nature is cooperating and giving us that break, we are continuing our efforts in completing the review and update to the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (http://spokaneprepares.org/SpokaneCEMP.php)
The position of Washington State Homeland Security Region 9 Coordinator is in process and applicants have been advised of their individual standings. We are hoping to have this position filled by August 1, 2009.
Remember, preparedness starts with you. How prepared are you?
There are a number of exciting and challenging projects that DEM is working on that are being addressed in individual staff inputs onto this bulletin board. Several of the note worthy items are; Homeland Security Audit by the State Auditors Office, working further with Regional Health District with the H1N1 (Swine) flue planning process and evaluation of the local incident, a re-write of the Emergency Coordination Center/ECC (formally the Emergency Operations Center/EOC) plan, collecting data and support documentation for the Federally Declared Disaster (winter 2008/09) and now that mother nature is cooperating and giving us that break, we are continuing our efforts in completing the review and update to the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (http://spokaneprepares.org/SpokaneCEMP.php)
The position of Washington State Homeland Security Region 9 Coordinator is in process and applicants have been advised of their individual standings. We are hoping to have this position filled by August 1, 2009.
Remember, preparedness starts with you. How prepared are you?
Training
The training plan is completed for 2009 and will be reviewed at the training and exercise meeting. The plan is based on the target capabilities including lessons learn from events and exercises of the past two years. More information on target capabilities can be found at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/odp/assessments/hspd8.htm. The training course can be found at http://demcalendar.blogspot.com/. If you have comments, please contact Lisa Jameson.
Capabilities Recommendations
Prevention Mission Area:
CBRNE Detection
Outcome: Chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and/or explosive (CBRNE) materials are rapidly detected and characterized at borders and ports of entry, critical locations, events, and incidents.
Threat & Risk Assessment , PMC, AWR 160, IS 821
Outcome: Chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and/or explosive (CBRNE) materials are rapidly detected and characterized at borders and ports of entry, critical locations, events, and incidents.
Threat & Risk Assessment , PMC, AWR 160, IS 821
Response Mission Area:
Explosive Devise Response Operations
Outcome: Threat assessments are conducted, the explosive and/or hazardous devices are rendered safe, and the area is cleared of hazards. Measures are implemented in the following priority order: ensure public safety; safeguard the officers on the scene (including the bomb technician); collect and preserve evidence; protect and preserve public and private property; and restore public services.
Bomb sqad identified training needs, AWR 103/PER 201, NCBRT, IRTB
Outcome: Threat assessments are conducted, the explosive and/or hazardous devices are rendered safe, and the area is cleared of hazards. Measures are implemented in the following priority order: ensure public safety; safeguard the officers on the scene (including the bomb technician); collect and preserve evidence; protect and preserve public and private property; and restore public services.
Bomb sqad identified training needs, AWR 103/PER 201, NCBRT, IRTB
Emergency Operations Center Management
Outcome: The event is effectively managed through multi-agency coordination for a pre-planned or no-notice event.
IS 230, IS 235, IS 701, IS 703, DEM 201, MGT 312, MGT 340, G775, G191,
Emergency Public Information and Warning
Outcome: Government agencies and public and private sector entities receive and transmit coordinated, prompt, useful, and reliable information regarding threats to their health, safety, and property, through clear, consistent information-delivery systems. This information is updated regularly and outlines protective measures that can be taken by individuals and their communities.
IS 242, IS 250, IS 702, E388
Onsite Incident Management
Outcome: The event is managed safely, effectively, and efficiently through the common framework of the ICS.
IS 700, IS800, ICS 100, ICS 300, ICS 400, G191
Emergency Public Safety and Security Response
Outcome: The incident scene is assessed and secured; access is controlled; security support is provided to other response operations (and related critical locations, facilities, and resources); emergency public information is provided while protecting first responders and mitigating any further public risks; and any crime/incident scene preservation issues are addressed.
PMC, AWR 160, DEM 134
Responder Safety and Health
Outcome: No illnesses or injury to any first responder, first receiver, medical facility staff member, or other skilled support personnel as a result of preventable exposure to secondary trauma, chemical/radiological release, infectious disease, or physical and emotional stress after the initial incident or during decontamination and incident follow-up.
Individual Organizations deem appropriate measures based on perfomance levels
Emergency Triage and Pre-Hospital Treatment
Outcome: Emergency Medical Services (EMS) resources are effectively and appropriately dispatched and provide pre-hospital triage, treatment, transport, tracking of patients, and documentation of care appropriate for the incident, while maintaining the capabilities of the EMS system for continued operations.
IS 703, PER 304, DEM 134
Medical Surge
Outcome: Injured or ill from the event are rapidly and appropriately cared for. Continuity of care is maintained for non-incident related illness or injury.
PER 304, DEM 134
Outcome: Injured or ill from the event are rapidly and appropriately cared for. Continuity of care is maintained for non-incident related illness or injury.
PER 304, DEM 134
Fatality Management
Outcome: Complete documentation and recovery of human remains and items of evidence (except in cases where the health risks posed to personnel outweigh the benefits of recovery of remains). Remains receive surface decontamination (if indicated) and, unless catastrophic circumstances dictate otherwise, are examined, identified, and released to the next-of-kin’s funeral home with a complete certified death certificate. Reports of missing persons and ante mortem data are efficiently collected. Victims’ family members receive updated information prior to the media release. All hazardous material regulations are reviewed and any restrictions on the transportation and disposition of remains are made clear by those with the authority and responsibility to establish the standards. Law enforcement agencies are given all information needed to investigate and prosecute the case successfully. Families are provided incident-specific support services.
Mass Fatality Victim Identification Seminar
Outcome: Complete documentation and recovery of human remains and items of evidence (except in cases where the health risks posed to personnel outweigh the benefits of recovery of remains). Remains receive surface decontamination (if indicated) and, unless catastrophic circumstances dictate otherwise, are examined, identified, and released to the next-of-kin’s funeral home with a complete certified death certificate. Reports of missing persons and ante mortem data are efficiently collected. Victims’ family members receive updated information prior to the media release. All hazardous material regulations are reviewed and any restrictions on the transportation and disposition of remains are made clear by those with the authority and responsibility to establish the standards. Law enforcement agencies are given all information needed to investigate and prosecute the case successfully. Families are provided incident-specific support services.
Mass Fatality Victim Identification Seminar
If you have any questions regarding emergency management training, please contact Lisa Jameson at 509-477-3029.
Exercises:
The recent H1N1 Public Health focused incident provided a good opportunity to review our plans, partnership, and responsibilities. I will be working closely with our Public Health partners at Spokane Regional Health District on our communities Lessons Learned (LL) and After Action Reports (AAR). In a related effort, DEM participated with our muti-discipline partners on May 18th in the Health Care Coalition sponsored tabletop exercise, RAMSES III. The exercise focused on mass casualties, mass fatalities, forward movement of patients, alternate care facilities, and other medical surge related requirements. We are working to include the issues identified in both events with our other incident and exercise LL/AAR’s.
Our quarterly Regional Training and Exercise committee meets on Tuesday, June 9th and is focusing on the following areas:
· Review/discuss draft WA State Training and Exercise Plan (attached below)
· Review/discuss long range training plan
· Review/discuss IED Exercise series
· Review AAR/IP actions (exercise and incidents)
If you have any questions about these projects or meetings, please contact Darrell at 477-3006 or druby@spokanecounty.org.
The recent H1N1 Public Health focused incident provided a good opportunity to review our plans, partnership, and responsibilities. I will be working closely with our Public Health partners at Spokane Regional Health District on our communities Lessons Learned (LL) and After Action Reports (AAR). In a related effort, DEM participated with our muti-discipline partners on May 18th in the Health Care Coalition sponsored tabletop exercise, RAMSES III. The exercise focused on mass casualties, mass fatalities, forward movement of patients, alternate care facilities, and other medical surge related requirements. We are working to include the issues identified in both events with our other incident and exercise LL/AAR’s.
Our quarterly Regional Training and Exercise committee meets on Tuesday, June 9th and is focusing on the following areas:
· Review/discuss draft WA State Training and Exercise Plan (attached below)
· Review/discuss long range training plan
· Review/discuss IED Exercise series
· Review AAR/IP actions (exercise and incidents)
If you have any questions about these projects or meetings, please contact Darrell at 477-3006 or druby@spokanecounty.org.
ABCDP and DEM.
Gerry Bozarth, Disaster Recovery/Business Continuity
I am the DEM representative to the Alliance for Business Continuity & Disaster Preparedness (ABCDP). The ABCDP has been an active group in our community for many years and speaks on behalf of business for disaster planning, preparedness, continuity, and response. Another role is assisting businesses when they are in crisis. The Co-Chairs are John Ames of I.T. Lifeline and Randi Rich of Avista. The After Action Review from the Winter Storm noted that the ABCDP and businesses could improve their communication to those businesses affected during and after a disaster. While an attempt to utilize the media in contacting businesses suffering damage was not effective. Many of those businesses with significant damage could have benefited from the ABCDP’s expertise.
Gerry Bozarth, Disaster Recovery/Business Continuity
I am the DEM representative to the Alliance for Business Continuity & Disaster Preparedness (ABCDP). The ABCDP has been an active group in our community for many years and speaks on behalf of business for disaster planning, preparedness, continuity, and response. Another role is assisting businesses when they are in crisis. The Co-Chairs are John Ames of I.T. Lifeline and Randi Rich of Avista. The After Action Review from the Winter Storm noted that the ABCDP and businesses could improve their communication to those businesses affected during and after a disaster. While an attempt to utilize the media in contacting businesses suffering damage was not effective. Many of those businesses with significant damage could have benefited from the ABCDP’s expertise.
In response, the ABCDP approached local business organizations such as Greater Spokane Inc,, the Downtown Partnership, and the Better Business Bureau to name a few in the hopes of finding a solution to the commutation gap. A new advisory group has been formed to facilitate this improvement.
Business Continuity Advisory Group
Purpose: Serve as conduit between government emergency management personnel and business to facilitate dissemination of appropriate information to business, coordination of necessary business assistance, and informed decision making by Government officials in response to crisis situations.
Greater Spokane Incorporated (GSI) will coordinate with other regional business organizations to ensure appropriate engagement using the following envisioned structure / process:
1. Emergency situation arises necessitating business awareness and/or asistance/involvement;
2. Emergency management officials, working through the Alliance for Business Continuity, contact the Business continuity Advisory Group (BCAG) via Greater Spokane Incorporated.
3. Greater Spokane Incorporated analyzes situation, consults with appropriate BCAG members, determines the appropriate response / informs other BCAG members / helps implement necessary action. Likely scenarios for engagement of business community include:
a. Physical participation of BCAG membership as part of County Crisis Action Team (Infrequently, i.e., during declared emergencies)
b. Dissemination of information to inform business community during crisis situations (i.e., official information to inform of epidemic, fire, etc.)
c. Assistance for businesses affected during crisis (i.e., temporary access to phone / desk / internet, operating location, etc.);
d. Providing “voice of business” to inform Government official decision-making during times of crisis.
This newly formed advisory group and the proposed process should alleviate many of the problems affected businesses incurred during the last activation of the ECC.
Contact the ABCDP at http://www.spokaneprepares.org/ or John Ames at james@itlifeline.net for more information.
Mitigation Plan
DEM is conducting our annual review of the All Hazard Multi-Jurisdictional Mitigation Plan at the June Disaster Council meeting. This is a good opportunity to share with our partners previously identified priorities and recommended actions to help mitigate some of the annual hazards our community faces. Some of those hazards (not in priority order) are: wildland fire, winter storm, pandemic preparedness, HAZMAT, flood, terrorism, etc. The current mitigation plan http://www.spokanecounty.org/data/emergencymanagement/mp/SpokaneCountyMitigationPlanFinalApril2007.pdf
ECC Plan
The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) plan is currently being reviewed and updated. In conjunction with plan changes from the recent winter storm, H1N1, and past exercises is a name change to Emergency Coordination Center (ECC). Although this is a somewhat subtle name change, we believe it better reflects our role to coordinate resources and requirements. The ECC is established to coordinate support for response and recovery to incident (s) in support of multi-agency and multi-jurisdictional emergencies in Spokane County.
The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) plan is currently being reviewed and updated. In conjunction with plan changes from the recent winter storm, H1N1, and past exercises is a name change to Emergency Coordination Center (ECC). Although this is a somewhat subtle name change, we believe it better reflects our role to coordinate resources and requirements. The ECC is established to coordinate support for response and recovery to incident (s) in support of multi-agency and multi-jurisdictional emergencies in Spokane County.
Homeland Security
Following is an update on recent committee activities related to the Homeland Security Grant Program:
Local State Homeland Security Planning (SHSP) Committee – May 5, 2009
· Received status report on SHSP Grant funded projects for FY07 and FY08
· Approved reallocating remaining FY07 funds to equipment projects
· Discussed sustainment costs
· Next meeting August 2009
Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS) Committee – May 20, 2009
· Received report on up-coming training classes
· Discussed H1N1 Response
· Received status report on grant funded projects for FY07 and FY08
· Received an update on Pharmaceutical Projects
· Shared information on area exercise plans
· Spokane DEM will host the next State MMRS meeting on July 15th
· Next meeting – June 17th, 2009
Region 9 Homeland Security Meeting – April 29, 2009
· Received a report on the jurisdictions represented by each Region 9 member.
· Discussed H1N1 Response.
· Reviewed proposed funding methodology options and provided Region 9’s recommendation for FY2010 to Washington State EMD.
· Approved reallocating remaining FY07 funds, a share to each County in Region 9.
· Received an update from DEM on the status of planning projects and the Regional Coordinator position.
· Received information from Chris Barnes regarding developing a Northwest Preparedness Coalition. Chris also shared information on a free FEMA course available on Emergency Planning for Special Needs Communities. He is exploring brining the course to our community.
· Next meeting – May 27th
Citizen Corps Planning Meeting – May 14, 2009.
· Received update on FY07 project allocations and expenditures
· Reviewed and approved FY08 projects
For more information, contact:
Kristine Glasgow, Homeland Security Grants Administrator
(509) 477-7603
KGlasgow@Spokanecounty.org
Local State Homeland Security Planning (SHSP) Committee – May 5, 2009
· Received status report on SHSP Grant funded projects for FY07 and FY08
· Approved reallocating remaining FY07 funds to equipment projects
· Discussed sustainment costs
· Next meeting August 2009
Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS) Committee – May 20, 2009
· Received report on up-coming training classes
· Discussed H1N1 Response
· Received status report on grant funded projects for FY07 and FY08
· Received an update on Pharmaceutical Projects
· Shared information on area exercise plans
· Spokane DEM will host the next State MMRS meeting on July 15th
· Next meeting – June 17th, 2009
Region 9 Homeland Security Meeting – April 29, 2009
· Received a report on the jurisdictions represented by each Region 9 member.
· Discussed H1N1 Response.
· Reviewed proposed funding methodology options and provided Region 9’s recommendation for FY2010 to Washington State EMD.
· Approved reallocating remaining FY07 funds, a share to each County in Region 9.
· Received an update from DEM on the status of planning projects and the Regional Coordinator position.
· Received information from Chris Barnes regarding developing a Northwest Preparedness Coalition. Chris also shared information on a free FEMA course available on Emergency Planning for Special Needs Communities. He is exploring brining the course to our community.
· Next meeting – May 27th
Citizen Corps Planning Meeting – May 14, 2009.
· Received update on FY07 project allocations and expenditures
· Reviewed and approved FY08 projects
For more information, contact:
Kristine Glasgow, Homeland Security Grants Administrator
(509) 477-7603
KGlasgow@Spokanecounty.org
