Utilizing AHIMTs To Manage Recovery Operations

1. Utilizing AHIMTs To Manage Recovery Operations

2. What’s this <Donkey> up to now?

3. What we will talk about… • Traditional AHIMT Deployments • Durability of the Process • Fidelity • Consistency • Accuracy • IMT “Interoperability” • Structure for Concurrent Operations • Expectations and Variances in Operations • Pitfalls / Lessons Learned • Context of this Presentation…

4. The Context…Bastrop County Complex Fire

5. Regional Planning Philosphy… • Planning is always focused on local community needs • “The needs of one community is the need of all communities…” • No single jurisdiction in our region can handle a large-scale event • We consider the expanded “Community” • Region thinks locally • Local thinks regionally

6. Recovery – A Different Perspective

7. Elements • Debris Management • HazMat • Public Health • Donation Management • Volunteers • Animal Support • CISM / Mental Wellness for Responder/Victims • Habitat Preservation and Conservation

8. Simultaneous AHIMT Response and Recovery Ops • Local, State, and Federal Assets Engaged Early for Response (Reimbursed) • Traditional AHIMT Response • 22 Days for 100% Containment • Reimbursement Expected • Local Resources Initially Utilized for Recovery Ops • Initiated 3 days into event • Recovery Plan “Approved” 20 days after start – 2 days before 100% Containment • No Reimbursement Expected for Local Assistance

9. Recovery Operations - Progression Sept. 13 Sept. 14 Sept. 16 Sept. 15 Sept. 12 Sept. 11 Operations Operations Operations Operations Operations Operations Debris Coordinator TDEM Debris Coordinator TDEM Need to Order Debris Management Debris Management Debris Management Debris Coordinator TDEM Local Rep Public Assistance Public Assistance Public Assistance Local Public Assistance Donations Coordinator Local NGO- Central TX VOAD Donations Coordinator Local NGO- Central TX VOAD Public Health Public Health Public Health Debris Coordination Debris Coordination Shelter Coordinator BCFS Shelter Coordinator BCFS Debris Coordination Shelter Coordinator BCFS Victims Assistance Bastrop Co SO Victims Assistance Bastrop Co SO CISM/Victims Assistance Bastrop Co SO Need order TDEM/FEMA Victims Assistance Bastrop Co SO TDEM/FEMA Victims Assistance Bastrop Co SO TDEM/FEMA CISM/Victims Assistance Bastrop Co SO Local MHMR TDEM Road & Bridge Road & Bridge Damage Assessment Local Rep Donations Coordinator County Judge VOAD Coordinator TDEM-ordered VOAD Coordinator TDEM Damage Assessment Local Rep Donations Coordinator County Judge Donations Coordinator Bastrop Co State Rep Donations Coordinator Bastrop Co State Rep Livestock/Pet Coordinator Bastrop Co ACO/ Local Rep Livestock/Pet Coordinator Bastrop Co ACO/ Local Rep PWRT Need to order Overhead Team PWRT Awaiting Overhead Team PWRT PWRT PWRT Animal Support Local Habitat Preservation HAZMAT TCEQ Local Rep Habitat Preservation HAZMAT TCEQ Local Rep Habitat Preservation HAZMAT TCEQ Local Rep VOAD Coordinator TDEM VOAD Coordinator Local VOAD Coordinator Local VOAD Coordinator TDEM

10. Recovery Operations - Leadership

11. Lessons Learned

12. New Language

14. New Language for Us! • “Preservation” • “Conservation” • “Restoration” • “Regulation” • “Mitigation” • “Cranial Copulation”

15. The Team… • Leadership and Follow-ship • Elected Officials • Team Members / Public Officials • Relevance of Previous Education • No Assumptions Made on Training • Educate in Every Interaction • Teach the Process While Creating the Product • Consistency Creates Stability

17. Simultaneous Ops - 1 • EMC = UC • Continuity • Coordination • ICP • Response Operations • In Convention Center • EOC • Recovery Operations • In Tent “…down the hill…”

18. Simultaneous Operations - 2 “Opportunities” IAP vs. EOC OAP

19. IAP vs. EOC OAP W T F Wilco Task Force

20. Simultaneous Operations - 2 “Opportunities” IAP vs. EOC OAP

21. Simultaneous Operations - 2 “Opportunities” IAP vs. EOC OAP

22. Simultaneous Ops - 3 “Opportunities” Confusion of Roles… • Identification • Titles • Signs • Vests • Shirts…

24. Simultaneous Ops - 4 “Opportunities” • Environment • Tent • Response Apparatus • Uniforms It looked like response…

25. Simultaneous Ops - 5 “Opportunities” • Shared Resources • JIC • GIS • Elected Officials • Public Officials “Incident Schizophrenia”

26. Process • Planning P and Schedules Posted • Run the Meetings for the Group • New Team Members Educated Prior to the Meeting • “We will meet you afterwards to discuss…” • Take the time to educate – without distraction • Stuck to the Process…the plan would change…

27. Accountability

28. Success / Opportunities

29. Keep It Simple

30. Take Home Messages • Integrate with Other Teams • Watch Nomenclature / Appearance • Educate…Educate…Educate the Jurisdiction • Be Patient as Learning Occurs • Stop and Assess Progress with Other IMT Leadership

31. Teamwork / Multitasking

32. Take Home Message • The Process is Enduring…the plan is variable • The Process is like a VW…

34. Take Home Message • Fidelity is Key • Communication of Expectations is Critical • Coordinate with “Counterparts” • Interoperability – Knowing the process and following it allows easy transition of personnel

35. How did we make this all happen?

36. The Jurisdiction • Mike Fisher Knows AHIMT Capabilities • The Jurisdiction Was Better Prepared • Required Local (Regional) Involvement Be Present for Mutual Benefits • Interested in Historical Value • Followed the Plan…and Planning Process • Trusted the Team

37. In ClosingRecovery is about local control and guidance…identify who is the authority and who has the responsibility…Normalize Operations

38. Sometimes, the lessons are not easy... “I have always enjoyed learning, I just don’t like being taught.” Winston Churchill

40. Questions?

41. There’s no time to think when all hell breaks loose, but there’s plenty of time to prepare for it. Joseph PetroU.S. Secret Service (Ret)