All Hazard Incidents

1. All Hazard Incidents Overview of the National Response Framework and the Role of Wildland Fire Agencies In Disaster Response

2. John Caffin Regional Emergency Operations Specialist Southern Region - U.S. Forest Service jcaffin@fs.fed.us 404-915-3083 (cell)

3. Objectives Create a base level understanding for all team members, concerning the National Response Framework. Recognize organizational structures and key roles within FEMA. Understand the primary and support role of wildland fire agencies during Disasters and Emergencies.

4. When it comes to all hazard… How long have we been responding to (all hazard) events?

5. 1906 San Francisco Earthquake Documented in a letter to “The Forester”, Gifford Pinchot.

6. Assignments In support of FEMA, IMT’s were traditionally assigned logistical support duties during natural disasters such as hurricanes. During the 1990’s, IMTs were used to support earthquake responses (Northridge), domestic terrorism incidents (OK City bombing), and special events (Olympics), but mostly for hurricanes.

7. Communications Support Receiving and Distribution Material Management Action Planning

12. Federal Emergency Assistance • The President may direct any Federal Agency, with or without reimbursement, to utilize the authorities and resources granted to it under Federal Law, in support of State, local and tribal emergency assistance efforts to save lives, protect property and public health and safety, and lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe.

13. Authorities • Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. 42 USC 521. (Public Law 93-288, as amended) • Title 44 of the Code of Federal Regulations (44 CFR) • National Response Framework (NRF) • Executive Orders (EO) • FEMA Regulations and Policies • Other Federal Agency Statutory Authorities and Programs.

14. National Response Framework • Replaced the National Response Plan in September of 2007 • “Establishes a comprehensive all-hazards approach to enhance the ability of the U.S. to manage domestic incidents.”

15. National Response Framework • Signed by 29 federal departments and agencies and 3 non-governmental organizations • Other federal agencies outside DHS can be tasked • National – not just Federal • Contingency based • Addresses all types of hazards

16. NRF – Emergency Support Functions • The NRF employs a functional approach that groups agencies into 15 ESF’s to provide types of direct assistance that a State is most likely to need (e.g., firefighting, urban search and rescue, mass care, as well as the kinds of Federal operations support necessary to sustain Federal response actions (e.g., transportation, communications).

17. ESF Annexes to the NRF • ESF #1 – Transportation (DOT) • ESF #2 – Communications (DHS-NCS) • ESF #3 – Public Works and Engineering (COE) • ESF #4 – Firefighting (USFS) • ESF #5 – Emergency Management (FEMA) • ESF #6 – Mass Care, Housing & Human Services (FEMA, ARC) • ESF #7 – Resource Support (GSA) • ESF #8 – Public Health and Medical Services (HHS)

18. ESF Annexes to the NRF • ESF #9 – Urban Search and Rescue (DHS-USAR and DOI) • ESF #10 – Oil & Hazardous Materials (EPA) • ESF #11 – Agriculture & Natural Resources (USDA) • ESF #12 – Energy (DOE) • ESF #13 – Public Safety & Security (DOJ) • ESF #14 – Long-term Community Recovery & Mitigation (FEMA) • ESF #15 – External Affairs (DHS)

19. ESF Support – Department of Agriculture • The Forest Service is listed as the ESF Coordinator and Primary Agency for ESF #4 • The Forest Service is also listed as a support agency for 11 of the other ESF’s

20. ESF Support – Department of Interior • DOI has a primary role on ESF#9 for inland wilderness search and rescue • DOI has a primary role on ESF#11 for natural, cultural, and historic sites. USDA is the Coordinator for ESF#11 (Agriculture and Natural Resources). • DOI is also listed as a support agency for 11 of the other ESF’s.

21. Example - ESF # 1Transportation(see handout – Briefing Paper) • FS and DOI are support agencies • Specific mission is: • “Provides transportation assets when Forest Service assets are the most effective method.”

23. COMPARING ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURES FEMA STATE GACC/USFS NATIONAL NRCC National Response Coordination Center (aka EST, HQ) NIFC/WO National Fire Center /Washington Office REGIONAL RRCC Regional Response Coordination Center (aka ROC) SACC/RO Southern Area Coord. Center /Regional Office (fire aka SACC) STATE JFO Joint Field Office (aka DFO) SEOC State Emergency Operations Center SICC/SO State IA Coord. Center /Supervisors Office (aka State/Forest)

24. Joint Field Office Collectively this group is called the JFO coordination group

25. A few other DHS abbreviations IMAT – Incident Management Assistance Team (old Emergency Response Team or ERT) RFA – Request For Assistance MA – Mission Assignment ISB – Incident Support Base (old staging areas such as NLSA, LSA, or OSA)

26. Key Points for Federal WildlandFire Agencies • Our involvement is not optional!! • We work for the President & the Secretaries of Agriculture & Interior and various State Governors, and they have committed us to emergency response. • Overall, a good experience for employees. The work is rewarding and exposure to other agencies carries many benefits. • Extended missions can be a severe burden on our agencies.

27. All Hazard Doctrine NIMS is the foundation of the Agency’s response organization. We will train other agencies to build their NIMS capabilities. We support all-hazard responses by providing trained personnel Support will be consistent with core skills, capabilities, and training. Employees must be informed and trained to do all-hazard response in a safe, efficient, and effective manner. Conduct a thorough mission analysis of every all-hazard request before committing people Provide appropriate risk mitigations

28. All Hazard Doctrine All employees will be supported and managed by an Agency leader or interagency Incident Management Team. Employee expertise is best used in the incident emergency response phase The USFS must meet its primary agency mission first, the Emergency Support Function-4 (ESF-4) mission, and then provide what ever support possible to the other ESF missions. We will respond when human life is at risk when responders are capable of assisting without undue risk to themselves or others. www.fema.gov/emergency/nrf http://gacc.nifc.gov/sacc

31. Questions??

32. Thank you for your time!

33. John Caffin Regional Emergency Operations Specialist Southern Region - U.S. Forest Service jcaffin@fs.fed.us 404-915-3083 (cell)