1. Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan Development or Update / Rewrite

Other on-site education programs for local or state staff include:

Developing, writing strategic workplans; Developing hazard vulnerability and risk assessments; Exercise design; EOC management; Development of EOC operations manual and staff position checklists based on the Incident Command System; Damage assessment.

2. Local or State Emergency Management Program Review

Using a program evaluation tool that ERI developed for Tennessee and Florida, ERI will work with the local and/or state emergency management agency to develop a program profile to identify current status of the program.

The report will identify program areas needing immediate (first year) development, updating, or improvement, and those elements to be accomplished during the second year, and so on. Staff and budget requirements are recommended.

3. Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) Review

Detailed local or state comprehensive emergency management plan review using federal guidelines, disaster research, case studies. Detailed report identifies projected shortfalls and adequacy of procedures, agreements, capabilities and responsibilities. Areas needing immediate development, updating, improvement are identified.

4. CEM Strategic Planning for Local or State Government

The fundamental goal of emergency management is to create and maintain an effective organization to prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from major threats. Strategic workplans are not effective unless they are supported by people and a process brought together by good management skills.

This ERI service and program will enable local or state emergency managers to:

• Evaluate current status of the local and/or state program to include hazard/risk assessment, capability assessment, current trends and conditions.
• Establish a "blueprint" for a comprehensive emergency management program based on local or state government needs.
• Develop strategies for local/state/federal performance partnerships.
• Develop a 1 to 3 year workplan to improve emergency management (based on a self evaluation questionnaire); Accomplish goal setting and management by objectives; Implement multi-year strategic/work planning.
• Document progress, measure performance yearly (or by month/quarter).
• Stimulate executive and legislative support; Justify the need for an all-hazards approach.
• Develop the local/state or state/federal Partnership Performance Agreement (PPA) and Cooperative Agreement (CA).

5. Local and/or State Hazard Vulnerability Assessment (HVA)

Benefits: Confusing and often overlapping assessment requirements and guidance is consolidated and simplified. Existing Cooperative Agreement (CA) requirements for conducting hazard assessment studies are combined, reduced and/or simplified. Local and/or state programs will be built on actual threats and capabilities rather than speculation.

The ERI report/study produced by this project will:

• Identify, categorize, and subdivide the variety of hazards which influence the comprehensive emergency planning process.
• Outline the step-by-step process (using easily filled out forms) used to develop the comprehensive hazard / vulnerability analysis.
• Indicate capabilities, shortfalls, and recommendations.
• Provide a single, easy to follow consolidated hazard assessment guide and workbook for local or state officials.

Report Content:

Part One -The Community At Risk: Jurisdictional data; Hazards identification (natural, technological, civil / political); Geographic / demographic features; Risk map / risk calendar; Primary and secondary effects.

Part Two -Community Analysis: Impact (people, property, economy, and environment); Resources required (human and equipment); Agencies impacted (emergency, non-emergency, volunteer).

Part Three -Community Capabilities: Shortfalls; Proposed remedies; Benefit / cost.

Additional Benefits: Can be, in part, the basis for developing strategic work plans. Local and state emergency response, recovery activities are driven by the same assessment format and data categories. Local and state preparedness activities are more clearly defined. Training and exercising efforts are maximized through accurate local and/or state HVA data analysis. Capabilities, shortfalls, and recommendations are summarized.

6. Integrated Mitigation Management Planning

A review and study of the jurisdiction's mitigation efforts and programs. Federal, state laws and regulations are summarized. Funding and assistance sources are indicated. End product is a "mitigation annex" for the jurisdiction's emergency plan.

ERI's Mitigation Plan Outline

I. Introduction

• Purpose
• Situation
• Scope
• History
• Authority

II. Policy

III. Organizations & Responsibility

• Federal
• State
• Local
• Non-Government

IV. Mitigation Goals, Strategies, Tactics

• Pre-Disaster
• Post-Disaster

V. Appendices, References

7. Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Review

Review of the organization, structure, operating and staff procedures, layout, physical plant. The report will provide an analysis of the current facility using federal guidelines. Existing equipment, space, layout, displays, staffing, procedures are reviewed. Shortfalls and improvements needed are indicated.

8. Development of a Local or State EOC / ICS Operations Manual and Staff Position Checklists

Scope of Work to Include: Review of the local or state Emergency Operations Center (EOC) organization / structure. Development of EOC/ICS interface program and structure. Establish or revise EOC operating procedures. Review or development of staff action guides (SOPs) for EOC staff based on ICS. Crisis management training and exercising for key personnel who will be expected to activate the center and manage disaster response, recovery operations.

9. Establishment of a Local and/or State Government"Crisis Monitoring Program."

Disaster planning and plans usually do not address the concept of response "thresholds," i.e. what conditions will cause the activation of response, recovery plans and at what level? A proactive strategy in "threshold planning" is the development and implementation of a "crisis monitoring" program consisting of plan activation triggers and levels. Decision making aids and guidelines are developed for use by officials and EOC staff to make plan activation and policy decisions, and for use as the scope, severity of an emergency/disaster escalates. By using a gradated scale for disaster assessment, and by developing staff action guides (tactics) for response and recovery from the policies contained in the local or state's emergency plan (strategy), a local or state will be able to implement and maintain a proactive rather than a reactive approach to disaster response and recovery. Operational procedures, in part, should contain strategies and decisions on mobilization, movement, assignment and pre-positioning of equipment and people.

Benefits: Local or state government operational readiness and response is enhanced; The local or state EOC is "always open;" Specific emergency functions and resource levels are identified (staff actions); Resource activation and response are driven by a single "threshold" plan; Local, state and federal resources are linked by parallel "time phased staff action guides" using the same threshold activation system; Request and activation of supplemental resources from outside the local or state jurisdiction are maximized and delays are reduced.

End Products Include: A local or state government "Crisis Monitoring and Threshold Planning Guidance Workbook;" Workshops for local or state government staff; A clear organizational system that outlines responsibilities at all levels of government; A sequence and hierarchy of staff action guides that tie the Federal Response Plan, state, and local Comprehensive Emergency Management Plans together.

Elements: Identifies, outlines the steps required for monitoring any impending crisis at the local or state level; Recommendations for business/industry; Develops a format/content and system design for a standardized crisis monitoring program that builds on disaster plan activation by threshold concept; Provides easy to follow emergency thresholds and staff action guides for hazard specific events that tie resource application and specific responsibilities together at every agency and government level.

Related Programs and Products: Disaster Planning; Hazard Vulnerability Analysis; Risk Assessment; Damage Assessment Program; EOC Development and Management.

10. Disaster Needs Assessment & Damage Assessment Forms Workbook and Guidance Training

Benefits: A standardized system and process is developed that will determine immediate disaster needs, and the extent or magnitude of a disaster. Workbook and instructional guidance consolidates and simplifies the process and eliminates duplication of effort. Critical facilities and resource needs are identified. Priorities and need for outside assistance are quickly established. Response and recovery activities are driven by the same assessment procedures at all levels. Community preparedness activities for recovery are focused, and during response are consistent with needs and programs at state and federal levels.

End products of this project will provide:

• A data base format (using Census Tiger Files) on needs and damages in a disaster area, both prior to and after impact that will drive crisis monitoring and threshold response levels for local or state resource acquisition, mutual aid and outside assistance.
• A single, easy to follow comprehensive damage assessment guide and workbook for local and/or state jurisdictions.
• A local and/or statewide damage assessment system that will meet the needs of local and state elected officials in the emergency declaration / request for assistance process, and also the disaster impact analysis required by state and federal agencies.

11. Public Officials Conferences

Topics include:

• Elements of the CEM program.
• Why a community emergency management program?
• Why plan?
• Legal liabilities and trends in the courts.
• Lessons learned from Disaster Research.
• Public expectations.
• Strategies for success.

Delivered by ERI staff, or ERI provides a train-the-trainer for delivery by state staff.

12. Training Course Introduction to Community Emergency Management

A 1-day "Managing Emergency Operations" course for public officials, private and public agencies, and emergency/disaster workers. Attendees will learn "how they fit" into a local and/or state emergency management program, the disaster planning process, and "how they can make a difference" during emergency/disaster operations. Delivered by ERI staff, or ERI provides a train-the-trainer for delivery by state staff.

(See the section on "Emergency Management Training Programs" contained on this web site)

13. Varied Training Opportunities Tailored to a Local or State Government's Needs

Topics include:

• Managing Emergency Operations (MEO).
• MEO for Emergency Workers.
• How to Develop a Hazards Assessment.
• Mitigation Planning.
• Strategic Planning and Self-Assessment (How to Write Strategic Workplans).
• Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan / SOP Development (How to Write Plans).
• Disaster Planning for Business and Industry, Critical Facilities, Schools, etc.
• Exercise Design.
• Crisis Monitoring.
• How to Establish and Implement a Damage Assessment Program.
• EOC Management; EOC / ICS Interface.
• EOC Extended Operations.
• Incident Command System (ICS).
• Recovery Planning.
• Post-Disaster Redevelopment Planning.
• Funding the Program: Grant Writing and Alternative Funding Strategies.

Delivered by ERI staff, or ERI provides a train-the-trainer for delivery by state staff.

See the section on "Emergency Management Training Opportunities" contained this web site.

Course outlines and costs available upon request.

14. Establishment of an Emergency Management Council

Coordinate the establishment of an Emergency Management Council to include delegation of responsibilities and functions. Facilitate the first meeting. Subsequent meetings are planned and scheduled with the direction and goals of the organization firmly established by the Executive.

3. Community Emergency Management (CEM): A Presentation for Public Officials

(Also see Terrorism Section on this Web Site)

Course Objectives

Assessing terrorist threats (Develop a HVA).
Terrorism awareness and recognition.
Orientation for officials.
Orientation for first responders.
Strategic planning considerations.
Scene safety considerations.
Scene decision making.
Concepts of EOC / ICS interface.

Target Audience

Public Officials.
Emergency Management Directors, Personnel.
Public Safety Executives.
Public Safety First Responders: EMS, Law Enforcement, Fire.
Facility Managers: Schools, Hospitals, etc.
Business and Industry.
All Participants in the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan.

Course Overview

Contemporary Issues in Terrorism: Foreign and domestic threat; Lessons learned--New York World Trade Center, Oklahoma City.

Analyzing the Community Preparedness for Terrorist Threats, Events: Public perception of terrorism and the unknown; Difference between a man-made and natural catastrophic disasters; A new philosophy and concept for emergency management, re: terrorism; Community emergency management / integrated emergency management system; The emergency manager role, responsibility; General requirements--professionalism, leadership; Legal aspects; Use of technology.

Developing a Community Emergency Operations Plan: "The Worst Case Scenario - Terrorism:" Designing a local emergency management committee; Hazard analysis--collateral events; Mitigation and mitigation strategies; Disaster scene as a "crime scene;" Site safety and security re: a terrorist event; Disaster planning--the process and the document; Developing staff action guides; Creating interagency coordination and cooperation; Local, county, state, and federal response mandates re: a terrorism threat / event; Emergency / disaster resources for terrorism--identification, training, categories; Exercise design--building a complete program; External influences--media, family, relatives, politics; Emergency preparedness education and information.

Components of an Effective Disaster Organization: Direction, control, organization, policy; Communication and warning; Defining levels of alert re: terrorist threat, event; On-site management and logistics; EOC activation and management; Ability to relocate as result of terrorist activity; Evacuation strategies--planning for reality; Psychological problems for victims and responders unique to a terrorist event; Disaster assistance and recovery; Demobilization; Post disaster activities.

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Incident Command System (ICS)

Managing Field Operations: Introduction to Incident Command System

Emergency operations management at the scene is concerned with minute-to-minute tactical decision making and problem solving by matching resource capabilities to priority needs. The basic foundation for any effective on-scene management capability has got to be adequate communication and coordination with the communities emergency operations center and/or central dispatch center. In a disaster with multiple emergency sites, this is the only way that disaster priorities and resource demands can be met. By utilizing the most up-to-date text materials, case studies and research documents, plus the combined experience / knowledge of the instructors and course participants, a maximum positive learning environment is created and further enhanced by the use of practical problem solving exercises. Designed to be a 8-hour course, but can be a 4, 12, or 16-hour course, depending upon the numbers of class exercises and other supportive video case studies utilized.

This course is designed to provide the participant with knowledge about emergency/disaster field operations that will enable an incident manager (commander) to direct the work efforts of others in a more coordinated and efficient manner.

Course Content: The philosophy and concepts of effective emergency operations; Blueprint for community emergency management; Incident commander: Job and responsibilities; Lessons learned from the disaster research; Emergency/disaster resources; Planning: Development of an agency, organization response plan; Development of direction and control; First notice, situation analysis, determining urgency; On-scene management, principles of incident command; Role of the emergency operations center; Legal issues; Dealing with the media; Relevant federal legislation, rules, standards.

Basic (Introduction) Incident Command System

Discover the need, purpose and benefits of implementing the ICS concepts in managing any type of emergency situation. Learn the ICS operating requirements, major components and organization structure of an effective ICS, and how ICS interfaces with an established emergency operations center. Course content includes: Principle features of ICS as an incident/event management system; Organizational elements within each function of ICS and duties, terminology, staffing considerations, and reporting relationships; Incident planning process, development of incident objectives, strategy/tactics, operational periods, planning meetings; Multi-jurisdiction and/or multi-agency unified command. 8-hour course.

ERI's 3 to 5-Day Course Incident Command System

If ICS is to work during emergency and disaster operations, it must be integrated with the community's emergency operations center (EOC) and the community's disaster plan. This course contains a community model for connecting ICS and the EOC. All of the standard modules found within the federal NIIMS ICS courses are also included: Basic tenets, purpose, history; The major command and staff positions; Use of the ICS forms. Case studies and an "evolving serial exercise" provides a practical hands-on learning environment. ERI has packaged the student and instructor materials in such a manner that the course can be from a 4-hour introduction to a 40-hour concentrated course.

ERI's course features a 13-step process to be used within the first time period to organize a growing incident.

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Course Content:

Why the ICS System: History; Development; Components.

Overview of the ICS: Command and command staff; General staff functions.

The Incident Commander: Job and responsibilities; Concepts of management and leadership.

Overview of the ICS Command and Command Staff Positions: Specific responsibilities and procedures.

The Plans Function: Specific responsibilities and procedures.

The Operations Function: Specific responsibilities and procedures.

The Logistics Function: Specific responsibilities and procedures.

The Administration / Finance Function: Specific responsibilities and procedures.

Organizing an Incident.

Key ICS Elements: Planning and control of operations; Information flow; Resource management; Logistics management.

Use of the ICS: Single command; Unified command; Sample ICS structures (4 scenarios); Complex incidents; Dividing structures and buildings into divisions and groups.

ICS Forms and Paperwork.

ICS During Disaster Operations: The EOC / ICS interface.

Incident Command System Federal Training Curriculum

ERI staff and associates are certified to teach the new federal ICS curriculum, consisting of 17 modules, organized into 6 "building block" courses, for a total of 69 hours. These courses can be taught in a series, as recommended by the national training curriculum, or individual modules can be "mixed or matched" to the needs of the intended audience.

Courses and Modules:

I-100 (2 Hours) Introduction to ICS: (1) ICS orientation.

I-200 (6 Hours) Basic ICS: (2) Principles and features of ICS; (3) Organizational overview; (4) Incident facilities; (5) Incident resources; (6) Common responsibilities.

I-300 (27 Hours) Immediate ICS: (7) Organization and staffing; (8) Organizing for incidents or events; (9) Incident resources management; (10) Air operations; (11) Incident and event planning.

I-400 (22 Hours) Advanced ICS: (12) Command and general staff; (13) Unified command; (14) Major incident management; (15) Area command.

I-401 (4 Hours) Multi-Agency Coordination (16).

I-402 (2 Hours) ICS for Executives (17).The key to making ICS work:

Think Functions, Not People!

Instructor manuals, instructor kits, and supplemental teaching materials for any of ERI's training courses are available for purchase. Please refer to the ERI Bookstore Catalogue. ERI will provide 'train-the-trainer' workshops on any ERI training program upon request. As the designers and producers of emergency management and response programs, ERI's goal is to help you identify and accomplish your training needs. There are a wide variety of options available if you are interested in having these programs presented to your state, community or organization. Options range from "we provide instructors" to "teach it yourself." Give us call, we will be happy to discuss opportunities and options! Detailed "Plans of Instruction" for any of these courses will be sent upon request. Let us know how we can help!