Disaster Management and CERT Presented by: Demetrious N. Shaffer Deputy Fire Chief Alameda County Fire Department
Discussion Topics SEMS, NIMS and ICS Key Terminology and Components of SEMS Basic ICS Functions and Features in SEMS Five Organizational Response Levels What Does This All Mean to the Volunteers and Disaster Service Worker protections
SEMS & NIMS Standardized Emergency Management System (Required by Ca. Gov. Code Div. 2, Ch. 7, 8607) National Incident Management System The National Incident Management System (NIMS) provides a systematic, proactive approach to guide departments and agencies at all levels of government, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector to work seamlessly to prevent, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the effects of incidents, regardless of cause, size, location, or complexity, in order to reduce the loss of life and property and harm to the environment.
ICS Incident Command System a set of personnel, policies, procedures, facilities, and equipment, integrated into a common organizational structure designed to improve emergency response operations of all types and complexities.
Key Terminology Emergency Response Agency Emergency Response Personnel Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Local, Operational, Regional and State
Basic Components of SEMS Incident Command System Developed as part FIRESCOPE during the early 70s Inter-agency Coordination The participation of various agencies and disciplines involved at any level working together in a coordinated effort
Basic Components of SEMS (cont.) The Master Mutual Aid Agreement Originally signed in 1950; cities, counties and the State joined together to provide for a comprehensive program of voluntarily providing services, resources and facilities Operational Areas Consists of a county and all political subdivisions
Five Primary Functions of ICS Command/Management Operations Planning/Intelligence Logistics Finance/Administration
Basic ICS Structure
Basic ICS Features Five essential Management Functions General Staff Management by Objectives Identify measurable and attainable objectives to be achieved Action Planning Framework for establishing the necessary organization to make assignments and allocate resources
Basic ICS Features (cont.) Organizational Flexibility and Modular Organization Only those elements necessary to achieve the desired objectives are activated Unity of Command Individuals report to one supervisor
Basic ICS Features (cont.) Span of Control one to seven Personnel Accountability Check-in, position logs status tracking Common Terminology Radio traffic, resource designation, facilities, etc.
Basic ICS Features (Cont.) Resource Management Tactically directed at Field Level; Coordinated and prioritized above Integrated Communications Coordinated information flow
Organizational Response Levels State Region Operational Area Local Government Field
Local Government and Field Deployment Emergency Responders Fire, EMS, Police Volunteers Spontaneous and Organized (CERT)
CERT and DSW Disaster Service Worker (DSW); formerly Civil Defense Worker California Emergency Council (1900 s); formerly California War Council Disaster Council (Most accredited in 1943); formerly War Council
CERT and DSW (cont.) A Disaster Service Worker volunteer is... any person registered with an accredited disaster Council... for the purpose of engaging in disaster service... without pay or other consideration. - OR-... any unregistered person impressed into service during a state of war emergency, a state of emergency, or a local emergency... -OR... public employees performing disaster work that is outside the course and scope of their regular employment without pay....
CERT and DSW (cont.) Workers Compensation benefits are provided to registered volunteers who contribute their services to protect health and safety and preserve lives and property of the State State law now protects volunteers from financial loss resulting from injury, as well as providing them limited immunity from liability in the course of their disaster service duties
CERT and DSW (cont.) To qualify as a DSW, the person must: be officially registered with the accredited Disaster Council; and not receive any pay, monetary or otherwise, for the service being provided.
CERT and DSW (cont.) Pre-disaster registered volunteers (CERT) Convergent Single Event Registration Non-registered, convergent volunteers do have some protections under the Good Samaritan Laws but not to the extent of DSW and no Workers Compensation
CERT and DSW (cont.) Immunity From Liability... protects the political subdivision or political entity, and the DSW volunteer in any civil litigation resulting from acts of good faith made by the political subdivision or political entity, or the DSW volunteer, while providing disaster... NOT provided in cases of willful intent, unreasonable acts beyond the scope of DSW training, or if criminal act is committed
References www.oes.ca.gov http://en.wikipedia.org California Government Code www.fema.gov