1 Terminal Learning Objective Participants will examine some of the federal resources available following a mass fatality event, how to obtain these resources, and how they are coordinated by local authorities. They will also be able to describe the Incident Command System, how federal and local resources work together, and the process for the eventual release of federal resources.
Enabling Learning Objectives At the completion of this module, the participant will be able to: 5-1 5-2 5-3 5-4 List federal resources available to assist rural communities in a mass fatality response. Describe how these federal resources are coordinated by local authorities. Describe the Incident Command System. Identify methods of obtaining federal resources. 2
3 National Response Framework
Federal Resources for Mass Fatalities The National Response Framework (NRF) is a guide to how the Nation conducts allhazards response. Built upon scalable, flexible, and adaptable coordinating structures. Describes specific authorities and best practices for managing incidents. Explains common discipline and structure. Describes key lessons learned from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Builds upon the National Incident management System. 4
5 NRF Resource Center http://www.fema.gov/emergency/nrf/
Coordination of Federal Resources The Emergency Support Functions (ESF s) provide the structure for coordinating Federal interagency support for a Federal response to an incident. Each ESF identifies the primary and support agencies pertinent to the 6
7 Mass Fatalities Planning & Response ESF 8 Addresses issues related to public health and medical services. The primary responsibilities are the coordination of Federal assistance for: A public health and medical disaster. Potential or actual incidents requiring a coordinated Federal response. A developing potential health and medical emergency.
8 Mass Fatalities Planning & Response ESF 8 The Primary Agency is the Department of Health and Human Services. Support Agencies include: Department of Agriculture Department of Commerce Department of Defense Department of Energy Department of Homeland Security Department of the Interior
9 Mass Fatalities Planning & Response ESF 8 Support Agencies continued: Department of Justice Department of Labor Department of State Department of Transportation Department of Veterans Affairs General Services Administration U.S. Agency for International Development U.S. Postal Service
10 Mass Fatalities Planning & Response SOC HHS Secretary s Operations Center (SOC) in Washington, DC and coordinates the overall national ESF #8 response. The SOC will coordinate and stay in constant communication with Regional Response Coordination Centers (RRCC) and/or Joint Field Offices (FJO) when activated.
11 Mass Fatalities Planning & Response DMORT The Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Teams (MORT) have the responsibility to accomplish the following goals under ESF 8: Temporary morgue facilities Victim identification Forensic dental pathology Forensic anthropology methods Processing Preparation Disposition of remains
12 10 DMORT Regions X OR CA WA NV IX HI ID UT AZ AK MT WY VIII CO NM DMORT Regions ND MN SD NE VII KS OK TX VI V WI IA IL MO AR MS LA MI OH IN KY TN AL IV PA III GA FL NY II MD DE WV VA NC SC ME I VT NH MA CT RI NJ
National Incident Management System The National Incident Management System (NIMS) provides a systematic, proactive approach to guide departments and agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector. NIMS works hand in hand with the National Response Framework (NRF). NIMS provides the template for the management of incidents, while the NRF provides the structure and mechanisms for national-level policy for incident management. 13
14 Mass Fatalities Planning & Response Incident Command System (ICS) ICS is a standard incident management organization with five functional areas for management of all major incidents: Command Operations Planning Logistics Finance/administration
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16 Single Command ICS Unified Command
17 Mass Fatalities Planning & Response Transition Plan All mass fatality responses will eventually transition from that of a larger federally supported response to that of a smaller locally staffed response. It will be very important for the public to understand that even though federal and other outside resources will be demobilizing, the mass fatality response is not ending.
18 Mass Fatalities Planning & Response Recovery Operations Recovery operations will be the first to transition after most, if not all, known human remains have been recovered. Depending on the incident, human remains may continue to be found for months or even years later and will be recovered by local authorities.
19 Mass Fatalities Planning & Response Temporary Morgue Operations Temporary morgue operation may be established at the medical examiner or coroner s office or at an alternate location. The transition plan will include timelines that illustrate transition activities for the temporary morgue. It is important that this gradual reduction of resources does not limit the ability of the morgue to examine human remains.
20 Morgue Operations Refrigerated trailers that are utilized to hold the human remains will be decontaminated and released as they are no longer needed.
21 Family Assistance Center Family Assistance Center (FAC) operations may be established in a variety of locations from hotels to college campuses or even vacant retail space that meets the size and infrastructure requirements.
22 Mass Fatalities Planning & Response FAC Operations Personnel Equipment and supplies Services Records Facility
23 Mass Fatalities Planning & Response Summary There are mechanisms in place to coordinate and mobilize federal resources in support of a mass fatality response to rural communities. Emergency Support Function #8 specifies the various Federal agencies providing resources to communities. The response will eventually be turned over to local authorities.