# Presentation: 816938

## The National Response Plan:  What it Means for School PreparednessYvonne BartoliSenior Policy Advisor, Homeland SecurityU.S. Department of Education's Office of Safe and Drug-Free SchoolsJuly 27, 2006Tampa, FloridaU.S. Department of EducationOffice of Safe and Drug-Free Schools

## Background

- In October 2001, the first in a series of Homeland Security Presidential Directives (HSPD) was issued
- HSPD-5 directed the development of a National Response Plan (NRP) for domestic incident management
- The National Response Plan was issued in December 2004, and updated in May 2006 to reflect organizational changes at the Department of Homeland Security and experiences from responding to hurricanes in 2005
- Comprehensive review will occur in the Fall of 2006

**Notes:**
1. As discussed this morning....

## What is the National Response Plan?

- Establishes the structure and mechanisms for the coordination of Federal Government support to State, local, tribal authorities and the private sector during domestic incidents
- All hazards plan, to deal with terrorist attacks, natural disasters, or other emergencies
- Based on four phases of emergency management:  prevention-mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery
- Uses the National Incident Management System (NIMS)
- Compliance with NIMS required of those receiving Federal preparedness grants
- Important to be aware that a Federal plan for managing domestic incidents exists

## Base Plan Elements

- The Base Plan outlines the concept of operations, roles, responsibilities, and coordinating structures for managing domestic incidents
- The base plan includes:
**Appendixes**:  glossary, acronyms
**Emergency Support Functions**: groups capabilities and resources into functions most likely needed during an incident (transportation, mass care, long-term recovery)
**Support Annexes**:  procedures common to most incidents (public affairs, financial management, worker safety)
**Incident Annexes**:  Core procedures for specific contingencies (HAZMAT spills)
**Catastrophic Incident Annex**:  Address no-notice or short-notice incidents  of catastrophic magnitude where Federal assistance is obvious and immediate

## Engagement of the Plan 

- National Response Plan can be partially or fully implemented in the context of a threat, anticipation of a significant event, or in response to an incident requiring a coordinated Federal response
- Implementation of Plan's coordination mechanisms is flexible and scalable
- Annexes and Emergency Support Functions address particular circumstances of possible incidents
- Oil and hazardous material annex describes roles, responsibility/coordination for oil/hazardous materials spills
- Emergency Support Function (ESF) - 14 provides a specific plan for long term community recovery

## Incident of National Significance

- In circumstances when an incident or potential incident is of such severity, magnitude and/or complexity, the Secretary can declare an Incident of National Significance (INS)
- An INS is an actual or potential high-impact event that requires a coordinated and effective response by a combination of Federal, State, local, tribal and non-government organizations and/or private entities to save lives and minimize damage, and provide the basis for long-term community and economic recovery

## Roles and Responsibilities of State, Local and Tribal Entities in the National Response Plan

- The Plan identifies police, fire, public health and medical, emergency management, and other personnel as responsible for incident management at the local level
- In most instances, State and local resources are the first line of emergency response/incident management
- Plan provides a framework for Federal interaction with these and other entities under a number of circumstances

## Federal Government Action

- Federal Government establishes multiagency coordinating structures
- Federal Government also establishes and activates an Incident Command Structure
- Joint Field Office becomes the central point for Federal, State, local, tribal coordination
- Structure is based on NIMS to ensure all are operating under the same standards and terminology

## Joint Field Office Structure

- Joint Field Office (JFO) Coordination Staff in the Plan is similar to the Incident Command Staff structure and key roles and responsibilities outlined in previous ERCM training.  A coordinating staff generally includes:  Safety Coordinator, Liaison Officer, Infrastructure Liaison, External Affairs
- JFO Section Staff similar to Incident Command General Staff. It includes: Operations Section, Planning Section, Logistics Section, Finance/Administrative Section

## Sample JFO:  Natural Disaster

## Similarities between the National Response Plan and  School Preparedness 

- All-hazards approach to preparedness
- Emphasis on coordination efforts at all levels
- Use of National Incident Management System (NIMS)
- Incident Command Structure was mandated as a part of NIMS in 2004
-  Addresses four phases of emergency management:  prevention - mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery

## The Plan's Approach to the Four Phases of Emergency Management

**Prevention - Mitigation**:  Plan may be implemented for threats or potential Incidents of National Significance to prevent or to lessen the impact of an incident
**Preparedness**:  A continuous process involving efforts to identify threats, determine vulnerabilities, and identify required resources
**Response**:  Plan provides policies and processes for coordinating Federal support activities that address short-term, direct effects of an incident
**Recovery**:  Involves actions needed to help individuals and communities return to normal

## The Department of Education's Role in the National Response Plan

- The U.S. Department of Education (ED) is considered a "Support" Agency for purposes of the National Response Plan
- ED would participate if asked to support execution of the National Response Plan
- Possible efforts include:
- Participation in the Joint Field Office
- Coordination of information requested by DHS regarding the status of schools before, during, or after an incident
- Participation in the Emergency Support Function (ESF) -14, Long-term community recovery

## Your Role in the National Response Plan

- School emergency plans must be compliant with NIMS
- Understand that a National Response Plan exists
- In some circumstances, prior to, during, or after an incident, you may be contacted by a Federal agency to provide information on the status of your school system
- Be aware of the process established to request information or assistance from Department of Homeland Security

## Request for Assistance: Incident of National Significance

- In majority of cases, Federal response will be in the form of assistance to State and local authorities to mitigate threats to public health and safety
- Joint Field Office is the Federal contact for acting/resolving Requests for Assistance
- An Infrastructure Liaison within the Joint Field Office coordinates/consolidates requests

## Owners and Operators' Paths to Request Assistance

- Three paths for owners/operators to request assistance
- Primary: Through State and local authorities
- National Infrastructure Coordinating Center (NICC):  For those national-level organizations lacking contacts with State/local officials:
- Email NICC: _[nicc@dhs.gov](mailto:nicc@dhs.gov)_
- Indicate "RFA" in subject line
- Established relationships between Agencies and Emergency Support Functions

## Request for Assistance Processing Paths

## Requests for Information Process

- General requests for information or other concerns
- Email National Infrastructure Coordinating Center (NICC):  _[nicc@dhs.gov](mailto:nicc@dhs.gov)_
- Indicate "RFI" in subject line
- NICC directs request to appropriate national or incident area disaster response JFO entity for response
- NICC provides tracking mechanism for requests at the national level and JFO level to ensure follow-up and response

## Questions? 

## For more information, contact: 

- Yvonne Bartoli
- (202) 260-1123
- Yvonne.Bartoli@Ed.gov