# Presentation: 064972

## Pandemic Flu Ensuring Continuity of Operations

- Robert Hominick
- Director, Emergency Management and Program Support Div.  GSA
- Brad McDannald
- Regional COOP Manager, DHS, FEMA

## Previous pandemics

- In the last century, three influenza pandemics have swept the globe
-  In 1918, the first pandemic (sometimes referred to as the “Spanish Flu”) killed over 500,000 Americans and more than 20 million people worldwide
- One-third of the U.S. population was infected, and average life expectancy was reduced by 13 years
- Pandemics in 1957 & 1968 killed tens of thousands of Americans & millions across the world

## The new threat

- Today, we face a new threat — a new influenza strain — influenza A (H5N1)
- Spreading through bird populations across Asia, Africa, & Europe, infecting domesticated birds, including ducks and chickens, and long-range migratory birds
- First recorded appearance of H5N1 in humans occurred in Hong Kong in 1997
- Since 1997 the virus has infected over 200 people in the Eastern Hemisphere, with a mortality rate of over 50 percent

##   Expectations and focus

- Presently avian influenza is primarily an animal disease
- Human infections are generally limited to individuals who come into direct contact with infected birds
- If the virus develops the capacity for sustained, efficient, human-to-human transmission, it could spread quickly around the globe
- In response to this threat, the President issued the ***National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza**** *on November 1, 2005

## The Strategy 

- -  The ***Strategy**** *outlines the coordinated federal government effort to prepare for pandemic influenza
- -  This Implementation Plan for the ***National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza**** *further clarifies the roles and responsibilities of governmental and non-governmental entities, including federal, state, local, and tribal authorities and regional, national, and international stakeholders, and provides preparedness guidance for all segments of society

**Notes:**
The Strategy for Homeland Security, the Homeland Security Act of 2002, and Homeland Security Presidential Directive – 5 (HSPD-5) provided the mandate to establish a single comprehensive national approach for prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.

The strategy was aimed a putting into place an efficient, effective system and mechanisms – an approach that was flexible, adaptable and scalable – and that would be consistent for all hazards and all disciplines.
The mandate was for an approach that ensures all levels of government – local, State, Federal and tribal – and the private sector can work together; that provided the basis for horizontal and vertical integration; that fostered effective communications.
It also mandated full integration of the crisis and consequence management components of incident management.
And, it designated the Secretary of Homeland Security as the “principle Federal official” for domestic incident management,

## FEMAs role 

- -  Will be responsible for implementation of the National Response Plan
- -  DHS Secretary is responsible for coordination of federal operations and resources
- -  Notification and call up of applicable Emergency Support Functions (ESF)
- -  First and foremost types of support are of a different kind and character than is traditional
- -  Second although the pandemic may occur in discrete ways in one locale, nationally it could take months

**Notes:**
The Strategy for Homeland Security, the Homeland Security Act of 2002, and Homeland Security Presidential Directive – 5 (HSPD-5) provided the mandate to establish a single comprehensive national approach for prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.

The strategy was aimed a putting into place an efficient, effective system and mechanisms – an approach that was flexible, adaptable and scalable – and that would be consistent for all hazards and all disciplines.
The mandate was for an approach that ensures all levels of government – local, State, Federal and tribal – and the private sector can work together; that provided the basis for horizontal and vertical integration; that fostered effective communications.
It also mandated full integration of the crisis and consequence management components of incident management.
And, it designated the Secretary of Homeland Security as the “principle Federal official” for domestic incident management,

## National Response Plan Essential Support Functions (ESF)

- ESF #1 – Transportation
- ESF #2 - Information Technology & Telecommunications
- ESF #3 – Infrastructure
- ESF #4 – Firefighting
- ESF #5 - Information & Planning
- ESF #6 - Mass Care, Housing & Human Services
- ESF #7 - Resource Support & Logistics
- ESF #8 - Public Health & Medical
- ESF #9 - Urban Search & Rescue

## National Response Plan Essential Support Functions (ESF)

- ESF #10 - Hazardous Materials Response
- ESF #11 – Agriculture ESF #13 - Law Enforcement
- ESF #12 – Energy
- ESF #14 - Economic Stabilization, Community Recovery & Mitigation
- ESF #15 - Emergency Public Information & External Communications

## FEMAs role  cont.

- -  NRP stipulates mechanisms for coordination of federal response, but sustaining over months to over a year will present unique challenges
- -  While DHS Secretary is responsible for coordination of federal response actions
- -  Nothing in NRP alters or impedes the ability of federal departments to carry out their specific authorities or perform their responsibilities under all applicable laws

**Notes:**
The Strategy for Homeland Security, the Homeland Security Act of 2002, and Homeland Security Presidential Directive – 5 (HSPD-5) provided the mandate to establish a single comprehensive national approach for prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.

The strategy was aimed a putting into place an efficient, effective system and mechanisms – an approach that was flexible, adaptable and scalable – and that would be consistent for all hazards and all disciplines.
The mandate was for an approach that ensures all levels of government – local, State, Federal and tribal – and the private sector can work together; that provided the basis for horizontal and vertical integration; that fostered effective communications.
It also mandated full integration of the crisis and consequence management components of incident management.
And, it designated the Secretary of Homeland Security as the “principle Federal official” for domestic incident management,

## Roles and responsibilites 

- -  The Secretary of DHS will be responsible for coordination of federal response as provided by the National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza, Homeland Security Act of 2002, and HSPD-5
- -  Will support the **Secretary of Health and Human Services’** coordination of overall public health and medical emergency response efforts

**Notes:**
The Strategy for Homeland Security, the Homeland Security Act of 2002, and Homeland Security Presidential Directive – 5 (HSPD-5) provided the mandate to establish a single comprehensive national approach for prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.

The strategy was aimed a putting into place an efficient, effective system and mechanisms – an approach that was flexible, adaptable and scalable – and that would be consistent for all hazards and all disciplines.
The mandate was for an approach that ensures all levels of government – local, State, Federal and tribal – and the private sector can work together; that provided the basis for horizontal and vertical integration; that fostered effective communications.
It also mandated full integration of the crisis and consequence management components of incident management.
And, it designated the Secretary of Homeland Security as the “principle Federal official” for domestic incident management,

## Roles & responsibilites cont.

- -  Secretary of DHS will be responsible for
- 	-- Implementation of policies that facilitate
-        	compliance with recommended social
-          	distancing
- 	-- Provision of a common operating picture for all
-        	departments & agencies of the federal         	government
- 	-- Ensuring the integrity of the nations infrastructure,
-        	domestic security, and entry and exit screening        	for  influenza and the borders

**Notes:**
The Strategy for Homeland Security, the Homeland Security Act of 2002, and Homeland Security Presidential Directive – 5 (HSPD-5) provided the mandate to establish a single comprehensive national approach for prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.

The strategy was aimed a putting into place an efficient, effective system and mechanisms – an approach that was flexible, adaptable and scalable – and that would be consistent for all hazards and all disciplines.
The mandate was for an approach that ensures all levels of government – local, State, Federal and tribal – and the private sector can work together; that provided the basis for horizontal and vertical integration; that fostered effective communications.
It also mandated full integration of the crisis and consequence management components of incident management.
And, it designated the Secretary of Homeland Security as the “principle Federal official” for domestic incident management,

## Continuity planning 

**       **
- Provides guidance for the preparation of essential pandemic plans by federal organizations to ensure continuity of operations and maintenance of critical infrastructure
- Also provides guidance for families and individuals to ensure appropriate personal protection
- To address the threat of pandemic influenza, it is essential that such plans be put in place as soon as possible

**Notes:**
The Strategy for Homeland Security, the Homeland Security Act of 2002, and Homeland Security Presidential Directive – 5 (HSPD-5) provided the mandate to establish a single comprehensive national approach for prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.

The strategy was aimed a putting into place an efficient, effective system and mechanisms – an approach that was flexible, adaptable and scalable – and that would be consistent for all hazards and all disciplines.
The mandate was for an approach that ensures all levels of government – local, State, Federal and tribal – and the private sector can work together; that provided the basis for horizontal and vertical integration; that fostered effective communications.
It also mandated full integration of the crisis and consequence management components of incident management.
And, it designated the Secretary of Homeland Security as the “principle Federal official” for domestic incident management,

## Focusing on COOP 

- -  It is U.S. policy to have in place a comprehensive and effective program to ensure survival of our constitutional form of government, the uninterrupted continuation of national-level essential functions under all circumstances, and the resumption of all government functions and activities quickly following any disruption
- -  This policy is in effect for all hazards but will requires specialized planning in the event of an influenza pandemic

**Notes:**
The Strategy for Homeland Security, the Homeland Security Act of 2002, and Homeland Security Presidential Directive – 5 (HSPD-5) provided the mandate to establish a single comprehensive national approach for prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.

The strategy was aimed a putting into place an efficient, effective system and mechanisms – an approach that was flexible, adaptable and scalable – and that would be consistent for all hazards and all disciplines.
The mandate was for an approach that ensures all levels of government – local, State, Federal and tribal – and the private sector can work together; that provided the basis for horizontal and vertical integration; that fostered effective communications.
It also mandated full integration of the crisis and consequence management components of incident management.
And, it designated the Secretary of Homeland Security as the “principle Federal official” for domestic incident management,

## COOP cont. 

- -  Planning for an influenza pandemic must recognize that the next pandemic may come in waves, each lasting weeks or months, and pass through communities across the U.S & around the world
- -
- -  A pandemic will not damage power lines, banks, or computer networks, it will ultimately threaten all critical infrastructure by its impact on an organization’s human resources by removing essential personnel from the workplace for weeks or months

**Notes:**
The Strategy for Homeland Security, the Homeland Security Act of 2002, and Homeland Security Presidential Directive – 5 (HSPD-5) provided the mandate to establish a single comprehensive national approach for prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.

The strategy was aimed a putting into place an efficient, effective system and mechanisms – an approach that was flexible, adaptable and scalable – and that would be consistent for all hazards and all disciplines.
The mandate was for an approach that ensures all levels of government – local, State, Federal and tribal – and the private sector can work together; that provided the basis for horizontal and vertical integration; that fostered effective communications.
It also mandated full integration of the crisis and consequence management components of incident management.
And, it designated the Secretary of Homeland Security as the “principle Federal official” for domestic incident management,

## COOP cont. 

-   -  The following assumptions should be used
- Up to 40 percent of staff may be absent for periods of about two weeks at the height of a pandemic wave
- -  Staff absences for a few weeks on either side of the peak
- -  Absences could be due to employees who:
- care for the ill;
- under voluntary home quarantine due to an ill household member;
- care for children dismissed from school;
- feel safer at home;
- or are ill or incapacitated by the virus

**Notes:**
The Strategy for Homeland Security, the Homeland Security Act of 2002, and Homeland Security Presidential Directive – 5 (HSPD-5) provided the mandate to establish a single comprehensive national approach for prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.

The strategy was aimed a putting into place an efficient, effective system and mechanisms – an approach that was flexible, adaptable and scalable – and that would be consistent for all hazards and all disciplines.
The mandate was for an approach that ensures all levels of government – local, State, Federal and tribal – and the private sector can work together; that provided the basis for horizontal and vertical integration; that fostered effective communications.
It also mandated full integration of the crisis and consequence management components of incident management.
And, it designated the Secretary of Homeland Security as the “principle Federal official” for domestic incident management,

## COOP program elements 

- 	There are the 11 COOP program elements relevant to pandemic influenza planning
***1. Plans and Procedures**** *
- 	The foundation of a viable COOP program is the development & documentation of a COOP plan that will provide for the continued performance of an organization’s essential functions
***2. Essential Functions***
- 	Essential functions are those functions that enable organizations to provide vital services, exercise civil authority, maintain the safety and well being of the general populace, and sustain the industrial/economic base in an emergency

**Notes:**
The Strategy for Homeland Security, the Homeland Security Act of 2002, and Homeland Security Presidential Directive – 5 (HSPD-5) provided the mandate to establish a single comprehensive national approach for prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.

The strategy was aimed a putting into place an efficient, effective system and mechanisms – an approach that was flexible, adaptable and scalable – and that would be consistent for all hazards and all disciplines.
The mandate was for an approach that ensures all levels of government – local, State, Federal and tribal – and the private sector can work together; that provided the basis for horizontal and vertical integration; that fostered effective communications.
It also mandated full integration of the crisis and consequence management components of incident management.
And, it designated the Secretary of Homeland Security as the “principle Federal official” for domestic incident management,

## Program elements  cont.

***3. Delegations of Authority**** *
-     Clearly pre-established delegations of authority are vital to ensuring that all organizational personnel know who has the authority to make key decisions in a COOP situation
***4. Orders of Succession***
-     An order of succession is essential to an organization’s COOP plan to ensure personnel know who has authority and responsibility if the leadership is incapacitated or unavailable in a COOP situation

**Notes:**
The Strategy for Homeland Security, the Homeland Security Act of 2002, and Homeland Security Presidential Directive – 5 (HSPD-5) provided the mandate to establish a single comprehensive national approach for prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.

The strategy was aimed a putting into place an efficient, effective system and mechanisms – an approach that was flexible, adaptable and scalable – and that would be consistent for all hazards and all disciplines.
The mandate was for an approach that ensures all levels of government – local, State, Federal and tribal – and the private sector can work together; that provided the basis for horizontal and vertical integration; that fostered effective communications.
It also mandated full integration of the crisis and consequence management components of incident management.
And, it designated the Secretary of Homeland Security as the “principle Federal official” for domestic incident management,

## Program elements  cont.

***5. Alternate Operating Facilities**** *
-      Identification and preparation of alternate operating facilities & preparation of personnel for the possibility of an unannounced relocation of essential functions & COOP personnel to these facilities is part of COOP planning
***6. Interoperable & Effective Communications**** *
-     Success of a viable COOP capability is dependent upon the identification, availability & redundancy of critical communication systems to support connectivity of internal organizations, external partners, critical customers & the public

**Notes:**
The Strategy for Homeland Security, the Homeland Security Act of 2002, and Homeland Security Presidential Directive – 5 (HSPD-5) provided the mandate to establish a single comprehensive national approach for prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.

The strategy was aimed a putting into place an efficient, effective system and mechanisms – an approach that was flexible, adaptable and scalable – and that would be consistent for all hazards and all disciplines.
The mandate was for an approach that ensures all levels of government – local, State, Federal and tribal – and the private sector can work together; that provided the basis for horizontal and vertical integration; that fostered effective communications.
It also mandated full integration of the crisis and consequence management components of incident management.
And, it designated the Secretary of Homeland Security as the “principle Federal official” for domestic incident management,

## Program elements  cont.

***7. Critical Business Records and Databases**** *
-    Agencies should identify, protect, and ensure the ready availability of electronic and hardcopy documents,
-     references, records & information systems needed to support essential functions
***8. Human Capital**** *
*    *Each organization must develop, update, exercise, and be able to implement comprehensive plans to protect its workforce

**Notes:**
The Strategy for Homeland Security, the Homeland Security Act of 2002, and Homeland Security Presidential Directive – 5 (HSPD-5) provided the mandate to establish a single comprehensive national approach for prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.

The strategy was aimed a putting into place an efficient, effective system and mechanisms – an approach that was flexible, adaptable and scalable – and that would be consistent for all hazards and all disciplines.
The mandate was for an approach that ensures all levels of government – local, State, Federal and tribal – and the private sector can work together; that provided the basis for horizontal and vertical integration; that fostered effective communications.
It also mandated full integration of the crisis and consequence management components of incident management.
And, it designated the Secretary of Homeland Security as the “principle Federal official” for domestic incident management,

## Program elements  cont. 

***9. Testing, Training and Exercises**** *
*   *Testing, training, and exercising of COOP capabilities are essential to assessing, demonstrating, and improving the ability of organizations to execute their COOP plans and programs during an emergency
***10. Devolution of Control and Direction**** *
-    Devolution is the capability to transfer authority and responsibility for essential functions from an organization’s primary operating staff and facilities, to other employees and facilities, & to sustain operational capability under devolved authority for an extended period

**Notes:**
The Strategy for Homeland Security, the Homeland Security Act of 2002, and Homeland Security Presidential Directive – 5 (HSPD-5) provided the mandate to establish a single comprehensive national approach for prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.

The strategy was aimed a putting into place an efficient, effective system and mechanisms – an approach that was flexible, adaptable and scalable – and that would be consistent for all hazards and all disciplines.
The mandate was for an approach that ensures all levels of government – local, State, Federal and tribal – and the private sector can work together; that provided the basis for horizontal and vertical integration; that fostered effective communications.
It also mandated full integration of the crisis and consequence management components of incident management.
And, it designated the Secretary of Homeland Security as the “principle Federal official” for domestic incident management,

## Program elements 

***11. Reconstitution**** *
- 	-  Reconstitution is the process by which an organization resumes normal operations
-     - The objective during recovery and reconstitution after a pandemic is to expedite the return of normal services and operations as quickly as possible

**Notes:**
The Strategy for Homeland Security, the Homeland Security Act of 2002, and Homeland Security Presidential Directive – 5 (HSPD-5) provided the mandate to establish a single comprehensive national approach for prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.

The strategy was aimed a putting into place an efficient, effective system and mechanisms – an approach that was flexible, adaptable and scalable – and that would be consistent for all hazards and all disciplines.
The mandate was for an approach that ensures all levels of government – local, State, Federal and tribal – and the private sector can work together; that provided the basis for horizontal and vertical integration; that fostered effective communications.
It also mandated full integration of the crisis and consequence management components of incident management.
And, it designated the Secretary of Homeland Security as the “principle Federal official” for domestic incident management,

## Determining essential services

***   ******Essential vs. Non-critical/Non-essential Services***
- 	- Services provided may be categorized as critical or essential in light of their importance to continuity or contribution tomaintaining critical infrastructure (i.e., from a societal or national perspective)
- 	- Managers must make determinations about which employees perform essential functions at the organization level

**Notes:**
The Strategy for Homeland Security, the Homeland Security Act of 2002, and Homeland Security Presidential Directive – 5 (HSPD-5) provided the mandate to establish a single comprehensive national approach for prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.

The strategy was aimed a putting into place an efficient, effective system and mechanisms – an approach that was flexible, adaptable and scalable – and that would be consistent for all hazards and all disciplines.
The mandate was for an approach that ensures all levels of government – local, State, Federal and tribal – and the private sector can work together; that provided the basis for horizontal and vertical integration; that fostered effective communications.
It also mandated full integration of the crisis and consequence management components of incident management.
And, it designated the Secretary of Homeland Security as the “principle Federal official” for domestic incident management,

## Unlike other potential COOP situations that occur without warning, organizations can plan for a pandemic

For further information:
www.pandemicflu.gov

- For further information:
**www.pandemicflu.gov**

**Notes:**
The Strategy for Homeland Security, the Homeland Security Act of 2002, and Homeland Security Presidential Directive – 5 (HSPD-5) provided the mandate to establish a single comprehensive national approach for prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.

The strategy was aimed a putting into place an efficient, effective system and mechanisms – an approach that was flexible, adaptable and scalable – and that would be consistent for all hazards and all disciplines.
The mandate was for an approach that ensures all levels of government – local, State, Federal and tribal – and the private sector can work together; that provided the basis for horizontal and vertical integration; that fostered effective communications.
It also mandated full integration of the crisis and consequence management components of incident management.
And, it designated the Secretary of Homeland Security as the “principle Federal official” for domestic incident management,

## QUESTIONS?

- _[ROBERT.HOMINICK@GSA.GOV](mailto:ROBERT.HOMINICK@GSA.GOV)_
- 817 978 2049
- _[BRADR.MCDANNALD@DHS.GOV](mailto:BRADR.MCDANNALD@DHS.GOV)_
- 940 898 5131