oceanservice.noaa.gov

NOAA’s National Ocean Service provides expertise 

and services to inform and assist disaster response, 

especially along the coast. NOS works closely with 

NOAA’s National Weather Service to ensure first 

responders have forecasts and warnings of potential 

impacts before, during and after an event. 

In the spirit of FEMA’s “whole community” approach, 

NOS is committed to improving the nation’s capability 

to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover 

from and adapt to natural and man-made hazards. 

A fundamental step—and the purpose of this 

document—is to inform others of NOS capabilities. 

NOS expertise and services stem from its longstanding, core Federal missions to build and maintain 

the Nation’s nautical charts, water level network, and 

spatial reference system. NOS serves as the scientific 

support coordinator to the U.S. Coast Guard for marine 

oil and chemical spills, is home to NOAA’s marine 

debris program, and has extensive expertise in marine 

toxicology. Also, as the administrator of the National 

CAMEO

Computer-Aided Management of Emergency Operations: 

A software suite designed to help prepare for and 

respond to chemical emergencies. 

GNOME

General NOAA Operational Modeling Environment: A 

software modeling tool used to predict how oil and other 

pollutants might move and spread on the water.

ERMA

Environmental Response Management Application: An 

online mapping tool integrating static and real-time data 

in an easy-to-use format for environmental responders 

and decision-makers.

ESI Maps

Environmental Sensitivity Index Maps: Provide a concise 

summary of coastal resources at risk for contamination.

Coastal Zone Management Program, Integrated Ocean 

Observing System, and other services, NOS has longstanding relationships with coastal states, communities, 

academia and non-governmental partners that can be 

leveraged to support disaster response.

In 2015, FEMA approved six NOS Pre-Scripted Mission 

Assignments (PSMAs). The key PSMA is for a Coastal 

Advisor to be dispatched to the FEMA response 

center(s). This advisor will serve as a conduit to the fullrange of NOS expertise and services that might

support the response. Whether this support is provided 

with or without issuing a formal Mission Assignment 

would depend on the scope and circumstances of each 

disaster.

Whether it be: (1) providing the most recent nautical 

chart, (2) linking responders to an NOS scientific or 

technical expert, or (3) putting boots on the ground, 

the Coastal Advisor will ensure responders have the 

best information NOS has to offer.

Digital Coast

A NOAA-sponsored partnership and website focused on 

helping communities address coastal issues by providing 

tools, training and data on everything from economic 

data to satellite imagery.

Storm QuickLook

A product that provides a synopsis of near real-time 

oceanographic and meteorological observations at 

locations affected by a tropical cyclone.

PORTS® 

Physical Oceanographic Real Time System: A NOS service 

to deliver real-time oceanographic and meteorological 

data designed primarily for mariners, but with 

applications for coastal management and emergency 

operations.

IOOS®

Integrated Ocean Observing System: A network of 

regional ocean observing systems designed to track, 

predict, manage and adapt to changes in the ocean, 

coastal and Great Lakes environment.

OTHER NOS SERVICES

When a disaster is imminent or strikes unexpectedly, NOS is prepared to provide a broad range of scientific, technical, and 

policy experts to support the response and inform recovery. When a Stafford Act declaration is made, this support may or 

may not require the issuance of a FEMA Mission Assignment depending on the scope of the disaster, cost of the service, 

and the length of time NOS experts are reassigned from their normal, appropriated duties and missions. The issuance of a 

Mission Assignment for a Coastal Advisor would provide FEMA and others with direct access to an NOS expert who would 

facilitate the delivery of other NOS expertise and services as might be needed. 

This document and other information on NOS response capabilities, including links to NOS services, can be accessed 

at oceanservice.noaa.gov/disaster-response/. Examples of other NOS services that could be valuable for preparedness, 

response, and recovery include:

If you have questions regarding this document or NOS 

services, please go to oceanservice.noaa.gov/disasterresponse/ or contact NOS at nos.responseinfo@noaa.gov.

Services in Support of Disaster Response:

EXPERTISE AND CAPABILITIES OF NOAA’S

NATIONAL OCEAN SERVICE

June 2017
COASTAL ADVISOR(S) – EMERGENCY SUPPORT FUNCTION (ESF) 5

To be dispatched to FEMA to support coastal response and facilitate the provision of 

additional NOAA/NOS personnel and services as requested.

Upon FEMA’s request, NOAA will deploy staff to FEMA’s National Response 

Coordination Center, Regional Response Coordination Center, Joint Field Office 

and/or other teams. The NOAA coastal advisor will serve to inform FEMA, other 

federal partners, and impacted states of relevant NOAA/NOS capabilities and 

resources and facilitate the delivery of NOAA/NOS science, technical, management 

and natural resource services. 

AERIAL IMAGERY – ESF 5

To assist in planning and to rapidly acquire and deliver high-resolution aerial imagery 

to facilitate emergency response and inform damage assessments.

As requested by FEMA or the State/Territory/Tribe in coordination with FEMA, 

NOS experts will participate in interagency planning and coordination activities to 

execute survey operations in the most efficient and expeditious manner. NOS will 

rapidly collect, process, and deliver high-resolution imagery and/or Light Detection 

and Ranging (LIDAR) data as directed. These data and images can support 

evacuations, facilitate search and rescue efforts, identify hazards and HAZMAT spills, 

locate errant vessels, and damage assessments through the comparison of beforeand-after imagery. The support may include the pre-positioning, mobilization/ 

demobilization of a NOAA aircraft with remote sensing aerial survey crew.

HYDROGRAPHIC SERVICES – ESF 1 

To locate submerged obstructions and support safe emergency response operations 

and the rapid reopening of waterways for delivery of emergency supplies and 

resumption of commerce.

As requested, NOS will conduct emergency hydrographic surveys to support 

search and recovery, obstruction location, and vessel traffic rerouting in ports and 

waterways. NOS will deploy to the Marine Transportation System Recovery Unit in 

the U.S. Coast Guard Incident Command System Planning Unit and coordinate

with FEMA. Hydrographic data will be rapidly collected, processed, and distributed 

and NOS experts will assist in the evaluation of survey data and identification of 

hazards. NOS teams can be strategically prepositioned for predicted events.

GEODETIC SURVEYS – ESF 3

To assess fundamental shifts in vertical and horizontal geographic positions, reestablish basic geodetic control, and assess changes that may pose risks to first 

responders and others in harm’s way.

As requested, NOS experts will participate in planning meetings, provide technical 

and operational expertise, and coordinate with other agencies and the ESF 3 desk. 

NOS can deploy crews to conduct terrestrial leveling and GPS/GNSS surveys.

Ensuring accurate positioning is critical to many response efforts, including 

assessing risk to first responders. NOS maintains the National Spatial Reference 

System, which defines position (latitude, longitude, and elevation), distances and 

directions between points, strength and direction of gravity, and how these change 

over time.

OIL AND CHEMICAL SPILL RESPONSE – ESF 10

To provide scientific support for oil and chemical spill response, including 24/7 

information on spill trajectory, toxicity and threats to people, marine life, and 

infrastructure. 

As requested, NOS will provide scientific support to oil and chemical spills. 

Capabilities include serving as a scientific support advisor, providing oceanographic 

modeling and forecasts of pollutant transport; synthesizing real-time data for use

in decision-making; providing tools for a common operational picture; providing air 

dispersion estimates of toxic gases in conjunction with the Interagency Modeling 

and Atmospheric Assessment Center (IMAAC); and providing assessments of 

environmentally sensitive habitats and species in the coastal environment and 

recommendations on protection or appropriate response activities.

NOTE: NOS most commonly provides this type of support to the United States 

Coast Guard under authorities such as the Oil Pollution Act. That said, NOS is also 

prepared to provide similar services under a Stafford Act declaration that may not 

trigger other legal authorities.

MARINE DEBRIS ASSESSMENT – ESF 3 

To provide technical support to assess the extent, scope, content, and fate of debris in 

the marine environment.

As requested, NOS will coordinate marine debris assessment with appropriate 

Federal, State and local agencies, including FEMA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 

This support includes identifying needs and developing maps, models, and 

decision support tools including: Aerial and submerged debris mapping; model 

and track debris fate and movement; risk estimates of the potential impact of 

debris based on its type, trajectory, or the species and habitats affected; and 

providing information on the potential risks to communities of debris containing 

hazardous materials.

FEMA-Approved Pre-Scripted Mission Assignments for the National Ocean Service FEMA-Approved Pre-Scripted Mission Assignments for the National Ocean Service