PREPAREDNESS

EM STRATEGIC PLAN: EM Associates uses a proven methodology for Strategic Plan development. An Emergency Management Strategic Plan sets the course and direction for a Homeland Security/Emergency Management program and defines the vision, mission, goals, objectives and milestones for the program. The resulting plan is the guiding document for development of a comprehensive Homeland Security Emergency Management Program and will fully comply with the Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP) and NFPA-1600 standards

ALL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN: The EM Associates Hazard Mitigation Plan is designed and developed using a repeatable methodology that fully meets FEMA DMA2K/CFR-44 and the Flood Mitigations Assistance Program (FMA) requirements. The DMA2K legislation requires all local, county and tribal governments to develop a hazard mitigation plan for their respective communities in order to be eligible to receive Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds. Each community’s hazard mitigation plan must be submitted to and approved by the state and FEMA by November 1, 2004. DMA2K requires that each plan must, at minimum, address or include the following general items:

• Plan Adoption by All Jurisdictions

• Planning Process including Public Involvement

• Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment

• Mitigation Strategy

• Plan Implementation and Maintenance Procedures

• Any Specific State Requirements

The Flood Mitigation Assistance Program (FMA) is part of the National Flood Insurance Reform Act (NFIRA) of 1994 (42 U.S.C. 4101) with the goal of reducing or eliminating claims under the NFIP. Funding for the program is provided through the National Flood Insurance Fund. FMA provides funding to assist states and communities in implementing measures to:

• Reduce the number of repetitively or substantially damaged structures and the associated claims on the National Flood Insurance Fund.

• Encourage long-term, comprehensive mitigation planning.

• Respond to the needs of communities participating in the NFIP to expand their mitigation activities beyond floodplain development review and permitting.

• Complement other federal, state and local mitigation programs with similar, long-term mitigation goals.

HSEEP COMPLIANT EXERCISES: The most effective way to evaluate preparedness prior to an actual disaster or terrorist incident is by conducting and evaluating threat and performance based exercises. Exercises provide a risk-free environment for jurisdictions to assess if plans, policies, procedures, resources, and agreements are in place to enable Emergency Management, Homeland Security personnel and other stakeholders to perform critical tasks required to mitigate prepare for, respond to, and recover from a disaster or terrorist incident.

The Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP), U.S. Department of Homeland Security, has defined a methodology and developed guidance for the evaluation of performance-based exercises. The exercise evaluation methodology is designed to enhance the quality and usefulness of exercises by evaluating performance against standardized criteria, enhancing data analysis, and focusing greater attention on implementation of improvements. The evaluation process recognizes those critical tasks that the exercise participants perform well and makes recommendations for improvements that need to be made. The goal is to improve the overall preparedness.

EM Associates in conjunction with a EM Assist Inc. provides a HSEEP compliant exercise process that uses a tested methodology for exercise development, facilitation, evaluation and improvement planning that reduces consultants and end user development and implementation time.

EM Associates/EM Assist’s exercise methodology is a comprehensive approach to the implementation of emergency management based on best practices.  The exercises incorporate the National Incident Management System (NIMS) as the standard to improve Emergency Management programs while reducing liability exposure.

EM Associates/EM Assist Inc. will use HSEPP methodology for Exercise Development, Facilitation and Implementation. This methodology is based upon the latest exercise design, development, and project management principles. This process-centric methodology has been used across the country to develop facilitate and implement exercises.  The focus of the methodology is on identification of the core needs, operations processes, specific goals and objectives and other resources that are required to produce an effective and efficient exercise. 

Our Master Exercise Practitioners will work with your designated team of community representatives to create a comprehensive exercise plan using the eight-step exercise process as defined by the Department of Homeland Securities Exercise Evaluation Plan (HSEEP). The exercise process uses the latest Target Capabilities List, Universal Task List, Exercise Evaluation Guides (EEG’s) and the document and the After Action Report/Improvement Plan (AAR/IP) HSEEP templates. A typical exercise project consists of the following phases:

• Initial Planning Conference:  The Initiation Phase sets the stage by identifying needs, key personnel the exercise purpose, scope, goals, objectives, milestones and next steps.

• Mid Term Planning Conference: Draft materials will be presented to include exercise purpose, scope, scenario, exercise objectives, master scenario event lists, exercise evaluation guidelines, controller plan, evaluation plan and exercise plan.

• Final Planning Conference:  Presentation of the exercise, exercise control and evaluation methodologies and final approval of all exercise documents.

• Controller/Evaluator Training: Controller/Evaluator training will be completed just prior to the exercise.

• Exercise Facilitation: EM Assist will facilitate the exercise and participants respond to simulated emergency incident(s). Controllers will present injects from The MSEL and participant responses are evaluated by evaluators to determine attainment of exercise objectives.

• Hotwash/Feedback: All participants will complete an exercise evaluation. During the Hotwash the exercise is discussed to evaluate the overall effectiveness of the exercise. This provides information to complete the After Action Report

• After Action Report:  The After Action Report generated by EM Assist from the evaluation process is reviewed and amended at a meeting, attended by all key stakeholders.

• Improvement Plan: An Improvement Plan is generated from a planning session facilitated by EM Assist. All stakeholders attend and participate in generating a plan that specifies actions, the responsible entity for completion and a timeline for completion. EM Assist constructs and presents the final plan to all stakeholders at a subsequent meeting.

• Input to NEXS/CAP and Submission of Materials: EM Assist Inc. will develop all materials in accordance with HSEEP guidelines, manage proper entries into the DHS HSEEP exercise portal (NEXS/CAP), assure NIMS compliance, and make required submittals to the Alabama Department of Homeland Security, the Alabama Emergency management Agency and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

COMPLIANCE AND ACCREDITATION

• Plan Compliance: EM Associates provides a methodology to assess emergency management plans as to their compliance with various standards. The methodology provides a checklist process that identifies gaps and shortcomings of plans as well as their degree of compliance. The checklists include adherence to NFPA-1600, NIMS, JACHO, HICS  and Hazard Identification and Response actions.

• Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP): EM Associates evaluates Emergency Management programs utilizing the NFPA-1600 Emergency Management Standard for public and private organizations used by the Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP). EMAP establishes a common set of criteria to assess emergency management programs that enable jurisdictions to better mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters and emergencies. The planning effort follows the EMAP standard and includes a gap analysis, findings report and a plan to enable a jurisdiction to qualify for EMAP compliance. The process reviews jurisdiction operations and establishes a basic understanding of how to meet EMAP standards in the 14 areas of emergency preparedness. The goal is to assess the jurisdictions current program and recommend remediation of any EMAP compliance deficiencies  

STRATEGIC PLANNING/NFPA-1600 TRAINING

• EM Associates has developed and facilitates an, Emergency Management, 3 day Strategic Planning Course that enables students to prepare for and facilitate a strategic planning session. The course is a highly interactive course that follows the traditional strategic planning standards. Course work will develop a framework for an emergency management strategic plan.
   
• EM Associates has developed a NFPA-1600, NIMS compliant, 3 day course that enables students to incorporate NFPA-1600 standards into any public or private sector emergency management plan. The NFPA-1600 Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity is designed to be the basic criteria for a comprehensive emergency management, and business continuity Program. NFPA-1600 is considered to be an excellent benchmark for private and public business continuity and emergency planners. The standard addresses methodologies for defining and identifying risks and vulnerabilities and provides planning guidelines which address:
1. Stabilizing the restoration of the physical infrastructure
2. Protecting the health and safety of personnel
3. Crisis communications procedures
4. Management structures for both short-term recovery and long-term continuity of operations