RE: FEMA - New resources for EM

WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has developed two new resources for emergency managers and first responders to enhance mutual aid systems across the country and help emergency response networks operate more effectively together.

"President Bush, Secretary Ridge and I are committed to first responders," said Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response. "The development of this common terminology for resources in emergency response operations is necessary for effective mutual aid arrangements and interoperability."

The new resources include The National Mutual Aid Glossary of Terms and Definitions, which provides terms for equipment, teams and personnel used in disasters, and, Resource Typing Definitions – I, which organizes equipment and teams by functional category and 'types' them according to capability and/or capacity. Functional categories by which the resources are organized, include Emergency Management, Emergency Medical Systems, Fire/Hazardous Materials, Health and Medical, Law Enforcement, Public Works, and Search and Rescue.

'Resource Typing' is a term used by emergency managers and responders to define the capabilities of a particular resource. For example, the definition for an Urban Search and Rescue Team would specify the numbers and kinds of professionals the team would require, the level of training and certification they must have, the specific equipment needed by the team, and the logistical requirements necessary to maintain the team.

Resource Typing Definitions – I covers an initial 60 resources; it is anticipated that by the end of FY 2004, a total of 120 typed resources will have been completed and released. The glossary and resource typing definitions may be downloaded from the fema.gov website at: www.fema.gov/preparedness/mutual_aid.shtm.

The glossary and resource definitions are part of a Homeland Security and FEMA initiative to support the new National Incident Management System (NIMS), the nation's first standardized management plan that creates a unified structure for federal, state, and local lines of government for incident response.

FEMA's resource typing initiative will provide states and local jurisdictions with a basis to type, inventory, order, and track federal, state, and local assets. This will ensure that equipment and personnel deployed through NIMS are compatible with those of neighboring jurisdictions that work together through mutual aid agreements.

On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.

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