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OCR for page 16
Guidelines for Transportation Emergency Training Exercises
COMPLIANCE WITH THE NATIONAL RESPONSE PLAN (NRP) AND THE NATIONAL
INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (NIMS)
In creating its progressive exercise program, each transportation agency should be aware that the G&T
is coordinating the HSEEP with new requirements in the NRP and NIMS. The NRP (December 2004)
Establishes a comprehensive, national, all-hazards approach to domestic incident management
across a spectrum of activities;
Is predicated on NIMS (March 2004), which is a nationwide template enabling government and
nongovernmental responders to respond to all domestic incidents;
The NRP directs Provides the structure and mechanisms for nation-level policy and operational coordination for
federal domestic incident management;
involvement
in major Does not alter or impede the ability of federal, state, local, or tribal departments and agencies to
emergencies. carry out their specific authorities; and
NIMS is used by
local responders Assumes that incidents are typically managed at the lowest possible geographic, organizational,
to provide a and jurisdictional level.
framework that
can support the Figure 4 depicts the relationship between the NRP and NIMS.
integration of
state and federal
resources into the
National Incident Management System (NIMS)
emergency Standardized processes and procedures for
response effort. incident management
NIMS aligns command, control,
organization structure, terminology,
communication protocols,
resources, and resource-typing for
synchronization of response efforts
at all echelons of government.
Incident
Local
Support or The DHS integrates
Response and applies federal
resources both before
State and after the incident
Support or
Response
Federal
Support or
Response
National Response Plan (NRP)
The NRP is activated for Activation and proactive application of
Incidents of National Significance
integrated federal resources
FIGURE 4 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE NRP AND NIMS
The NRP distinguishes between incidents that require DHS coordination, termed Incidents of National
Significance, and the majority of incidents occurring each year that are handled by responsible jurisdic-
tions or agencies through other established authorities and existing plans. The DHS bases the defini-
tion of Incidents of National Significance on the following four criteria:
A federal department or agency acting under its own authority has requested the assistance of
the Secretary of Homeland Security.
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Guidelines for Transportation Emergency Training Exercises
The resources of state and local authorities are overwhelmed, and federal assistance has been
requested by the appropriate state and local authorities. An example is major disasters or emer-
gencies as defined under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.
More than one federal department or agency has become substantially involved in responding to
an incident. Examples include credible threats; indications or warnings of imminent terrorist attack;
acts of terrorism directed domestically against the people, property, environment, or political or legal
institutions of the United States or its territories or possessions; and threats or incidents related to
high-profile, large-scale events that present high-probability targets, such as National Special Secu-
rity Events (NSSEs) and other special events as determined by the Secretary of Homeland Secu-
rity, in coordination with other federal departments and agencies.
The Secretary of Homeland Security has been directed to assume responsibility for managing a
domestic incident by the President.
To prepare for these events, as specified by the DHS in the NRP, state governments must develop emer-
gency operations plans (EOPs) compliant with NRP requirements by April 30, 2005, or, at the latest,
during the state's next established cycle for updating its EOP. It is anticipated that requirements in state
EOPs will affect municipal and county emergency planning activities, which, in turn, will impact trans-
portation agencies.
In addition, NIMS has specific requirements for local emergency management and public safety agen-
cies. These requirements must be implemented by the end of fiscal year 2006. State-level activities
include
Incorporating NIMS into state EOPs;
Incorporating NIMS into existing training programs and exercises;
Ensuring that federal preparedness funding supports state, local, and tribal NIMS implementation;
Promoting intrastate mutual aid agreements;
Coordinating and providing NIMS technical assistance to local entities; and
Institutionalizing the use of the incident command system.
Affected jurisdictions should support NIMS implementation by doing the following:
Completing the NIMS Awareness Course, "National Incident Management System (NIMS),
An Introduction" IS 700. This independent study course developed by the Emergency Manage-
ment Institute (EMI) explains the purpose, principles, key components, and benefits of NIMS. The
course is available at http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/is700.asp.
Formally recognizing NIMS and adopting NIMS principles and policies. States, territories,
tribes, and local entities should establish legislation, executive orders, resolutions, or ordinances
to formally adopt NIMS. Go to http://www.fema.gov/nims and click on Tools and Templates for
examples.
Establishing a baseline by determining which NIMS requirements are already addressed.
State, territorial, tribal, and local entities have already implemented many of the concepts and
protocols identified in NIMS. As gaps in compliance with NIMS are identified, states, territories,
tribes, and local entities should use existing initiatives--such as the G&T Homeland Security
grant programs--to develop strategies for addressing those gaps.
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