Monthly Updates - January 2007

ICC Monthly Highlights

National Response Plan (NRP) and National Incident Management System (NIMS) Revision

The National Response Plan (NRP) and the National Incident Management System (NIMS) are currently undergoing review and revision. The review of these important documents is being conducted with an emphasis on a transparent process that incorporates input from all stakeholders. The review process is multi-layered with a Steering Committee, an Interagency Task Force, a Writing Team, and Work Groups.

CRCL Senior Policy Advisor Claudia Gordon and Brian Parsons have been assigned to co-chair the Special Needs Work Group of the NRP revision process. The Special Needs Work Group is one of 12 work groups preparing recommendations for the NRP Revision Writing Team. In coordinating this important task, CRCL has reached out to stakeholders and subject matter experts within federal, state, local and tribal governments, as well as other non-governmental organizations for their participation. The Work Group will be recommending changes in the NRP Base Plan, the Emergency Support Functions (ESF), and Annexes. In addition, CRCL monitoring the work of other NRP Work Groups such as the Evacuation and Sheltering Work Group and the Companion Animals Work Group.

Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2007 – Section 689 Guidelines

CRCL and its ICC partners continue to collaborate with FEMA in the development of a Working Draft of Guidelines for Accommodating Individuals with Disabilities in Disasters. The Guidelines are required by Section 689 of the 2007 Homeland Security Appropriations Act. Pursuant to its charge under Executive Order 13347, CRCL is coordinating the project by working collaboratively with a Work Group consisting of representatives from federal agencies with jurisdiction over the enforcement of various disability civil rights and accessibility laws. It is the intent of the Guidelines to demonstrate how the array of existing accessibility requirements can be synthesized and framed as a tool for use by response and recovery personnel in the field.

Interagency Coordinating Council on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities - Points of Contact Meeting

On January 9, CRCL hosted a meeting of the staff level points of contact that comprises the federal Interagency Coordinating Council on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities (ICC) at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) headquarters. CRCL introduced to the Council a new framework for organizing its work in the form of a two-year Action Plan. The existing ICC Subcommittees will be re-organized into Work Groups focusing on strategic objectives. CRCL engaged ICC members in order to form one such Work Group which will focus on providing expertise on disability and special needs issues during FEMA's revision of the National Response Plan (NRP). CRCL reported on the progress of the ICC's Work Group on developing guidelines for accommodating individuals with disabilities during disaster operations. CRCL concluded the meeting by introducing a draft of standard operating procedures for the ICC's Incident Management Team which is activated during incidents of national significance.

CRCL Presentation to the Kentucky Summit on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities

On January 9, CRCL Senior Policy Advisor, Brian Parsons, provided the keynote remarks at a Summit on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities, hosted by the Kentucky Office on Homeland Security. The Summit was attended by 150 representatives from Kentucky's state government, local emergency managers, and community organizations interested in this subject. Mr. Parsons addressed topics including the role of CRCL and the ICC, disability civil rights principles, intergovernmental collaboration, and community planning considerations, personal preparedness, and community involvement in emergency management.

US Department of Health and Human Services

HHS Working to Ensure Emergency Preparedness Issues of Persons with Disabilities addressed in the National Response Plan

The Leadership of the Office on Disability Health and Human Services Subcommittee is working with the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) and representatives from all HHS agencies in ensuring that emergency preparedness issues for persons with disabilities are addressed in the ongoing rewrite of the National Response Plan, including participation in the Support Annex working groups and input to all ESF annex rewrites. Additionally the Office on Disabilities, Director and Deputy Director are participating in the ASPR Playbook, for natural and man-made disasters, rewrite process.

Development of Emergency Preparedness Toolkit for State and Local Planners

The charge of the Health and Human Services Subcommittee is to meet the health and human services challenges of persons with disabilities in emergency preparedness, and under the leadership of the HHS Office on Disability and ASPR a web based training toolkit targeting State and local emergency response managers is being developed. This toolkit will also be available in other medium including written and audio. The Statement of Work was accepted by the vendor.

In addition to the toolkit development, the vendor will provide an introductory web based training module on disability. It will first be used to educate HHS Public Health and civil service staff to be detailed for an emergency. The second step based on HHS experience, is to include the module in the toolkit for use by state emergency response managers. The training module is scheduled for submission to the Office on Disabilities in February 2007.

Continued Collaboration with the American Red Cross

The Shelter Tool and the Memorandum of Agreement on the use the Guidelines developed by the Subcommittee, ASPR and the Red Cross is in the clearance process to become HHS policy for shelter triage. It will than be signed by HHS and Red Cross principals. This triage and shelter intake tool will identify persons with disabilities and medical conditions to ensure that all persons are assigned to the shelter option with needed accommodations to maintain independence unless medical issues necessitate a more medical-based shelter.

US Department of Transportation

US Department of Transportation Next Generation 9-1-1 Project: Notice of Contract Award

The U.S. Department of Transportation (ITS JPO, RITA & EMS Office, NHTSA) has announced the selection of Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc. (BAH) to support the USDOT Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) initiative.

The $4.4 million dollar contract requires the team spearheaded by BAH to develop and validate requirements for the NG9-1-1 system, define a system architecture, and develop a transition plan that considers responsibilities, costs, schedule, and benefits for deploying IP-based emergency services across America. The system will be evaluated to determine how it supports emergency call initiation, routing, and processing that will ultimately fulfill public safety emergency response information needs. The contract’s period of performance is expected to be two years.

The growing market penetration of both cellular and Voice-Over-Internet-Protocol (VOIP) telephony have underscored the limitation of the current 9-1-1 infrastructure.

Anticipated benefits to be derived from a next-generation system include:

• Quicker and more accurate information delivery to responders;
• Better and more useful forms of information: real-time text, images, video, and other data;
• More flexible, secure, and robust Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) operations; and
• Lower public capital and operating costs for emergency communication services.

NG9-1-1 is one of USDOT’s major ITS research initiatives. For detailed information on NG9-1-1 and the other major ITS initiatives, go to the USDOT’s ITS Website at http://www.its.dot.gov.

US Department of Education

Final Report on Assessing the Impact of Hurricane Katrina on Persons with Disabilities Available

"Assessing the Impact of Hurricane Katrina on Persons with Disabilities" final report is now available at http://rtcil.org/products/NIDRR_FinalKatrinaReport.pdf. This research project was conducted by Glen White, Michael Fox, and Catherine Rooney at the University of Kansas Research and Training Center on Independent Living, and by Antony Cahill at the University of Mexico. The project was funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, and focused on major barriers faced during Hurricane Katrina by centers for independent living and emergency managers in responding to the needs of people with disabilities.

US Department of Labor

On January 11, representatives of the ICC attended a meeting of the ICC Emergency Preparedness in the Workplace Work Group. Among the agenda items for the meeting were: ICC agency updates, highlights of the December conference on Emergency Preparedness and Response (For People with Disabilities, the Elderly, Pediatrics, and Animals), and a presentation from the General Services Administration regarding comprehensive continuity of operations (COOP) planning for all hazard situations.

General Services Administration

Following a review of the importance and significance of strategic planning for GSA’s role in preparedness, response and recovery in support of national disasters, the Administrator has determined that a new organizational structure is needed to meet these agency-wide needs and goals. GSA has announced the creation of a new office entitled the Office for Emergency Response and Recovery (OERR). OERR will consist of the following structure:

• Office of the Chief of Emergency Response and Recovery;
• Policy and Plans Division;
• Training and Exercise Division;
• Disaster Support Division;
• Communications and Security Division; and,
• Historic Preservation Team.

For more information on this office please visit: http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/contentView.do?contentType=GSA_BASIC&contentId=22205&noc=T.

US Department of Homeland Security

Top Officials (TOPOFF) Exercises

CRCL continues its involvement with TOPOFF exercise development. On January 18, CRCL was visited by representatives of the DHS TOPOFF National Exercise #4 planning staff. The exercise is scheduled for October 2007, and will involve simulated emergency events in Arizona, Oregon, and Guam. The TOPOFF planners have requested CRCL's participation in the preparation, conducting, and assessment of the exercise to ensure that disability/special needs issues are highly visible among the testing priorities.

Background: CRCL actively participated in the drafting of the TOPOFF 3 Full Scale Exercise After-Action Report submitted to Secretary Chertoff. That report included a Remediation Action Plan identifying shortfalls the exercise did not sufficiently address, and recommendations to correct those shortfalls. CRCL's primary concern was that the exercise did not sufficiently address the needs of people with disabilities in exercise planning, play, delivery or in the accommodation of observers with disabilities. CRCL made specific recommendations to have these issues remedied during TOPOFF 4.

Exercise and Evaluation Program

CRCL submitted recommendations for expanding disability-related considerations within the Draft Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) Policy and Guidance. The draft documents were being distributed to solicit feedback as to the modifications necessary to endorse and promulgate a single unified exercise policy and methodology, both within DHS and throughout the Federal Interagency community. The HSEEP Volumes provide a standardized methodology and terminology for exercise design, development, conduct, evaluation and improvement planning. Established in 2002, the HSEEP Volumes are maintained and updated by the DHS Directorate for Preparedness, and reflect best practices derived from a wide range of homeland security-related exercise and evaluation programs.

Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) 2007 Overview

A core mission of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is to enhance the ability of State, local and tribal governments to prepare, prevent, and respond to terrorist attacks and other disasters. The Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) is a primary funding mechanism for building and sustaining national preparedness capabilities. HSGP is comprised of five separate grant programs:

• Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI)
• State Homeland Security Program (SHSP)
• Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program (LETPP)
• Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS)
• Citizen Corps Program (CCP).

Together, these grants fund a range of preparedness activities, including planning, organization, equipment purchase, training, exercises, and management and administration costs.

Among the funding priorities for the FY 2007 HSGP is the enhancement of catastrophic planning to address Nationwide Plan Review results. Based on that requirement, CRCL reviewed the grant to ensure the inclusion of appropriate language regarding individuals with disabilities.

For more information on the 2007 grant guidance please visit: http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/grants-2007-program-overview-010507.pdf.

Recently Released Resources

Government Accountability Office (GAO) Releases Report on Transportation-Disadvantaged Populations

During the evacuation of New Orleans in response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005, many of those who did not own a vehicle and could not evacuate were among the over 1,300 people who died. This raised questions about how well state and local governments, primarily responsible for disaster planning, integrate transportation-disadvantaged populations into such planning. GAO assessed the challenges and barriers state and local officials face; how prepared these governments are and steps they are taking to address challenges and barriers; and federal efforts to provide evacuation assistance.

To view the entire Report please visit: http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-44. To view the highlights of the Report please visit: http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d0744high.pdf

Citizen Corps Included in HSGP Grant Programs for 2007

The HSGP Citizen Corps Grant (CCG) program is eligible to 56 States and Territories to further the Citizen Corps mission to bring community and government leaders together to coordinate community involvement in emergency preparedness, planning, mitigation, response and recovery. Using the USA Patriot Act formula, all 50 States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico will receive a minimum of 0.75 percent of the total available CCP grant funding. Four territories (American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands) will receive a minimum amount of 0.25 percent of the total available grant funding. The balance of the CCP funds is distributed on a population-share basis.

For more information on the 2007 grant programs please visit http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/grants-2007-program-overview-010507.pdf

Department of Homeland Security to Undergo Organizational Changes

In October, 2006 President Bush signed into law the Post-Katrina Emergency Reform Act. That Act establishes new leadership positions within DHS, brings additional functions into FEMA, creates and reallocates functions to other components within the Department, and amends the Homeland Security Act, in ways that directly and indirectly affect the organization and functions of various entities within DHS.

In addition, the Department has made certain other organizational changes outside of FEMA which complement the changes mandated by Congress. These changes, taken together, will strengthen the Department's ability to prevent, prepare for, protect against, respond to and recover from all hazard threats.

For more information on the changes that the Department will make effective March 31, 2007, please visit http://www.dhs.gov/xabout/structure/gc_1169243598416.shtm#1.

Fairfax County, VA Offers CERT Training Classes March – June, 2007

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) trains people in neighborhoods, workplaces, and schools in basic disaster response skills, such as fire suppression and search and rescue, and helps them take a more active role in emergency preparedness. The trainings offer information on Disaster Management, Triage, Medical Operations, Hazard Awareness, Lifting and Cribbing, and Scenarios. For more information about Fairfax County Citizen Corps and CERT please visit http://www.fairfaxcountycitizencorps.org.

The Department of Health and Human Services Publishes Request for Comment on Prioritization and Distribution of Pre-pandemic and Pandemic vaccines.

HHS requests input from the public on considerations in developing guidance for prioritization of the distribution and administration of pre-pandemic and pandemic influenza vaccines based on various pandemic severity and vaccine supply scenarios. Specifically, HHS is seeking input on pandemic influenza vaccine prioritization considerations from all interested and affected parties, including but not limited to public health and health care individuals and organizations, as well as those from other sectors of the economy including, for example, travel and transportation, commerce and trade, law enforcement, emergency management and responders, other critical infrastructure sectors and the general public.

The closing date for comment period is February 5, 2007. For more information please visit: http://aspe.hhs.gov.

Upcoming Events

January 29-February 2 , 2007
Florida Emergency Preparedness Association Annual Conference
Daytona Beach, Florida
The Florida Emergency Preparedness Association Annual Conference includes speaker presentations, panel discussion, and workshops that focus on timely emergency management issues and topics. In conjunction with the annual conference, association business is conducted; also, outstanding agency and individual contributions to the field of emergency management are recognized through an awards program. For more information visit: http://www.fepa.org/meetings.aspx.

February 8-9, 2007
National Conference on Disaster Planning for the Carless Society
New Orleans, LA
The University of New Orleans Transportation Center, in partnership with the New Orleans Regional Planning Commission and the Regional Transit Authority, is organizing a National Conference on Disaster Planning for the Car-less Society. Hurricanes Katrina and Rita revealed the importance of evacuation planning, especially for people without the ability or means to drive. All cities in the United States are vulnerable to natural and human caused disasters. The focus of this conference is on evacuation planning for car-less residents, including the elderly, disabled, and transit dependent populations. Our intent is to bring together government officials, professionals, and experts to discuss how we can better prepare for those that are in most need.

February 10-14, 2007
National Emergency Management Association (NEMA) Mid-Year Conference
Alexandria, VA
This conference will provide an opportunity for emergency managers to discuss common challenges, share solutions, and network with peers. During the conference attendees will hear discussion on all hazards emergency preparedness from homeland security and emergency management officials. For more information visit: http://www.nemaweb.org/?1740

February 21-23, 2007
The Public Health Preparedness Summit
Washington, DC
The 2007 Local, State, and Federal Public Health Preparedness Summit offers individuals from all parts of the country to come together and learn about new methods of meeting preparedness challenges. Public health-oriented professional associations, in cooperation with CDC and HRSA, have joined to design a program of interactive sessions, hands-on learning workshops, and social opportunities that will leave participants inspired, energized and connected to their colleagues when the Summit concludes. For more information please visit: http://www.phprep.org/.

February 22-23, 2007
National Congress for Secure Communities
Washington, DC
The Congress will bring together federal, state and local officials, first responders, members of the media, business leaders, non-profit organizations, academic experts, and other community leaders as Delegates to the Congress. The Delegates will help develop simple, effective ways to leverage the assets of the private and community sectors into the local public sector preparedness and response plan during the first 72 hours of crisis. For more information please visit: http://ncorp.org/nationalcongress/.

February 27, 2007
ICC Full Council Meeting
For more information on this meeting please contact Megan Hogan: megan.hogan@associates.dhs.gov.

March 12-13, 2007
23rd Annual Pacific Rim Conference on Disabilities
Honolulu, Hawaii
The Pacific Rim Conference is an international educational forum for persons with disabilities, family members, researchers, service providers, policy makers and nationally recognized professionals in the various disciplines in the diverse field of disabilities. Pacific Rim provides opportunities to learn from one another, share resources and ideas that support the quality of life, community inclusion, and self-determination for all persons with disabilities and their families and help shape our world community. For more information please visit: http://www.hawaii.edu/calendar/uh/2007/03/12/2756.html.

March 19-24, 2007
Technology & Persons with Disabilities Conference 2007
Los Angeles, CA
The Technology & Persons with Disabilities Conference serves as a major training venue for professionals around the world involved in the field of disability and technology. For more information on the conference please visit: http://www.csun.edu/cod/conf/index.html.

April 17-20, 2007
15th Annual VOAD Conference
Albuquerque, NM
Call For Workshop and Presentation Proposals Due December 8, 2006
Choose from beginning, intermediate or advanced levels of knowledge in any of the following four areas: preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation. All workshops are 90 minutes in length. To promote a great diversity of workshop topics, the following criteria will be used to select presentations: the spirit of coordination, collaboration, cooperation, and communication; content of presentation; emerging trends; and conference theme. For more information please visit: http://www.nvoad.org/annualconf1.php.

About the Interagency Coordinating Council on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties oversees the implementation of Executive Order 13347, Individuals with Disabilities in Emergency Preparedness, which was signed by President Bush in July 2004. This Executive Order is designed to ensure the safety and security of individuals with disabilities in all-hazard emergency and disaster situations. To this end, the Executive Order created an Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC) on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities. The ICC is comprised of senior leadership from more than 20 Federal departments and agencies. Its mission is to ensure that people with disabilities and their specific needs are fully integrated into all aspects of our nation's emergency management system; including mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. The Secretary of Homeland Security is the Chair of the ICC, and he has delegated that role to Mr. Daniel Sutherland, the DHS Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. The Council has concentrated its work in eight major areas:

1. Emergency Communications;
2. Emergency Preparedness in the Workplace;
3. Emergency Transportation;
4. Health;
5. Private Sector Coordination;
6. Research;
7. State, Local and Tribal Government Coordination; and
8. Technical Assistance and Outreach.

For more information about the ICC please visit http://www.disabilitypreparedness.gov.