The ABCs of Disaster Response Coastal Bend Region

1. Janna Shoe, LBSW CIRS United of Greater Houston 2-1-1 Texas/United Way HELPLINE The ABCs of Disaster Response Coastal Bend Region

2. Better understanding of emergency management field Increased knowledge of local disaster response process VOAD and NVOAD Long-Term Disaster Recovery Resource information Learning Objectives

3. AAR-After Action Review ARC-American Red Cross DC-District Coordinator EOC-Emergency Operations Center EM-Emergency Manager or Management FEMA-Federal Administration Management Agency ICS-Incident Command Structure OEM-Office of Emergency Management SOC-State Operations Center SIT REP-Situational Awareness Report TDEM-Texas Division of Emergency Management TSA-The Salvation Army/Transportation Security Administration When in doubt…always ask Just a few Acronyms

4. Disaster Basics • A disaster is an event that causes great human suffering and widespread destruction and often necessitates outside assistance to full recovery. Definition of disaster: • The American Red Cross defines it as: A disaster is an occurrence, such as a hurricane, tornado, storm, flood, high water, wind-driven water, tidal wave, earthquake, drought, blizzard, pestilence, famine, fire, explosion, volcanic eruption, building collapse, transportation accident, civil disorder, or other situation, that causes or creates human suffering which the victim cannot alleviate without assistance.

5. The Department of Homeland Security • A disaster is a special action declared by the President of the United States which authorizes the federal government to deploy resources and activate programs to assist state and local governments, private citizens, utilities, and business cope with and recover from an emergency incident which has overwhelmed the capacities of state and local government.

6. A Major Disaster can be a result of hurricanes, earthquakes, flood, tornados or major fires; the President then determines warrants supplemental federal aid. The event must be clearly more than state or local governments can handle alone. If declared, funding comes from the President's Disaster Relief Fund, managed by FEMA and disaster aid programs of other participating federal agencies. A Presidential Major Disaster Declaration puts into motion long-term federal recovery programs, some of which are matched by state programs and designed to help disaster victims, businesses and public entities. An Emergency Declaration is more limited in scope and without the long-term federal recovery programs of a Major Disaster Declaration. Generally, federal assistance and funding are provided to meet a specific emergency need or to help prevent a major disaster from occurring.

7. A Major Disaster Declaration usually follows these steps: Local Government Responds, supplemented by neighboring communities and volunteer agencies. If overwhelmed, turn to the state for assistance; The State Responds with state resources, such as the National Guard and state agencies; Damage Assessment by local, state, federal, and volunteer organizations determines losses and recovery needs; A Major Disaster Declaration is requested by the governor, based on the damage assessment, and an agreement to commit state funds and resources to the long-term recovery; FEMA Evaluates the request and recommends action to the White House based on the disaster, the local community and the state's ability to recover; The President approves the request or FEMA informs the governor it has been denied. This decision process could take a few hours or several weeks depending on the nature of the disaster.

8. Stafford Act • Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, PL 100-707, signed into law November 23, 1988; amended the Disaster Relief Act of 1974, PL 93-288. • This Act constitutes the statutory authority for most Federal disaster response activities especially as they pertain to FEMA and FEMA programs. • The Governor appoints a State Coordinating Officer (SCO) to oversee State response and recovery efforts. A Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO), appointed by the President in a Stafford Act declaration, coordinates Federal activities in support of the State.

9. What is the National Incident Management System? The National Incident Management System (NIMS) was developed so responders from different jurisdictions and disciplines could better work together to respond to natural disasters and emergencies. NIMS provides a unified approach to incident management; standard command and management structures; and an emphasis on preparedness, mutual aid and resource management. If an I&R agency wants to integrate into the local and/or state disaster planning/response infrastructure, a familiarity with NIMS is essential. National Incident Management Structure (NIMS)

10. FEMA Independent Study Program-ISP NIMS Online courses--http://training.fema.gov/IS/NIMS.aspx (except 300 & 400 are done in person locally in 2 day trg) Recommended: • IS-100.b - (ICS 100) Introduction to Incident Command System • IS-700.a National Incident Management System (NIMS), An Introduction • IS-800.b National Response Framework, An Introduction 2-1-1 Texas disaster coordinators or staff with key responsibility during disasters are required to take ICS 200 and 300.

11. Coordinates the state emergency management program, which is intended to ensure the state and its local governments respond to and recover from emergencies and disasters, and implement plans and programs to help prevent or lessen the impact of emergencies and disasters Under DPS leadership, each region has a Commander in charge of routine operations and disaster response. Captain Michelle Johnson, DPS, 3C Corpus Christi District District Coordinator, DPS, Brandy Ashby-Fischer Texas Division of Emergency Management(TDEM)

12. Support Function (ESF) #1 –Transportation Support Function (ESF) #2 –Communications Support Function (ESF) #3 - Public Works and EngineeringEmergency Support Function (ESF) #4 – Firefighting Support Function (ESF) #5 - Emergency Management Support Function (ESF) #6 – Mass Care, Emergency Assistance, Housing, and Human Services Support Function (ESF) #7 – Logistics Management and Resource SupportSupport Function (ESF) #8 – Public Health and Medical Services Support Function (ESF) #10 – Oil and Hazardous Materials Response Support Function (ESF) # 11 - Agriculture and Natural Resources Annex Support Function (ESF) #12 - Energy Support Function (ESF) #13 - Public Safety and Security Annex Support Function (ESF) #14 - Long Term Community Recovery Support Function (ESF) # 15 - External Affairs Emergency Support Function (ESF) Structure

13. Incident Command Structure (ICS)

14. The initial First Response to a disaster is the job of local government's emergency services with help from nearby municipalities, the state and volunteer agencies. In a catastrophic disaster if the governor requests, federal resources can be mobilized through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for search and rescue, electrical power, food, water, shelter and other basic human needs. Federal Emergency Assistance Agency

15. It is the long-term Recovery phase of disaster which places the most severe financial strain on local or state government. Damage to public facilities and infrastructure, often not insured, can overwhelm even a large city. A governor's request for a major disaster declaration could mean an infusion of federal funds, but the governor must also commit significant state funds and resources for recovery efforts. Disaster Aid Response & Recovery

16. Founded in 1970 in response to the challenges many disaster organizations experienced following Hurricane Camille, which hit the Gulf Coast in August, 1969. Fosters the four C’s—communication, coordination, collaboration, and cooperation in order to better serve people impacted by disasters. National VOAD, http://www.nvoad.org/ Texas VOAD, http://texasvoad.org/ Coastal Bend TX VOAD covers twelve counties of Coastal Bend region (Corpus Christi/Nueces co). Examples of response include local (2012, 2010, 2015) flooding, 2005 tornado and 2005 Hurricane Katrina. Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD)

19. American Red Cross The Salvation Army and Service Units Texas Baptist Men Disaster Relief Southern Baptist Men Disaster Relief Catholic Charities, USA Presbyterian Disaster Relief UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) Seventh Day Adventist Feeding America Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid FNST (Functional Needs & Access Support Team) Partnerships Long Term Recovery

20. What have been challenges in your own efforts to develop partnerships? What has been successful? Do you report your own disaster call volume information to your VOAD or partners? What out of the ordinary resources have participated in your long-term disaster recovery events? Thank You Open DiscussionQ&A

21. Janna Shoe, LBSW, CIRS Outreach Coordinator, Coastal Bend 2-1-1 Texas/United Way HELPLINE United Way of Greater Houston (361) 742-5891 jshoe@unitedwayhouston.org Contact Information