After Action Review Hurricane Season 2004 Nashville,TN April 5-7

December 9 – 10, 2004 Tucson, AZ After Action Review (AAR) What did we set out to do? What actually happened? Why did it happen? What are we going to do next?

What did we set our to do? Provide procurement support to IMTs, and support their ability to complete the mission assignment.

What Actually Happened and Why? Hurry up and wait BTs that did not meet National standards Disaster shock Competing with local population for supplies Resistance from vendors to accept EERAs Did not understand FEMA or their command structure FEMA “Locked” supplies

What Actually Happened and Why? Cont. Poor in briefings or less than complete Poor close outs and transitions FEMA and Land Use Agreements Vehicles, ADs, driving requirements Multiple hurricanes, retreating, returning, etc FEMA caches and locations? Communications / Miscommunications?

What Actually Happened and Why? Cont. Coordination with FEMA Collocation of IMT and BT Safety first, travel caravans Effective BT networks Cell phone use / payment inconsistent Who is in charge?

What Do We Want to Do Next Time? Sustain Pre-position BTs 72 hour kits, potential local impact Use Credit Cards Encourage BT resourcefulness Continue daily conference call Continue co-location of BT & IMT Safety first

What Do We Want to Do Next Time? Improve Qualified BT coordinator assigned to SAC in Atlanta Southern Region Mob Center will prepare 72 hour kits and have them ready to deploy Insure the incoming BT meet National Standards Special issues, traumatized people, communities, cultural factors FEMA training for BTs Retreat = close out. Start over upon return.

FEMA has ten regional offices, and two area offices. Each region serves several states, and regional staff work directly with the states to help plan for disasters, develop mitigation programs, and meet needs when major disasters occur.

REGION IV The Regional Office is located on 3003 Chamblee -Tucker Road in northeast Atlanta, Georgia, just off I-85. Serves the eight southeastern states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee, Region IV is FEMA's largest geographic region. During a Presidential Disaster Declaration, in addition to its 115 full-time employees, the Region can draw from a cadre of over 550 Disaster Assistance Employees or "reservists" experienced in areas ranging from the delivery of disaster assistance to public information and more.

FEMA activities conducted through Emergency Support Functions (ESF) ESF #1Transportation ESF #2Communications ESF #3Public Works and Engineering ESF #4Firefighting ESF #5Information and Planning ESF #6Mass Care ESF #7Resource Support ESF #8Health and Medical Services ESF #9Urban Search and Rescue ESF #10Hazardous Materials ESF #11Food ESF #12Energy

ESF #4, regardless of actual mission Primary responsibility of the U.S. Forest Service Including the National wildland fire agencies: – BIA, BLM, NPS, F&WS – State and local fire organizations – State Emergency Organization

Emerging threat is identified Emergency Support Team (EST) begins strategic planning (includes representatives of all ESF functions) Begins to pre-position resources to respond to pending emergencies Places IMT and BT on call even though the actual mission is still unknown

Situation Progresses FEMA Regional Operations Center (ROC) is formed and assess needs for responders, food, equipment, and other resources. Once the ROC is established the EST closes down and the ROC assumes those duties. FEMA begins placing mission assignments through the ESF functions This effort is conducted on FEMA SURGE funds, which come directly out of FEMA project funds.

USFS Regional Operations USFS maintains the ESF#4 desk at the ROC and provides: – Care and feeding for IMTs – Needed staging support – Preparations within the USFS region – Preparation for other factors

Disaster Occurs State and local resources respond to the emergency and are overwhelmed. Governor of state issues a Declaration of Emergency to request federal assistance. The President declares an emergency and releases funds to FEMA to handle the emergency. All activities are then charged to response funding and not FEMA project dollars. A Presidential declaration can occur before a disaster occurs.

Disaster Field Office (DFO) DFO is established by the ROC in the affected state to coordinate response activities DFO assumes responsibility for response and with a full ESF staff. ROC closes down once the DFO is established. The ESF #4 at the DFO with the USFS Regional Operations tasks the IMT for a specific mission assignment based on need.

IMT & BT on call and/ or in staging No job, no funding, no participation in mission assignment, no participation in location or logistics. This is not a fire. Only limited Surge (project) FEMA funding Waiting for FEMA EST transition to ROC, transition to DFO, Governor request to President, disaster to occur, DFO mission assignment to ESF #4, USFS communication of mission assignment to IMT

Visual Flow Chart Emergency Support Team Emergency Support Team (EST) and ESF #4 National Regional Operations Center Regional Operations Center (ROC) and ESF #4 Geographic Area Disaster Field Office Disaster Field Office (DFO) and ESF #4 State

The making of a mission assignment with ESF#4 FEMA submits an Action Request Form (ARF) to the ESF #4, “can you guys do this?” ESF #4 determines if the request is within to scope and mission of the USFS. ESF #4 takes request to management and field to make decision and place any restrictions on operation. ESF#4 makes quick cost estimate and gives that to FEMA. FEMA then develops a Mission Assignment Form (MAF). The MAF with the FEMA comptroller’s signature on it is the authorization to release funding. FEMA develops the actual task order.

IMT and BT Can Dos With O# report to staging location With O# have vehicle, if listed on original order With O# have cell phone, if listed on original order Have provided meals or per diem Have provided lodging Enjoy the local staging area sights and sounds Watch the weather channel Contribute to the Elvis sightings

IMT Can Not Dos Spend or obligate ANY funds, dollars, money without specific Mission assignment or Surge authority Put vehicle on purchase card or acquire vehicle not on original resource order (O#) Acquire cell phone or use personal cell phone not on original resource order (O#) Send advance team to proposed mission locations Issue S# without specific Mission assignment or Surge authority – Buy necessary supplies for producing IAP – Buy water or supplemental foods – Buy necessary supplies for staff kits – Buy supplies for preparedness for possible mission – Rent vehicles or equipment for possible mission – Rent rooms at possible mission location

72 hour provisions Atlanta MOB center is developing and purchasing 72 hour kits that will be prepackaged, wrapped, palletized and ready to load on 24’ trucks Purchased separately by IMT only after a mission assignment is issued and emergency response funding is available. This means S# are released to the IMT.

Issues, opportunities ? IMT works for FEMA – there is no land based incident agency so there are no local contacts or support resources FEMA staff – may be Disaster Assistance Employees or "reservists" that have not worked together before and may not understand ICS There is NO host agency – All items need to be completely closed out or transitioned to new team.