Haiti Earthquake Earthquake in Haiti
Haiti Earthquake – After Action Review Search and rescue operations Overall safety and law enforcement Sustainment / support to the US Department of State and US Agency for International Development efforts in-country Support / preparation for potential mass migration Transition responsibilities to other agencies and begin withdrawing personnel, as appropriate. Operation Safe Return Priorities
Strengths – Haiti Early activation of the Incident Management Team Co-location of key senior leadership within the Incident Management Team Maintained detailed list of all deployed personnel Deployments / enhanced response time to missions and assistance needed Connectivity / maintaining situational awareness Continuity of personnel Consistency and timeliness of reporting and processing Requests for Information
Areas for Improvement Improve efficiencies of Incident Command / Control to streamline decision making and ensure a coordinated response effort Increase logistical support and pre-deployment to facilitate the movement of supplies, equipment and personnel Standardize incident management practices using concept of Incident Command Structure and the National Incident Management System
Areas for Improvement (cont’d) Increase communication –Information sharing –Development of stronger partnerships Develop ongoing association with a medical program for pre-deployment vaccinations to ensure the safety and well-being of employees Conduct more training and Table Top Exercises
The Common Threads… Communication / Planning / Coordination
Questions
Thank you! “Assessing, developing, attaining, and sustaining needed emergency preparedness, response and recovery capabilities is a difficult task that requires sustained leadership and the coordinated efforts of many stakeholders from a variety of first responder disciplines, levels of government, and non- government entities. There is no silver bullet, no easy formula.” William Jenkins
Contact Information Sharon I. Peyus Director (former) National Incident Response Unit (202) Robert C. Hutchinson Assistant Special Agent in Charge Homeland Security Investigations (305)