1. TRIBAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT

2. Responding to an unmet need in “Indian Country” “Not every tribe needs an Incident Management Team…However, every tribe should have access to one!” These teams must have an understanding and a specific awareness pertaining to the status of Tribal Nations and their Nation to Nation relationship with the Federal Government.

3. Why is this Important? There are 565 Federally Recognized Tribes in the United States. Each Tribe, Pueblo, Rancheria, Village and Community within “Indian Country” has their own specific governmental structure and treaty rights with the Unites States government. A Tribal IMT brings an acute awareness of these differences and a desire to promote Tribal sovereignty and self-governance will significantly enhance the impacted tribes ability to successfully respond and recover from these incidents.

4. Challenges for Tribal Governments 90% of emergencies/disasters that affect Tribal Governments will not meet the thresholds to receive a Major Presidential Disaster Declaration (PDD). Many Federal Departments and Agencies do not have clear policies or an understanding of their specific agency responsibilities with regard to emergency assistance to Tribal Governments. Many Tribes do not have an approved FEMA Mitigation Plan that would allow them to be a direct grantee with FEMA during a PDD. Without these plans Tribes are sub-grantees under the auspices of the state and are not eligible for direct reimbursement.

5. Overcoming the Challenges Establishing good working relationships with the federal government and Tribes prior to and during an emergency helps expedite the response and recovery. MOU’s, MOA’s, and Intergovernmental Agreements (IGA’s) are the best way to ensure trust responsibilities are met. The development of a cadre of experienced and trained individuals that are advocates for Tribes during these events would greatly enhance the Tribes ability to respond and recover. These individuals would be known as Tribal Incident Response Officers (TIRO’s)

6. WHERE ARE WE AT NOW? Tribes can access the Tribal Assistance Coordination Group (TAC-G). Some Tribes employ their own Tribal Emergency Managers and may have their own Police, Fire, and/or EMS. However, response capabilities vary significantly throughout “Indian Country”. Currently, The Tohono O’odham Nation has one Nationally Recognized Tribal All Hazards Incident Management Team.

7. WHERE ARE WE AT NOW? Several tribes have expressed an interest to create All Hazards Incident Management Teams. However, these teams may not necessarily be deployed throughout the country. Incident Management Teams from the federal government are available when the scope of the incident meets certain thresholds. However, these teams are not Tribal specific.

8. WHERE ARE WE AT NOW? Through the National Fire Academy (NFA) and Emergency Management Institute (EMI) training opportunities dealing specifically with emergency management for tribal governments exist. All-Hazards Incident Management Team Training is available. The next Tribally sponsored IMT course is being conducted by the Seneca Nation in New York starting on June 20 th, 2011.

9. WHERE ARE WE GOING? Efforts are underway to further address and respond to the needs of “Indian Country” during emergencies. However, funding will play a critical role in this process. Without a funding stream, our ability to provide this service will be limited.

10. WHERE ARE WE GOING? A focus group recently met in Emmitsburg, Maryland to discuss the following: – The creation of a Tribal Incident Response Officer (TIRO) that could be deployed to a tribe that requests assistance during an emergency. This TIRO could seamlessly transition into a position on an Incident Management Team should one be requested. – The creation of a Tribal Liaison Officer. – Create a National Tribal All-Hazards Incident Management Team with a depth of four in every position. – Create a 24/7 dispatch mechanism. – Develop a strategic plan for the management, funding, training, and utilization.

11. HELP! OUR TRIBAL NATION HAS AN IMMEDIATE NEED FOR ASSISTANCE! Where do we go, what do we do? Putting out a call for assistance… In absence of a federal disaster declaration, the TAC-G is available to help. By utilizing an All- Hazards approach to emergency management, IA, IHS, and FEMA may operate in a structure to provide support to tribal governments under existing authorities. However, this support is extremely limited and at this point, there are no mechanisms for a physical response!

12. SOLUTION… Create and Deploy a Tribal Incident Response Officers (TIRO’s). Create and Deploy a Tribal All-Hazards Incident Management Team. Secure funding for the development, deployment, and sustainment of these resources.

13. For Additional Information… Contact: Dave Bunce E-Mail:David.Bunce@srpmic-nsn.gov Cell:(520) 647-1741 Jake Heflin E-Mail:JCHeflin@gmail.com Cell:(949) 500-1224