Metro Fire Chiefs TTX

Transcription

1 Metro Fire Chiefs TTX After-Action Report August 21, 2014 The After-Action Report/Improvement Plan (AAR/IP) aligns exercise objectives with preparedness doctrine to include the National Preparedness Goal and related frameworks and guidance. Exercise information required for preparedness reporting and trend analysis is included; users are encouraged to add additional sections as needed to support their own organizational needs. Rev. April 2013 HSEEP-IP01

2 EXERCISE OVERVIEW Exercise Name 2014 Metro Fire Chiefs Exercise Dates August 21, 2014 Scope Mission Area(s) Core Capabilities This exercise is a tabletop exercise planned for 2 hours at Rogers Emergency Training Center. Exercise play is limited to tabletop exercise. Response Operational Coordination, Operational Communications, Situational Assessment Assess the ability to effectively establish ICS and coordinate internal and external resources as needed through utilization of the NIMS. Objectives Assess the ability to establish and maintain multi-agency and multijurisdictional communications in response to a disaster incident. This may include but not be limited to radio, verbal and written communication. Assess the ability to utilize Multi-Agency Coordination Systems in response to scarce resource availability and overwhelming resource requirements. Threat or Hazard Scenario Sponsor Participating Organizations Point of Contact Severe storms containing violent, long-track tornadoes. A severe storm complex has impacted the area containing damaging winds, large hail, and strong tornadoes. Several cities in the two-county area have been directly impacted by the storm. Northwest Arkansas Metro Fire Chiefs Association, Benton County Emergency Management Agency Local governmental organizations from Washington and Benton Counties Mike Dixon, AEM Deputy Director Benton County Emergency Management Agency 215 E Central Ave. Bentonville, AR mike.dixon@bentoncountyar.gov Exercise Overview 1 NWA Metro Fire Chiefs Association

3 ANALYSIS OF CORE CAPABILITIES Aligning exercise objectives and core capabilities provides a consistent taxonomy for evaluation that transcends individual exercises to support preparedness reporting and trend analysis. Table 1 includes the exercise objectives, aligned core capabilities, and performance ratings for each core capability as observed during the exercise and determined by the evaluation team. Objective Assess the ability to effectively establish ICS and coordinate internal and external resources as needed through utilization of the NIMS. Assess the ability to establish and maintain multi-agency and multijurisdictional communications in response to a disaster incident. This may include but not be limited to radio, verbal and written communication. Assess the ability to utilize Multi- Agency Coordination Systems in response to scarce resource availability and overwhelming resource requirements. Core Capability Operational Coordination Operational Communications Situational Assessment Performed without Challenges (P) Performed with Some Challenges (S) X Performed with Major Challenges (M) X X Unable to be Performed (U) Ratings Definitions: Performed without Challenges (P): The targets and critical tasks associated with the core capability were completed in a manner that achieved the objective(s) and did not negatively impact the performance of other activities. Performance of this activity did not contribute to additional health and/or safety risks for the public or for emergency workers, and it was conducted in accordance with applicable plans, policies, procedures, regulations, and laws. Performed with Some Challenges (S): The targets and critical tasks associated with the core capability were completed in a manner that achieved the objective(s) and did not negatively impact the performance of other activities. Performance of this activity did not contribute to additional health and/or safety risks for the public or for emergency workers, and it was conducted in accordance with applicable plans, policies, procedures, regulations, and laws. However, opportunities to enhance effectiveness and/or efficiency were identified. Performed with Major Challenges (M): The targets and critical tasks associated with the core capability were completed in a manner that achieved the objective(s), but some or all of the following were observed: demonstrated performance had a negative impact on the performance of other activities; contributed to additional health and/or safety risks for the public or for emergency workers; and/or was not conducted in accordance with applicable plans, policies, procedures, regulations, and laws. Unable to be Performed (U): The targets and critical tasks associated with the core capability were not performed in a manner that achieved the objective(s). Table 1. Summary of Core Capability Performance The following sections provide an overview of the performance related to each exercise objective and associated core capability, highlighting strengths and areas for improvement. Analysis of Core Capabilities 2 Benton County

4 Objective 1: Assess the ability to effectively establish ICS and coordinate internal and external resources as needed through utilization of the NIMS. The strengths and areas for improvement for each core capability aligned to this objective are described in this section. Core Capability 1: Operational coordination Strengths The partial capability level can be attributed to the following strengths: Strength 1: Participating agencies are comfortable with working together as a result of continued relationship-building efforts and a robust mutual-aid system between these agencies. Strength 2: The need for a complex ICS system was recognized and established early in the process. Areas for Improvement: The following areas require improvement to achieve the full capability level: Area for Improvement 1: Additional high-level and position-specific ICS training is needed. Reference: NIMS Integration Center. Analysis: Some departments have not taken the opportunity to participate in ICS classes that have been offered, and additional classes need to be made available with these departments taking advantage of these offerings. Additionally, position-specific ICS training should become more of a focus. Area for Improvement 2: Incident Command will need to be expanded systematically early on in the incident. Reference: NIMS ICS Analysis: At the realization of a large-scale incident that will likely require multiple operational periods (type I, II or III incidents) the ICS needs to be consolidated into a unified or area command and the general staff needs to be established. This needs to occur deliberately and in a systematic fashion so that separate ICS structures are aware of the changing command structure. Area for Improvement 3: Credentialing systems need to be further expanded. Reference: NIMS Integration Center, NIMS Guide for Credentialing of Personnel. Analysis: A centralized and systematic credentialing system would allow verification of qualifications particularly for mutual-aid responders from outside of the area. There currently is Analysis of Core Capabilities 3 Benton County

5 no such system deployed and each jurisdiction uses a system that may or may not have commonality. Objective 2: Assess the ability to establish and maintain multi-agency and multi-jurisdictional communications in response to a disaster incident. This may include but not be limited to radio, verbal and written communication. The strengths and areas for improvement for each core capability aligned to this objective are described in this section. Core Capability 2: Operational Communications Strengths: The partial capability level can be attributed to the following strengths: Strength 1: All participating agencies have capability on the AWIN communications system allowing interoperable communications primarily for command and control personnel. Areas for Improvement The following areas require improvement to achieve the full capability level: Area for Improvement 1: Separate radio communications systems throughout the two counties make communications difficult. Reference: Agency SOGs and plans Analysis: There are several different types of radio systems in use in the two counties, which makes communications between ground-force units difficult. Jurisdictions should consider a regional approach to communications systems upgrades and purchases that will allow multiple agencies access to a common radio system. Area for Improvement 2: Communications between ICP and EOCs needs to be systematic and regular. Reference: Agency SOGs and plans. Analysis: The communications of situational awareness, updates, and resource requests between the ICP and EOCs should be held on a regular basis and a systematic approach should be given to EOC involvement in these. Objective 3: Assess the ability to utilize Multi-Agency Coordination Systems in response to scarce resource availability and overwhelming resource requirements. Analysis of Core Capabilities 4 Benton County

6 The strengths and areas for improvement for each core capability aligned to this objective are described in this section. Core Capability 3: Situational Assessment Strengths: The partial capability level can be attributed to the following strengths: Strength 1: Regular meetings and exercises had helped to increase the level of familiarity and comfort between participating agencies producing a high level of resource coordination and cooperation during emergencies. Strength 1: The system in Arkansas provides a systematic process to receive resource requests from the ICP to the local EOC and then on to the State EOC if necessary. Areas for Improvement The following areas require improvement to achieve the full capability level: Area for Improvement 1: Improve participation of all member jurisdictions and periodically involve non-member jurisdictions in NWA Metro Fire Chiefs meetings, trainings, and exercises. Reference: N/A Analysis: There are member jurisdictions that do not participate in meetings, exercises and trainings. This makes resource coordination more difficult as the level of familiarity is greatly reduced. Additionally, non-member departments and the NWA Metro Chiefs Association could benefit from greater familiarity with surrounding departments who are not a member of the association. Analysis of Core Capabilities 5 Benton County

7 / Improvement Plan (AAR/IP) This IP has been developed specifically for Benton County EMA. APPENDIX A: IMPROVEMENT PLAN Core Capability Issue/Area for Improvement Corrective Action Capability Element 1 Primary Responsible Organization Organization POC Start Date Completion Date Core Capability 1: Operational Coordination Additional highlevel and position-specific ICS training is needed Incident Command will need to be expanded systematically early on in the incident. Work with ADEM Training Division to schedule ICS training and inform response partners of available training opportunities Revise SOPs and provide additional ICS training as stated above. Training EMA Mike Dixon 9/04/14 2/01/15 Training EMA Mike Dixon 10/1/14 12/31/14 3: Operational Communications Credentialing systems need to be further expanded Separate radio communications systems throughout the two counties make communications difficult. Explore options for web-based credentialing system that can be used countywide or regionally Coordinate with neighboring jurisdictions regarding radio system upgrades. Planning EMA Mike Dixon 09/04/14 09/04/15 Equipment EMA Mike Dixon 09/04/14 Ongoing 1 Capability Elements are: Planning, Organization, Equipment, Training, or Exercise. Appendix A: Improvement Plan A-1 Benton County

8 / Improvement Plan (AAR/IP) Core Capability 2: Operational Communications Issue/Area for Improvement Communications between ICP and EOCs needs to be systematic and regular. Corrective Action Develop SOGs to include communications between county EOC when multiple counties are impacted by an emergency or disaster. Capability Element 2 Primary Responsible Organization Organization POC Start Date Completion Date Planning EMA Mike Dixon 9/04/14 11/01/14 Training EMA Mike Dixon 10/1/14 12/31/14 3: Situational Assessment Improve participation of all member jurisdictions and periodically involve nonmember jurisdictions in NWA Metro Fire Chiefs meetings, trainings, and exercises. Invite additional nonmember jurisdictions to future exercises. Planning EMA Mike Dixon 09/04/14 09/04/15 Planning EMA Mike Dixon 09/21/14 16/01/15 2 Capability Elements are: Planning, Organization, Equipment, Training, or Exercise. Appendix A: Improvement Plan A-2 Benton County

9 / Improvement Plan (AAR/IP) APPENDIX B: EXERCISE PARTICIPANTS Federal Participating Organizations State Local Benton County Fire Services, Central EMS, Springdale FD, Gentry FD, Fayetteville FD, Fayetteville IT/GIS, Rogers FD, Washington County DEM, Benton County EMA, Lowell FD, Farmington FD NGO Appendix B: Exercise Participants B-1 Benton County