Homeland Security and Emergency Management

Plans and Procedures, including H1N1

The National Incident Management System (NIMS), the National Response Framework (NRF), lessons learned from recent natural disasters-and now H1N1-continue to add layers of complexity and a sense of urgency to preparedness and response planning nationwide.

Operational impacts of H1N1.

All states are required to develop and submit pandemic plans, but these plans are focused more on the public health side of response. A pandemic event will result in both medical and non-medical effects-how would your agency respond in a disaster if 25% of your staff were out with the flu?

The public expects proper preparation and prompt response and recovery from disasters-even in an active pandemic. IEM has the knowledge to help state, local, tribal, and territorial agencies better understand the effects of a pandemic: we assisted FEMA in the development of the draft Comprehensive Preparedness Guide (CPG )704 - Understanding the Operational Impacts of a Pandemic.

IEM also has the experience: for example, we developed a pandemic flu supplement to the State of Louisiana's emergency operations plan (EOP) in under four weeks. The supplement includes a decision matrix, action matrix, and an additional annex that addresses the course of action should a hurricane occur during an active pandemic.

State, local technical assistance.

IEM's direct involvement in shaping and implementing national preparedness initiatives keeps our customers on the forefront of planning for and managing emergencies. We are working with the FEMA National Preparedness Directorate, Capabilities Division (formerly part of DHS Office of Grants and Training) on the development and standardization of NIMS-compliant plans and other technical assistance for state and local jurisdictions.

Peer-reviewed plans for DHS.

IEM worked with DHS on the 2006 Nationwide Plan Review, evaluating plans from all states and selected urban areas east of the Mississippi River to determine the status of emergency preparedness plans and identify best practices for responding to catastrophic events.

All-hazard, real-world experience.

IEM's broad experience ranges from planning for natural, technological, and cyber hazards to terrorism events involving weapons of mass destruction (WMD), including chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE). Our seasoned emergency planners, hazard analysts, mitigation specialists, continuity planners, and other professionals have real-world experience across the range of responder and operational disciplines.

IEM's planning and review services and technologies include: