INTERAGENCY COORDINATING COUNCIL ON EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES
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Monthly Updates - January 2008

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ICC Monthly Highlights

National Response Framework Released

On January 22, 2008, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the National Response Framework (NRF), successor to the National Response Plan. The NRF, which focuses on response and short-term recovery, articulates the doctrine, principles and architecture by which our nation prepares for and responds to all-hazard disasters across all levels of government and all sectors of communities. The NRF is responsive to repeated federal, state, local and private sector requests for a streamlined document that is less bureaucratic and more user-friendly. The NRF also focuses on preparedness and encourages a higher level of readiness across all jurisdictions.

The NRF is being released following an extensive process of outreach and coordination between DHS and key stakeholders representing federal, tribal, state and local governments, non-governmental agencies and associations, and the private sector. The latest public comment period for the base document of the NRF closed on Oct. 22, 2007 and the comment period for the support annexes closed on Nov.10, 2007. The final documents reflect the nearly 5,700 comments received from participants of the process.

"The National Response Framework is an essential tool for emergency managers at all levels," said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. "It helps define the roles, responsibilities, and relationships critical to effective emergency planning, preparedness and response to any emergency or disaster. Today’s release reflects the culmination of many months of hard work and collaboration within the nation’s emergency management community."

The NRF is intended for senior elected and appointed leaders, such as federal department and agency heads, state governors, mayors, tribal leaders, city managers and the private sector. Simultaneously, it informs emergency management practitioners by explaining the operating structures and tools routinely used by first responders and emergency managers at all levels of government.

The NRF is designed to:

  • be scalable, flexible and adaptable;
  • always be in effect; and
  • articulate clear roles and responsibilities among local, state and federal officials.

In addition to releasing the NRF base document, the Emergency Support Function Annexes and Support Annexes will be released and posted at the NRF Resource Center (www.fema.gov/nrf), an online repository of the entire component parts of the NRF. The annexes are a total of 23 individual documents designed to provide concept of operations, procedures and structures for achieving response directives for all partners in fulfilling their roles under the NRF.

Upon finalization and publication of the NRF base document and the annexes, a large focus will be to initiate an intensive nationwide training and exercise program to embed the NRF into the nation's preparedness and response cycle. Implementation of the NRF training and exercise strategy will include awareness training, position-specific training, exercises (tabletop and functional), and sustainment training.

To make the NRF a living system that can be revised and updated in a more nimble, transparent fashion, the NRF Resource Center was developed. The Resource Center will allow for ongoing revisions as necessary to reflect real-world events and lessons learned.

The NRF and the annexes will go into effect 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.

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ICC Monthly Updates

US Department of Homeland Security

DHS Participates in National Conference

On January 8th, 2008, DHS Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Emergency Management Specialist Debbie Fulmer served as a panelist at a national Emergency Preparedness and Response Conference for People with Disabilities. In addition, Cindy Daniel, FEMA Disability Coordinator, delivered the luncheon keynote remarks. The conference was hosted by the National Organization on Disability's Emergency Preparedness Initiative, in cooperation with the Homeland Defense Journal. The conference agenda addressed all aspects of emergency management planning and response for people with disabilities, the elderly and pediatric populations. The conference brought together national experts and a wide variety of stakeholders to discuss changes in policies, legislation, response protocols, workplace safety, and disaster management. The audience consisted of federal, state and local attendees from varied backgrounds including emergency management, disability and special needs, and faith based organizations.

TOPOFF 4 Exercise After-Action Conference

Claudia Gordon, DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Senior Policy Advisor, and Cindy Daniel, FEMA's Disability Coordinator, provided input on issues related to the inclusion of individuals with disabilities and special needs populations during the Top Officials (TOPOFF) 4 After-Action Conference. During the two day conference, held January 15 and 16, participants reviewed the after-action/evaluation process and discussed policy observations identified during the TOPOFF 4 Full-Scale and Long-Term Recovery Exercises. The discussion focused on refining, validating, and enhancing exercise design to generate an exercise improvement plan in accordance with the policies defined in the National Exercise Program. In addition, input was provided pertaining to the implementation of the TOPOFF 4 cycle of events (i.e. conferences, training, exercise delivery, etc.) and planning considerations for any future national-level exercise.

Discussion also offered exercise design and development recommendations for improvements to future National Level Exercise events. Ms. Gordon and Ms. Daniel expressed appreciation to the team for their support and openness to the inclusion of special needs populations throughout the exercise. They then offered recommendations on how to improve collaboration with disability related non-government and private sector organizations from the beginning of exercise development through the after-action report process. In addition, they provided subject matter expertise throughout the discussion to identify situations that the full scale exercise exposed and which require further consideration.

CRCL will provide written input to the After Action Report, identifying how to further strengthen the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in exercise design and delivery in future exercise development.

Top Officials 4 (TOPOFF 4) is the Nation's premier terrorism preparedness exercise, involving top officials at every level of government, as well as representatives from the international community and private sector.

DHS CRCL Presentations to Disability Program Navigator Leaders

On January 28 and 29, Senior Policy Advisor Brian Parsons provided conference call presentations to the nationwide network of Disability Program Navigator state project leaders. Disability Program Navigators, funded by the U.S. Department of Labor, serve within the nation's job training centers to assist job seekers with disabilities in securing supportive services to achieve and maintain employment. Mr. Parsons’ remarks focused on the changing landscape of emergency preparedness and disability, civil rights considerations during disasters, and how Disability Program Navigators can link with emergency management officials within their communities.

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U.S. Access Board

Advisory Committee on Emergency Transportable Housing Convenes

The Advisory Committee on Emergency Transportable Housing convened on January 24 – 25, 2008 at the U.S. Access Board headquarters office in Washington, DC. The Board organized this committee, which includes representation from disability groups, industry and code groups, and government agencies, to provide recommendations on supplementing its guidelines to specifically cover emergency transportable housing. Access to such housing proved problematic in the after-math of Hurricane Katrina and, after verifying and examining the issues involved, the Board has determined that supplementary guidelines may be needed.

For further information visit the Board’s website at www.access-board.gov/eth/index.htm. To view the notice of establishment of this advisory committee published in the Federal Register on August 23, 2007 visit http://www.access-board.gov/eth/establish.htm.

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U.S. Department of Education

The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
U.S. Department of Education Seeks Nominations for American Stars of Teaching

The U.S. Department of Education is seeking nominations for its fifth annual American Stars of Teaching project, which recognizes exemplary teachers who raise student achievement, use innovative classroom strategies and make a difference in their students' lives, Secretary Margaret Spellings announced today.

"The American Stars of Teaching are but a fraction of the committed teachers across the country who spend the time, effort and energy necessary to ensure the academic success of every student," said Spellings. "Recognizing these teachers is a small way to show our gratitude for making a difference in the lives of students."

The American Stars of Teaching project is a component of the Department's Teacher-to-Teacher Initiative, which was developed by teachers for teachers. Its overall goal is to engage some of the nation's best teachers and practitioners in sharing strategies for raising student achievement and informing teachers of the latest successful research-based practices. The initiative also includes regional and district summer workshops for teachers, roundtables, regular e-mail updates, digital learning and other professional development opportunities.

Teachers across all grade levels and disciplines will be honored this fall as 2008 American Stars of Teaching. One teacher will be recognized from every state and the District of Columbia. Colleagues, parents, students, school administrators or members of the community may nominate a teacher they believe has demonstrated the skills, talents and qualities that personify an American Star of Teaching.

Last year the Department received more than 4,000 nominations for the program. Honorees were selected by a committee composed of former K-12 teachers who now work for the U.S. Department of Education. As in the past, Education Department officials will again visit the schools of American Star teachers to congratulate them on their success.

Nominations for American Stars must be submitted to the Department by March 31. The online nomination form and more information about the Teacher-to-Teacher Initiative are available at http://www.ed.gov/teacherinitiative.

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National Council on Disability

National Council on Disability Discussed Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities in New Orleans

The National Council on Disability (NCD) heard presentations on emergency preparedness for people with disabilities in New Orleans, Louisiana, on January 29, 2008 as part of its quarterly board meeting. The presentations were presented by stakeholders and professionals including the FEMA National Disability Coordinator Cindy Daniel and were open to the public and the media.

Speakers included:

  • Charles Tubre, Systems Advocacy Specialist, Advocacy Center, New Orleans, LA
  • Sandra Bookman, Executive Director, Houston Center for Independent Living, Houston, TX
  • Christy Dunaway, Executive Director, Living Independence For Everyone (LIFE) of Mississippi, Jackson, MS
  • Kay Wilkins, CEO, Southeast Louisiana Chapter, American Red Cross, Metairie, LA
  • Michael Hawley, Major and Area Commander, The Salvation Army, New Orleans, LA
  • Rebecca Floyd, Executive Director, Mississippi Protection and Advocacy System, Inc., Jackson, MS

In 2003, NCD committed itself to evaluating the Federal Government's role in the areas of homeland security, emergency preparedness and disaster relief, as they relate to people with disabilities. This commitment occurred, in large measure, as a result of the man-made terrorist events of September 11, 2001, and the creation of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. NCD's first evaluation findings were issued in April 2005 in the report, Saving Lives: Including People with Disabilities in Emergency Planning (http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/2005/saving_lives.htm).

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Recently Released Resources

The Social Security Administration has released A Summary Guide to Employment Support for Individuals with Disabilities under the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income Programs (SSI). The guide can be found at: www.socialsecurity.gov/redbook/redbook.htm.

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Upcoming Events

February 3 - 5, 2008
Second National Emergency Management Summit
Washington, D.C.
The second National Emergency Management Summit will be held on February 3-5, 2008 at the Renaissance Hotel in Washington, D.C. The Emergency Management Summit focuses on medical preparedness and response to disasters, epidemics and terrorism. Forum topics include Planning Tools You Can Use To Meet The Needs Of Individuals With Disabilities In An Emergency: What To Do, What Not To Do, And What Difference Does It Make?; How Healthcare Providers and Plans Can Work with FEMA to Make Emergency Response Successful; and Special Populations: Preparing Racially and Ethnically Diverse Communities For Public Health Emergencies. The keynote speaker will be David Nabarro, MD, Assistant Secretary-General and United Nations System Senior Coordinator for Avian and Human Influenza. For more information please visit: www.emergencymanagementsummit.com.

March 6-8, 2008
National Severe Storm Workshop - "From Readiness to Recovery"
Norman, Oklahoma
A national forum for academia, emergency management, media, and NOAA to exchange information and techniques for public safety during severe weather. The conference allows workshop participants to step out of their normal operational roles and responsibilities and take part in a simulated emergency. Role playing interactions among the different groups managing the scenario spur on-going discussions about ways to improve emergency communications and the warning process. For more information please visit: http://www.norman.noaa.gov/NSWW2008/index.html.

March 11-14, 2008
VEMC Conference
Hampton, Virginia
The 2008 VEMC "It Can Happen Here", will be held at the Hampton Roads Convention Center on March 11th through the 14th. The tentative key note speaker for this year is current chairman of the World Meteorological Organization's Regional Association-IV and former director of the National Hurricane Center, Max Mayfield. Some provisional workshop topics are crisis management for schools, water system disruptions and rural/agricultural drought issues (tabletop exercise), and Minnesota bridge collapse debris management. For more information please visit: http://www.vdem.state.va.us/.

March 13–14, 2008
Crossing Borders Emergency Preparedness Conference
Buffalo Niagara Convention Center
Buffalo, NY 14202
Regional, national, and international experts will come together during the 2008 Crossing Borders Emergency Preparedness Conference to provide critical information about bi-national measures being taken to plan, prepare and protect the Western New York and Southern Ontario Regions in the event of natural and man-made disasters. The conference includes a session on Reaching Vulnerable Populations: Communicating in the Presence of Risk. For more information, please contact the office of Border Community SERVICE at (716) 286-8010 or Nancy Brennan Blundell via email at nbb@niagara.edu or visit http://www.semo.state.ny.us/uploads/2008_Crossing_Borders.pdf.

April 1–2, 2008
Partners in Emergency Preparedness
Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center
Tacoma, WA 98402
The Partners in Emergency Preparedness Conference is the largest and most successful regional emergency preparedness conference in the Pacific Northwest. Partners in Emergency Preparedness annually hosts over 500 people representing business, schools, government, the nonprofit sector, emergency management professionals, and volunteer organizations. The Partners Conference attracts top-notch speakers with expertise that includes earthquake research, contingency planning, school preparedness, technology, news media, and public health. Speakers and exhibitors provide cutting-edge information on subjects such as business continuity planning, school safety, public health preparedness, homeland security, and public information. For more information, please visit: http://capps.wsu.edu/conferences/emergencyprep/.

Annual Hazards Research and Applications Workshop
July 12-15, 2008
Broomfield, Colorado, USA
The Natural Hazards Center invites proposals for session topics for the 2008 Annual Hazards Research and Applications Workshop. The annual workshop is designed to bring members of the research and applications communities together for face-to-face networking and discussion of cutting-edge issues related to hazards and disasters and society's efforts to deal with them. To submit a session idea, go to http://www.colorado.edu/hazards/workshop/current.html. Session topics must be submitted by November 2, 2007, to be considered.

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Join the ICC Listserv!

The Interagency Coordinating Council on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities (ICC) has created a listserv. Please join our listserv to receive the ICC's Monthly Updates and Quarterly Newsletter, Emergency Preparedness NOW, and access other information pertinent to emergency preparedness and individuals with disabilities.

To join please visit http://listserv.access.gpo.gov/archives/icc-dispreppubs-l.html or go to http://listserv.access.gpo.gov/ and click "Online Mailing List Archives," then select "ICC-DISPREPPUBS-L" and complete the subscription form. For more information about the ICC please visit www.disabilitypreparedness.gov.

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About the Interagency Coordinating Council on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties oversees the implementation of Executive Order 13347, Individuals with Disabilities in Emergency Preparedness, which was signed by President Bush in July 2004. This Executive Order is designed to ensure the safety and security of individuals with disabilities in all-hazard emergency and disaster situations. To this end, the Executive Order created an Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC) on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities. The ICC is comprised of senior leadership from more than 20 Federal departments and agencies. Its mission is to ensure that people with disabilities and their specific needs are fully integrated into all aspects of our nation's emergency management system; including mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. The Secretary of Homeland Security is the Chair of the ICC, and he has delegated that role to Mr. Daniel Sutherland, the DHS Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. The Council has concentrated its work in eight major areas:

  1. Emergency Communications;
  2. Emergency Preparedness in the Workplace;
  3. Emergency Transportation;
  4. Health;
  5. Private Sector Coordination;
  6. Research;
  7. State, Local and Tribal Government Coordination; and
  8. Technical Assistance and Outreach.

For more information about the ICC please visit http://www.disabilitypreparedness.gov.

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