THE IOWA INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAMiowa.apwa.net/Content/Chapters/iowa.apwa.net/file/2018 Spring... · MANAGEMENT TEAM Providing Competent and Caring ... operation of 2014 –2016 State

THE

IOWA INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM

Providing Competent and Caring Assistance to Local Agencies

1Iowa Incident Management Team

What we’d like to share with you today:

1. The All-Hazards Incident Management Team (AHIMT) Concept

2. Details of Iowa’s AHIMT

3. Benefits of Using an AHIMT at the Local Level

4. Interaction of Local Agencies and the AHIMT








What is an All-Hazards Incident Management Team?


Public Domain Photo

What is an All-Hazards Incident Management Team?


Public Domain Photo

“A standing team of trained personnel

from different departments, organizations,

agencies, and jurisdictions ... activated to

support incident management at incidents

or events that extend beyond one

operational period.” (U.S. Fire Administration)

What are the primary functions of an AHIMT?


Public Domain Photo

Provide management assistance to local responding agencies during complex or longer-term incidents

Fill gaps in the ICS structure for vital positions that are not regularly used (Planning, Finance, Logistics, Situation Unit, etc.)

Help develop a comprehensive Incident Action Plan (IAP) for each operational period


There are numerous All-Hazards Incident Management Teams

throughout the U.S.

These teams are designated by TYPE, with TYPE 1 being national in scope and

TYPE 5 serving local districts or townships.







The Iowa AHIMT is a

Type 3 All-Hazards Incident Management Team


It is designed to respond within the State of Iowa to any type of disaster or event including:

- Tornadoes - Major flooding- Ice storms - Public health emergencies - Acts of terrorism - Planned events/exercises

The Iowa AHIMT was established in 2005 as

part of the Iowa Homeland Security and

Emergency Management Department (HSEMD)


It is funded through state grants and is presently headquartered in the Polk County

Emergency Management building in Des Moines

The Iowa AHIMT is organized into three teams (Red, White, and Blue) which operate on a

rotating one-month call schedule


Its 34 members represent a diverse range of career backgrounds and can offer experience in every ICS Command and General Staff position

The following professions are represented within the Iowa AHIMT:


• Fire Service • Law Enforcement

• Emergency Management • Information Technology

• GIS Mapping • Public Health • Public Works

• Public Information Officer• Municipal Safety and Health

In addition, over 16 Iowa

communities are represented

by the Iowa AHIMT


All members of the this group serve on a voluntary basis and are supported by their home agencies.

Along with the completion of advanced ICS courses, IMT members are required to pursue position-specific

training in areas of incident management


Quarterly team meetings include training on

deployment procedures, team equipment, and incident

scenarios

The Iowa AHIMT has played an active role in numerous state deployments and ICS job-shadowing

training opportunities:

- 2008 Parkersburg Tornado

- 2008 Cedar Rapids Flood

- 2011 Missouri River Flooding

- 2016 Cedar Rapids Flood

- Wildfire Events in Colorado, Texas and California


The Iowa IMT has also provided assistance in the management of statewide planned events.


Participated in the planning and operation of 2014 – 2016 State

Hazmat Exercises

Helped develop the IAP for the 2016 National Governors Association’s

Conference in Des Moines

Assisted in the creation of a state-wide reference document for Public

Safety LODDs








Longer-term incidents are typically managed using a tiered response system

Incident Occurs 12 Hours 24 Hours 48 Hours 72 Hours +

Local Responders

County EMA / Local IMT

State / Type 3 IMT

The nature of the incident (size, damage, logistics, duration, etc.) will determine the need for additional

management resources


Longer-term incidents are typically managed using a tiered response system

Incident Occurs 12 Hours 24 Hours 48 Hours 72 Hours +

Local Responders

County EMA / Local IMT

State / Type 3 IMT

It is important to remember that local responders themselves may be adversely affected by an

emergency within their jurisdiction.

What are the challenges to managing a complex or long-term incident?


What are the consequences of being unprepared for these unique challenges?

- Lack of effective long-range planning using Incident Action Plans (IAPs)

- Lack of consistency in developing incident objectives

- Unfamiliarity with important ICS forms and documentation

- Poor coordination in providing accurate public information


What are the consequences of being unprepared for these unique challenges? (cont.)

- Insufficient means of gathering information on the situation status

- Difficulty in securing and tracking vital logistical resources

- Personnel needs not met: food, shelter, rehab and work rotation, safety/health issues

- Inability to properly manage the fiscal and accountability demands of the incident



An AHIMT can provide for the presence of field-

experienced management personnel to assist in these

critical tasks

This allows local agencies to perform their job as efficiently and safely as

possible







The Iowa AHIMT is prepared to assist local agencies in managing major emergency

incidents or planned civic events


Local response leaders must determine three issues as soon as possible:

1. Will this incident or event require more than the resources normally

available to us?



2. Do we have the ICS expertise to fill all the necessary management

positions?



3. Is our Management Team capable of operating effectively

through multiple shifts?

Initial Notification

The AHIMT can be deployed in several ways:

- A written activation from the State in a Governor-declared disaster emergency





- Training session or exercise authorized by the HSEMD





- Training session or exercise authorized by the HSEMD

- Any other team activity specifically authorized by the HSEMD



Local agencies may also ask for assistance from the state AHIMT

This request must be channeled through the county Emergency Management

Agency (EMA)

The county EMA will then contact the Iowa HSEMD with that request


Deployment Procedures

The number and specific function of members sent will depend on the situation

and wishes of the local agencies:

Team is designed to be self-sufficient for limited number of days


FULL TEAM

Majority of ICS roles can be covered (Command Staff;

Section Chiefs; Unit Leaders)

POSITION-SPECIFIC

Selected positions based on local need (e.g. Planning Chief; Situation Unit Leader; Liaison)

Deployment Procedures


IMT self-sufficiency is enhanced by the following resources:

- Incident Response Trailer

- Electrical generators

- Computers and Printers

- Full sets of ICS incident and documentation forms

- Planning /Ops Section charts

- Portable Ops shelter

- Team communications

Arrival


An initial exchange of information with on-scene officials is first priority

This can be accomplished by:

- A written Incident Status Summary

- The Agency Administrator Briefing

- Informational briefings with Management Team and local agencies

- Field assessments

Primary Duties


Primary Duties


Provide management assistance to local responding agencies during complex or longer-term incidents

Fill gaps in the ICS structure for vital positions that are not regularly used (Planning, Finance, Logistics, Situation Unit, etc.)

Help develop a comprehensive Incident Action Plan for each operational period

Primary Duties


Provide management assistance

Fill gaps in the ICS structure

Help develop a comprehensive Incident Action Plan

THE

IOWA INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM

Providing Competent and Caring Assistance to Local Agencies


Documents

THE IOWA INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAMiowa.apwa.net/Content/Chapters/iowa.apwa.net/file/2018 Spring... · MANAGEMENT TEAM Providing Competent and Caring ... operation of 2014 –2016 State