NIMS Standards Quarterly Brief FEMA National Preparedness Directorate Update on Standards Development Activities June 2008 Preparedness ASTM is Currently Developing Standards for School Preparedness and EOC Development ASTM WK 8908: Standard Guide for School Preparedness and All Hazard Response will focus on providing K-12 school personnel and their respective emergency management communities with guidelines for school preparedness and response. This standard guide is expected to enter sub-committee review by fall 2008. ASTM WK 12954: Standard Guide for the Development of an Emergency Operations Center will address the issues and concerns associated with the development, management, and operations of an Emergency Operations Center. The standard is expected to enter sub-committee review by summer 2008. Communications and Information Management Updates to NFPA 1221 Standard for the Installation, Maintenance, and Use of Emergency Services Communications Systems The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1221: Standard for the Installation, Maintenance, and Use of Emergency Services Communications Systems is being revised for a new edition to be released in summer 2009. The committee has completed its Report on Proposals (ROP) and that report can be viewed on the NFPA web site. Public comments must be submitted by August 29, 2008. The proposed changes address requirements for the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning of communications centers; the updating and testing of emergency fire and damage control plans; and the exterior security of buildings. The 2007 edition of NFPA 1221 is on the NIMS Recommended Standards List (RSL). Once approved, the new edition will be reviewed by FEMA for consistency with NIMS and to determine its retention on the RSL. To view the ROP and track changes to NFPA 1221, visit: http://www.npfa.org. Resource Management New NFPA Standards Address the Qualifications and Competencies of Incident Management Personnel and Responders The 2009 edition of NFPA 1026: Standard for Incident Management Personnel Professional Qualifications was issued by the NFPA Standards Council with an effective date of July 18th, 2008. This standard describes general knowledge, skills, and job performance requirements for the primary positions within the Incident Command System structure. This NIMS Standards Update provides current information on standards development efforts relating to the National Incident Management System (NIMS). Standards noted in this publication may generally support NIMS implementation by providing criteria for measuring preparedness and incident management requirements. They may also provide technical specifications for resources and communications and information management systems. Each edition highlights a standards activity, and its relationship to NIMS and benefit to the field. The National Preparedness Directorate (NPD) of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is responsible for designating standards appropriate for NIMS users in partnership with recognized standards development organizations (SDOs). Through the work of the Incident Management Systems Integration (IMSI) Division, the NPD monitors the development of standards in partnership with DHS’ Science and Technology Directorate, other Federal departments and agencies, and State and local governments. Information provided in these periodicals is intended for use or reference by the public safety community. The identification of SDO information and activities in these updates is not intended to represent a specific endorsement, promotion or recommendation by FEMA. Table of Contents Preparedness – Page 1 Communications and Information Management – Page 1 Resource Management – Page 1 Spotlight on CALEA Standards – Page 2 Previous Edition – Page 2 Page 1 NIMS Standards Quarterly Brief FEMA National Preparedness Directorate Update on Standards Development Activities June 2008 Spotlight on CALEA Standards Addressing the Use of ICS for Critical Incident Response The Commission of Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) updated the Standards for Law Enforcement Agencies, 5th Edition, in March 2008 with new requirements relating to NIMS. Chapter 46: Critical Incidents, Special Operations, and Homeland Security defines standards for responding to critical incidents and conducting special operations. Critical incidents are defined as situations, generally of an emergency nature, that result from disasters, both natural and man-made, and civil disturbances. The standards provide guidance for law enforcement agencies to employ ICS during critical incident response and its sub-sections define the responsibilities of the ICS components: command, operations, planning, logistics, and administration and finance. In 2007, CALEA published the 2nd edition of Standards for Public Safety Communications Agencies. Chapter 7: Critical Incidents, Specials Operations, and Homeland Security includes guidance for public safety communications agencies to employ ICS during their involvement in critical incident response. For additional information on these standards, visit http://www.calea.org. NFPA 472: Standard for Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Incidents identifies responder competence levels and incident command responsibilities for incidents involving hazardous materials and/or weapons of mass destruction (WMD). NFPA 473: Standard for Competencies for EMS Personnel Responding to Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Incidents defines the basic life support and advanced life support competencies for EMS responders. The standard addresses both mission-specific and agent-specific competencies for hazardous materials and WMD events, when human injury or illness is suspected or confirmed. The Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Response Handbook contains the complete text of NFPA 472 and 473 and related commentary, non-mandatory Annexes, and supplemental materials. For additional information on these standards, visit http://www.nfpa.org. Previous Edition See the March 2008 NIMS Standards Quarterly Brief for news on the following standards: Joint Commission Comprehensive Accreditation Manual for Hospitals Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) ANS 3.101.1- 2007: Minimum Training Standards for Public Safety Communications Training Officer (CTO) NFPA 1561: Standard on Emergency Services Incident Management ASTM International’s Committee on Homeland Security Applications standards Update: The projected release dates for the Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards (OASIS) Emergency Data Exchange Language (EDXL) standards for Resource Messaging (EDXL – RM) and Hospital AVailability Exchange (EDXL – HAVE) have been delayed until fall of 2008. Page 2 To support NIMS implementation, DHS established the NIMS Support Center in 2005 -- a program that operates under a cooperative agreement between FEMA and the Justice and Safety Center, Eastern Kentucky University. The NIMS Support Center develops new responder tools, enhances technology integration and interoperability, and provides technical assistance and support to the incident management and response community. For additional information about the NIMS Support Center or this publication, please e-mail the staff at: FEMA-NIMS@dhs.gov.