Emergency Management Program Review

Using a program evaluation tool that All Hands developed for North Carolina, Florida and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, All Hands will work with the Emergency Management Coordinator to develop a program profile to identify the current status of the program. The report will identify program areas needing immediate (first year) development, updating, or improvement, and those elements to be accomplished during the second year, and so on. Staff and budget requirements are indicated.

A Blend of Best Practices, Guidance and Standards

Our unique and real world assessment tool blends:

  • Capability Assessment for Readiness” (CAR) program evaluation tool that All Hands developed for state, local governments and the Federal Emergency Management Agency
  • Current federal Core Capabilities
  • “Whole Community” attributes
  • Public expectations assessment (from disaster research)
  • NFPA 1600 and EMAP standards.

All Hands will work with the local and state Emergency Management staff to develop a program profile to identify the current status of the local or state program. The report will support the strategic plan, identifying program areas needing immediate (first year) development, updating, or improvement, and those elements to be accomplished during the second year, and so on. Staff, budget and resource requirements to improve and maintain the program are indicated.

We Use a Two Part Approach

Part 1: Emergency Management Program Assessment.

The purpose of this emergency management program assessment is to assess the mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery capabilities of the Emergency Management Program. The assessment is designed to focus on the identification of deficiencies or a basis for corrective actions that need to be taken in order to strengthen the comprehensive emergency management program. Assessment results should be used to establish priorities and analyze program performance to improve the quality of the emergency management program.

Assessment Process

A rating scale of “1, 2, or 3” is utilized.

Assigning “1” to an issue indicates that the item is “in compliance.” The program element in place and functioning; requires ongoing maintenance.

Assigning “2” to an issue indicates that the item is “in compliance, but the program element needs improvement.

Assigning “3” to an issue indicates that the item is “not in compliance.” The program does not exist and needs to be developed.

Part 2: Capability Estimation

The Core Capabilities provide a guide for development of local or regional capabilities that will be available when and where they are needed to prevent, protect against, respond to, mitigate, and recover from major events. These capabilities define all-hazards preparedness, including the threat of terrorism, and provide the basis for assessing preparedness and improving decisions related to preparedness investments and strategies.

Capabilities provide the means to accomplish a mission and achieve desired outcomes by performing critical tasks, under specified conditions, to identified capability outcomes and target levels of performance as identified during the THIRA process.  Capabilities are delivered by appropriate combinations of planning, organization, equipment, training, and exercises. The Capabilities Estimation process is based on FEMA guidance and supports an all-hazards approach to building capabilities that may be needed in the event of terrorist attacks, natural disasters, public health emergencies, and other major events.

The Capabilities Estimation identifies capability shortfalls and provides a basis for assessing preparedness to help jurisdictions and agencies plan strategically, design appropriate programs that meet proven needs, and evaluate the effectiveness of investments over time.  Components are divided into Preparedness Measures and Operational Measures.

The capabilities assume that local jurisdictions have an operational level of capabilities to address most routine emergencies and disasters. For example, the Capabilities Estimation does not address capabilities for routine firefighting or law enforcement services, or seasonal flooding. Instead, the Capabilities Estimation  addresses capabilities-based preparedness to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from terrorism, catastrophic and large-scale disasters, pandemic health emergencies, or other major incidents.

Three fundamental questions that must be addressed to achieve a city/county prepared.

  1. How prepared do we need to be?
  2. How prepared are we?
  3. How do we prioritize efforts to close the gap?