Emergency Management Planning

DSI Group’s professional emergency management planning team has the qualifications and experience to develop and update all emergency management and Homeland Security-related plans. DSI Group has worked with Federal, State, Regional, County, Municipal, and private non-profit agencies to develop a wide array of emergency preparedness plans.

Browse our current offerings below or contact DSI today to discuss your specific emergency management planning needs. 

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Comprehensive Emergency Management Plans (CEMP)

DSI Group has developed and updated CEMPs for dozens of clients. We have two options for plan development. The first option available is a web based (or cloud based) plan developed by DSI Group and BOLDplanning Inc. Users of this cloud-based CEMP option can update their CEMP from any internet location around the world at any time. The plan template allows for complete jurisdictional individualization. In Florida, the end product will meet the Florida Division of Emergency Management's review and approval criteria, and we have found that such is the case in almost every state that we serve.

The second option is a traditional approach to CEMP development. At this point, most jurisdictions have an existing CEMP that needs to be updated. DSI can review and analyze your existing plan and provide any necessary updates or revisions to ensure National Incident Management System (NIMS) compliance. This option allows our clients to maintain their current format if that is desired.

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Debris Management Plans

In the recovery phase of a disaster, debris management will be one of the most costly, most difficult, and most open to scrutiny issues that a jurisdiction will face. The federal rules guiding the eligibility for debris management are voluminous, complicated, and open to interpretation. To help simplify this program, DSI develops Debris Management Plans for jurisdictions who may one day face the daunting task of cleaning up after a disaster. Each of DSI’s Debris Management Plans have been approved by FEMA and contains the key elements needed to ensure all debris removal is completed. It also ensures that the maximum amount of reimbursable funds are made available to every applicant.

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Long-Term Recovery Plans

A Long-Term Recovery Plan developed by DSI will:

  • Identify the process your jurisdiction will take in the event a long-term recovery plan is needed after a major or catastrophic event impacting the jurisdiction.

  • Identify the process of determining when it is appropriate for your jurisdiction to undertake the development of a long-term recovery plan.

  • Identify the steps to take when preparing a long-term recovery plan for your jurisdiction based on the disaster event.

  • Describe agency and public involvement in the long term recovery planning process, which will include, at a minimum County and municipal officials, business owners, residents, and other interested stakeholders.

  • Identify mechanisms to leverage existing program funds or seek new supplemental funds that may be made available.

  • Incorporate the functionality of the National Response Framework, ESF 14 - Long-Term Community Recovery, and Mitigation Annex.

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Emergency Communications Plans

In the event of a major disaster, when all local communications will likely be temporarily disabled, how do you plan to communicate with:

  • First responders;

  • Employees;

  • The outside world for resources; and

  • Impacted residents?

Emergency Communications Plans analyze these issues to provide a comprehensive strategy for pre and post- event communications.

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Emergency Operations Center Checklist

Chapter 252 of the Florida Statutes contains the provisions for establishing an effective emergency management capability in the State of Florida. It confers upon the Governor, the Florida Division of Emergency Management, and the governing body of each political subdivision of the State certain emergency powers to deal with, reduce vulnerability to, and recover from emergencies and disasters; provide for the common defense and to protect the public peace, health, and safety; and preserve the lives and property of the people of the State. (§252.31 F.S.). Section 252.38(1), states that each County must establish and maintain an emergency management agency and shall perform emergency management functions within the territorial limits of the County.

Although the jurisdiction’s elected government is ultimately responsible for the safety and well-being of their residents, this responsibility is delegated during an emergency to the jurisdiction's emergency management director who normally serves as the Incident Commander for most events. As the Incident Commander, the Emergency Management Director also serves as the County Coordinating Officer.

When a disaster threatens or has impacted a jurisdiction, the Emergency Operations Center is normally activated using aspects of the Incident Command System (ICS). The EOC provides a centralized location for coordinating the preparation for, response to, and recovery from a disaster and will be the location from which the County Coordinating Officer will operate.

DSI has developed Standard Operating Guidelines (SOG) to provide guidance for any jurisdiction's Coordinating Officer. Similar to the State Coordinating Officer who has the delegated authority to respond to any emergency or disaster impacting a State, the jurisdiction's coordinating officer has the same level of responsibility at their level. This SOG details the incremental actions the jurisdiction should take as an event escalates through time.

This is a very valuable item for all directors of emergency management to effectively guide a community through an event.

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Emergency Support Function (ESF) Standard Operating Guidelines (SOGs)

Ensuring each lead agency for your Emergency Support Functions (ESF) is fully apprised of what the roles and responsibilities are for each agency involved with that ESF is important to the response and recovery to an event in your jurisdiction. DSI has developed an "at a glance" standard operating guideline for each of the 18 ESFs.

DSI tailors each ESF Standard Operating Guidelines (SOGs) to the specific ESF Annexes attached to all Emergency Operations Plans. These SOGs are ideal for specific training on each individual ESF in your jurisdiction.

It is highly recommended that your jurisdiction develop standard operating procedures for each of the ESFs. DSI has subject matter experts ready to undertake this effort for you.

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Local Mitigation Strategies

By now, all jurisdictions have completed their Local Mitigation Strategies, and are into an update cycle of every five years. DSI was one of the first emergency management consulting firms in Florida to develop Local Mitigation Strategies (LMS) for counties.

It is essential to have your LMS current and approved. The failure to have an approved LMS will have detrimental consequences for your jurisdiction. You will likely be excluded from participation in the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and the Public Assistance Program until you have an approved LMS that is up to date.

 

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Mass Casualty Incident Plans

Any jurisdiction is at risk from a variety of natural and manmade hazards that have the potential to generate a large number of casualties. A well-written mass casualty incident plan can help minimize loss of life, disabling injuries, and human suffering. An efficient and coordinated mass casualty incident response demands a well written plan. DSI's Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) Plan was developed to assist jurisdictions in dealing with any type of situation involving mass casualties. This plan defines who does what, when, where, and how they will do it. By training on, and following this plan, emergency responders can reduce the danger to themselves and the general public in a mass casualty event. 

Regardless of the size of your jurisdiction, there can still be any number of events that could result in an MCI event. For example, any of the following could result in an MCI event requiring the activation of this plan:

  • Transportation accidents, including school buses and private buses

  • Congregate care facility events

  • Terrorism events, including active shooter, bomb threats, and multiple shooting victims

  • Large fires

  • Tornado events in populated areas

  • Hurricanes, especially storm surge

  • Hazardous materials events near populated areas or congregate care facilities

All jurisdictions must be able to quickly mobilize and respond to such events. Mass casualty incidents will generate an immediate increase in the number of people needing medical attention, and the immediate need for quick response on the part of the jurisdiction's first responder teams. Therefore, the goal of these plans is to achieve overall understanding of roles and responsibilities of all first responders involved in any MCI event. In addition, this plan has components of the Incident Management System (ICS) embedded within to help standardize the response actions in the event outside assistance is required.