an introduction to the standardized emergency …g...the standardized emergency management system...

Version 8-17

An Introduction to the Standardized Emergency Management

(SEMS) (G606)

Version 8-17

The Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) Introductory Course (G606)

The Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) Introductory Course Page 1.1 Participant Guide Version 08-17

Duration

120 Minutes

Scope Statement

This course provides participants with an understanding of The Standardized

Emergency Management System (SEMS) and the Incident Command System (ICS)

principles.

Terminal Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this introductory course, participants will understand the SEMS and

ICS principles.

Enabling Learning Objectives

Describe the purpose and scope of SEMS, common terminology associated with SEMS,

SEMS five organizational levels, functions and basic concepts.

Lesson Topics

Purpose and Scope of SEMS

Basic elements of SEMS

SEMS five organizational levels

SEMS Functions and basic concepts

Basic operating requirements and individual responsibility



Resources

Course Participant Guide

Assessment Strategy

Verbal and visual assessment of understanding

Participation in group discussions and activities

Question and answer period

Instructor-to-Participant Ratio

1:25

Reference List

Not Applicable

Practical Exercise Statement

Not Applicable

Instructor Notes

Instructor notes are contained throughout the lesson plan as appropriate



Slide 1

The Standardized Emergency

Management System (SEMS)

Introductory Course (G606)

Slide 2

Objectives

Background and Purpose

Legal Application

SEMS Components

SEMS Levels

SEMS Functions

System Features



Slide 3

Standardized Emergency

Management System (SEMS) History

Purpose

The Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) was introduced in 1991 after the East Bay Hills Fire in Oakland Hills. SEMS was adopted in 1993 under Government Code Section 8607. SEMS intent is to improve coordination of Federal, State and local emergency management and response. On December, 1, 1996, SEMS went into effect and requires all state agencies must use SEMS to be eligible for response related personnel costs. Local jurisdictions must use SEMS to be reimbursed costs. SEMS is an Emergency Response System based on FIRESCOPE ICS and includes a Maintenance System. California uses SEMS to coordinate and manage emergency response that involve more than one agency or jurisdiction. SEMS Improves information flow Enhances coordination between agencies Tracks resource mobilization and deployment



Slide 4

Emergency Operations -

Five Levels of Response

State

Region

Operational Area

Local Government

Field

Note: Pure ICS used in the field & ICS principles used in the EOC

levels

SEMS has five levels: 1) Field Level 2) Local Government Level 3) Operational Area Level 4) Regional Level 5) State Level All responses begin at the Field Level. The local government level is a city and the first place with an EOC. The Operational Area (OA) level is all political subdivisions within the county (city, special districts). The OA can broker resources within the county. The Regional Level coordinates resources between counties within that region. The State Level coordinates and manages state resources in support of local government. Preparedness Organizations are responsible for establishing/coordinating plans and protocols. All Plans must be in accordance with the State Emergency Plan and Protocols and comply with SEMS. Preparedness Organizations promote interoperability, adopt resource management guidelines, establish response priorities, and establish and maintain multi-agency coordination mechanisms.



Slide 5

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Four Major Components

SEMS has four components: 1) Incident Command System – Includes ICS in the field and ICS principles in EOCs

and Department Operations Centers (DOCs) 2) Multi/Inter-Agency Coordination – (EOC) – Different agencies and disciplines

working together to coordinate efforts for overall emergency response activities. This includes establishing priorities and critical resource distribution. This also includes Multi Agency Coordination (MAC) groups

3) Mutual Aid- California Master Mutual Aid Agreement – Voluntary and reciprocal

agreements that provide services, resources, and facilities when jurisdictional resources are inadequate. Examples include law enforcement and fire

4) Operational Area Concept - All local governments within the geographical limits of

a county. Responsibility rests with the County Board of Supervisors ICS must be used in the field and ICS Principles are used in the EOCs.



Slide 6

Developed after a devastating 1970s wildfire in California

Ineffective Response

Firefighting RESources of California Organized for Potential Emergencies – FIRESCOPE

What is ICS

ICS Structure

Span of Control

The Incident Command System (ICS)

ICS was developed in the aftermath of a devastating 1970s wildfire in California where numerous problems were encountered. Response problems are likely to result from:

Lack of accountability

Poor communications

Lack of orderly, systematic planning

No common, flexible, pre-designated management structure

No predefined methods to integrate interagency requirements into the management structure The U.S forest Service, Cal Fire and other Southern California fire agencies formed FIRESCOPE – Firefighting RESources of California Organized for Potential Emergencies. ICS is a standardized approach to incident management. ICS:

Enables coordinated response among various jurisdictions and agencies

Establishes common processes for planning and managing resources

Allows integration of facilities, equipment, personnel, procedures and communications

ICS structure is flexible for any type, scope, and complexity of incident. The ICS structure is based on lessons learned, ensures safety of responders, achievement of objectives, and efficient use of resources. ICS structure is also used for natural, technological, human-caused hazards and planned events. Someone who serves as a director every day may not hold that title under ICS structure. Elected and appointed officials should not assume the role of incident commander for all incidents and direct the on-scene technical operations from the EOC. ICS uses the same management functions regardless of the size of the incident ICS Span of Control: Number of people one person can effectively supervise - between 3 and 7 subordinates with 5 being optimal.



Slide 7

Titles and Roles for SEMS

PRIMARYSEMS

FUNCTIONFIELD RESPONSE LEVEL EOCS AT OTHER SEMS

LEVELS

Command/Management

Command is responsible for the directing, ordering, and/or controlling of resources

Management is responsible for overall emergency policy and coordination

Operations

The coordinated tactical response of all field operations in accordance with the Incident Action Plan

The coordination of all jurisdictional operations in support of the response to the emergency in accordance with the EOC Action Plan

Planning/Intelligence

The collection, evaluation, documentation, and use of information related to the incident

Collect, evaluate, and disseminate information and maintain documentation relative to all jurisdiction activities

Logistics

Provide facilities, services, personnel, equipment, and materials in support of the incident

Provide facilities, services, personnel, equipment, and materials in support of all jurisdiction activities as required

Finance/Administration

Financial and cost analysis and administrative aspects not handled by the other functions.

Broad fiscal and recovery responsibility and overall fiscal accountability



Slide 8

SEMS Functions and Features

SEMS Functions Management - Sets policy for the jurisdiction, provides overall support and coordination, and as the ultimate accountability Operations - Provides direct support for next lowest SEMS level. Coordinates interagency response, keeps management informed, and provides information to all SEMS Functions Planning/Intelligence – Collects and analyzes information, develops situation reports, documents, prepares the Action Plan, and does Advance Planning Logistics – Provides personnel, equipment, supplies, communications support, transportation, and facilities. Provides purchasing support Finance/Administration – Responsible for budgets, accounting. Procurement, compensation and claims, and cost recovery



SEMS features Common Terminology – or plain English allows diverse incident management and support organizations to work together. Covers organizational function, resource description, and incident facilities

Management by Objectives: Flexible, measurable and attainable objectives. This includes Establishing overarching incident objectives Developing strategies based on the objectives Developing and issuing assignments, plans, procedures, and protocols; Establishing specific, measurable tactics or tasks, and directing efforts to accomplish

them Documenting results to measure performance and facilitate corrective actions

Action Planning - Every incident must have an Incident Action Plan (IAP). An IAP provides a concise, coherent means of capturing and communicating the incident priorities, objectives, and strategies. Incident Action Plans Specify incident objectives and communication protocols State activities to be completed Cover a specified timeframe, called an operational period May be written or oral – except for hazardous materials incidents, which require a

written IAP Activate only what you need.



Slide 9

Operational Area Concept

Master Mutual Aid Agreement

Mutual Aid Assistance Systems

SEMS

Operational Area (Op Area) Concept includes the county and all political subdivisions. The Op Area coordinates Mutual Aid within the County Boundaries and may broker resources between its subdivisions. Master Mutual Aid original agreement was in 1950 and includes all California political subdivisions. Master Mutual Aid is a voluntary and reciprocal agreement that provides services, resources, and facilities. Established Mutual Aid/Assistance agreements from essential links Emergency Management Mutual Aid (EMMA) Fire & Rescue Mutual Aid Law Enforcement Mutual Aid Emergency Medical Mutual Aid



SEMS Activity - Structure Collapse

Scenario:

A four-story building on 7th

Street collapsed during the night. No one was injured, but there is

substantial debris. The building had no known occupants. Reporters are on scene, speculating

what caused this incident. It is 9:00 am and the weather is sunny and clear

Engineers assessed the structure collapse and determined it was caused by a sinkhole underneath

the building’s foundation. Water and gas mains are broken. Water is leaking into the area,

flooding the street. There is concern about how long the gas has been leaking. The structural

integrity of the surrounding buildings is now compromised as the sink hole expands. A portion

of the transit line has also sunk several feet into the ground and a strong odor of gas is in the

area.

Passengers on the transit line are injured and it is unclear how severe the injuries are as

emergency medical responders cannot reach them. There are reports that buildings near K

Street have cracked windows and some are completely blown out, possibly due to an explosion.

This has caused a panic in the Mall and people rushing to exit the stores. The panic has caused a

traffic jam exiting the parking garages.

Businesses in the mid-town area report that windows have blown out causing shattered glass to

blast through the air. Many people are injured from the flying glass. Twenty five injuries are

reported in various locations. Many panicked people are trying to leave mid-town either on foot

or in their cars. This has caused a major traffic jam and first responders are having trouble

reaching the injured.

Local news stations are reporting that the explosions must be the work of some type of domestic

terrorist group and not related to the sink hole. This causes additional panic and the 911 dispatch

center is overwhelmed with calls.

Operational Period:

How long should the Operational Period be?

Assignment: You have been tasked to set up the County EOC:

What SEMS functions need to be put in place?

Who will be involved?

What are the top three priorities?

What types of supporting resources/equipment/materials are needed?



SEMS Activity – Fire

Scenario

A grass fire started in the City Park and is beginning to spread close to the Interstate.

Approximately 10 acres have burned. It is unknown how the fire started. Several park structures

are threatened. 20 mph winds are blowing approximately 1,000 feet south of Interstate. County

Fire is on scene. Approximately 50 people are spread throughout the park picnic areas.

Winds have increased, and the direction has shifted south. The fire has spread to over 70 acres

and the Interstate causing traffic to slow. Several structures in the park have burned. A gas

station complex is very close to the fire boundaries. County Fire is concerned the fire may jump

across the freeway due to the increasing winds.

The fire is spreading rapidly and potential hazmat and traffic management issues are threatening

public safety in the area. Several reporters from major news channels are already on scene.

Operational Period

How long is the Operational Period?

Assignment

You are tasked to set up the County EOC

What SEMS functions need to be in place?






SEMS Activity – Flood

Scenario

A levee is leaking and two residential streets have flooded causing damage to several houses. A

small group of local residents are on scene with sandbags. Residents are evacuating from the

two residential streets that have flooded. Adequate numbers of first responders are responding. It

is a late spring weekend following a rainstorm. The weather is sunny and clear.

Over the past 6 hours, sudden heavy rain has fallen and the levee leak has grown substantially

The leak is now five feet high and four inches wide. A flow of approximately 100 gallons per

minute is coming through the breach. A two acre pool, six inches deep of standing water

surrounds the area directly below the levee. Residents in the nearby houses are threatened.

California Conservation Corps and the Army Corps of Engineers crews are on scene working to

repair the levee. Adequate numbers of mutual aid personnel can respond.

Operational Period


Assignment








SEMS Activity – Hazmat

Scenario

A large tractor trailer jackknifed on Interstate 5, near the Interstate 80 junction. The driver is

uninjured and no other vehicles were involved. However, a green-colored fluid is leaking from

the back of the trailer onto the roadway.

The time is 2:00 pm. The truck is partially blocking the #3 lane, and CHP is on-scene directing

traffic. The weather is sunny and clear, with no wind. A preliminary assessment indicates that

the green fluid is probably not toxic. Adequate numbers of mutual aid personnel can respond

Two hours have passed since the initial incident and it is now 4:00 pm. Gasoline has begun to

leak from the truck and is mixing with the green liquid now pouring out of the trailer. A 50 foot

diameter pool of liquid has formed.

As the leaking gasoline from the truck contacts the green fluid from the trailer, a noxious vapor

develops, causing eye irritation and breathing difficulties for responders on scene. Winds are

increasing to 25 mph and traffic is blocked on the Interstate where the truck is located. The other

side is slowing substantially as people try to see what has happened. First responders have been

notified of this event.

Operational Period


Assignment








Slide 10



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