At a recent meeting of the Standards Review and Interpretation Committee (SRIC) the committee directed staff to post for client comments the following proposed standard revision. Please post your comments prior to Friday May 14th, 2021.
46.1.9 (LE1) (M M M M) All Hazards Plan Training
A written directive provides for:
a. documented annual training on the agency's All Hazards Plan, to include the Incident Command System (ICS) for affected agency personnel; and
b. documented biennial training consisting of a tabletop, functional or full-scale exercise [PM1] to assess the agency's capabilities with the All Hazards Plan and the Incident Command System.
Commentary
The expanding scope and sophistication of emergency operations, along with increased possibilities of pandemics and acts of terrorism, require law enforcement agencies to quickly act to stabilize and control emergency situations. Increasingly, law enforcement agencies must deal with large catastrophes with little or no notice. Immediate and decisive action is required to minimize loss of life, reduce property damage, and permit involved authorities to fulfill their responsibilities. The Incident Command System (ICS) permits a clear point of control and can be expanded or contracted with ease to escalating or diminishing situations. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)'s ICS is comprehensive, available on the Internet, and widely used. An agency may choose a different model but must ensure that it accomplishes the intent of ICS and that any system used is readily adaptable to systems other agencies may use in important areas, e.g., terminology, modular organization, integrated communications, and unity of command. The ICS will not be effective if training is not provided or if it is not used. While the ordinary law enforcement mission is often handled with few personnel, there are situations that quickly escalate into major incidents. It is important to work with other agencies that use this system, so when crises arise, all personnel are familiar with the ICS structure and can function effectively within it. Compatibility between agency ICSs is imperative if ICS is to work effectively. This standard does not require the use of ICS with minor instances handled solely by the agency. Tabletop or functional exercises are an economical way to test the operational capabilities of an agency, while ensuring that key personnel are well versed in the agency's All Hazards Plan. Full scale operational exercises may be used to further assess the agency capabilities but are not required. Additionally, not all components of ICS need to be activated when the system is operational; only those that are needed in the situation should be used. Component activation and deactivation depends upon changing circumstances. The agency should also consider the effect of this standard on other standards that address command protocol and require coordination and authority. Actual events may be used in lieu of a training exercise so long as the criteria of the All Hazards Plan are met. Time sensitive standard. (M M M M) (LE1)
Suggested glossary term Exercise (from FEMA)
Exercise: Tabletop exercises are discussion-based sessions where team members meet in an informal, classroom setting to discuss their roles during an emergency and their responses to a particular emergency. A facilitator guides participants through a discussion of one or more scenarios. The duration of a tabletop exercise depends on the audience, the topic being exercised and the exercise objectives. Many tabletop exercises can be conducted in a few hours, so they are cost-effective tools to validate plans and capabilities.
Functional exercises allow personnel to validate plans and readiness by performing their duties in a simulated operational environment. Activities for a functional exercise are scenario-driven, such as the failure of a critical business function or a specific hazard scenario. Functional exercises are designed to exercise specific team members, procedures and resources (e.g. communications, warning, notifications and equipment set-up).
A full-scale exercise is as close to the real incident as possible. It is a lengthy exercise which takes place on location using, as much as possible, the equipment and personnel that would be called upon in a real event. Full-scale exercises are conducted by public agencies. They often include participation from local businesses.
[PM1]Add glossary term See below
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