Should relocation of Program and Operations become necessary, Emergency Director will identify a location appropriate for temporary operations based upon the nature of the disaster or emergency.

Mission Critical Systems

· Executive

o Activates Agency Emergency Response, Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Plans in a significant disruptive event

o Governs Emergency Response from initial response to final restoration of operations

o Liaisons with DFPS, State and local officials

· Program Director

o Track and coordinate response to incidents arising out of normal treatment parameters

o Provides additional support to Treatment Director and Intake Director as applicable

o Manages and disseminates population data

· Treatment Director

o Ensures continuity of care and delivery of services to all children placed with the Agency

o Provides support and coordination to Case Management staff

· Intake Director

o Manages referrals and placement operations

· Information Support Specialist

o Ensures availability of records and files electronically

o Monitor and maintain security of electronic records

o Provides application and data support

Vital Files, Records and Databases

· The Agency will maintain all records necessary to perform essential functions and activities and to reconstitute normal operations after the emergency ceases. Because the Agency maintains all records electronically, there is no need to identify an abbreviated set of records.

· In the event that electronic communication with the Agency’s records database is unavailable, the records identified as critical for the delivery of services will be provided to the appropriate individuals in the communication tree.

·

Information Security

Reconstitution procedures will commence when the Emergency Director or other authorized person ascertains that the emergency situation has ended and is unlikely to recur. Once the appropriate person has made this determination, one or a combination of the following options may be implemented, depending on the situation:

· Continue to operate from the alternate site location.

· Begin an orderly return to prior operations site and reconstitute from remaining resources.

· Begin to establish a reconstituted office in some other location.

(taken from National Incident Management System – December 2008)

The following excerpt outlines the key components of each Emergency Response Plan to be developed as a component of this document:

OVERVIEW OF NIMS COMPONENTS

NIMS integrates existing best practices into a consistent, nationwide, systematic approach to incident management that is applicable at all levels of government, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and the private sector, and across functional disciplines in an all-hazards context. Five major components make up this systems approach: Preparedness, Communications and Information Management, Resource Management, Command and Management, and Ongoing Management and Maintenance.

NIMS COMPONENTS

The components of NIMS were not designed to stand alone, but to work together in a flexible, systematic manner to provide the national framework for incident management. A more detailed discussion of each component is included in subsequent sections of this document.

a. Preparedness Effective emergency management and incident response activities begin with a host of preparedness activities conducted on an ongoing basis, in advance of any potential incident. Preparedness involves an integrated combination of assessment; planning; procedures and protocols; training and exercises; personnel qualifications, licensure, and certification; equipment certification; and evaluation and revision.

b. Communications and Information Management

Emergency management and incident response activities rely on communications and information systems that provide a common operating picture to all command and coordination sites. NIMS describes the requirements necessary for a standardized framework for communications and emphasizes the need for a common operating picture. This component is based on the concepts of interoperability, reliability, scalability, and portability, as well as the resiliency and redundancy of communications and information systems.

c. Resource Management

Resources (such as personnel, equipment, or supplies) are needed to support critical incident objectives. The flow of resources must be fluid and adaptable to the requirements of the incident. NIMS defines standardized mechanisms and establishes the resource management process to identify requirements, order and acquire, mobilize, track and report, recover and demobilize, reimburse, and inventory resources.

d. Command and Management

The Command and Management component of NIMS is designed to enable effective and efficient incident management and coordination by providing a flexible, standardized incident management structure. The structure is based on three key organizational constructs: the Incident Command System, Multiagency Coordination Systems, and Public Information.

e. Ongoing Management and Maintenance

Within the auspices of Ongoing Management and Maintenance, there are two components: the NIC and Supporting Technologies.

(1) National Integration Center

Homeland Security Presidential Directive 5 required the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a mechanism for ensuring the ongoing management and maintenance of NIMS, including regular consultation with other Federal departments and agencies; State, tribal, and local stakeholders; and NGOs and the private sector. The NIC provides strategic direction, oversight, and coordination of NIMS and supports both routine maintenance and the continuous refinement of NIMS and its components. The NIC oversees the program and coordinates with Federal, State, tribal, and local partners in the development of compliance criteria and implementation activities. It provides guidance and support to jurisdictions and emergency management/response personnel and their affiliated organizations as they adopt or, consistent with their status, are encouraged to adopt the system. The NIC also oversees and coordinates the publication of NIMS and its related products. This oversight includes the review and certification of training courses and exercise information.

(2) Supporting Technologies

As NIMS and its related emergency management and incident response systems evolve, emergency management/response personnel will increasingly rely on technology and systems to implement and continuously refine NIMS. The NIC, in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate, oversees and coordinates the ongoing development of incident management-related technology, including strategic research and development.