Resource Management

Identify Requirements - During an incident, personnel continually identify, validate, and refine resource needs. The process involves identifying:

• Type and quantity of resources needed

• Location where resources should be sent

• Who will receive and use the resources

Order & Acquire - Both incident command and emergency operations center staffs make initial and ongoing assessments of resource requirements based on incident priorities and objectives.

•  If identified resource requirements are available locally they will be activated or ordered.

• Resources that are not available locally can be ordered by executing contracts, implementing mutual aid agreements, or requesting assistance from another level of government (local government to a State, State to the Federal Government).

• An external jurisdiction or organization that is requested to provide resources must consent to the request. 

Mobilize - Personnel and other resources begin mobilizing when notified through established channels.

Upon notification, deploying personnel receive information to include:

• Date, time, and place of departure 

• Mode of transportation to the incident

• Estimated date and time of arrival

• Reporting location and assigned supervisor

• Anticipated incident assignment

• Anticipated duration of deployment

• Resource order number

• Incident number

• Applicable cost and funding codes

Resource tracking directly links to the mobilization process.

Unrequested Resources - During incidents responders sometimes arrive at the incident site without being requested.

This can interfere with incident management by:

• Creating additional supervisory, logistical and safety needs

• Depleting available resources

• Complicating resource tracking and accountability

• Interfering with access to the site by formally requested resources

Responders should wait for official deployment notification rather than self-deploying to an incident.

Track and Report - Incident personnel track resources from mobilization through demobilization using established resource tracking procedures.

 This process:

• Tracks the location of resources

• Helps staff prepare to receive and use resources

• Protects the safety and security of personnel, equipment, teams and facilities

• Enables resource coordination and movement

Information management systems can aid in collecting, updating, and processing resource-related data and in real-time tracking of resources.

Demobilize - Managers begin planning and preparation for the demobilization process at the same time they begin mobilizing resources.

Those responsible for resources in an incident should either reassign or demobilize resources as soon as they are no longer needed.

Prior to demobilization, incident planning and logistics personnel plan for rehabilitation, replenishment, disposal of, and/ or return or restoration to operational condition for incident resources.

The goal of demobilization is the orderly, safe, and efficient return of a resource to its original location and status.

Reimburse and Restock- Reimbursement provides for payment of expenses incurred by resource providers.

Reimbursement processes:

• Establish and maintain the readiness of resources

• Collect bills and validate costs

• Ensure that resource providers are paid in a timely manner

• Restock through replacement or repair of damaged equipment

Reimbursement procedures are often specified in mutual aid and assistance agreements.