ADMINISTRATIVE SECTION
This section manages administrative, fiscal and grants staff, budgets, fiscal accounting, personnel, payroll, travel and all other functions that support all facets of our agency.
Grants Management
The State of Nevada, Division of Emergency Management is responsible for applying for federal funding through the Department of Homeland Security. DEM is the State Administrative Agency for the distribution of these funds. This section manages grant funds for pre and post emergency or disaster related projects. These funds support critical recovery initiatives, innovative research and many other programs. These funds provide funding for equipment, planning, training, exercise, and management and administrative funding to emergency prevention, preparedness and response personnel in Nevada. These grants also provide funding to local governments for our critical infrastructure. This is defined as food and water systems, agriculture, health systems and emergency services, information and telecommunications, banking and finance, energy (electrical, gas and oil, dams), transportation (air, road, railways).
Recovery
Recovery activities are those necessary to
restore services and systems to a state of normalcy. Recovery actions include
damage assessment and those necessary to return health and safety systems
(e.g., water) and services (e.g., acute health care) to minimum operating
standards. Various recovery activities are likely to be long-term and may
continue for many years.
MISSION SUPPORT SECTION
This section is
responsible for managing emergency management programs that provide for mission
support, interoperable communications and response capabilities; ensure
assistance is provided to local governments and other state agencies in
sustaining emergency management capabilities. The positions within this
section manages resources that must satisfy the emergency preparedness mandates
and initiatives associated with federal grant programs as well
as maintaining Nevada Operations Center (NVOC).
NVOC Technology
WebEOC is a secure, Internet-based emergency information management application that provides real-time information sharing of operational details from various government and public safety groups in response to an imminent threat, emergency or disaster.
WebEOC is maintained by DEM as a means to track and analyze disaster information for better decision making before, during and after incidents. WebEOC is provided to County Emergency Manager Agencies to assist with disaster coordination at the local level and to provide incident information to the State level for better communication and coordination of activity.
The Emergency Communications Center (ECC) supports communications and technology programs throughout the state, both for everyday operations and during times when the Nevada Operations Center has been activated. Some of the programs focused on are:
- The Integrated Public Alert & Warning systems, a national public warning system, used by the state and local authorities to deliver important emergency information to the public through partnerships with private sector broadcast partners,
- The Auxiliary Communications or AUXCOMM program paired with Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES), ARES to support the Nevada Operations Center by providing emergency communications before, during and after an incident or event,
- Interoperable Communications, ensuring that all authorized personnel at the Federal, Regional, state and local levels can talk to others in support of their missions,
- 9-1-1 communications, allowing dispatch centers throughout the state to talk to the public and each other 24/7,
- Access and Functional Needs and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (AFN/DEI) accommodations, working with the AFN coordinator to source equitable and sustainable communication options for all people living or visiting Nevada using current technology and industry best practices, and
- Continuity of Operations, working to secure survivable means of communications for state and local authorities.
The ECC represents DEM on the Nevada Shared Radio System (NSRS) and represents the State of Nevada in several communications platforms to support the mission, including the National Alert Warning System (NAWAS), the FEMA National Radio System (FNARS) and the Shared Resources system (SHARES). In addition, the ECC maintains 4 radio caches to support operations and incident management requests, 3 amateur radio WINLINK gateways, and facilitates multiple communications specific training courses throughout the year.
Public Information and Communication
The public information and communication
is essential and contributes to fulfilling the Division of Emergency Management’s
(DEM) mission and meeting strategic objectives and program goals. This is
accomplished by organizing and implementing public information activities in
order to provide the partnering agencies, public, and media with timely and
accurate information during an incident and in matters of public interest.
One of the priorities for Public
Information Officers (PIO), often referred to as Crisis Communicators is to
educate and prepare residents through relevant, prompt, and authoritative
emergency information. Internally communication systems and networks are
essential for protecting lives and property in the event of any kind of
significant disaster or emergency. The media and the public seek information
and guidance during times of natural and manmade disasters and emergencies;
therefore, the PIO has an inherent obligation to protect its citizens by
disseminating this information.
Due to the
importance of disseminating information quickly and accurately in times of
crisis, DEM has several operational documents outlining policies, procedures
and protocol. Dependent on the size of the incident and the division’s
activation level, the PIO determines the execution of the appropriate action
plan to include the Joint Information Center (JIC).
PIOs obtain
information from various sources, compile the pertinent details in a concise
manner and disseminate the specifics to pertinent parties internally and
externally. Information is provided on warnings, alerts, shelter, evacuation
orders, and the general progress of events. All facts must be reported as
accurately as possible and in a timely manner as the incident
unfolds.
Communication may occur through
a number of avenues, including press conferences, phone calls, email, media
outlets, and through social media platforms. Further, PIOs are often involved in developing public outreach
materials, such as handbooks and flyers, web site development and media
materials, such as press releases/advisories.
PREPAREDNESS SECTION
This section provides the support, tools and resources to ensure that the division can build, sustain, and improve capabilities to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. The program is the
foundation of our operations using the Planning, Organization, Equipment,
Training, & Exercise (POETE) Model from our grant applications through the
Integrated Preparedness Plan (IPP) for preparing Nevada.
THIRA/SPR
The DEM Planning Program works with all of
the jurisdictions and Tribes in Nevada to develop the Nevada Threat and Hazard
Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) and from that effort develops the
Stakeholder Preparedness Report (SPR). The THIRA identifies threats (human caused) and hazards (natural or
technological accidents). The THIRA process establishes capability goals for
each of the FEMA core capabilities and the SPR process identifies core
capability gaps and priorities to bridge the gaps. DEM Planning does this process each year at
regional preparedness workshops. The
THIRA/SPR is integral to understanding how prepared Nevada is and how the state
and jurisdictions can improve.
Mitigation
Hazard mitigation is the effort to reduce loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters. It is most effective when implemented under a comprehensive, long-term mitigation plan. State, tribal, and local governments engage in hazard mitigation planning to identify risks and vulnerabilities associated with natural disasters, and develop long-term strategies for protecting people and property from future hazard events. Mitigation plans are key to breaking the cycle of disaster damage, reconstruction, and repeated damage.
Operations
Operations is responsible for the management of all operations directly applicable to the primary mission. The Operations Section Chief activates and supervises organization elements in accordance with the Incident Action Plan and directs its execution. The most effective way to exercise direction and control under emergency conditions is to provide a single site for key officials to gather. This is known as an Emergency Operating Center (EOC) or field location. The EOC provides a central location for authority and the dissemination of official information, and allows for face-to-face coordination among personnel who must direct local support operations.
The State of Nevada response functions are conducted in the Nevada Emergency Operations Center (NVOC). In the NVOC, representatives from various agencies and organizations coordinate supporting response activities such as public alert and warnings, mobilization of response personnel, and the coordination and application of resources. The DEM Chief, NVOC Manager and the Operations Section Chief coordinates the direction and control of supporting resources.
Planning
Planning is part of the division's preparedness program, which includes training and exercise projects and activities.
Planning develops statewide and regional
all-hazards plans to support local and tribal jurisdiction emergency and
disaster response, including the State Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan
(SCEMP) and the Nevada Operations Center (NVOC) operating guides. DEM planners incorporate the “Whole Community” concept into city, county, tribal and state agency emergency
management programs that are required to develop all hazards emergency
operations plans.
Planners provide technical assistance in the
development of jurisdiction and agency Continuity of Operations (COOP)
plans. COOP plans are used to ensure businesses and local governments are
able to provide essential services and functions when the entity is directly
impacted by an emergency or disaster. Planning accepts and
maintains emergency plans that are developed from resort casinos, public and
private schools and utilities in accordance with the Nevada Revised
Statutes. A critical function of planning, is
support to the NVOC during activation due to an incident, disaster or emergency in Nevada. Planning falls under the NVOC’s incident command
structure and maintains the state’s common operating picture, tracks resources,
determines statewide resource needs, and develops the state’s incident action plan for the event.
Resource Management
Resource Management often referred to as Logistics, oversees the resources and supplies need for the division's daily operations and
activations. The division is required to maintain inventory lists of available
resources from the local governments, private sector, and reserve staffing to
support emergency operations. On larger incidents logistics oversees the provision of all the incident's support needs, such as ordering resources and providing facilities, transportation, supplies, equipment, maintenance and fuel, communications and food and medical services for incident.
Training
In
support of Homeland Security Presidential Directives (HSPD) 5, 8, and 11, DEM has a formal, documented training
program composed of training needs assessment, curriculum, course evaluations,
and records of training.
Emergency
personnel receive and maintain training consistent with their current and
potential responsibilities. Specialized training related to the threats
confronting the jurisdiction is included in the training program.
Training
is regularly scheduled and conducted in conjunction with the overall goals and
objectives of the training program. Training is based on the training needs
assessment, internal and external requirements and mandates (i.e NIMS) and
addresses deficiencies identified in the corrective action process.
DEM
utilizes courses developed from the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium
(NDPC) comprised of: FEMA’s National Emergency Training Center/Emergency
Management Institute (EMI), Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) in Anniston,
Alabama, the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (NMIMT), Louisiana
State University (LSU), Texas A&M University (TEEX), and the Department of
Energy's Nevada Test Site (NTS).
Exercise
This section
is committed to providing the Nevada emergency management community, emergency
response professionals, volunteers, and the private sector with the means to
produce quality exercises that improves the preparedness of the State of
Nevada, its citizens and resources. This is accomplished through the use of a
State-wide exercise program: the Nevada Exercise Program (NEP), which includes
standardized policies, processes, products, and assistance in all aspects of
exercises. The
NEP is an all hazard, multi-discipline, multi-jurisdictional program that
utilizes a progressive approach with
exercises focused on capabilities
prioritized in the Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA)
and the State Preparedness Report (SPR) processes.
Exercises validate capabilities of individuals, teams, organizations and
communities to prevent, protect, mitigate, respond, and recover from the
effects of all emergency/disaster events. In order to successfully accomplish
the validation of capabilities exercises need to have consistent processes for
development, conduct, and evaluation. The Homeland Security Exercise and
Evaluation Program (HSEEP) provides this consistency. All exercises conducted
in Nevada, utilizing Federal grant funds, are required to adopt the principles
and guidance provided in HSEEP.
Search and Rescue
Search, and Rescue (SAR) in Nevada is handled at the local level
and is the responsibility of the County Sheriff's Office. The local SAR units
provide aid to people who may have become lost or are in distress or imminent
danger. The general field of search and rescue has most of its members who
volunteer their time and skills to their communities. Many SAR teams have
specialty units (such as Mounted SAR, Swift-water Rescue, Alpine Rescue, Drone
Teams, etc.) to provide specific rescue capabilities for their areas, usually
determined by the type of terrain in their response areas.
Nevada is a state in which residents and visitors from all over
the world come to and enjoy a wide variety of outdoor recreation. Activities
such as camping, hiking, swimming, watersports, and skiing are just a few of
the activities Nevada is known for. However, these activities may result in the
need to find people who become lost, stuck in the wilderness, or injured. The
primary focus of SAR teams is life safety.
DEM helps promote and assist with SAR activities when requested by
the local jurisdiction performing the search with the coordination of resources
and requesting assets from other local, state, and federal partners to assist
jurisdictions with their search activities.
HOMELAND SECURITY SECTION
In
2003 the Nevada Legislature created the Nevada Commission on Homeland Security
as a response to the terror attacks against the United States on September 11,
2001. As described in Chapter 239C of the Nevada Revised Statues (NRS 239C),
the Nevada Commission on Homeland Security is tasked with several
responsibilities directed toward making recommendations to the Governor, the
Legislature, local governments, private business, and citizens about actions
and measures that may be taken to protect the citizens and visitors to this
State from potential acts of terrorism and related emergencies.