Reports

National Strategic Computing Reserve: A Blueprint

This paper articulates a blueprint for a National Strategic Computing Reserve (NSCR) that could be accessed during any emergency. Such a strategic reserve, like other reserve capabilities, would deepen the Nation’s resilience and, as appropriate, allow research expertise to be quickly brought to bear at critical junctures.

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Lessons Learned from FEMA's Initial Response to COVID-19

FEMA did not have reliable data to inform allocation decisions and ensure accurate adjudication of resource requests, it did not have a process to allocate the limited supply of PPE, and FEMA’s strategic documents did not clearly outline roles and responsibilities to lead the Federal response.  

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FirstNet Emergency Management Resource Guide

With increasing numbers of emergency management agencies, law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services, emergency communications, and other partners in public safety response using FirstNet, this guide provides an overview of certain features and functions that Emergency Managers might use in their daily and emergency response roles. Many of the topics covered in this guide are applicable for coordinating response in the field or when an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has been activated.

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Access and Functional Needs Toolkit: Integrating a Community Partner Network to Inform Risk Communication Strategies

CDC developed the Access and Functional Needs Toolkit: Integrating a Community Partner Network to Inform Risk Communication Strategiespdf  to help emergency planners achieve effective communications through the integration of a community outreach information network. The toolkit provides a framework to organize planning for broad groups of people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs, recommended action steps and noteworthy practices from the field.

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Developing and Maintaining Emergency Operations Plans, Version 3.0

This document provides guidelines on developing emergency operations plans and promotes a common understanding of the fundamentals of community-based, risk-informed planning and decision making. The guide will help planners examine a threat or hazard and produce integrated, coordinated, and synchronized plans.

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CISA Can Improve Efforts to Ensure Dam Security and Resilience

Nationwide, there are more than 91,000 dams, levees, and other water retention structures protecting homes and businesses, delivering electricity, and providing recreation and transportation. In 2018, the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) became the newly formed Department of Homeland Security component responsible for Dams Sector security and resilience. This report makes five recommendations that, when implemented, will improve dam security and resilience.

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Natural Hazard Retrofit Program Toolkit

Protecting communities from natural hazards is increasingly important in the United States. When flooding, seismic events, wildfires, hurricanes, typhoons, and other events strike, buildings and homes must be able to withstand these forces as much as possible. Retrofitting structures is one way to save lives and prevent widespread damage to property and the economy. Federal Emergency Management Agency Region 9 created this Natural Hazard Retrofit Program Toolkit to help state, local, tribal, and territorial jurisdictions shape a retrofit program that meets their specific needs.

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Preliminary Damage Assessment Guide

The Preliminary Damage Assessment Guide (PDA Guide) — a standard framework for how emergency management officials conduct preliminary damage assessments (PDAs) following a disaster—will be effective starting 1 October 2021.

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Health Care Readiness 2020 Annual Report

During 2020, the nation faced unprecedented challenges, including COVID-19 and other concurrent disasters and emergencies, that required coordinated local, regional, and national responses. This inaugural annual report shares how each of the Health Care Readiness Programs was activated in 2020 to build the preparedness and response capabilities of the U.S. health care system.

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Key Planning Factors and Considerations for Response to and Recovery From a Chemical Incident for Public Engagement

Key Planning Factors and Considerations for Response to and Recovery From a Chemical Incident is written for response and recovery planners at the regional, state, local, tribal, and territorial levels. A coordinated response and recovery effort will include all levels of government in addition to the private sector, nongovernmental organizations, and, potentially, international partners. Planning for a chemical incident requires additional considerations beyond all-hazard preparedness planning, so this document includes strategic and operational issues for consideration when developing response and recovery plans for a chemical incident.

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