WASHINGTON D.C. - The Department of Homeland Security's Federal EmergencyManagement Agency (FEMA) has delivered vital training this month for theNational Capital Region's newly formed regional Incident Management Team (IMT).The training, focused on both natural and man-made hazards, was held in LoudounCounty, Va., with instructors from the National Fire Programs Division of FEMA'sU.S. Fire Administration (USFA).
"The goal of the IMT training program is to develop state and regionalteams to function under the National Incident Management System during a largeincident or a major event," said Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary ofHomeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response. "This trainingis important for those emergency response leaders who will function in anincident management role in and around the nation's capital."
The National Capital Region's IMT is comprised of 40 senior fire, emergencymedical system, and law enforcement officials from 11 jurisdictions in theWashington metropolitan area. The team's role is to support a local jurisdictionand/or agency in managing large or complex emergency incidents or events. Theteam would provide support in such areas as operations, planning, resource andadministration. The team may also be involved in the preparedness planning formass gathering events in the Washington area.
Following the seven-day course, the IMT members will receiveposition-specific training for the individual functions they will perform at anincident, and will work with seasoned incident management personnel at majornational incidents (such as wildland fires or other disasters) to gain hands-onexperience.
For more information about USFA's IMT training program, visit www.usfa.fema.gov/fire-service/incident/imt-roadmap.shtm.
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of HomelandSecurity. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead theeffort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federalresponse and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA alsoinitiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and managesthe National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.