HS630 Week 8 Conference - Essay Example

HS630 Week 8 Conference Discuss 2 features of your chosen annex that you found useful and explain why you think that. Be sure to which annexyou are discussing. One found the Catastrophic Incident Annex useful because, the nature of the emergency situation itself, being a catastrophic incident, defined as “is any natural or manmade incident, including terrorism, that results in extraordinary levels of mass casualties, damage, or disruption severely affecting the population, infrastructure, environment, economy, national morale, and/or government functions” (Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2008, p. 1), is a potential threat and awareness on ways of preparing, addressing, and managing this is significantly beneficial.

Likewise, the Catastrophic Incident Annex also clearly indicated the Federal Response procedures, in conjunction with responsibilities of coordinating and cooperating agencies that could be contacted by the public to facilitate response, as required. Another chosen annex, the Nuclear/Radiological Incident Annex (NRIA), is likewise found to be useful since it contained concise, yet in-depth information on roles and responsibilities of federal agencies with various cooperating agencies; and the procedural guidelines on “notification, coordination, and leadership of Federal activities” (National Response Framework, 2008, p. 1). As such, the viewing public’s awareness would be enhanced on policies, planning and preparedness issues, and even the materials and facilities involved with corresponding coordinating agencies for specifically identified incidents.

The NRIA is a significant informative document that highlights critical areas and the response procedures, together with the authorized governing agencies to contact “for incidents involving release of radioactive materials to address the consequences of the event” (National Response Framework, 2008, p. 1). As such, the public would be guided through the appropriate courses of action and measures that must be instituted in cases where incidents such as this happen.2. CPG 101 provides Content Guides for functional annexes in Appendix C, pp.

C-12 through C-27. From the checklist for ESF #3 Public Works and Engineering Critical Infrastructure and Key Resource Restoration, pick 1 item and write it up as if you were a municipal emergency planner. One of the items noted from the ESF #3 Public Works and Engineering Incident Actions include “Providing coordination and technical assistance (to include vessel removal, significant marine debris removal, and hydrographic survey) to effect the rapid recovery and reconstitution of critical waterways, channels, and ports” (Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2008, p. 6). As a municipal emergency planner, one needs to undertake functions such as planning, organizing, directing and controlling of activities pertinent to this incident.

As part of the planning, to implement this provision, the coordinating agencies that must be contacted should be appropriately identified to encompass the following: the Department of Defense, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Department of Transportation, and the Environmental Protection Agency. Apart from detailing their contact numbers and persons authorized to receive and disseminate relevant information regarding vessel removal, significant marine debris removal, and hydrographic survey, the Public Works and Engineering department must be fully aware of the specific scope of roles and responsibilities of these coordinating and supporting agencies.

The ultimate objective is to ensure that rapid recovery and reconstitution of critical waterways, channels, and ports are achieved with the least casualties and maximized immediate positive results for normalization of operations and access to these resources.ReferencesDepartment of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency. (2008, November). Catastrophic Incident Annex. Federal Emergency Management Agency. (2008, January). Emergency Support Function #3 – Public Works and Engineering Annex.

Retrieved July 14, 2012, from http://www.fema.gov/pdf/emergency/nrf/nrf-esf-03.pdfNational Response Framework. (2008). Nuclear/Radiological Incident Annex.