The National Response Plan

1. USDANatural Resources Conservation ServiceHomeland Security &Crisis PreparednessIllinois All Employee Training ConferenceFebruary 28 – March 3, 2005

7. The National Response Plan The National Response Plan, unveiled January 6, 2005 by Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge, continues the Bush Administration's commitment to strengthen homeland security protections, including in the food and agriculture sector. The National Response Plan will serve as a guide to coordinate between Federal, state, local and tribal governments, along with critical partners in the private sector to ensure we are prepared in the event of an emergency to respond quickly and effectively.

8. The National Response Plan In June 2004 USDA launched web based National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS) training programs available to all USDA employees. With offices in almost every county in the nation, many USDA employees serve as first responders in their local communities.

9. The National Response Plan The Incident Command System (ICS) training courses are available through AgLearn, USDA's web-based Agriculture Learning Management System at http://www.aglearn.usda.gov/

11. Homeland Security Advisory System • Low (Green) • Guarded (Blue) • Elevated (Yellow) • High (Orange) • Severe (Red)

12. Homeland Security Advisory System See www.ready.gov for citizen guidance on the Homeland Security Advisory System and recommended actions for citizens.

13. Possible Situations • Fire Emergency • Explosion • Medical Emergency • Biological Hazard • Chemical Hazard • Radiological Hazard • Bomb or other threat • Civil Disturbances • Severe Weather • Workplace Violence

14. Title 130, Part 403 Crisis Responsibilities USDA Emergency Responsibilities • USDA defense responsibilities are: • Develop standby defense emergency programs • Carry out these programs during a civil defense emergency proclaimed by the Congress or President • USDA natural or man-made disaster emergency are: • Develop plans for responding to natural or man-made disasters, and • Respond to these disasters if USDA can assist in mitigating the emergency.

15. NRCS Defense Emergency Assignments • Based on radiological monitoring of the extent of radioactive contamination, providing guidance to land users on: • Safety of livestock. • Disposition of growing crops and harvesting of crops. • Use of crops stored on farms. • Selection and use of land from agricultural production. • Use, conservation, disposition, control of water to ensure adequate usable water for agriculture (except for water management, control, and allocation function assigned to FSA). 2. Assessing damage to agricultural lands and water resulting from enemy attack.

16. NRCS Natural Disaster Assignments NRCS is authorized to provide with or without a Presidential declaration of a major disaster: • When authorized by the Secretary, NRCS provides technical assistance and financial assistance under the authority of Section 216 of the Flood Control Act of 1950, to retard runoff and prevent soil erosion. The purpose of this assistance is to safeguard lives and property from floods resulting from erosion on any watershed suddenly damaged by fire or other natural forces. • Providing technical assistance on: i. Rehabilitation of land and conservation systems ii. Protection of land by emergency measures from high water and rehabilitation of rural lands damaged by natural disaster.

17. NRCS Natural Disaster Assignments (Cont.) • Providing assistance on: i. Evaluation of the severity of the disaster ii. Assessment of the problem and type of emergency work needed to restore the area to normal operations. iii. Location of heavy earth moving equipment. iv. Transportation problems when roads and highways cannot be used. • Information and materials such as maps and reports on watershed projects, river basin studies, and RC&D projects. • Availability of NRCS equipment for emergency use.

18. NRCS Natural Disaster Assignments (Cont.) A. Presidential declaration of major disaster or emergency under the Disaster Relief Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-288) makes it possible for NRCS to provide additional assistance under the direction of Federal Disaster Assistance Administration (FDAA). This Act authorizes the President to use Federal departments and agencies to carry out debris clearance under the Director of FDAA as follows: • Remove from publicly or privately owned lands any waters, debris and wreckage resulting from a major disaster, or • Make grants to any state or local government for such debris removal.

19. USDA Authorities for Responding to Crisis • The Defense Production Act of 1950 (50 USC App. 2061 et seg) • Executive Order 11490 • Flood Control Act of 1950 • Disaster Act of 1974 • Executive Order 12656 (1988) • USDA Emergency Operations Handbook (1982) • USDA National Emergency Preparedness Instruction (1983) • USDA Occupant Emergency Plan (1989)

20. NRCS Field Offices Each office should have the following information on file: • USDA Emergency Operations Handbook for USDA state and county emergency boards (1982) • The order of succession of authority for the district conservationist • The pamphlet entitled: Natural Disaster Assistance Available from the U. S. Department of Agriculture

23. HOMELAND SECURITY Who’s Responsible ...

24. USDA Organization for Crisis • State Level Each state and the Caribbean Area and the Pacific Area have a USDA State Emergency Board which coordinates USDA crisis preparedness and response at the state level. The board includes the NRCS state conservationist. • County Level Establish a USDA County Emergency Board, which coordinates USDA crisis preparedness and response at the county level. The board has an automatic membership consisting of the head of each USDA agency located at the county level. The NRCS district conservationist is a member of the county board.

25. NRCS Operations in a National Emergency In the event of a nuclear attack or large scale natural disaster or man-made disaster, NRCS employees’ duties are: • Safety of their families • And then act in conjunction with other agencies’ procedures, or as set forth in agency guidance.

26. NRCS Operations in a National Emergency (cont.) State Office Employees Report to the State Conservationists or his/her successor who will: • Assist civil defense or military authorities, including personnel, equipment, supplies and materials. • Try and establish contacts with area conservationists and NHQ. • Coordinate with USDA State Emergency Board.

27. NRCS Operations in a National Emergency (cont.) Area Office Employees Try and establish contact with field offices and with the State office. Until contact is established with the State office, the area conservationist assumes full responsibility for carrying out the NRCS plan for a national emergency. Area specialists are to help in this endeavor.

28. NRCS Operations in a National Emergency (cont.) Field Office • DC to begin work as soon as practical as a member of the USDA County Emergency Board. • As necessary, perform the defense emergency or natural disaster assignments (See sections 403.3 and 403.4) • Continue essential NRCS activities, but with due regard for the safety of personnel. • Not wait for instructions, but take action that good judgment dictates based on local needs and conditions within the framework of NRCS emergency responsibilities.

29. Succession of Line Officers NTC, State, Area and District Conservationists are to prepare and maintain a listing showing the order in which succession will occur during an emergency period.

30. Alternate Headquarters Sites • State Offices First (primary), second, and third alternate headquarters locations are to be designated. • Area and Field Offices No requirement that alternate headquarters be designated.

31. Directory of Key Employees • Current list of key NRCS employees to be maintained at the primary and alternate locations. • Recommended that the directory contain the order of succession and alternate headquarters.

32. Supervisors • Contact Information for Employees • Whereabouts of Employees • Inform Employees of Emergency Operation Procedures • Familiar with the Threat Conditions • Participate in Training Exercises • Assign staff member to assist disabled employees • Designate rally point • Encourage employees to use the buddy system • Inform staff to monitor TV and Radio • Keep supervisor abreast of situation

33. Employees & Contractors • Familiar with the Threat Conditions • Be familiar with Biosecurity Policy • Participate in training exercises • Follow instructions of emergency officials • Keep supervisor informed of situation • Monitor local media (TV, radio, etc.) for emergency updates • Discuss with family member what to do during emergencies • Develop family emergency plan

34. Civil Defense Training • NRCS Participation May volunteer for civil defense activities if they are not needed to carry out USDA emergency assignments. • Official Time to Participate May be granted official time for emergency training.

35. Illinois Emergency Recovery Plan • www.il.nrcs.usda.gov/intranet/nrcsemp/emergency/intro.html

36. NRCS Responsibilities • Develop Policy • Develop Emergency Plan • Identify areas of Vulnerability • Identify high risk areas • Training

37. Areas of Vulnerability • 11,000 Plus Employees • $25 Billion Information Technology • 3100 Offices • Watershed Dams • Other Areas

38. Identify Areas of High Risk • Conduct Assessments • Install Security Measures

39. Prepare Components • Basics • Grab and Go Kit • Shelter in Place • Leaving the Area

40. Your Family Plan Basics • Backup for day care, child pickup, elder care, etc. • Where will family reside during emergency • Designate rally point • Contact information

41. Your Family Plan Basics • Select (2) places to meet • How to contact supervisor • Report whereabouts to friend

43. Prepare Grab and GO Kit • Water – 1 - 2 quarts • Food – non-perishables and light • Three day supply medicines • N95 paper mask

44. Prepare Grab and GO Kit • Small battery operated or solar radio, • Small flashlight that use same batteries as radio • Extra batteries • Light/glow stick to pin to your clothes in case you have to walk in the dark • Small knife or multi-tool • Personal toiletries, including toothbrush, non-water hand cleaner, eye drops etc.

45. Prepare Grab and GO Kit • Pen and small note/book with phone numbers and e-mail addresses of family, friends, neighbors and co-workers. • Rain poncho • Blanket • Small first aid kit • Area map

47. Shelter In Place • Protective Action taken inside the building to protect from external hazards, minimize your chance of injury and/or provide time for safe evacuation. Scenarios: • Severe weather • Civil unrest • Accidental chemical release • Biological, chemical or radiological attack

48. Prepare Shelter In Place: Severe Weather or Civil Unrest • Stay inside • Move away from windows to inner corridors • Close all doors connecting exterior offices to the corridor • Take your Grab and Go kit

49. Prepare Shelter In Place External chemical, biological or radiological incident: • Choose an interior room • Turn off A/C and heating systems • Seal windows and doors • Close doors connecting exterior offices to the corridor

50. Prepare Shelter In Place Internal chemical, biological, or radiological incident: • Immediately relocate to another safer location • The developing situation will dictate further actions