Provided in this issue is a description of the 2006 grant-funded Bay Area SUASI projects now underway. In subsequent issues, we will offer a status update on the activities associated with each project and alert you to available findings and work products.
Regional Planning
Eleven regional planners were hired through this initiative to support the ten Bay Area Counties and Coastal OES to participate in regional planning. Funds also were provided to each of the three major SUASI cities to update their plans and work toward consistency with the National Response Plan. This initiative also provides project management support and information dissemination, such as the website and this e-newsletter.
Interoperable Communications
Initiatives in this area include conducting a needs assessment and developing a five-year strategic plan based upon the results, and the completion of $6 million in infrastructure improvements. The construction and implementation of robust interoperable communication systems and the building and development of infrastructure and technology will strengthen the ability of responders in different agencies and jurisdictions to communicate with each other during a catastrophic event.
Information Sharing
This project centers on building cooperation among local, state and federal partners to develop and enhance information tools and networks. Creation of a Fusion Center will enable more effective sharing and analysis of critical information to better prevent and protect against terrorist incidents. A key component of this system is that it encompasses three multi-disciplinary, cross-jurisdictional Terrorism Early Warning Groups (TEWG’s) in the East, South and West Bay. There will be continued support of the efforts of the Regional Terrorism Threat Assessment Center (RTTAC).
CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives)
The CBRNE project team will conduct needs assessments and an evaluation of regional CBRNE response capabilities. It also will create a five-year strategic plan encompassing all areas of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive response capabilities within the region. The team also is developing an inventory and resource tracking system that can be used throughout the region. By developing an inventory of resources, assessing capabilities and setting out a strategic plan, the Bay Area will be more prepared to deal with terrorist events or chemical accidents and improve its capability to respond to man-made or natural incidents.
Medical Surge
The medical surge project team is conducting an assessment of non-traditional health-care services and providers within the 10-county Bay Area, including hospitals, clinics, surgery and dialysis centers, employee health centers and skilled nursing facilities. Identification of the resources within non-traditional care facilities will allow Bay Area medical facilities to redirect some of the surge of patients that will come to traditional care facilities during a disaster, so that all patients receive timely, appropriate care.
Mass Prophylaxis
Assessment plans for the distribution of medicines, as well as the standardization of response plans and delivery methods will foster calm order and efficiency in the event of a major health emergency. The project also includes the development of a training program.
Mass Care
The scope of this project involves the development of a simple, easily implemented tool kit for a tiered system of shelter operations which will enable Bay Area providers to set up and sustain operations during a disaster. It is funding the American Red Cross to provide training to community-based organizations. It also addresses the special circumstances of vulnerable populations and pets.
Infrastructure Protection
This project provides for security improvements at the Golden Gate Bridge and for Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART). In addition, it provides for the purchase and regional deployment of equipment for emergency drinking water purification and distribution.
Public Information and Warning
This project focuses on risk communications. The project team will conduct assessments and gap analysis of Bay Area public information capabilities. It also will establish protocols for standardizing messages, which will foster greater consistency and effectiveness in communicating with the public in the event of a disaster.
Training & Exercise
This project includes a multi-disciplinary, multi-hazards capabilities assessment and analysis and establishment of benchmarks based on local, state and federal guidelines. The project team also is developing a five-year strategic training and exercise plan, based upon assessment results. The plan will address training and exercise capabilities for all 10 Bay Area counties. Evaluation of training in the Bay Area and the identification of gaps in training enables development of a targeted training plan for the region. In addition, the workgroup is developing specialized regional training programs tailored to specific needs and priorities.
Citizen Preparedness
The Citizen Preparedness project includes an assessment of national and local citizen preparedness public education campaigns and training and identification of effective programs and approaches that can be replicated for implementation in the Bay Area in four main areas: personnel, training, equipment and documentation. It also is funding regional citizen preparedness projects, distributing funds to operational areas for citizen preparedness programs, and providing training opportunities.
Volunteer Management System
The project involves the development and implementation of a Bay Area region-wide volunteer management system for use before, during and after a disaster or other catastrophic event. The development of a system that provides “real time” human resource management can be used during a disaster to vet and mobilize volunteers and disaster service workers.
Emergency Management
The Bay Area emergency managers convene monthly to coordinate and collaborate on the overall direction of the Bay Area SUASI, as well as on specific projects.
For more information about the Bay Area SUASI project initiatives please e-mail us at info@bayareasuasi.org.
