Tyndall implements new response action plan for incidents, other emergencies Published March 2, 2007 By Sonni Sears Air Force Civil Engineering Support Agency TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- February marked the beginning of Tyndall's new approach to disaster response. "Tyndall's disaster responders are streamlining their techniques to blend seamlessly with off-base responders, in reaction to devastating events like Sept. 11 and Hurricane Katrina, to ensure better communication across the cross section of organizations that must react in the event of a natural disaster or terrorist attack," said Marty Spikes, 325th Civil Engineer Squadron chief of readiness. The implementation of the Air Force Incident Management System by Air Force disaster responders will help our responders communicate effectively with other government responders, enabling quicker and more efficient responses. "Currently, we are in the very beginning stages of implementation," said Mr. Spikes. "We are educating our disaster response force on AFIMS, and people will see a change in how we respond immediately." Last year, Michael Wynne, Secretary of the Air Force, issued a memorandum introducing the Air Force Incident Management System, outlining an all-hazards approach to the organization of emergency responders at Air Force installations. AFIMS employs a unified response between responders at civilian and military levels. This action was a direct response to Homeland Security Presidential Directive 5, which called for the establishment of a single, comprehensive national system for managing domestic incidents. Two initiatives created under HSPD-5 - the National Response Plan and the National Incident Management System work together to unify emergency management practices at all government levels, enhancing the nation's ability to plan for, prevent, respond to and recover from terrorist attacks, major disasters and other emergencies. Mr. Wynne's memorandum will involve the revision of Air Force directives to parallel existing NIMS and NRP policies and procedures and will require close coordination and communication within our responder community to ensure support to civil authorities. "This new approach will align us with civilian agencies and help us work better together, by using the same language and terminology when handling incidents" said Mr. Spikes. The Air Force will fully implement AFIMS by December 2009. The initial step is application of the Air Force Emergency Management program by Air Force personnel. Full implementation and sustainment of AFIMS will require a two-phased approach to streamline present practices. Phase one, scheduled to be completed by the end of 2007, focuses on installation response procedures. It includes the development of policy, inspection, evaluation criteria and the fielding of training products. Phase two, scheduled to be completed by the end of 2009, includes follow-on actions to improve and sustain training, expand cross-functional coordination and exercises, identify and resolve capability deficiencies, and incorporate the AFIMS capabilities within the Air Force Master Capabilities Library and the Air Force Chief of Staff concepts of operations. Each phase will identify the tasks, timeliness and responsibilities necessary to work successfully with the other services in terms of doctrine, organizations, training, and exercises material, leadership and education, personnel and facilities. Throughout the transition, both organizational structure and Air Force-specific terminology will become NIMS compliant. For example, the former installation disaster response force organizational structure will undergo name and role changes. Currently, the disaster response designates a disaster control group as well as an on-scene commander, usually the installation mission support group commander. An emergency operations center, under the direction of the mission support group commander, will replace the disaster control group, along with many of its duties. Many of the disaster control group functions will soon be performed by the AFIMS-designated emergency support functions. Air Force planning guidance will be described in AFI 10-2501, Emergency Management Program Planning and Operations, scheduled for publication later this year. "I believe that all the changes we are incorporating will bring the Air Force to a higher level of efficiency," said MSgt Douglas Smith, the Air Force Emergency Management publications manager. "We will become more integrated into the broad spectrum of emergency response and recovery." For more information, contact Tyndall's office of emergency management at 283-2010 or email questions to 325.ces.cex.readiness.flight@tyndall.af.mil.