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New resources available for first responders

Emergency Management Alert, May 14, 2004

Two new resources, developed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), will enhance mutual aid systems across the country.

The new resources include "The National Mutual Aid Glossary of Terms and Definitions," which provides terms for equipment, teams, and personnel used in disasters, and "Resource Typing Definitions - I," which organizes equipment and teams by category, capability, and capacity. Each resource is organized in the following categories: emergency management, emergency medical systems, fire/hazardous materials, health and medical, law enforcement, public works, and search and rescue.

Emergency managers and first responders can use the new resources to operate more effectively together through their emergency response networks.

"The development of this common terminology for resources in emergency response operations is necessary for effective mutual aid arrangements and interoperability," said Michael D. Brown, undersecretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response.

"The Resource Typing Definitions" book should be available by the end of fiscal year 2004 in September. The glossary and resource typing definitions may be downloaded from the fema.gov Web site at: http://www.fema.gov/preparedness/mutual_aid.shtm

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