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• Incident Command System & NIMS
• Department of Homeland Security
• National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC)
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
• Bomb Threat Response Training CD
• A Practical Guide for Crisis Response in Our Schools

ICS is a standardized on-scene incident management concept designed specifically to allow responders to adopt an integrated organizational structure equal to the complexity and demands of any single incident or multiple incidents without being hindered by jurisdictional boundaries.

In the early 1970s, ICS was developed to manage rapidly moving wildfires and to address the following problems:

• Too many people reporting to one supervisor;
• Different emergency response organizational structures;
• Lack of reliable incident information;
• Inadequate and incompatible communications;
• Lack of structure for coordinated planning among agencies;
• Unclear lines of authority;
• Terminology differences among agencies; and Unclear or unspecified incident objectives.

An ICS enables integrated communication and planning by establishing a manageable span of control. An ICS divides an emergency response into five manageable functions essential for emergency response operations: Command, Operations, Planning, Logistics, and Finance and Administration.

The National Strategy for Homeland Security and the Homeland Security Act of 2002 served to mobilize and organize our nation to secure the homeland from terrorist attacks. This exceedingly complex mission requires a focused effort from our entire society if we are to be successful. To this end, one primary reason for the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security was to provide the unifying core for the vast national network of organizations and institutions involved in efforts to secure our nation. In order to better do this and to provide guidance to the 180,000 DHS men and women who work every day on this important task, the Department developed its own high-level strategic plan. The vision and mission statements, strategic goals and objectives provide the framework guiding the actions that make up the daily operations of the department.

Department of Homeland Security

The Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC) was created to provide leadership and guidance to the emerging field of threat assessment. Specifically, NTAC will offer timely, realistic, useful, and effective advice to law enforcement and other professionals and organizations with responsibilities to investigate and/or prevent targeted violence.

National Threat Assessment Center

DISASTER. It strikes anytime, anywhere. It takes many forms -- a hurricane, an earthquake, a tornado, a flood, a fire or a hazardous spill, an act of nature or an act of terrorism. It builds over days or weeks, or hits suddenly, without warning. Every year, millions of Americans face disaster, and its terrifying consequences.

On March 1, 2003, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program.

FEMA Website

The Bomb Threat CD-ROM was developed by the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools.

The Bomb Threat CD-ROM is a FREE interactive planning tool for schools that included staff training presentation and implementation resources. ATF will distribute the CD-ROM to State and local law enforcement and public safety agencies and the Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools will handle distribution to the country's public and private school systems.

To order CD or read more information visit: http://www.threatplan.org