HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 313-06TO:
City of Palo Alto
City Manager’s Report
HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
7
FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: FIRE
DATE:
SUBJECT:
SEPTEMBER 11, 2006 CMR: 313:06
APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION RATIFYING THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT
SYSTEM (NIMS)
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that Council adopt the attached resolution ratifying the adoption of the-
National Incident Management System (NIMS) so the City remains eligible for future Homeland
Security grants and improves its emergency preparedness capabilities.
BACKGROUND
California local and state government pioneered the development of standardized incident
management systems to respond to a variety of catastrophic disasters. The state fire service
developed the Incident Command System (ICS) in the 1970s, and California was the first state to
adopt a statewide Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) for use by all
emergency response organizations within the state. ICS and SEMS have become models for
incident management nationwide. Palo Alto formally adopted SEMS on June 8, 1998.
DISCUSSION
In early 2003, following the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, President Bush
directed the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop and administer a National Incident
Management System (NIMS), which would provide a consistent nationwide approach for
federal, state, local, and tribal governments to work together more effectively to prevent, prepare
for, respond to, and recover from disasters, regardless of cause, size, or complexity. The system,
which is very similar to SEMS, was eventually introduced on March 1, 2004.
The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks (also known as the 9-11 Commission)also
recommended adoption of such a system. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, in Executive Order
S-2-05, directed the state Office of Emergency Services and Office of Homeland Security to
develop a program to integrate NIMS into the state’s emergency management system.
To be better equipped for emergencies, .it is essential that federal, state, local and tribal
organizations utilize uniform terminology; communication equipment; planning, training, and
exercising standards; personnel qualifications; and organization and command structures. NIMS
provides a framework for standardized disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and training
procedures and will coordinate the City’s current response protocols with the response systems
CMR: 313:06 Page 1 of 2
of agencies and organizations nationwide. Adopting NIMS will bring the City in line with the
state and federal policies. Moreover, to continue to receive Homeland Security Grant Program
funding, the City must adopt the system. ......
In January, 2006, the Cit~ of Palo Alto initiated a training program to ensure the City will meet
the Sep. 26, 2006 federal deadline for NIMS compliance.
RESOURCE IMPACT
The Department of Homeland Security requires local governments to adopt NIMS in order to be
eligible for future Homeland Security Grant Program funding.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The request is not a project subject to the California Environmental Quality Act.
ATTACHMENT
Attachment A: Resolution
PREPARED BY:Barbara Cimino, Emergency Manager
DEPARTMENT HEAD:
NICHOLAS MARINARO
Fire Chief
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
3N
Assistant City Manager
CMR: 313:06 Page 2 of 2
****NOT YET APPROVED****
RESOLUTION NO.
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CLTY OF PALO
ALTO RATIFYING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
NATIONAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (NIMS)
WHEREAS, the President in Homeland Security Directive-5,
directed the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to
develop and administer a National Incident Management System
(NIMS) which would provide a consistent nationwide approach for
federal, state, local, and tribal governments to work together
more effectively and efficiently to prevent, prepare for,
respond to, and recover from disasters, regardless of cause,
size, or complexity; and
WHEREAS, California pioneered the development of
standardized incident management systems to respond to a variety
of catastrophic disasters, including fires, earthquakes, floods,
and landslide; and
WHEREAS, in the early 1970s, the California fire
service, in partnership with the federal government, developed
the Seminal Emergency Incident Command system that has become
the model for incident management nationwide; and
WHEREAS, in 1993, California was the first state to
adopt, a statewide Standardized Emergency Management
System("SEMS") for use by every emergency response organization,
and implemented a system to ensure the continual improvement of
the St;andardized Emergency Management System; and
WHEREAS, California emergency management professionals
have contributed their expertise to the development of the
National Incident Management System; and
WHEREAS, it is essential for responding to disasters
that federal, state, local and tribal organizations utilize
standardized terminology, standardized organizationa!
structures, interoperable communications, consolidated action
plans, unified command structures, uniform personnel
qualification standards, uniform standards for planning,
training, and exercising, comprehensive resource management, and
designated incident facilities during emergencies or disasters;
and
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*** *NOT YET APPROVED*** *
WHEREAS, the SEMS substantially meets the objectives of
NIMS; and
WHEREAS,. the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks
(9-11 Commission) recommended adoption of a standardized
Incident Command System nationwide; and
WHEREAS, the Governor of the State of California has
directed the Office of Emergency Services and the Office of
Homeland Security in-cooperation with the Standardized Emergency
Management System Advisory Board to develop a program to
integrate the National Incident Management System to the extent
appropriate, into the State’s emergency management system; and
WHEREAS, each jurisdiction is required to adopt and use
the NIMS procedure for any future emergency;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Council of the City of Palo Alto
does RESOLVE as follows:
.SECTION I. That the City of Palo Alto will integrate
the NIMS into its emergency management system;
SECTION 2. That the City of Palo Alto uses the National
Incident Management System which shall be consistent with the
integration of the National Incident Management System and the
Standardized Emergency Management System in California.
SECTION 3. That a copy of this resolution is forwarded
to the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.
SECTION 4. The Council finds that this is not a project
under the California Environmental Quality Act and, therefore,
no environmental impact assessment is necessary.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
ATTEST:
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*NOT YET APPROVED*
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Mayor
APPROVED:
City Attorney City Manager
Director of
Director of Administrative
Services
060815 cs 8260308