City Council Meeting: March 28, 2006                                                                                                                               Santa Monica, California

                                                                                                                                                                                                    1 D

TO:                  Mayor and Councilmembers

FROM:            City Staff

SUBJECT:     Resolution Ratifying the Adoption of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incorporate NIMS Principles and Policies into the City of Santa Monica Emergency Plan

 

 

 

 

Introduction

This report requests the City Council to adopt a resolution ratifying the adoption of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and incorporate NIMS principles and policies into the City of Santa Monica emergency plan.  NIMS  is a nationwide approach to incident management that establishes requirements for processes, procedures, and systems that are designed to facilitate interoperability among jurisdictions and disciplines. 

 

Discussion

The President of the United States through Homeland Security Directive-5, directed the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to develop and administer a National Incident Management System, 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 National Commission on Terrorist Attacks (9-11 Commission) also recommended adoption of a nationwide standardized Incident Command System.  In addition, the Governor of the State of California in Executive Order S-2-05 has directed the State’s Office of Emergency Services and 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 into the state’s emergency management system.

 

California local and state government pioneered the development of standardized incident management systems to respond to a variety of catastrophic disasters.  In addition, California was the first state to adopt a statewide Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) for use by every emergency response organization within the state.  Santa Monica formally adopted the SEMS on November 9, 1999.

 

NIMS is very similar to California’s SEMS which was based on the Incident Command System (ICS) developed in the early 1970s by the California fire service.  ICS and SEMS are models for incident management nationwide.  It is essential that federal, state, local, and tribal organizations utilize standardized terminology; standardized organization 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.   The use of SEMS has benefited Santa Monica because it has the framework for standardized disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and training procedures in our city and throughout California.  NIMS will benefit Santa Monica because it will coordinate our current response protocols with the response systems of agencies and organizations, nationwide. 

 

The Federal Department of Homeland Security requires local governments to adopt the National Incident Management System (NIMS) in order to be eligible for future Homeland Security Grant Program funding.  This funding will enhance the ability of local emergency, prevention, and response agencies to prepare for and respond to incidents of terrorism involving weapons of mass destruction and natural disasters. 

 

The Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) has developed a NIMS implementation plan that identifies the actions necessary to meet present and future requirements.  OEM will take the lead in assisting all County departments and cities with meeting NIMS compliance by the deadlines established by the Department of Homeland Security.  In order to accomplish this goal, the City of Santa Monica will work closely with OEM and Disaster Management Area “A” which consists of the four west side cities, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, Culver City, and Beverly Hills. 

 

In October of 2005, the Santa Monica Fire Department, Emergency Management Office, and Police Department initiated a training program to ensure the City will meet the September 26th, 2006 federal deadline for NIMS compliance.


Budget/Financial Impact

The recommendation presented in this report does not have a budget or fiscal impact.

 

Recommendation

It is recommended the City Council adopt the accompanying resolution ratifying the adoption of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and incorporate NIMS principles and policies into the City of Santa Monica emergency plan

 

Prepared by:              Jim Hone, Fire Chief

                                    Paul Weinberg, Emergency Services Coordinator

                                   

 

 

Attachment:                A.  Resolution


 

RESOLUTION NUMBER _______ (CCS)

 

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA ADOPTING THE NATIONAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

 

           

WHEREAS, the President of the United States through Homeland Security Directive-5, directed the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to develop and administer a National Incident Management System, 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; and

 

WHEREAS, California local and state governments pioneered the development of standardized incident management systems to respond to a variety of catastrophic disasters, including fires, earthquakes, floods, and landslides; 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 for use by every emergency response organization, and implemented a system to ensure the continual improvement of the Standardized Emergency Management System; and

 

WHEREAS, California local and state emergency management professionals have contributed their expertise to the development of the new National Incident Management System; and

 

WHEREAS, it is essential for disaster response and securing the homeland that federal, state, local, and tribal organizations utilize standardized terminology, standardized organization 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

 

WHEREAS, the California Standardized Emergency Management System substantially meets the objectives of the National Incident Management System; and

 

WHEREAS, the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks (9-11 Commission) recommended adoption of a standardized Incident Command System nation wide; and

 

WHEREAS, the Governor of the State of California in Executive Order S-2-05 has directed the State’s Office of Emergency Services and 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,

 

 

 

NOW THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:

 

 

SECTION 1.  The City Council of the City of Santa Monica formally recognizes the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and adopts NIMS principles and policies into the emergency plan and procedures of the City of Santa Monica.

 

SECTION 2.  The City Manager or designee is authorized to execute any documents which are necessary to effectuate this designation and which are consistent with this Resolution, all of which are subject to approval by the City Attorney.

 

SECTION 3.  The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution, and thenceforth and thereafter the same shall be in full force and effect.

 

 

 

APPROVED AS TO FORM:

 

 

 

________________________

MARSHA JONES MOUTRIE

City Attorney