The International Society of First Responders is a trade association and professional resource center dedicated to the issues of training, education, best practices, and shared experiences facing First Responders concerning Homeland Security.

The ISOFR consolidates and integrates best practice responses to WMD events among all First Responders that they may collectively become more efficient and save more lives during a crisis.

Emergency Management Agencies consist of organizations, both local and state, that are directed to coordinate preparation, recognition, response and recovery for WMD incidents.

• State & Local Emergency Management Agencies (EMAs)
• Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOADs)
• Professional Associations
• Human Service Agencies
• Private Agencies Supporting EMA Activities

In today's world, Emergency Management Agencies face a greater threat of terrorism than ever before. For this reason, it is necessary for first responders to obtain the training and experience needed to fulfill their mission of upholding the law and protecting lives.

By definition, a WEAPON OF MASS DESTRUCTION is referred to as follows:

Title 18 U.S.C. 2332a. Defines a weapon of mass destruction as 1) any explosive, incendiary, poison gas, bomb, grenade, or rocket having a propellant charge of more than four ounces, a missile having an explosive or incendiary charge of more than one-quarter ounce, or a mine or device similar to the above; 2) poison gas; 3) any weapon involving a disease organism; 4) any weapon that is designed to release radiation or radioactivity at a level dangerous to human life.

TERRORISM, by definition, is referred to as follows:

A violent act or an act dangerous to human life, in violation of the criminal laws of the United States of any segment, to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives (US Department of Justice).

Emergency Preparedness and Response:
ODP coordinated with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to develop the FY 2003 SHSAS process and to ensure that all necessary response assets can be brought together quickly and effectively. FEMA representatives attended multiple review sessions and meetings to review the assessment and strategy template and offer guidance on the roll-out of the SHSAS to state and local jurisdictions. Working with FEMA representatives has and will continue to assist in consolidating federal response plans and building a national system for incident management in cooperation with state and local governments.

Other federal partners and professional associations that are involved in the revision, development, and implementation of the FY 2003 SHSAS process include the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Governors' Association (NGA), the National Association of Counties NACo), the National Association of City and County Health Officials (NACCHO), and the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO). These partners reviewed assessment materials, provided information on areas of potential overlap with other programs, and enabled continuous information sharing across all disciplines.

As a result of ODP's coordination and working relationships with federal agencies, state representatives, and state and local professional associations, the State Homeland Security Assessment and Strategy process will allow the federal government to obtain vital information on the capabilities and needs of emergency responders on a national scale. The refined process will also serve as a planning tool for state and local jurisdictions, and will assist ODP and its partners in better allocating federal resources for homeland security.

Awareness Level:
This addresses training requirements for emergency management personnel who are likely to witness or discover an event involving the terrorist/criminal use of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) or who may be sent out to initially investigate a report of such an event. Generally, these personnel should carry out all actions from within the cold zone. If personnel find themselves in the warm or hot zone, they are to move from that zone and encourage others, if ambulatory, to move to a staging area away from the immediate threat.

Awareness-Level Guidelines for Emergency Management Personnel

• Recognize hazardous materials incidents.
• Know the protocols used to detect the potential presence of WMD agents or materials.
• Know and follow self-protection measures for WMD events and hazardous materials events.
• Know procedures for protecting a potential crime scene.
• Know and follow agency/organization's scene security and control procedures for WMD and hazardous materials events.
• Possess and know how to properly use equipment to contact dispatcher or higher authorities to report information collected at the scene and to request additional assistance or emergency response personnel.

Planning & Management Level:
This addresses training requirements for emergency management personnel who will be part of the leadership and management team expected to respond to an event involving weapons of mass destruction (WMD). These emergency management directors/coordinators/team managers will be involved in preparing plans for mobilizing and coordinating the resources and assets needed to manage emergency operations and to provide necessary on-site technical assistance. These personnel will assist in planning the implementation of the incident command structure, staffing the satellite or headquarters emergency operations center, and establishing the command post or mobile command unit at the scene. They are expected to work in a coordinated manner with the on-scene incident commander or unified command team to manage the emergency management resources required to bring the event to a successful conclusion. Generally, the emergency management team will conduct many of its activities away from the immediate emergency incident scene but will have to stay in touch with those at the scene. Emergency management team managers are expected to take all actions from within the cold zone. It is expected that the emergency management team managers will be part of the overall response but will not be part of the on-scene incident command structure as called for in the emergency response preplan or the emergency operations plan document. The emergency manager, however, is responsible for developing, testing, exercising, and revising the preplan or emergency operations plan that will be used to coordinate the management and supervision of the resources and assets needed to control and successfully resolve the overall WMD emergency event.

Planning and Mgt-Level Guidelines for Emergency Mgt. Agency Emergency Managers

• Have successfully completed appropriate and qualified training at the Awareness and Management levels for events involving hazardous materials and for weapons of mass destruction.
• Know the procedures of the Incident Command System and Unified Command and the steps required to implement each system.
• Understand how the systems are implemented and integrated. Recognize when it is appropriate for Unified Command to evolve from the Incident Command System.
• Know what information the on-scene IC will need from the emergency management agency's emergency operations center.
• Be familiar with the full range of coordinating activities and duties of the emergency management agency and all incident command functions. Assist those persons who will be fulfilling duties related to the emergency operations plan.
• Know how to develop an Incident Action Plan and identify assets available to control WMD and hazardous materials events. Coordinate these activities with the on-scene IC. Be familiar with steps to take to assist in planning operational goals and objectives that are to be met at the site in coordination with the on-scene IC.
• Know and follow self-protection and protective measures for the public and for emergency responders at the scene of WMD and hazardous materials events.
• Know and follow procedures for protecting a potential crime scene.
• Know how to interact with and integrate requisite emergency support services and resources between the Emergency Operations Center management and the incident or unified command on-scene incident management team. Be familiar with the coordination functions and procedures that are to be conducted by and with the Emergency Operations Center in support of on-scene emergency response activities.