EM Glossary

A card representing a specific response action a team can take. Each card belongs to one of the five response categories. Placing a card on the board represents committing to that action and triggers a discussion prompt for the team.

A placement rule that requires each action card to be placed in a slot touching at least one already-occupied slot. This simulates how response actions build on each other and prevents teams from spreading too thin too fast.

A document that captures observations of an exercise or incident and makes recommendations for improvements. The AAR is produced following every exercise and should identify strengths, areas for improvement, and corrective actions.

A single identical display of relevant information shared by more than one command. Provides situational awareness to all command and coordination levels to facilitate collaborative planning and inform decision-making.

A plan that identifies essential functions and establishes procedures that allow an organization to continue those functions during a wide range of emergencies. Includes alternate facilities, personnel, and communications.

The orderly, safe, and efficient return of an incident resource to its original location and status. Includes checkout procedures, documentation, and notification of home agencies.

A national interstate mutual aid compact that facilitates the sharing of resources, personnel, and equipment across state lines during governor-declared disasters or emergencies.

The physical location at which the coordination of information and resources to support domestic incident management activities normally takes place. Can be a permanent facility or a temporary location depending on the situation.

A grouping of government and certain private-sector capabilities into an organizational structure to provide support, resources, program implementation, and services most likely needed to save lives, protect property, and address the effects of disasters. There are 15 ESFs.

Responsible for financial, administrative, and cost analysis aspects of an incident. Tracks incident costs, processes time records, and coordinates with procurement.

A capabilities and performance-based exercise program that provides a standardized methodology and terminology for exercise design, development, conduct, evaluation, and improvement planning.

A document produced in conjunction with the AAR that identifies specific corrective actions, assigns responsibilities, and establishes target completion dates. Sometimes called the AAR/IP.

An oral or written plan containing general objectives reflecting the overall strategy for managing an incident. Includes objectives, tactics assignments, communications plan, and safety message for the operational period.

A standardized, on-scene, all-hazard incident management system. Establishes a clear chain of command and defines specific roles (IC, Operations, Planning, Logistics, Finance/Admin) to coordinate response across agencies.

The individual responsible for all incident activities, including the development of strategies and tactics and the ordering and release of resources. The IC has overall authority and responsibility for conducting incident operations.

A group of ICS-qualified personnel consisting of an Incident Commander and other command and general staff positions. Typed I through IV based on complexity of incidents they can manage.

A mid-exercise complication that tests the team's ability to adapt their response plan. Injects simulate the way real emergencies evolve — resource failures, media crises, escalating conditions, staff turnover. Up to 3 per exercise.

A facility established to coordinate all incident-related public information activities. It is the central point of contact for all news media at the scene of the incident and brings together PIOs from all responding agencies.

A member of the Command Staff responsible for coordinating with representatives from cooperating and assisting agencies. Serves as the point of contact for agency representatives.

The process of planning and executing the efficient transport and maintenance of resources from their point of origin to the field operations and back. Encompasses supply, facilities, services, and transportation.

Responsible for providing all support requirements needed to facilitate effective and efficient incident management. Includes ordering and receiving resources.

Written agreements between agencies and/or jurisdictions that they will assist one another upon request by furnishing personnel, equipment, and/or expertise in a specified manner. Includes EMAC, state agreements, and local inter-local agreements.

A systematic, proactive approach to guide government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector to work together to prevent, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the effects of incidents.

A guide to how the nation responds to all types of disasters and emergencies. Built on scalable, flexible, and adaptable concepts identified in NIMS.

The time scheduled for executing a given set of tactical actions as specified in the IAP. Operational periods can be of various lengths, although they are usually 12 or 24 hours.

Responsible for all tactical operations at the incident. Develops the tactical portions of the IAP and directs the execution of tactical operations.

Responsible for collecting, evaluating, and disseminating information about the incident. Manages the preparation of the IAP and maintains situational awareness.

A tool used by FEMA and state officials to measure the impact of a disaster on individuals and public infrastructure. PDA findings are used to support requests for major disaster declarations.

Responsible for interfacing with the public and media and/or with other agencies with incident-related information requirements. Coordinates all public messaging and media relations.

The categorization and description of response resources by capacity, capability, and function. Standardizes resource requests so that receiving jurisdictions know exactly what they are getting when they request a resource.

The five directional arms of the hex board, each representing a response category: Hazard Operations (HAZ), Resources/Logistics (RES), Communications (COM), Public Information (PUB), and Leadership/Command (LEA).

A member of the Command Staff responsible for monitoring and assessing safety hazards or unsafe situations and developing measures to ensure personnel safety. Has stop-work authority.

The central card placed at the start of each exercise that defines the triggering emergency. Includes initial conditions, key stressors, and training objectives. All five response arms radiate outward from the scenario card.

A periodic document reporting on the status of an incident, including current conditions, actions taken, resources deployed, and outstanding needs. Submitted on a regular schedule to higher-level command and coordinating entities.

An area established for the temporary location of available resources. Staging areas are managed by a Staging Area Manager and exist to hold resources until they receive an assignment.

A set number of resources of the same kind and type that have an established minimum number of personnel required for operation. Strike teams are dispatched as a unit.

Any combination of resources assembled to support a specific mission or operational need. May combine different kinds and types of resources.

A structure used when multiple agencies with jurisdictional authority operate together. Allows agencies to establish a common set of incident objectives while each maintains its authority, responsibility, and accountability.