WEST MIFFLIN SANITARY SEWER MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY

RESOLUTION NO. 99-06

APPROVING THE PARTICIPATION OF THE WEST MIFFLIN SANITARY SEWER MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY (WMSSMA) IN THE NATIONAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (NIMS) AS OUTLINED IN GUIDANCE DOCUMENTS PROVIDED BY THE PENNSYLVANIA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (PEMA) AND DEVELOPED UNDER THE AUSPICIES OF THE UNITED STATES SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY

WHERAS, Pennsylvania, along with the Nation, is moving toward the National Incident Management System (NIMS). This is a large task that will take the coordinated efforts of state and local governments, agencies, elected officials, career and volunteer emergency response organizations, law enforcement, public utilities and any other organizations involved in, and supporting preparation, response, recovery and mitigation of all-hazards incidents. To date, there is a fair amount of confusion on what we as a Commonwealth need to do in order to comply with the NIMS. In order for us to meet the stringent timeline for full compliance, we need to come together as one team with one direction and clear guidance on what and how we will achieve our goal. The following guidance will hopefully bring all 67 counties together and clear up any questions and/or confusion; and

WHERAS, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security sent the Governor a letter on September 8, 2004, outlining the requirements to fully comply with the NIMS and states, “In order to receive FY 2006 preparedness funding, the minimum FY 2005 compliance requirements described above must be met. Applicants will be required to certify as part of their FY 2006 grant applications that they have met the FY 2005 NIMS requirements.” State departments, commissions and agencies, counties and municipalities need to know that non-compliance with the NIMS requirements will result in partial loss of and/or total loss of the Federal preparedness funding/grants identified in attachment 7, Additional NIMS Information. To preclude jeopardizing future Federal funding, all State departments, commissions and agencies, counties and municipalities must become fully NIMS compliant; and

WHERAS, the NIMS system is significant; it integrates effective practices of emergency preparedness, and response, into a comprehensive national framework for incident management. It will enable responders at all levels to work together more effectively to manage domestic incidents no matter what the cause, size or complexity. This is accomplished by:

• Standardized organizational structures, processes and procedures; (ICS)

• Standards for planning, training and exercising, and personnel qualification standards; (Credentialing)

• Equipment acquisition and certification standards; (Resource Typing)

• Interoperable communications procedures and systems;

• Information management systems; and

• Supporting technologies – voice and data communications systems, information systems, and data display systems and specialized technologies; and

WHERAS, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is going to fully comply with all Federal requirements in adopting the NIMS. In order to meet the aggressive deadlines set by the Federal Government, all state, county and local governments, agencies, elected officials, career and volunteer emergency response organizations, law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services, public utilities and any other organizations involved in, and supporting preparation, response, recovery and mitigation of all-hazards incidents, need to a establish a timeline for completion of key components of the NIMS; and

WHERAS, all agencies within the Commonwealth, including all state, county and local governments, agencies, elected officials, career and volunteer fire, EMS and/or emergency response organizations, law enforcement, public utilities and any other organizations involved in, and supporting preparation, response, recovery and mitigation of all-hazards incidents, need to complete the following items as stated in the letter to the Governor:

• IS-700 National Incident Command System Awareness course.

• Formally recognizing the NIMS and adopting the NIMS principles and policies.

• Institutionalize the use of the Incident Command System.

• Identify plans, policies and procedures that need to be modified to incorporate the NIMS.

• Establish a timeframe and develop a strategy for full NIMS implementation.

• Establish a NIMS baseline by determining which NIMS requirements you already meet (Completing the NIMCAST will establish a NIMS compliance baseline which will help you establish your timeline).

• Incorporating NIMS into existing training programs and exercises.

• Ensuring that Federal preparedness funding (including DHS Homeland Security Grant Program, Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) funds) support NIMS implementation at the State and local levels (in accordance with the eligibility and allowable uses of the grants).

• Incorporating NIMS into Emergency Operations Plans (EOP).

• Promotion of intrastate mutual aid agreements (MAA).

• Coordinating with, and providing technical assistance to, local entities regarding NIMS implementation; and

WHEREAS, at a minimum, that all state, county and local governments, agencies and departments, elected officials, career and volunteer emergency response organizations, law enforcement, public utilities and any other organizations involved in, and supporting preparation, response, recovery and mitigation of all-hazards incidents have completed the minimum NIMS compliance requirements and are progressing toward full NIMS compliance.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE WEST MIFFLIN SANITARY SEWER MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY ADOPTS AS FOLLOWS:

1. THE AUTHORITY WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE NATIONAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (NIMS) PROGRAM AS DIRECTED BY THE GOVERNOR OF PENNSYLVANIA AND THE PENNSYLVANIA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY.

2. THE AUTHORITY WILL IMPLEMENT THE APPROPRIATE TRAINING PROGRAMS TO THE APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF ACTIVITY FOR THE INVOLVED EMPLOYEES.

3. THE AUTHORITY WILL AMMEND EXISTING EMERGENCY PLANS AND DEVELOP PROCEDURES TO COME INTO FULL COMPLIANCE WITH THE NIMS PROGRAM.

This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.

Adopted: September 28, 2006

ATTEST: WEST MIFFLIN SANITARY SEWER

MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY

______________________ By:__________________________

Secretary George Miklos, Chairman

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