Introduction
From 2003 though 2023, the USFA was the lead (and only) Federal agency developing the AHIMT program. The development side of the USFA program was sunsetted and defunded at the end of 2022. During its tenure, the following projects were initiated and/or completed, Many of these projects and initiatives will continue through the efforts of program stakeholders until the Federal government sees the considerable value and necessity for Federal oversight and program management.
Achievements and Successes
- Developed the document Advancing the Capabilities of Type-3 Incident Management Teams through Implementation of a Tiered System to Quantify Readiness. This widely accepted document is now referred to as the 3-Tiered Preparedness System
- Within the 3-Tier Preparedness System, developing model guidance based on best practices, to include:
- Model Qualification Guide
- Governance Agreements (MOUs) Examples
- Team Standard Operating Procedures and/or Manual of Operations
- Team and Individual Performance Evaluation Documentation and Processes
Member Rosters - Incident Documentation best practice examples
- Team Composition Requirements (Minimum)
Self-Sufficiency Capability: Equipment and Cache - Mobilization Plan/Guide Model Subjects
Individual Go-Kit and Supplies Listing - Section/Team Go-Kit and Supplies List
- Self-Sufficient/Austere Environment Capabilities Guidance
- Completed the USFA/AHIMTA joint project in developing the document Defining Standardized Performance Capability Metrics for Incident Management Teams Based on Resource Typing Levels. This widely accepted document provides the framework to define IMTs not just based on individual members’ capability, but as a NIMS resource. The framework standardizes and describes the expected performance capabilities of IMTs by their complexity level (Type 1 through Type 4)
- Developing the Guide for the Development and Maintenance of Type 3 All-Hazards Incident Management Teams (AHIMTs)
- Completed and Beta tested the R-325, AHIMT National-Tier Assessment Exercise. This is the first attempt to establish training and evaluation for the AHIMTs that want to be considered for the National Tier of the 3-Tiered Preparedness System
- Developed the document NIMS Incident Complexity Guide in cooperation with the AHIMTA. This document was accepted as the national standard and published by the FEMA NIC in 2021
- Developed the USFA 2-Day Skills Sustainment Exercise, an exercise designed to maintain and enhance the skills of IMTs by providing a review of the planning process, from initial incident notification through development and distribution of an Incident Action Plan
- Coordinated with stakeholders to provide mentoring opportunities for AHIMT members to deploy and work Type-1 and Type-2 complexity incidents
- Updated the 10 generic simulation exercises designed to be used during the O-305 course or as part of the 2-Day Skills Sustainment Exercise; these exercises provide additional opportunities to maintain and enhance the skills of AHIMTs by providing a wide variety of possible kinds of incident scenarios
- Began work on a “qualifying exercise” for AHIMT members to work through a Position Task Book
- Developed the original and all enhancements of the USFA O-305, Type 3 All-Hazards Incident Management Team (AHIMT) Introduction Course, the national standard for initial IMT training
- Developed the original eight Command and General Staff All-Hazards Position-Specific Training Courses that were transferred to the Emergency Management Institute
- Completed the work on, or currently working on, 19 of the top 40 issues identified within the 2008 and /2010 research projects known as the “DeKalb Report.” That project prioritized the top 40 issues AHIMTs and the nascent AHIMT program were facing that needed to be resolved for the program to succeed.
- Until is demise, the USFA was the only Federal agency that has been working through the list of issues needing resolution. This work has been done without a budget and without consistent support