Two Incident Management Teams were activated recently by FEMA for non-fire incidents

Covid-19 planning and Inauguration

Coronavirus Response wildfire

Two Incident Management Teams were mobilized for non-fire incidents through FEMA’s Emergency Support Function 4.

A “short” Type 2 team managed a Disaster Medical Shelter in Washington D.C. during the Presidential inauguration, but has since been demobilized. Assigned were eight people, seven in D.C. and one who worked virtually. Four of the team members were Forest Service personnel and six were from state or local governments.

Earlier we reported on a Type 1 IMT led by Incident Commander Randy Johnson that was mobilized January 15 to assist in Washington state, assessing and modifying existing COVID plans to enable a broader distribution of vaccinations. They are handling three counties for the Southwest Washington Health Services — Clark, Cowlitz, and Skamania Counties. At least 30 personnel were dispatched, 20 from the USFS, 3 DOI, and 9 from state and local governments. All of them worked at the scene except four who were virtual, two of which were US Forest Service Emergency Support Function #4 liaisons supporting the team and coordinating with the State and FEMA. This is scheduled to be 14-day assignment.

More information at the Columbian.

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Author: Bill Gabbert

After working full time in wildland fire for 33 years, he continues to learn, and strives to be a Student of Fire.

4 thoughts on “Two Incident Management Teams were activated recently by FEMA for non-fire incidents”

  1. Great to see these resources dispatched to any and all levels of need, as there has been in my estimation, demonstrable the lack of basic ICS management of the pandemic in general, to include vaccination distribution.

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    1. Mpep….you are correct, and there’s a good reason for it. Those working in the wildland fire business get plenty of exposure to hands on real time work to go with their training. We sink or swim.
      Many other agencies, at all levels, are “trained and ready to go” in theory, but the fact is they get far less exposure to put that training to the real test.
      For all it’s flaws, our wildland ICS system, structure and organization does bring a lot to the table. The ability to mobilize qualified people from all over the country on short notice always amazes me.

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  2. I’m surprised that more IMTs have not been stood up for this major national disaster. Kudos to Randy Johnson. He was the chief of our local fire department (Chelan County Fire District #1, which now includes the City of Wenatchee WA.) He did an outstanding job of bringing our Department up from a rural Department to a modern 21st century organization.

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