New directives in place for managing emergencies: Homeland Security decision mandates changes, required training be completed by Feb. 24

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Arthur Harrison
  • 341st Civil Engineer Squadron
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Gen. T. Michael Moseley, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, sent a memo to all major commands Jan. 10 announcing the Air Force Incident Management System roll-out and program implementation. General Moseley's timeline for interim operational capability of AFIMS is Dec. 31. This action was a direct response to Homeland Security Presidential Decision Directive-5, which called for the establishment of a single, comprehensive national system for managing emergency and disaster incidents. Efficient employment of Air Force resources is critical to saving lives, preventing human suffering and mitigating property damage in order to ensure mission continuation. AFIMS is the Air Force's program to meet these objectives. 

The initial step in the AFIMS implementation process was the publication of AFI 10-2501, Emergency Management Program Planning and Operations dated Jan. 24, 2007. This new program replaces the Full Spectrum Threat Response program. One of the first implementation tasks for all Air Force installations is the identification of assigned Disaster Response Force and Exercise Evaluation Team personnel. The DRF includes the commander's senior staff, the command post, unit control centers, emergency operations center (formerly disaster control group) staff, first responders, emergency responder specialized teams, and the EET. All members of the DRF must complete the new Web-based Emergency Response Operations course. The implementation timeline calls for 85 percent of the personnel assigned to the DRF to complete the course by Feb. 24. Unit Emergency Management representatives will be responsible for tracking compliance with this training requirement and the Malmstrom Office of Emergency Management in the 341st Civil Engineer Squadron's Readiness Flight will be responsible for compiling and reporting the Wing's compliance to Air Force Space Command. The course is available online through the Advanced Distributed Learning Services at https://golearn.csd.disa.mil under the "Course list" tab and then "Miscellaneous" tab followed by "Emergency Response Operations course" tab. The Web-based training takes approximately two hours to complete. 

The AFIMS transition will be a major shift in the Air Force disaster and emergency management paradigm, but it will facilitate seamless operations with response communities worldwide. Questions about AFIMS may be directed to the Office of Emergency Management here at 731-6695, 731-7177, 731-6677 or your UEM representative.