Detroit UASI Issues Public Comment on FEMA Notice

Targeted News Service

WASHINGTON, Oct. 28 -- Detroit UASI, Detroit, Michigan, has issued a public comment on the Federal Emergency Management Agency notice entitled "Request for Information on Effectiveness in Maintaining and Improving State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Preparedness". The comment was posted on Oct. 27, 2020:

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Supporting questions specific to HSGP:

What outputs and outcomes are HSGP grants achieving?

* With the inception of the Homeland Security Grant Program circa 2002, many new capabilities were established and enhanced over the following decade. This included special response teams such as Urban Search and Rescue, Hazardous Materials Response, Special Weapons and Tactics, CBRNE Underwater Search and Recovery, Mobile Field Force, and Incident Management. Interoperable communications networks were expanded to enhance both geographic coverage and capacity to support all local and regional response partners and assets. Notification and Warning systems were both implemented and upgraded to reach significantly larger sectors of the public with more timely and actionable messages.

How well does HSGP funding help build and sustain core capabilities?

* The Detroit and Southeast Michigan Information and Intelligence Center (DSEMIIC) was stood up as the regional fusion center. Solution Area Planning staff were employed to coordinate and implement operational and strategic planning efforts in support of all Homeland Security related initiatives and activities. Critical Infrastructure and Key Resources were identified and more robustly secured through a vast array of protective measures. Citizen and Community Preparedness were strengthened through implementation of the CERT program and various local outreach programs.

How does HSGP funding affect identified capability gaps?

* Gaps in local preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation capabilities were identified, prioritized, and solutions incorporated through local planning teams composed of community stakeholders. Without any question, the influx of Homeland Security funding post-9/11 closed an extremely expansive range of capability gaps across all sectors.

Which HSGP funding activities most effectively close capability gaps?

* Regional gaps are effectively closed through regional planning as well as regional trainings and exercises. Local projects set forth by LPT's are also largely funded by these grant funds and are specifically targeted at closing local gaps in each jurisdiction.

How do participants' KSAs (knowledge, skills, and abilities) change after completing an HSGP-funded training, after creating or enhancing an HSGP-funded plan, and/or after completing an HSGP-funded exercise?

* Training and exercise components of HSGP investments have provided the foundation of knowledge required for effective response to all real-world incidents. Exercises have provided a baseline for future growth by establishing which gaps remain in the functional areas of equipment, planning, and training, affording an effective mechanism with which to direct future investment activities. Similarly, training participants continue to increase their functional knowledge and skill in their respective disciplines, which allows for the sustainment of current response capabilities within the region. The majority of training courses conducted with current funding have also been completed in prior years and are required to address attrition through retirements and other departures.

How does HSGP funding influence grant recipient preparedness?

* Local and regional preparedness posture remains heavily influenced by HSGP funding. Many planning activities would cease with a reduction or elimination of funding. Special response team operations would require funding via local mechanisms which do not exist in the current economy. Intelligence and Information Sharing would suffer a dramatic setback as outputs from the DSEMIIC would likely be eliminated.

How well do HSGP investments contribute to preparedness for and response to real world incidents?

* HSGP funding supports regional planners in all jurisdictions who are directly involved in supporting real world responses. Additionally, this funding supports Emergency Operations Centers in all jurisdictions as well as first responders throughout the region. Interoperable communications are also supported by this funding which allows for region-wide interoperability and a smooth response to multi-jurisdictional events.

How well have HSGP projects reduced the risk of real-world incidents?

* The all-hazards approach which HSGP investments have taken remains an effective sustainment model and continues to offer a reduced risk of real-world incidents, even with continued limited funding opportunities.

Broader Research Questions: Outputs/Outcomes/Benefits/Success metrics:

What are the best output and outcome metrics to measure prevention of either a human-caused or natural incident (e.g., terrorism, cyber-attack, hurricane)?

* Consider recovery time and efforts required to return to normalcy and determine areas for improvement.

What are the best output and outcome metrics to measure the reduction of risk posed by terrorism or other incidents?

* DSEMIIC reports demonstrate total number of thwarted attempts vs. damage resulting from actual incidents.

What is the best way to measure the quality of a planning document and to measure the improvement in outputs and outcomes resulting from the planning document's creation?

* Plans can be tested through exercises and updated accordingly. Additionally, they should be examined after each incident/real world response and updated according to After Action Reports.

What is the best way to use exercises to measure change or improvement through exercises? Capacity/Capability Assessments

* To provide a pre and post assessment

Are there specific interventions that would more properly be the subject of HSGP funding? What is the best way to measure improvements in grant recipient capabilities due to grant funding?

* THIRA and SPR accurately measure these capabilities, but the process needs to be perfected to reflect accurate and region-wide information.

With respect to specific interventions that might properly be the subject of HSGP funding, if measuring change through self-reported assessments, what is a feasible expectation for magnitude of improvement within a specified timeframe?

* Incremental improvements to areas identified as a priority each year.

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The notice can be viewed at: https://beta.regulations.gov/document/FEMA-2020-0008-0001

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