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Disaster Preparedness Program Hosts National Ocean Service Incident Management Team Monthly Meeting
February 15, 2021 — On February 10, the National Ocean Service (NOS) Incident Management Team (IMT) held its monthly meeting. Led by the Office of Response and Restoration’s Disaster Preparedness Program (DPP), the NOS IMT is a cadre of staff from across all the NOS program and staff offices who activate in response to emergencies to assist preparedness, response, and recovery activities across NOS; provide incident status reporting to leadership, and support NOAA’s Homeland Security Program Office (HSPO) for all disaster activations.
The NOS IMT will activate in response to any hazard that may threaten NOS personnel, mission, and/or infrastructure (PMI) and if two or more NOS program offices are involved.
The monthly meetings provide an excellent opportunity for IMT members to come together and be briefed on operational updates, preparedness activities, upcoming exercises, training, and workshops.
Savannah Turner, OR&R’s Health and Safety Officer, gave this month’s IMT Preparedness Minute Presentation on “Interim Guidance to reduce risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in an emergency care situation”. This presentation provided insight into the proper ways to administer help to someone in need while maintaining your health and safety in the current pandemic situation. In addition, the DPP’s Jessica White shared an update to the NOS Operational Role document, which outlines the roles that NOS can provide during disaster situations.
The newest portion of the monthly IMT meetings is our Team Member of the Month Award. For February, the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS) staff member, Jonathan Gordon, was honored. Jonathan continues to monitor and report the status of 13 ONMS facilities around the country, ensuring safe and data-driven reintegration decisions are made throughout the pandemic. Also, Jonathan played a vital role in developing the full-scale exercise, “Shaken Sanctuaries,” held in December 2019. The DPP and the NOS IMT appreciate his dedication to the Team and willingness to lend a hand at any moment.
For more information, please contact Kate.Wheelock@noaa.gov.