Law Department notice on WTC document preservation, Oct 2001

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

6. Public information, risk communications, and crisis communications must be organized and strategized in advance of a disaster. Region 2 should develop a comprehensive approach - which includes Headquarters and regional Federal and State partners - on how to handle crisis communications. Then, in a disaster event, relationships are established, lines of coordination and communication are established, and communications/public affairs officers can focus on tactics rather than trying to develop a framework in the midst of the emergency. Mechanisms should be in place for resolving differences about the interpretation of risk and the appropriate response.

7. Nationally, EPA should examine policies and procedures for ESF #10 activation and coordination with USCG to ensure roles and responsibilities are executed according to the FRP.

Additional Recommendations

1. As soon as possible, educate Region 2 personnel and management on Agency and Region responsibilities and authorities during a disaster or crisis with emphasis on the relationship between the Stafford Act, FRP, National Contingency Plan (NCP) and ICS. Include suggested peer relationships with counterpart agencies at all levels, but especially at the senior management level (e.g., regional administrators).

2. National Issue - Adopt an incident management system that is consistent across all regions, has common terms and plugs into other crisis/consequence management structures. National and regional management systems should be compatible

Regional Issues - Create Regional crisis management structure, staffed by people with authority, commitment and qualifications, to improve roles and communication between management and OSCs. Develop an Incident management system for Region 2 that: • Expands or contracts as needed to address both crises and routine events. • Prescribes specific people to fill roles during an event. The Coast Guard “watch quarter station bill” or synchronization matrix may serve as a model. • Includes mechanism for provision of resources, “protect" incident managers. • Has agreements, plans and procedures for internal communications during a crisis. • Includes a crisis management team that supports the incident management system in terms of the Region 2 operating principles.

Regional Interagency Coordination Team (RICT) • Training for backup staff • Mobilize Regional resources • Signed agreement by Division Directors • Ensures leadership/managerial backup

Regional Incident Command System (ICS) • Dedicated and known backup • Clear commander • Known ability to expand and contract

Emergency Operations Center (EOC) * Physically separate from branch

3. Develop a Regional Strategy and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for communicating risk to the public during a crisis. • Include processes and resources needed to obtain and manage information. * Include links to incident management structure, data management mission. • Include defined up-front risk parameters and benchmarks.

108 Report No. 2003-P-00012

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