Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS) IEMC programs

The Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS) Program began in 1996 and currently is managed by the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The primary focus of the MMRS program is to develop or enhance existing emergency preparedness systems to achieve an integrated, systematic response to a mass casualty crisis, especially weapons of mass destruction (WMD) events. Through preparation and coordination, local law enforcement, fire, hazardous materials, emergency medical services, hospital, public health, and other "first response" personnel plan to more effectively respond with local resources until significant external resources can arrive (typically the first 24 hours). Through FY2003, 125 jurisdictions nationwide participate in the MMRS Program.
MMRS jurisdictions throughout the United States face unique challenges as they plan and prepare for an integrated response to medical emergencies resulting from a terrorist use of weapons of mass destruction and from other hazards. MMRS requirements center around the following emergency management needs:

· Development/coordination of response systems
· Development of appropriate MMRS Plans
· Acquisition of required pharmaceuticals
· Acquisition of required equipment
· Integration of system organization, plans, pharmaceuticals, and equipment to achieve operational capability for the MMRS
· Planning and resource management coordination with neighboring jurisdictions and State government organizations including enhanced mutual aid

The key components of the MMRS include the following program elements, all of which can be tested through a typical IEMC program:

· Command and Control
· Activation/notifications procedures
· Concept of Operations Plan
· Bio-terrorism Plan coordinated with State
· Public Affairs
· Medical Treatment
· Medical Supplies
· Security
· Patient tracking
· Laboratory Support Security
· Fatality Movement
· Mental Health Services
· Integration of State and Federal Systems
· Agent Detection and Identification
· Human Extraction
· Antidote Administration
· Victim Decontamination
· Emergency Transportation
· Triage and Treatment Plans

The IEMC is designed to exercise the individual and organizational skills required in responding to and recovering from an emergency. Functional areas addressed by the course include policymaking, decision-making, communications, coordination of resources,
management of personnel, and implementation of procedures -- that is, the crisis response system needed for effective emergency response. Since the course participants represent
the entire crisis response community, a highly authentic and useful experience is possible.

The MMRS IEMC program will be conducted for 20 jurisdictions across the nation beginning in FY04.

Steps in Application/Selection Process
Types of MMRS/IEMC Programs
Costs Associated with the MMRS/IEMC Program

MMRS: Suggested Participant List for Field Courses

MMRS: Suggested Participant List for Resident Courses at the Noble Training Center

Steps in Application/Selection Process for the MMRS IEMC Program
The chief elected official of the jurisdiction submits a letter of request, addressing the specified criteria to the Director of Training, Federal Emergency Management Agency. Letters should be sent to Mr. Stephen Sharro, Director of Training, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 16825 South Seton Avenue, Emmitsburg, Maryland, 21727.

A copy of this letter should be sent to the jurisdictions respective State office of emergency management and appropriate FEMA regional office for review. State and FEMA regional office support of the request is important. FEMA’s Training Division will ask our regional offices to prioritize multiple requests from any given region.

FEMA’s Training Division will accept applications for the MMRS IEMC - immediately! Training Division staff and FEMA program office representatives will review the applications and rank them based on regional priority and information provided in the requests. Recommendations will be forwarded to the Director of Training for final selection no later than November 30, 2003.

Communities that were not selected and that want to be reconsidered for the following year must re-apply. Applications will not automatically be considered for the following year.

Communities must include the following in their letter of application:

· Population of jurisdiction.
· A brief description of the government structure (include organizational chart if possible); clarify if the request is for a single county or city or a combination of both.
· A brief narrative that includes the status of emergency management in the jurisdiction, including past disaster history.
· A brief narrative that includes the status of MMRS in the jurisdiction.
· Emergency management training and exercise history.
· Any major national events or special events planned for the jurisdiction, such as sporting events, conventions, etc.
· The community emergency management and MMRS objective(s) that will be accomplished through participation in the IEMC program

Types of MMRS/IEMC Programs

MMRS IEMC programs will be offered to jurisdictions in two versions: resident and field. Please take a moment to review the differences in the programs.

MMRS IEMC Resident Offerings: 12 MMRS IEMC resident offerings will be conducted in FY05 for jurisdictions across the nation. These 12 resident offerings will be conducted in our exercise and simulation lab at the Noble Training Center in Anniston, Alabama. Class size for jurisdictions participating in the resident program will be limited to 75 students. The major advantage to the jurisdiction of participating in a resident offering is that it will give the jurisdiction an opportunity to “get away” from your home environment and focus on emergency management issues without interruption. Hundreds of communities across the nation have taken advantage of IEMC resident offerings over the past 20 years to improve emergency management policies, plans, and procedures. All communities will receive the extra benefit of “teambuilding” while participating in a MMRS IEMC resident offering.

MMRS Field Offerings: 8 MMRS IEMC field offerings will be conducted in FY05 for jurisdictions across the nation. These 8 offerings will be conducted in or near the jurisdiction requesting the program. Class size for the jurisdictions participating in the field program is limited only by the size of the classroom and exercise facility provided by the community. Past IEMC field offerings have been conducted for 100-125 students. Often times it may be easier to obtain the participation of chief elected or chief appointed officials or key department heads if a program is conducted in the field. However, students during IEMC field offerings can easily be interrupted by daily job related tasks or emergency related duties.

Costs Associated with the MMRS/IEMC Program

The majority of the costs associated with the MMRS IEMC programs will be handled by FEMA. Please review the differences in costs associated with the two types of MMRS IEMC programs.

MMRS IEMC Resident Offerings: If a jurisdiction is chosen to participate in one of the 12 MMRS IEMC resident offerings to be conducted at the Noble Training Center in Anniston, Alabama FEMA will be responsible for the following costs associated with the training:

· All costs associated with the actual conduct of the training to include student materials, instructors, and course support.
· Transportation costs for all 75 students participating in the training to include coach fare airline tickets, reimbursement of mileage for students choosing to drive, or bus transportation for communities choosing this method of transportation. (Note: FEMA will also be responsible for the cost of picking up students at the airport and transporting them to/from the Noble Training Center.)
· Lodging costs for all 75 students participating in the training.
· Meal costs for all 75 students participating in the training.

A jurisdiction participating in the program will be responsible for all costs associated with their personnel being “away” from regular duties during the actual conduct of the training.

MMRS Field Offerings: If a jurisdiction is chosen to participate in one of the 8 MMRS IEMC field offerings FEMA will be responsible for the following costs associated with the training:

· All costs associated with the actual conduct of the training to include student materials, instructors, and course support.
· All costs associated with the audiovisual equipment required to conduct the classroom portion of the program.
· All costs associated with the telephone communication system utilized during the course exercises.

A jurisdiction participating in the field version of the program will be responsible for all costs associated with obtaining/renting a suitable training and exercise facility for the field program. The jurisdiction will also be responsible for the “lunch meal” during the last full day of the program. This is the day of the major exercise and the program will require the students to eat lunch during the conduct of the exercise. The jurisdiction will also be responsible for all costs associated with their personnel being “away” from regular duties during the actual conduct of the training.

A more detailed discussion on costs associated with the MMRS IEMC program will be undertaken with the jurisdiction upon selection.

For additional information about the MMRS IEMC program contact Al Fluman, Branch Chief, Integrated Emergency Management Branch, Training Division, FEMA at al.fluman@dhs.gov.