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National Mutual Aid Glossary of Terms and Definitions
October 2004
M A Glossary II.pdf (8 MB)
M A Glossary II.doc (727 KB)
M A Glossary II.txt (104 KB)

NIMS
Resource Typing Glossary

National Mutual Aid and Resource Management Initiative

Glossary of Terms and Definitions

Purpose
This glossary of terms and definitions provides a basic understanding of the resources commonly used and/or exchanged during a disaster.  These terms provide a basis for the Federal Emergency Manage­ment Agency’s (FEMA’s) resource typing initiative.  An annex of 11 Federal assets is also included in the glossary to provide a snapshot of the Federal capabilities available to State and local entities.  The glossary is a living document, and will continuously be updated and revised.  To provide additional information to the glossary, please e-mail Jonathan Jenkins at Jonathan.Jenkins@associates.dhs.gov.

Background
The National Mutual Aid and Resource Management Initiative supports the National Incident Management System (NIMS) by establishing a comprehensive, integrated national mutual aid and resource management system that provides the basis to type, order, and track all (Federal, State, and local) response assets.

For ease of ordering and tracking, response assets need to be categorized via resource typing.  Resource typing is the categorization and description of resources that are commonly exchanged in disasters via mutual aid, by capacity and/or capability.  Through resource typing, disciplines examine resources and identify the capabilities of a resource’s components (i.e., personnel, equipment, training).  During a disaster, an emergency manager knows what capability a resource needs to have to respond efficiently and effectively. Resource typing definitions will help define resource capabilities for ease of ordering and mobiliza­tion during a disaster.  As a result of the resource typing process, a resource’s capability is readily defined and an emergency manager is able to effectively and efficiently request and receive resources through mutual aid during times of disaster.

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | Annex A

S

Search
To locate an overdue or missing individual, individuals, or objects.

Search Suit
Suit made of Kevlar® and Nomex 3, often used by, but not limited to, bomb squad personnel, significantly lighter than bomb suits; allows user to conduct search with increased mobility.

Shelter Management Team
Team provides managerial and operational support for a shelter during an emergency.  Responsibilities of the team may include all or some of the following:  operating the shelter; establishing security; ensuring the availability of adequate care, food, sanitation, and first aid; selecting and training personnel to perform operational tasks; monitoring contamination; performing decontamination; establishing exposure control and monitoring; monitoring overpressure and filtration systems; performing post-event reconnaissance; and directing egress.

Sheltering Team, Large Animal, Animal Protection
An Animal Protection Large Animal Sheltering Team will deploy for a minimum of 7 days and will be responsible for advising and supporting local efforts in setting up a large animal shelter.

Sheltering Team, Small Animal, Animal Protection
An Animal Protection Small Animal Sheltering Team will deploy for a minimum of 7 days and will be responsible for advising and supporting local efforts in setting up a small animal shelter.

Special-Needs Shelter
A refuge specifically designed to accommodate individuals with special medical needs who are not ill enough to require hospitalization.  These shelters are supported by volunteer doctors and nurses and often have backup electric capability to support those with medical equipment reliant on electricity.

Sustainability
Ability to continue response operations for the prescribed duration necessary.

Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT)/Tactical Teams
SWAT teams are specially trained to handle high-risk situations and specialized tactical needs.  Team members have advanced skills beyond that of typical patrol officers.

Strike Team, Large Animal Rescue, Animal Protection
An Animal Protection Large Animal Rescue Strike Team is a six-member team capable of completing an average of one rescue every 30 minutes in a suburban setting and one rescue every hour in rural settings. 

Strike Team, Small Animal Rescue, Animal Protection
An Animal Protection Small Animal Rescue Strike Team is a six-member team capable of completing an average of one rescue every 30 minutes in a suburban setting and one rescue every hour in rural settings. 

Swift Water Search and Rescue Team (Flood Search and Rescue; Water Rescue Team)
Team conducts surface search and rescue operations on waterways where the water is moving fast enough to produce sufficient force to present a life and safety hazard to a person entering it.

 

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