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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.

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T

Tender, Foam (Firefighting Foam Tender)
The apparatus used to mix concentrate with water to make solution, pump, and mix air and solution to make foam, and transport and apply foam.

Tender, Fuel (Fuel Tender)
Any vehicle capable of supplying fuel to ground or airborne equipment.

Tender, Helicopter (Helicopter Tender)
A ground service vehicle capable of supplying fuel and support equipment to helicopters.

Total Containment Vessel (TCV)
A TCV is designed to transport explosive or chemical devices, fully enclosed.  Used for explosive and hazardous materials (HazMat).

Tractor Trailer
Truck with a trailer attachment used for mobilization of various goods, supplies, and equipment.  Predominately used for moving equipment, either long distances, overweight and over-width equipment, or equipment not permitted for over the road purposes, including track equipment. Trailers are either fifth-wheel mounted or tow behinds, depending on the size of the load.  Also used for long- and short-haul needs, including smaller equipment.  Loading and off-loading can be accomplished from either the front or the rear.  Usually the rear loading will require ramps.  If loading is done from the front, the trailer will be detached from the truck allowing use of the small ramps for loading purposes.  Front-end loading using a detachable trailer is usually used for oversized equipment.  Payloads can be as much as 80,000 pounds and more if permitted.

Transport Team, Large Animal, Animal Protection
An Animal Protection Large Animal Transport Team will deploy for a minimum of 5 days and will be responsible for transporting large animals from a disaster site.  All required vehicles will accompany team.

Transport Team, Small Animal, Animal Protection
An Animal Protection Small Animal Transport Team will deploy for a minimum of 5 days and will be responsible for transporting large animals from a disaster site.  All required vehicles will accompany team.

Tub Grinder
Specialized equipment designed to grind heavy brush, pallets, demolition material, land-clearing debris, and yard waste.  Units are equipped with hammermills ranging from 26 inches to 36 inches that serve as steel fixed hammers or doubled-edged cutting tools.  Tub grinders possess hydraulic tub tilt to provide safe access to the hammermill during maintenance, and have a horsepower range from 157 to 1,050.  Tub grinders shrink space requirement by a ratio of 10:1 yards.  Feeding the equipment requires either a front-end loader or other hydraulic equipment such as an excavator with a thumb attachment or cherry-picker.  Processed materials can be stockpiled using conveyor systems or with stockpiled using a front-end loader.  Depending on the size of the equipment’s processing capabilities, it may be possible to feed and stockpile with one front-end loader.  Equipment operations and controls are remotely managed, usually away from any potential flying debris.  Mobilization is required, either with a tractor-trailer hook-up, fifth-wheel only, or pindle-hook option.  The processing area should be firm soil with sufficient room for stockpiling pre- and post-products; however, track tub grinders are available for special processing needs.  Over-width escort services would be used for wide loads.

Tug Boat
Tug boats are commercial water vessels that move or assist in the movement of propelled and non-propelled water vessels, primarily with ship docking and barge towing.  Ship-assist tugs are generally port or harbor related, while barge towing tugs are typically port-to-port transporters up and down rivers, inlets, and the coastline.  With different sizes and modifications for varying tasks, tug boats require specially trained operators or captains licensed and subject to jurisdiction of the U.S. Coast Guard, and are also subject to random drug and alcohol testing procedures.  Crew manifests generally range from 2 to 6+ individuals, including a captain and an inland waterways river pilot, required by law, who serves as servant to the vessel master.  Docking pilots (specialists) should be used where possible, as they serve to enhance communications between the assisted ship and the tug boat in “unfamiliar waters.”  These crew members will, at times, live on the tug itself or on-call from nearby homes, and have a varying schedule dependent on the tug company.  Tug boats also consist of model bows or pointed bows for towing while push tugs have square bows.  Specially equipped tug boats can be specialized to serve as spray boats or firefighting boats for the purposes of emergency situations.  Tug boats strongly rely on the need for communication as many assisted ships either originate in foreign countries or are unfamiliar with inland or harbor waters.  In emergencies, the U.S. Coast Guard houses a master list of tug boats that can be contacted for assistance.  Most tug boat owners and operators may belong to their trade association, the American Waterways Operators (AWO). 

 

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