Metrics

Overview

The California Office of Homeland Security (OHS) in collaboration with the Office of Emergency Services initiated the Regional Planning Project also known as the Metrics Project. The Metrics Project committee members consist of emergency response entities such as the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Department of Rehabilitation, California Volunteers, California Highway Patrol, local police and sheriff, and many other agencies, both at the State and local levels. The purpose of the project is to:

• Develop and implement an ongoing system to determine status of prevention and preparedness plans and assess the sufficiency of key emergency response assets
• OHS - develop a systematic method for identifying gaps in prevention, planning and emergency response resource capabilities in order to effectively target homeland security grant funds in order to procure the needed assets and training
• OES - enhance its ability to manage mutual aid resources during disasters by having a better understanding of the quantity, quality, and location of key response resources

The scope of the project includes all emergency response disciplines and resources within the local, State, tribal government, and private sectors with the future goal of typing and tracking all emergency resources in the State using a secure and interoperable data system. Resources that will be tracked include: Interoperability - Radio Caches, Urban Search and Rescue Teams, Hazardous Materials Response (by type), Port Security Enhancements, Transit Security Enhancements, Law Enforcement, Swift Water Flood Water Rescue\Dive Teams, Mass Evacuation; Community Emergency Response Teams, Mass Fatality, and Explosive Ordinance Disposal. The State's Resource Capabilities and Preparedness Database Project (Metrics Project) is designed to compile a current and accurate inventory of statewide resources that can be used for response purposes related to incident and consequence management. The database will provide situational awareness in real time so that resources can be dispatched appropriately, respond timely and be managed properly to address the needs of the situation. Key goals and components of the metrics project database are as follows:

• Compile a current inventory of statewide resources that can be used for incident response and consequence management purposes
• Use web portal applications to support applications for local disciplines
• Implement funding decisions based on gaps and needs identified through the tracked system
• Apply metrics to resources in the database

Phase I

Design and develop a portal with supporting applications for use by local government and State agencies to support each major discipline (Law Enforcement, Fire, Public Health, Flood Management, USAR, National Guard, Haz-Mat, etc.). Major functions include:

• Secure and password restricted access
• Resource typing by discipline
• Inventory, location and status
• Credentialing/Qualifications
• XML interface (allows established systems to provide/receive data)
• Ease of use and query capability
• Supported by OES infrastructure
• Seamless integration with the National System-Incident Resource Information System (IRIS) (under development)
• Publish XML standards
• Form test group to implement and refine State application
• Implement at Local, Operational, Regional and State level
• Provide training materials to support all practical methods (classroom, CBT, paper)
• Form working committees to provide foundations for future enhancements

Design and develop an interface to the existing RIMS system. Major functions include:

• Enhancement of the Mission Request function
• New views of resources by Operational Area
• Linkages to Citizen Tracking as well as real time resource collection process

Design and develop a simple, easy to use, web based portal that tracks all citizens displaced, injured, or deceased in a major event/incident. Major functions include:

• Secure and password restricted access
• Collection of location, and status
• XML interface (allows established systems to provide/receive data)
• Ease of use and query capability
• Supported by OES infrastructure
• Form test group to implement and refine the tracking of citizens at the event
• Provide training materials to support all practical methods (classroom, CBT, paper)
• Implement at selected local level

Form working committees to provide foundation for future enhancements

Phase II

Design and develop a portal with supporting applications for use by volunteer organizations (Citizen Corp, Disaster Workers, Red Cross, CERT, etc.) and private entities to support applicable disciplines. Major functions include:

• Secure and password restricted access
• Resource typing
• Inventory, location, and status
• Credentialing/Qualifications
• XML interface (allows established systems to provide/receive data)
• Ease of use and query capability
• Supported by OES infrastructure
• Publish XML standards
• Provide training materials to support all practical methods (classroom, CBT, paper)
• Form test group to implement and refine State application
• Implement at local level
• Form working committees to provide foundation for future enhancements

Phase III

Develop a training program, rollout strategy, and support plan for the entire State. This will present a major challenge to the support structure currently in place at OES.

• Helpdesk
• Training resources
• Hardware impact

Phase IV

Real-time tracking/inventory of resource status and location. This phase will be "flushed" out, as major variables are resolved, such as an open interface to resource tracking systems such as ROSS and others that exist within the State.

• Publish methodology and protocol to collect real time resource data
• Design query capability to support access to real time resource data
• Evaluate vendors and provide reviews
• Form committee to select vendor (s) to implement collection process
• Issue contract for initial test
• Implement local to state level "beta" for real time collection process
• Enhance collection process system and desired results

Note: California has been designated as a beta site for testing of the National Data Collection Project. As a result of this designation, all project phases will be linked (where appropriate) with the National Data Base.

Goals

The goal of the Resource Capabilities and Preparedness Database Project is to develop a comprehensive resource management database that is fully operational by 2008 in order to ensure that the necessary response capabilities exist through the state for any incident. Developing this critical database and inventory system is crucial to California in order to have the most accurate information available when it is most needed. The project is designed to include interfacing with existing databases and a training program for its users.