EMI SIG Historical Timeline
The Emergency Management Issues Special Interest Group (EMI SIG) was established in 1986 as the Emergency Preparedness Special Interest Group (EP SIG) and became the Emergency Management Issues Special Interest Group (EMI SIG) in 1991.
A number of other SIGs were being formed through the Training Resources and Data Exchange (TRADE), managed by ORAU. Some DOE contractor sites requested that one be created to address Emergency Preparedness (EP). The top three priorities of the new EP SIG were to develop fundamentals for crisis management training, compile a resources guide for emergency preparedness training, and produce a glossary of terms and abbreviations used by emergency preparedness workers. These priorities were established based on a survey of DOE contractor sites.
The membership grew from less than 100 members in the early years of the EP SIG to presently more than 1000 members in the EMI SIG. In addition to the numerical growth, the EMI SIG has also grown in standards of excellence by striving to continually improve methods for dealing with emergency management issues across the DOE system.
Check out our timeline to learn about some of our major accomplishments!
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| 1985-1987 | September 1-3, 1987 | October 27-29, 1987 | February 9-10, 1988 | April 19-21, 1988 | November 8-10, 1988 | April 4-6, 1989 | April 4-26, 1990 | February 1991 | May 8-10, 1991 | May 4-6, 1992 | May 17-19, 1993 | June 13-16,1994 | December 2, 1994 | May 1-3, 1995 | May 6-8, 1996 | May 5-8, 1997 | May 4-7, 1998 | May 3-6, 1999 | May 1-4, 2000 | April 30-May 3, 2001 | May 6-9, 2002 | May 5-8, 2003 | May 3-6, 2004 | May 2-5, 2005 | May 1-6, 2006 | May 7-12, 2007 | May 5-8, 2008 | May 4-9, 2009 | May 3-6, 2010 | May 2-5, 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Established EP SIG | Held first EP SIG Meeting | Held EP SIG Meeting | Held first EP SIG Steering Committee Meeting | Developed Emergency Management: An Annotated Bibliography | Held EP SIG Meeting | Held EP SIG Meeting | Held EP SIG Meeting | Developed Glossary and Acronyms of Emergency Preparedness Terms | Held EP SIG Annual Meeting | Developed Guidelines Toward an Integrated Emergency Training System, Second Edition | Changed name from EP SIG to EMI SIG | Held EMI SIG Annual Meeting | Held Emergency Response Exercises Workshop | Developed Emergency Management Training Program, Guide to Good Practice | Held EMI SIG Annual Meeting | Developed Emergency Management in the DOE System | Held EMI SIG Annual Meeting | Developed Guidelines Toward an Integrated Emergency Training System, Second Edition | Held EMI SIG Annual Meeting | Held Beyond the Traditional Tabletop Exercise and Drills and Exercise Workshops | Held Emergency Management for Key Response Personnel training course | Developed Emergency Management for Key Response Personnel | Established the DOE Meteorological Coordinating Council (DMCC) | Held EMI SIG Annual Meeting | Held Multi-media for Effective Training and Emergency Public Information Workshops | Developed Emergency Management in the DOE System course | Held EMI SIG Annual Meeting | Held Emergency Management Workshops | Developed Handbook on Training Skills for Emergency Management Subject Matter Experts | Held EMI SIG Annual Meeting | Development of Emergency Management Program Short Courses | Developed Elements of Tabletop Training for Emergency Management | Held EMI SIG Annual Meeting | Developed Workshops | Held Emergency Response Workshops | Held EMI SIG Annual Meeting | Established three new subcommittees: 1) Exercise and Drill Subcommittee |
2) Subcommittee on Hazard Assessments | 3) Subcommittee on Transportation and Emergency Preparedness | Held Short Courses | Held EMI SIG Annual Meeting | Held EMI SIG Annual Meeting | Developed Critical Thinking and Workplace Violence Short Courses | Developed Emergency Exercise Scenarios | Developed Developing Exercise Scenarios Computer-Based Training | Held EMI SIG Annual Meeting | Held EMI SIG Annual Meeting | The Subcommittee on Consequence Assessment and Protective Actions placed under the EMI SIG | The Subcommittee on Transportation and Emergency Preparendess disbanded | EMI SIG Annual Meeting | Held Chemical Dispersion and Consequence Assessment Workshop | Held EMI SIG Annual Meeting | Held Developing and Using Chemical Protective Action Criteria & Application of Screening Material Criteria Workshops | Developed Developing Exercise Objectives Computer-Based Training | Established Emergency Public Information Subcommittee | Held EMI SIG Annual Meeting | Held EMI SIG Annual Meeting | Established the Training Working Group | Held EMI SIG Annual Meeting | Developed DMCC Meteorological Monitoring Program Appraisal Tool | Held EMI SIG Annual Meeting | Established the First and Field Responders Working Group | Held EMI SIG Annual Meeting | Established the Continuity of Operations Working Group | Established the Technology Working Group | Upgraded the Training Working Group to the Training Subcommittee | Released Exercise Builder V. 7© | Developed a Training Subcommittee Product | Released revisions to two Web-based tutorials: Developing Exercise Objectives and Developing Exercise Scenarios | Developed two EPI Subcommittee Products | Release of new EMI SIG Website | Held EMI SIG Annual Meeting |
In 1985 when other Special Interest Groups (SIGs) were being formed within the Training Resources and Data Exchange (TRADE), Norm Bailey, LLNL, presented the idea of forming an Emergency Management (EM) SIG to Marcus Weseman, EM Director, and Tina McKinley, TRADE Director, at ORAU. In 1986, after talking with DOE Contractor EM Managers who also expressed an interest, Bailey again approached Marcus and Tina about forming the SIG. ORAU hired Sue Painter (later the first EP SIG Coordinator) to formally survey the EM Managers at each major DOE contractor site. The survey revealed an overwhelming majority of interest in favor of the SIG. ORAU presented a written report of the telephone survey to Captain Jay McDonald, Director of the DOE Office of Emergency Operations. Captain McDonald endorsed the proposal and provided the initial funding for planning the first meeting.
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The first Emergency Preparedness Special Interest Group (EP SIG) meeting was held September 1-3, 1987, in Knoxville, TN hosted by Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc. Sixty-four DOE and DOE contractor personnel attended. The purpose of this meeting was to facilitate the exchange of information and resources about emergency preparedness across the DOE system; to provide an opportunity for EP professionals to meet and talk to their counterparts; to identify issues of common concern, and to plan future activities for the EP group to undertake to address DOE and contractor concerns. Speakers at this meeting included Jay McDonald, DOE Office of Emergency Operations; Bill Baer, DOE Albuquerque Operations Office; and John Yoder, Office of Nuclear Safety. Sue Painter was the ORISE EP SIG Coordinator. The EP SIG met twice a year; once in the Spring and once in the Fall. |
The EP SIG Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia was hosted by E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Co.-Savannah River Plant
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The first EMI SIG Steering Committee Meeting was held February 9-10, 1988, at the ORAU Offices in Washington, DC. The objective of this meeting was to establish the scope and function of the Steering Committee and to plan future activities of the EP SIG. |
EP SIG members contributed citations for articles, books, and other publications to be included in EP SIG product Emergency Management: An Annotated Bibliography
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The EP SIG Meeting was held in Denver Colorado hosted by Rockwell International Rocky Flats Plant. Objectives of this meeting were to (1) Assist in developing fundamentals in crisis management curriculum and a glossary of EP terms, (2) provide an opportunity for EP SIG members to share expertise in EP to benefit DOE sites, and (3) obtain copies of EP training manuals and other EP information through a contractor display.
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The EPI SIG Meeting was held in San Francisco, California.
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Los Alamos scientists successfully test a plutonium implosion bomb in the Trinity shot at Alamogordo, New Mexico.
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The Glossary and Acronyms of Emergency Management Terms was developed to facilitate communication among members across the DOE complex. The glossary contains over 450 terms and over 850 acronyms in common usage. Definitions were extracted from relevant DOE orders and guidance or regulations and standards. Specific sources of definitions are provided with the definitions and listed in a reference section.
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The EP SIG Meeting was held in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Meeting's theme was Rising Expectations in EP.
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Guidelines Toward an Integrated Emergency Training System provides the first steps toward establishing a comprehensive, integrated emergency training system for those DOE and DOE contractor-operated facilities. The guidelines contain a core of generic materials designed to be used in combination with facility-specific guidelines for identifying and performing required emergency management training.
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The name was changed due to the many comments by SIG members that the activities of the SIG reflect the broader discipline of emergency management. Three awards were adopted: 1) Excellence in Emergency Management, 2) EMI SIG Presentation Award 3) EMI SIG TRADEing Post Award.
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The EMI SIG Annual Meeting was held in New Orleans, Louisiana hosted by Strategic Petroleum Reserve Office. The Meeting's theme was Emergency Management Issues.
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The EMI SIG held Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Onsite Operational Emergency Response Exercises Workshop. The EMI SIG is active in the development and delivery of emergency management workshops, typically held in conjunction with the EMI SIG annual meetings.
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The EMI SIG product, Emergency Management Training Program Guide to Good Practice, provides a framework for the development and management of emergency management training programs. The Guide incorporates components of the DOE Emergency Management System (EMS) into the facility emergency management training program and assists those responsible for emergency management training to meet training requirements and conditions established by DOE.
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The EMI SIG Annual Meeting was held in Albuquerque, New Mexico hosted by DOE Albuquerque Field Office. The Meeting's theme was Implementing Excellence in Emergency Management.
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Emergency Management in the DOE takes a comprehensive look at the history, organization, and operation of emergency management within the Department of Energy. The original version of the training course has been delivered to over 300 participants at eleven sites across the DOE complex and represents one of the most popular products produced by members of the Emergency Management Issues Special Interest Group.
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The EMI SIG Annual Meeting was held in Augusta, Georgia hosted by Westinghouse Savannah River Co. The Meeting's theme was Achieving Excellence in Emergency Management.
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Guidelines Toward an Integrated Emergency Training System provides the first steps toward establishing a comprehensive, integrated emergency training system for those DOE and DOE contractor-operated facilities. The guidelines contain a core of generic materials designed to be used in combination with facility-specific guidelines for identifying and performing required emergency management training.
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The EMI SIG Annual Meeting was held in Kansas City, Missouri hosted by Allied Signal. The Meeting's theme was 1994—The Year of the Exercise.
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The EMI SIG is active in the development and delivery of emergency management workshops, typically held in conjunction with the EMI SIG annual meetings.
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The purpose of the course was to provide “key” response personnel with the information needed to understand their responsibilities, as well as the responsibilities of other key personnel, in order to perform effectively as a team during an emergency. The course provided participants an understanding of the U.S. Department of Energy emergency management principles, management hierarchy, emergency response components, responsibilities and interfaces of the key response personnel, and the conditions and constraints surrounding emergency decision making.
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This product was targeted at individuals who support emergency operations centers when activated. The purpose of the course was to provide these "key" response personnel with the information needed to understand their responsibilities, as well as the responsibilities of other key personnel, in order to perform effectively as a team during an emergency.
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The DOE Meteorological Coordinating Council (DMCC) coordinates meteorological support and atmospheric research to meet DOE objectives with emphasis on (1) promoting cost effective support for all DOE facilities; (2) facilitating the use of common methods, procedures, and standards; (3) planning for future needs, requirements, and missions; and (4) advocating awareness of atmospheric science applications and benefits to DOE.
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The EMI SIG Annual Meeting was held in Salt Lake City, Utah hosted by DOE Idaho Ops Office and Idaho National Engineering Laboratory. The Meeting's theme was Emergency Management 1995—Success Through Communicating.
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The EMI SIG is active in the development and delivery of emergency management workshops, typically held in conjunction with the EMI SIG annual meetings.
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The Emergency Management in the DOE System took a comprehensive look at the history, organization, and operation of emergency management within the Department of Energy. The original version of the training course has been delivered to over 300 participants at eleven sites across the DOE complex and represents one of the most popular products produced by members of the Emergency Management Issues Special Interest Group.
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The EMI SIG Annual Meeting was held in Las Vegas, Nevada hosted by Bechtel Nevada. The Meeting's theme was Emergency Management 1996—Continuing Improvement through Networking.
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The EMI SIG held Self-Assessment and Fundamentals of Emergency Management Workshops. The EMI SIG is active in the development and delivery of emergency management workshops, typically held in conjunction with the EMI SIG annual meetings.
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A Handbook designed for trainers, Enhancing Training Skills for Emergency Management Subject Matter Experts, provides background information on the design, development, and delivery techniques used in emergency management training courses. The handbook is intended to assist emergency management subject matter experts (SMEs) who may be invited to deliver training, or training personnel who may require the use of an SME in training delivery.
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The EMI SIG Annual Meeting was held in Knoxville Tennessee hosted by Lockheed Martin. The Meeting's theme was Emergency Management—
Changes and Challenges.
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The EMI SIG developed Consequence Assessment Overview & Integrating Base Program Activities into the Comprehensive Emergency Management Program Short Courses. EMI SIG Short Courses began in 1997. These half-day courses provide detailed instruction on topics of specific interest or relevance to members.
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This handbook provides trainers and emergency managers with an abbreviated methodology for design, development, conduct, and evaluation of tabletop training activities.
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The EMI SIG Annual Meeting was held in Richland, Washington hosted by Fluor Daniel Hanford Company. The Meeting's theme was Communication—It Makes Emergency Management Work. |
The EMI SIG developed Hands On Emergency Response and Integrated Categorization, Classification and Notification of DOE Events Workshops. EMI SIG Short Courses began in 1997. These half-day courses provide detailed instruction on topics of specific interest or relevance to members.
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The EMI SIG held Integrated Categorization, Classification and Notification of DOE Events and Hands On Emergency Response Workshops. The EMI SIG is active in the development and delivery of emergency management workshops, typically held in conjunction with the EMI SIG annual meetings.
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The EMI SIG Annual Meeting was held in Hauppauge, New York hosted by Brookhaven National Laboratory. The Meeting's theme was Common Goals for Uncommon Challenges.
img src="images/logo1-color_1999.jpg" width="225" height="207" alt="1999 EMI SIG Annual Meeting logo" />
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The Exercise and Drill Subcommittee focuses on sharing findings, information, and good practices relevant to effective conduct of emergency response exercises involving DOE sites/organizations. The scope of work performed by this subcommittee includes all phases of exercise planning, development, implementation, evaluation, and follow-up.
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The Hazards Assessment Subcommittee (HASC) focuses on sharing findings, information, and good practices relevant to hazards identification, screening, and assessments that facilitate event characterization and other elements of site/facility emergency management programs. The scope of work performed by this subcommittee includes identifying effective tools, techniques, processes, and systems.
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The Subcommittee on Transportation and Emergency Preparedness (STEP) assisted the Director, Office of Transportation in developing solutions to unique issues/problems associated with the Transportation Emergency Preparedness Program.
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The EMI SIG held Effective Evaluation Techniques/Tools and Weapons of Mass Destruction/Domestic Terrorism Short Course. EMI SIG Short Courses began in 1997. These half-day courses provide detailed instruction on topics of specific interest or relevance to members.
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The EMI SIG Annual Meeting was held in San Francisco, California hosted by Lawrence Berkeley and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories. The Meeting's theme was Preparing through Sharing.
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The EMI SIG Annual Meeting was held in Denver, CO and hosted by DOE National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The Meeting's theme was Policy, Plans, Performance.
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EMI SIG Short Courses began in 1997. These are half-day courses to provide detailed instruction on topics of specific interest or relevance to members.
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The members of the Exercise and Drill Subcommittee collected exercise scenarios from various DOE facilities/sites and compiled them in this document.
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The Developing Exercise Scenarios computer-based training includes topics presented in "how-to" steps, accompanied by examples, resources, subject matter expert discussion videos, glossary, and other reference materials. In completing the course, participants can develop an entire exercise package tailored to their facility.
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The EMI SIG Annual Meeting was held in Charleston, SC and hosted by Savannah River Site. The Meeting's theme was The New World of Emergency Management—Beyond Design Basis.
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The EMI SIG Annual Meeting was held in Las Vegas, NV and hosted by Bechtel Nevada. The Meeting's theme was Cashing in on Lessons Learned.
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The Subcommittee on Consequence Assessment and Protective Actions (SCAPA) provides DOE and its contractors with technical information and recommendations for emergency preparedness to assist in safeguarding the health and safety of workers and the public. SCAPA deals with both radiological and nonradiological materials. SCAPA working groups provide guidance to DOE and its contractors.
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The EMI SIG Annual Meeting was held in Washington, DC and hosted by National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The Meeting's theme was National Perspectives on Emergency Management—A Capitol Concept.
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The EMI SIG is active in the development and delivery of emergency management workshops, typically held in conjunction with the EMI SIG annual meetings.
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The EMI SIG Annual Meeting was held in New Orleans, Louisiana hosted by DynMcDermott Petroleum Operations Co.. The Meeting's theme was Emergency Management and all that Jazz.
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The EMI SIG is active in the development and delivery of emergency management workshops, typically held in conjunction with the EMI SIG annual meetings.
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The Developing Exercise Objectives computer-based training assists exercise planners and developers with selection, validation, and evaluation of objectives for use in DOE exercises. It features self-paced modules, lessons, and topics that allow participants complete control over working through the material.
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The Emergency Public Information Subcommittee (EPI) is dedicated to promoting the exchange of EPI resources and lessons learned. Emphasis is on (1) integrating EPI and Emergency Management Systems at Headquarters and in the field; (2) exchanging EPI lessons learned; (3) assisting in the development of the EPI-related sections of the Emergency Management Guide; and (4) supporting requirements for educating the public on emergency plans, prior to emergencies.
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The EMI SIG Annual Meeting was held in Las Vegas, NV and hosted by Bechtel SAIC. The Meeting's theme was External Events—The Wildcard of Emergency Management.
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The EMI SIG Annual Meeting was held in San Antonio, Texas hosted by BWXT Pantex. The Meeting's theme was Emergency Management Roundup—Expect the Unexpected.
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The purpose of the Training Working Group was to facilitate interaction between DOE and DOE contractor personnel with common interests in identifying and resolving issues such as those affecting training programs across the DOE complex.
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The EMI SIG Annual Meeting was held in Reston, Virginia and hosted by B&W Y-12. The Meeting's theme was External Events—Elect to Perfect.
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This appraisal tool presents five attributes of an effective meteorological program, as determined by the DMCC leadership. It is intended to be used as a tool for the self-appraisal process.
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The EMI SIG Annual Meeting was held in San Francisco, California hosted by Lawrence Livermore National Security. The Meeting 's theme was Golden Gateway to Improvement in Emergency Management.
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The First and Field Responders Working Group (FFRWG) promotes and assists members in developing and sharing first response information inclusive of, but not limited to the areas of response methodology; current and evolving technology; communication and training methods; pre-planning and mutual-aid systems; response challenges; changing standards of operation (e.g. CFR, NFPA, standard of care); and policies and procedures for the continual improvement of field and first response capabilities throughout the DOE/NNSA complex.
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The EMI SIG Annual Meeting was held in Las Vegas, Nevada hosted by National Security Technologies. The Meeting's theme was Emergency Management—Planning to Win.
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The Continuity of Operations Working Group (COOPWG) promotes and assists in developing COOP resources and provides guidance and recommendations that serve the needs of DOE/NNSA by sharing information, expertise, and resources for the continual improvement of COOP capabilities throughout the DOE/NNSA complex.
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The Technology Working Group (TECHWG) provides a forum across the DOE complex where collaboration and information sharing for continued development, integration and standardization of Emergency Management Technologies can make a difference. The scope of work performed by this group includes all elements associated with network configuration and online tools, system standardization, cyber security and emergent technologies used to assist decision makers.
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The Training Subcommittee (TS) focuses on providing assistance to DOE and the DOE complex by studying issues affecting training; recommending solutions to identified problems; sharing training initiatives, lessons learned, and best practices; and monitoring feedback to promote continuous improvement in emergency management training.
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This PC-based program available on CD-Rom is an easy-to-use tool for persons developing Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration emergency exercises and drill packages. It provides step-by-step guidance in developing an emergency exercise package including exercise scope, exercise objectives, design and development guidelines, scenario narrative, pre-approved simulations, master scenario events list (MSEL) messages, scenario data, controller directory, responder directory, evaluator modules, safety plan, security plan, logistics plan, and glossary.
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The Training Subcommittee developed Incorporating Lessons Learned/Best Practices into Emergency Management Training. This report documents the process used to gather information from the Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) complex and others and provides examples on how to use Lessons Learned with a variety of training approaches.
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Developing Exercise Objectives and Developing Exercise Scenarios are two web-based tutorials intended to prepare emergency management planners to develop exercise objectives and scenario materials for operations-based exercises.
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Identified as an objective for the 2009-2010 reporting period, the EPI Subcommittee provided input to development of the DOE/NNSA Field/Headquarters Public Information Officer (PIO) Communication Job Aid. This document is not intended to be a “how to guide” for conducting EPI, but rather a job aid with emphasis on communication with DOE/NNSA Headquarters. Additionally, this is not an aid for developing the content of news releases or for inclusion in news releases. The intent is for internal communication management only. The EPI Subcommittee New Media Support Statement encourages the development and use of Social Media applications within the DOE/NNSA complex to support timely information exchange. |
The EMI SIG Website underwent an extreme makeover. The EMI SIG also initiated the use of social media such as Facebook, Flickr, Twitter, and YouTube as a part of its mission to foster the exchange of information, resources, products to support the U.S. Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) emergency management community.
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The EMI SIG Annual Meeting was held in Charleston, South Carolina hosted by Savannah River Site. The Meeting's theme was Celebrating Silver–Going for Gold.
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