Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Developing Your Response-Specific Mission Ready Package

MRP Model and TemplateWhen disaster strikes, immediate access to essential resources is necessary if emergencies are to be managed effectively.

Mission Ready Packages—specific response and recovery capabilities that are organized, developed, trained, and exercised prior to an emergency or disaster—help make this happen.

Mission Ready Packages are based on NIMS resource typing but take the concept one step further by considering the mission, limitations that might impact the mission, required support, the footprint of the space needed to stage and complete the mission, and the estimated cost.

Mission Ready Packages also include credentialed personnel: those who are identified by the resource provider as having the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to conduct that specific mission.

Resource Providers should develop MRPs in cooperation with state emergency management agencies after being told that the resource would be valuable for use during intrastate or interstate mutual aid deployments.

 

Developing Your Resource-Specific Mission Ready Package using the EMAC Mission Ready Package Template:
The following Microsoft Excel workbooks provide the templates you need to develop your resource-specific Mission Ready Package with cost estimate.  These templates are compatible with the EMAC Operations System used by state emergency management agencies.   

Note:  Workbooks have multiple tabs (worksheets).


Should you need a workbook for more than 1,500 personnel, please contact Angela Copple, EMAC program director, at acopple@csg.org.

Are MRPs equivalent to NIMS resource typing?

Mission Ready Packages are not equivalent to NIMS resource typing. MRPs are based on—and the next logical step after—NIMS resource typing. MRPs often comprise multiple typing schemes and also include more components than NIMS definitions, such as a pre-scripted mission statement, limitations, required support from other sources, time to readiness, and cost estimate of the mission.

What is the relationship between NIMS Resource Typing and Mission Ready Packages?
NIMS Resource Typing is integrated into the Mission Ready Package and appears on the MRP template. 

Mission Ready Packaging is the next step after resource typing.  Identifying the personnel who would support the mission, limitations to the mission, costs to conduct them mission, etc. are all elements that will be vital for a successful mission and reimbursement.
Can an MRP include a resource that does not meet the NIMS typing threshold?

Absolutely. Whether a resource meets the NIMS typing threshold or not, that mutual aid resource is valuable and may be part of a Mission Ready Package.

Are templates for MRPs available?

Certainly. Templates, as well as samples, for MRPs are available using the above links.

Where may I obtain additional information about EMAC MRPs?

MRP Webinar RecordingYou can view a Webinar recording focusing on MRPs here, and more information is also available on this web page.

How do I estimate costs for an MRP?

The MRP template, which is a Microsoft Excel workbook, includes worksheets for estimating costs of travel, personnel, equipment, commodities, and other expenses. The worksheets include form fields with great detail in each area so that the resource provider can arrive at the most accurate cost estimate possible.

How can I estimate travel costs if I have no idea where the next emergency will be located?

Clearly, travel costs are largely unknown before an emergency event happens. However, once the event occurs and a request is made for the emergency-impacted area, the appropriate MRP fields may be completed so that the final MRP is completed as accurately and swiftly as possible.

Do MRPs take personnel credentialing into account?

A good resource provider will provide qualified personnel who have the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for their job positions. As part of this, the resource provider will identify in the MRP personnel who possess and can demonstrate the credentials needed to do the job required in the MRP.

May an MRP replace a Request for Assistance (REQ-A) form?

An MRP may not replace the REQ-A. The REQ-A is the document that provides a formal execution of the agreement; i.e., the REQ-A serves as a contract. The MRP simply facilitates that execution by matching resources with the shortfall of an affected state.

Is there a cost for obtaining the MRP template?

There is no cost associated with obtaining the MRP template. The form is free and available on this website to use in developing your own resource-specific Mission Ready Package in coordination with your home state emergency management agency.