Glossary

The specific language from the explanatory statement is “five children’s hospitals (centers) … or their affiliated university pediatric partners.” A children’s hospital‘s affiliated university pediatric partner works in partnership with and is applying on behalf of a children’s hospital.

Source: PPN NOFO HRSA-21-104, Appendix A: Key Definitions

An all-hazards approach is an integrated approach to emergency preparedness that focuses on identifying hazards and developing emergency preparedness capacities and capabilities that can address those as well as a wide spectrum of emergencies or disasters. This approach includes preparedness for natural, man-made, and or facility emergencies that may include but is not limited to: care-related emergencies; equipment and power failures; interruptions in communications, including cyber-attacks; loss of a portion or all of a facility; and, interruptions in the normal supply of essentials, such as water and food. Planning for using an all-hazards approach should also include emerging infectious disease (EID) threats. Examples of EIDs include Influenza, Ebola, Zika Virus and others. All facilities must develop an all-hazards emergency preparedness program and plan.

Source: ASPR 2017 Healthcare Preparedness and Response Capabilities, Glossary:
https://www.phe.gov/preparedness/planning/hpp/reports/documents/2017-2022-healthcare-pr-capablities.pdf

An organization established to oversee the management of multiple incidents that are each being handled by a separate Incident Command System organization or to oversee the management of a very large or evolving incident that has multiple Incident Management Teams engaged. An Agency Administrator/Executive or other public official with jurisdictional responsibility for the incident usually makes the decision to establish an Area Command. An Area Command is activated only if necessary, depending on the complexity of the incident and incident management span-of-control considerations. (NIMS)

Source: ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx 

A hostile action taken against the United States by foreign forces or terrorists, resulting in the destruction of or damage to military targets, injury or death to the civilian population, or damage or destruction to public and private property.

Source: FEMA SLG 101: Guide for All-Hazard Emergency Operations Planning
https://www.fema.gov/pdf/plan/glo.pdf

Infants, children, and adolescents ages birth–21 years old.

PPN NOFO HRSA-21-104, Appendix A: Key Definitions

A medical facility that offers inpatient medical services mainly to children and adolescents. In this context, “children’s hospital” means children’s hospitals (centers) as defined by section 340E of the PHS Act (Public Law 106-129).

PPN NOFO HRSA-21-104, Appendix A: Key Definitions

The staff who report directly to the Incident Commander, including the Public Information Officer, Safety Officer, Liaison Officer, and other positions as required. They may have an assistant or assistants, as needed. (NIMS)

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

An overview of an incident by all relevant parties that provides incident information enabling the Incident Commander/Unified Command and any supporting agencies and organizations to make effective, consistent, and timely decisions. (NIMS)

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

Agency or interagency dispatch centers, 911 call centers, emergency control or command dispatch centers, or any naming convention given to the facility and staff that handles emergency calls from the public and communication with emergency management/response personnel. The center can serve as a primary coordination and support element of the Multiagency Coordination System(s) (MAC System) for an incident until other elements of the MAC System are formally established.

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

A political entity which has the authority to adopt and enforce laws and ordinances for the area under its jurisdiction. In most cases, the community is an incorporated town, city, township, village, or unincorporated area of a county. However, each State defines its own political subdivisions and forms of government.

FEMA SLG 101: Guide for All-Hazard Emergency Operations Planning
https://www.fema.gov/pdf/plan/glo.pdf

An agreement or contract between persons, nations, or States. (Black’s Law Dictionary, Sixth Ed.)

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

A peer network of leaders in pediatric preparedness and response at children’s hospitals throughout the nation and key representatives of their local, state, and regional pediatric preparedness community partners.

PPN NOFO HRSA-21-104, Appendix A: Key Definitions

An agreement between two or more persons to create an obligation to do or not to do a particular thing. (Black’s Law Dictionary, Sixth Ed.)

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

The implementation of procedures that are based on lessons learned from actual incidents or from training and exercises. (NIMS)

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

The authentication and verification of the certification and identity of designated incident managers and emergency responders. The credentialing process entails the objective evaluation and documentation of an individual’s current certification, license, or degree; training and experience; and competence or proficiency to meet nationally accepted standards, provide particular services and/or functions, or perform specific tasks under specific conditions during an incident. (NIMS)

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

An Emergency Operations Center (EOC) specific to a single department or agency. The focus of a DOC is on internal agency incident management and response. DOCs are often linked to and, in most cases, are physically represented in a combined agency EOC by authorized agent(s) for the department or agency. (NIMS)

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

As defined in the Robert T. Stafford Act, a “major disaster” is any natural catastrophe (including any hurricane, tornado, storm, high water, wind-driven water, tidal wave, tsunami, earthquake, volcanic eruption, landslide, mudslide, snowstorm, or drought), or, regardless of cause, any fire, flood, or explosion, in any part of the United States, which in the determination of the President causes damage of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant major disaster assistance under this Act to supplement the efforts and available resources of States, local governments, and disaster relief organizations in alleviating the damage, loss, hardship, or suffering caused thereby.

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

The office established in or near the designated area of a Presidentially declared major disaster to support Federal and State response and recovery operations. The DFO houses the FCO and ERT, and where possible, the SCO and support staff.

FEMA SLG 101: Guide for All-Hazard Emergency Operations Planning
https://www.fema.gov/pdf/plan/glo.pdf

Places established in the area of a Presidentially declared major disaster, as soon as practicable, to provide victims the opportunity to apply in person for assistance and/or obtain information relating to that assistance. DRCs are staffed by local, State, and Federal agency representatives, as well as staff from volunteer organizations (e.g., the ARC).

FEMA SLG 101: Guide for All-Hazard Emergency Operations Planning
https://www.fema.gov/pdf/plan/glo.pdf

As used in this handbook, an individual position that is available 24/7 to respond to questions and determine initial actions for a response organization, including whether the organizations should be activated. Duty Officers also may seek out additional initial incident information, decide upon the need for activation, and determine initial actions. Upon activation of the response organization, the Duty Officer position is suspended and the individual transitioned to staffing a position in the response organization.

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

Services required to correct or improve damaging environmental health effects on humans, including inspection for food contamination, inspection for water contamination, and vector control; providing for sewage and solid waste inspection and disposal; clean-up and disposal of hazardous materials; and sanitation inspection for emergency shelter facilities.

FEMA SLG 101: Guide for All-Hazard Emergency Operations Planning
https://www.fema.gov/pdf/plan/glo.pdf

Services required to prevent and treat the damaging health effects of an emergency, including communicable disease control, immunization, laboratory services, dental and nutritional services; providing first aid for treatment of ambulatory patients and those with minor injuries; providing public health information on emergency treatment, prevention, and control; and providing administrative support including maintenance of vital records and providing for a conduit of emergency health funds from State and Federal governments.

FEMA SLG 101: Guide for All-Hazard Emergency Operations Planning
https://www.fema.gov/pdf/plan/glo.pdf

Describes the science of managing complex systems and multidisciplinary personnel to address emergencies or disasters, across all hazards, and through the phases of mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

A congressionally ratified organization that provides form and structure to interstate mutual aid. Through EMAC, a disasteraffected State can request and receive assistance from other member States quickly and efficiently, resolving two key issues up front

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

A preparedness entity established by an organization that has the responsibility for emergency management program (EMP) oversight within the organization. As such, the committee would normally have the responsibility to ensure the overall preparation, implementation, evaluation and currency of the EMP. (adapted from the VHA Emergency Management Guidebook, 2005)

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

A program that implements the organization’s mission, vision, management framework, and strategic goals and objectives related to emergencies and disasters. It uses a comprehensive approach to emergency management as a conceptual framework, combining mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery into a fully integrated set of activities. The “program” applies to all departments and organizational units within the organization that have roles in responding to a potential emergency. (adapted from NFPA 1600 and the VHA Emergency Management Guidebook, 2004)

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

Services, including personnel, facilities, and equipment required to ensure proper medical care for the sick and injured from the time of injury to the time of final disposition, including medical disposition within a hospital, temporary medical facility, or special care facility, release from site, or declared dead. Further, emergency medical services specifically include those services immediately required to ensure proper medical care and specialized treatment for patients in a hospital and coordination of related hospital services.

FEMA SLG 101: Guide for All-Hazard Emergency Operations Planning
https://www.fema.gov/pdf/plan/glo.pdf

The Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) Program – part of the Health Resources and Services Administration – works to improve outcomes for children across prehospital and emergency department settings.

https://emscimprovement.center/

The physical location at which the coordination of information and resources to support incident management (on-scene operations) activities normally takes place. An EOC may be a temporary facility or may be located in a more central or permanently established facility, perhaps at a higher level of organization within a jurisdiction. EOCs may be organized by major functional disciplines (e.g., Fire, Law Enforcement, Medical Services), by jurisdiction (e.g., Federal, State, regional, Tribal, city, county), or by some combination thereof. (NIMS)

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

The “response” plan that an entity (organization, jurisdiction, State, etc.) maintains for responding to any hazard event. It provides action guidance for management and emergency response personnel, during the response phase of Comprehensive Emergency Management.

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

Areas around a facility for which planning is needed to ensure prompt and effective actions are taken to protect the health and safety of the public if an accident occurs. The REP Program and CSEPP use the EPZ concept.

In the REP Program, the two EPZs are:

• Plume Exposure Pathway (10-mile EPZ). A circular geographic zone (with a 10-mile radius centered at the nuclear power plant) for which plans are developed to protect the public against exposure to radiation emanating from a radioactive plume caused as a result of an accident at the nuclear power plant.
• Ingestion Pathway (50-mile EPZ). A circular geographic zone (with a 50-mile radius centered at the nuclear power plant) for
  which plans are developed to protect the public from the ingestion of water or foods contaminated as the result of a nuclear power plant accident.

In CSEPP, the EPZ is divided into three concentric circular zones:

• Immediate Response Zone (IRZ). A circular zone ranging from 10 to 15 km (6 to 9 miles) from the potential chemical event source, depending on the stockpile location on-post. Emergency response plans developed for the IRZ must provide for the most rapid and effective protective actions possible, since the IRZ will have the highest concentration of agent and the least amount of warning time.
• Protective Action Zone (PAZ). An area that extends beyond the IRZ to approximately 16 to 50 km (10 to 30 miles) from the stockpile location. The PAZ is that area where public protective actions may still be necessary in case of an accidental release of chemical agent, but where the available warning and response time is such that most people could evacuate. However, other responses (e.g., sheltering) may be appropriate for institutions and special populations that could not evacuate within the available time.
• Precautionary Zone (PZ). The outermost portion of the EPZ for CSEPP, extending from the PAZ outer boundary to a distance where the risk of adverse impacts to humans is negligible. Because of the increased warning and response time available for implementation of response actions in the PZ, detailed local emergency planning is not required, although consequence anagement planning may be appropriate.

FEMA SLG 101: Guide for All-Hazard Emergency Operations Planning
https://www.fema.gov/pdf/plan/glo.pdf

An interagency group operating from FEMA headquarters. The EST oversees the national-level response support effort under the FRP and coordinates activities with the ESF primary and support agencies in supporting Federal requirements in the field.

FEMA SLG 101: Guide for All-Hazard Emergency Operations Planning
https://www.fema.gov/pdf/plan/glo.pdf

As defined in the National Response Framework, an ESF refers to a group of capabilities of Federal departments and agencies to provide the support, resources, program implementation, and services that are most likely to be needed to save lives, protect property, restore essential services and critical infrastructure, and help victims return to normal following a national incident. An ESF represents the primary operational level mechanism to orchestrate activities to provide assistance to State, Tribal, or local governments, or to Federal departments or agencies conducting missions of primary Federal responsibility.

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

An interagency team, consisting of the lead representative from each Federal department or agency assigned primary responsibility for an ESF and key members of the FCO’s staff, formed to assist the FCO in carrying out his/her coordination responsibilities. The ERT may be expanded by the FCO to include designated representatives of other Federal departments and agencies as needed. The ERT usually consists of regional-level staff.

FEMA SLG 101: Guide for All-Hazard Emergency Operations Planning
https://www.fema.gov/pdf/plan/glo.pdf

For Federal disaster response and recovery activities under the Stafford Act, the portion of the ERT that is first deployed to the field to respond to a disaster incident. The ERT-A is the nucleus of the full ERT.

FEMA SLG 101: Guide for All-Hazard Emergency Operations Planning
https://www.fema.gov/pdf/plan/glo.pdf

The EMSC Innovation and Improvement Center (EIIC) supports and accelerates EMSC Program efforts through quality improvement science, education, and collaboration.

https://emscimprovement.center/

A scheduled non-emergency activity (e.g., sporting event, concert, parade, etc.). (NIMS)

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

Established organizations and authorities with responsibility for public health preparedness and response at the national, regional, state and local levels across three primary sectors:

• health care
• public health
• emergency management

PPN NOFO HRSA-21-104, Appendix A: Key Definitions

A small team of pre-identified technical experts that conduct an assessment of response needs (not a PDA) immediately following a disaster. The experts are drawn from FEMA, other agencies and organizations–such as the U.S. Public Health Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the American Red Cross–and the affected State(s). All FAsT operations are joint Federal/State efforts.

FEMA SLG 101: Guide for All-Hazard Emergency Operations Planning
https://www.fema.gov/pdf/plan/glo.pdf

The ICS functional area that addresses the financial, administrative, and legal/regulatory issues for the incident management system. It monitors costs related to the incident and provides accounting, procurement, time recording, cost analyses, and overall fiscal guidance.

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

A full scale exercise is an operations-based exercise that typically involves multiple agencies, jurisdictions, and disciplines performing functional (for example, joint field office, emergency operation centers, etc.) and integration of operational elements involved in the response to a disaster event, i.e. ‘‘boots on the ground’’ response activities (for example, hospital staff treating mock patients).

ASPR 2017 Healthcare Preparedness and Response Capabilities, Glossary:
https://www.phe.gov/preparedness/planning/hpp/reports/documents/2017-2022-healthcare-pr-capablities.pdf

The five major activities in the Incident Command System

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

A major grouping of the similar tasks that agencies perform in carrying out incident management activities. These are usually all or part of one of the five ICS sections (Command, Operations, Logistics, Planning, Finance/ Administration).

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

Geographic locations that for planning purposes have been determined through historical experience and vulnerability analysis to be likely to experience the effects of a specific hazard (e.g., hurricane, earthquake, hazardous materials accident, etc.) resulting in vast property damage and loss of life.

FEMA SLG 101: Guide for All-Hazard Emergency Operations Planning
https://www.fema.gov/pdf/plan/glo.pdf

A systematic approach to identifying all hazards that may affect an organization, assessing the risk (probability of hazard occurrence and the consequence for the organization) associated with each hazard and analyzing findings to create a prioritized comparison of hazard vulnerabilities. The consequence, or vulnerability, is related to both the impact on organizational function and the likely service demands created by hazard impact.

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

An HCC member is defined as an entity within the HCC’s defined boundaries that actively contributes to HCC strategic planning, operational planning and response, information sharing, and resource coordination and management.

ASPR 2017 Healthcare Preparedness and Response Capabilities, Glossary:
https://www.phe.gov/preparedness/planning/hpp/reports/documents/2017-2022-healthcare-pr-capablities.pdf

As used in this handbook, a group of individual healthcare organizations in a specified geographic area that agree to work together to enhance their response to emergencies or disasters. The Healthcare Coalition, being composed of relatively independent organizations that voluntarily coordinate their response, does not conduct command or control. Instead, the Coalition operates consistent with Multiagency Coordination System (MAC System) principles to support and facilitate the response of its participating organizations.

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

As used in this (ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition) handbook, the entity that provides notification services for the Coalition. Requirements include 24/7 staffing and appropriate technologies to support the notification activities. The Coalition Notification Center remains operational during incident operations and is folded under the Operations Section. Establishing independent notification center capabilities can be expensive and existing capabilities (usually private sector) are often the best option for adopting this responsibility.

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

The document in ICS that guides the response for that operational period. It contains the overall incident objectives and strategy, general tactical actions, and supporting information to enable successful completion of objectives. The IAP may be oral or written. When written, the IAP may have a number of supportive plans and information as attachments (e.g., traffic plan, safety plan, communications plan, and maps). There is only one IAP at an incident. All other “action plans” are subsets of the IAP and their titles should be qualified accordingly. For example, the jurisdiction primarily impacted usually develops the IAP. Action plans developed below the level of the jurisdiction may be referred to as “Operations Plans”. (e.g., individual Hospital Operations Plans)

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

The physical location close to the incident site (or elsewhere for a diffuse incident or one with multiple sites), which serves as a base location for managing tactical or “field operations.” Located within the ICP are designated representatives of the major response agencies for the incident, who fill positions in the incident command team. The ICP location is designated by the Incident Commander.

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

The combination of facilities, equipment, personnel, procedures, and communications operating within a common organizational structure, designed to aid in the management of resources for emergency incidents. It may be used for all emergencies and has been successfully employed by multiple response disciplines. ICS is used at all levels of government (local, State, Tribal, and Federal) to organize field level operations. (adapted from NIMS)

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

The individual responsible for all incident activities, including the development of strategies and tactics and the ordering and the release of resources. The IC has overall authority and responsibility for conducting incident operations and is responsible for the management of all incident operations at the incident site. (adapted from NIMS)

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

The Incident Commander and appropriate Command and General Staff personnel assigned to an incident.

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

Statements of guidance and direction necessary for selecting appropriate strategy(s) and the tactical direction of resources. Incident objectives are based on realistic expectations of what can be accomplished when allocated resources have been effectively deployed. Incident objectives must be achievable and measurable, yet flexible to allow for strategic and tactical alternatives. (adapted from NIMS)

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

Under the FRP, connection of public affairs personnel, decision-makers, and news centers by electronic mail, fax, and telephone when a single Federal- State-local JIC is not a viable option.

A political subdivision (Federal, State, county, parish, and/or municipality) with the responsibility for ensuring public safety, health, and welfare within its legal authorities and geographic boundaries. In the context of this handbook, it refers to a geographic area’s local government, which commonly has the primary role in emergency response.

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

The agency having jurisdiction and responsibility for a specific geographical area or a mandated function. Usually, this is a public agency representing a local, State, or Federal government that has direct authority for emergency response and recovery. (adapted from NIMS)

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

A member of the Command Staff responsible for filling the senior liaison function with representatives from cooperating and assisting agencies or organizations (NIMS)

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

The ICS functional section that provides resources and other support services to incident management, operations, and the other ICS sections. (adapted from NIMS)

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

In the incident management process, the meeting that establishes (or revises) the incident goals and objectives and the makeup of the ICS structure. NIMS does not separate this meeting from the Planning meeting, although they are commonly separated in wildland fire and Urban Search and Rescue incident management.

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx 

An incident that generates a sufficiently large number of casualties whereby the available healthcare resources, or their management systems, are severely challenged or unable to meet the healthcare needs of the affected population.

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

An incident that primarily affects the ability of an organization to continue its normal operations. For healthcare organizations, this can disrupt the delivery of routine healthcare services and hinder their ability to provide needed surge capacity. For example, a hospital’s ability to provide medical care to the victims of an earthquake is compromised if it must focus on relocating current patients because a section of the facility was destroyed.

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

Defined criteria for determining whether satisfactory progress is being accomplished toward achieving the incident objectives. Similarly, defined criteria can also be utilized to establish the effectiveness of the overall Emergency Management Program in meeting its defined goals across the four phases.

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

1. Comprehensive Care
2. Patient-Centered
3. Coordinated Care
4. Accessible Services
5. Quality and Safety

AHRQ: Defining the PCMH
https://www.ahrq.gov/ncepcr/research/care-coordination/pcmh/define.html

Describes the ability to provide adequate medical evaluation and care in events that severely challenge or exceed the normal medical infrastructure of an affected community (through numbers or types of patients).

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) defines the general area of conditional agreement between two or more parties, but one party’s action depends on the other party’s action. The MOA can be complemented with support agreements that detail reimbursement schedules and specific terms and conditions. (adapted from FEMA’s National Preparedness Directorate, Memorandum of Agreement/Memorandum of Understanding Template and Guidance; March 2009)

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

A formal document embodying the firm commitment of two or more parties to an undertaking, and setting out its general principles, but falling short of constituting a detailed contract or agreement. (Oxford Dictionary of Law, 2006)

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

Activities designed to reduce or eliminate risks to persons or property or to lessen the actual or potential effects or consequences of a hazard. Mitigation involves ongoing actions to reduce exposure to, probability of, or potential loss from hazards. Examples include zoning and building codes, floodplain buyouts, and analysis of hazard-related data to determine where it is safe to build or locate temporary facilities. Mitigation can include efforts to educate governments, businesses, and the public on measures they can take to reduce loss and injury. (adapted from NIMS)

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

Activities and procedures carried out that ready an asset to perform incident operations according to the Emergency Operations Plan. During the response phase of Comprehensive Emergency Management, it is the stage that transitions functional elements from a state of inactivity or normal operations to their designated response state. This activity may occur well into the response phase, as additional assets are brought on line or as surge processes are instituted to meet demands.

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

According to NIMS, a group of administrators or executives or their appointed representatives who are typically authorized to commit agency resources and funds. A MAC Group can provide coordinated decision-making and resource allocation among cooperating agencies and may establish the priorities among incidents, harmonize agency policies, and provide strategic guidance and direction to support incident management activities.

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

According to NIMS, the primary function of a MAC System is to coordinate activities above the field level and to prioritize the incident demands for critical or competing resources, thereby assisting the coordination of operations in the field. (NIMS)

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

An incident that extends across political boundaries and/or response disciplines, requiring action from multiple governments and agencies to manage certain aspects of an incident. These incidents may best be managed under Unified Command. (adapted from NIMS)

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

Written instrument between agencies and/or jurisdictions in which they agree to assist one another upon request, by furnishing personnel, equipment, supplies, and/or expertise in a specified manner. An “agreement” is generally more legally binding than an “understanding.”

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

HRSA award (U1I4353): aims to empower health care systems and communities across the nation to provide high-quality, equitable care to children every day and in crises.

Pediatric Pandemic Network website
https://pedspandemicnetwork.org

Ensuring emergency departments (ED) have the essential guidelines and resources in place to provide effective emergency care to children as defined by the AAP 2018 Pediatric Readiness in Emergency Departments Policy Statement.

PPN NOFO HRSA-21-104, Appendix A: Key Definitions

Activities that support the incident management process, including completing the incident action plan and support plans and accomplishing incident information processing. This is in contrast to preparedness planning, which is designed to ready a system for response.

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

A meeting held as needed throughout the duration of an incident to select specific strategies and general tactics for incident operations and for service and support planning. In the incident management process, the planning meeting establishes strategy and priorities based upon the goals and objectives developed in the management meeting. Remaining decisions for the action plan are achieved during this meeting. (adapted from NIMS)

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

A mechanism used to determine the impact and magnitude of damage and the resulting unmet needs of individuals, businesses, the public sector, and the community as a whole. Information collected is used by the State as a basis for the Governor’s request for a Presidential declaration, and by FEMA to document the recommendation made to the President in response to the Governor’s request. PDAs are made by at least one State and one Federal representative. A local government representative familiar with the extent and location of damage in the community often participates; other State and Federal agencies and voluntary relief organizations also may be asked to participate, as needed.

FEMA SLG 101: Guide for All-Hazard Emergency Operations Planning
https://www.fema.gov/pdf/plan/glo.pdf

In ICS, this functional area is responsible for the collection, evaluation, and dissemination of operational information related to the incident and for the preparation and documentation of the incident action plan and its support plans. The Planning Chief is responsible for running the management and planning meetings and the operations briefing, and the Planning Section supports these activities. The Planning Section also maintains information on the current and forecasted situation, the status of resources assigned to the incident, and other incident information. (adapted from NIMS)

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

The range of deliberate, critical tasks and activities necessary to build, sustain, and improve the capability to protect against, respond to, and recover from hazard impacts. Preparedness is a continuous process. Within NIMS, preparedness involves efforts at all levels of government and the private sector to identify threats, to determine vulnerabilities, and to identify required response plans and resources. NIMS preparedness focuses on establishing guidelines, protocols, and standards for planning, training and exercise, personnel qualifications and certification, equipment certification, and publication management. (adapted from NIMS)

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

An organization that provides coordination for emergency management and incident response activities before a potential incident. These organizations range from groups of individuals to small committees to large standing organizations that represent a wide variety of committees, planning groups, and other organizations (e.g., Citizen Corps, Local Emergency Planning Committees, Critical Infrastructure Sector Coordinating Councils). (NIMS)

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

Actions to avoid a hazard occurrence or to avoid or minimize the hazard impact (consequences) if it does occur. Prevention involves actions to protect lives and property. Under HSPD-5, it involves applying intelligence and other information to a range of activities that may include such countermeasures as deterrence operations; heightened inspections; improved surveillance and security operations; investigations to determine the full nature and source of the threat; public health and agricultural surveillance and testing processes; immunizations, isolation, or quarantine; and as appropriate specific law enforcement operations aimed at deterring, preempting, interdicting, or disrupting illegal activity and apprehending potential perpetrators and bringing them to justice. (adapted from NIMS)

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

Organizations and entities that are not part of any governmental structure. It includes for-profit and not-forprofit, and formal and informal structures, including commerce and industry, non-governmental organizations, and private voluntary organizations. (adapted from NIMS)

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

Systems of operations that incorporate standardized procedures, methodologies, and functions necessary to effectively and efficiently accomplish objectives. (adapted from NIMS)

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

An evidence-informed modular approach for assisting people in the immediate aftermath of disaster and terrorism to reduce initial distress and to foster short- and long-term adaptive functioning.

ASPR 2017 Healthcare Preparedness and Response Capabilities, Glossary:
https://www.phe.gov/preparedness/planning/hpp/reports/documents/2017-2022-healthcare-pr-capablities.pdf

Model State Emergency Health Powers Act (MSEHPA)
https://www.jhsph.edu/research/centers-and-institutes/center-for-law-and-the-publics-health/model_laws/MSEHPA.pdf

Official at headquarters or in the field responsible for preparing and coordinating the dissemination of public information in cooperation with other responding Federal, State, Tribal, and local agencies. In ICS, the term refers to a member of the Command Staff responsible for interfacing with the public and media and the Joint Information Center.

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

9-1-1 call centers, also known as public safety answering points (PSAPs), are the public’s first line of contact to public safety authorities in an emergency.

ASPR 2017 Healthcare Preparedness and Response Capabilities, Glossary:
https://www.phe.gov/preparedness/planning/hpp/reports/documents/2017-2022-healthcare-pr-capablities.pdf

All personnel and major items of equipment, supplies, and facilities available, or potentially available, for assignment to incident or event tasks on which status is maintained.

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

Activities that address the direct effects of an incident. Response includes immediate actions to save lives, protect property, and meet basic human needs. Response also includes the execution of emergency operations plans as well as activities designed to limit the loss of life, personal injury, property damage, and other unfavorable outcomes. As indicated by the situation, response activities may include applying intelligence and other information to lessen the effects or consequences of an incident; increased security operations; continuing investigations into the nature and source of the threat; ongoing public health and agricultural surveillance and testing processes; immunizations, isolation, or quarantine; and specific law enforcement operations aimed at pre-empting, interdicting, or disrupting illegal activity and apprehending actual perpetrators and bringing them to justice. (adapted from NIMS)

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

A response organization provides a structure and functions to manage emergency decision-making, decision implementation, and overarching coordination of resources and actions in the emergency context. Response organizations can include entities that conduct response management for a larger organization (private and for-profit or not-for profit), an agency or department, a government jurisdiction, or a collection of like organizations such as a Healthcare Coalition or a regional response center. Most response organizations are organized under NIMS as an Incident Management Team or as a Multiagency Coordination System. (ICDRM/GWU Emergency Management Glossary of Terms, Available at

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

As used in this handbook, a MAC Group consisting of executives, senior administrators, or their designees from participating organizations in a Healthcare Coalition. The Senior Policy Group provides strategic guidance to the HCRT, among other things, and is convened only as needed.

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

The number of individuals a supervisor is responsible for, usually expressed as the ratio of supervisors to individuals (under NIMS, an appropriate span of control is between 1

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

When capitalized, refers to any State of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and any possession of the United States. (as defined in section 2 (14) of them Homeland Security Act of 2002, Pub. L. 107-296, 116 Stat. 2135, et seq.(2002).)

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

Strategic elements of incident management are characterized by continuous long-term, high-level planning by senior level organizations. They involve the adoption of long-range goals and objectives; the setting of priorities; the establishment of budgets and other fiscal decisions; policy development; and the application of measures of performance or effectiveness. (adapted from NIMS)

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

The general plan or direction selected to accomplish incident objectives. (NIMS)

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

A threat whose potential would be realized as the result of a triggering event that of itself would constitute an emergency. For example, dam failure might be a secondary hazard associated with earthquakes.

FEMA SLG 101: Guide for All-Hazard Emergency Operations Planning
https://www.fema.gov/pdf/plan/glo.pdf

The ability to manage patients requiring unusual or very specialized medical evaluation and care. Requirements span the range of specialized medical and public health services (expertise, information, procedures, equipment, or personnel) that are not normally available at the location where they are needed. It also includes patient problems that require special intervention to protect medical providers, other patients, and the integrity of the healthcare organization.

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

The ability to evaluate and care for a markedly increased volume of patients—one that challenges or exceeds normal operating capacity. Requirements may extend beyond direct patient care to include other medical tasks, such as extensive laboratory studies or epidemiologic investigations.

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

A set of instructions constituting a directive, covering those features of operations which lend themselves to a definite, step-by-step process of accomplishment. SOPs supplement EOPs by detailing and specifying how tasks assigned in the EOP are to be carried out.

FEMA SLG 101: Guide for All-Hazard Emergency Operations Planning
https://www.fema.gov/pdf/plan/glo.pdf

A clearly described functional structure, including defined processes, that coordinates otherwise diverse parts to achieve a common goal.

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

Tactical elements of ICS are characterized by the execution of specific actions or plans in response to an actual incident or, prior to an incident, the implementation of individual or small unit activities, such as training or exercises.

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

The deployment and directing of resources on an incident to accomplish the objectives designated by strategy. (NIMS)

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

Any premeditated, unlawful act dangerous to human life or public welfare that is intended to intimidate or coerce civilian populations or governments (National Strategy for Homeland Security, July 2002). It includes activity potentially destructive of critical infrastructure or key resources. It is a violation of the criminal laws of the United States or of any State or other subdivision of the United States in which it occurs. It can include activities to affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping. (Section 2 (15), Homeland Security Act of 2002, Pub. L. 107-296, 116 Stat. 2135, (2002).)

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

An indication of possible violence, harm, or danger. (adapted from NIMS)

ASPR MSCC Healthcare Coalition Handbook, Appendix B Glossary: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/mscc/healthcarecoalition/Pages/glossary.aspx

A four-step common risk assessment process that helps the whole community—including individuals, businesses, faith-based organizations, nonprofit groups, schools, and academia and all levels of government—understand its risks and estimate capability requirements.

ASPR 2017 Healthcare Preparedness and Response Capabilities, Glossary:
https://www.phe.gov/preparedness/planning/hpp/reports/documents/2017-2022-healthcare-pr-capablities.pdf