The National Response Plan
During Incidents of National Significance, the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) provides representation to certain National Response Plan Emergency Support Functions, and Incident and Support Annexes. In brief, the Emergency Support Functions the Service supports are:
Transportation
FWS can provide supplementary transport assets such as light fixed wing aircraft, vessels, boats and other watercraft, all-terrain vehicles and show machines.
FWS can provide support personnel, certified pilots and vessel operators.
Telecommunications and IT
FWS as a participant with the National Interagency Fire Center and National Interagency Radio Support System maintains radio communications systems in support of firefighters, law enforcement officers, and incident response specialists.
FWS may provide communications technical and support personnel to compliment other Interior communications assets.
Public Works and Engineering
FWS can provide engineering support to assist in evaluating damage to water control systems, such as dams, levees, and water delivery facilities and structures.
FWS is a member of the Department’s Dam Safety and Security Committee.
Firefighting
FWS assumes responsibility for fighting wildfires burning on lands within its jurisdiction; assists the Forest Service and other federal and state agencies as requested.
FWS maintains a cadre of certified fire fighting personnel within the National Wildlife Refuge System.
FWS is a member of the National Multi-Agency Coordinating Group.
Emergency Management
FWS assumes responsibility for managing or coordinating emergency responses on lands within its jurisdiction and assists other federal and state agencies on adjacent lands as requested.
Many FWS National Wildlife Refuge System law enforcement and fire fighting personnel are certified is first aid, CPR, and other emergency response capabilities.
Some FWS National Wildlife Refuges support local community emergency management functions through local memorandums of agreement.
Resource Support & Logistics Management
FWS may provide supporting material, property, facility, and transportation during emergencies as requested.
Hazardous Materials Response
FWS has trained professional who provide scientific and technical advice, information, and assistance to prevent or minimize injury to natural and cultural, and historic properties.
FWS personnel respond to spills of hazardous materials to provide scientific and technical advice relative to impacts on fish and wildlife and the environment.
FWS maintains expertise in mitigating the effects of oil spills and hazardous materials.
Agriculture and Natural Resources (Natural, Cultural and Historic Properties)
FWS personnel provide scientific and technical advice, information, and assistance to prevent or minimize injury to Natural, Cultural, and Historic properties.
FWS is a members for the Departments Environmental Safeguards Group.
Public Safety and Security
FWS may provide trained personnel and resources from its Office of Law Enforcement and National Wildlife Refuge System in support of public safety and security within the legal authorities granted.
Community Recovery, Mitigation, and Economic Stabilization
FWS possesses personnel and assets that may be employed to assist communities during recovery, mitigation, and economic stabilization efforts. This is especially applicable to communities adjacent to or near National Wildlife Refuges.
Biological Response Incident
FWS has trained professional who can provide scientific and technical advice, information, and assistance relative to wildlife disease outbreaks.
FWS personnel routinely participate in investigations of wildlife disease events.
Nuclear and Radiological Incident
FWS has trained professional who can provide scientific and technical advice, information, and assistance relative to the affects of nuclear and radiological events on wildlife and the environment.
Oil and Hazardous Substances Incident
FWS has trained professional who can provide scientific and technical advice, information, and assistance to prevent or minimize injury to NCH properties.
FWS maintains expertise in mitigating the effects of oil spills and hazardous materials.
Insular Areas Support
FWS has personnel and material resources positioned at National Wildlife Refuges and other Service offices in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands and maintains liaison with natural resource and law enforcement agencies in American Samoa, Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia.
Useful Links
FWS Oil Spill Preparation and Response
DOI Emergency Management Web Site
Department of Homeland Security
DOI Information on Avian Flu and Pandemic Influenza Preparedness
