This page provides information related to the National Mass Evacuation Tracking System. Topics covered include eligibility and information about the three different support tools.
NATIONAL MASS EVACUATION TRACKING SYSTEMS (NMETS)
OVERVIEW
To meet the responsibility of supporting State mass care evacuation operations, FEMA, through the ESF #6 Mass Care/Emergency Assistance Unit, has created the National Mass Evacuation Tracking Systems (NMETS). NMETS is composed of manual and computer-based systems and is designed to assist States in tracking the movement of transportation-assisted evacuees, their pets/service animals, luggage, and medical equipment during evacuations.
AUTHORITY
Sections 501, 503 and 512 of the Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006
ELIGIBILITY
All States who request State-specific evacuation requirements
IMPLEMENTATION
NMETS is an open source database application, available to States, agencies or jurisdictions at no cost. The system includes two distinct tools that can operate independently or be used in combination to support multi-State, State-managed, or local level evacuation operations. Although the software and basic training are free, equipment and maintenance costs are the responsibility of the State
Paper-based Evacuation Support Tool (PBEST):
Offers a stand-alone system for States that choose not to adopt a technical solution either as result of cost considerations or infrequency of evacuation events
- Serves as back up to existing technical systems when power or system operations fail
- Inexpensive to produce, easy to manage
NMETS Software:
- Web based application that can be hosted on a central or remote server, and accessed via the internet; the software can also be used on remote laptops deployed in the field
- Uses tethered USB scanners and barcoded wristbands to track the movement of transportation-assisted evacuees through all phases of an evacuation
- Search function by name, location, or tracking number
- Produce manifests for any mode of transportation, and different types of reports (location, possessions, pets, customizable)
- Exportable in diverse formats (Excel, CSV, PDF, XML), to include tailored report for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s (NCMEC) Unaccompanied Minor Registry (UMR)
- Is adaptable to meet State-specific evacuation requirements