iParametrics is a leader in emergency management. Having continuously supported federal and state disaster programs since 2005, we understand the complex processes needed to assist public agencies after a disaster, both in disaster planning and recovery activities. We help our clients navigate the emergency management lifecycle, from preparedness before a disaster strikes, to response, recovery, and mitigation after the fact. We have supported hundreds of cities, counties, parishes, and utilities through our work on over 60 presidentially declared disasters.
Emergency Management Services:
- Emergency and Disaster Planning: Our team has vast experience developing risk-based security, crisis management, and emergency operations plans for clients of all sizes. Our experts have supported states, counties, municipalities, UASI regions, and healthcare coordinating bodies to create both strategic and tactical emergency management plans. The first step when developing an emergency plan is to conduct a risk assessment to identify potential emergency scenarios. An understanding of what can happen enables organizations to determine resource requirements and to develop plans and procedures to prepare. Developing an emergency plan begins with an understanding of what can happen and an understanding of risk (Threat x Vulnerability x Impact). It takes into consideration the organization’s performance objectives and the resources needed for incident stabilization. It documents available resources and prepares emergency procedures for foreseeable hazards and threats.
- Disaster Recovery: The iParametrics team understands that our clients need a partner to help guide them through the often-challenging post-disaster recovery landscape. We understand that the process can be overwhelming while balancing the ongoing work of running a city or county and that the impact of a natural disaster, or multiple successive disasters, often necessitate outside support. We work with our clients to maximize the recovery funding available, leverage all available funding streams from FEMA, HUD, NRCS, and other federal funders, ensure full compliance with all grant program requirements to prevent deobligations, and, finally, not leave any potential funding on the table. Our disaster recovery team is thoughtful and engaged to make sure that communities are rebuilt stronger than they were before.
- Hazard Mitigation: The iParametrics team is experienced in hazard mitigation and all-hazards assessments. Before you can mitigate risk, it is critical to understand it. We begin our work by conducting a review of the hazards identified in the area and any existing hazard mitigation plans. We then conduct a detailed geo-analytical review of the city, county, or university area and the hazards to develop a comprehensive risk score and rank the hazards. We account for historical impacts and the dollars involved. Our team then assesses facilities and their current status, usage, and capabilities. Finally, we will look for opportunities to mitigate the hazards identified. We look specifically at the infrastructure and how it interacts with the larger community. Our goal is always to present achievable and mensurable results that enhance the safety of the community while ensuring our clients can weather any storm.
- Debris Management: Debris removal is one of the first critical recovery activities after a significant weather event. This activity is started with little time for preplanning, and costly mistakes can be made if an organized plan is not followed. A debris management plan is a written document that establishes procedures and guidelines for managing disaster debris in a coordinated, environmentally responsible, and cost-effective manner. When a disaster hits, our team can support you though effective debris monitoring activities that ensure we prevent fraud and maximize reimbursement.
- Continuity of Operations / Business Planning: The iParametrics team has a proven history of supporting local, state, federal, and private sector clients with developing high-quality continuity of operations and business continuity plans. We work with our clients to assess their mission-critical functions, prepare a comprehensive Continuity of Operations Plan, train, test, and evaluate the plan, conduct evacuation drills with an after-action report, support ongoing status updates and coordination, and ensure federal compliance. Our core philosophy is to not just provide our clients with a cookie cutter template plan, but instead start with industry best practices (FCD 1&2, ISO 22301, etc.) and identify how to apply those in a way that fits with their culture. This process ensures that the COOP that we create is easy for our clients’ personnel to operationalize in a time of crisis.
- Crisis Management / Crisis Planning: An organization’s elected and appointed leaders are responsible for ensuring that necessary actions are taken to protect the community. During a crisis event or system shock, it is the organization’s responsibility to marshal its resources, channel the efforts of the whole community, and, if necessary, solicit assistance from outside the jurisdiction. Planning for a crisis event must be community-based, representing the whole population and its needs with a focus on actions, such as direction and control, warning, public notification, and evacuation. These are all critical steps that the local government must take during the initial phase of a crisis.
- Emergency Operations Center (EOC)/State Operations Center (SOC) Planning and Staffing: iParametrics’ team of emergency managers and first responders have significant EOC/SOC leadership and planning experience. Not only has our team developed hundreds of preparedness plans, we have served in local, county, and state EOC/SOCs during some the nation’s most trying disasters. Our team has the knowledge and experience to augment EOC/SOC positions or serve in advisory roles for senior leaders and decision makers.
- Threat and Vulnerability Assessment: A threat assessment is an evaluation of events that can adversely affect operations and specific assets and covers both natural and manmade risks to an organization. A vulnerability assessment is the process of defining, identifying, classifying, and prioritizing vulnerabilities to operations and assets. Together, a threat and vulnerability assessment provides the building blocks to understand organizational risk and allows stakeholders to perform planning activities to mitigate or eliminate the most serious risks to the most valuable organizational resources.
- Training and Exercises: The best time to prepare for a crisis is before the crisis strikes. Our team of Master Exercise Practitioners (MEP) and Master Trainers (MT) has provided training and conducted exercises on behalf of FEMA, as well as state and local agencies, since 2005. They have substantial expertise in developing and delivering training and exercise to support client operations during both steady-state and emergency situations. Pre-event training programs will greatly improve efficiency and effectiveness of response and recovery efforts and enhance the client’s overall resilience posture. Post-event training will be task focused to quickly socialize and train staff on more granular element of the recovery effort. Our team uses the HSEEP-building block approach to provide a comprehensive exercise program that allows stakeholders to gradually increase their skills as the program builds in complexity.
Please contact our Vice President of Emergency Management, Jeff Stevens at [email protected] or 401.536.8178.