TITLE 6 - US CODE - SUBCHAPTER V - NATIONAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

6 USC 311 - Definitions

In this subchapter

(1) the term Administrator means the Administrator of the Agency;

(2) the term Agency means the Federal Emergency Management Agency;

(3) the term catastrophic incident means any natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other man-made disaster that results in extraordinary levels of casualties or damage or disruption severely affecting the population (including mass evacuations), infrastructure, environment, economy, national morale, or government functions in an area;

(4) the terms credentialed and credentialing mean having provided, or providing, respectively, documentation that identifies personnel and authenticates and verifies the qualifications of such personnel by ensuring that such personnel possess a minimum common level of training, experience, physical and medical fitness, and capability appropriate for a particular position in accordance with standards created under section 320 of this title;

(5) the term Federal coordinating officer means a Federal coordinating officer as described in section 5143 of title 42;

(6) the term interoperable has the meaning given the term interoperable communications under section 194 (g)(1) of this title;

(7) the term National Incident Management System means a system to enable effective, efficient, and collaborative incident management;

(8) the term National Response Plan means the National Response Plan or any successor plan prepared under section 314 (a)(6)1 of this title;

(9) the term Regional Administrator means a Regional Administrator appointed under section 317 of this title;

(10) the term Regional Office means a Regional Office established under section 317 of this title;

(11) the term resources means personnel and major items of equipment, supplies, and facilities available or potentially available for responding to a natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other man-made disaster;

(12) the term surge capacity means the ability to rapidly and substantially increase the provision of search and rescue capabilities, food, water, medicine, shelter and housing, medical care, evacuation capacity, staffing (including disaster assistance employees), and other resources necessary to save lives and protect property during a catastrophic incident;

(13) the term tribal government means the government of any entity described in section 101 (11)(B) of this title; and

(14) the terms typed and typing mean having evaluated, or evaluating, respectively, a resource in accordance with standards created under section 320 of this title.

[1] See References in Text note below.

6 USC 312 - Definition

In this subchapter, the term Nuclear Incident Response Team means a resource that includes

(1) those entities of the Department of Energy that perform nuclear or radiological emergency support functions (including accident response, search response, advisory, and technical operations functions), radiation exposure functions at the medical assistance facility known as the Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site (REAC/TS), radiological assistance functions, and related functions; and

(2) those entities of the Environmental Protection Agency that perform such support functions (including radiological emergency response functions) and related functions.

6 USC 313 - Federal Emergency Management Agency

(a) In general
There is in the Department the Federal Emergency Management Agency, headed by an Administrator.

(b) Mission

(1) Primary mission
The primary mission of the Agency is to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the Nation from all hazards, including natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters, by leading and supporting the Nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation.

(2) Specific activities
In support of the primary mission of the Agency, the Administrator shall

(A) lead the Nations efforts to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate against the risk of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters, including catastrophic incidents;

(B) partner with State, local, and tribal governments and emergency response providers, with other Federal agencies, with the private sector, and with nongovernmental organizations to build a national system of emergency management that can effectively and efficiently utilize the full measure of the Nations resources to respond to natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters, including catastrophic incidents;

(C) develop a Federal response capability that, when necessary and appropriate, can act effectively and rapidly to deliver assistance essential to saving lives or protecting or preserving property or public health and safety in a natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other man-made disaster;

(D) integrate the Agencys emergency preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation responsibilities to confront effectively the challenges of a natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other man-made disaster;

(E) develop and maintain robust Regional Offices that will work with State, local, and tribal governments, emergency response providers, and other appropriate entities to identify and address regional priorities;

(F) under the leadership of the Secretary, coordinate with the Commandant of the Coast Guard, the Director of Customs and Border Protection, the Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the National Operations Center, and other agencies and offices in the Department to take full advantage of the substantial range of resources in the Department;

(G) provide funding, training, exercises, technical assistance, planning, and other assistance to build tribal, local, State, regional, and national capabilities (including communications capabilities), necessary to respond to a natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other man-made disaster; and

(H) develop and coordinate the implementation of a risk-based, all-hazards strategy for preparedness that builds those common capabilities necessary to respond to natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters while also building the unique capabilities necessary to respond to specific types of incidents that pose the greatest risk to our Nation.

(1) In general
The Administrator shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.

(2) Qualifications
The Administrator shall be appointed from among individuals who have

(A) a demonstrated ability in and knowledge of emergency management and homeland security; and

(B) not less than 5 years of executive leadership and management experience in the public or private sector.

(3) Reporting
The Administrator shall report to the Secretary, without being required to report through any other official of the Department.

(4) Principal advisor on emergency management

(A) In general
The Administrator is the principal advisor to the President, the Homeland Security Council, and the Secretary for all matters relating to emergency management in the United States.

(B) Advice and recommendations

(i) In general In presenting advice with respect to any matter to the President, the Homeland Security Council, or the Secretary, the Administrator shall, as the Administrator considers appropriate, inform the President, the Homeland Security Council, or the Secretary, as the case may be, of the range of emergency preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation options with respect to that matter.

(ii) Advice on request The Administrator, as the principal advisor on emergency management, shall provide advice to the President, the Homeland Security Council, or the Secretary on a particular matter when the President, the Homeland Security Council, or the Secretary requests such advice.

(iii) Recommendations to Congress After informing the Secretary, the Administrator may make such recommendations to Congress relating to emergency management as the Administrator considers appropriate.

(5) Cabinet status

(A) In general
The President may designate the Administrator to serve as a member of the Cabinet in the event of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, or other man-made disasters.

(B) Retention of authority
Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as affecting the authority of the Secretary under this chapter.

6 USC 314 - Authority and responsibilities

(a) In general
The Administrator shall provide Federal leadership necessary to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, or mitigate against a natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other man-made disaster, including

(1) helping to ensure the effectiveness of emergency response providers to terrorist attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies;

(2) with respect to the Nuclear Incident Response Team (regardless of whether it is operating as an organizational unit of the Department pursuant to this subchapter)

(A) establishing standards and certifying when those standards have been met;

(B) conducting joint and other exercises and training and evaluating performance; and

(C) providing funds to the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency, as appropriate, for homeland security planning, exercises and training, and equipment;

(3) providing the Federal Governments response to terrorist attacks and major disasters, including

(A) managing such response;

(B) directing the Domestic Emergency Support Team and (when operating as an organizational unit of the Department pursuant to this subchapter) the Nuclear Incident Response Team;

(D) coordinating other Federal response resources, including requiring deployment of the Strategic National Stockpile, in the event of a terrorist attack or major disaster;

(4) aiding the recovery from terrorist attacks and major disasters;

(5) building a comprehensive national incident management system with Federal, State, and local government personnel, agencies, and authorities, to respond to such attacks and disasters;

(6) consolidating existing Federal Government emergency response plans into a single, coordinated national response plan;

(7) helping ensure the acquisition of operable and interoperable communications capabilities by Federal, State, local, and tribal governments and emergency response providers;

(8) assisting the President in carrying out the functions under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) and carrying out all functions and authorities given to the Administrator under that Act;

(9) carrying out the mission of the Agency to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the Nation from all hazards by leading and supporting the Nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of

(A) mitigation, by taking sustained actions to reduce or eliminate long-term risks to people and property from hazards and their effects;

(B) preparedness, by planning, training, and building the emergency management profession to prepare effectively for, mitigate against, respond to, and recover from any hazard;

(C) response, by conducting emergency operations to save lives and property through positioning emergency equipment, personnel, and supplies, through evacuating potential victims, through providing food, water, shelter, and medical care to those in need, and through restoring critical public services; and

(D) recovery, by rebuilding communities so individuals, businesses, and governments can function on their own, return to normal life, and protect against future hazards;

(10) increasing efficiencies, by coordinating efforts relating to preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation;

(11) helping to ensure the effectiveness of emergency response providers in responding to a natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other man-made disaster;

(12) supervising grant programs administered by the Agency;

(13) administering and ensuring the implementation of the National Response Plan, including coordinating and ensuring the readiness of each emergency support function under the National Response Plan;

(14) coordinating with the National Advisory Council established under section 318 of this title;

(15) preparing and implementing the plans and programs of the Federal Government for

(A) continuity of operations;

(B) continuity of government; and

(16) minimizing, to the extent practicable, overlapping planning and reporting requirements applicable to State, local, and tribal governments and the private sector;

(17) maintaining and operating within the Agency the National Response Coordination Center or its successor;

(18) developing a national emergency management system that is capable of preparing for, protecting against, responding to, recovering from, and mitigating against catastrophic incidents;

(19) assisting the President in carrying out the functions under the national preparedness goal and the national preparedness system and carrying out all functions and authorities of the Administrator under the national preparedness System;

(20) carrying out all authorities of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Directorate of Preparedness of the Department as transferred under section 315 of this title; and

(21) otherwise carrying out the mission of the Agency as described in section 313 (b) of this title.

(b) All-hazards approach
In carrying out the responsibilities under this section, the Administrator shall coordinate the implementation of a risk-based, all-hazards strategy that builds those common capabilities necessary to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, or mitigate against natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters, while also building the unique capabilities necessary to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, or mitigate against the risks of specific types of incidents that pose the greatest risk to the Nation.

6 USC 314a - FEMA programs

Notwithstanding any other provision of Federal law, as of April 1, 2007, the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall be responsible for the radiological emergency preparedness program and the chemical stockpile emergency preparedness program.

6 USC 315 - Functions transferred

(a) In general
Except as provided in subsection (b), there are transferred to the Agency the following:

(1) All functions of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including existing responsibilities for emergency alert systems and continuity of operations and continuity of government plans and programs as constituted on June 1, 2006, including all of its personnel, assets, components, authorities, grant programs, and liabilities, and including the functions of the Under Secretary for Federal Emergency Management relating thereto.

(2) The Directorate of Preparedness, as constituted on June 1, 2006, including all of its functions, personnel, assets, components, authorities, grant programs, and liabilities, and including the functions of the Under Secretary for Preparedness relating thereto.

(b) Exceptions
The following within the Preparedness Directorate shall not be transferred:

(1) The Office of Infrastructure Protection.

(2) The National Communications System.

(3) The National Cybersecurity Division.

(4) The Office of the Chief Medical Officer.

(5) The functions, personnel, assets, components, authorities, and liabilities of each component described under paragraphs (1) through (4).

6 USC 316 - Preserving the Federal Emergency Management Agency

(a) Distinct entity
The Agency shall be maintained as a distinct entity within the Department.

(b) Reorganization
Section 452 of this title shall not apply to the Agency, including any function or organizational unit of the Agency.

(1) In general
The Secretary may not substantially or significantly reduce the authorities, responsibilities, or functions of the Agency or the capability of the Agency to perform those missions, authorities, responsibilities, except as otherwise specifically provided in an Act enacted after October 4, 2006.

(2) Certain transfers prohibited
No asset, function, or mission of the Agency may be diverted to the principal and continuing use of any other organization, unit, or entity of the Department, except for details or assignments that do not reduce the capability of the Agency to perform its missions.

(d) Reprogramming and transfer of funds
In reprogramming or transferring funds, the Secretary shall comply with any applicable provisions of any Act making appropriations for the Department for fiscal year 2007, or any succeeding fiscal year, relating to the reprogramming or transfer of funds.

6 USC 317 - Regional offices

(a) In general
There are in the Agency 10 regional offices, as identified by the Administrator.

(b) Management of regional offices

(1) Regional Administrator
Each Regional Office shall be headed by a Regional Administrator who shall be appointed by the Administrator, after consulting with State, local, and tribal government officials in the region. Each Regional Administrator shall report directly to the Administrator and be in the Senior Executive Service.

(2) Qualifications

(A) In general
Each Regional Administrator shall be appointed from among individuals who have a demonstrated ability in and knowledge of emergency management and homeland security.

(B) Considerations
In selecting a Regional Administrator for a Regional Office, the Administrator shall consider the familiarity of an individual with the geographical area and demographic characteristics of the population served by such Regional Office.

(1) In general
The Regional Administrator shall work in partnership with State, local, and tribal governments, emergency managers, emergency response providers, medical providers, the private sector, nongovernmental organizations, multijurisdictional councils of governments, and regional planning commissions and organizations in the geographical area served by the Regional Office to carry out the responsibilities of a Regional Administrator under this section.

(2) Responsibilities
The responsibilities of a Regional Administrator include

(A) ensuring effective, coordinated, and integrated regional preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation activities and programs for natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters (including planning, training, exercises, and professional development);

(B) assisting in the development of regional capabilities needed for a national catastrophic response system;

(C) coordinating the establishment of effective regional operable and interoperable emergency communications capabilities;

(D) staffing and overseeing 1 or more strike teams within the region under subsection (f), to serve as the focal point of the Federal Governments initial response efforts for natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters within that region, and otherwise building Federal response capabilities to respond to natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters within that region;

(E) designating an individual responsible for the development of strategic and operational regional plans in support of the National Response Plan;

(F) fostering the development of mutual aid and other cooperative agreements;

(G) identifying critical gaps in regional capabilities to respond to populations with special needs;

(H) maintaining and operating a Regional Response Coordination Center or its successor;

(I) coordinating with the private sector to help ensure private sector preparedness for natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters;

(J) assisting State, local, and tribal governments, where appropriate, to preidentify and evaluate suitable sites where a multijurisdictional incident command system may quickly be established and operated from, if the need for such a system arises; and

(K) performing such other duties relating to such responsibilities as the Administrator may require.

(3) Training and exercise requirements

(A) Training
The Administrator shall require each Regional Administrator to undergo specific training periodically to complement the qualifications of the Regional Administrator. Such training, as appropriate, shall include training with respect to the National Incident Management System, the National Response Plan, and such other subjects as determined by the Administrator.

(B) Exercises
The Administrator shall require each Regional Administrator to participate as appropriate in regional and national exercises.

(d) Area offices

(1) In general
There is an Area Office for the Pacific and an Area Office for the Caribbean, as components in the appropriate Regional Offices.

(2) Alaska
The Administrator shall establish an Area Office in Alaska, as a component in the appropriate Regional Office.

(e) Regional Advisory Council

(1) Establishment
Each Regional Administrator shall establish a Regional Advisory Council.

(2) Nominations
A State, local, or tribal government located within the geographic area served by the Regional Office may nominate officials, including Adjutants General and emergency managers, to serve as members of the Regional Advisory Council for that region.

(3) Responsibilities
Each Regional Advisory Council shall

(A) advise the Regional Administrator on emergency management issues specific to that region;

(B) identify any geographic, demographic, or other characteristics peculiar to any State, local, or tribal government within the region that might make preparedness, protection, response, recovery, or mitigation more complicated or difficult; and

(C) advise the Regional Administrator of any weaknesses or deficiencies in preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation for any State, local, and tribal government within the region of which the Regional Advisory Council is aware.

(f) Regional Office strike teams

(1) In general
In coordination with other relevant Federal agencies, each Regional Administrator shall oversee multi-agency strike teams authorized under section 5144 of title 42 that shall consist of

(A) a designated Federal coordinating officer;

(B) personnel trained in incident management;

(D) a defense coordinating officer;

(E) liaisons to other Federal agencies;

(F) such other personnel as the Administrator or Regional Administrator determines appropriate; and

(G) individuals from the agencies with primary responsibility for each of the emergency support functions in the National Response Plan.

(2) Other duties
The duties of an individual assigned to a Regional Office strike team from another relevant agency when such individual is not functioning as a member of the strike team shall be consistent with the emergency preparedness activities of the agency that employs such individual.

(3) Location of members
The members of each Regional Office strike team, including representatives from agencies other than the Department, shall be based primarily within the region that corresponds to that strike team.

(4) Coordination
Each Regional Office strike team shall coordinate the training and exercises of that strike team with the State, local, and tribal governments and private sector and nongovernmental entities which the strike team shall support when a natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other man-made disaster occurs.

(5) Preparedness
Each Regional Office strike team shall be trained as a unit on a regular basis and equipped and staffed to be well prepared to respond to natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters, including catastrophic incidents.

(6) Authorities
If the Administrator determines that statutory authority is inadequate for the preparedness and deployment of individuals in strike teams under this subsection, the Administrator shall report to Congress regarding the additional statutory authorities that the Administrator determines are necessary.

6 USC 318 - National Advisory Council

(a) Establishment
Not later than 60 days after October 4, 2006, the Secretary shall establish an advisory body under section 451 (a) of this title to ensure effective and ongoing coordination of Federal preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation for natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters, to be known as the National Advisory Council.

(b) Responsibilities

(1) In general
The National Advisory Council shall advise the Administrator on all aspects of emergency management. The National Advisory Council shall incorporate State, local, and tribal government and private sector input in the development and revision of the national preparedness goal, the national preparedness system, the National Incident Management System, the National Response Plan, and other related plans and strategies.

(2) Consultation on grants
To ensure input from and coordination with State, local, and tribal governments and emergency response providers, the Administrator shall regularly consult and work with the National Advisory Council on the administration and assessment of grant programs administered by the Department, including with respect to the development of program guidance and the development and evaluation of risk-assessment methodologies, as appropriate.

(1) In general
The members of the National Advisory Council shall be appointed by the Administrator, and shall, to the extent practicable, represent a geographic (including urban and rural) and substantive cross section of officials, emergency managers, and emergency response providers from State, local, and tribal governments, the private sector, and nongovernmental organizations, including as appropriate

(A) members selected from the emergency management field and emergency response providers, including fire service, law enforcement, hazardous materials response, emergency medical services, and emergency management personnel, or organizations representing such individuals;

(B) health scientists, emergency and inpatient medical providers, and public health professionals;

(C) experts from Federal, State, local, and tribal governments, and the private sector, representing standards-setting and accrediting organizations, including representatives from the voluntary consensus codes and standards development community, particularly those with expertise in the emergency preparedness and response field;

(D) State, local, and tribal government officials with expertise in preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation, including Adjutants General;

(E) elected State, local, and tribal government executives;

(F) experts in public and private sector infrastructure protection, cybersecurity, and communications;

(G) representatives of individuals with disabilities and other populations with special needs; and

(H) such other individuals as the Administrator determines to be appropriate.

(2) Coordination with the Departments of Health and Human Services and Transportation
In the selection of members of the National Advisory Council who are health or emergency medical services professionals, the Administrator shall work with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Transportation.

(3) Ex officio members
The Administrator shall designate 1 or more officers of the Federal Government to serve as ex officio members of the National Advisory Council.

(4) Terms of office

(A) In general
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the term of office of each member of the National Advisory Council shall be 3 years.

(B) Initial appointments
Of the members initially appointed to the National Advisory Council

(i) one-third shall be appointed for a term of 1 year; and

(ii) one-third shall be appointed for a term of 2 years.

(d) Applicability of Federal Advisory Committee Act

(1) In general
Notwithstanding section 451 (a) of this title and subject to paragraph (2), the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.), including subsections (a), (b), and (d) of section 10 of such Act, and section 552b (c) of title 5 shall apply to the National Advisory Council.

(2) Termination
Section 14(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the National Advisory Council.

6 USC 319 - National Integration Center

(a) In general
There is established in the Agency a National Integration Center.

(b) Responsibilities

(1) In general
The Administrator, through the National Integration Center, and in consultation with other Federal departments and agencies and the National Advisory Council, shall ensure ongoing management and maintenance of the National Incident Management System, the National Response Plan, and any successor to such system or plan.

(2) Specific responsibilities
The National Integration Center shall periodically review, and revise as appropriate, the National Incident Management System and the National Response Plan, including

(A) establishing, in consultation with the Director of the Corporation for National and Community Service, a process to better use volunteers and donations;

(B) improving the use of Federal, State, local, and tribal resources and ensuring the effective use of emergency response providers at emergency scenes; and

(C) revising the Catastrophic Incident Annex, finalizing and releasing the Catastrophic Incident Supplement to the National Response Plan, and ensuring that both effectively address response requirements in the event of a catastrophic incident.

(1) In general

(A) National Response Plan
The Secretary, acting through the Administrator, shall ensure that the National Response Plan provides for a clear chain of command to lead and coordinate the Federal response to any natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other man-made disaster.

(B) Administrator
The chain of the command specified in the National Response Plan shall

(i) provide for a role for the Administrator consistent with the role of the Administrator as the principal emergency management advisor to the President, the Homeland Security Council, and the Secretary under section 313 (c)(4) of this title and the responsibility of the Administrator under the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006, and the amendments made by that Act, relating to natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters; and

(ii) provide for a role for the Federal Coordinating Officer consistent with the responsibilities under section 5143 (b) of title 42.

(2) Principal Federal Official
The Principal Federal Official (or the successor thereto) shall not

(A) direct or replace the incident command structure established at the incident; or

(B) have directive authority over the Senior Federal Law Enforcement Official, Federal Coordinating Officer, or other Federal and State officials.

6 USC 320 - Credentialing and typing

(a) In general
The Administrator shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with the administrators of the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, State, local, and tribal governments, and organizations that represent emergency response providers, to collaborate on developing standards for deployment capabilities, including for credentialing and typing of incident management personnel, emergency response providers, and other personnel (including temporary personnel) and resources likely needed to respond to natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters.

(b) Distribution

(1) In general
Not later than 1 year after August 3, 2007, the Administrator shall provide the standards developed under subsection (a), including detailed written guidance, to

(A) each Federal agency that has responsibilities under the National Response Plan to aid that agency with credentialing and typing incident management personnel, emergency response providers, and other personnel (including temporary personnel) and resources likely needed to respond to a natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other man-made disaster; and

(B) State, local, and tribal governments, to aid such governments with credentialing and typing of State, local, and tribal incident management personnel, emergency response providers, and other personnel (including temporary personnel) and resources likely needed to respond to a natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other man-made disaster.

(2) Assistance
The Administrator shall provide expertise and technical assistance to aid Federal, State, local, and tribal government agencies with credentialing and typing incident management personnel, emergency response providers, and other personnel (including temporary personnel) and resources likely needed to respond to a natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other man-made disaster.

(c) Credentialing and typing of personnel
Not later than 6 months after receiving the standards provided under subsection (b), each Federal agency with responsibilities under the National Response Plan shall ensure that incident management personnel, emergency response providers, and other personnel (including temporary personnel) and resources likely needed to respond to a natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other manmade disaster are credentialed and typed in accordance with this section.

(d) Consultation on health care standards
In developing standards for credentialing health care professionals under this section, the Administrator shall consult with the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

6 USC 321 - The National Infrastructure Simulation and Analysis Center

(a) Definition
In this section, the term National Infrastructure Simulation and Analysis Center means the National Infrastructure Simulation and Analysis Center established under section 5195c (d) of title 42.

(b) Authority

(1) In general
There is in the Department the National Infrastructure Simulation and Analysis Center which shall serve as a source of national expertise to address critical infrastructure protection and continuity through support for activities related to

(A) counterterrorism, threat assessment, and risk mitigation; and

(B) a natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other man-made disaster.

(2) Infrastructure modeling

(A) Particular support
The support provided under paragraph (1) shall include modeling, simulation, and analysis of the systems and assets comprising critical infrastructure, in order to enhance preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation activities.

(B) Relationship with other agencies
Each Federal agency and department with critical infrastructure responsibilities under Homeland Security Presidential Directive 7, or any successor to such directive, shall establish a formal relationship, including an agreement regarding information sharing, between the elements of such agency or department and the National Infrastructure Simulation and Analysis Center, through the Department.

(i) In general The purpose of the relationship under subparagraph (B) shall be to permit each Federal agency and department described in subparagraph (B) to take full advantage of the capabilities of the National Infrastructure Simulation and Analysis Center (particularly vulnerability and consequence analysis), consistent with its work load capacity and priorities, for real-time response to reported and projected natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters.

(ii) Recipient of certain support Modeling, simulation, and analysis provided under this subsection shall be provided to relevant Federal agencies and departments, including Federal agencies and departments with critical infrastructure responsibilities under Homeland Security Presidential Directive 7, or any successor to such directive.

6 USC 321a - Evacuation plans and exercises

(a) In general
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, and subject to subsection (d), grants made to States or local or tribal governments by the Department through the State Homeland Security Grant Program or the Urban Area Security Initiative may be used to

(1) establish programs for the development and maintenance of mass evacuation plans under subsection (b) in the event of a natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other man-made disaster;

(2) prepare for the execution of such plans, including the development of evacuation routes and the purchase and stockpiling of necessary supplies and shelters; and

(3) conduct exercises of such plans.

(b) Plan development
In developing the mass evacuation plans authorized under subsection (a), each State, local, or tribal government shall, to the maximum extent practicable

(1) establish incident command and decision making processes;

(2) ensure that State, local, and tribal government plans, including evacuation routes, are coordinated and integrated;

(3) identify primary and alternative evacuation routes and methods to increase evacuation capabilities along such routes such as conversion of two-way traffic to one-way evacuation routes;

(4) identify evacuation transportation modes and capabilities, including the use of mass and public transit capabilities, and coordinating and integrating evacuation plans for all populations including for those individuals located in hospitals, nursing homes, and other institutional living facilities;

(5) develop procedures for informing the public of evacuation plans before and during an evacuation, including individuals

(A) with disabilities or other special needs, including the elderly;

(B) with limited English proficiency; or

(6) identify shelter locations and capabilities.

(1) In general
The Administrator may establish any guidelines, standards, or requirements determined appropriate to administer this section and to ensure effective mass evacuation planning for State, local, and tribal areas.

(2) Requested assistance
The Administrator shall make assistance available upon request of a State, local, or tribal government to assist hospitals, nursing homes, and other institutions that house individuals with special needs to establish, maintain, and exercise mass evacuation plans that are coordinated and integrated into the plans developed by that State, local, or tribal government under this section.

(d) Multipurpose funds
Nothing in this section may be construed to preclude a State, local, or tribal government from using grant funds in a manner that enhances preparedness for a natural or man-made disaster unrelated to an act of terrorism, if such use assists such government in building capabilities for terrorism preparedness.

6 USC 321b - Disability Coordinator

(a) In general
After consultation with organizations representing individuals with disabilities, the National Council on Disabilities, and the Interagency Coordinating Council on Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities, established under Executive Order No. 13347, the Administrator shall appoint a Disability Coordinator. The Disability Coordinator shall report directly to the Administrator, in order to ensure that the needs of individuals with disabilities are being properly addressed in emergency preparedness and disaster relief.

(b) Responsibilities
The Disability Coordinator shall be responsible for

(1) providing guidance and coordination on matters related to individuals with disabilities in emergency planning requirements and relief efforts in the event of a natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other man-made disaster;

(2) interacting with the staff of the Agency, the National Council on Disabilities, the Interagency Coordinating Council on Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities established under Executive Order No. 13347, other agencies of the Federal Government, and State, local, and tribal government authorities regarding the needs of individuals with disabilities in emergency planning requirements and relief efforts in the event of a natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other man-made disaster;

(3) consulting with organizations that represent the interests and rights of individuals with disabilities about the needs of individuals with disabilities in emergency planning requirements and relief efforts in the event of a natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other man-made disaster;

(4) ensuring the coordination and dissemination of best practices and model evacuation plans for individuals with disabilities;

(5) ensuring the development of training materials and a curriculum for training of emergency response providers, State, local, and tribal government officials, and others on the needs of individuals with disabilities;

(6) promoting the accessibility of telephone hotlines and websites regarding emergency preparedness, evacuations, and disaster relief;

(7) working to ensure that video programming distributors, including broadcasters, cable operators, and satellite television services, make emergency information accessible to individuals with hearing and vision disabilities;

(8) ensuring the availability of accessible transportation options for individuals with disabilities in the event of an evacuation;

(9) providing guidance and implementing policies to ensure that the rights and wishes of individuals with disabilities regarding post-evacuation residency and relocation are respected;

(10) ensuring that meeting the needs of individuals with disabilities are included in the components of the national preparedness system established under section 744 of this title; and

(11) any other duties as assigned by the Administrator.

6 USC 321c - Department and Agency officials

(a) Deputy Administrators
The President may appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, not more than 4 Deputy Administrators to assist the Administrator in carrying out this subchapter.

(b) Cybersecurity and communications
There is in the Department an Assistant Secretary for Cybersecurity and Communications.

(c) United States Fire Administration
The Administrator of the United States Fire Administration shall have a rank equivalent to an assistant secretary of the Department.

6 USC 321d - National Operations Center

(a) Definition
In this section, the term situational awareness means information gathered from a variety of sources that, when communicated to emergency managers and decision makers, can form the basis for incident management decisionmaking.

(b) Establishment
The National Operations Center is the principal operations center for the Department and shall

(1) provide situational awareness and a common operating picture for the entire Federal Government, and for State, local, and tribal governments as appropriate, in the event of a natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other man-made disaster; and

(2) ensure that critical terrorism and disaster-related information reaches government decision-makers.

(1) Establishment of position
The Secretary shall, in consultation with the Administrator of the United States Fire Administration, establish a fire service position at the National Operations Center established under subsection (b) to ensure the effective sharing of information between the Federal Government and State and local fire services.

(2) Designation of position
The Secretary shall designate, on a rotating basis, a State or local fire service official for the position described in paragraph (1).

(3) Management
The Secretary shall manage the position established pursuant to paragraph (1) in accordance with such rules, regulations, and practices as govern other similar rotating positions at the National Operations Center.

6 USC 321e - Chief Medical Officer

(a) In general
There is in the Department a Chief Medical Officer, who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.

(b) Qualifications
The individual appointed as Chief Medical Officer shall possess a demonstrated ability in and knowledge of medicine and public health.

(c) Responsibilities
The Chief Medical Officer shall have the primary responsibility within the Department for medical issues related to natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters, including

(1) serving as the principal advisor to the Secretary and the Administrator on medical and public health issues;

(2) coordinating the biodefense activities of the Department;

(3) ensuring internal and external coordination of all medical preparedness and response activities of the Department, including training, exercises, and equipment support;

(4) serving as the Departments primary point of contact with the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Defense, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and other Federal departments or agencies, on medical and public health issues;

(5) serving as the Departments primary point of contact for State, local, and tribal governments, the medical community, and others within and outside the Department, with respect to medical and public health matters;

(6) discharging, in coordination with the Under Secretary for Science and Technology, the responsibilities of the Department related to Project Bioshield; and

(7) performing such other duties relating to such responsibilities as the Secretary may require.

6 USC 321f - Nuclear incident response

(a) In general
At the direction of the Secretary (in connection with an actual or threatened terrorist attack, major disaster, or other emergency in the United States), the Nuclear Incident Response Team shall operate as an organizational unit of the Department. While so operating, the Nuclear Incident Response Team shall be subject to the direction, authority, and control of the Secretary.

(b) Rule of construction
Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to limit the ordinary responsibility of the Secretary of Energy and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency for organizing, training, equipping, and utilizing their respective entities in the Nuclear Incident Response Team, or (subject to the provisions of this subchapter) from exercising direction, authority, and control over them when they are not operating as a unit of the Department.

6 USC 321g - Conduct of certain public health-related activities

(a) In general
With respect to all public health-related activities to improve State, local, and hospital preparedness and response to chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear and other emerging terrorist threats carried out by the Department of Health and Human Services (including the Public Health Service), the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall set priorities and preparedness goals and further develop a coordinated strategy for such activities in collaboration with the Secretary.

(b) Evaluation of progress
In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall collaborate with the Secretary in developing specific benchmarks and outcome measurements for evaluating progress toward achieving the priorities and goals described in such subsection.

6 USC 321h - Use of national private sector networks in emergency response

To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall use national private sector networks and infrastructure for emergency response to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosive disasters, and other major disasters.

6 USC 321i - Use of commercially available technology, goods, and services

It is the sense of Congress that

(1) the Secretary should, to the maximum extent possible, use off-the-shelf commercially developed technologies to ensure that the Departments information technology systems allow the Department to collect, manage, share, analyze, and disseminate information securely over multiple channels of communication; and

(2) in order to further the policy of the United States to avoid competing commercially with the private sector, the Secretary should rely on commercial sources to supply the goods and services needed by the Department.

6 USC 321j - Procurement of security countermeasures for Strategic National Stockpile

(a) Authorization of appropriations
For the procurement of security countermeasures under section 247d–6b (c) of title 42 (referred to in this section as the security countermeasures program), there is authorized to be appropriated up to $5,593,000,000 for the fiscal years 2004 through 2013. Of the amounts appropriated under the preceding sentence, not to exceed $3,418,000,000 may be obligated during the fiscal years 2004 through 2008, of which not to exceed $890,000,000 may be obligated during fiscal year 2004. None of the funds made available under this subsection shall be used to procure countermeasures to diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or treat harm resulting from any naturally occurring infectious disease or other public health threat that are not security countermeasures under section 247d–6b (c)(1)(B) of title 42.^[1]

(b) Special reserve fund
For purposes of the security countermeasures program, the term special reserve fund means the Biodefense Countermeasures appropriations account or any other appropriation made under subsection (a).

(c) Availability
Amounts appropriated under subsection (a) become available for a procurement under the security countermeasures program only upon the approval by the President of such availability for the procurement in accordance with paragraph (6)(B) of such program.

(d) Related authorizations of appropriations

(1) Threat assessment capabilities
For the purpose of carrying out the responsibilities of the Secretary for terror threat assessment under the security countermeasures program, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2004 through 2006, for the hiring of professional personnel within the Office of Intelligence and Analysis, who shall be analysts responsible for chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threat assessment (including but not limited to analysis of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear agents, the means by which such agents could be weaponized or used in a terrorist attack, and the capabilities, plans, and intentions of terrorists and other non-state actors who may have or acquire such agents). All such analysts shall meet the applicable standards and qualifications for the performance of intelligence activities promulgated by the Director of Central Intelligence pursuant to section 403–41 of title 50.

(2) Intelligence sharing infrastructure
For the purpose of carrying out the acquisition and deployment of secure facilities (including information technology and physical infrastructure, whether mobile and temporary, or permanent) sufficient to permit the Secretary to receive, not later than 180 days after July 21, 2004, all classified information and products to which the Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis is entitled under part A of subchapter II of this chapter, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2004 through 2006.

[1] See References in Text note below.

6 USC 321k - Model standards and guidelines for critical infrastructure workers

(a) In general
Not later than 12 months after August 3, 2007, and in coordination with appropriate national professional organizations, Federal, State, local, and tribal government agencies, and private-sector and nongovernmental entities, the Administrator shall establish model standards and guidelines for credentialing critical infrastructure workers that may be used by a State to credential critical infrastructure workers that may respond to a natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other man-made disaster.

(b) Distribution and assistance
The Administrator shall provide the standards developed under subsection (a), including detailed written guidance, to State, local, and tribal governments, and provide expertise and technical assistance to aid such governments with credentialing critical infrastructure workers that may respond to a natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other manmade disaster.

6 USC 321l - Guidance and recommendations

(a) In general
Consistent with their responsibilities and authorities under law, as of the day before August 3, 2007, the Administrator and the Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure Protection, in consultation with the private sector, may develop guidance or recommendations and identify best practices to assist or foster action by the private sector in

(1) identifying potential hazards and assessing risks and impacts;

(2) mitigating the impact of a wide variety of hazards, including weapons of mass destruction;

(3) managing necessary emergency preparedness and response resources;

(4) developing mutual aid agreements;

(5) developing and maintaining emergency preparedness and response plans, and associated operational procedures;

(6) developing and conducting training and exercises to support and evaluate emergency preparedness and response plans and operational procedures;

(7) developing and conducting training programs for security guards to implement emergency preparedness and response plans and operations procedures; and

(8) developing procedures to respond to requests for information from the media or the public.

(b) Issuance and promotion
Any guidance or recommendations developed or best practices identified under subsection (a) shall be

(1) issued through the Administrator; and

(2) promoted by the Secretary to the private sector.

(c) Small business concerns
In developing guidance or recommendations or identifying best practices under subsection (a), the Administrator and the Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure Protection shall take into consideration small business concerns (under the meaning given that term in section 632 of title 15), including any need for separate guidance or recommendations or best practices, as necessary and appropriate.

(d) Rule of construction
Nothing in this section may be construed to supersede any requirement established under any other provision of law.

6 USC 321m - Voluntary private sector preparedness accreditation and certification program

(a) Establishment

(1) In general
The Secretary, acting through the officer designated under paragraph (2), shall establish and implement the voluntary private sector preparedness accreditation and certification program in accordance with this section.

(2) Designation of officer
The Secretary shall designate an officer responsible for the accreditation and certification program under this section. Such officer (hereinafter referred to in this section as the designated officer) shall be one of the following:

(A) The Administrator, based on consideration of

(i) the expertise of the Administrator in emergency management and preparedness in the United States; and

(ii) the responsibilities of the Administrator as the principal advisor to the President for all matters relating to emergency management in the United States.

(B) The Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure Protection, based on consideration of the expertise of the Assistant Secretary in, and responsibilities for

(i) protection of critical infrastructure;

(ii) risk assessment methodologies; and

(iii) interacting with the private sector on the issues described in clauses (i) and (ii).

(C) The Under Secretary for Science and Technology, based on consideration of the expertise of the Under Secretary in, and responsibilities associated with, standards.

(3) Coordination
In carrying out the accreditation and certification program under this section, the designated officer shall coordinate with

(A) the other officers of the Department referred to in paragraph (2), using the expertise and responsibilities of such officers; and

(B) the Special Assistant to the Secretary for the Private Sector, based on consideration of the expertise of the Special Assistant in, and responsibilities for, interacting with the private sector.

(b) Voluntary private sector preparedness standards; voluntary accreditation and certification program for the private sector

(1) Accreditation and certification program
Not later than 210 days after August 3, 2007, the designated officer shall

(A) begin supporting the development and updating, as necessary, of voluntary preparedness standards through appropriate organizations that coordinate or facilitate the development and use of voluntary consensus standards and voluntary consensus standards development organizations; and

(B) in consultation with representatives of appropriate organizations that coordinate or facilitate the development and use of voluntary consensus standards, appropriate voluntary consensus standards development organizations, each private sector advisory council created under section 112 (f)(4) of this title, appropriate representatives of State and local governments, including emergency management officials, and appropriate private sector advisory groups, such as sector coordinating councils and information sharing and analysis centers

(i) develop and promote a program to certify the preparedness of private sector entities that voluntarily choose to seek certification under the program; and

(ii) implement the program under this subsection through any entity with which the designated officer enters into an agreement under paragraph (3)(A), which shall accredit third parties to carry out the certification process under this section.

(2) Program elements

(A) In general

(i) Program The program developed and implemented under this subsection shall assess whether a private sector entity complies with voluntary preparedness standards.

(ii) Guidelines In developing the program under this subsection, the designated officer shall develop guidelines for the accreditation and certification processes established under this subsection.

(B) Standards
The designated officer, in consultation with representatives of appropriate organizations that coordinate or facilitate the development and use of voluntary consensus standards, representatives of appropriate voluntary consensus standards development organizations, each private sector advisory council created under section 112 (f)(4) of this title, appropriate representatives of State and local governments, including emergency management officials, and appropriate private sector advisory groups such as sector coordinating councils and information sharing and analysis centers

(i) shall adopt one or more appropriate voluntary preparedness standards that promote preparedness, which may be tailored to address the unique nature of various sectors within the private sector, as necessary and appropriate, that shall be used in the accreditation and certification program under this subsection; and

(ii) after the adoption of one or more standards under clause (i), may adopt additional voluntary preparedness standards or modify or discontinue the use of voluntary preparedness standards for the accreditation and certification program, as necessary and appropriate to promote preparedness.

(C) Submission of recommendations
In adopting one or more standards under subparagraph (B), the designated officer may receive recommendations from any entity described in that subparagraph relating to appropriate voluntary preparedness standards, including appropriate sector specific standards, for adoption in the program.

(D) Small business concerns
The designated officer and any entity with which the designated officer enters into an agreement under paragraph (3)(A) shall establish separate classifications and methods of certification for small business concerns (under the meaning given that term in section 632 of title 15) for the program under this subsection.

(E) Considerations
In developing and implementing the program under this subsection, the designated officer shall

(i) consider the unique nature of various sectors within the private sector, including preparedness standards, business continuity standards, or best practices, established

(I) under any other provision of Federal law; or

(II) by any sector-specific agency, as defined under Homeland Security Presidential Directive7; and

(ii) coordinate the program, as appropriate, with

(I) other Department private sector related programs; and

(II) preparedness and business continuity programs in other Federal agencies.

(3) Accreditation and certification processes

(A) Agreement

(i) In general Not later than 210 days after August 3, 2007, the designated officer shall enter into one or more agreements with a highly qualified nongovernmental entity with experience or expertise in coordinating and facilitating the development and use of voluntary consensus standards and in managing or implementing accreditation and certification programs for voluntary consensus standards, or a similarly qualified private sector entity, to carry out accreditations and oversee the certification process under this subsection. An entity entering into an agreement with the designated officer under this clause (hereinafter referred to in this section as a selected entity) shall not perform certifications under this subsection.

(ii) Contents A selected entity shall manage the accreditation process and oversee the certification process in accordance with the program established under this subsection and accredit qualified third parties to carry out the certification program established under this subsection.

(B) Procedures and requirements for accreditation and certification

(i) In general Any selected entity shall collaborate to develop procedures and requirements for the accreditation and certification processes under this subsection, in accordance with the program established under this subsection and guidelines developed under paragraph (2)(A)(ii).

(ii) Contents and use The procedures and requirements developed under clause (i) shall

(I) ensure reasonable uniformity in any accreditation and certification processes if there is more than one selected entity; and

(II) be used by any selected entity in conducting accreditations and overseeing the certification process under this subsection.

(iii) Disagreement Any disagreement among selected entities in developing procedures under clause (i) shall be resolved by the designated officer.

(C) Designation
A selected entity may accredit any qualified third party to carry out the certification process under this subsection.

(D) Disadvantaged business involvement
In accrediting qualified third parties to carry out the certification process under this subsection, a selected entity shall ensure, to the extent practicable, that the third parties include qualified small, minority, women-owned, or disadvantaged business concerns when appropriate. The term disadvantaged business concern means a small business that is owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, as defined in section 124 of title 13, United States Code of Federal Regulations.

(E) Treatment of other certifications
At the request of any entity seeking certification, any selected entity may consider, as appropriate, other relevant certifications acquired by the entity seeking certification. If the selected entity determines that such other certifications are sufficient to meet the certification requirement or aspects of the certification requirement under this section, the selected entity may give credit to the entity seeking certification, as appropriate, to avoid unnecessarily duplicative certification requirements.

(F) Third parties
To be accredited under subparagraph (C), a third party shall

(i) demonstrate that the third party has the ability to certify private sector entities in accordance with the procedures and requirements developed under subparagraph (B);

(ii) agree to perform certifications in accordance with such procedures and requirements;

(iii) agree not to have any beneficial interest in or any direct or indirect control over

(I) a private sector entity for which that third party conducts a certification under this subsection; or

(II) any organization that provides preparedness consulting services to private sector entities;

(iv) agree not to have any other conflict of interest with respect to any private sector entity for which that third party conducts a certification under this subsection;

(v) maintain liability insurance coverage at policy limits in accordance with the requirements developed under subparagraph (B); and

(vi) enter into an agreement with the selected entity accrediting that third party to protect any proprietary information of a private sector entity obtained under this subsection.

(G) Monitoring

(i) In general The designated officer and any selected entity shall regularly monitor and inspect the operations of any third party conducting certifications under this subsection to ensure that the third party is complying with the procedures and requirements established under subparagraph (B) and all other applicable requirements.

(ii) Revocation If the designated officer or any selected entity determines that a third party is not meeting the procedures or requirements established under subparagraph (B), the selected entity shall

(I) revoke the accreditation of that third party to conduct certifications under this subsection; and

(II) review any certification conducted by that third party, as necessary and appropriate.

(4) Annual review

(A) In general
The designated officer, in consultation with representatives of appropriate organizations that coordinate or facilitate the development and use of voluntary consensus standards, appropriate voluntary consensus standards development organizations, appropriate representatives of State and local governments, including emergency management officials, and each private sector advisory council created under section 112 (f)(4) of this title, shall annually review the voluntary accreditation and certification program established under this subsection to ensure the effectiveness of such program (including the operations and management of such program by any selected entity and the selected entitys inclusion of qualified disadvantaged business concerns under paragraph (3)(D)) and make improvements and adjustments to the program as necessary and appropriate.

(B) Review of standards
Each review under subparagraph (A) shall include an assessment of the voluntary preparedness standard or standards used in the program under this subsection.

(5) Voluntary participation
Certification under this subsection shall be voluntary for any private sector entity.

(6) Public listing
The designated officer shall maintain and make public a listing of any private sector entity certified as being in compliance with the program established under this subsection, if that private sector entity consents to such listing.

(1) a requirement to replace any preparedness, emergency response, or business continuity standards, requirements, or best practices established

(A) under any other provision of federal law; or

(B) by any sector-specific agency, as those agencies are defined under Homeland Security Presidential Directive7; or

(2) exempting any private sector entity seeking certification or meeting certification requirements under subsection (b) from compliance with all applicable statutes, regulations, directives, policies, and industry codes of practice.