MIDWEST SEARCH & RESCUE. Strategic Plan

Transcription

1 MIDWEST SEARCH & RESCUE Strategic Plan Revised March 2015

2 Our mission is to enhance the disaster response and search & rescue capability in the State of Kansas and the Midwest region. Developing and delivering affordable training and readiness exercises to first responders. Assisting first responders with future needs for specialized equipment. Providing subject matter expertise and support in the areas of disaster response and search & rescue operations. Providing an avenue where individuals, businesses, and foundations can support first responders by providing tax deductible financial or in-kind donations. OUR PURPOSE Midwest Search & Rescue is a 501c3 non-profit corporation dedicated to building on public, private, and corporate partnerships to ensure that responders in Kansas and the Midwest region are prepared to respond when needed. The primary purpose of our organization is to promote and support the sustainment and furtherance of the disaster response and search & rescue capability in Kansas and the Midwest region by providing or augmenting training, equipment, consulting, and response. OVERVIEW Communities in the Midwest are highly susceptible to a wide range of emergencies from farm accidents, flash floods, and motor vehicle crashes; to significant events such as a building collapse, train derailments, grain elevator explosions, or wide area river flooding; to the total destruction caused by a tornado, like those that struck the communities of Greensburg and Joplin. While we certainly can t stop a natural disaster, nor can we always prevent the devastation caused by man, such as the horrific event that stunned downtown Oklahoma City on a quiet April morning in 1995, we can strive to be better prepared, trained, and equipped to respond quickly and effectively when those events do occur! While much has been done to prepare the general public and local responders for the next emergency, we are never prepared enough. Training, especially for emergencies that don t happen every day, must be ongoing. Every citizen deserves to know that when their family is trapped in a basement after a devastating tornado, or pinned in their car at the scene of a motor vehicle crash, that the responders coming to their rescue are at the top of their game! Page 2 of 5

3 In order to enhance the disaster response and search & rescue capability in Kansas and the Midwest region, Midwest Search & Rescue has developed this dynamic strategic planning document which will focus on five (5) main areas, General Business, Training, Equipment, Consulting, and Response. GENERAL BUSINESS Midwest Search & Rescue is committed to operating a 501c3 non-profit organization in the State of Kansas. Marketing our organization through the use of the internet, social media, mass mail/ , brochures, etc., as well as making direct contact and meeting with our partners in the public, private, and corporate sectors. Providing the appropriate business insurance for the organization, including general and professional liability, auto & property insurance, etc. Meeting the appropriate bookkeeping and auditing requirements for a 501c3 non-profit organization as mandated by Kansas state law and the Internal Revenue Service. Providing an avenue where individuals, businesses or foundations can support first responders with tax deductible financial or in-kind donations. TRAINING Midwest Search & Rescue is committed to ensuring that volunteer and paid responders are prepared to respond to emergencies, disasters, or other significant events in Kansas and beyond. In addition, Midwest Search & Rescue is committed to supporting awareness and training in disaster preparedness and response for the general public. Designing and maintaining a website where the general public, first responders, and Urban Search & Rescue task force members can access preparedness, training, and response resources. Developing and delivering initial and refresher training to first responders in areas such as disaster response, farm rescue, structure collapse rescue, trench rescue, vehicle & machinery rescue, confined space rescue, rope rescue, water/flood rescue, etc. Supporting the delivery of training from outside experts who can share knowledge and experience gained from responding to a variety of disasters in other parts of the country. This includes the advanced position specific training that may be required of regional Urban Search & Rescue (USAR) task force members. Page 3 of 5

4 Assisting in the coordination and delivery of state and regional conferences, or any other training opportunities where first responders can receive training in various technical rescue disciplines, as well as disaster response, farm rescue, vehicle extrication, search operations, disaster medical operations, canine search operations, water/flood rescue, etc. Developing and conducting operational readiness exercises for first responders and regional USAR task forces, and supporting their interaction and interoperability with other response entities such as the National Guard, Incident Management Teams, etc. Providing an avenue where individuals, businesses or foundations can make tax deductible financial or in-kind donations to support training for first responders. EQUIPMENT Midwest Search & Rescue is committed to assisting response agencies in acquiring and sustaining the specialized equipment needed for response. This includes equipment such as personal protective equipment; search cameras; acoustical listening devices; heavy rescue equipment; water/flood rescue equipment; and other specialized equipment that may be needed. Providing operational expertise to equipment vendors and manufacturers that will help in the development and improvement of the equipment used by first responders. Encouraging equipment vendors and manufacturers to support local and regional conferences and other training where they can network and interact with first responders. Providing an avenue where individuals, businesses, or foundations can make tax deductible financial or in-kind donations to provide equipment for first responders. CONSULTING Midwest Search & Rescue is committed to sharing technical expertise with USAR task forces, Incident Commanders, Emergency Managers, or Governing Bodies prior to a disaster or significant event through consultation regarding disaster response or search & rescue operations. Distributing informational material to various organizations such as fire and police agencies, emergency management organizations, cities and counties, etc. Developing and maintaining relationships with first response agencies, emergency management organizations, incident management teams, etc. Page 4 of 5

5 RESPONSE Midwest Search & Rescue is prepared to respond to any disaster to provide support or technical expertise when requested by a local jurisdiction, regional USAR task force, or state agency. Maintaining a situational awareness of events that occur in Kansas and the Midwest region. Developing and maintaining relationships with first response agencies, emergency management organizations, USAR task forces, incident management teams, etc. Page 5 of 5