Mass Care, Sheltering, and Human Services - Principles of Emergency Management - page 447

◾ Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act of 2006 1990—This act
requires states seeking FEMA assistance to accommodate pets and service
animals in emergency planning initiatives including evacuation planning.
◾ Public Health Service Act —his act authorizes the Department of Health
and Human Services (HHS) to establish emergency services under the U.S.
Public Health Service. As amended, this act also provides other constructs
pertinent to ESF-6 operations such as the Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act of 1996.
◾ Social Security Act of 1935 1935—This act authorizes the Social Security
Administration (SSA) to provide Social Security Disability, Social Security
Retirement, Social Security Survivors, Special Veterans, and Supplemental
Security Income benefits and provides a structure to ensure continuity of
service to beneficiaries.

◾

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 1990—This act is a broad civil rights
law that prohibits discrimination based on disability . As it relates to ESF-6,
this act is one of the guiding principles upon which the recently released
FNSS Guidance was developed.

Concept of Operations

During an event requiring mass care, sheltering, and human services, initial
response operations should focus on life/safety issues and the immediate needs
of victims. Evacuation from hazard zones, feeding and watering, and basic shel-
ter from the elements are first-priority issues in the immediate aftermath of an
incident. Initially, resources to support ESF-6 operations may be scarce, which
makes prioritizing these activities important. Also, during the initial operational
periods, close coordination between ESF-6 and ESF-8, Public Health and Medical
Services, is critical as many victims will require first aid and medical treatment
before evacuation.
As the emergency progresses, recovery efforts can be initiated that include hous-
ing considerations and other human services such as crisis counseling, employment
assistance, legal assistance, and provision of other federal and state benefits.
As the lead federal agency for ESF-6, FEMA coordinates federal response and
recovery operations in close coordination with local, tribal, and state governments,
volunteer organizations, and the private sector. As ESF-6 response operations esca-
late, resources are requested progressively through the chain from the local level
through federal agencies as depicted in Figure 19.2.
To support expedited resource requests, it is recommended that, to the
extent possible, local and state agencies consider developing prescripted mutual
aid requests, Emergency Management Assistance Compact requests, and Federal
Action Request Forms. Prescripting these requests based on reasonably understood
scenarios can facilitate timely submission of requests during a time of need.