FEMA and DHS Creating National Responder Database

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are creating a database of police, firefighters, medical workers and other emergency personnel nationwide for their National Emergency Responder Credentialing System that is expected to be operational next year, GCN.com reports.

Additionally, the new system will include a national identification card for emergency responders and a record-keeping system, according to a DHS fact sheet.

The system will be used to identify which responders should have access to an incident scene immediately following a disaster or terrorist attack, and will prevent unauthorized volunteers who are not qualified to assist, GCN.com reports.

Part of the National Incident Management System and the National Mutual Aid and Resource Management Initiative, both run by FEMA, the credentialing system will help to standardize how commanders from various disciplines should work together following an incident, and will provide an organizational structure for the chain of command, GCN.com reports.

According to the article, while the system is under development, starting Oct. 1, states and localities must begin to credential responders in accordance to national standards developed by FEMA. And since April, groups have been meeting to write standard criteria for credentials for various disciplines: emergency management, emergency medical services, firefighting and hazardous materials response, law enforcement, health care, public health, public works, and search and rescue.

According to GCN.com, the fact sheet says the system draws from the existing framework of state licensure and credentialing systems as much as possible.

Compiled by Paul Kerstein

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