1590.1-1595.4 Page 1 of 20 FSM 1500 - EXTERNAL RELATIONS WO AMENDMENT 1500-90-1 EFFECTIVE 6/1/90 CHAPTER 1590 - DEFENSE AND EMERGENCY OPERATIONS Contents 1590.1 Authority 1590.2 Objectives 1590.3 Policy 1590.4 Responsibility 1590.41 Department of Agriculture 1590.42 Forest Service 1590.42a Washington Office 1590.42b Regional Foresters and Area Directors 1590.42c Regional and Area Natural Disaster Coordinators 1590.6 References 1591 DAMAGE SURVEY AND REPORT 1592 PREDISASTER AND UNDECLARED DISASTER 1592.01 Authority 1592.1 Fire Suppression Grants 1592.2 Emergency Flood Prevention Program 1592.3 Timber Sales and Removal of Damaged Timber and Debris 1593 MAJOR DISASTERS DECLARED BY PRESIDENT 1593.01 Authority 1593.04 Responsibility 1593.04a Federal Disaster Assistance Administration 1593.04b Forest Service 1594 ASSISTANCE IN FIRE EMERGENCIES 1594.01 Authority 1594.03 Policy 1594.04 Responsibility 1594.1 Funds 1595 CIVIL DEFENSE 1595.01 Authority 1595.02 Objectives 1595.03 Policy 1595.04 Responsibility 1595.04a Department of Agriculture 1595.04b Assistant to Secretary for Intergovernmental Affairs 1595.04c Forest Service 1595.04d Washington Office 1595.04e Regional Foresters and Area Directors 1595.04f Forest Service Regional Emergency Staff Representative 1595.04g Forest Service Representative on USDA State Emergency Board 1595.04h Forest Service Representative on USDA County Emergency Board 1595.06 Defense Organization in Department of Agriculture 1595.06a USDA Regional Emergency Staffs 1595.06b Forest Service Representation 1595.06c USDA State Emergency Boards 1595.06d USDA County Emergency Boards 1595.07 References 1595.1 Disaster Plans for National Emergency 1595.11 Policy 1595.12 Plan Elements 1595.2 Reporting and Registration 1595.3 Emergency Operating Records 1595.4 Telephone Line-Load Control 1596 RURAL FIRE DEFENSE UNDER CIVIL DEFENSE AUTHORITIES 1596.01 Authority 1596.02 Objective 1596.03 Policy 1596.04 Responsibility 1597 CIVIL DEFENSE COOPERATION 1597.1 Forest Products Availability 1597.2 Radiological Monitoring 1599 SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS 1599.01 Authority 1599.02 Objective 1599.03 Policy 1599.04 Responsibility 1599.04a Department of Agriculture (Reserved) 1599.04b Forest Service 1599.04c Regional Forester 1599.04d Forest Supervisor 1599.04e District Ranger Emergency operations are those unanticipated measures which must be performed for the immediate protection of life or property threatened by major disasters and emergencies. Emergency operations in the Department of Agriculture are usually coordinated through the Department's defense organization (FSM 1595.04a, 1595.06). When the President declares a major disaster or an emergency, all Federal activities will be coordinated by the Federal Disaster Assistance Administration (FDAA). 1590.1 - Authority. The authority for Federal action in major disasters and emergencies is contained in the Disaster Relief Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-288) and Executive Order 11725 of June 27, 1973. Assistance in fire emergencies is authorized by the Act of May 27, 1955 (42 U.S.C. 1856a). Assistance to safeguard lives and property from floods, fire and other natural causes is authorized by section 216 of the Flood Control Act of 1950 (64 U.S.C. 163, FSM 3540). Special authority pertaining to the accidental discharge of oil and other hazardous substances is authorized by section 311 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 (33 U.S.C. 1151). At the request of another Federal agency, the Forest Service has authority to perform for that agency whatever assistance it is equipped to render regardless of location and with either advance of funds to the consolidated working fund or reimbursement under section 601 of the Economy Act of June 30, 1932 (31 U.S.C. 686). Where such requests are anticipated, it is desirable to have an understanding with the responsible Federal agency as to what action is to be taken by the Forest Service. Such understanding should be worked out at the Region, Station, or Area level and confirmed in writing. See FSM 1595 and 1596 for special authorities civil defense planning and rural fire defense. 1590.2 - Objectives 1. To render authorized, timely physical assistance whenever necessary for the immediate protection of life and property. 2. To provide an orderly means for coordinating Forest Service efforts with those of other agencies engaged in disaster relief. 3. To provide assistance to State and local governments in carrying out their responsibilities for alleviating suffering and damage resulting from major disasters and emergencies. See FSM 1595 and 1596 for special objectives of civil defense planning and rural fire defense. 1590.3 - Policy. The Forest Service will engage in emergency operations only if there is an imminent threat to life and property which must be met through the immediate use of Forest Service resources. See FSM 1595 and 1596 for policies on disaster planning and rural fire defense. The use of Forest Service personnel and equipment is authorized for the purpose of protecting life and property and for relieving suffering and distress arising from such causes as floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, fires, and snowstorms, but not from labor strikes. The appropriate staff unit will notify the Regional Forester, Station, or Area Director promptly of any extra ordinary expenditure or obligation of funds, or use of manpower or equipment. Obligations incurred are considered as payable out of currently available funds only, without expectation of replenishment. Only in rare cases does the Congress appropriate supplemental funds to cover such agency expenses. 1590.4 - Responsibility 1590.41 - Department of Agriculture. Within the Department of Agriculture, the responsibility for coordination and interagency liaison in major disasters is assigned to the Assistant to the Secretary for Intergovernmental Affairs at the national level and to the chairmen, USDA State and county emergency boards at their particular levels. The Forest Service has representatives on these boards (FSM 1595.04g and 1595.04h). Responsibilities of State and county emergency boards are listed in the USDA Emergency Operations Handbook. 1590.42 - Forest Service. The Forest Service is responsible for: 1. Providing fire protection in National Forests and controlling fires which are within or which threaten to spread from adjacent lands into National Forests. 2. Cooperating with State foresters under provisions of section 2 of the Clarke-McNary Act of 1924, and title IV of the Rural Development Act of 1972, by providing financial and technical assistance in rural and wildland fire prevention and suppression. 3. Providing professional assistance and financing to State organizations for preventing, detecting, and evaluating forest insect and disease outbreaks on lands of all ownership. 4. Installing emergency measures on National Forest lands and providing financial and technical assistance on other lands in cooperation with State Forestry agencies, for runoff retardation and soil erosion prevention to safeguard life and property of watershed lands suddenly damaged by fire, flood, and other natural disasters. 5. Furnishing personnel and equipment for rescue work and other emergency measures on National Forests and on other lands in cooperation with State forestry agencies. 1590.42a - Washington Office. The Deputy Chief for State and Private Forestry provides leadership and coordination of all natural-disaster planning at the national level. He has delegated to the Defense and Emergency Operations Director responsibility for representing the Chief in meetings and conferences; maintaining liaison with other Federal departments and agencies; and coordinating requests for emergency funds with the various Washington Office Staff Directors. 1590.42b - Regional Foresters and Area Directors. Regional Foresters in the West and Area Directors in the East--after consultation with Regional Foresters in the East--appoint Regional and Area Natural-Disaster Coordinators. 1590.42c - Regional and Area Natural Disaster Coordinators. The Regional and Area Natural Disaster Coordinators are responsible for providing advice and staff support or emergency operations, compiling damage reports, and coordinating interagency contacts with the Federal Disaster Assistance Administration and with the Department of Agriculture emergency and defense organizations. They will notify the Washington Office Defense and Emergency Operations Director immediately of all incidents, involving Forest Service emergency assistance or Forest Service lands and property, where the extent of damage is such that a Presidential declaration of a major disaster or emergency seems likely. 1590.6 - References 1. Disaster Relief Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-288). 2. Executive Order 11725 of July 27, 1973. 3. Flood Control Act of 1950. 4. USDA Emergency Operations Handbook. 5. FDAA Program Guide. 6. FDAA (HUD) Handbook for Applicants (3300.5). 7. HUD Eligibility Handbook (3300.6). 1591 - DAMAGE SURVEY AND REPORT 1. Internal. Where there is possibility that emergency treatment is needed in a disaster area, a damage survey must be completed without delay. If the investigation discloses a need for emergency funds, the report in duplicate, should be submitted promptly by the Regional Forester or Area Director to the Deputy Chief for State and Private Forestry. If more than one Washington Office Staff is involved, sufficient copies should be sent so that each unit will have a copy of the report for their files. The report should give a detailed description of fire, flood, or other disaster which created the emergency condition; emergency measures needed to prevent further loss; estimated cost; letter from FDAA documenting the disaster declaration, and photographs of damaged area. Usually, an environmental impact statement is not necessary. The determination of whether it is necessary will be through the environmental analysis report. 2. External. All written Forest Service reports to the Washington headquarters of the Federal Disaster Assistance Administration are transmitted through the Deputy Chief for State and Private Forestry and the Assistant to the Secretary for Intergovernmental Affairs. An exception is that reports may be sent directly to the Federal Disaster Assistance Administration or to the Federal coordinating officer by either a member of a Federal support team acting in his capacity as an FDAA detailer or a Forest Service principal advisor. Copies of reports made under this exception will be sent to the Washington Office under a 1590 file designation. 1592 - PREDISASTER AND UNDECLARED DISASTER 1592.01 - Authority. The Administrator, FDAA, is delegated certain authorities under section 302 of the Disaster Relief Act to be used when disasters are imminent. If the President determines that a major disaster is imminent, he is authorized to use Federal departments, agencies, and instrumentalities, and all other resources of the Federal Government to avert or lessen the effects of such disaster before its actual occurrence. Requests made under this authority are handled as in FSM 1593.04a. 1592.1 - Fire Suppression Grants. Under section 417 of the Disaster Relief Act, the President is authorized to provide assistance, including grants, to any State for the suppression of any fire on publicly or privately owned forest or grassland which threatens such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. Section 417 is administered through formal agreements between the State governor and the regional director of the Federal Disaster Assistance Administration. A Presidential disaster declaration is not necessary to initiate action under this section. Each agreement specifies that either the Forest Service or the Bureau of Land Management will act as principal advisor to the Federal Disaster Assistance Administration. For those States where the Forest Service is principal advisor, the Forest Service is required to: 1. Notify the Regional Director of the Federal Disaster Assistance Administration of the magnitude and severity of the fire situation. 2. Designate the type and amount of assistance needed. 3. Recommend the date of termination of the FDAA assistance. 4. Review all State billings and inform about their conformance with the FDAA-State agreement. The appropriate Regional Forester is authorized to appoint the Principal Advisor on a case-by-case basis in the West. The appropriate Area Director is authorized to appoint the Principal Advisor on a case-by-case basis in the East. Forest Service assistance on fires is handled as normal fire cooperation. The Federal Disaster Assistance Administration does not have authority to request or direct other Federal agencies in these cases. The FDAA may make direct requests for Forest Service assistance only after a formal declaration of a major disaster or a formal declaration that a major disaster is imminent. 1592.2 - Emergency Flood Prevention Program. The Secretary of Agriculture has the authority under section 216 of the Flood Control Act of 1950 to undertake emergency measures for runoff retardation and soil erosion prevention to safeguard lives and property whenever fire, flood, or other natural element of forces has caused a sudden impairment of a watershed. Implementation of flood control measures under section 216 is based on the instructions in FSM 3540. Action may be taken with or without a disaster declaration under the Disaster Relief Act of 1974. The Deputy Chief for State and Private Forestry will be kept currently informed of section 216 work planned in major disaster areas so that he can assist the Federal Disaster Assistance Administration in avoiding duplication of assistance. 1592.3 - Timber Sales and Removal of Damaged Timber and Debris. The Disaster Relief Act of 1974 contains several clauses relative to timber sales and removal of salvage and debris (FSM 1021). These activities are considered to be rehabilitation rather than emergency operations and are the responsibility of the appropriate Forest Service functional activity. If such work is to be done under a reimburseable agreement with the Federal Disaster Assistance Administration, the request must be directed to the Secretary of Agriculture through the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. 1593 - MAJOR DISASTERS DECLARED BY PRESIDENT 1593.01 - Authority. The President has delegated to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development the power to exercise, without approval, ratification, or other action of the President, all the authority vested in the President by the Disaster Relief Act. This power is delegated in turn to the Administrator of the Federal Disaster Assistance Administration. Delegation is further extended to Regional Directors of the FDAA who may direct or request other Federal agencies within their regions to provide such available assistance as may be deemed necessary. 1593.04 - Responsibility 1593.04a - Federal Disaster Assistance Administration. Once a major disaster has been declared, the Federal Disaster Assistance Administration is responsible for the coordination of the emergency relief activities of all Federal agencies. A Federal Coordinating Officer, usually a Regional Director of the Federal Disaster Assistance Administration, is appointed by the President at the time of the disaster declaration. He makes an initial appraisal of the types of relief, establishes field offices, coordinates the administration of relief, and takes such other action as he deems necessary. The Coordinating Officer is authorized to utilize the equipment, supplies, facilities, personnel, and other resources of any Federal agency with or without compensation. The authority to approve reimbursement to Federal agencies for services performed at the request of the Coordinating Officer is delegated to the Regional Director of the Federal Disaster Assistance Administration who makes all necessary arrangements with the Regional Forester or Area Director. All inquiries or directives from the Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO); Disaster Assistance Administrator; Regional Director; or Chairman, Regional Emergency Staff, are directed to the Forest Service Regional or Area natural-disaster coordinator (FSM 1590.42c). Under some circumstances, the Forest Service may wish to negotiate an agreement with FDAA rather than have the FDAA Regional Director issue a formal letter or request. In these instances, work would be performed under section 601 of the Economy Act, rather than the Disaster Act. Procedures to be followed are contained in FSM 6531.15b. Regional Foresters, Station Directors, and Area Directors may approve such work for amounts not to exceed $200,000. 1593.04b - Forest Service. The Forest Service may undertake certain relief activities, upon direction of the President, following the declaration of a major disaster. Such activities may include utilizing or lending, with or without compensation, equipment and supplies or providing facilities, personnel, and other resources; distributing medicine, food, and other consumable supplies, or providing emergency assistance; performing on public or private lands or waters any emergency work essential for the protection and preservation of life and property, including clearing and removing debris and wreckage, making repairs to restore service or replace public facilities, providing emergency shelter, and making contributions to State and local governments. Supplies, equipment, and services furnished to the Red Cross, the Salvation Army, the Mennonite Disaster Service, and other relief and disaster assistance organizations, in compliance with direct requests to Federal or State agencies will be receipted for by accredited relief and disaster assistance organization representatives. Such receipted will constitute evidence that the supplies, equipment, and/or services are needed by the organization for disaster relief purposes. The relief and disaster assistance organization will, upon request, reimburse the agency for supplies, equipment, and services furnished when such reimbursement is required by law or agency regulations. Where no such legal or official requirement for reimbursement exists, but an agency cannot, for fiscal or other reasons, provide the supplies, equipment and/or services without reimbursement, this fact will be made known to the relief and disaster assistance organization at the time of the request, so that an agreement can be reached or alternative sources sought. Since the Forest Service has no independent memorandum of understanding with relief and disaster assistance organizations, Forest Service assistance for which reimbursement is expected must be granted under the provisions of section 5 of the Granger- Thye Act (16 U.S.C. 572). References to that act should be included in all agreements to ensure that funds reimbursed to the Forest Service can be returned to the appropriation from which the expenditures were incurred. The Chief is authorized to detail personnel requested by the Federal Coordinating Offices for support teams on a temporary duty basis. Ordinarily, such details will involve only one or two persons for less than a week, and the Forest Service is expected to assist the Federal Coordinator without reimbursement. The Regional Forester or Area Director is authorized to approve only such temporary details without reimbursement . It may be redelegated if necessary. Reimburseable details require Washington Office and Department approval. Details of Forest Service personnel to Federal support teams are documented by letter to the Federal coordinating officer formally detailing the personnel involved to the Federal Disaster Assistance Administration. It is important that the Federal coordinating officer and the detailer both understand that, for the period of the detail, the detailer speaks for the Federal Disaster Assistance Administration and not for the Forest Service. 1594 - ASSISTANCE IN FIRE EMERGENCIES 1594.01 - Authority. Section 1 of the Act of May 27, 1955, Public Law 84-46 (42 U.S.C. 1856a), provides authority for entering into reciprocal agreements with local fire organizations. See FSM 1580 for instructions. Section 3 of the act authorized Federal agencies to render emergency assistance in fire emergencies without a prior written agreement. Sections 3, 4, and 5 of the Act are reproduced below as they appear in title 42, United States Code. 1856b. Emergency Assistance. In the absence of any agreement authorized or ratified by section 1856a of this title, each agency head is authorized to render emergency assistance in extinguishing fires and in preserving life and property from fire, within the vicinity of any place at which such agency maintains fire-protection facilities, when the rendition of such assistance is determined, under regulations prescribed by the agency head, to be in the best interest of the United States. 1856c. Service in Line of Duty. Any service performed under section 1856a or section 1956b of this title, by any officer or employee of the United States . . . shall constitute service rendered in line of duty in such office, employment, or foree. The performance of such service by any other individual shall not constitute such individual an officer or employee of the United States for the purposes of the Federal Employees' Compensation Act, as amended. 1856d. Funds. Funds available to any agency head for fire protection on installations or in connection with activities under the jurisdiction of such agency may be used to carry out the purposes of this chapter. All sums received by any agency head for fire protection rendered pursuant to this chapter shall be covered into the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts. 1594.03 - Policy. The Forest Service shall use the authority conferred by section 3 of Public Law 84-46 only in bonafide emergencies when fire threatens loss of life or property. It is intended that assistance rendered under the provisions of section 3 will be infrequent. A National Forest initial attack unit should avoid the appearance of being prepared to serve as the fire organization for the protection of structures and other property in cities and towns outside of the protection boundary. Accordingly, provisions for such assistance shall not be included in presuppression plans (FSM 5120). 1594.04 - Responsibility. The Regional Forester is responsible for administering emergency fire assistance within the guidelines provided in FSM 1595. He may redelegate such authority to the Forest Supervisor. 1594.1 - Funds. As provided in 42 U.S.C. 1856d, protection and management fire-protection funds are available for use in exercising the authority contained in 42 U.S.C. 1856b. Reimbursement for obligations so incurred may be obtained where desirable and the recipient is willing to pay. Such collections must be deposited as general fund receipts 122499 (FSM 6531.11). 1595 - CIVIL DEFENSE 1595.01 - Authority. The authority for defense activities is contained in the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended (50 U.S.C. App. 2061 et seq.); Federal Civil Defense Act of 1950, as amended (50 U.S.C. App. 2251 et seq.); and Executive Order 11490, as amended. 1595.02 - Objectives. The Forest Service's overall defense readiness objective is to provide a system of defense preparedness for protection of life and property by preparing for and carrying out nonmilitary functions that will prevent, minimize, and repair injury and damage. More specifically, the objectives are: 1. Developing preparedness programs and national plans of action to accomplish its assigned responsibilities. 2. Providing necessary guidance for and coordination with its cooperators. 1595.03 - Policy 1. Forest Service defense-readiness efforts will be directed toward accomplishment of the overall defense responsibilities of the Forest Service, Department of Agriculture, and Federal Government. The Forest Service will function as a unit of the overall defense-emergency organization, operating under redelegation from the Secretary of Agriculture who initiates the chain of command for the President at all Department organizational levels. 2. The Forest Service defense-preparedness policy is based upon the Department of Agriculture concept that defense responsibilities are part of all current programs with equal priority with the programs themselves. The Forest Service will implement its national emergency action plans through its regular system of delegations and decentralization. 3. Defense-preparedness plans and programs will be made sufficiently flexible to meet all conditions of national emergency, including a thermonuclear attack upon the United States. The Forest Service will develop national programs covering its assigned responsibilities and provide leadership and guidance to cooperating private and governmental agencies at all levels. The Forest Service recognizes the capabilities and status of its cooperators and will aline itself with these cooperators in the accomplishment of its assigned national responsibilities. 4. The Forest Service subscribes to the defense readiness concept that as an agency having nonmilitary defense responsibilities, such as rural fire defense, it is also responsible for the protection and safety of its own personnel and resources. 1595.04 - Responsibility. Various departments of the Federal Government have responsibility for emergency management of those resources important to national survival and recovery. The Department of Agriculture is responsible for food and rural fire defense; the Department of Interior, for fuels and electric energy; the Department of Commerce, for machines, equipment, and other manufactured hard goods; the Department of Labor, for manpower. These agencies are known as resource agencies. Agencies needing these resources to carry out their assigned emergency responsibilities estimate their needs and submit them to appropriate resource agencies. Agencies submitting such estimates are known as claimant agencies. Claimancy is the process of obtaining fuels, equipment, supplies, manpower, and the other goods and services needed to carry out assigned defense responsibilities. It includes estimating needs for these resources, claiming those needs from appropriate agencies having jurisdiction, and making and receiving allocations for some items. In a nonnuclear emergency, most resources would be managed nationally by national headquarters. The exception is manpower programs, which would be administered through State employment security agencies, as in peace time. In a nuclear war involving an attack on the United States, most resources needed by the Department of Agriculture would be managed at State levels. These resources include those located at wholesale levels and above. Resources at retail levels and other secondary outlets would be managed by local governments under the general guidance and direction of the State governments. 1595.04a - Department of Agriculture. The Secretary of Agriculture is responsible for national leadership and direction of defense emergency programs relating to: 1. Food resources, farm equipment, fertilizer, and food- resource facilities. 2. Lands under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Agriculture. 3. Rural fire control. 4. Defense against biological and chemical warfare and radiological fallout pertaining to agricultural activities. 5. Rural defense information and education. 1595.04b - Assistant to Secretary for Intergovernmental Affairs. Through authority redelegated to him by the Under Secretary of Agriculture, the Assistant is responsible for: 1. Directing and coordinating the total defense emergency program of the Department. 2. Supervising and directing USDA Regional Emergency Staffs and USDA State and County Emergency Boards, and servicing the staffs. 3. Policy guidance to Department agencies in carrying out defense emergency assignments. 4. Supervising the Department unit of the National Defense Executive Reserve Program. 5. Liaison with Executive departments and agencies and the Congress on defense policy matters. 6. Food and agricultural matters relating to international defense organizations, such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and its suborganizations. 7. Department-wide administrative readiness for continuity of essential functions. 8. Coordinating arrangements, including records, for alternate emergency operating facilities. 9. Designating Forest Service representatives to Regional Emergency Staffs. 1595.04c - Forest Service. The Forest Service is responsible for preemergency preparedness and emergency operations covering: 1. Prevention and control of fires in rural areas in cooperation with State governments and appropriate Federal agencies. 2. Determination of damage to National Forests and other forested areas resulting from enemy attack. 3. Emergency protection, management, and utilization of National Forest timber, range, water, and related resources. 4. Emergency production, availability, and utilization of timber and timber products in accordance with a memorandum of understanding between the Departments of Commerce and Agriculture. 5. Determination of and reporting requirements for equipment, manpower, fuels chemicals, and other materials needed for carrying out the assigned activities. 6. Research in support of defense preparedness and emergency operations relating to management and utilization of forest resources and defense against rural land fires. 1595.04d - Washington Office. Coordination of defense planning and related activities is provided by the Office of the Deputy Chief for State and Private Forestry. This includes providing leadership and coordination of all defense planning at the national level, representing the Chief in defense meetings and conferences, maintaining liaison with other Department agencies on defense matters and with other Federal departments and agencies as needed to provide the required coordination of Forest Service efforts, and preparation and updating of the Chief's Disaster Plan (FSM 1595.1). 1595.04e - Regional Foresters and Area Directors. Regional Foresters in the West (R-1--6 and -10) and Area Directors in the East are responsible for providing leadership in defense activities and for preparation and updating of Regional Disaster Plans (FSM 1595.1). Specific responsibilities are: 1. Recommending to the Chief the Forest Service regional representatives to serve on a Regional Emergency Staff. 2. Recommending to the Chief Forest Service representatives to serve on USDA State Emergency Boards. 1595.04f - Forest Service Regional Emergency Staff Representative. The Forest Service Regional Emergency Staff Representative cooperative with and assists the Regional Staff Chairman in carrying out Department regional defense responsibilities (FSM 1595.06a). 1595.04g - Forest Service Representative on USDA State Emergency Board. (FSM 1595.06c). Each Forest Service representative on a USDA State emergency board should attend or otherwise be represented at board meetings. (One meeting is scheduled each year.) In case of unforeseen emergencies precluding attendance by the appointed member or an alternate, a State chairman should be informed--by telephone, if necessary. Since the Forest Service representative represents the Chief as a member of the Department defense preparedness organization in the State to which he is assigned, he is a team member of the Department's Interagency Group. This requires that he have insight into preparedness and postattack responsibilities of other Department agencies comprising the board. Operations in an emergency require his flexibility. Each Forest Service representative will: 1. Be well informed on defense preparedness matters and communicate essential information covering Forest Service defense activities to the board. 2. Make certain that Forest Service progress and activities are covered in board meeting proceedings and minutes. 3. Maintain essential data, records, and reference as may be needed in an emergency. 4. Achieve and maintain two-way communication and exchange of pertinent information with Forest Service representatives on the respective Regional Emergency Staff and County Emergency Boards. 5. Acquire a readiness base for potential claimancy of resources, equipment, or material as may be needed in a postattack situation. 6. Be familiar with respective Regional and cooperator's disaster plans, relocation sites, line of command, and other essentials for functioning in an emergency. 7. Have technical support personnel for damage assessment covering Forest Service area of responsibility. 8. Serve as the composite representative of all Forest Service units and activities to whom the Board Chairman and other board members may look for capability in decisionmaking to cope with unforeseen postattack survival and recovery problems. 9. Determine the need and availability of representatives to serve on USDA County Emergency Boards in those counties where a Forest Service office is located or where there is sufficient land or program activities under administration of the Forest Service to warrant representation, and seek assignment through the appropriate line officer. 1595.04h - Forest Service Representative on USDA County Emergency Board. (FSM 1595.06d). Each Forest Service representative should attend or otherwise by represented at board meetings. There are no scheduled meetings; however, the chairman may call a meeting for emergency or other special purposes. If attendance by the Forest Service representative or an alternate is impossible, the chairman should be informed. The Forest Service representative is a team member of the Department's Interagency Group. This requires that he have insight into and current general working knowledge of the overall emergency preparedness and postattack responsibilities of other Department agencies comprising the board. Specifically, the emergency responsibilities of the Forest Service representative are: 1. If and when radiologically safe, implement emergency administration plans for unit. Obtain available date concerning conditions, on the local National Forest units personnel available, radiological conditions, fire situation, communication status, transportation access and any other highly essential information pertinent to postattack survival and recovery. 2. Report USDA County Emergency Board operating sites. 3. Evaluate county fire situation by contacts with other protection agencies, County Civil Defense Coordinator, and other sources. Ascertain the radiation levels where available. 4. Determine unfilled fire-defense needs for manpower, equipment, fuels, food and other supplies. Check on availability from local sources or from adjacent protection agency areas. Report unfilled needs to chairman for potential claimancy action. 1595.06 - Defense Organization in Department of Agriculture 1595.06a - USDA Regional Emergency Staff. In each of the 10 standard Federal regions, there is a USDA Regional Emergency Staff. The members of each staff have been designated from Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) and Forest Service - agencies having essential, uninterruptible defense functions - to assist in carrying out Department defense responsibilities at the regional level. Each USDA Regional Emergency Staff, as a part of the overall Department emergency organization - with other Federal agencies which have major defense responsibilities - needs to achieve and maintain a capability for regional exchange of information and coordination of activities in the event of an attack. This mission includes assembling pertinent information; evaluating attack effects; coordinating with other Federal agencies in obtaining essential materials, services, and manpower needed to carry out Department assignment, and assisting other Federal agencies to enchance the total survival and recovery effort. The Chairman is designated by the Assistant to the Secretary, Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, the Vice Chairman is selected by the Chairman in consultation with the Staff. The Chairman of the Staff serves as defense liaison between the Department and Regional Representatives of the Federal Preparedness Agency (FPA) of the General Services Administration and the Defense Civil Preparedness Agency (DCPA) in the Department of Defense. The Staff Chairman receives guidance and assistance on defense matters from the Assistant to the Secretary, OIA. Responsibilities are outlined in the Department regional defense plan. 1595.06b - Forest Service Representation. Forest Service Regions and Federal standard regional boundaries do not coincide, consequently, Forest Service representation as part of the USDA Regional Emergency Staff will be as follows: Forest Service unit FPC Region and headquarters responsible for staffing R-I Boston, Mass. R-9 R-II New York, N.Y. NE R-III Philadelphia, Pa. NA R-IV Atlanta, Ga. SA R-V Chicago, Ill. R-9 R-VI Dallas, Tex. SA R-VII Kansas City, Mo. R-2 R-VIII Denver, Colo. R-2 R-IX San Francisco, Calif. R-5 R-X Seattle. Wash. R-6 A secret clearance is necessary for Regional Emergency Staff representatives. Clearance request for "Secret clearance for non-critical, sensitive position related to civil-defense activities," accompanied by completed SF-8, Security Investigation Data for Sensitive Position, and SF-87, CSC Fingerprint Chart, should be submitted to the Washington Office Personnel Management Staff. 1595.06c - USDA State Emergency Boards. A USDA State emergency board has been established in each State, and one covering Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Membership of each board includes a representative of each Department agency having important defense responsibilities in the State. The chairman of the board, under the direction of the Deputy Director, Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, is the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) State Executive Director, who also represents ASCS on the board. The ASCS State office provides preemergency support services. The board also coordinates Department emergency program activities and reporting on postattack situations. Responsibilities are in the USDA Emergency Operations Handbook, part 5, paragraph 102. Security clearance is not required for chairmen and members of USDA State emergency boards. 1595.06d - USDA County Emergency Boards. There is a USDA county Emergency board to serve each county of the United States, including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Members of each board are designated by the respective agencies having important defense responsibilities in the county. The board also coordinates emergency program activities and reporting on postattack situations. Defense responsibilities are in the USDA Emergency Operations Handbook, paragraph 102. Only Department employees may be official members of USDA county emergency boards. In counties where there is no qualified Forest Service employee available for assignment, the State, or some other Federal agency, should be encouraged to provide assistance and advice to the board. In an emergency, when communications with higher authority are cut off, the chairman of the county board has authority to make all program decisions necessary to carry out responsibility. 1595.07 - References. The following references govern or are concerned with defense preparedness: 1. National Plan for Emergency Preparedness--Executive Office of the President, Office of Emergency Planning. 2. Federal Civil Defense Guide--Department of Defense, Office of Civil Defense. 3. Defense Emergency Responsibilities in Department of Agriculture--Title 1, Chapter 4, USDA Administrative Regulations. 4. Executive Order 11490--President, October 28, 1969. 5. Directory of USDA Emergency Personnel. 6. USDA Emergency Operations Handbook. 7. Chief's Disaster Plan for National Emergency. 8. Defense Emergency Readiness Instructions--Department of Agriculture. 9. Regional Defense Plan of the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the Immediate Preattack, Transattack, and Immediate Postattack Periods. 1595.1 - Disaster Plans for National Emergency. A nuclear attack or accident, even one involving military and command centers only, could cause widespread disaster and damage from blast and thermal effects, with varying degrees of radiological fallout over much of the country. In a large-scale attack, any point in the United States could be destroyed, damaged, or contaminated. There is no alternative to the constructive application of resources and effort for the purposes of protection, survival, and postattack recovery. These vital goals depend upon prudent, flexible emergency plans and preparations made and maintained during the preemergency period. In the event of a nuclear emergency, the general objective is to manage the human and natural resources to meet essential needs and successfully support any required military effort. 1595.11 - Policy 1. A disaster plan is required for the Washington Office and a joint regional plan to be developed by coterminous Regions, Areas and Stations. 2. A copy of each regional disaster plan should be furnished to the Washington Office. 3. Disaster plans shall be reviewed and updated at least annually. By December 20 each year, furnish the Washington Office a copy of amendments to the regional plan or a statement that changes are not necessary. 4. The unit disaster plans should be known to all personnel in the respective location. 1595.12 - Plan Elements. Because of numerous variations and needs between organizational units, differences are expected in content and plan elements common to all units, the following topics should receive consideration: 1. Emergency functions and responsibilities. 2. Emergency organization and personnel (reassignments). 3. Line of succession and provisional delegation of authority for continuity of organization and emergency operations. 4. Actions during various readiness levels. 5. Emergency relocation site(s) and assigned teams. 6. Authorizations for emergency travel, etc. 7. Emergency transportation provisions. 8. Emergency records by locations, including basic reference. 9. Communications, supplies, equipment, etc. See the Chief's Disaster Plan for National Emergency for reference guidance and coordinating factors. 1595.2 - Reporting and Registration. Unit operating instructions covering postattack actions should inform employees of their responsibility to report to their unit heads, by any communication means available, their location, physical condition, and time when it will be possible to report for duty. Employees should also be informed of the emergency registration procedure for Federal employees in case of enemy attack (8 AR ch. 36, sec. 3). The procedure provides that any employee who is prevented from reporting to his regular place of work because of an enemy attack must go to the nearest post office, ask the postmaster for a Federal employees registration card, fill it out, and return it to him. This procedure will aid in deciding where and when the employee should report for work. Also, the card will ensure the employee's being kept on the roster of active employees and enable his salary payments to continue. Until an employee is contacted and instructed about his official job, he should assist with local welfare, cooperate with civil defense authorities, and help those in need for assistance. For additional instructions, see FSM 6191. 1595.3 - Emergency Operating Records. The Washington Office Administrative Services Staff will see that appropriate agency records are made available as required in FSM 6234. 1595.4 - Telephone Line-Load Control. This is a telephone company system which permits designated personnel who would have a need to make outgoing calls during an emergency to make such calls from their home telephones, even though the general public might be denied that service. All nonduty-hour alerting officials should have this service. The chairmen of the USDA regional emergency staffs are responsible for preparing and submitting to the appropriate General Service Administration regional office a list of persons who should have this service.