Comments:

Provides a rapid assessment capability immediately following a major disaster or emergency. The RNA Team will collect and provide information to determine requirements for critical resources needed to support emergency response activities. The Team is responsible for assessing both overall impact of a disaster event, and determining State and/or Federal immediate response requirements.

Management Element–supervises and coordinates the assessment process and team logistical support.

State Team Leader–maintains overall responsibility for RNA Team operations, knowledgeable of local assets, geographic information, information management systems, State response plans and procedures, State assets, response philosophies, etc.

FEMA Representative Assessment Element–members of the assessment element are cross–trained in more than one ESF, enabling them to assess immediate needs and requirements in more than one functional area.

HazMat Specialist (representing ESF #10)–assesses the affected sites and facilities and their potential for public exposure, identifies unsafe areas and types of hazards, contamination threats, and local hazardous materials mutual aid response capability.

Medical Specialist (representing ESF #8)–assesses the health/medical infrastructure including hospital and primary care systems, pharmacy systems, special population needs, environmental health, sanitation issues, emergency medical services, and patient evacuation needs and capabilities.

Mass Care Specialist (representing ESF #6,–11)–assesses the status of needs for mass feeding and emergency mass shelters, bulk distribution of relief supplies, emergency first aid needs, potential secondary disaster effects, and state and local governmental volunteer capability.

Infrastructure Specialist (representing ESF #3)–assesses the status of transportation.

Fire/Urban Search & Rescue (representing ESF #4, 9)–assesses the status of fire and search and rescue services including capabilities and limitations of any existing mutual aid agreements. Also identifies immediate needs for fire and/or search and rescue services.

Support Element (QRS)–provides documentation, logistics, and communications support for the Management and Assessment elements.

Telecommunications Specialists–installs, operates and maintains the communications support package and provides technical support to the team during deployment.

Logistics Specialist–provides logistical support and services for the team during all phases of team activity.

Operations Specialist–collects assessment data from the Assessment Element, compiles data into report formats and transmits reports to required individuals and organizations.

Source: FEMA Rapid Needs Assessment Team Operations Manual, April 2001