PRIA, Government Policy, Made Personal

Summary

The Administrator must, within 6 months after October 4, 2006, send Congress a plan to create and run a Surge Capacity Force to deploy people to respond to natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made catastrophic incidents. The plan must use the training and deployment powers in the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) unless the Administrator finds those powers are not enough and reports to Congress what extra legal authority is needed. The plan must say how the Secretary and other agency heads will pick federal employees to serve. It must make sure there are enough credentialed people (per section 320) who can deploy quickly and enough full‑time, trained leaders to run the force. The Administrator must provide ongoing training on the Agency’s disaster programs and policies. Surge Capacity Force members do not count against any FEMA staffing cap. The Administrator may pay travel and per diem for training at the rates in subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5. The Administrator must begin putting the designation procedures and other plan parts into effect as soon as practicable after October 4, 2006.

Title 6, §711

Domestic Security, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Establishment

(1)In general

Not later than 6 months after October 4, 2006, the Administrator shall prepare and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a plan to establish and implement a Surge Capacity Force for deployment of individuals to respond to natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters, including catastrophic incidents.

(2)Authority

(A)In general

Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the plan shall provide for individuals in the Surge Capacity Force to be trained and deployed under the authorities set forth in the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act [42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.].

(B)Exception

If the Administrator determines that the existing authorities are inadequate for the training and deployment of individuals in the Surge Capacity Force, the Administrator shall report to Congress as to the additional statutory authorities that the Administrator determines necessary.

(b)Employees designated to serve

The plan shall include procedures under which the Secretary shall designate employees of the Department who are not employees of the Agency and shall, in conjunction with the heads of other Executive agencies, designate employees of those other Executive agencies, as appropriate, to serve on the Surge Capacity Force.

(c)Capabilities

The plan shall ensure that the Surge Capacity Force—

(1)includes a sufficient number of individuals credentialed in accordance with section 320 of this title that are capable of deploying rapidly and efficiently after activation to prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters, including catastrophic incidents; and

(2)includes a sufficient number of full-time, highly trained individuals credentialed in accordance with section 320 of this title to lead and manage the Surge Capacity Force.

(d)Training

The plan shall ensure that the Administrator provides appropriate and continuous training to members of the Surge Capacity Force to ensure such personnel are adequately trained on the Agency’s programs and policies for natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters.

(e)No impact on agency personnel ceiling

Surge Capacity Force members shall not be counted against any personnel ceiling applicable to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

(f)Expenses

The Administrator may provide members of the Surge Capacity Force with travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5 for the purpose of participating in any training that relates to service as a member of the Surge Capacity Force.

(g)Immediate implementation of Surge Capacity Force involving Federal employees

As soon as practicable after October 4, 2006, the Administrator shall develop and implement—

(1)the procedures under subsection (b); and

(2)other elements of the plan needed to establish the portion of the Surge Capacity Force consisting of individuals designated under those procedures.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(A), is Pub. L. 93–288, May 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 143, which is classified principally to chapter 68 (§ 5121 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 5121 of Title 42 and Tables.

§711 Surge Capacity Force