NASA Procedures and Guidelines
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NPR 8715.2 Eff. Date: December 22, 1999 Cancellation Date: January 09, 2009	NASA Emergency Preparedness Plan Procedural Requirements - Revalidated
| TOC | Change History | Preface | Chapter1 | Chapter2 | Chapter3 | Chapter4 | Chapter5 | Chapter6 | Chapter7 | AppendixA | AppendixB | AppendixC | AppendixD | AppendixE | AppendixF | AppendixG | | ALL |

APPENDIX E. NASA's National Security Emergency Preparedness Plan

(Note: Appendix E can be used as an example format for developing Center-level equivalent plans for NSEP.)

REFERENCES:

1. GENERAL.

1.1 Purpose. Executive Order (E.O.) 12656 requires departments and agencies to prepare national plans and programs and to attain an appropriate level of readiness with regard to the functions assigned. The Assistant Administrator for Security and Program Protection, is designated as the official responsible for developing and administering the NASA NSEP Plan.

1.2 Definition. A national security emergency is any occurrence, including natural disaster, military attack, technological emergency, or other emergency, that seriously degrades or threatens the national security of the United States. A Presidential declaration is required.

2. POLICIES.

2.1 In the event of an emergency, employees who do not have immediate emergency assignments are expected to follow local evacuation and shelter procedures. As conditions permit or the situation requires, additional personnel will be recalled to carry out essential NASA functions in support of Government emergency programs.

2.2 Protection of Government resources, facilities, and records will be given continuous attention. Heads-of-Offices will initiate measures to safeguard all assets within their areas of responsibility. The NASA Vital Records Program is the responsibility of the Chief Information Officer.

2.3 Commercial public access telephone service is the primary means of communications during any national security emergency. Conversations held on public access telephones will be nonclassified. Secure Terminal Unit (STU) telephones are available throughout the Agency for classified discussions. The Office of Security and Program Protection will maintain a list of all encrypted communications equipment. KSC, the lead center for communications security, will provide the Office of Security and Program Protection with up-to-date lists.

2.4 NASA Centers are assigned to categories according to their responsibilities under national security emergency conditions. Category assignments are made by assessing the national essentiality of the Agency's function and the degree the Center is able to contribute to that function. The following are the NASA Center assignments:

a. Category II - Centers that provide special services to support the implementation of national policies and strategies in response to a national security emergency. The NASA Management Office at Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Johnson Space Center, Kennedy Space Center, Marshall Space Flight Center, Goddard Space Flight Center, and NASA Headquarters are required to establish a national security emergency operating capability.

b. Category III - Centers without significant national security emergency preparedness responsibilities. Category III facilities must be able to reconstitute activities in the post emergency period. Category III facilities are: Ames Research Center, Dryden Flight Research Center, Langley Research Center, Glenn Research Center, and Stennis Space Center.

2.5 NASA is required to assist in all Continuity of Government (COG) efforts conducted by the Federal Government. This will be accomplished by providing for the following:

a. Succession to office and emergency delegation/redelegation of authority in accordance with applicable law (see FPC 62 (FEMA)).

b. Safekeeping of essential resources, facilities, and records which could be used to assist in COG efforts.

c. Establishment of emergency operating capabilities.

d. The ability to consult and coordinate with the Director of FEMA to ensure that activities and plans are consistent with current National Security Council guidelines and policies. The Office of Security and Program Protection, in coordination with the Office of Infrastructure, Management, and Headquarters Operations and the Space Operations Mission Directorate, is the authorized NASA office for consultation/coordination with Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) FEMA.

e. Appropriate training, specific operational information, and materials to officials expected to assume authority in an emergency. The Office of Security and Program Protection coordinates the appropriate training.

f. Direction, coordination, operation, and maintenance of NASA communications assets and aeronautical and space applications related to emergencies. The Space Operations Mission Directorate is responsible for these activities.

3. TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

3.1 The NASA Administrator will perform the following:

a. Establish and maintain contact with NASA Centers upon receipt of notification of an emergency.

b. Notify those Centers of the need to collect and transmit information for the Civilian Situation Report (CIVSITREP) (see Attachment A). The CIVSITREP will be transmitted to the SMO.

c. Submit consolidated reports daily for the CIVSITREP to FEMA Headquarters, once notified to begin reporting.

d. Follow the prescribed time schedule indicated in the notification.

3.2 Mission Directorate Associate Administrators/Headquarters Center Executives will perform the following:

a. Oversee national security emergency preparedness measures at their Field Centers.

b. Be prepared to respond to directions from the NASA Administrator as required.

3.3 Associate Administrator, Space Operations Mission Directorate, will act as the focal point for coordination with the Secretary of Defense during the response to a national security emergency.

3.4 Center Directors will appoint Security Emergency Management Teams that will, in the event of an emergency, or when directed by appropriate authority, initiate emergency operations at their designated locations. In a situation of escalating international tension, NASA will increase its readiness posture to facilitate a more orderly transition to emergency operations and to provide for a review and update of emergency plans, procedures, and facilities. Actions to improve emergency readiness will be designed to give the President the flexibility to perform the following:

a. Accelerate or decelerate readiness during a prolonged period of international tension.

b. Guide the degree of Agency activation of the regular offices or alternate Headquarters.

c. Facilitate dissemination of readiness requirements to other levels of Government and to the public.

3.5 Assistant Administrator for Security and Program Protection will perform the following:

a. Serve as the Agency designated official responsible for developing and administering the NASA National Security Emergency Plan.

b. Obtain and disseminate threat information.

c. Monitor the security conditions at each NASA Center.

3.6 Implementation of the NASA Headquarters Relocation Plan.

3.6.1 The NASA Administrator will make the decision of whether and when to activate the relocation plan.

3.6.2 The NASA Administrator will designate an alternate NASA Headquarters location and ensure it is available on short notice. If that site is unavailable or unsuitable because of circumstances surrounding the event, the NASA Administrator will select an alternate site.

3.6.3 The predesignated core contingency staff will report to the alternate NASA Headquarters location when directed.

3.6.4 The NASA Administrator, in consultation with the core contingency staff, will then determine the specific makeup of the full-contingency staff, based on the situation and current mission activities.

3.6.5 All NASA Centers will be advised immediately whenever the NASA Headquarters contingency plan is activated.

3.6.6 Designated contingency team members shall report to the designated facility whenever advised that the NASA Headquarters contingency plan is activated.

3.7 NASA Headquarters Relocation Responsibilities.

3.7.1 The Assistant Administrator for Infrastructure, Management, and Headquarters Operations will perform the following:

a. Manage the activities and setup of the contingency Headquarters and provide support services.

b. Maintain the roster of contingency staff members to include a telephone alerting list.

c. Ensure all Headquarters facilities and property are protected per the current threat.

d. Ensure provisions are in place to maintain the operation of the NASA Headquarters Computer Center or backup capability.

e. Ensure that the primary relocation site remains functional and that it can sustain the Headquarters Core Contingency team.

3.7.2 The Center Director responsible for the primary relocation site will perform the following:

a. Identify a facility to house 40 people initially and up to 150 people the next day with sufficient communications capability.

b. Provide other administrative and logistics support within the Centers capabilities.

3.7.3 Officials-in-Charge of Headquarters Offices will perform the following:

a. Propose an initial list of individuals who will report to the contingency Headquarters.

b. Ensure that the Office of Infrastructure, Management, and Headquarters Operations has an accurate list of contingency team members.

c. Maintain a current list of home telephone numbers of all employees.

3.7.4 Assistant Administrator for Security and Program Protection will perform the following:

a. Provide current threat information as developed.

b. Monitor the security status of facilities throughout the Agency and keep the NASA Administrator advised.

c. Provide a national security liaison with the Intelligence Community in coordination with the Office of External Relations.

4. ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE

NASA Centers and Component Facilities will follow procedures prescribed in the NASA Security Guide (i.e., THREATCON procedures, reporting requirements) to secure resources critical to continuity of Government and national emergency requirements.

ATTACHMENT A to APPENDIX E. Civil Situation Report Procedures, Format, and Guidelines

1) Notification: In an emergency, FEMA notifies NASA to begin transmitting submissions for the daily Civilian Situation Report (CIVSITREP). FEMA provides instructions regarding the initial requirement for reporting, the transmission system to be used, security classification, and the timing of reports. The Office of Security and Program Protection will prepare the Agency reports. Center reports will be faxed/telephoned to the Office of Security and Program Proteciton for consolidation and approval by the NASA Administrator.

2) Reporting Period: Once notified to begin transmitting, NASA will report to FEMA Headquarters its significant actions covering the previous 24-hour period. Negative reports are required.

3) Length of Inputs: All individual items should be summarized in fewer than 100 words unless additional information is essential.

4) Information Reporting: Each item or event being reported for inclusion in the CIVSITREP should:

a. Note the section of the report for which it is intended.

b. Specify the category under which it belongs.

c. Contain only significant information and status changes not contained in previous CIVSITREP submissions.

d. Include the following information:

(1) Geographic area in which the problem occurred

(2) Nature and magnitude of the problem

(3) Indication of its most immediate and severe impact upon the public

(4) Likelihood of solution

(5) Priority within NASA

(6) Current status

(7) Whether NASA is taking independent action or acting jointly with other agencies.

5) Security Classification: The reporter will determine the appropriate security classification for the information being submitted.

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