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NASA Ball NASA
Policy
Directive
NPD 8710.1E
Effective Date: February 01, 2024
Expiration Date: February 01, 2029
COMPLIANCE IS MANDATORY FOR NASA EMPLOYEES
Printable Format (PDF)

Subject: Emergency Management Program

Responsible Office: Office of Protective Services



1. POLICY


a. It is NASA's policy to provide baseline capabilities that meet requirements consistent with all applicable laws, national-level directives, and Agency requirements for responding to and effectively managing emergencies. Such baseline capabilities are to be continually maintained to mitigate crises with a capabilities-based approach, using one comprehensive plan coupled with incident-specific responses in the form of annexes for the range of adverse events that allows for an "all-hazards" approach.

b. Target levels of baseline capabilities will balance the potential threat and magnitude of terrorist attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies with the resources required to prevent, mitigate, respond to, and recover from them. This all-hazards concept will prioritize and optimize investments based on the need to maintain readiness, response, and recovery capabilities. This will be accomplished by performing the following actions:

(1) Developing, implementing, and maintaining comprehensive and integrated emergency preparedness plans, including specific information for employees with disabilities at NASA Headquarters and NASA Centers, including Component Facilities and Technical and Service Support Centers, using a multiyear strategy and program management process and a designated operating structure compliant with the National Incident Management System.

(2) Developing, implementing, maintaining, and updating a full spectrum of redundant and interoperable communication capabilities for use during an emergency to include both secure and non-secure voice and data connectivity, internet access, and electronic mailing.

(3) Developing, implementing, and maintaining a test, training, and exercise program that demonstrates, assesses, and improves the ability to execute emergency plans at NASA Headquarters and NASA Centers, including Component Facilities and Technical and Service Support Centers, using Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program principles.

(4) Establishing and maintaining relationships with Federal, state, and local agencies that support interagency operations under national and regional emergency management plans and operations.

(5) Establishing and maintaining internal relationships in support of emergency readiness, response, and recovery across the Agency.

2. APPLICABILITY

a. This directive applies to NASA Headquarters and NASA Centers, including Component Facilities and Technical and Service Support Centers.

b. In this directive, all mandatory actions (i.e., requirements) are denoted by statements containing the term "shall." The terms: "may" or "can" denote discretionary privilege or permission, "should" denotes a good practice and is recommended but not required, "will" denotes expected outcome, and "are/is" denotes descriptive material.

c. In this directive, all document citations are assumed to be the latest version unless otherwise noted.

3. AUTHORITY

a. National Aeronautics and Space Act, 51 U.S.C. § 20113, National and Commercial Space Programs, Powers of the Administration in Performance of Functions.

b. Federal Emergency Management Agency, E.O. 12148, 3 CFR pt. 412 (1979).

c. Assignment of Emergency Preparedness Responsibilities, E.O. 12656, 3 CFR pt. 585 (1988).

d. Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability, E.O. 14057, 3 CFR pt. 694 (2021).

e. Emergency Action Plans, 29 CFR § 1910.38.

f. Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals, 29 CFR § 1910.119.

g. Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response, 29 CFR § 1910.120.

h. Occupant Emergency Program, 41 CFR pt. 102-74 Subpart B.

4. APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS AND FORMS

a. NPR 8715.2, NASA Emergency Management Program Procedural Requirements.

b. Department of Homeland Security National Incident Management System, dated October 2017.

5. RESPONSIBILITY

a. The NASA Administrator will ensure the following:

(1) That baseline capabilities be maintained to prevent and manage emergencies occurring at NASA facilities or arising from NASA activities and, to the extent permitted by law, to respond to other emergencies that may be local, national, or international in scope as requested through authorized channels.

(2) The NASA Emergency Management Program includes hazard-specific risk assessments, target baseline capabilities, program objectives, and emergency operating plans for all organizational elements of the Agency, per this policy directive and NPR 8715.2, NASA Emergency Management Program Procedural Requirements. Organizational elements will provide funding for these purposes.

b. The Assistant Administrator (AA), Office of Protective Services (OPS), is designated as the senior policy official responsible for the NASA Emergency Management Program. The AA of OPS will ensure the following:

(1) The NASA Emergency Management Program is effectively implemented by this policy directive and NPR 8715.2, including the designation of an Emergency Management Program Manager (EMPM).

(2) Emergency management plans (including interagency and individual Center plans involving NASA activity) are coordinated with appropriate NASA organizational elements.

c. The EMPM will:

(1) Provide emergency management program administration, management, advocacy, and expertise in planning and operations.

(2) Function as the point-of-contact to liaise with the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency, other Federal organizations, and Multi-Agency Coordinating Groups in support of the National Response Framework and other emergency management plans involving NASA activity, ensuring such plans are coordinated with appropriate NASA organizational elements and providing the appropriate Federal organization with NASA's position concerning such plans and operations.

(3) Provide technical advice and assistance, including training for Agency and Center senior staff, emergency management teams, and Center Emergency Management Officers.

(4) Conduct an annual review of emergency management readiness throughout NASA to assess proficiency and effective use of resources.

d. The Associate Administrator for the Mission Support Directorate and Center Directors will support the NASA Emergency Management Program and allocate necessary funding for the implementation of Center and Component Facility-specific emergency readiness, response, and recovery programs.

e. Other Officials-in-Charge of Headquarters Offices will ensure their organization's support of the NASA Emergency Management Program by providing functional expertise during planning activities and emergency operations.

f. NASA Center Directors will ensure that the NASA Emergency Management Program is effectively supported at NASA Headquarters and respective NASA Centers, including Component Facilities and Technical and Service Support Centers, in accordance with this policy directive and NPR 8715.2 and will:

(1) Support annual reviews of Center-specific emergency management plans that are developed, implemented, and maintained to prevent, respond to, mitigate, and recover from all-hazard emergencies.

(2) Ensure the NASA EMPM or Agency Emergency Operations Center, when operational, is notified of major Center-specific emergencies and/or of NASA personnel or resources deployed to regional, state, or local emergency operations during actual emergencies.

6. DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY

None.

7. MEASUREMENT/VERIFICATION

None.

8. CANCELLATION

NPD 8710.1D, Emergency Management Program, effective November 8, 2006.


/s/ Bill Nelson
Administrator


ATTACHMENT A: (TEXT)

Attachment A. Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program

Attachment B. Acronyms

AA Assistant Administrator

EMPM Emergency Management Program Manager

NIMS National Incident Management System

OPS Office of Protective Services

(URL for Graphic)

None.

DISTRIBUTION:
NODIS


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