Glossary

Glossary for disaster relief and animal rescue

 * Glossary includes organization names, specialized words, acronyms and abbreviations related to disaster relief and animal rescue. (Use search to find other resources. To limit a search to this wiki use the Advanced search.)

A

 * A1 ID Systems
 * Certified ISO Manufacturer of microchip identification products for animals


 * AAHA
 * American Animal Hospital Association


 * ACP
 * Area Contingency Plan


 * Action Plan
 * See Incident Action Plan.


 * AERN
 * Animal Emergency Response Network PetFinder.com


 * Aftershocks
 * Lesser tremblers which occur after the "main shock" or initial earthquake. These tremblers could begin within hours of the main shock and may continue for months, depending on the severity of the initial quake.


 * Agency
 * An agency is a division of government with a specific function, or a nongovernmental organization (e.g., private contractor, business, etc.) that offers a particular kind of assistance. In ICS, agencies are defined as jurisdictional (having statutory responsibility for incident mitigation) or assisting and/or cooperating (providing resources and/or assistance). (See Assisting Agency, Cooperating Agency, Jurisdictional Agency, and Multiagency Incident.)


 * Agency Administrator or Executive
 * Chief executive officer (or designee) of the agency or jurisdiction that has responsibility for the incident.


 * Agency Dispatch
 * The agency or jurisdictional facility from which resources are allocated to incidents.


 * Agency Representative
 * An individual assigned to an incident from an assisting or cooperating agency who has been delegated authority to make decisions on matters affecting that agency's participation at the incident. Agency Representatives report to the Incident Liaison Officer.


 * AHA
 * American Humane Association


 * Animal Welfare Act (AWA)
 * The Animal Welfare Act is the federal law that governs the humane care, handling, treatment and transportation of some animals in certain situations: animals in laboratories, dealers who sell animals to laboratories, animal exhibitors, carriers and intermediate handlers, dog and cat breeders, puppy mills, zoos, circuses, roadside menageries and transporters of animals. AWA is administrated by USDA/APHIS)


 * APHIS
 * Animal and Plant Inspection Service - an agency in the USDA responsible for enforcing the Animal Welfare Act see Animal Care


 * ARNO
 * Animal Rescue New Orleans


 * ARF
 * Animal Rescue Foundation


 * ASPCA
 * American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals


 * AST
 * Atlantic Strike Team


 * AVERT
 * Association of Volunteer Emergency Response Teams


 * AVIC
 * Area Veterinarian-in-Charge (USDA APHIS Veterinary Services)


 * AVID
 * American Verternary Identification Devices


 * AVMA
 * American Veterinary Medical Association


 * AVMF
 * American Veterinary Medical Foundation funds VMATs


 * AWA
 * Animal Welfare Act - administered by USDA/APHIS

B

 * Base
 * The location at which primary Logistics functions for an incident are coordinated and administered. There is only one Base per incident. (Incident name or other designator will be added to the term Base.) The Incident Command Post may be collocated with the Base.


 * Blizzard
 * An intense, severe snowstorm with sustained freezing winds of 35 miles per hour or more.


 * BT
 * Buying Team

C

 * Cache
 * A pre-determined complement of tools, equipment, and/or supplies stored in a designated location, available for incident use.


 * CAMEO
 * Computer-Aided Management of Emergency Operations


 * Camp
 * A geographical site, within the general incident area, separate from the Incident Base, equipped and staffed to provide sleeping, food, water, and sanitary services to incident personnel.


 * CAR
 * AKC Companion Animal Recovery


 * CARES
 * California Animal Response Emergency System


 * CART
 * County Animal Response Team see SART


 * CCRF
 * Commissioned Corps Readiness Force is a cadre of U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) officers who can be mobilized in times of extraordinary need during disaster, strife, or other public health emergencies


 * CEM
 * Comprehensive Emergency Management


 * CERCLA
 * Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act


 * CERT
 * Community Emergency Response Team Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.


 * CFR
 * Code of Federal Regulations


 * Check-In
 * The process whereby resources first report to an incident. Check-in locations include: Incident Command Post (Resources Unit), Incident Base, Camps, Staging Areas, Helibases, Helispots, and Division Supervisors (for direct line assignments).


 * Chief
 * The ICS title for individuals responsible for functional Sections: Operations, Planning, Logistics, and Finance/Administration.


 * CIDI
 * Center for International Disaster Information - Situation Reports


 * CIPAC
 * Critical Infrastructure Protection Advisory Committee


 * CNCS
 * Corporation for National Community Service


 * COAD
 * Community Organizations Active in Disaster


 * Coastal Flood
 * Flooding along low-lying coastal areas caused by tropical or winter storms combined with the effects of tides, waves, and wind which may cause extensive erosion and property damage. This event may occur even if the storm generating the flooding is not a direct threat to the affected area.


 * Code 3
 * Code 3 Associates dedicated to animal disaster response and disaster preparedness training.


 * Command Staff
 * The Command Staff consists of the Public Information Officer, Safety Officer, and Liaison Officer. They report directly to the Incident Commander. They may have an Assistant or Assistants, as needed.


 * Communication Unit
 * An organizational Unit in the Logistics Section responsible for providing communication services at an incident. A Communication Unit may also be a facility (e.g., a trailer or mobile van) used to provide the major part of an Incident Communications Center.


 * Compacts
 * Formal working agreements among agencies to obtain mutual aid.


 * Complex
 * Two or more individual incidents located in the same general area that are assigned to a single Incident Commander or to Unified Command.


 * Cooperating Agency
 * An agency supplying assistance other than direct operational or support functions or resources to the incident management effort.


 * Coordination
 * The process of systematically analyzing a situation, developing relevant information, and informing appropriate command authority of viable alternatives for selection of the most effective combination of available resources to meet specific objectives. The coordination process (which can be either intra- or interagency) does not involve dispatch actions. However, personnel responsible for coordination may perform command or dispatch functions within the limits established by specific agency delegations, procedures, legal authority, etc.


 * Coordination Center
 * A facility that is used for the coordination of agency or jurisdictional resources in support of one or more incidents.


 * CORE
 * Cadre on-Response Employees (FEMA)


 * Cost Sharing Agreements
 * Agreements between agencies or jurisdictions to share designated costs related to incidents. Cost sharing agreements are normally written but may also be oral between authorized agency or jurisdictional representatives at the incident.


 * CSHS
 * Center for State Homeland Security - State Links


 * CVM
 * Center for Veterinary Medicine US FDA


 * CWA
 * Clean Water Act


 * Cyclones
 * Violent tropical storms located in the southern hemisphere, with winds rotating in a clockwise direction, which can advance at speeds of 20 to 30 miles per hour and often generate heavy rain and tornados.

D

 * DAE
 * Disaster Assistance Employees (FEMA)


 * DART
 * Disaster Animal Response Team
 * DART Training (AHA), (HSUS), (UAN/EARS)


 * DES
 * Department of Emergency Services


 * DHS
 * Department of Homeland Security


 * Distemper
 * DLA
 * Defense Logistics Agency


 * DMAT
 * Disaster Medical Assistance Teams


 * DNA
 * Do Not Adopt - this is a warning applied to rescues and sanctuaries that are not providing adequate care for animals in their charge


 * DNR
 * Department of Natural Resources


 * DOI
 * Department of the Interior


 * DRG
 * District Response Group (DRG), provides a framework within which Coast Guard districts organize their response operations. It consists of all Coast Guard units, personnel and equipment within a district's boundary, all pre-positioned response equipment strategically located in the district, and the District Response Advisory Team (DRAT).


 * DRG
 * Domestic Readiness Group (DRG) convened on a regular basis to develop and coordinate implementation of preparedness and response policy and in anticipation of or during crises


 * DFTO
 * Disaster Field Training Operations (FEMA)


 * DSCA
 * Defense Support of Civil Authorities

E

 * EARS
 * Emergency Animal Rescue Service United Animal Nations


 * EAS
 * Emergency Alert System (FCC) NOAA Weather Radio


 * EDEN
 * Extension Disaster Education Network is a collaborative multi-state effort by Extension Services across the country to improve the delivery of services to citizens affected by disasters and it links Extension educators from across the U.S. and various disciplines, enabling them to use and share resources to reduce the impact of disasters.


 * EMAC
 * Emergency Management Assistance Compact is a congressionally ratified organization that provides form and structure to interstate mutual aid.


 * EMAP
 * Emergency Management Accreditation Program


 * EMS
 * Emergency Management Services


 * EMWIN
 * Emergency Managers Weather Information Network (NOAA)


 * EOC
 * Emergency Operations Center
 * A site from which civil government officials exercise direction and control in a disaster.


 * EOP
 * Emergency Operations Plan


 * EPA
 * Environmental Protection Agency


 * ERT
 * Emergency Response Team


 * ERT
 * Environmental Response Team (EPA): Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental Response Team (ERT) is a group of highly trained scientists and engineers based in Edison, NJ and Cincinnati, OH. Its capabilities include multimedia sampling and analysis, hazard assessment, cleanup techniques and specialized technical support. EPA's ERT provides SSCs for the inland zone.


 * Epicenter
 * Located on the earth's surface directly above an earthquakes's first movement.


 * ESF
 * Emergency Support Function
 * Adminstrative system used to plan, prepare, and organise an effective disaster response and recovery effort. Twelve Emergency Support Functions are used in the federal Response Plan. Some states using this system have expanded the number of ESF's in their state plan.
 * ESF-1 Transportation - US Department of Transportation
 * ESF-2 Communications - US National Communications System
 * ESF-3 Public Works - USDoD Army Corps of Engineers
 * ESF-4 Firefighting - USDA Forest Service
 * ESF-5 Info and Planning - FEMA
 * ESF-6 Mass Care - American Red Cross
 * ESF-7 Resources - US General Services Administration
 * ESF-8 Health & Medical - US Department of Health and Human Services
 * ESF-9 Search & Rescue - FEMA
 * ESF-10 Hazmat - US Environmental Protection Agency
 * ESF-11 Food & Water - USDA Food and Nutrition Services
 * ESF-12 Energy - US Department of Energy
 * ESF-13 Military Support
 * ESF-14 Public Information
 * ESF-15 Volunteers & Donations
 * ESF-16 Law Enforcement
 * ESF-17 Animal Services
 * Example: Florida

F

 * FBI
 * Federal Bureau of Investigation


 * FECAVA
 * Federation of European Companion Animal Veterinary Association
 * see also Animal identification


 * FEMA
 * Federal Emergency Management Agency


 * Flash Flood
 * Very swift moving flood waters which may pose a significant threat to lives and property. Generally, Flash floods are caused by intense storms, producing heavy rainfall in short time periods-6 to 10 inches in 24 hours or less - or dam/levee failures.


 * Flood
 * The overflow or back-up of water into particular areas. Generally, floods are caused by excessive rainfall in the area, areas upstream, or by the rapid melting of snow. "Riverine" flooding occurs when rivers, streams, or lakes overflow and "ponding" occurs when the community drainage system is insufficent to remove the water from streets allowing flood waters to back upinto adjacant areas. Floods are much slower to rise than flash flood events.


 * FOIA
 * Freedom of Information Act


 * FOSC
 * Federal On-Scene Coordinator: When a discharge or release is discovered or reported, the predesignated Federal On-Scene Coordinator is responsible for immediately collecting pertinent facts about the discharge or release to evaluate the situation.The FOSC, either directly or through his or her staff, monitors, provides technical assistance, and/or directs federal and potentially responsible party (PRP) resources.


 * FR
 * Federal Register


 * Fujita-Pearson Scale
 * A scale which indicates the intensity (wind speed) and resultant damage of a tornado.

G

 * Gale/Tropical Storm
 * Intense winds accompaning or preceding a storm with sustained speeds of 39 to 73 miles per hour.

H

 * HART
 * Homeless Animal Rescue Team


 * Hazardous Materials
 * Any substance that has the potential to cause damage to the environment or the population, if released. These substances are usually identified as being either flammable or combustible, explosive, toxic, noxious, corrosive, oxidizable, an irritant or radioactive.


 * HAZWOPER
 * Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response


 * HHS
 * Health and Human Services


 * HMEP
 * Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness


 * Home visit
 * A home visit is typically part of a reputable rescue's adoption and application approval process. It is designed to verify the information contained in the application and to check out the home and family for appropriateness for the dog they want to adopt. An internet search will yield several hits for rescue dog home visit. There will also often be forms used in this process. (Source: Jane Whitfield, Kanine Kids)


 * HSC
 * Homeland Security Council


 * HSOC
 * Homeland Security Operations Center


 * HSPD
 * Homeland Security Presidential Directives Numbers 1 - 12
 * HSPD-5
 * Homeland Security Presidential Directive 5
 * HSPD-8
 * Homeland Security Presidential Directive 8


 * HSUS
 * Humane Society of the United States


 * Hurricane
 * A violent tropical storm located in the northern hemisphere, with winds rotating in a counter-counter-clockwise direction and reaching a sustained speed of 74 miles per hour or more near its center. The size of the storm clouds range from 50 to 1000 miles in diameter and may be associated with flooding, heavy rains, severe lighting and sometimes tornados.


 * Hurricane Center/Eye
 * The relatively calm area at the center of the strom where winds are light and the sky may be seen. Intense storm conditions may be experienced 12 hours or longer before the eye actually makes landfall. Conditions in the trailing, or second winds, fllowing passage of the eye can be even more intense than the first winds.


 * Hurricane Evacuation Zones
 * Areas vulnerable to storm surges and severe flooding when in the paths of hurricanes. Evacuation routes are provided by state and local agencies based on forcasts. See NOAA interactive map.

I

 * IAC
 * Incident Advisory Council (IAC) is a tailored group of senior Federal interagency representatives that adjudicates matters that cannot be resolved by the NOC-NRCC and provides strategic advice to the Secretary of Homeland Security during an actual or potential incident requiring Federal coordination


 * IAEM
 * International Association of Emergency Managers


 * IAP
 * Incident Action Plan


 * IC
 * Incident Commander


 * ICP
 * Incident Command Post


 * ICS
 * Incident Command System - ICS Unit Guide - Org. Chart
 * A standardized on-scene emergency management construct specifically designed to provide for the adoption of an integrated organizational structure that reflects the complexity and demands of single or multiple incidents, without being hindered by jurisdictional boundaries. ICS is the combination of facilities, equipment, personnel, procedures, and communications operating within a common organizational structure, designed to aid in the management of resources during incidents. It is used for all kinds of emergencies and is applicable to small as well as large and complex incidents. ICS is used by various jurisdictions and functional agencies, both public and private, to organize field-level incident management operations. Wikipedia


 * ICS/PTB
 * ICS/Position Task Books


 * ICS/UC
 * ICS/Unified Command


 * IEMS
 * Integrated Emergency Management System


 * IFAW
 * International Fund for Animal Welfare


 * IMT
 * Incident Management Team


 * INS
 * Incident of National Significance (INS) is an actual or potential high-impact event that requires robust coordination of the Federal response in order to save lives and minimize damage, and provide the basis for long-term community and economic recovery.


 * IWIN
 * Interactive Weather Information Network (NOAA)

J

 * JFO
 * Federal Joint Field Office


 * JIC
 * Joint Information Center

K

 * KARE
 * Knapptime Adoption Rescue and Education Michigan Parrot Rescue

L

 * LEPC
 * Local Emergency Planning Committee


 * Lessons learned
 * Lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina


 * LOG MT
 * Logistic Management Team

M

 * MACS
 * Multi-Agency Coordination System


 * Major Disaster
 * As defined under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122), a major disaster is any natural catastrophe (including any hurricane, tornado, storm, high water, wind-driven water, tidal wave, tsunami, earthquake, volcanic eruption, landslide, mudslide, snowstorm, or drought), or, regardless of cause, any fire, flood, or explosion, in any part of the United States, which in the determination of the President causes damage of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant major disaster assistance under this Act to supplement the efforts and available resources of States, tribes, local governments, and disaster relief organizations in alleviating the damage, loss, hardship, or suffering caused thereby.


 * Microchip
 * RFID transponder, (see also Animal identification) Microchips are small micro-capsules about the size of a grain of rice that are inserted by a veterinarian (much like a vaccination) under the loose skin on the back of the neck between the shoulder blades. When read by a scanner, radio waves return a unique identification number that can be looked up in a database and allow the owner to be identified and contacted.


 * Mitigation
 * The process of planning and preparation for the purpose of preventing the occurrence of a disaster or minimizing the severity of its impact. Activities that can help avoid a disaster or minimize its impact include locating buildings outside of flood-prone areas or instituting appropiate building codes for severe storms, earthquakes, and wildfires.


 * MOA
 * Memorandum of Agreement


 * MOU
 * Memorandum of Understanding


 * MRIC
 * Mobile Registration Intake Centers

N

 * NAIS
 * National Animal Identification System


 * NASAR
 * National Association for Search and Rescue


 * NCAC
 * National Companion Animal Coalition - comprised of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, The Canadian Federation of Humane Societies, the Canadian Kennel Club and the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council of Canada. The NCAC have mandated full transition to an ISO standard for microchips as of August 1, 2005.


 * NCP
 * National Contingency Plan


 * NDMS
 * National Disaster Medical System


 * NEG
 * National Emergency Grants


 * NEMA
 * National Emergency Management Association NEMA is the professional association of and for state emergency management directors.


 * NERT
 * National Emergency Response Team


 * NETC
 * National Emergency Training Center Virtual Campus


 * NIEHS
 * National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences


 * NIIMS
 * National Interagency Incident Management System


 * NIMS
 * National Incident Management System FEMA
 * A system mandated by HSPD-5 that provides a consistent nationwide approach for Federal, State, local, and tribal governments; the private-sector; and nongovernmental organizations to work effectively and efficiently together to prepare for, respond to, and recover from domestic incidents, regardless of cause, size, or complexity. To provide for interoperability and compatibility among Federal, State, local, and tribal capabilities, the NIMS includes a core set of concepts, principles, and terminology. HSPD-5 identifies these as the ICS; multiagency coordination systems; training; identification and management of resources (including systems for classifying types of resources); qualification and certification; and the collection, tracking, and reporting of incident information and incident resources.


 * NIMS/ICS
 * see Incident Command System


 * NIPP
 * National Infrastructure Protection Plan


 * NLPA
 * National Livestock Producers Association


 * NMDS
 * National Disaster Medical System is a section within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Response Division, Operations Branch, and is responsible for supporting Federal agencies in the management and coordination of the Federal medical response to major emergencies and Federally declared disasters.


 * No-kill shelter
 * The most widely accepted definition of a no-kill shelter is a place where all adoptable and treatable animals are saved and where only unadoptable or non-rehabilitatable animals are euthanized.


 * NOAA
 * National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


 * NOC
 * National Operations Center


 * NOC-NRCC
 * National Response Coordination Center (NOC-NRCC)National Operations Center (NOC) - The NOC-NRCC monitors potential or developing incidents and supports the efforts of regional and field components, including coordinating the preparedness of national-level emergency response teams and resources; in coordination with Regional Response Coordination Centers (RRCCs), initiating mission assignments or reimbursable agreements to activate other Federal departments and agencies; and activating and deploying national-level specialized teams.


 * NOC-Watch
 * NOC–Interagency Watch (NOC-Watch) is a standing 24/7 interagency organization fusing law enforcement, national intelligence, emergency response, and private sector reporting. The NOC-Watch facilitates homeland security information-sharing and operational coordination with other Federal, State, local, tribal, and nongovernmental EOCs.


 * NPFC
 * The National Pollution Funds Center (NPFC) is an independent Coast Guard Unit reporting directly to the Chief of Staff and is the fiduciary agent for the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund (OSLTF) and the portion of the Superfund used by the US for response to hazardous substance released in the coastal zone. The Treasury Department is the Trustee for the Fund, the Environment Protection Agency (EPA), coordinates the cleanup of inland oil spills and trustees who oversee the restoration of natural resources.


 * NRC
 * National Response Center: The NRC receives reports of all chemical, radiological, etiological (causes of a disease or abnormal condition), and biological releases regulated by various federal statutes.


 * NRCS
 * Natural Resources Conservation Services (USDA) - (was responsible for disposing of livestock remains after Hurricanes Katrina/Rita)


 * NRDA
 * Natural Resource Damage Assessment


 * NRDAR
 * Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration


 * NRP
 * National Response Plan: A plan mandated by HSPD-5 that integrates Federal domestic prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery plans into one all-discipline, all-hazards plan. NRP Quick Reference (pdf) - 27 pages


 * NRS
 * National Response System


 * NRT
 * National Response Team providing technical assistance, resources and coordination on preparedness, planning, response and recovery activities for emergencies involving hazardous substances, pollutants and contaminants, hazmat, oil, and weapons of mass destruction in natural and technological disasters and other environmental incidents of national significance. NRT, is made up of 16 federal agencies, each with responsibilities and expertise in various aspects of emergency response to pollution incidents.


 * NSF
 * National Strike Force: The Coast Guard's National Strike Force (NSF) is composed of three strategically located strike teams and a coordination center. Strike teams have specially trained personnel and are equipped to respond to oil spills and chemical releases. NSF capabilities are especially suited to incidents occurring in the marine environment, but also include site assessments, safety, action plan development and documentation for both inland and coastal zone incidents.


 * NSFCC
 * National Strike Force Coordination Center


 * NVOAD
 * National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster


 * NWCG
 * National Wildfire Coordinating Group - Useful publications & forms


 * NWR
 * NOAA Weather Radio


 * NWS
 * National Weather Service NOAA

O

 * OIE
 * World organization for animal health


 * OPA
 * Oil Pollution Act of 1990


 * OSC
 * On-Scene Coordinator: The On-Scene Coordinator (OSC) and the Area Committee are responsible for developing, adopting, and implementing a response management system, such as ICS/UC, through the Area Contingency Plan (ACP). Use of a National Interagency Incident Management System (NIIMS)-based ICS/UC as the model for response management in the ACP can be helpful in ensuring an effective response.


 * OSHA
 * Occupational Safety & Health Administration

P

 * Pandemic influenza
 * National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza


 * PERT
 * Pet Emergency Response Team


 * PETA
 * People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals


 * PFS
 * Professional Food Systems


 * PIO
 * Public Information Officer: A member of the Command Staff responsible for interfacing with the public and media or with other agencies with incident-related information requirements.


 * Preparedness
 * Activities that enhance the abilities of indiviuals, communities, and businesses to better respond to a disaster. Preparedness activities include public education, disaster training, and disaster exercies/drills.


 * Primary Agency
 * The Governmental agency or departmentassigned primary(lead) responsibility to manage and coordinate a specific ESF. Primary agencies are designated on the basis of having the most resources, capabilities, or expertise relative to accomplishment of the ESF. primary agencies are responsible for overall planning and coordination and their support agencies and other ESF's.


 * PRP
 * Potentially Responsible Party

R

 * Recovery
 * Activities associated with the orderly restoration and rehabilitation of persons and property affected by disasters.


 * RERT
 * EPA's Radiological Emergency Response Team (RERT) prepare for and respond to emergencies involving radioactive materials, nuclear power plant accidents, nuclear weapons accidents, international incidents involving radioactive materials, lost (orphaned) radiation source devices, acts of terrorism involving nuclear materials, accidents involving satellites containing radioactive material.


 * Response
 * Activities, during the immediate aftermath ( usually considered the first 72 hours in a major event), that uses all systems, plans, and resources necessary to adequately preserve the health, safety, and welfare of victims, and their property affected by the disaster, with emphasis on meeting the emergency needs and restoring essential community services.


 * RFID
 * Radio Frequency Identification
 * see also Animal identification


 * Richter Scale for Earthquakes
 * 4.0-4.9 - Light - Noticeable shaking of indoor items, rattling noises. Significant damage unlikely. 6000 per year.
 * 5.0-5.9 - Moderate - Can cause major damage to poorly constructed buildings over small regions. At most slight damage to well-designed buildings. 800 per year
 * 6.0-6.9 - Strong - Can be destructive in areas up to about 100 miles across in populated areas. 120 per year
 * 7.0-7.9 - Major - Can cause serious damage over larger areas. 18 per year
 * 8.0-8.9 - Great - Can cause serious damage in areas several hundred miles across. 1 per year.
 * >9 - Rare Great - Devastating in areas several thousand miles across. 1 per 20 years


 * RP
 * Responsible Party


 * RRCC
 * Regional Response Coordination Center (FEMA)


 * RRT
 * Regional Response Team: RRTs ensure that appropriate federal and state assistance will reach an incident scene quickly and efficiently when needed. There are 13 RRTs, one for each of the ten federal regions, plus one for Alaska, one for the Caribbean, and one for Oceania. RRTs include state and federal members and are co-chaired by the USCG and EPA. Each RRT develops a Regional Contingency Plan that describes the policies and procedures for a quick and effective response to pollution incidents.


 * RSVP
 * Retired Senior Volunteer Program

S

 * SACC
 * Southern Area Coordination Center


 * Saffir-Simpson Scale
 * A categorial method of measuring the intensity ( wind speed), storm surge, and expected damage caused by a hurricane.


 * SARA
 * Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act


 * SART
 * State Animal Response Teams
 * Colorado
 * Connecticut
 * Florida
 * Lousiana
 * Maine SMART
 * North Carolina
 * Pennsylvania
 * see also Animal disaster groups


 * SATA
 * Site Assessment and Technical Assistance


 * SEMS
 * Standardized Emergency Management System


 * SERC
 * State Emergency Response Commission


 * Severe Weather
 * Severe weather conditions includingstrong thunderstorms, frequent lightening, gusts of high winds, and heavy rainfal usually associated with an identified weather front or system.


 * Severe Winter Storms
 * Heavy snow, ice, freezing rain and strong winds with sustained speeds of less than 35 miles per hour.


 * Slosh
 * Sea-Lake-Overland Surges from Hurricanes. A system of estimating the volume and depth of storm surge flooding caused by tropical storms. Coastal residents should consult the SLOSH map to determine the risk to their property in the event of coastal flooding.


 * Squall/Squall Line
 * Strong winds associated with thunderstorms which maintain peak speeds over a period of two or more minutes and then decrease rapidly. Squall lines may precede approaching intense storms.


 * SSC
 * Scientific Support Coordinator: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration NOAA Scientific Support Coordinators (SSCs) are designated by the FOSC, and is the principal advisor for scientific issues, communication with the scientific community, and coordination of requests for assistance from state and Federal agencies regarding scientific studies. The SSC may serve on the FOSC's staff supporting the Unified Command or within the Planning or Operational Component of the ICS.


 * SSP
 * Site Safety Plan


 * Staging Area
 * Location established where resources can be placed while awaiting a tactical assignment. The Operations Section manages Staging Areas.


 * Storm Surge
 * An onshore gush of water associated with a low pressure weather system, typically a tropical cyclone. Storm surge is caused primarily by high winds pushing on the ocean's surface. The wind causes the water to pile up higher than the ordinary sea level.


 * Support Agency
 * Organization or agency designated to assist a primary agency with available resources, capabilities, or expertise to accomplish the mission of the ESF response and recovery operations under the coordination of the primary agency.


 * SUPSALV
 * The U.S. Navy Superintendent of Salvage (SUPSALV), has extensive salvage-related, open-sea pollution incidents and recovery equipment inventory with the requisite knowledge and expertise to support these operations, including specialized salvage, firefighting, and petroleum, oil and lubricants offloading capability.

T

 * Technological Hazard
 * A range of hazards emanting from the manufacture, transportation, and use of hazardous materials, such as radioactive materials, chemicals, explosives, flammables, agricultural pesticides, herbicides, and disease agents; oil spills onland, coastal waters or inland water systems; and debris from space.


 * TNR
 * Trap-Neuter-Release - a method of limiting feral cat populations without putting them in kill-shelters


 * Triage
 * A process for sorting injured people or animals into groups based on their need for or likely benefit from immediate medical treatment. Triage is used in hospital emergency rooms, on battlefields, and at disaster sites when limited medical resources must be allocated.


 * Tornado
 * A violent whirling wind storm that can reach 300 MPH or more. A Tornado is identified by a funnel shaped cloud that progresses in a narrow path over land.


 * Tornado Warning
 * A Tornado has been sighted in the area or is indicated by radar. TAKE SHELTER IMMEDIATELY.


 * Traveler's Advisory
 * Severe Weather conditions, such as snow, ice, fog, or flooding which may make travelling difficult or dangerous.


 * Typhoon
 * The term used for Hurricanes in the western pacific.

U

 * UAN
 * United Animal Nation


 * UC
 * Unified Command


 * USAHA
 * United States Animal Health Association


 * USC
 * United States Code


 * USCG
 * United States Coast Guard


 * USDA
 * United States Department of Agriculture


 * US&R
 * Urban Search and Rescue (FEMA)

V

 * VCT
 * Volunteer Coordination Team (NVOAD)


 * VMATs
 * Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams Overview
 * VMAT Mission
 * VMAT Info
 * VMAT-1
 * VMAT-2
 * VMAT-3
 * VMAT-5


 * VOAD
 * Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD)


 * VRC
 * Volunteer Reception Center (NVOAD)

W

 * Warning
 * A public news release issued by the National Weather Service indicating that a severe weather event is taking place or is imminent ( within 24 hrs or less) in a specified area. It is of utmost importance that ALL precautionary measures and actions be taken immediately for the protection of life and property.


 * Watch
 * A public news release from the National Weather Service advising that conditions are present indicating possible development of a designated severe weather condition within a specified area.


 * Weather Advisory
 * A regulary scheduled public news release issued by the National Weather Service providing details on a continuing weather event.


 * Weather Bulletin
 * A public news release issued by the National Weather Service providing the latest details on the wather conditions during the period between advisories.


 * WMD
 * Weapons of Mass Destruction


 * WSAVA
 * World Small Animal Veterinary Association

Internal links

 * Site map
 * Training
 * Topics list