The Office of Response and Restoration (OR&R) Disaster Preparedness Program (DPP) provides a breadth of continuity, preparedness, response, and recovery services to OR&R and the National Ocean Service (NOS) by focusing on all aspects of potential risk. The DPP coordinates current operational capabilities and knowledge from across NOS and NOAA to ensure that commerce, communities, and natural resources can recover as quickly as possible from disasters or disruptions. Expanding on the vision and programming of the Disaster Response Center, the DPP uses NOAA’s expertise to effectively coordinate NOS response and recovery activities, review and test continuity and response plans, and train workforce to respond to emergencies safely and effectively. The program aids NOS and partners who deliver critical disaster response and recovery services in events ranging from human-caused disasters such as maritime navigation incidents to natural disasters such as hurricanes.

While natural or human-caused disasters can not always be prevented, efforts can be made to reduce their impacts on coastal communities, economies, and resources. Recognizing this, the DPP is dedicated to providing services that allow NOS and our partners to navigate both the preparedness and emergency management cycles efficiently, safely, and effectively.

The government cannot stop working when an emergency occurs. Federal agencies must be prepared—with plans that account for every situation—to ensure the most essential functions always get done. This is called comprehensive continuity planning. 

The Disaster Preparedness Program plays a vital role in NOS preparedness, response, and Continuity of Operations (COOP) planning. Serving as the NOS Continuity Coordinator, the program is responsible for the management and maintenance of the NOS COOP Plan.

• Continuity Planning

Training for possible and worst-case scenarios is the best way to prepare for disasters. The DPP provides training for NOAA field responders, federal partners, and state and local emergency managers. Offered around the country and remotely, these trainings provide personnel with the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform key tasks required during an oil spill, hazardous chemical spill, or a natural disaster.

• Training Opportunities

Exercises play a vital role in preparedness by enabling NOAA and NOS to validate its preparedness plans as well as identify and address gaps and areas for improvement. The DPP designs and leads exercises to improve NOS’s readiness and preparedness posture and ensure minimal disruption in critical commercial and public services. Exercises provide a low-risk environment for NOS to test capabilities and familiarize personnel with roles and responsibilities they may have during an emergency or disaster.

• Exercises

The DPP leads a continuous improvement process to ensure NOS and our partners provide the most effective response when a disaster strikes. The continuous improvement process improves upon the operational management and execution of NOS’s emergency response to natural and human-caused disasters such as hurricanes and maritime accidents. Continuous improvement is guided by lessons learned from each incident and/or exercise and improves future planning, coordination, and execution of disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.

• Continuous Improvement

Response and Disaster Coordination

The DPP coordinates incident response efforts across NOS and our partners to maximize efficiencies across response missions, ensure clear and timely situational awareness, and support gaps and/or needs that may arise nationally and regionally. The DPP accomplishes this through the knowledge and expertise of the NOS Incident Management Team, comprised of NOS staff from across all program and staff offices with a primary focus on effective and efficient preparedness, situational awareness, and incident coordination for any disaster.

• Response and Disaster Coordination

Recovery

The DPP supports NOAA partners and communities throughout the emergency management cycle, from mitigation and preparedness to response and long-term recovery. Following a disaster, NOAA coordinates with federal, state, and local partners to assist impacted areas with resources and expertise to ensure that commerce, communities, and natural resources can recover as quickly as possible. 

• Recovery