FEMA IS-64.A: DHS Common Operating Picture Application Course Summary

Objectives: At the end of this lesson, the learner will be able to:

1. Explain the purpose and value of the DHS COP application to DHS and mission partners
2. Describe how to access the DHS COP application
3. Describe the DHS COP application’s interface and data display
4. Describe how to navigate the DHS COP application’s incident tools
5. Explain how to use the DHS COP application’s visualization capabilities
6. View the DHS COP application to help with decision-making during disaster response and recovery phases
7. Add and modify information in the DHS COP application to help with decision-making during a disaster
8. Request a change to the DHS COP application to help with decision-making during a suspicious incidentent

Objectives: At the end of this lesson, the learner will be able to:

• Describe the value the DHS COP application brings to the Homeland Security Enterprise (HSE)
• Describe how to access the DHS COP application
• Describe the DHS COP application’s interface and data display

• Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006
• National Response Framework, 2008
• National Response Framework, 2013
• National Incident Management System (NIMS), 2008

The DHS COP application has matured to service the entire DHS enterprise, based on mission user requirements.

When incidents happen, government and private sector leaders need to share information, make timely and informed decisions, and identify courses of action.

The COP application provides Homeland Security users a broad set of capabilities and secure access to enterprise information using role-based access controls.

The DHS COP application streamlines the communication effort, facilitating timely decision support prior to, during, or in the aftermath of a natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other man-made disaster.

Once you have your HSIN account, you can request a DHS COP account by contacting the NOC via: [email protected].

If you need help with the DHS COP application, call the HSIN Help Desk at 1-866-430-0162. Also, you may download the DHS COP Application User Guide from the Help menu in the COP Application.

Some examples include:

• Publisher
• Editor
• Administrator

If you are unsure which role you have been assigned, please contact [email protected].

• Purpose and value to DHS missions
• Interface and data display
• Login procedures

The DHS COP application allows users to manage and share critical information that affects Homeland Security.

The next lesson will explore the COP in greater detail.

Objectives: At the end of this lesson, the learner will be able to:

• Describe how to navigate the DHS COP application’s incident tools

• Monitored – blue italicized text
• Published – black bold text
• Unpublished – dark blue italicized text
• Closed – purple italicized text

The NOC number is a unique incident number selected by the NOC analyst, or an analyst with publisher rights, for an incident.

• Identify an incident’s status
• Sort incidents by title, phase, NOC number, or days active
• Navigate the Overview window
• Identify the various report types available in the DHS COP application
• Create a new incident
• Update an incident report
• Add an image to an incident
• Ensure content complies with privacy laws and regulations

The next lesson will explore the COP in greater detail.

Objectives: At the end of this lesson, the learner will be able to:

• Explain how to use the DHS COP application’s visualization capabilities

The Layers window allows users to select layers from default data, to add data from defined map services, and to batch geocode a file of addresses.

To add ArcGIS Representational State Transfer (REST), Geospatial Rich Site Summary (GeoRSS), Keyhole Markup Language (KML), or Web Mapping Services (WMS), simply copy the web address into the dialog box and provide a name for the layer in the layer control.

Once added, the user can turn on/off specific layers in the REST/KML/WMS/GeoRSS under the Default Incident Layers tab.

Next, select the type of tool that you want to use to draw on the map.  For this example, we’ll select the “draw shapes” icon. Click on the desired area of the map and create your shape. Single click and move your cursor to define the shape. Double-click to place the final point. If you are using the line tool, click once to set the starting point of the line, the click again to draw line segments. Double-click to complete the line. If you make a mistake and want to delete your shape or line, select the eraser icon click once on the shape to erase it. To clear all shapes on the map, select the “Clear All” button.”

Results can be displayed for driving or walking, by time or by distance. Once you determine your route, you can also print the map using the Print feature.

• Creating an incident map
• Drawing and measuring annotations on the map
• Adding text and data layers to the map
• Querying a point of interest on the map
• Saving and loading a map view
• Finding locations from a point on the map or from an address
• Getting directions and printing a map

The next lesson will explore the COP in greater detail.

Objective: At the end of this lesson, the learner will be able to:

• View the DHS COP application to help with decision-making during disaster response and recovery phases

This scenario demonstrates how to access the DHS COP application to:

• Help with decision making during an initial disaster response
• Support information sharing during search and rescue missions
• Coordinate recovery efforts in the aftermath of a disaster

The DHS COP application provides data to help decision makers determine how and when to deploy resources that are needed to support the initial response to a disaster.

Decision makers in charge of the immediate response to this disaster can view the COP application to gain situational awareness regarding the location of electric and gas lines, commercial and government buildings, public transportation systems, and potential toxic hazards within the area of impact.

During the lifesaving phase, decision makers need information to help them determine shelter availability for victims displaced by the earthquake, accessible transportation routes to the impacted area for delivery of water and blankets, and location of local medical emergency services.

• Search and rescue efforts
• Critical medical support
• Coordination of food, shelter, and water for victims

Many of these activities are high-profile in the eyes of government officials, emergency managers, the media, and the public.

During the recovery phase, decision makers manage and prioritize the timely restoration of damaged transportation, water, sewer, and power infrastructure; and organize temporary housing for victims.

The DHS COP application, with its numerous data layers and relevant incident reports, provides decision makers with needed information to support these efforts.

Decision makers can use the DHS COP application to view and monitor events as they occur, enhancing situational awareness. Decision makers can access the DHS COP application to support:

• Decision making during the initial response to a disaster
• Information sharing during search and rescue missions in the aftermath of a disaster
• Coordinated recovery efforts in the aftermath of a disaster

The next lesson will explore the COP in greater detail.

This scenario demonstrates how to: create a new incident in the DHS COP application to support decision makers in response to a disaster; create an incident map associated with a disaster;  publish the initial report associated with a disaster; and, add map layers associated with a disaster.

Objective: At the end of this lesson, the learner will be able to:

• Add and modify information in the DHS COP application to help with decision-making during a disaster

Immediate reports claim approximately 75 deaths and hundreds of people injured. Details are still unfolding at the scene.

A new window opens that requires additional incident information. On the General tab, provide the report Date and Time, and then select from the drop-down menus to indicate the incident’s type and subtype. For this example, select “Security” as the type, and “Terror Incident” as the subtype. On the Details tab, select the incident’s phase from the drop-down menu, and a location. Then type in the names of each participating agency for the incident, and provide a description of the incident under the Description tab. Finally, click “Save” and “Close”. Reload the page to update the view … the terror incident now appears in the Incident List.

Data layers pertinent to this incident may include specific damage locations to the mall infrastructure, locations of power and water supplies, locations of nearby medical facilities, first responders, and police departments.

Next, the publisher needs to create a meaningful map to closely track the challenging issues associated with this attack.

A new map window appears to identify the location of the incident. To specify the most accurate location, use the “Find Location” feature on the map toolbar, and type in the address for the mall, then select “Find Location.” When the location displays, click on the location and an ANSI icon appears for the associated event type. Select “Save” and “Close.”

To view map data layers that may be helpful in this scenario, zoom in to the area of concern, and select the “Layers” icon. To see nearby emergency services and medical facilities, select Federal, and then Emergency Services. For example, turn on layers for Receiving Hospitals, Fire Stations, and Emergency Medical Services; you will see icons appear on the map. Clicking on each icon opens a dialog box that provides address and telephone information for each facility, and a “zoom to” link that will enlarge the map view to the facility’s exact location.

Next, the publisher must publish an Incident Report to the DHS COP application.

Next, right-click on the Mall Terrorist Attack incident and select “Update Incident.” Select the “Images” tab and click on the new image to include it in the Incident Report, select the Description tab, copy and paste the most current incident information from the NOC report, and then select Save. Next, select the Preview Report button. After reviewing the report, select “Publish Report.” The report now appears in the Incident Reports section of the Reports tab in the Overview window.

• Create a new incident in the DHS COP application to support decision makers in the wake of a disaster
• Create an incident map associated with the disaster
• Publish the initial report associated with the disaster

Reminder, while this scenario demonstrates the following of a specific disaster incident, the techniques and procedures can be applied to other incident types and missions.

The next lesson will explore the COP in greater detail.

Objectives: At the end of this lesson, the learner will be able to:

• Contribute to the DHS COP application to help with decision-making during a suspicious incident

The following scenario shows how the DHS COP application provides a national picture of suspicious activities as they arise, so that federal response teams can determine if a threat is an isolated event, or a trend that will affect a wider population.

At 9 a.m., the NOC was notified of additional suspicious packages discovered at the Supreme Courts of Florida and Alabama.

Note: Once the report is updated, the user can publish the report to the COP Table of Contents as an incident.

Additionally, the NOC analyst must add new incidents to reflect the suspicious packages found at the Florida and Alabama Supreme Courts. To do this, select the “Create Incident” tab on the Incident tools menu, and type the NOC number, and incident name for the Florida incident. Then, repeat the process for the Alabama incident. Once the new incidents are added, re-load the page to update the Incident List.

Analysts at the NOC Media Monitoring Center summarize the information from media sources to provide a well-rounded operational picture.

NOC analysts relay this critical information to key decision makers by publishing an NOC Media Report to the associated incident in the DHS COP application.

The NOC analyst receives a Media Monitoring Report and publishes it to the DHS COP application.

Next, the analyst needs to associate this image with the incident report. To do so, right-click on the Georgia Supreme Court incident and select “Update Incident.” Select the “Images” tab, and select the suspicious package image. A green checkmark appears on the image. Select “View Report” to make sure the image is now associated with the incident report. Then select “Publish Report.”  Select “OK” on the Publish Successful dialog box, and close the Update Incident window.

The DHS COP application offers a scalable design for your mobile device that allows users to access the DHS COP remotely.

This scenario demonstrated how to:

• Update incident status
• Create new incidents
• Publish a media report
• Upload an image to an incident report
• Access the DHS COP Mobile application