The Baltimore Regional Disaster Debris Planning Task Force and Plenary Regional Debris Management Tabletop Exercise was developed to evaluate the region’s debris management planning, operations and management of regional debris management sites and regional coordination capabilities. The exercise planning team comprised of local jurisdictional representatives, Maryland Emergency Management Agency, Maryland Department of Transportation, Baltimore Metropolitan Council, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers representatives. Exercise content and objectives were developed over a series of meetings organized and facilitated by Witt Associates that included the Concepts and Initial Planning Conference, Mid-Term Planning Conference and the Final Planning Conference.

Witt Associates provided expert guidance in developing a tabletop exercise to both meet the needs of the client as well as fulfill Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) requirements set forth by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Witt Associates staff, experienced in debris management and HSEEP exercise development and facilitation, led the effort by coordinating a diverse group of stakeholders, with varying levels of debris management experience, to gain consensus on exercise content and the development of an exercise that would encourage open dialog to build regional coordination. The Task Force had not yet defined a clear vision of how regional debris management would function, who would have authority over regional debris management and what those authorities would be. Much of the effort focused on building relationships among exercise participants, identifying issues, and capturing consensus items for the group to build on.

All participants spoke favorably of the communications and discussions that were facilitated by the exercise and desired to continue regional debris management efforts. Final products provided for the client included an After Action Review that identified program successes, areas of improvement and recommendations on how to address identified improvements. These key recommendations included:

• Improve understanding of FEMA policies and issues associated with regional debris management. Coordinate with FEMA to identify issues associated with regional debris management and reimbursement to single applicants under the Public Assistance program, as well as track and document debris to single applicants at regional debris management sites. As issues are resolved, further develop regional management plans and policies.
• Improve focus and tracking progress of Task Force. Utilizing the body of work to date, continue to document issues identified by the Task Force and participating jurisdictions, as well as assignments and progress on issue resolution. Document consensus items to begin laying the groundwork for regional debris plans and policies. Distribute consensus items as well as share information such as jurisdictional debris plans, after action reports and identified best practices to encourage consistency in jurisdictional approach to debris management planning which will facilitate an efficient transition to regional debris management.
• Continue Task Force meetings to maintain a conduit for information gathering, dissemination and training; and improve documentation of procedures, responsibilities and available assistance regarding state and federal agencies as well as information for regional distribution and host workshops or seminars on issues identified such as the state debris contract scope and jurisdictional responsibilities, the FEMA Public Assistance reimbursement process related to debris, United States Army Corps of Engineers assistance capability, and state agency assistance capability.
• Identify and explore sites suitable for regional debris management based on capacity, location and type of debris. As potential sites are identified, issues associated to regional use can be identified and necessary Memorandum of Understanding can be drafted and run through jurisdictions for further issue identification.

This project was initiated by the Baltimore Metropolitan Council on behalf of the Baltimore Regional Disaster Debris Planning Task Force and funded with Urban Area Security Initiative funds through the Baltimore Region Urban Area Homeland Security Work Group (UAWG). The Task Force, a subcommittee of the UAWG, identifies and addresses issues related to disaster debris in the Baltimore region. The effort was contracted to bring debris management and HSEEP compliance expertise to the project.