317-232-2222
planning@dhs.in.gov
About Mass Care and Logistics Planning
Mass care and logistics planning serves as a resource for IDHS, other state agencies, local government officials, private and nonprofit stakeholders engaged in mass care, emergency assistance, logistics and resource support planning. The mass care and logistics planner offers insights into best practices, strategic frameworks and tools necessary for effective emergency management. The focus is on facilitating collaboration and knowledge sharing among organizations to ensure coordinated responses during crises.
This area of planning is responsible for all state planning development and maintenance services related to the following emergency management areas:
- Mass Care Base Plan and Support Annexes
- State Logistics Plan and Support Annexes
- Volunteer and Donation Management
- Mass Fatality, Casualty and Mortuary Response
- State Repatriation Plan
- State Host Plan
Additionally, the mass care and logistics planner is the lead planner and coordinator for Emergency Support Function (ESF) annexes 6, 7 and 8. The planner also coordinates with the Indiana Department of Health and supporting partners for all public health emergency response plans, including pandemic response and Strategic National Stockpile (SNS).
Highlights
Mass care and logistics planning covers a wide scope of work. Below are just a few of the areas.
- Community-Centered Approach
Planning for emergencies is a team effort. This approach not only strengthens community resilience but also fosters a culture of support and preparedness. IDHS and its partners prioritize access and functional needs to ensure everyone in the community is included and supported during a crisis. IDHS leverages the knowledge of subject matter experts from governmental, nonprofit, public and private sectors to coordinate and collaborate on planning whole-community preparedness initiatives.
IDHS mass care planning aligns with established guidelines from FEMA, the American Red Cross and National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (National VOAD), emphasizing the importance of inclusivity. IDHS advocates for comprehensive strategies that address the unique needs of all individuals, ensuring equitable access to resources and support.
Best Practices
- Inclusive planning: Engage community members to identify and address diverse needs and capabilities. Involve religious and cultural leaders, advocates for access and functional needs, school district leaders and homeless shelters and case workers.
- Coordination: Collaborate with neighboring organizations to streamline access to services. This includes neighboring jurisdictions like municipalities and counties that could provide mutual aid during times of crisis.
- Training and awareness: Provide education or accessible information on effective responses to mass care emergencies.
- Resources Accessibility in Emergencies
In emergencies, it is crucial that all community members can access the resources they need, regardless of their situation, to ensure that no one is left behind in emergencies.
Best Practices
- Identifying resource needs: Engage with different community partners to conduct capabilities analyses and identify resource gaps. Using tools like FEMA's Resilience Analysis and Planning Tool (RAPT) provide insight about the most vulnerable communities in a jurisdiction.
- Barrier reduction: Address potential barriers, such as transportation or language, that might prevent individuals from accessing resources. For example, for evacuation scenarios, have a preexisting agreement with a transportation service that has the ability to transport people with functional and access needs.
- Distribution of emergency supplies: Work with other agencies and organizations to ensure resources are protected, available when needed and delivered to affected communities.
