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Responder Knowledge Base

Ms. Sharon RanftleRKB Content Lead

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Agenda

• RKB History • What is the RKB?• Who uses the RKB?• RKB Content • Standards on the RKB

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RKB History

• Project Responder - sponsored by the Oklahoma City Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism (MIPT) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) – October 2003 Project responder, through a series of surveys and focus

groups, reached out to the responder community to find what their needs were (specifically equipment). Results indicated that a trusted knowledge base for emergency responders was necessary.

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RKB History(Continued)

The Responder Knowledge Base was developed to:

“Provide emergency responders, purchasers, and planners with a trusted, integrated, online source

of information on products, standards, certifications, grants, and other equipment-

related information.”

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What is the RKB? Emergency Responder Decision Support Tool

RKB Funding: Funding is provided by the FEMA National Preparedness Directorate.

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What is the RKB?

• The RKB is: Products module (with over 6,400 records) answers

“What equipment is out there?” Certifications and Standards modules answers “Has it been certified and if so, to what standard?” Training module answers

“What training is needed to use the equipment?” FEMA Preparedness Grants and Other Grants

modules (with over 215 records) answers“What grant vehicles exist to purchase the equipment?”

The User Opinions module answers“Is there anyone in the community that I can talk to who has used the equipment?”

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What is the RKB?(Continued)

• The RKB also has the following features: Watch Lists News Events Calendar Ask An Expert

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Who Uses the RKB?

• Public Users Access to the majority of information on the RKB

• Responders Access to public information, as well as access to limited

distribution products, publications, training, etc.

• Federal Government Access to all published information on

the RKB Ability to share relevant information with

the responder community, for example with news items

• Over 71,000 registered users

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Who Uses the RKB? Responders

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Who Uses the RKB? Visits per Day

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Who Uses the RKB?

• Equipment Purchasers Determine whether products are certified to a standard Use the comparison feature Stay abreast of new technologies

• FEMA Grant Applicants Access to the Authorized Equipment List (AEL):

“The Authorized Equipment List is produced by the FEMA Grant Programs Directorate, (DHS). It is the generic list of equipment items allowable under several FEMA Preparedness grant programs.”

Determine AEL categories applicable to specific grants

• CEDAP Applicants Applications completed on RKB

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RKB Content:FEMA Grants and Authorized Equipment

List

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RKB Content: Standardized Equipment List

• Standardized Equipment List (SEL) – is a product of the InterAgency Board (IAB)

Similar to the AEL in that category numbers and descriptions are mostly identical,

Differs from the AEL in that it provides recommendations on training, additional related standards, and operational considerations.

Not related to grant applications

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Additional RKB Content

• Operational Assessments (SAVER)Over 300 Operational Assessments

• Publications/ReferenceOver 1200 Publications

• Target Capabilities List (TCL)37 TCL Categories

• NIMS Resource Types• Lessons Learned Info Sharing (LLIS)

Over 460 Lessons Learned

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RKB Content: Product Example on the RKB

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RKB Content: Standards

• RKB exchanges standards information with ANSI Homeland Security Standards Database (HSSD).

RKB standards sometimes contain more information than what is found HSSD.

RKB also performs standards research outside of the HSSD.

The RKB hosts over 4,800 standards.

• RKB also hosts a DHS-adopted Standards ListingIAB-adopted Standards ListingP25 Overview Page

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Content: Standards on the RKB

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Questions?Sharon Ranftle(443) 402-9166

sharon.ranftle@saic.com

Rich Vandame, FEMA202-646-7666

richard.vandame@dhs.gov

RKB Help Desk877-336-2752

RKBMailbox@us.saic.com