4. Roles and Responsibilities

A number of different organizational entities within DOI have specific responsibilities for the DOI Pandemic Influenza Plan. As discussed in Section 1, OLESEM is responsible for preparing the Department’s pandemic influenza plan; however, others within the Department remain accountable for different aspects of this plan.

4.1 Program Assistant Secretaries

Program Assistant Secretaries provide leadership and oversight to ensure Bureaus under their jurisdiction effectively provide support for the DOI Pandemic Influenza Plan. They also manage and execute delegated responsibilities.

4.2 Solicitor

The Solicitor is responsible for providing advice for pandemic planning, and preparing a pandemic influenza plan for the Office that is consistent with the Department’s plan. The Office of the Solicitor Pandemic Influenza Plan is either an independent plan or a separate section in the Office’s COOP plan. The Solicitor is also responsible for ensuring the plan supports the requirements assigned by the Department for pandemic planning purposes (see Sections 6 - 8).

In preparing the Office’s pandemic influenza plan, the Solicitor is encouraged to consider including such information as identified in Section 4.4.3 for Offices within the Immediate Office of the Secretary. This information is also recommended for inclusion in pandemic plans by the Key Elements of Departmental Pandemic Influenza Operational Plans (i.e., Final Metachecklist).

Once a pandemic is declared, the Solicitor is responsible for submitting periodic reports on Office status (i.e., employee status, facility operating status, etc), in accordance with DM 900, Chapter 4.

4.3 Inspector General

The Inspector General is responsible for preparing a pandemic influenza plan for the Office that is consistent with the Department’s plan. The Office of Inspector General Pandemic Influenza Plan is either an independent plan or a separate section in the Office’s COOP plan. The Inspector General is also responsible for ensuring the plan supports the requirements assigned by the Department for pandemic planning purposes (see Sections 6 - 8).

In preparing the Office’s pandemic influenza plan, the Inspector General is encouraged to consider such information as identified in Section 4.4.3 for Offices within the Immediate Office of the Secretary. This information is also recommended for inclusion in pandemic plans by the Key Elements of Departmental Pandemic Influenza Operational Plans (i.e., Final Metachecklist). Once a pandemic is declared, the Inspector General is responsible for submitting periodic reports on Office status (i.e., employee status, facility operating status, etc), in accordance with DM 900, Chapter 4.

4.4 Assistant Secretary – Policy, Management, and Budget

The Assistant Secretary – Policy, Management, and Budget (PMB) is responsible for overall leadership and coordination of the Department’s pandemic influenza plan and approves the Department’s plan. In this role, the Assistant Secretary – PMB also chairs the DOI Avian Influenza/Pandemic Leadership Team as described in Section 5.

4.4.1   Deputy Assistant Secretary, Law Enforcement, Security, and Emergency Management

The Deputy Assistant Secretary, Law Enforcement, Security, and Emergency Management provides direct oversight of the Department’s pandemic planning and response activities and assures Departmental representation on the HSC Domestic Readiness Group (DRG) and other HSC Policy Coordinating Committees (PCCs), and the DHS Incident Management Planning Team (IMPT).

4.4.1.1.  Director, Office of Law Enforcement, Security, and Emergency Management

The Director, OLESEM provides direction for DOI’s support under the NRP; assures Departmental connectivity, coordination, and representation as required at the National Operations Center (NOC), the IMPT, and other interagency groups; and is assigned responsibility for management of Departmental responsibilities related to ESF #13 (Public Safety and Security), and the Terrorism Incident Law Enforcement and Investigation Incident Annex.

4.4.1.2   Departmental Emergency Coordinator

The Departmental Emergency Coordinator is responsible for ensuring Departmental responsibilities under this plan are effectively coordinated and executed. Specifically, the Implementation Plan described in Section 2.2 identifies specific tasks for Federal Departments and Agencies to accomplish in carrying out the National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza. Appendix N lists DOI’s responsibilities and required actions under the Implementation Plan. The Departmental Emergency Coordinator tasks individual Bureaus and Offices with these actions as appropriate and tracks progress.

In addition, the Departmental Emergency Coordinator is responsible for:

• The development and maintenance of the DOI Pandemic Influenza Plan
• Representing the Department at the HSC Biodefense Sub-PCC for Pandemic Influenza
• Planning, preparedness, and response activities related to ESF #5 (Emergency Management) and the Catastrophic Incident Annex
• Serving as chairperson of the Department’s Emergency Management Council (EMC), to assure coordination of Department-wide response activities during Incidents of National Significance.

4.4.2   Director, National Business Center

The Director of the National Business Center (NBC) is responsible for preparing a pandemic influenza plan for the Office that is consistent with the Department’s plan. NBC is also responsible for ensuring the plan supports the requirements assigned by the Department for pandemic planning purposes (see Sections 6 - 9). Finally, NBC’s pandemic influenza plan includes health and safety requirements related to all employees in facilities which it operates.

In preparing the pandemic influenza plan, NBC is encouraged to consider including such information as identified in Section 4.4.3 for Offices within the Immediate Office of the Secretary. This information is also recommended for inclusion in pandemic plans by the Key Elements of Departmental Pandemic Influenza Operational Plans (i.e., Final Metachecklist).

Once the pandemic is declared, NBC is responsible for submitting periodic reports on Office status (i.e., employee status, facility operating status, etc), in accordance with 900 DM, Chapter 4.

4.4.3   Office Directors in Policy, Management and Budget, and the Immediate Office of the Secretary

Office Directors in Policy, Management and Budget, and the Immediate Office of the Secretary (with the exception of the Office of the Solicitor [SOL], the Office of Inspector General [OIG], and NBC) do not maintain their own independent pandemic influenza plans. However, the Directors/Heads of these Offices provide information as requested, and appropriate, for inclusion in the respective section of Appendix P of the DOI Pandemic Influenza Plan.

The specific Directors/Heads of the Offices listed below are accountable for a special set of responsibilities. Those special responsibilities are as follows:

• The Director of the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO)
  • Ensures network availability
  • Develops strategies, policies, or waiver of policies where needed to allow the execution or essential or support functions remotely during a pandemic
  • Ensures that remote access to mission critical systems is available during a pandemic
  • Identifies basic tools and equipment to be used by employees who are performing essential or support functions from remote locations
  • Identifies essential support functions and those Information Technology (IT) positions required to execute them
  • Ensures that records management activities are in place to meet policy requirements during a pandemic
  • Develops a Test and Exercise Program to test the impact or large-scale use of telework on internal networks
  • Determines Remote Access policies to optimize telework options in case of a pandemic.  See Appendix J.
• The Director of the Office of Communications (OCO)
  • Develops and disseminates internal and external communications regarding activation of the Department's pandemic influenza plan and Departmental decisions and activities carried out under the plan.
• The Director of the Office of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS)
  • Develops and coordinates Department-wide policies that address employee health and safety practices such as infection control measures that minimize the risk of spreading influenza infection to/among DOI employees
  • In accordance with current guidance, evaluates the need for hygiene supplies, medicines, and other medical necessities to promote the health and wellness of DOI personnel, including those deployed to support the NRP
  • Ensures responsibilities identified in Section 6 are carried out.
• The Deputy Chief Human Capital Officer and the Director of the Office of Human Resources (OHR)
  • Plans, develops, and implements policies, programs, standards, and systems for effective management of human resources, and for coordinating human capital issues during a pandemic.
• The Director of the Office of Acquisition and Property Management (PAM)
  • Promulgates guidance to assure that the conditions of contract work are reviewed to ensure contractor responsibility for essential functions (where relevant) and to suspend non-essential work during a pandemic.

4.5 Heads of Bureaus

Heads of Bureaus are responsible for preparing pandemic influenza plans for the respective organizations that are consistent with the Department’s plan. Depending on each Bureau’s functions, the Bureau pandemic influenza plan is either an independent plan or a separate section in the Bureau’s comprehensive all-hazards plan. Heads of Bureaus are also responsible for ensuring the plans support the requirements assigned by the Department for pandemic planning purposes (see Sections 6 - 8).

In preparing Bureau pandemic influenza plans, Heads of Bureaus are encouraged to consider including such information as identified in Section 4.4.3 for Offices within the Immediate Office of the Secretary. This information is also recommended for inclusion in pandemic plans by the Key Elements of Departmental Pandemic Influenza Operational Plans (i.e., Final Metachecklist).

Once the pandemic is declared, Heads of Bureaus are responsible for submit periodic reports on Bureau status (i.e., employee status, facility operating status, etc.), in accordance with 900 DM, Chapter 4.

4.6 Emergency Management Council (EMC)

The EMC provides the primary means for Bureaus to coordinate emergency management planning and response activities. It is chaired by the Departmental Emergency Coordinator and includes as its members the Emergency Coordinators as described in DM 900. The EMC is convened as needed to coordinate Department-wide emergency management policy and activities in regards to a pandemic incident.

4.7 NRP Principal Planners

DM 900, Chapter 5 identifies those DOI Bureaus and Offices with delegated responsibilities as NRP Principal Planners for the various NRP ESFs. Execution of responsibilities under the NRP is a Primary Mission Essential Function of the Department of the Interior. As such, NRP Principal Planners are responsible for ensuring their functions under each ESF can be accomplished during a pandemic. SOPs for these activities shall be submitted by the NRP Principal Planners to OLESEM.

4.8 Interior Regional Emergency Coordination Councils (I-RECCs)

The Interior Regional Emergency Coordination Councils (I-RECCs) serve as the critical element for the Department’s regional coordination with the Federal Regional Areas of Responsibility for Pandemic Influenza. As described in DM 900, Chapter 1, members of the I-RECCs serve as primary point of contact for the Department to maintain liaison and coordination with the FEMA Regions, and to coordinate emergency activities across DOI Bureaus and Offices on a regional basis. The I-RECCs enhance mutual support within the regions among DOI Bureaus/Offices, FEMA, other Federal Agencies, States, Tribes, territorial, and local governments in preparation/planning for, and responding to, the pandemic.

4.9 Departmental COOP Sites

The Director of the host organizations for Departmental COOP Sites are responsible for developing operation plans to address the logistical movement, protection, housing, and feeding of staff during an activation of the DOI Pandemic Influenza Plan. These plans also address social distancing techniques, quarantine of rotated staff, and isolation of employees who may become ill while deployed. Additional information is found in Section 5 and Appendix F.