6 U.S.C. § 320 — Credentialing and typing

This section sets up a system for credentialing^* and classifying emergency^* responders and resources^*.

(a) Building the standards. The Administrator^* must sign a memorandum of understanding with the administrators of the Emergency Management^* Assistance Compact, with state^*, local, and tribal governments, and with organizations representing emergency response providers^*. Together they develop standards for deployment capabilities — including how to credential and "type," or classify, incident management personnel, emergency response providers, other personnel (including temporary staff), and resources likely needed for a natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other man-made disaster.

(b) Sharing the standards. (1) Within one year of August 3, 2007, the Administrator must give the standards developed under subsection (a), along with detailed written guidance, to: every federal agency^* with responsibilities under the National Response Plan^*, so it can credential and type its own incident management personnel and resources; and to state, local, and tribal governments, so they can do the same for their personnel and resources. (2) The Administrator must also provide expertise and technical help to federal, state, local, and tribal agencies working on credentialing and typing^*.

(c) Putting the standards to use. Within six months of receiving the standards under subsection (b), every federal agency with National Response Plan responsibilities must make sure its incident management personnel, emergency response providers, other personnel (including temporary staff), and resources are credentialed^* and typed^* according to this section.

(d) Health care standards. When developing standards for credentialing health care professionals under this section, the Administrator must consult with the Secretary^* of Health and Human Services.