Doug Eades

The inaugural meeting of the Kentucky Qualification System (KQS) Advisory Committee was convened to enhance the state's disaster response capabilities. Key discussion points included a review of the KQS plan submitted to FEMA, a presentation on the Regional Incident Management Team, and outlining the committee's next steps. The committee also discussed the National Qualification System (NQS) and the development of Kentucky's version, KQS. The timeline for KQS implementation, focusing on Type 3 All-Hazard Incident Management Teams (AHIMTs), was presented, along with the project network diagram. The need for Qualification Review Boards (QRBs) was addressed, with plans to establish boards for Incident Management Teams and EOC Assistance Teams. A Policy and Procedures Subgroup was formed to draft the Standard Operating Guidelines (SOG) for KQS.

The meeting included a KQS program update, review and approval of the board's business rules, and a discussion on historical recognition and its role in KQS. The board reviewed milestones for 2024, including the establishment of the board in January and the emphasis on Historical Recognition starting in September. There was also an update on Job Action Sheets (JAS) and Position Task Books (PTBs).

The meeting included a KQS program update, discussion of progress on proposed business rules for the QRB, and State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) organization and Job Action Sheets/Position Task Books development. The board discussed the role of the board, which is to evaluate candidates who wish to be certified and credentialed to work in State Emergency Operations Centers (SEOCs), particularly in FEMA Region IV. The committee then reviewed the recent upgrade to the KQS website. The subcommittee reported they had met on March 7, 2024 and began to draft proposed business rules for the board. Dr. Harris reviewed the JAS provided to Kentucky SEOC, Emergency Support Function (ESF) partners on March 5, 2024.

The committee received a KQS Program Update, covering decertification, updates from the QRBs, online presence, and potential databases for storing KQS-related information. They brainstormed possible program goals for Calendar Year 2025. There was a discussion on decertification and de-credentialing, with an updated draft to be provided at the next meeting. The committee reviewed the program's 2024 milestones and overall status, noting that KQS met all major milestones. Two training management systems were discussed. The committee approved a certificate to be presented to credentialed persons and discussed a range of goals and ideas for moving forward with KQS in 2025.

The meeting provided an orientation to the Kentucky Qualification System (KQS) and highlighted the role of the EOC Assistance Team Qualification Review Board (QRB) in the KQS process. The board reviewed the KQS implementation timeline for 2024, including the formation of the EOC Assistance Team QRB. The KQS Project Network Diagram was discussed, emphasizing the upcoming publication of the KQS Standard Operating Guide (SOG). Additionally, a Policy and Procedure Subcommittee was formed to draft proposed business rules for the board.