ID
5-508-1250
Name
Virtual Operations Support Team
Status
Published
Version
1.1
Updated
12/2/2019 3:20:23 PM
Original Release
07/02/2019
Last Major Release
12/02/2019
Description
The Virtual Operations Support Team (VOST) completes web-based missions to monitor, amplify, filter, and develop web-based communication platforms for Incident Command and coordination organizations responding to crisis situations
Resource Category
Communications
Primary Core Capability
Operational Communications
Secondary Core Capability
 
Resource Kind
Team
Overall Function
The VOST: 1. Activates at the request of an Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) 2. Assesses and evaluates where and how a community is sharing information online during crisis 3. Monitors available and public web-based communications on social media and news organization websites to identify crisis needs, damage assessment, and community sentiment surrounding emergency events 4. Amplifies or disseminates public information at the request of the AHJ 5. Filters online content and develops "Listening Reports", which include a mission overview, trend analysis, and summary of mission-based results at regular time intervals the AHJ requests 6. Develops web-based platforms for regional response, at the request of the emergency response organization
Composition and Ordering Specifications
1. Discuss logistics for deploying this team, such as working conditions, length of deployment, security, lodging, transportation, and meals, prior to deployment 2. Requestor and provider discuss the web-based missions based on incident needs 3. This team typically operates virtually with regular check-in intervals, as the requestor establishes 4. Requestor may order the VOST Leader be on-site with the requestor, based on specialties necessary for incident and value of proximity to the emergency response 5. Requestor may order a VOST Administrator to monitor administrative functions of the VOST and help integrate it into incident response 6. Requestor briefs team on information collection and storage protocols for Personally Identifiable Information (PII), as relevant to mission
Supporting Core Capabilities
None
Components
Component Notes  
Minimum Personnel Per TeamVariable, based on scale of incident, whether incident is high-profile from media perspective, and pace of online engagement by the community.
Component Types
Type Attribute
Type 117
Type 212
Type 36
Type 43
Management And Oversight Personnel Per TeamIf team is working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, team will require two 12-hour based team leaders to cover both shifts.
Component Types
Type Attribute
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 2Same as Type 3, PLUS: 1 - VOST Leader
Type 3Same as Type 4
Type 41 - VOST Leader
SUPPORT PERSONNEL PER TEAMVariable, based on scale of incident, whether incident is high-profile from media perspective and pace of online engagement by the community.
Component Types
Type Attribute
Type 1Same as Type 2, PLUS: 5 - VOST Member
Type 2Same as Type 3, PLUS: 5 - VOST Member
Type 3Same as Type 4, PLUS: 3 - VOST Member
Type 42 - VOST Member
Information Gathering Capability Per TeamNot Specified
Component Types
Type Attribute
Type 11. Platform Development and/or Management of Platforms 2. Extensive Mapping Requests
Type 21. Geo-Specific Capabilities 2. Message Creation and Dissemination across Web-Based Platforms
Type 31. Message Amplification from Official Sources 2. Multi-Platform Activities
Type 41. Social Monitoring Across Basic Platforms 2. Trend Analysis
Communications Equipment Per TeamRequestor and provider discuss specific equipment the requestor will provide.
Component Types
Type Attribute
Type 1Same as Type, 2 PLUS: 1. 5 - Computers 2. 5 - Cell Phone
Type 2Same as Type 3, PLUS: 1. 6 - Computers 2. 6 - Cell Phones
Type 3Same as Type 4, PLUS: 1. 3 - Computers 2. 3 - Cell Phones
Type 41. 3 - Computers 2. 3 - Cell Phones 3. Online Accounts for major platforms under evaluation
768768768
Notes
References
Reference
FEMA, NIMS 509: Virtual Operations Support Team Leader
FEMA, NIMS 509: Virtual Operations Support Team Member
FEMA, NIMS 509: Virtual Operations Support Team Administrator
FEMA, National Incident Management System (NIMS), October 2017
Published Versions
Version Publish Date Document Type
1.1 12/2/2019 3:20:23 PM PDF
1.0 7/2/2019 9:02:54 AM PDF