Silver Jackets: Many Partners, One team

SILVER JACKETS

Many Partners, One Team

 

For More Information Contact

Contact the National Silver Jackets Coordinator for general information about Silver Jackets.

Why the name "Silver Jackets"?

About the Silver Jackets ProgramDuring disaster response, agencies are  often identified by the color jacket or shirt they wear. For example, FEMA has typically worn blue jackets or shirts and USACE has worn red.  The name ‘Silver Jackets’ was coined to represent many agencies working together to tackle flooding issues.

What Is Silver Jackets?

Photo of Silver Jackets partners at Tennessee Emergency Management AgencySilver Jackets teams are interagency teams that facilitate collaborative solutions to state flood risk priorities. The state-led teams bring together multiple state, federal, and sometimes tribal and local agencies to learn from one another and work together to reduce risk from floods and sometimes other natural disasters. By applying their shared knowledge, the teams enhance preparedness, mitigation, and response and recovery efforts. The state or territory sets the priorities, with each agency member supporting the team using its own programs and resources within the constraints of available budgets and agency authorities.

Photograph of the original Idaho Silver Jackets TeamThe first pilot Silver Jackets teams were formed in Ohio in 2005 and Indiana in 2006. Since then, 54 Silver Jackets teams have formed in all 50 states, four territories (American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands), and the District of Columbia. The intent is not to duplicate existing teams but to supplement and strengthen current efforts and establish collaborative relationships where they do not yet exist.

Photo of Silver Jackets partners at Tennessee Emergency Management AgencyNo single agency has the complete solution, but each has something to contribute. The state Silver Jackets teams are the forums where all relevant agencies come together with the state to collaboratively plan and implement interagency solutions. Through partnerships, teams optimize the multi-agency utilization of federal resources by leveraging state/local/tribal resources, including information, talent, and funding, while preventing duplication of effort. Leveraging the expertise, programs and perspectives of multiple agencies can result in more comprehensive and cohesive solutions.

Photograph of the Maryland Silver Jackets TeamTeam focal areas vary as state priorities vary. Activities range throughout the flood risk management lifecycle and promote shared responsibility. Team activities have included state hazard mitigation plan updates, inundation mapping, tabletop exercises, development of emergency action plans, risk communication workshops, and coordination of perishable data collection, and many others.

Photograph of Silver Jackets Team Activities in Action alongside FEMAAlthough each state Silver Jackets team is unique, common agency participants include state agencies with mission areas of hazard mitigation, emergency management, floodplain management, or natural resources conservation. Federal participation typically includes the Federal Emergency Management Agency,  National Weather Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Geological Survey, as well as the Natural Resource Conservation Service, Environmental Protection Agency, among others.  Some teams include membership from Tribes and academic institutions, regional and local government, and non-governmental organizations.

State Teams

Map of Silver Jackets state teams

A total of 54 intergovernmental flood risk management teams have been formed and are represented on the map in green.

Inside the Castle Podcast logo

Listen to an episode of the Inside the Castle podcast (August 26, 2021) to learn more about Silver Jackets teams and the benefits they bring to the nation.


U.S. Army Corps of Engineers supports state-led Silver Jackets Teams through its Flood Risk Management Program.