The first section of the Act gives it a short title, allowing it to be referred to as the "Overseas Crisis Response Implementation System and Immediate Strategy Act" or "Overseas CRISIS Act."

The bill establishes a Crisis Management and Strategy Unit within the Department of State, which is responsible for overseeing the response to international crises. This unit will work with other government agencies and departments to manage crises and publish details about its structure and duties in the Foreign Affairs Manual.

The section mandates that the Secretary of the Department conducts annual tabletop exercises or simulations in Washington, DC, focusing on international crises. These exercises are designed to test crisis response, evacuation procedures, and coordination with various entities, with participation from department leadership, relevant federal agencies, and potentially foreign partners and NGOs. After each simulation, a briefing or notification is provided to congressional committees.

The bill section establishes the "Department of State Reserve Corps," which is a team of experts who can be quickly deployed to handle crises around the world. It outlines the authority to hire and compensate these members, specifies their rights to return to their previous jobs after service, and details how their travel expenses will be handled when they are called to duty.

The bill requires the Secretary to appoint a senior official as the Coordinator for Crisis Communication within 60 days of the Act’s enactment. This Coordinator will work in the Crisis Management and Strategy Unit and is responsible for managing communication efforts related to safety messaging for U.S. citizens abroad, civilian communication during crises, interaction with NGOs on emergency planning, briefing Congress, and working with the Department spokesperson.

The Secretary of State is required to have the Foreign Service Institute examine its courses to see if more crisis management training is needed, especially for technology professionals, and ensure that programs for ambassadors and deputies cover topics like communication during crises, evacuation procedures, and simulations for practice.

In emergency situations, the Secretary is given the authority to use Department funds to help locally employed staff and their immediate families by ensuring safe transport, short-term housing, and essential services. Additionally, the Secretary must report annually on the efforts and challenges faced in protecting these staff members following the suspension or closure of U.S. diplomatic posts, including suggestions for improvements.

The Secretary is required to create a Red Team capability to aid in the Department's crisis response and planning. Meetings for this team will be organized by the Department's Policy Planning Staff and Crisis Management and Strategy Unit for general purposes, and by the Secretary or other leaders for specific reviews. A report with the findings must be submitted to the Department’s Policy Planning Staff within 21 days of these meetings.

The bill requires the Secretary of State to create a "Department of State Emergency Response Lessons Learned Clearinghouse" within 180 days, which will serve as an electronic repository for lessons and reports on evacuations. This resource is intended to improve crisis response and planning by making information accessible to department personnel, supporting curriculum development for the Foreign Service Institute, and providing documents to the public, including civil society and academic institutions.

The section highlights the importance of the U.S. maintaining a strong diplomatic presence in high-risk areas for national security, and outlines the need for a plan to manage staffing at diplomatic missions in such regions. It recommends annual reviews of staff by Chiefs of Mission and considers offshoring some functions while ensuring that U.S. interests and security policies are upheld.

The section requires the Secretary of State to report to Congress on the Department of State's international crisis response efforts within 180 days, detailing procedures for managing crises, collaborating with other departments and organizations, and ensuring necessary resources and technology are available. It also mandates the development of a plan for crisis management software and strategies to improve public inquiry responses during crises.

The section of the bill provides definitions of key terms used throughout the document. These include identifying specific congressional committees, the term "Department" as the Department of State, what constitutes an "emergency situation," details on "Noncombatant Evacuation Operations," the meaning of "Red Team capability," and who the "Secretary" refers to—specifically the Secretary of State.