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EM NEWS 2011

IAEM News | EM News | Share Your Expertise

Japan 2011 Earthquake/Tsunami Disaster

USA 2011: Tornado News/Resources | Hurricane News/Resources

Mary Fran Myers Scholarship Committee, National Hazards Center, University of Colorado at Boulder, Now Accepting Applications for 2012 Scholarships (30 Jan 2012) The Mary Fran Myers Scholarship Committee is now accepting applications. Recipients will receive financial support allowing them to attend the 2012 Natural Hazards Research and Applications Workshop in Broomfield, Colorado, July 14-17, 2012. Recipients may also stay through July 18 to attend either the International Research Committee on Disasters or the Natural Hazard Mitigation Association add-on events for researchers and practitioners, respectively. Scholarships can cover part or all of transportation, meals, and registration costs.

The Mary Fran Myers Scholarship is awarded annually to at least one potential Workshop participant. Recipients are recognized at the Workshop and may be asked to serve as panelists, where they can highlight their research or practical experiences with hazards and disasters.

As the longtime co-director of the Natural Hazards Center, Myers recognized that many of the people and organizations that could benefit from and contribute to the Workshop—including local practitioners, students, and international professionals—were among those least likely to afford it. The scholarship was established in 2003 to fulfill Myers’ request that qualified and talented individuals receive support to attend.

Hazards practitioners, students, and researchers with a strong commitment to disaster management and mitigation and who reside in North America or the Caribbean are eligible to enter. Eligibility is based on current place of residence, not citizenship.

Applicants from outside North America and the Caribbean will be eligible for the scholarship in 2013. Previous attendees of the Natural Hazards Workshop are not eligible for the 2012 Mary Fran Myers Scholarship. Preference is given to those who can demonstrate financial need.

For more information on past scholarship winners and how to apply, visit the Mary Fran Myers Scholarship page at the Natural Hazards Center Web site. Applications must be received by Mar. 26, 2012.

UK's Royal Air Force and Royal Navy Engage in Major Training Exercise in Preparation for Olympic Games (26 Jan 2012) Royal Air Force and Royal Navy aircraft are in operation over the skies of Yorkshire as part of a major training exercise to prepare for this year's Olympic Games. In the latest familiarisation drill, aimed at ensuring the British Armed Forces play an effective supporting role in the police-led security effort, military pilots will practise their skills and drills over a three-day period. Codenamed Exercise Taurus Mountain 1, and taking place from 24 to 26 January 2012, it will see fast jet and helicopter pilots put through their paces as they practise operating alongside one another. Other military aircraft will also take part in the exercise in supporting roles. Learn more.

FEMA Announces Youth-Based Technical Assistance Workshops (12 Jan 2012) In order to better prepare our nation’s youth to bring preparedness home, FEMA is providing technical assistance workshops to state and local practitioners who support youth-based programs and who are interested in integrating preparedness education into their offerings. As part of these workshops, participants hear from experts who have developed and delivered some of the most successful youth preparedness programs across the country. Download flyer for details.

DHS Releases "Blueprint for a Secure Cyber Future" (16 Dec 2011) The U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security on Dec. 12 issued "Blueprint for a Secure Cyber Future," which builds on the DHS Quadrennial Homeland Security Review Report’s strategic framework by providing a clear path to create a safe, secure and resilient cyber environment for the homeland security enterprise. With this guide, stakeholders at all levels of government, the private sector, and our international partners can work together to develop the cybersecurity capabilities that are key to our economy, national security, and public health and safety. The Blueprint describes two areas of action:

Protecting our Critical Information Infrastructure Today, and
Building a Stronger Cyber Ecosystem for Tomorrow.

The Blueprint is designed to protect the most vital U.S. systems and assets and, over time, drive fundamental change in the way people and devices work together to secure cyberspace. The integration of privacy and civil liberties protections into the Department’s cybersecurity activities is fundamental to safeguarding and securing cyberspace.

FEMA Seeks Comments on "Levee-Inclusive" Method for Flood Mapping and Analysis Efforts (16 Dec 2011) As part of ongoing efforts to reform the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), FEMA has been working with stakeholders to revise FEMA’s process for mapping flood risk with respect to levees. The agency has determined that an improved approach will enable FEMA to provide maps that more precisely reflect the flood risk experienced by families living behind levees.

Over the recent months, FEMA has explored a spectrum of possible scenarios to address the one percent-annual-chance flood risk in the vicinity of levees, and evaluated multiple approaches through extensive stakeholder, independent, technical, and public input. As with other, recently-adopted tools that have increased FEMA mapping accuracy, such as digital mapping technology, these new methods add to FEMA’s overall continually improving flood mapping and analysis. These new levee-inclusive tools aid in compiling more precise technical data and allow FEMA to more effectively assess the actual flood risk faced by citizens in communities throughout the nation.

FEMA is proposing a new mapping process for levees and is seeking public comment on its new mapping methodology. Flood mapping remains a team effort that requires close coordination between FEMA, its federal partners, the state and local communities to ensure that the most precise data is reflected in flood maps as they are finalized.

FEMA welcomes comments from the public during this 45-day public comment period that is open until Jan. 30, 2012. Please see Federal Register notice and instructions on submitting comments here.

FEMA Announces Release of National Preparedness System Description, Second Deliverable Required Under PPD-8 (06 Dec 2011) The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), on behalf of the administration, on Dec. 6 announced the release of the National Preparedness System description, which will help lay the groundwork for strengthening the nation’s resilience against all threats andhazards. The system description is the second deliverable required under Presidential Policy Directive PPD-8: National Preparedness, which was released Mar. 30, 2011.

“What makes this preparedness system unique is that it engages the whole community – individuals, businesses, community- and faith-based organizations, schools and all levels of government,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “We recognize that the nation will be most prepared for threats and hazards when we work together.”
The National Preparedness System description identifies six components to improve national preparedness for a wide range of threats and hazards, such as acts of terrorism, cyber attacks, pandemics and catastrophic natural disasters. The System description explains how as a nation we will build on current efforts, many of which are already established in the law and have been in use for many years.

The six components of the National Preparedness System are:

Identifying and assessing risks;
Estimating capability requirements;
Building or sustaining capabilities;
Developing and implementing plans to deliver those capabilities;
Validating and monitoring progress made towards achieving the National Preparedness Goal; and
Reviewing and updating efforts as needed to promote continuous improvement.

The National Preparedness System description incorporated input from state, local, tribal, and territorial representatives, many of whom also served on the writing team for the document.

The National Preparedness Goal, which was the first deliverable to PPD-8 and was released on Oct. 7, 2011, sets the foundation for the implementation of PPD-8. The directive also called for the development of a National Preparedness System description to explain the resources and tools needed to achieve the National Preparedness Goal. Implementation of the National Preparedness System is a multi-year effort that is being coordinated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the description lays out how the six components will interact to build, sustain and deliver the core capabilities needed to achieve the Goal.

The National Preparedness System description and additional information about PPD-8 and its implementation are available at www.fema.gov/ppd8. If you have any further questions please feel free to contact FEMA’s Intergovernmental Affairs Division at (202) 646-3444 or at FEMA-IGA@fema.dhs.gov.

Australia Opens New National Crisis Coordination Centre (31 Oct 2011) Attorney-General Robert McClelland last week opened the new Australian Government Crisis Coordination Centre (CCC) in Canberra, which will improve the Government’s capability to respond to large scale natural disasters or acts of terrorism. Mr McClelland said the purpose-built secure facility - which monitors risks to Australia and Australians 24 hours a day, seven days a week - has capacity for up to 100 officers from Commonwealth, state and territory agencies on site during a crisis. “The Crisis Coordination Centre connects Commonwealth, State and Territory agencies to centralise Australian Government actions during national emergencies,” he said. learn more

FCC to Hold Workshop/Webinar on Use of Deployable Aerial Communications Architecture Following a Catastrophic Event (26 Oct 2011) On Oct. 31, 2011, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the Federal
Communications Commission's Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB) will hold a workshop and webinar in the Commission Meeting Room (TW-C305) to explore how "deployable aerial communications architecture" DACA) can be used to provide communications following a catastrophic event when the terrestrial communications infrastructure is severely damaged or unavailable. Download notice here for information on agenda, how to register to attend, and how to participate via webinar.

The workshop represents the implementation of the first of several
recommendations made to the Commission in the staff White Paper entitled The Role of Deployable Aerial Communications Architecture in Emergency Communications and Recommended Next Steps released on September 22, 2011. The White Paper offers an analysis of how DACA could fit into the restoration of communications services in the early hours immediately after a catastrophic event. DACA involves an aerial capability that is deployable within the first 12-18 hours after a catastrophic event to restore critical communications, including broadband, temporarily for a period of 72-96 hours or more. The White Paper is available here.

FEMA, FCC and NOAA to Conduct First Nationwide U.S. National Emergency Alert Test on Nov. 9, 2011 (25 Oct 2011) The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) Program Office, in close coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), will conduct the first Nationwide U.S. EAS Test on Nov. 9, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The Test will last approximately three and a half minutes.

The national-level EAS leverages the communications support of participating radio, television, cable, satellite, and wireline providers throughout the country. FEMA administers the EAS, and conducts training, tests, and exercises as directed by Executive Order 13407.
FEMA, the FCC, and NOAA’s vision for improving the EAS is incremental, which means testing the readiness and effectiveness of the EAS as it currently exists is the first step. A more effective and functional EAS requires continual testing to identify necessary improvements so the system can deliver critical information that will save lives and protect property.

In order to prepare the public, FEMA will provide continuous and timely information through a number of resources via the FEMA IPAWS website. More online resources include:

UK Government Releases " Keeping the Country Running: Natural Hazards and Infrastructure" (25 Oct 2011) The Infrastructure and Corporate Resilience Programme has published the Guide – Keeping the Country Running: Natural Hazards and Infrastructure. The Guide will support infrastructure owners and operators, emergency responders, industry groups, regulators, and government departments, to work together to improve the resilience of critical infrastructure and essential services. The Guide provides advice on:

identifying and assessing risks from natural hazards;
standards of resilience;
business continuity and corporate governance;
guidance for economic regulated sectors;
information sharing; and
understanding dependencies.

The Cabinet Office consulted government, regulators, industry, trade and professional associations, and emergency response practitioners during the production of this Guide. A summary of the consultation responses is also available to download.

Canadian Government Unveils Emergency Management Online Tools at Disaster Risk Meeting (25 Oct 2011) On Tuesday, at the National Roundtable for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Honourable Vic Toews, Canada’s Minister of Public Safety, unveiled two online tools to help Canadians prepare for emergencies. The first, the enhanced Canadian Disaster Database, will help Canadians learn about risks affecting their regions. The second, a mobile-friendly Get Prepared site, gives Canadians mobile access to steps they can take to prepare for and to cope during emergencies.

“The Government of Canada is working to reduce risks by ensuring all Canadians have access to information to keep them safe prior to and during emergencies,” said Minister Toews. “In using the Canadian Disaster Database, Canadians can learn about risks that have historically affected their region, allowing them to prepare for emergencies. Recent disasters have demonstrated the value of mobile technology in getting information to those in need.”

Public Safety is also offering Canadians tools to help them better know their risks, and to be better prepared to respond when disasters occur in their communities. The Canadian Disaster Database provides Canadians with a wealth of information about disasters since 1900, from floods and forest fires to pandemics and earthquakes. The database has been enhanced to allow Canadians access to this information with new search categories, which are easy to use and displayed on an interactive map.

The new mobile device-friendly Get Prepared website gives Canadians access to information on the steps they can take to stay safe from anywhere, at anytime. The mobile site includes convenient features, such as emailing an emergency kit shopping list to family and friends. Site content was developed with input from Public Safety Canada’s “72 Hours” campaign partners, including the Canadian Red Cross, St. John Ambulance, and The Salvation Army, as well as provincial and territorial emergency management organizations.

The National Roundtable on Disaster Risk Reduction is a gathering of disaster risk experts and stakeholders from all levels of government, non-government organizations, academia, and the private sector, who are focussed on better protecting Canadians by reducing disaster risks. Since the launch of Canada’s National Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction last year, stakeholders have been working to integrate the disaster risk reduction concept in policies, plans and programs across Canada.

DHS Announces First National Preparedness Goal (07 Oct 2011) The Department of Homeland Security today announced the release of the country's first-ever National Preparedness Goal. The goal is the first deliverable required under Presidential Policy Directive (PPD) 8: National Preparedness, which was released in April 2011. The goal sets the vision for nationwide preparedness and identifies the core capabilities and targets necessary to achieve preparedness across five mission areas laid out under PPD 8: prevention, protection, mitigation, response and recovery.

"As we work to build a more prepared nation, we must work with the entire community –the public and private sectors, faith-based and non-profit organizations, and most importantly the public," said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. "This goal recognizes that reality, and we will continue to work with all our stakeholders to implement PPD 8 and build a more prepared and resilient nation."

FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate announced the release of the goal at the annual National Emergency Managers Association (NEMA) Conference in Austin, Texas. The full goal can be found online at www.fema.gov/ppd8.

PPD 8 called for the development and maintenance of a National Preparedness Goal to define the core capabilities necessary to prepare for the specific types of incidents positing the greatest risk of security to the nation. This goal builds extensively on prior work of various stakeholder groups from around the nation, draws upon lessons learned from large-scale and catastrophic events and represent input from all stakeholders.

As directed by PPD 8, this goal will be reviewed regularly to ensure consistency with applicable policies, evolving conditions and the National Incident Management System. For more information about PPD 8 and its implementation, visit www.fema.gov/ppd8.

U.S. Technologies Will Improve Romanian Emergency Response Systems (25 Sept 2011) The U.S. Trade and Development Agency has awarded a grant to Romania's General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (GIES) for a study to evaluate technologies deployed during field emergency response operations. The $400,000 grant was signed at the U.S. Embassy in Bucharest by U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Duane C. Butcher on behalf of USTDA, and General Inspector for Emergency Situations, Colonel Marcel Lucaciu, on behalf of GIES. The objective of the study is to demonstrate the feasibility of the following three core technologies through portable deployment: critical information management systems, geographical information systems, and interoperable communications. The study will coordinate the selection and deployment of these technologies, support a field exercise and then evaluate the results of that exercise to recommend future implementation strategies. Read complete news release.

FEMA Publishes Final National Recovery Framework (22 Sept 2011) The final National Disaster Recovery Framework has been published at www.fema.gov/recoveryframework. This is the culmination of a two-year process that brought together departments and agencies from across the Federal government, as well as recovery partners and stakeholders from State and local governments, non-profits, and the private sector to help shape and develop this important disaster recovery landmark. The document provides a focus for how the United States will approach recovery planning, coordination and leadership in the future.

FEMA and FCC Unveil New Tip Sheet for Consumers on How to Communicate during Disasters (21 Sept 2011) As part of National Preparedness Month, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today released new tips for consumers aimed at preparing them for major disasters when communications networks are more likely to be compromised or damaged. Nearly one month ago, a 5.8 magnitude earthquake and Hurricane Irene struck the East Coast. In the minutes and hours that followed, mobile networks experienced significant network congestion, temporarily making it harder for millions of people to reach loved ones and emergency services. This tip sheet aims to help prepare Americans about how to communicate with each other, and loved ones, in the event of another disaster.

FEMA Launches "Ready Indian Country" as Part of National Preparedness Month (19 Sept 2011) As a part of the National Preparedness Month outreach, FEMA has launched the Ready Indian Country campaign, which will provide disaster preparedness information resources for the 565 federally-recognized tribal nations and communities across the country. The goal of Ready Indian Country is to partner with tribal leaders in asking individuals and families in Indian Country to take basic steps to prepare themselves for emergencies.
Ready Indian Country is designed to promote preparedness within tribal communities through education and outreach. It is intended to serve as a resource for Tribes to prepare their citizens and provide support in developing and implementing pre-disaster policies and procedures.

Our tribal nations and organizations are key members of the U.S. emergency management team, and this campaign was planned to help build on the already strong partnerships that have been developed between these and other stakeholders. By strengthening these communities’ ability to be better prepared in the face of emergencies and disasters, together we can save lives and bolster our resiliency against all hazards.

Ready Indian Country’s resources include existing Ready Campaign messaging and builds on existing capacity with specific tools customized for Indian Country. These include:

Brochures, posters and billboards customized by geographical region to reflect diverse local conditions and American Indian and Alaska Native cultures.
Radio Public Service Announcements (PSAs) in :60, :30 and :15 second formats; and,
Tribal Leader Resources to help guide community emergency and disaster planning efforts.
Find Ready Indian Country resources at: http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/indiancountry.html

UK Oil and Gas Industry Successfully Tests Emergency Spill Response Equipment (12 Aug 2011) The UK oil and gas industry has successfully tested its ability to deploy a well capping device in the waters west of Shetland. As part of the industry’s commitment to further strengthen the UK’s emergency response capabilities, the Oil Spill Prevention and Response Advisory Group (OSPRAG) has undertaken a number of initiatives to improve well engineering and oil spill response capability, including the development of a well capping device for use in UK waters to seal-off an uncontrolled subsea oil well in the unlikely event of a major well control incident. The purpose of the recent Emergency Equipment Response Deployment (EERD) exercise was to simulate the logistical process of transporting a well capping device, loading it on to a vessel and lowering it over the side before fixing it to a specially-built simulated well on the sea floor. more on this story here

New Zealand Announces Plans for Rebuilding Earthquake-Damaged Christchurch as Sustainable "Garden City" (12 Aug 2011) New Zealand on Aug. 11 announced plans to rebuild the center of earthquake-damaged Christchurch as a safe, sustainable "garden city," with costs estimated at NZ$2 billion. The plans would reduce the size of the business district, limit the height of buildings, and provide more parkland space. The Feb. 22 quake killed 181 people and wrecked the city center, with large portions of it rendered uninhabitable. The government has stated it will compensate 5,000 homeowners whose houses cannot be rebuilt. more on this story here

FEMA Encourages Americans to Participate in September’s National Preparedness Month (21 July 2011) The Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Ready Campaign, in partnership with Citizen Corps and the Ad Council, today announced the launch of new web tools that will make it easier for individuals and organizations throughout the nation to join the 2011 National Preparedness Month (NPM) coalition and pledge their support to help prepare their families, businesses and communities for emergencies of all kinds. IAEM-USA is a National Preparedness Month Coalition Member.

The eighth annual NPM will kickoff this September, using the slogan: "A Time to Remember. A Time to Prepare." The campaign seeks to transform awareness into action by encouraging all Americans to take the necessary steps to ensure that their homes, workplaces and communities are prepared for disasters and emergencies of all kinds.

"As we move forward with planning for this year's events and activities, we also recognize that this September marks the ten year anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks," said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. "By doing what we can to ensure that our communities, and our nation, are prepared to respond and recover from all types of disasters and hazards, we honor the memory of those who were lost that day."

Individuals and groups can now register to become NPM coalition members by visiting http://community.fema.gov. Once registered, members have access to a toolkit that includes suggestions for activities and events, templates, articles, banners and customizable materials. Coalition members also have access to an events calendar allowing them to post and promote preparedness events, share success stories, and participate in national and regional discussion forums to engage with fellow coalition members and FEMA representatives.

By hosting events, promoting volunteer programs and sharing emergency preparedness information, coalition members can help ensure that their communities are prepared for emergencies. Becoming a coalition member is easy and free, so register now to get started. Nearly 2,000 coalition members have already joined this year's campaign.

While NPM is held each September, FEMA's Ready Campaign promotes individual emergency preparedness at home, in the workplace, and throughout America's communities throughout the year. Ready is a national campaign, produced in partnership with The Ad Council, designed to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to all types of emergencies, including natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks.

The Ready Campaign's websites (ready.gov and listo.gov) and toll-free numbers (1-800-BE-READY and 1-888-SE-LISTO) provide free emergency preparedness information and resources available in English and Spanish. Additionally, through FEMA's partnership with the Ad Council, public service announcements are available to increase the American public's involvement in preparedness.

FEMA Announces New National Advisory Council Members (16 June 2011) The Federal Emergency Management Agency on June 15 announced the selection of 16 new members to its National Advisory Council (NAC). The 35-member council provides FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate with diverse perspectives and advice from a broad cross section of the overall emergency management team.

The National Advisory Council was mandated by Congress in the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006. The NAC is comprised of state, tribal, and local governments, private sector, and non-governmental partners who advise and provide recommendations to the FEMA Administrator on the National Preparedness System, National Incident Management System (NIMS), National Response Framework (NRF), FEMA grants programs, and more.

New NAC Members:

Lee Feldman, City Manager, City of Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Edward Gabriel, Director, Global Crisis Management and Business Continuity, The Walt Disney Company
Jerome Hatfield, Lieutenant Colonel /Deputy Superintendent of Homeland Security, New Jersey State Police
Clifton Lacy, Director, University Center for Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response
Cathy Lanier, Chief of Police, Metropolitan Police Department
Robert Lee, Former Adjutant General, State of Hawaii, Department of Defense
Robert Davidson Leipold, Executive Director, National VOAD (Term ends June 15, 2012)
David Miller, Former Administrator of Iowa Homeland Security & Emergency Management Division
Michael Rackley, Director, Global Security Services, Target
George Schloegel, Mayor, City of Gulfport, Mississippi (Term ends June 15, 2012)
Kurt Schwartz, Homeland Security Advisor and Emergency Management Director State of Massachusetts (Term ends June 15, 2013)
Charles Shimanski, Senior Vice President Disaster Services, American Red Cross (Term ends June 15, 2013)
Mary Troupe, Executive Director, Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities
David L. Waldrop, Chief Evangelist / Architect, Public Safety Initiative, Microsoft Corporation
Rebecca White, Tribal Council Chairwoman, Ponca Tribe of Nebraska, Omaha
Phil Zarlengo, Chairman, AARP Board of Directors

The latest NAC membership application period was announced in early February and ended in March 2011. Newly-appointed members will serve from June 15, 2011, through June 15, 2014, unless otherwise noted.

The NAC mission ensures effective and ongoing coordination of federal preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation for natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters. Additional information on the NAC, including the list of all current members, can be found at http://www.fema.gov/about/nac/.

NDMA India Holds Exercise to Address Response Preparedness to Nuclear and Radiological Emergencies (10 June 2011) The National Disaster Management Agency of India is holding a June 10-11, 2011, exercise to assess response preparedness to nuclear and radiological emergencies at Tarapur Nuclear Power Station. The exercise follows a June 1 meeting held by India Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the NDMA Chairman to review India’s disaster preparedness in the wake of the recent Japanese disasters.

In order to assess the capability of the District administration to deal with an off-site emergency, NDMA is conducting a mock drill at the Tarapur Nuclear facility. The two-day programme will commence with a June 10, which also includes a table-top exercise on the conduct of the mock drill. This will be followed by a June 11 mock drill involving all stakeholders. Subsequently, any gaps identified in coordination and response preparedness will be addressed by all concerned. Learn more.

NIST Offering Free Access to Standards For First Responders (07 June 2011) The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Office of Law Enforcement Standards (OLES), in collaboration with the NIST National Center for Standards and Certification Information, has launched an Internet pilot project to measure the U.S. emergency and first responder communities’ need for documentary standards. As part of the study, NIST will offer U.S. first responders free access to documentary standards published by ASTM International, IEEE and the National Fire Protection Association during summer 2011. Contact Mark Esser at mark.esser@nist.gov for details.

Documentary standards can specify product characteristics, establish accepted test methods and procedures, characterize materials, define processes and systems, or specify knowledge, training and competencies for specific tasks. First responders use basic, testing and product standards primarily to determine the fitness/interoperability of their equipment for the work required. Typical subjects include equipment such as body armor, communications systems and biometric ID systems.

This pilot will contribute to a better understanding of whom in the federal, state and local first responder communities needs access to standards, what types of standards they use the most, and how OLES can better serve this community with future research and development. OLES chose the three standards-developing organizations because they publish a large number of responder-relevant standards, such as the Code of Federal Regulations, Department of Defense Military Specifications, etc. complete NIST news release here

Metropolitan College of New York to Award Honorary Degree to Wayne Blanchard for Outstanding Contributions to the Field of Emergency Management (27 May 2011) Metropolitan College of New York (MCNY) has announced that it will award an honorary doctorate degree to Dr. B. Wayne Blanchard at its June 11 commencement. The degree is being awarded to honor Dr. Blanchard's contributions to the field of emergency and disaster management.

Dr. Blanchard, who is regarded as one of the pioneers in the EM field, retired last fall after a 30-year career with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He began work there on civil defense programs and steadily advanced as training coordinator, staff officer and manager of the Family Protection Program before joining the Emergency Management Institute in 1994, where he was the creator of the Emergency Management Higher Education Project.

He was instrumental in the approval process for MCNY's MPA in Emergency and Disaster Management degree program. In his 16 years as Project Manager of the FEMA Higher Education Program, MCNY’s MPA in Emergency and Disaster Management is the only degree program for which Dr. Blanchard agreed to be an independent reviewer. At the time, there were only 19 such master's degree programs in the country; MCNY in 2004 became the 20th.

Emergency Management Institute Offers New Training Program, the Emergency Management Foundations Academy (23 May 2011)

download flyer with schedule & complete details

The Emergency Management Institute (EMI) is launching a new training program, the Emergency Management Foundations Academy. Spaces are available in the June and July Pilots for this new program. In the very near future, this new EMI Academy Program will also include EM Specialties, Executive Management and Strategic Leadership Programs.

This program is being established as FEMA has recognized the need to tie its training programs to an established set of emergency management competencies and to a career development program through a progressive training and education system that will include an entry-level academy. Training objectives are based on the newly established EM competencies that the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM), National Emergency Management Association (NEMA), and local, state, and tribal emergency management professionals have established in coordination EMI.

New Zealand and United States Sign Joint Statement on Global Supply Chain Security (18 May 2011) U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano on May 17 joined New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully to sign a joint statement on global supply chain security cooperation — further strengthening ongoing collaboration between the United States and New Zealand to promote economic prosperity and make the global supply chain system stronger, smarter and more resilient. During the meeting, Secretary Napolitano and Minister McCully reiterated their commitment to pursuing global supply chain security initiatives designed to prevent terrorists from exploiting the global supply chain to plan and execute attacks; protect the most critical elements of the supply chain system, such as transportation hubs and related critical infrastructure, from attacks and disruptions; and build the resilience of the global supply chain to ensure that if something does happen, the supply chain can recover quickly. complete DHS press release

BC Management Inc. Publishes Canada and USA Results of its Business Continuity Compensation Study (09 May 2011) BC Management, Inc., has published reports on 2009 business continuity management compensation for Canada and USA.

Canada BCM Compensation Complimentary Report. Focus is on 2009 compensations for full-time, permanent employees in Canada. Some findings include:
- BCM Average Total Compensation for Canada is $94,132 CAD.
- 90.91% of Vice Presidents/Directors received an increase in total average compensation and the average total compensation increase was 15.14%.
- 34.15% of study participants indicated 1-3 years of business continuity related expertise while 42.96% of the study respondents indicated 21 - 35 years of total work experience.
- According to our study results, the top certification for Canada was the Associate Business Continuity Professional (ABCP) - DRI International, which made up 54.17% of the study participants.
USA BCM Compensation Complimentary Report. Focus is on 2009 compensations for full-time, permanent employees in the USA. Some findings include:
- BCM Average Total Compensation for USA is $105,980 USD.

57.89% of Global Managers received an increase in total average compensation and the average total compensation increase was 14.44%.
39.08% of study participants indicated 4-10 years of business continuity related expertise while 53.94% of the study respondents indicated 21 - 35 years of total work experience.
According to our study results, the top certification for the USA was the Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP) - DRI International, which made up 66.96% of the study participants.

National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) Information Resources (29 Apr 2011) Last week DHS Secretary Napolitano announced the implementation of the new National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS), which replaces the color-coded Homeland Security Advisory System (HSAS) in use since 2002.

Downloads: DHS press release | Public Guide for Citizens

Also, a full slate of public materials is available on the new NTAS webpage: www.dhs.gov/Alerts, which will serve as the hub for all things related to NTAS, including:

A Public Guide for Citizens
A template NTAS alert
A link to the press release announcing the launch of NTAS
A link to a blog posting on NTAS
Examples of the new NTAS posters that will appear in airports and other public venues to replace the color-coded images
Web resources for using NTAS on your Web site

FCC Extends Deadline to May 13 for Nominations for its Local and State Government Advisory Committee (20 Apr 2011) The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seeking nominations to fill three vacancies on the Commission's Local and State Government Advisory Committee (LSGAC). These vacancies are due to the departures of three current LSGAC members, Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell, Albuquerque City Councilor Michael Brasher and Louise Renne, City Attorney, City and County of San Francisco. Therefore, one vacancy will be filled by a local government attorney (elected or appointed), and two will be filled by elected municipal officials (mayor or council member). The LSGAC is comprised of elected and appointed officials of municipal, county, state and tribal governments. It provides advice and information to the FCC on key issues relevant to the LSGAC, including public rights-of-way, facilities siting, universal service, removal of barriers to competitive entry and public safety communications. The deadline has been extended to May 13, 2011. more details here

BC Management Inc. Publishes Results of its U.S. Business Continuity Compensation Study (22 Mar 2011) BC Management, Inc., has recently published two new reports as a result of its U.S. 2010 BCM Annual Study, which closed on December 15, 2010. These reports include:

BCM Compensation Report-Complimentary Summary (17 Pages) – Complimentary to all professionals. Download summary report here.
BCM Compensation Report-Comprehensive Report (48 Pages) – Complimentary to study participants only. Those who did not participate in the study may purchase this report at $150. IAEM members may purchase the report at a 10% discount.
- Example of the report that was published in March 2010
- Table of contents for the recently published report
- Those individuals who didn’t participate in the 2010 study and want to purchase the comprehensive report may do so via the BCM website; choose “BCM Compensation Comprehensive Report.” Those who qualify for the 10% discount should contact BC Management directly at info@bcmanagement.com.
Additional reports coming soon include: Canada, Europe, and Asia Pacific.

FEMA Bulletin Clarifies Accounting for Personnel Costs as Related to Federal EM-Related Grants (21 Mar 2011) The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released Information Bulletin #358, which clarifies the implementation of the PRICE Act in regard to the State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSP), Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI), Tribal Homeland Security Grant Program (THSGP), and Operation Stonegarden (OPSG), and provides examples of how to account for typical personnel costs. Download Information Bulletin #358 here. Questions may be directed to your FEMA Program Analyst or the Centralized Scheduling and Information Desk at askcsid@dhs.gov or 1-800-368-6498.

FEMA, NOAA and Partners Encourage U.S. Residents to Prepare for Springtime Flooding through 2011 Flood Awareness Week (14 Mar 2011) With many communities throughout the nation facing threats of spring flooding, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are once again joining forces to commemorate Flood Safety Awareness Week March 14 - 18. FEMA and NOAA's National Weather Service are providing tips and information to help individuals and families prepare for flooding dangers during the week and throughout the spring season. The resources can be accessed at the Flood Safety Awareness Week landing page, located at www.ready.gov/floodawareness.

"As the nation's most common and expensive natural disaster, floods can strike virtually every community," said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. "We're encouraging individuals and families to take a few simple steps to protect themselves and their property. These include learning about their risk of flooding, having an emergency preparedness kit, storing important documents in a safe place and considering the purchase of flood insurance. Most homeowners insurance policies don't cover flooding, and most policies take 30 days to go into effect so it's important to act now."

Floods do more than damage property; they can also threaten lives if safety precautions are not followed. "Floods occur somewhere in the United States or its territories nearly every day of the year, killing nearly 100 people on average annually, and causing damage in the billions of dollars," said Jack Hayes, Ph.D., director of the National Weather Service. "Awareness, preparedness and action are the key ingredients to protecting lives and property when floods threaten. One essential safety tip is to never cross a road that is covered by water. Remember, Turn Around, Don't Drown."

According to the National Weather Service, more deaths occur due to flooding each year than from any other severe weather related hazard. The main reason is people underestimate the force and power of water. All areas of the country can be at risk for flooding and when such conditions are forecast, important information and life-saving alerts are available at www.weather.gov.

More than half of all flood-related deaths result from vehicles being swept downstream. Remember, flash flooding can take only a few minutes to a few hours to develop. Be prepared to take detours and adjust your route due to road closures if there is standing water. As little as six inches of water may cause you to lose control of your vehicle. Flood water may be much deeper than it appears as the roadbed may be washed out. Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers.

In most cases, standard homeowner's insurance policies don't cover flood damages. FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program makes flood insurance available to renters, homeowners and business owners through thousands of insurance agents located in nearly 21,000 communities around the nation. Flood coverage can be purchased for properties both in, and outside of, the highest risk areas but should be considered regardless of where you live since 20 percent of all flood insurance claims come from moderate-to-low-risk areas.

The average cost of a policy is $570 a year, and Preferred Risk Policies outside of Special Flood Hazard Areas can be as low as $129 a year. Individuals can learn more about seasonal flood risks and what to do to prepare by visiting FEMA's FloodSmart.gov website, or by calling 1-800-427-2419.

FEMA Announces Disaster Management Interoperability Services (DMIS) Toolset System Will Be Decommissioned on 30 June 2011 (10 Mar 2011) This announcement was sent to emergency management stakeholders, including IAEM, by Mark A. Lucero, Chief, IPAWS Engineering, FEMA National Continuity Programs:

"The primary mission of the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA’s) Integrated Public Alerts and Warning System (IPAWS) program is to provide integrated services and capabilities to local, state, and federal authorities that enable them to alert and warn their respective communities via multiple communications methods. The federal mandate is to develop, deploy, and maintain the infrastructure for aggregating emergency messages originated by federal, state, local, and tribal officials and routing them to public dissemination systems including the Emergency Alert System (EAS), the Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS), and others. FEMA is committed to achieving this mission.

"The IPAWS Open Platform for Emergency Networks (IPAWS-OPEN) will serve not only as the IPAWS Aggregator for Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) emergency messages, but also enable the interoperable exchange of other standards-compliant messaging between commercial systems. Currently, over 40 private sector companies are in various stages of developing and testing interoperable software applications compatible with IPAWS-OPEN. Many of these applications are expected to come to market over the next several months and further information about these products will be available from the Responder Knowledge Base (RKB) Website. In addition, FEMA is investigating a viable solution for an Open Source CAP authoring tool and will provide updates via the IPAWS Website.

"IPAWS-OPEN will supersede the existing DM-OPEN which is scheduled for decommissioning on June 30, 2011. Concurrently, the Disaster Management Interoperability Services (DMIS) Toolset system will also be retired. All software currently connecting to the legacy DM-OPEN application must be migrated to IPAWS-OPEN 2.0 by June 30, 2011. After that time, legacy DM-OPEN will no longer be available and IPAWS-OPEN 2.0 must be utilized.

"In order to focus more fully on its primary mission and make the most effective use of its resources, the IPAWS Program Office has recently completed a re-evaluation of its priorities. As a result, the decision has been made to cancel the release of the Framework incident management support tools originally planned to replace the DMIS Tools. A number of Web-based incident management systems are now widely available and emergency management practitioners are encouraged to assess their requirements and apply for grant funding assistance to meet their needs. For further information see the Interoperable Emergency Communications Grant Program (IECGP) or the Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP).

"We regret any inconvenience resulting from this decision. In the long-term, FEMA believes this is in the best interest of the public safety. For further information, please contact Mark Lucero at FEMA-DMIS@DHS.GOV.

FEMA, National Commission on Children and Disasters Announce New Partnership to Promote Fire Safety Awareness for Families (14 Feb 2011) With home fires on the rise in winter months, and a new study showing that young children are at an especially high risk of getting seriously injured or dying in residential fires, today the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Commission on Children and Disasters are announcing a new public awareness campaign to help keep children and families safer from the threat of home fires.

As part of this effort, today FEMA's U.S. Fire Administration is releasing a new report on the risks fires pose to children. The report, which is based on the latest available data released by the National Center for Health Statistics, found that young children face the greatest - and a growing - risk of death or serious injury in home fires, with 52 percent of all child fire deaths in 2007 involving children under the age of four, a slight increase from the most recent previous study in 2004. In addition, the report found that:

Deaths from fires and burns were the second leading cause of accidental deaths not related to transportation, after drowning;
Boys are at higher-risk of dying from fires than girls;
Between 2006 and 2008, smoke alarms were not present in at least 23 percent of residential fires;
African-American children are at an increased risk of fire deaths; and
Low-income children are at greatest risk of exposure to home fires.

To provide families with important tips about fire safety and lists of additional resources, FEMA is launching online and social media tools, including:

An updated web page dedicated to children's fire safety, including tips on how to prevent the two leading causes of fire during the winter months: cooking and heating;
A widget that will link to this website and resources;
A Facebook tab; and
A dedicated Twitter hashtag to engage the public in a dialogue about how to protect kids from fires.
Among other things, these updated tools with offer tips for how to prevent the two leading causes of fires during the winter months: heating and cooking.
To view the updated web page and the widget, click here.
Join our conversation on Twitter by using the hashtag #kidsfiresafety.