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E.M. NEWS
2008
IAEM News | Share Your Expertise
 Annual Business Continuity Compensation
Report Released by BC Management (05/05/08) BC Management, Inc., has released its latest annual
USA Continuity Compensation Report, which received more than 1,987 respondents internationally.
The data in this report highlights
full-time, permanent employees (FTE) in the United States,
and compensations that represent average total compensation in 2006 and 2007.
Total compensation includes base, bonuses and any
commissions earned in 2006 and 2007. Other job-related
benefits, such as stock options and profit sharing are not
included. download report
Indonesia Embarks on Major Bird Flu Exercise (04/29/08) Indonesia has spent the past few days simulating a human bird flu pandemic - according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the largest ever such simulation in the world. Countries around the world are watching for signs of a human bird flu pandemic, and they are watching Indonesia closest of all. Almost half the world's total human deaths from bird flu died there, a total 107 people. details here
U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Releases Strategic Plan for FY 2008-2013 (04/15/08) The Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Dept of Homeland Security, has released FEMA’s Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2008-2013. The plan outlines a clear roadmap for building a stronger, dynamic, and innovative agency that wishes to fulfill its vision of becoming the preeminent U.S. emergency management and preparedness agency.
strategic plan | plan in brief
NEMA Issues Call for Nominations for Lacy E. Suiter Distinguished Service Award (04/11/08) The National Emergency Management Association (NEMA) is pleased to announce a call for nominations for the 2008 Lacy E. Suiter Distinguished Service Award. This award is presented to an individual who has made cumulative outstanding contributions directly to emergency management preparedness, mitigation, response or recovery at a local, state, regional or national level. These career accomplishments in emergency management should be of unusual merit. The award will be presented in conjunction with the NEMA 2008 Annual Conference on Sept. 11, 2008 in Portland, Oregon. Previous distinguished award winners include Mr. Lacy Suiter for whom the award was named posthumously, and Mr. Dale Shipley.
Award Nomination Form Nomination deadline is June 20, 2008.
Gail McGovern Selected as President and CEO of the American Red Cross (04/09/08) Gail J. McGovern has been named President and CEO of the American Red Cross. She has held top management positions at AT&T Corporation and Fidelity Investments, has experience running large organizations in competitive industries, and has a track record for improving business performance and service delivery to the public. McGovern joined the faculty of the Harvard Business School in June 2002, where she teaches marketing in the MBA and Executive programs. She was recognized by Fortune magazine in 2000 and 2001 as one of the top 50 most powerful women in corporate America. press release
New Zealand Releases National CDEM Strategy (04/07/08) The National CDEM Strategy details how New Zealand will achieve its vision for Civil Defence and Emergency Management: Resilient New Zealand: communities understanding and managing their hazards. The Strategy sets out what New Zealanders expect from CDEM and what they want to achieve.
CDEM is important because New Zealanders are, and will continue to be, at risk from a broad range of hazards. As the new CDEM arrangements for New Zealand were in their infancy at the time, the first Strategy was given the time period of 2003-2006. Officials began the Strategy review in 2006 in order to update the Strategy to reflect changes in the CDEM sector since 2003. Download the CDEM.
FEMA Disaster Assistance Policy 9525.9, Section 324 Management Costs and Direct Administrative Costs, Becomes Effective (03/12/08) The purpose of FEMA Disaster Assistance Policy 9525.9, Section 324 Management Costs and Direct Administrative Costs, is to identify Section 324 management and administrative costs that are eligible under the Public Assistance (PA) Program and to clarify the process through which grantees and subgrantees can request reimbursement for these costs. The policy is applicable to all major disasters and emergencies declared on or after Nov. 13, 2007. It is intended for personnel involved in the administration of the PA Program. Download policy.
U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency Releases FY 2008 National Incident Management System (NIMS) Compliance Package (03/10/08) FEMA has posted the Fiscal Year 2008 NIMS compliance package. Meeting NIMS compliance objectives forms the basis for NIMS compliance determinations for states, territories, tribal nations and local government. NIMS compliance directly impacts elibility for Federal Preparedness Awards under Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSDP) 5, Managing Domestic Incidents. Posted are:
U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security Announces Application Period for FY 2008 Assistance to Firefighters Grants (02/29/08) The U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security's Grant Programs Directorate will begin accepting applications for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) beginning March 3, 2008, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) with the deadline for receipt of the applications no later than April 4, 2008, at 5:00 p.m. EDT. The AFG, which will be distributed in phases throughout FY 2007, will ultimately award approximately $500 million. Complete details can be found here.
Canadian Centre for Emergency Preparedness Issues Call for Nominations for Annual EM and Business Continuity Awards (02/29/08) The Canadian Centre for Emergency Preparedness (CCEP) is inviting nominations for the annual Emergency Management & Business Continuity Awards. Nominations must be submitted online before Apr. 30, 2008. The awards recognize one individual in emergency management and one in business continuity who have made extraordinary contributions to emergency management or business continuity in Canada. The program is an opportunity for Canadians to honour individuals who have raised the bar and set standards for others to emulate.
The 2008 awards will be presented at the 18th World Conference on Disaster Management (WCDM), to be held in Toronto, Ontario from June 15-18, 2008. Recipients will also be profiled on CCEP's web site and quarterly newsletter.
Nominations recognize individuals who have made a lasting contribution in the fields of emergency management or business continuity in at least one of the following areas: Community Preparedness (Prov/Terr, Regional or Municipal); National Preparedness; or Private Sector Preparedness. Details can be found here.
FCC Issues Public Advisory on U.S. Digital Television Transition (02/28/08) The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued a public advisory on the digital television (DTV) transition, which refers to the switch from analog to digital television broadcasts. On Feb. 17, 2009, federal law requires that all full-power television broadcast stations stop broadcasting in analog format and broadcast only in digital format.
Consumers who own a digital television, or who subscribe to pay television services (e.g. cable or satellite) should not be affected by the Feb. 17, 2009, cut-off date for full-power analog broadcasting. The FCC encourages consumers who subscribe to pay television services to contact their service provider to determine the impact of the DTV transition on their TV viewing and whether any additional components, such as a digital set-top box, may be needed to watch digital broadcast programming. Consumers who do not have subscription TV services and own analog televisions must acquire a digital-to-analog converter box for each of their analog TV sets. There is a public safety implication, since it is estimated that approximately 33.6 million, or 12 percent, of people in the United States watch television via an over-the-air signal only. For many individuals, the television is the primary source of news, weather, emergency and other public safety information in their local communities. Individuals who do not take the appropriate measures to ensure that their analog televisions are capable of receiving digital TV signals after Feb. 17, 2009 may be at risk of losing access to important public safety notifications. Download the FCC advisory here.
DHS Names Academic Institutions to Lead New Centers of Excellence (02/26/08)The U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security announced today the selection of 11 universities to serve as important partners for conducting multi-disciplinary research and creating innovative learning environments for critical homeland security missions. These universities will partner to lead one of five new Centers of Excellence and receive a multi-year grant of up to $2 million per year, over a period of four to six years.
The five new Centers of Excellence, located across the country, will study: border security and immigration; explosives detection, mitigation, and response; maritime, island and port security; natural disasters, coastal infrastructure and emergency management; and transportation security. press release | more details
IAFC Seeks Best Practices in Critical-Infrastructure Protection (02/21/08) The IAFC, in coordination with its public-safety partners on the Emergency Services Sector Coordinating Council and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, is seeking model practices in emergency-services critical-infrastructure protection and resilience efforts. Infrastructure protection for the emergency-service sector comprises the protection of human, physical and cyber elements that maintain and improve the ability of the sector to protect and preserve its own integrity in an imminent or ongoing emergency. Submissions will be reviewed by a panel of peers for possible inclusion in a set of model procedures that will be associated with the National Infrastructure Protection Plan, Emergency Services Sector-Specific Plan. The goal of this project is to provide models that will help local and regional entities develop effective and comprehensive emergency plans that include how best to protect the protectors. Download proposal form, and route your comments to
IAEM Emergency Services Sector Chair Pat Fugate
at pat.fugate@charter.net no later than Mar. 1, 2008.
FEMA Search and Rescue (SAR) Work Group Requests Comments on Documents Pertaining to SAR Resources (02/21/08) The FEMA Search and Rescue Work Group is requesting feedback on the sections of the National Mutual Aid & Resource Typing Initiative and the National Emergency Response Credentialing System as they pertain to SAR. IAEM members are invited to route their comments and suggestions through Pat Fugate, chair of the IAEM ESS committee chair, at
pat.fugate@charter.net no later than Mar. 20, 2008.
introductory letter | SAR resource typing | SAR credentialing
FEMA Requests Applicants for the National Advisory Council (02/19/08) The U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is requesting individuals who are interested in serving on the National Advisory Council (NAC) to apply for appointment. Current Council members, whose one-year terms end in June, 2008, are also encouraged to apply. All future appointments will be for three-year terms. The NAC was established to ensure effective and ongoing coordination of Federal preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation for natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters. The NAC assists FEMA in carrying out its missions by providing advice and recommendations in the development and revision of the national preparedness goal, the national preparedness system, the National Integration Management System, the National Response Framework, and other related plans and strategies. Deadline for applications: Mar. 14, 2008. Download FEMA's call for applicants here.
CDC Responds to Tragic Events at Northern Illinois University Campus (02/15/08) In response to the tragic events at the Northern Illinois University campus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has posted information on the CDC, Injury Center, and Emergency Preparedness and Response home pages specific to school violence, including mental health information for students, parents, and school personnel.
In addition, to posting this information on the Web, CDC’s Injury Center reached out to the Illinois Department of Public Health and plans to follow up to offer support to the university. As Richard Hunt, MD, FACEP, Division of Injury Response, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, noted, "This event is also a reminder of the importance of emergency preparedness and response and the need to be proactive in providing tools and information for mass casualty events specific to mental health, as well as to emergency care."
FEMA: Moving the Vision Forward (02/07/08) The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is building on the improvements of 2007 and lessons learned, so that they are better positioned to help the American people prepare for, mitigate against, respond to and recover from a natural or manmade disaster. Download a summary of FEMA’s 2007 accomplishments. You can also visit the FEMA Web site for 2007 Quick Facts; a 2007 Flash slideshow and photo gallery of FEMA activities; 2007 Disaster Declaration Maps, which show declared disasters by region, type, state and total numbers of declared disasters; and Fact Sheets outlining accomplishments, improvements and future initiatives of FEMA Directorates.
DHS Announces Release of Application Guidance for More than $3 Billion in Grant Programs (02/01/08) The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Feb. 1 announced the release of application guidance for 14 federal grant programs whose collective purpose is to strengthen prevention, protection, response and recovery capabilities at all levels of government. The Department uses the application guidance to set strategic priorities that support President George W. Bush's National Homeland Security Strategy and align with the Department's National Preparedness Guidelines and the recently released National Response Framework. Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 grant programs provide $376.3 million more than last year to enhance the nation’s ability to prevent, protect against, respond to and recover from terrorist attacks, major disasters and other emergencies.
Application kits and program guidance for the grants will be posted later today at http://www.fema.gov/grants.
NOAA Selects Bill Read as National Hurricane Center Director (01/25/08) NOAA officials today named Bill Read as the new director of its Tropical Prediction Center, which includes the National Hurricane Center and two other divisions, in Miami. Read has served as the center’s acting deputy director since August 2007. Tropical storms and hurricanes have frequently played a major role in Read’s professional life. Read and his team were at the forefront in July 2003 as Hurricane Claudette made landfall on the Texas coast. He also was part of the Hurricane Liaison Team at the National Hurricane Center in Miami when Hurricane Isabel came ashore on the Outer Banks of North Carolina and raced northeast in September 2003. Read was appointed to direct the Houston/Galveston weather forecast office of NOAA’s National Weather Service in 1992 and led it through the challenges of the National Weather Service modernization and restructuring program in the mid 1990s. news release
Institute of Medicine Recommends Research Priorities for Emergency Preparedness and Response (01/23/08) In response to the Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Act (Public Law 109–417, 2006), there is an immediate and critical need to define research priorities for the Centers for Public Health Preparedness (CPHP) at schools of public health. The CDC asked the IOM to recommend a set of near-term research priorities for emergency preparedness and response in public health systems relevant to the expertise at schools of public health and related fields. These priorities will be used to help develop a research agenda and inform research funding opportunity announcements that must be issued and filled, according to congressional mandate, during the 2008 fiscal year. Download the IOM's report. It recommends that priority be given to the following four areas of research: enhance the usefulness of training; improve communications in preparedness and response; create and maintain sustainable preparedness and response systems; and generate criteria and metrics to measure effectiveness and efficiency.
Mary Fran Myers 2008 Scholarship Opportunity Announced by Natural Hazards Center (01/16/08) The Mary Fran Myers 2008 Scholarship offers the recipient the opportunity to attend the Natural Hazards Center's annual Hazards Research and Applications Workshop in Boulder, Colorado. The workshop brings together more than 400 members of the hazards community who are working to alleviate the pain and loss inflicted by disasters. The Mary Fran Myers Scholarship recognizes outstanding individuals who share Mary Fran's commitment to disaster research and practice and who have the potential to make a lasting contribution to reducing disaster vulnerability. Application deadline: April 4, 2008. Learn more.
DHS Requests Comments on its
Guide for All-Hazard Emergency Operations Planning for State, Territorial, Local and Tribal Governments
(01/04/08) The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has asked IAEM members to comment on its current release of CPG-101, A Guide for All-Hazard Emergency Operations Planning for State, Territorial, Local, and Tribal Governments. This document, developed cooperatively with several dozen members from stakeholder organizations that included IAEM, represents a first step in the renewal of the FEMA guidance efforts from the 1980s and 1990s. Please provide comments on the DHS comment sheet (Excel format) no later than Feb. 8, 2008, and e-mail your comment sheet to CPGComments@anl.gov.
DHS Provides Nearly $34 Million to First Responders in Smaller U.S. Communities (12/20/07) The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Dec. 20 announced the award of $33.7 million to fund equipment and training for first responders across the nation as a part of the fiscal year 2007 Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program (CEDAP). Since the program’s inception in 2005, DHS has provided roughly 5,800 direct assistance awards worth more than $103 million for all hazards in smaller jurisdictions nationwide.
press release | FY 2007 CEDAP fact sheet
Annex to HSPD-8 Establishes U.S. National Planning System (12/17/07) On Dec. 3, 2007, President George W. Bush approved an annex to Homeland Security Presidential Directive-8 (HSPD-8). The annex directs the establishment of a national planning system to ensure consistent and standardized planning within and among all levels of government in the United States.
All U.S. federal departments and agencies have an important role in implementing the direction contained in the annex. “If properly implemented, the annex will significantly strengthen U.S. ability to prevent, protect against, respond to and recover from potential or actual domestic terrorist attacks, major disasters and other incidents,” said Joel Bagnal, Deputy Assistant to the President for Homeland Security. Annex 1 to HSPD-8 | HSPD-8
U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security Releases REAL ID Grant Guidance (12/14/07) The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Dec. 14 released grant guidance and application kits for two grant programs totaling more than $35 million to assist states in preparing for REAL ID implementation. REAL ID addresses a core 9/11 Commission finding to enhance the security, integrity and protection of licensing and identification systems nationwide, and was mandated by Congress.
- will provide $31.3 million for checking motor vehicle records in other states to ensure that drivers do not hold multiple licenses, and for verification against federal records like immigration status.
- will provide $4 million to help verify birth certificates and other vital records.
States competing for the REAL ID Demonstration Grant are encouraged to submit proposals that demonstrate how other states would be able to use, modify, or transfer a personal identification verification system or established architecture that is designed and developed through federal funding. For more information and the complete application kit, please visit www.grants.gov. The Ready Campaign Partners With Citizen Corps to Encourage Businesses and Voluntary Organizations to Resolve To Be Ready in 2008 (12/14/07) The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Ready Campaign is partnering with FEMA’s Citizen Corps Program to encourage businesses and voluntary organizations to Resolve to be Ready in 2008. Download a toolkit to help your organization develop internal and external messages to encourage your members,  employees, constituents, customers and community to make a New Year’s resolution to prepare for emergencies. You will also find Web banners for your organization’s Web site, a sample E-mail you can send to your key constituents, as well as background information on Ready. You can also visit ready.gov or call 1-800-BE-READY to learn more about how to prepare for emergencies and receive free materials, including family emergency plan templates and sample business continuity plans. Additionally, you can help spread the message throughout your community by partnering with state and local Offices of Emergency Management, Citizen Corps Councils, and other organizations to host and arrange activities and events on and around New Year’s Eve.
Remarks by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff on 2007 Achievements and 2008 Priorities (12/13/07) U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff presented remarks at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars on the agency's accomplishments in 2007 and its priorities for 2008. "By any measure, 2007 was a year of strong progress and maturation for our department," noted Secretary Chertoff. "From border security and immigration enforcement to passenger screening, critical infrastructure protection, and emergency response, we launched important initiatives to strengthen America’s security and we began to see the fruits of our labor in many vital areas." complete text of speech | fact sheet
FEMA Releases Alert on 2007-2008 NIMS Compliance and Document on Medical and Public Health Criteria for the National Emergency Response Credentialing System (12/07/07) The intent of the latest NIMS Alert released by the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is to inform states, territories, tribal nations, and local government with regard to FY 2007 National Incident Management System (NIMS) compliance and the pending release of FY 2008 NIMS compliance materials. Complete materials will be available in January 2008. Download NIMS Alert. FEMA also released a document describing baseline and additional medical and public health criteria for the National Emergency Response Credentialing System. The Public Health/Medical Working Group determined the job titles listed herein to be the most commonly requested public health and medical personnel in a state-to-state mutual aid-based response. Download FEMA document on credentialing. Access more information on the National Mutual Aid and Resource Management Web site.
ISO Publishes First Internationally Ratified Benchmark Document Addressing Incident Preparedness and Continuity Management for Organizations in Both Public and Private Sectors (11/26/07) ISO document link | Continuity Forum article link ISO/PAS 22399:2007 provides general guidance for an organization — private, governmental, and nongovernmental organizations — to develop its own specific performance criteria for incident preparedness and operational continuity, and design an appropriate management system. It provides a basis for understanding, developing, and implementing continuity of operations and services within an organization and to provide confidence in business, community, customer, first responder, and organizational interactions. It also enables the organization to measure its resilience in a consistent and recognized manner.
DHS Office of Infrastructure Protection Issues Strategic Plan (11/20/07) Earlier this year the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security's (DHS) Office of Infrastructure Protection (OIP) underwent mission expansion and organizational changes that required a complete revision of the 2006-2011 plan. These changes were designed to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of OIP's mission execution as well as helping to ensure a consistent approach to assisting OIP's security partners. OIP's strategic plan lays out the direction the office is headed in such a way that the Plan would act as a bridge between the current and successive administrations. As outlined in the Plan the public/private sector partnership plays a key role in the mission success of the OIP through information sharing, infrastructure coordination and incident management. Objectives include enhancement of the Information Sharing Environment (ISE), expansion of participation, coordination and communication within all current NIPP partnerships, and development of local, regional and international partnerships. The projects intended to meet these objectives incorporate infrastructure sector analysis, the National Infrastructure Simulation and Analysis Center, input from the CI/KR sectors, HSIN-CS, and the incident management partnership. This Plan recognizes that the need for continuously improving national CI/KR preparedness requires a foundation that must include collaboration and coordination with private sector partners and is designed to enhance the public/private sector partnership. Download OIP Strategic Plan 2008-2113.
President Bush
Issues the First U.S. National Strategy for Information Sharing to Advance the Sharing of Terrorism-Related Information (10/31/07) U.S. President George W. Bush on Oct. 31 issued the first National Strategy for Information Sharing to prioritize and unify U.S. efforts to advance the sharing of terrorism-related information. The strategy sets forth a plan to build upon the progress that the U.S. has made in improving information sharing since the Sept. 11 attacks and establish an integrated National information sharing capability. It was developed using a collaborative process and based on significant input provided by members of the Federal Information Sharing Council, as well as state, local, tribal, and private sector officials from across the United States. Learn more.
FEMA Announces Members of Regional Advisory Councils (10/30/07) The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Office of Intergovernmental Affairs has announced the membership rosters of eight of the 10 FEMA Regional Advisory Councils (RAC). The primary goal of the councils is to
improve communication and understanding among the various organizations involved in emergency management and response.
Members will review preparedness, protection, response, recovery and mitigation programs and policies to identify weaknesses and recommend improvements. Lists are provided here:
Report Issued on "Safe Port Act: One Year Later" (10/30/07) The Republican Staff of the Committee on Homeland Security, Rep. Peter T. King (R-NY), Ranking Member, has released a report, Safe Port Act: One Year Later." The report is a follow-up on the Security and Accountability For Every (SAFE) Port Act, signed into law on Oct. 13, 2006. The implementation of this bipartisan legislation, which passed both the House and Senate by overwhelming majorities, was intended to enhance America’s existing port and maritime security by expanding upon previous initiatives, and more importantly by developing new programs and allocating additional resources to address critical gaps in maritime and cargo security. This Committee on Homeland Security Republican staff report examines the Department of Homeland Security’s efforts to implement the 90-plus mandates within the SAFE Port Act, with particular focus in the following key areas: increased U.S. port security readiness and preparedness; enhanced layered-security throughout the international supply chain; and leveraged intelligence and information sharing. Download report here.
Links Provided for News and Satellite Photos of Fires in Southern California (10/30/07)
President George W. Bush Signs Homeland Security Presidential Directive on Public Health and Medical Preparedness (10/22/07) U.S. President George W. Bush on Oct. 18 signed Homeland Security Presidential Directive HSPD-21. This directive establishes a National Strategy for Public Health and Medical Preparedness, which builds upon principles set forth in Biodefense for the 21st Century (April 2004) and will transform the U.S. national approach to protecting the health of the American people against all disasters. Learn more.
TOPOFF 4: Exercising National Preparedness (10/09/07) Top Officials 4 (TOPOFF 4) is the premier U.S. terrorism preparedness exercise, involving top officials at every level of government, as well as representatives from the international community and private sector. Taking place Oct. 15-19, the TOPOFF 4 Full-Scale Exercise (T4 FSE) will feature thousands of federal, state, territorial, and local officials. These officials will engage in various activities as part of a robust, full-scale simulated response to a multi-faceted threat. The exercise will address policy and strategic issues that mobilize prevention and response systems, require participants to make difficult decisions, carry out essential functions, and challenge their ability to maintain a common operating picture during an incident of national significance. Learn more.
DHS Adopts 11 NFPA Standards for Emergency Responders (10/05/07) The National Fire Protection Association and the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the adoption of 11 NFPA standards for emergency responders by DHS. The newly adopted standards will set requirements to assist federal agencies and state and local officials responsible for procuring equipment and services used by emergency responders. The documents adopted will provide direction and allow officials to make better procurement decisions in the following areas: professional qualifications, occupational safety and health, fire apparatus, personal protective clothing, powered rescue tools, and other equipment. Details here.
E.M. News 2007 Archive
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