NEWS & REPORTS ARCHIVE 2005
IAEM News | E.M. News | Katrina/Rita News
 AT&T and IAEM Release Report on Disaster Planning in the Private Sector (12/21/05) AT&T Corp. and IAEM have released a report on "Disaster Planning in the Private Sector: A Look at the State of Business Continuity in the U.S." A survey was conducted of more than 1,200 businesses from January to August 2005, with nearly 40 percent of respondents stating that business continuity planning was not a priority. The study found that nearly one-third of U.S. businesses surveyed do not have business continuity plans in place. Despite recent events and although much is at stake, the study found that nearly one-fourth of the companies that had suffered a disaster had not taken action to prevent or minimize busines interruptions in the future. Executive Summary | Survey Detail
Upper Iowa University Is First Confirmed Sponsor for IAEM 2006 Annual Conference (12/19/05) IAEM has received confirmation from David Binder, Online Program Director, Upper Iowa University, that the university again will sponsor the IAEM Scholarship Auction at the IAEM 2006 Annual Conference & EMEX Exhibit. A 2006 sponsorship flyer will be posted soon with complete details about sponsorship opportunities.
George Foresman Named as DHS Undersecretary for Preparedness (12/19/05) On Dec. 18, the U.S. Senate confirmed George Foresman as the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security Undersecretary for Preparedness. Most recently, he served as Assistant to the Governor of Virginia for Commonwealth Preparedness and was responsible for the Commonwealth’s emergency and disaster preparedness activities, including coordination with the private sector. In response to a congratulatory message from IAEM, Foresman said, “There is a lot of work to be done that will require we collaborate closely on many, many issues. IAEM has always stepped up to the plate, and I look forward to bringing the talent and energy of its members to help us solve the issues. We have an opportunity and responsibility that I want to capture to make things better.”
IAEM Member Comments Sought on NWS Changes (12/13/05) The National Weather Service is discussing some potential changes to the requirements for StormReady recognition for large communities with populations over 40,000. The proposed changes will be in Guideline 5, which deals with community preparedness, and will involve developing activities to reach larger audiences. (For example, instead of a large community like New York City hosting one severe weather spotter training session, they might be required to participate in a radio or TV segment promoting severe weather awareness.) If you are currently part of an EM program for a large community that has been recognized as StormReady, please provide comments on what activities you might be able to do on a larger scale. In a sense of fairness, please also feel free to indicate if changing the guideline requirements would present an unnecessary burden. Please e-mail your comments to Bob Goldhammer, CEM, by Jan. 15, 2006.
IAEM 2005 Annual Conference Speaker Presentations: (12/12/05) Attendees at the conference received a conference CD with speaker presentations. If you did not attend, you can order a copy of the conference CD. Also, we have posted several additional presentations that we did not receive in time to include on the conference CD. click for link
IAEM Scholarship 2006-07 Applications (12/07/05) IAEM scholarships are awarded to full-time students pursuing an associate or diploma, baccalaureate, or graduate degree in emergency management or a closely related field. The application form for 2006-07 scholarships has been posted. The deadline for applications is Mar. 31, 2006. click for link
Interoperability Emergency Standards Demonstrated (12/01/05)
IAEM, COMCARE, and the Emergency Interoperable Consortium completed the first successful trial of several new emergency data communications standards during the IAEM Annual Conference. The demonstrations were conducted in the Interoperability Pavilion and Learning Center located in the EMEX exhibit hall. They included the exchange of emergency data messages based on three scenarios: a pandemic flu, a slow-moving Category 3 hurricane, and a terrorist explosion. More than 22 different technology companies participated, showing how standardized messages can be exchanged by different emergency agency software systems and tools. Download complete report.
IAEM Scholarship Auction (11/30/05)
IAEM hosted an auction to benefit the IAEM Scholarship Program on Nov. 15 in conjunction with the IAEM Annual Conference in Phoenix. This was one of three events (live auction, silent auction and basket bonanza raffle) which raised funds for the program, raising a total of $14,790 for scholarships. Find out more about the IAEM Scholarship Program.
HPP and IAEM Co-Sponsor First Annual Interagency Disaster Preparedness Award (11/30/05) Homeland Protection Professional magazine and IAEM co-sponsored the First Annual Interagency Disaster Preparedness Award this year. The winner was the Regional Homeland Security Coordinating Committee, Kansas City, Mo. This award was established to recognize and encourage the crucial role of interagency cooperation in keeping citizens and communities safe from both natural and manmade disasters in the post-9-11 world. Learn more. View complete list of IAEM award winners.
IAEM Finalizes Conference Program (11/01/05) IAEM is making final preparations for a superior conference program, exhibit, and "sell-out crowd" for its annual event, being held Nov. 12-16 in Phoenix, Arizona. Last-minute program additions include: Hurricanes Katrina and Pam: Some Early Lessons; The Kashmir Earthquake: Situation Report; U.S. Dept. of Defense and Hurricane Katrina; Austin Response to Katrina; Private Industry Self-Sufficiency; Profile of a Successful Private Sector Emergency Management Program; Katrina/Rita: A Double Whammy; and EMAC After-Action Report: Hurricane Response. download press release
IAEM Announces Recommendations for Improved Emergency Response (10/26/05) Successful response to disasters ranging from hurricanes to terrorism requires serious teamwork. On the disaster team, it is the role of local government emergency managers to call the plays and provide the framework for the supporting roles of state and federal partners. In fact, for the play to work, we fully expect our state and federal partners - DHS and FEMA - to be in the right place at the right time with the right resources when the disaster response goes beyond our local capabilities. Now is the time to strengthen FEMA before another catastrophic event. For IAEM recommendations, download press release.
Statement by IAEM President on Hurricanes Katrina and Rita (9/27/05) click for link
IAEM Opposes Restricted Access to Weather Data (05/26/05 ) Letter sent 05-26-2005 to Senators Stevens and Inouye regarding S.786. click for link
IAEM President Dewayne West Testifies (4/15/2005) On Apr. 8, 2005, IAEM President Dewayne West testified before the House Appropriations Committee regarding the DHS budget. IAEM seeks support for EMPG & HMGP funding. For more information, click here.
IAEM Releases 2005 Legislative Positions (3/12/2005) At its Mid-Year Meeting, IAEM finalized its legislative positions for this year. The positions can be viewed or downloaded by clicking here.
Final Draft of National Preparedness Goal Released (12/28/05) The U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security has released the final draft of the National Preparedness Goal, development of which involved extensive coordination between: various federal agencies; state, local, and tribal governments; the private sector; and non-governmental organizations. Release of this document marks the formal establishment of the National Preparedness Goal. DHS plans to work closely with its partners to implement and refine this document and to establish a structure and process for the ongoing management and maintenance of the Goal and planning tools. Download from www.llis.gov.
George Foresman Named as DHS Undersecretary for Preparedness (12/19/05) On Dec. 18, the U.S. Senate confirmed George Foresman as the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security Undersecretary for Preparedness. Most recently, he served as Assistant to the Governor of Virginia for Commonwealth Preparedness and was responsible for the Commonwealth’s emergency and disaster preparedness activities, including coordination with the private sector. In response to a congratulatory message from IAEM, Foresman said, “There is a lot of work to be done that will require we collaborate closely on many, many issues. IAEM has always stepped up to the plate, and I look forward to bringing the talent and energy of its members to help us solve the issues. We have an opportunity and responsibility that I want to capture to make things better.”
Emergency Preparedness and Response for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 2005 Is Introduced (12/19/05) Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) has introduced the Emergency Preparedness and Response for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 2005. This legislation addresses the needs of individuals with disabilities in emergency planning and relief efforts. "Hurricane Katrina's aftermath has shown us that we need to have a
better emergency response plan, especially one that includes
preparations for assisting people with disabilities," said
Harkin. "This bill is an important step to ensure that the needs
of disabled Americans will be addressed in case of an emergency." Under this legislation, a Disability Coordinator would be created in
the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, who will report directly
to the Secretary.
The Emergency Preparedness and Response for Individuals with
Disabilities Act of 2005 will also require that 30 percent of
temporary housing for disaster victims be accessible, and usable by
individuals with disabilities, and would provide incentives to
create more accessible housing during reconstruction efforts.
CEDAP Phase II Applications (11/08/05) The Homeland Security Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program (CEDAP) is operated by the DHS Office of State and Local Government Coordination & Preparedness to assist smaller communities in acquiring and using commercially available equipment to prevent, deter, and respond to terrorist attacks, as identified in state homeland security strategies. Application period for Phase II is Nov. 7, 2005-Jan. 13, 2006. This competitive program is a direct assistance program, not a grant program, and SLGCP will provide the equipment and technical assistance directly to the selected jurisdictions. CEDAP's equipment offerings include: (a) personal protective equipment, (b) rescue tools, (c) thermal imaging, night vision and video surveillance tools, (d) chemical, biological and radiological detection tools, (e) information technology and risk management tools, and (f) interoperable communications gateways.
Deadlines: Phase II of CEDAP will also utilize an on-line application on the Responder Knowledge Base. The application period for Phase II will being at 0900 EST Nov. 7, 2005, and end at 1700 EST Jan. 13, 2006.
Click here to view the Phase II CEDAP Briefing Book
Pandemic Influenza Plan (11/02/05) The U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services has released its Pandemic Influenza Plan, as well as guidance documents for state and local partners, on its official Web site for information on pandemic flu and avian influenza. click for link
FY 2006 NIMS Compliance Requirements Package (10/18/05) The National Incident Management System (NIMS) Integration Center has issued the FY 2006 NIMS Compliance Requirements Package, which contains a letter to the governors from DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff, summary of NIMS implementation schedule, NIMS state and territory compliance activities, and NIMS tribal government and local jurisdiction compliance activities. click for link
NVOAD Hurricanes Katrina and Rita Relief and Recovery Assistance Guide (10/19/05) National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD) offers a guide for people affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and for those who would assist them (Oct. 14, 2005 edition, updated version to come soon). click for link
GAO Issues Report on Katrina Response (10/12/05).
Hurricane Katrina will have an enormous impact on the people and the economy of the United States. The hurricane affected over a half million people located in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, and has resulted in one of the largest natural disaster relief and recovery operations in U.S. history.
Public health advisories have warned about the spread of disease in the affected areas. Hurricane Katrina also resulted in environmental challenges, such as water and sediment contamination from toxic materials released into the floodwaters.
In addition, the U.S. energy infrastructure was hard hit; it affected 21 refineries. In terms of telecommunications, Hurricane Katrina knocked out radio and television stations, more than 3 million customer phone lines, and more than 1,000 cell phone sites.
The General Accounting Ofice (GAO) has issued the testimony that it provided before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, Committee on Energy and Commerce, House of Representatives. This report, Hurricane Katrina: Providing Oversight of the Nations Preparedness, Response and Recovery Activities, can be downloaded at www.gao.gov/new.items/d051053t.pdf. This testimony was prepared to highlight past work on government programs related to Katrina and other disasters, and to provide information on plans and coodination among the accountability community.
Conference on Lessons Learned from Katrina (10/07/05) The Homeland Defense Journal is holding a training conference on "Emergency Preparedness & Response: Lessons Learned From Hurricane Katrina," with IAEM's support, Nov. 30-Dec. 1 in Washington, DC. click for link
Donations of Supplies and Services (9/28/05) The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Center for Corporate Citizenship is operating a business-to-business relief and recovery program, brokering needed donations from companies to aid businesses displaced or destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Click here to contribute materials or services now.
Statement by IAEM President on Hurricanes Katrina and Rita (9/27/05) click for link
Donations Management (9/26/05) Here are Five Ways You Can Help Disaster Victims. See www.disasters.org for more information.
The National Emergency Resource Registry (9/26/05) is where all companies and private sector entities can donate products or services in support of recovery efforts. click for link
Donations and Volunteers(9/03/05) See www.usafreedomcorps.gov to make in-kind or cash donations or to volunteer.
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