Major mobile carriers will be shutting down their 3G networks in 2022, rendering older phones useless. The retirement of the 3G network is to make room for more advanced networks like 5G. Once the 3G network is shut down, all 3G cell phones and older 4G phones that do not support HD Voice (VoLTE or Voice over LTE) will no longer work, meaning users will not be able to make or receive calls and texts, even to 911. Data services will also be unavailable on those devices.  

AT&T will shut down its entire 3G network by February; T-Mobile, which merged with Sprint, will fully retire Sprint's 3G network by March 31, Sprint's 4G LTE network by June 30 and T-Mobile's 3G network by July 1; and Verizon will completely shut down its 3G network by Dec. 31. Other carriers, like Cricket, Boost, Straight Talk and some Lifeline mobile service providers use the networks of AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon, so those carriers will likely be impacted. Retirement of the 3G network will also affect medical devices, tablets, smart watches, SOS services in vehicles, home security systems and other products connected to the 3G network. Learn more at FCC.gov 

The Oregon Public Utility Commission manages a number of federal and state government assistance programs—Oregon Lifeline, Tribal Lifeline and Tribal Link Up—that provide a monthly discount on phone or broadband service for qualifying low-income Oregon households. Learn more at oregon.gov. 

Oregon’s new Climate Protection Program is a bold and necessary step toward reducing greenhouse gases. The latest episode of GreenState, the Oregon Dept. of Environmental Quality’s podcast, takes a deep dive into the new program and what it means for Oregonians. The episode includes interviews with DEQ Director Richard Whitman, Climate Protection Program staff member Nicole Singh, and Oregon Business for Climate Director Tim Miller. The goals of the Climate Protection Program are to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels by 50% by 2035 and 90% by 2050; to contain costs; and to enhance public welfare for Oregon communities including communities of color, tribal, low-income and rural communities. Scientists agree these reductions are required to avoid the worst effects of climate change. Listen to the episode at DEQblog.com. 

Black History Month is a time of celebration and remembrance of the contributions, sacrifice and progress made by black people in the U.S. In 1976, Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month and called upon the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” Since the induction of Black History month, every American president has given a theme. This year’s theme, “Black Health and Wellness,” looks at how American healthcare has often underserved the African American community. The theme acknowledges the legacy of not only Black scholars and medical practitioners in Western medicine, but also birth workers, naturopaths, herbalists and more. With credit to FEMA Region 10 and the AAMC, OEM recognizes the contributions of several Black healthcare workers in American history:  

James McCune Smith, MD (1813 — 1865)
In 1837, James McCune Smith became the first black American to receive a medical degree — although he had to enroll at the University of Glasgow Medical School because of racist admissions practices at U.S. medical schools. He was also the first black person to own and operate a pharmacy in the U.S. and the first black physician to be published in U.S. medical journals. Smith used his writing talents to challenge shoddy science, including racist notions of African-Americans.  

Rebecca Lee Crumpler, MD (1831 — 1895) 
In 1864, after years as a nurse, Rebecca Lee Crumpler became the first black woman in the U.S. to receive an MD degree. She earned that distinction at the New England Female Medical College in Boston, where she also was the institution’s only black graduate. After the Civil War, Crumpler moved to Virginia, where she worked with other black doctors who were caring for formerly enslaved people in the Freedmen’s Bureau. 

Daniel Hale Williams, MD (1856 — 1931) 
Dr. Williams opened the nation's first Black-owned interracial hospital. He provided training to black interns and created the first American school for Black nurses. He performed the world's first successful heart surgery on a man stabbed in the chest. He co-founded the National Medical Association for black professionals who at the time were barred from the American Medical Association. He became the first African American to be inducted into the American College of Surgeons.  

Charles Richard Drew, MD (1904 — 1950)
Dr. Charles Drew was an American surgeon and researcher who organized the nation's first large scale blood bank. His work helped to develop procedures for extracting plasma, preserving it against contamination, and packaging it on a grand scale. He helped to pilot the American Red Cross blood banking program but later quit when donations were required to be segregated by race. 

Dr. Jane Wright (1919 — 2013)
During her work at the Cancer Research Foundation in Harlem, Dr. Wright researched chemotherapy drugs that led to remissions in patients with cancer. She became the head of the Cancer Research Foundation at age 33 in 1952 and later became the first woman president of the New York Cancer Society in 1971. Her research helped to transform cancer treatment with chemotherapy from a last resort to a viable treatment for cancer. 

Alexa Irene Canady, MD (b. 1950)
Alexa Irene Canady became the first black neurosurgeon in the U.S. in 1981, and just a few years later, she rose to the ranks of chief of neurosurgery at Children’s Hospital of Michigan. Canady worked for decades as a successful pediatric neurosurgeon and was ready to retire in Florida in 2001. But she donned her surgical scrubs once again to practice part time at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, where there was a dearth of pediatric neurosurgery services. 

FEMA’s Youth Preparedness Council is a great opportunity for teens to make a difference in their communities by supporting disaster preparedness. YPC members gain valuable leadership skills, emergency management experience and work with like-minded peers to help strengthen preparedness and resilience across the country. Students in grades 8-11 who are interested can learn about the application requirements, deadlines and submission options at a webinar from 6:30-7:15 p.m. on Feb. 8. Click here to register. Applications are open through March 6, click here to learn more. 

Disasterville is an interactive, whole community tabletop activity used by CERT, MRC, VOAD, emergency managers, health care coalitions and professional responders. Developed in coordination with Utah Emergency Management, the creators have done several presentations on the activity, including during the 2019 and 2021 CERT Conferences as well as during a national FEMA webinar. A limited number of preassembled  Disasterville activity kits will be made available for purchase during the 2022 National CERT conference. To help the NCA gauge demand, please complete this short survey by Feb. 18: Disasterville Kit Interest Survey.