FEMA created a data feed for the Ready
Campaign’s emergency and hazard safety tips that provides
information relating to a wide range of disaster information including how to
prepare for, survive, and cope with different types of disasters. This new data
feed allows website and app developers to display Ready.gov safety tips on
their website and/or app. As content is updated on Ready.gov, the data feed
will also be updated so that it will match the most current information
available on the Ready website. For an example of how this feed can be used, download the
FEMA app and see how developers incorporated Ready.gov data into the
app.
For more information about the new
Ready.gov data feed, visit www.fema.gov/ready-hazards-api.
When homes are flooded and lives
are upended, treasured keepsakes such as photos, artwork, quilts and family
heirlooms become more cherished. Although they may have been damaged in the
flood, these treasures may be salvageable. Over the years, preservation
experts have been resources at Disaster Recovery Centers offering practical
tips and steps on how to handle, dry and clean damaged objects, and share tips
on personal safety, setting priorities and other preservation options.
FEMA and the Smithsonian Institution
co-sponsor the Heritage Emergency National Task Force, a partnership of 42
national service organizations and federal agencies created to protect cultural
heritage from the damaging effects of natural disasters and other
emergencies. In addition to a new fact
sheet, the Task Force’s efforts on salvaging water-damaged, important
personal belongings is also featured in a post titled “Safeguarding Memories” on the
FEMA blog.
Recently the Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) hosted
their 2nd Annual Tribal Nations Training Week with 157 tribal students enrolled
in five different training courses. The 157
students represented 41 different tribal agencies, spanning 17 states.
Throughout the week, the CDP hosted members of the National Domestic
Preparedness Consortium, the Rural Domestic Preparedness Consortium and the Emergency Management Institute who made
presentations and discussed training opportunities
with tribal attendees.
Guest speakers were invited to deliver presentations
on topics of interest in Indian Country. Training culminated with an
Integrated Capstone Event (ICE) designed to have all training courses work
together during a mass casualty incident. The week ended with remarks from
FEMA’s Assistant Administrator for Recovery Alex Amparo and CDP Superintendent
Mike King. The CDP will schedule a focus group in the coming weeks to start
framing the 3rd Annual Tribal Nations Training Week.
For more information on CDP training, visit https://cdp.dhs.gov/find-training.
FEMA’s
Emergency Management Institute (EMI) Virtual Tabletop Exercise (VTTX) program
will offer a flood scenario May 24-25, 2017. The VTTX is designed to help
emergency management professionals exercise their response to the impact of
major flooding on their community. The VTTX involves key personnel discussing
simulated scenarios in an informal setting, and can be used to assess plans,
policies, training, and procedures during a flood and inundation challenge.
Each
month, EMI conducts a VTTX series using a Video Teleconference (VTC) platform
to reach community-based training audiences around the country by providing a
virtual forum for interactive disaster training. The VTTX is designed for
a group of ten or more representatives from state, local, tribal, and
territorial emergency management communities of practice. It provides a unique
opportunity for responders across the nation to simultaneously participate in a
hazard-specific, facilitated discussion. Participants will need to connect via
a site equipped with the appropriate VTC capability (not Adobe Connect or Face
Time-based), but alternate ways to participate are also available upon request.
The
VTTX occurs 12-4 p.m. ET. To participate, send an email to
douglas.kahn@fema.dhs.gov or call 301-447-7645. Also, send a courtesy copy
email to fema-emi-iemb@fema.dhs.gov or call 301-447-1381. The application deadline is May 1, 2017. Additional information is
available at https://training.fema.gov/programs/emivttx.aspx.
The U.S. Fire
Administration’s (USFA) focus on fire safety for April is wildfire
safety. Even if you don't live near wildfire-prone areas, these fire safety tips can still help:
- Create an
emergency bag of personal items that you will need if you are asked to
leave your home.
- Make and
frequently practice a family evacuation plan that includes meeting
locations, a communication plan, and pet accommodations.
- Clean your roof,
gutters, and deck of dead leaves and pine needles often.
- Use building and
yard materials that won’t burn easily.
- Keep an area up to
200 feet around your home lean, clean, and green.
For more
information about wildfire safety, visit the USFA website.
Deadline Extended for Youth Preparedness Council Applications
FEMA extended the deadline for Youth Preparedness Council applications to April 7. Council members are selected based on their dedication to public
service, efforts in making a difference in their communities, and potential to
expand their impact as national advocates for preparedness. Students in grades 8 through 11 are eligible to apply.
The Youth Preparedness Council offers an opportunity for
youth leaders to serve on a distinguished national council and participate in
the Youth Preparedness Council Summit in Washington, D.C. During their two-year
term, the leaders will complete both a local and national-level project and
share their ideas regarding youth disaster preparedness with the leadership of
FEMA and national organizations.
Youth interested in applying to the Council must submit a
completed application form, two letters of recommendation, and academic
records. Information about completing and submitting the application and
attachments can be found in the application instructions. All applications and
supporting materials must be received no later than April 7, 2017, 11:59
p.m. PT to be eligible. New members will be announced in May 2017.
To access the application materials, read about the current
members, and for more general information, visit www.ready.gov/youth-preparedness-council.
FEMA Seeks Comment on Updated Tribal Mitigation Plan Review Guide
FEMA is updating its
policy that guides how agency officials interpret regulatory requirements in
their review and approval of tribal mitigation plans. The updated Tribal Mitigation
Plan Review Guide will supersede FEMA’s current Tribal
Multi-Hazard Mitigation Planning Guidance issued in 2010.
Tribal officials can
submit comments on the Guide by mail to: ATTN: National Mitigation Planning
Program, Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration (FIMA), DHS/FEMA, 400
C Street SW, Suite 313, Washington, DC 20472-3020. Comments can also be
submitted by electronic mail to tribalconsultation@fema.dhs.gov.
All comments must be submitted either by U.S. mail or e-mail no later than April
9, 2017.
Visit FEMA’s Tribal Affairs page for
more information on this tribal consultation. For additional information or
questions, contact your Regional
Tribal Liaison.
FEMA Seeks Comments on a Public Assistance Deductible Concept
In response to calls from
members of Congress, the Government Accountability Office, and the DHS Office
of Inspector General over the last several years, FEMA is working to reform the
way the federal government supports states following disasters. The agency continues to
actively explore the concept of a deductible, specifically leveraging the
Public Assistance Program. Individual Assistance programs, such as direct aid
to households after a disaster, would remain unchanged.
FEMA is committed to a
transparent stakeholder engagement effort to explore how the program might move
forward. In 2016, FEMA sought public comments on the basic concept of a
deductible through www.Regulations.gov
under docket ID FEMA-2016-0003. After considering the 150
comments received, FEMA developed a conceptual model framework that is now
available for public comment until April 12, 2017. This Supplemental Advance Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking, or SANPRM, is available for 90-days on www.Regulations.gov
under docket ID FEMA-2016-0003 at this link: FEMA_FRDOC_0001.
Increasing Engagement with Faith-based Organizations in Disaster Preparedness Webinar
FEMA's EMI is hosting a webinar emphasizing the value of increasing engagement with faith-based organizations for disaster preparedness on April 12 at 2-3:30 p.m. ET. The webinar is a
joint effort between the DHS Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood
Partnerships and FEMA’s Higher Education Program that will provide a forum to help to ensure emergency
managers, faith-based and community organizations are aware of academic partner
resources and engagement opportunities. Participants can register for the webinar online and use the conference call-in (800) 320-4330; PIN: 376368#.
National
Emergency Management Advanced Academy Applications
EMI is accepting
applications for the National Emergency Management Advanced Academy.
This program addresses program management and oversight, effective
communication, integrated collaboration, and strategic thinking skills.
The target audience is mid-level managers who have a minimum of three years of
experience in an emergency management position to include government,
non-profit, voluntary organization, and private sector leaders who are
responsible for emergency management or homeland security.
The Advanced Academy Program consists of four resident
courses and is five days in length. Classes begin in October, November,
or December 2017 and are ideally taken sequentially through September 2018. Applications will be accepted until May 31, 2017, with selections in June and announcements in July.
For more information, contact fema-empp-advanced-academy@fema.dhs.gov.
Apply to Become a Trainer for the National Emergency Management Basic Academy
EMI is offering a Train-the-Trainer course for the National
Emergency Management Basic Academy. To qualify to enroll in the
Train-the-Trainer course, individuals must have at least five years of
experience working in the field of emergency management and at least three
years of experience delivering emergency management instruction to adults.
The entry-point for individuals pursuing a career in
emergency management, the Basic Academy offers the tools to develop
comprehensive foundational skills. For those who are new to emergency
management, the Basic Academy also provides a unique opportunity to build
camaraderie, to establish professional contacts, and to understand the roles,
responsibilities, and legal boundaries associated with emergency
management.
Course Dates: August 7-11, 2017
Location: Emergency Management Institute, National
Emergency Training Center in Emmitsburg, MD
Application Deadline: June 26
For additional information, contact Jeff Januchowski at
301-447-1356 or jeffrey.januchowski@fema.dhs.gov.
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