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 FEATURED ARTICLES
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In a continued spirit of collaboration between Japanese and
American emergency managers, FEMA Region III recently hosted a
delegation of officials from the Japanese Nuclear Emergency Preparedness
& Disaster Management Bureau. In addition to touring the regional office
and visiting local historical landmarks, the Japanese delegation was able to observe
several phases of the Radiological Emergency Preparedness (REP) Exercise at
Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant.
The visit coincided with the 38th
Anniversary of the Three Mile Island accident, a partial meltdown of a nuclear
reactor that occurred in 1979. The delegation observed an exercise situation
which included the evaluation of state and local capabilities in responding to
a simulated plant emergency. The Japanese visitors also had the opportunity to
tour the Three Mile Island facility. Coordinated between Region III and FEMA Headquarters,
the visit enhanced our relationship with emergency managers abroad and helped
amplify FEMA’s reputation as a leader in emergency management.
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 This month FEMA honored 18 teams and individuals at the 2016 Administrator’s Awards. Acting Administrator Bob Fenton was joined by Acting Deputy Administrator David Grant, and Chief of Staff Eric Heighberger, as they presented FEMA plaques, certificates, and coins to each of the awardees.
In his opening remarks, Acting Administrator Fenton commented on the significance of the awards. “The Administrator Awards are probably the most prestigious symbol we have to recognize the exceptional contributions of our FEMA workforce. The honored employees exemplify FEMA’s mission, vision, guiding principles, and core values."
This week we conclude our FEMA Weekly series and are pleased to highlight the following categories and awardees: Excellence in Supporting the Mission and Peer Recognition.
Excellence in Supporting the Mission
Double the Downloads, Office of External Affairs, Headquarters
Shayne Adamski, Jana Baldwin, Kaylyn Beck, Jessica Beroldi, Michelle Block, Lauren Butler, Karen Coates, Carmeyia Gillis, Renita Hosler, Gloria Huang, Richard Krikava, Daniel Kuhns, Daniel Llargus, Eileen Lainez, Robert Nadeau, Amanda Osborn, Lori Rivera, Sara Smith, Alexandra Travis, Brittany Trotter, and Adriana Zorrilla.
For developing and implementing a marketing strategy that raised awareness of the FEMA App, resulting in the App being downloaded more than 350,000 times in six months--doubling the lifetime downloads to more than 700,000.
Flint Water Supply Chain, Logistics Management Directorate and Mission Support, Headquarters
Sam K. Ansani, Tureana Dash, Chris Ferguson, Robert Hill, Dale Smoot, Carolyn A. Ward, Melissa Wood, and Patricia Wood.
For creating and directing a disaster supply chain, in coordination with Federal, State, and municipal logistics, to deliver nearly 27 million liters of water, 243,000 replacement water filters and 50,000 water pitcher/faucet filters to the citizens of Flint, Michigan from January 16, 2016, to August 14, 2016 for water purification, and most importantly, lead removal.
National Endangered Species Act Consultation Completed for the National Floodplain Insurance Program
Alessandro Amaglio, Mark Eberlein, Kristin Fontenot, Barry Gall, Bret Gates, James Graham, Stephanie Madson, Sabrina McBride, Michael Nakagaki, Beth Norton, Rachel Sears, Kristen Shedd, Jonathan Smith, Amy Weinhouse, and Katherine Zeringue.
For completing the first nation-wide NFIP consultation to analyze the long-standing question regarding potential effects on endangered species and habitat that result from NFIP program implementation.
Peer Recognition
You Rock Motivator
Cindy Wirz, Region VI
For development and delivery of outreach events targeting families using the Ward’s Storm Water model to demonstrate flooding principles to over a 100 families; and for conducting emergency preparedness activities during the Take Kids to Work sessions, resulting in greater community awareness and preparedness.
Just-in Time Training
Millie Medina, Finance Cadre
For the development and coordination of a training program that facilitated just-in-time training for travel authorization and travel voucher for FEMA employees arriving at disasters sites, resulting in these employees being able to spend less time on paperwork and more time assisting survivors.
You can see the entire list of the FEMA Administrator’s Award recipients by visiting the FEMA Administrator's Awards Intranet page. If you were unable to attend the event, you can view the entire 2016 Administrator’s Awards Ceremony webcast online.
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 The Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS) is an annual survey of the Federal workforce. This year, OPM will send the FEVS to a sample of employees on May 11, 2017. Not every FEMA employee will receive the survey. If you are selected to take the 2017 FEVS, please complete the survey.
The Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS) includes
questions about the use of work-life programs and program satisfaction. The
survey relates participation in and satisfaction with work-life programs, to
business interest outcomes such as job satisfaction and employee turnover.
Work-Life refers to a specific set of organizational
programs and policies that support the efforts of everyone in the workplace to
achieve success at work, home, and in deployed environments. FEMA strives to
create a strategy that includes: Employee Assistance programs, Workplace
Flexibility (Alternative Work Schedules/Telework), Health & Well-being, Caring for Dependents, Nursing
Mothers’ Rooms, Financial/Legal Support,
Community Involvement, Paid and Unpaid Time Off, and Wounded Warrior Programs.
FEMA offers a variety of Work-Life programs for employees.
Below is a list of some basic programs. To view all of FEMA’s Work-Life
programs visit the OCCHCO, Employee Services, Work-Life
Intranet page.
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Special
programs, such as Take
Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day, national event.
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Employee
Assistance Program (EAP):
Provides problem solving, coaching, information, consultation, counseling,
resource identification, and support to all employees.
EAP is also offering numerous webinars to help employees with a variety
of life’s challenges.
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Fitness: Employees
may be eligible, at their supervisor’s discretion, for up to 6 hours of excused
absence for exercise each pay period. View all the required forms on the Fitness Program Page.
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Community
Service: The DHS
Volunteer Community Service Directive allows employees to take up to 40 hours
of administrative leave each year for approved volunteer activities. For more
information and a list of current volunteer opportunities, visit the DHS Volunteer Community Service page.
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Flexible
Schedules: The FEMA Scheduling of Work Manual describes the official policy for
compressed and flexible work schedules, as well as schedule adjustments for
administrative dismissals and variations in work schedules for educational
purposes. For more information, visit the OCCHCO
internet webpage or email FEMA-HC-WorkLifePrograms@fema.dhs.gov.
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Elder
Care: OPM’s Handbook on Workplace Flexibilities
and Work-Life Programs for Elder Care
includes examples of how to combine work-life programs to help employees better
manage family and work responsibilities.
FEMA is actively listening and responding to employee requests.
Here are some things we have accomplished by working together to provide you
with
more transparency, custom communications and engagement with DHS and FEMA
leaders.
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In 2017, we have
increased the number of Agency-wide Town Halls to provide greater engagement
with senior leaders and issues that affect us all.
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In
November 2016, FEMA created a 2017 Transition portal to serve
as a one-stop-shop for the incoming Administration to learn about our
organization, and to serve as a resource for all employees.
- In 2016, established the
FEMA Internal Communications Council, comprised of communications
representatives across the Agency. This is a group of communications
professionals who have the responsibility of Internal Communications in FEMA
Regions, Training Facilities, Mount Weather, U.S. Fire Academy, and the
National Processing Service Centers (NPSCs). Our goal is to increase
coordination and foster better collaboration of news, information, and FEMA
endorsed events and activities across the Agency.
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 The Reservist Report is an opportunity to learn more about FEMA Reservists. FEMA Weekly welcomes your articles.
Jesse
Perea is a Travel Manager in the Financial Management Cadre. He has been deployed to Iowa in response to Severe Storms and Flooding (DR-4289)
since Nov. 6, 2016. Since joining the Agency as a local hire in 2011, Perea has deployed more than ten disasters. As a Travel Manager Perea doesn't get to interact directly with survivors, but he understands the importance of helping those who do. "Anytime you can be part of a team that interacts with
communities in need, it's a great feeling."
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 ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Please join the FEMA Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) employee resource group, the Office of Equal Rights, and the Diversity Management
Council, as we celebrate the diversity and achievements of the
AAPI community. All FEMA employees are encouraged to attend.
Tuesday, May 2, 2017, 1 p.m., ET
Ways to Participate:
500
C Street (FEMA headquarters), Conference Room M-01
Video Teleconference/Jabber/Movi (Dial 4178 at least 20 minutes the conference)
FEMA Channel 13
Live Stream (behind the firewall)
Access
Multicast
Stream
Conference
Call: 1-800-320-4330 Passcode:
352349#
Accommodations: A sign language interpreter will be
provided.
CART services: http://www.fedrcc.us//Enter.aspx?EventID=3235168&CustomerID=321.
The event will feature a video celebrating our diverse AAPI
colleagues at FEMA, hula performance, cultural food sampling, and a keynote by
Congresswoman Aumua Amata, from American Samoa. Congresswoman Amata, who also
holds the title of orator (talking chief) from the Village of Pago Pago, will
share her experiences as a successful AAPI leader and how her roots shaped who
she is today. She will also share her experiences partnering with FEMA to
respond to and recover from disasters that have impacted the resilient
communities of American Samoa, a part of FEMA Region
IX.
Please join FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA)
Division for a webinar on Cost Estimating
Principles for Hazard Mitigation Assistance Applications. Presenters
will provide general principles for reviewing cost estimates for HMA projects,
a process for determining reasonable costs as part of the grant application
review, and resources where you can get more detailed information and examples.
Wednesday, May 10, 2017, 2 p.m. -
3 p.m., ET
Conference Bridge: 800-320-4330 Pin: 896047#
Be sure to test your Adobe Connect connection 20 minutes prior
to the meeting. The presentation will be followed by a
question and answer session.
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 TRAINING / PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
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All FEMA full-time, temporary full-time, and CORE
employees in the Washington, D.C. area, are invited to attend a two-day, skill building
training session, Creating and Delivering High Impact Presentations.
Participants will learn techniques for developing effective
presentations applicable to any setting within FEMA.
May. 18-19,
2017, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. ET
Aug. 2-3, 20,
2017, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. ET
Registration is required. All classes will be held in the Office of the Chief Component Human Capital Officer (OCCHCO) Training Suite, 500 C Street, 7 SW. For more information, please email: edu@fema.dhs.gov or visit the OCCHCO training page.
This four-day workshop provides both new and seasoned managers and supervisors, the tools and resources necessary for successful leadership within FEMA. This training is required for all new FEMA managers and supervisors and will focus on Conflict Management, Creativity and Innovation, Problem Solving, Vision, Strategic Thinking, and other leadership essentials.
Participants
are invited to attend their choice of one of the upcoming workshops below. The workshops will be held in the Office of the Chief Component Human Capital Officer (OCCHCO) Training Suite, located at 500 C Street, 7 SW.
May 22-25, 2017, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., ET.
June 12-15, 2017, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., ET.
Registration is required. Pre-Requisite: Fundamentals of Leadership - L90X Orientation Webinar (conducted the first Thursday of each month).
For questions, or for more information about the Fundamental Leadership Program, please email: FEMA-fundamentals@fema.dhs.gov.
Detail: Program
Analyst, Office of the Administrator
Expires:
May 12, 2017
Detail:
Strategic
Communications Advisor,
Office of External Affairs
Expires: May 12, 2017
As a reminder DHS
has many opportunities that are available to FEMA employees. Visit the site often for updates.
FEMA has resumed creating and filling critical emergency management positions that have occupational series approved by DHS.
For more details, visit the Office of the Chief Component Human Capital Officer
Intranet page and USAJobs.
In the Apr 20 issue of FEMA Weekly, we ran an announcement about how employees can obtain copies of the FEMA Travel Pocket Guide, a basic reference for preparing for travel. In the announcement we included an incorrect email address to order the guide. The correct email address to order copies of the FEMA Travel Pocket Guide is FEMA-TravelPolicy@fema.dhs.gov. We apologize for the oversight.
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