FEMA Bulletin Week of September 10, 2018

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FEMA BULLETIN

September 10, 2018

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In this Edition:

Important Dates & Deadlines 

September 20

Mandatory Nationwide Test of the Wireless Emergency Alert and Emergency Alert System

FEMA Prepares for Hurricanes

FEMA is working with state, local, tribal and territorial partners to prepare for the potential impacts from storms in the Atlantic, Caribbean and Pacific.


When it comes to disaster response, the entire community has a role to play.

See FEMA's video, Disaster Response is a Team Effort, to see how this works.


September is National Preparedness Month: Learn Life Saving Skills

While we can’t prevent unexpected emergencies, we can increase our preparedness for the next event.  Before a disaster, we must make preparedness actions part of our daily routine at work and at home and learn critical response skills. Neighbors, by-standers, and co-workers are usually the most immediate supporters.

 

 

 

These simple, life saving measures could be critical in reducing injuries and fatalities attributed to a disaster:

 

- Know basic home maintenance to protect your family and home. Learn how to mitigate your home against flood damage, or protect against the impacts of earthquakes.


- Take a Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid class so you will know what to do if a family member, neighbor, or co-worker is injured. Take Until Help Arrives training, which empowers people to take action in emergency situations and provide lifesaving care before professional assistance arrives.

 

- Put smoke alarms on every level of your home, test them monthly, and replace them when they are 10 years old.

 

- Know the ways to keep your home safe from cooking, heating, and electrical fires. Change the batteries in smoke, carbon monoxide, and natural gas detectors at home, and help people who aren’t able to change batteries on their own.

 

 

Saturday, Sept. 15 is the National Day of Action when individuals, organizations and businesses are encouraged to take an action, such as participating in an exercise, drill or other action that will increase preparedness. For more information, go to www.ready.gov/september.

 

 

Congressional Support for National Preparedness Month

 

 

FEMA appreciates the support of the Members of Congress serving as 2018 co-sponsors for National Preparedness Month. Throughout September, the FEMA Bulletin will feature statements from these members.

 

 

Senator Claire McCaskill, Ranking Member, Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

“For communities in Missouri and across the country, having a plan in place is key to making sure families stay safe in the unfortunate event of a natural disaster. I’m proud to join FEMA and Senate colleagues on both sides of the aisle during this National Preparedness Month to spread the word about how emergency preparedness can save lives.”



Representative Peter A. DeFazio, Ranking Member, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

“September marks National Preparedness Month, a reminder that we must all take action to prepare for natural disasters, like earthquakes, wildfires, and hurricanes that can wreak havoc on our communities. After the devastating 2017 hurricane and wildfire seasons, we unfortunately saw that no community is immune to natural disaster. It is critical that we come together to develop a strategy to better protect and prepare our communities for emergencies. During this month, I encourage everyone to take the time to learn what you can do now to help protect yourself and your loved ones in case a natural disaster strikes.”

2018 National Preparedness Month logo


Ready 2 Help

Since the launch of You Are the Help Until Help Arrives in 2017, many communities have called for a similar training geared towards younger audiences. In response, FEMA’s Individual and Community Preparedness Division has released Ready 2 Help, a card game for children ages 8 - 12.

 

This new resource teaches youth how to stay safe and get help in emergencies.

 

The card game builds a culture of preparedness from an early age by teaching youth five key skills: stay safe, stay calm, get help, give information, and give care. Ready 2 Help is designed for after-school programs, extracurricular youth groups, and home play.


 

To get a copy of the card game and companion book:

 

- Download and print from www.ready.gov/game.

- Free printed copies of the game will be available in Fall 2018 from the FEMA Publications Warehouse. Call 1-800-480-2520 and ask for publication number P-2012 (Companion Book) and P-2013 (Card Game).


FEMA Using Objectives and Key Results as a Management Tool in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico’s recovery from hurricanes Irma and Maria requires a sustained, comprehensive, dedicated effort by all sectors over an extended period of time. The Joint Recovery Office (JRO) in Puerto Rico is aligning objectives and execution with the government of Puerto Rico and interagency partners.


The JRO is using Objectives and Key Results (OKR), a goal-management framework that helps organizations implement strategy. An objective is a statement of a broad goal to be achieved. A key result is a metric that measures achievement of a specific goal.


OKR is a quarterly metric, beginning with the July 1 - Sept. 30 period. It will be executed through every level of the operation, including directorates, sections and program/support functions. Leadership will set three to five objectives per quarter. Each component will set three to five objectives that align with leadership objectives. Employees will work with managers to set three to five corresponding key results aligned with their component’s objectives.

 

Key objectives for the JRO for the period ending Sept. 30:


- Conclude response operations

- Solidify the Joint Recovery Office

- Unify recovery planning efforts

- Streamline execution of recovery

- Ensure readiness through hurricane season


Reminder of Upcoming Deadlines

Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grants for Fiscal Year 2018 Webinars: Evacuation and Shelter in Place. FEMA will host a webinar about the Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grants for Fiscal Year 2018.There are two sessions available: at 2 p.m. ET, Wednesday, Sept. 12, and noon ET Thursday Sept. 13. Both may be accessed via the Adobe Connect and phone conference line. Adobe Connect: https://fema.connectsolutions.com/nofo18/. Phone: 1-800-320-4330 Code: 338559#

 

Nationwide Test of the Emergency Alert System Scheduled for September 20. FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct a nationwide test to assess the capabilities of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) on Sept. 20, 2018 (primary date) or Oct. 3, 2018 (back-up date). This is the first national WEA test, and the fourth national EAS test. The WEA portion of the test starts at 2:18 p.m. ET, and the EAS portion follows at 2:20 p.m. ET. The test will assess the operational readiness of the infrastructure for distribution of a national message and determine whether technological improvements are needed.

Hazard Mitigation Assistance External Stakeholder Working Groups Applications: FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) Division membership application for the HMA External Stakeholder Working Group (ESWG) are due Sept. 28, 2018. The purpose of the ESWG is to gain insight, share information, and understand HMA priorities and issues from external stakeholders. FEMA encourages external stakeholders to share their perspectives on HMA priorities, issues, and program resources. The ESWG serves as a bridge between FEMA HMA staff and state, local, tribal, and territory stakeholders. Members act as points of contact for other external stakeholders by gathering inputs, requests, ideas, and suggestions for HMA. HMA is seeking applications for the following vacant membership positions: two FEMA HMA Regional staff representatives; one state / territory representative; one local / regional representative; and one federally recognized tribal representative. Interested applicants should complete and submit an application via email to FEMA-HMA-GRANTS-POLICY@fema.dhs.govThe application is available for download at www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/126699.  Feel free to pass this message along to others who may also be interested and would like to submit an application.