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.
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.”
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).
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
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.gov. The 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.
|