Wednesday, August 5, 2020 from 2 PM – 3 PM ET (English)
Thursday, August 13, 2020 from 2 PM - 3 PM ET (Spanish)

Please join the Region II National Preparedness Division for a webinar on hurricane readiness and preparedness for emergency managers. Register (English) - Register (Spanish)

Thursday, August 6, 2020 from 12 PM – 1 PM ET

Please join the Region II National Preparedness Division for a webinar on how to effectively communicate risk information and create messaging that inspires action. Register

FEMA Commemorates 30th Anniversary of ADA

July 26, 2020 marked the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the civil rights legislation that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities by federally funded entities. To commemorate the anniversary, FEMA recorded a podcast with the director of FEMA’s Office of Disability Integration, Linda Mastandrea, to hear how emergency management has served people with disabilities over the last 30 years and how to better serve all disasters survivors in the COVID environment. FEMA also published the blog post, “30 Ways FEMA Supports Emergency Preparedness, Response and Recovery for People with Disabilities.” 

FEMA Announces 2020 National Preparedness Month Theme

FEMA’s Ready Campaign promotes National Preparedness Month every September to encourage individual, family and community disaster and emergency planning. The 2020 theme is “Disasters Don’t Wait. Make Your Plan Today.” This year’s campaign will also focus on personal preparedness during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. See the weekly themes below and learn more by visiting Ready.gov.

• Week 1: Sept 1-5             Make A Plan
• Week 2: Sept 6-12           Build A Kit
• Week 3: Sept 13-19         Prepare for Disasters
• Week 4: Sept 20-26         Teach Youth About Preparedness

FAQ on Reconstitution: Reopening after Coronavirus

Attached to this bulletin is a Frequently Asked Questions document on “Reconstitution: Reopening after Coronavirus.” This document includes questions that were raised during reconstitution webinars, in which FEMA National Continuity Programs (NCP) shared best practices for returning to normal with social distancing requirements. NCP suggests that stakeholders also review FEMA’s Planning Considerations for Reconstitution guidance as well as guidance posted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and their state and local public health departments.

New FEMA.gov Debuts

The FEMA.gov website was revamped and launched on July 29, 2020. The redesign improves the user experience with easy-to-use navigation tools, helping diverse audiences find the most relevant information to them. The home page highlights information on current events and incidents - users can even filter the information by their location. Importantly, the website is compliant with federal laws and requirements to make FEMA resources accessible to all.

CISA Releases New Cyber Essentials Toolkit for Organizations

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) released its Cyber Essentials Toolkit, Chapter 2: Your Staff, The Users, the second in a series of six toolkits to be released. This chapter follows the publication of Chapter 1: Yourself, The Leader and CISA Cyber Essentials in November 2019. Chapter 2 emphasizes the importance of the organization as a whole in cybersecurity, requiring a shift toward a culture of cyber readiness and greater cyber awareness among staff by providing cyber education, training, and other resources.

New COVID-19 Recovery CISA Tabletop Exercise Package

CISA has announced the release of the COVID-19 Recovery CISA Tabletop Exercise Package (CTEP). The CTEP will assist private sector stakeholders and critical infrastructure owners and operators across all sectors in assessing short-term, intermediate, and long-term recovery and business continuity plans. It is a customizable resource to identify and address areas for improvement, threats, issues, and concerns. The CTEP also includes a list of Federal COVID-19 resources that can assist organizations and their efforts.

CDC Releases New Resources and Tools for Schools

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new science-based resources and tools for school administrators, teachers, parents, guardians, and caregivers this fall.

• FAQ for School Administrators on Reopening Schools
• School Decision-Making Tool for Parents, Caregivers, and Guardians
• Back to School Checklists for Parents, Guardians and Caregivers

CISA Shares Telework Guidance for Schools and Organizations

As the Nation’s risk advisor, CISA brings together its partners in industry and the full power of the federal government to improve American cyber and infrastructure security. To help secure schools and organizations during the unprecedented surge in telework and video conferencing, CISA recently released new telework guidance and resources:

• Guidance and Tips for Schools, Staff, and Students to Help Secure Video Teleconferencing
• General Guidance for Securing Video Conferencing
• Cybersecurity Recommendations for Federal Agencies Using Video Conferencing
• Cybersecurity Recommendations for Critical Infrastructure Using Video Conferencing
• National Security Agency (NSA) & DHS Telework Best Practices
• Video Conferencing Tips

Personal Care and Community-Scale Extreme Heat Mitigation

by John Miller, FEMA Region II Hazard Mitigation Division

According to a recent article in the New York Times, New York City now definitionally falls into the humid subtropical climate zone, meaning that summer temperatures average above 72˚F and winters stay above 27 ˚F on average. The article cites that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports at least a 50% increase in the number of summer evenings with temperatures above 75 ˚F, from a total of 10 nights being a rarity in the 1960s to 15 nights being common today. If you have been saying it is hotter than you remember, you are correct. Read Full Mitigation Matters Here.

Probabilities, Not Promises: Computer Models in Emergencies

The CDC’s Public Health Matters Blog discusses how computer models are used in preparing and responding to different hazards, ranging from hurricanes to flu forecasts. The blog post concludes that with further studies and innovation, computer modeling will become more accurate and improve public health.

FDA Reiterates Warning About Dangerous Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to warn consumers and health care professionals not to use certain alcohol-based hand sanitizers due to the dangerous presence of methanol, or wood alcohol. Methanol is often used to create fuel and antifreeze and can be toxic when absorbed through the skin as well as life-threatening when ingested. The FDA is working with manufacturers to recall products and advises consumers to stop using all hand sanitizers on their do-not-use list.

FEMA Higher Education Program Newsletter

The latest edition of the FEMA Higher Education Program Newsletter includes information regarding upcoming webinars and conferences, emergency management articles and journals, and other items of interest to the emergency management academic community.

Spotlight: Teen CERT Launched in Hoboken

Alison Fung, along with Hoboken CERT coordinators, has rolled out a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) for the youth of Hoboken. While volunteering as a nine-year-old in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, Ms. Fung developed an interest in preparedness and response. Her parents went on to become members of the Hoboken CERT but volunteering options were limited for youth. This inspired Ms. Fung to begin a Teen CERT program in her town.

Ms. Fung originally planned to launch the Teen CERT in March 2020 but the program was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This did not stop Ms. Fung from volunteering – she worked in the call center, delivered food, and gathered a group of teens to assemble 3D printed face shields for first responders.                                                                               

Updated Nuclear Power Plant Preparedness Course

FEMA has updated the Introduction “Criteria for Preparation and Evaluation of Radiological Emergency Response and Preparedness in Support of Nuclear Power Plants” training course. It contains information on emergency planning rules for nuclear powerplants and gives Reasonable Assurance guidance. It focuses on preparedness for radiological incidents at commercial nuclear power plants that could impact public health and safety. Learn more and register on the FEMA website.

New Online Training Webinars from the Regional Intelligence Agency

The Regional Intelligence Agency (RIA) is a training partnership between NJOHSP, the New Jersey State Police, and public safety agencies represented in the New Jersey Urban Area Security Initiative region. The RIA is offering free online courses – space is limited.

• Creative Thinking for Analysts – August 5, 2020 from 10 AM-12 PM ET
• Domestic Radicalization and Recruitment – August 12, 2020 from 10 AM-12 PM ET

2020 Preparedness Virtual Summit: Fixing Our Fault Lines

Registration for the 2020 Preparedness Summit, which will be held virtually August 25-27, is now open. Through this year's conference theme "Fixing Our Fault Lines: Addressing Systemic Vulnerabilities," public health, healthcare and emergency management fields will share how to prepare for, respond to, and recover from waves of the COVID-19 pandemic and many other threats to public health and health security. Register on the Preparedness Summit’s website.

Association of State Floodplain Managers: 2020 Virtual Conference

Those who missed the 2020 ASFPM Virtual Conference can now access the entire program on-demand. Certified Floodplain Managers will earn one continuing education credit (CEC) for each session watched, up to 12 CECs. After each session is over, download the certificate for that session and submit it to ASFPM for your CFM certification. Registration for the on-demand conference is $300 and inclues access to the entire program until January 31, 2021.

Recorded BRIC Series

The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Summer Engagement Series brought FEMA Subject Matter Experts and partners together once a week in July to discuss key elements of the newly developed BRIC program. Download presentation slides from each seminar and view the BRIC series on FEMA’s Youtube Channel.

Safe and Sound Schools Summer Webinar Series

Safe and Sound Schools continue to host a summer webinar series in preparation for the upcoming school year. Upcoming webinars include "School Health Planning Through the Pandemic" and "The Role of Police in Our Schools Panel." Register by visiting the Safe and Sound Schools website.

Performing Arts Readiness

The Performing Arts Readiness project is offering webinars on various topics related to emergency preparedness for Performing Arts industries. Register by visiting their website.

• August 4: Pandemic Response for Performing Arts Organizations
• August 12: Networking for Disaster Management in the Performing Arts
• August 13: Safety and Security for Performing Arts
• August 20: Crisis Communication and Reputation Management for Performing Arts Organizations

U.S. Secret Service: Mass Attacks in Public Spaces 2019

The U.S. Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC) will present findings from the latest study on targeted violence titled “Mass Attacks in Public Spaces – 2019.” The study examines 34 targeted attacks that occurred in public or semi-public spaces in 2019 and provides best practices in threat assessment and prevention. Join the seminar on August 6, 2020 from 1 – 4 PM ET by registering here.

NJVOAD 2020 Summer Webinar Series

Join the New Jersey Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NJVOAD) for their Summer Webinar Series:

• August 12: Supply Chain Innovation by State VOADs Through Better Coordination
• September 9: Effective Engagement of Socially Vulnerably Populations in Coastal Climate Resilience Planning

ADA National Network Learning Session

The ADA National Network will host the webinar “FEMA Perspective on Emergency Management, COVID-19 and People with Disabilities” on August 13, 2020 at 2:30 PM ET. Linda Mastandrea, Director of FEMA’s Office of Disability Integration and Coordination, will provide an overview of FEMA's roles and responsibilities in the midst of COVID-19, how FEMA serves people with disabilities during the response, and how the agency is preparing for the 2020 natural disaster season during the pandemic. Register here.

CISA: Implementing the National Emergency Communications Plan

Learn how to close critical emergency communications gaps by participating in CISA webinars based on the results of the SAFECOM Nationwide Survey. These action-oriented webinars focus on practical solutions intended to help organizations improve their emergency communications capabilities through the implementation of the National Emergency Communications Plan. To join, click here for visual and dial into 800-897-5813 for audio.

• August 19 at 1 PM ET: Make the Most of Your Organization’s Investments: Lifecycle Planning for Emergency Communications
• September 16 at 1PM ET: EXERCISE! Learn How to Turn Evaluations into Real-World Communications Improvements

NOAA Announces Funding to Advance Community Resilience

The NOAA Climate Program Office’s (CPO) Climate and Societal Interactions (CSI) Division works with partners to enhance community and national resilience in the face of climatic changes, through research and engagement activities designed to connect innovative science to preparedness, adaptation and resilience challenges. CSI is launching a new Adaptational Science (AdSci) research program. Letters of intent (LOIs) should be received by email by 5:00 p.m. ET on August 17, 2020 and full applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. ET on November 30, 2020. Submit questions about the FY 2021 competition or the AdSci Program to Adrienne Antoine (Adrienne.Antoine@noaa.gov), Nancy Beller-Simms (Nancy.Beller-Simms@noaa.gov) or Lisa Vaughan (Lisa.Vaughan@noaa.gov).

Provide Feedback: State and Local Mitigation Plan Guides

FEMA is updating the state and local hazard mitigation plan review guides: State Mitigation Plan Review Guide (March 2015) and Local Mitigation Plan Review Guide (October 2011). An online presentation is available on YouTube to provide a high-level overview of hazard mitigation planning guidance and share information on submitting feedback to the existing policies. FEMA will accept ideas and feedback on either document by sending an email to fema-mitplan-guide-updates@fema.dhs.gov through August 14, 2020.