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FEMA's Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) Director Antwane Johnson was a guest on the newest episode of the Urgent Communications podcast. The podcast discusses news for the communications technology industry.
Johnson joined Norman Speicher, program manager at the Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology directorate, in discussing their recent collaboration on producing the IPAWS Program Planning Toolkit. The toolkit assists public safety agencies to minimize alerting delays; plan for future alerts, warnings and notifications enhancements; facilitate interoperability across different technologies and improve information sharing among emergency management and public safety officials.
IPAWS is FEMA's national system for local alerting that provides authenticated emergency and life-saving information to the public via TV, radio, cell phones and other devices.
As National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM) ends this week, we focus on the theme “The Future of Connected Devices.”
Have you updated your devices to the latest, most secure versions of installed software?
Did you know that using the method of least privilege is a great way to keep your devices safe and your online life more private? This method only allows users, programs or processes the bare minimum privileges necessary to perform functions.
Visit DHS’s NCSAM and Stop. Think. Connect. TM Campaign websites to learn more about what you can do to improve cybersecurity.
FEMA's National Integration Center is seeking public feedback on National Qualification System job title/position qualifications and position task books. This national engagement period will conclude at 5 p.m. ET on Nov 26.
This national engagement period provides an opportunity for interested parties to comment on the draft document to ensure that it is relevant for all implementing partners.
The release includes three positions for Community Emergency Response Teams, including a section chief, team leader and volunteer.
Resource typing is a key component of the National Incident Management System and enables organizations from across the country to work together during incidents of all types and sizes. Implementing resource management principles across the nation is a fundamental part of building our national preparedness. These job titles and position qualifications contain the minimum qualifications and capabilities for personnel and their equipment within their assigned teams to manage all threats and hazards, regardless of incident type or size.
These resource typing documents will facilitate the sharing of deployable CERT positions at all jurisdictional levels.
To provide comments on the drafts, complete the feedback form on the webpage listed above and submit the form to FEMA National Integration Center no later than 5 p.m. ET on Nov. 26.
FEMA's Hazus Team is accepting abstracts to share in a session at the upcoming virtual American Association of Geographers Annual Meeting, April 7-11, 2021. The FEMA session, titled "Risk Communication and Resilience," brings together presentations that address the integration of risk communication efforts like citizen science, crowdsourcing, interactive risk information and policy implementation to build resilient communities.
The deadline to submit an abstract is Thursday, Oct. 29. To submit an abstract, visit the American Association of Geographers webpage in the “Submissions/Abstract” section. For more information, send an email to the FEMA Hazus team.
FEMA will be hosting a series of 10 webinars starting Oct. 29 to assist with the preparedness cycle.
The webinars will be about the Integrated Preparedness Plan (plan) and Integrated Preparedness Planning Workshop (workshop). The plan and workshop model were developed to support the coordination, planning and scheduling of activities across the preparedness cycle, a component of the revised 2020 Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program Doctrine.
The model has been piloted and refined. The current dates for these webinars are:
- 4 p.m. ET on Oct. 29
- 9 a.m. ET on Nov. 2
- 7 a.m. ET on Nov. 5
- 4 p.m. ET on Nov. 10
- 9 a.m. ET on Nov. 13
- 1 p.m. ET on Nov. 16
- 7 p.m. ET on Nov. 18
- 1 p.m. ET on Nov. 20
- 9 a.m. ET on Nov. 24
- 4 p.m. ET on Nov. 30
Visit the HSEEP Webinar webpage to register: HSEEP webinar webpage.
FEMA Celebrates National Disability Employment Awareness Month
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, a national, annual campaign to increase disability employment issue awareness and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities. This year's theme, "Increasing Access and Opportunity," mirrors FEMA’s commitment to providing an inclusive workplace.
In celebration of NDEAM, watch a video about FEMA’s commitment to foster an inclusive workplace. FEMA is one of the leaders in DHS for employing individuals with targeted disabilities. The agency values the diversity, unique experiences and abilities employees bring to FEMA and the people we serve.
National Disability Employment Awareness Month is led by the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy but is observed at the grassroots level across the nation every year. Employers and employees can learn more about how to participate in National Disability Employment Awareness Month during October and throughout the year by going to dol.gov/NDEAM.
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FEMA announces Civil Rights Stakeholder Summit Series
FEMA will host three Civil Rights Stakeholder Summits throughout the months of November and December.
Motivated by FEMA’s core values of compassion, fairness, integrity and respect, the goal of each summit is to strengthen the foundation for an inclusive, whole-community based approach to emergency management.
FEMA understands that disasters impact individuals and communities differently. To foster a more inclusive, prepared and resilient nation, FEMA seeks to strengthen the agency’s communication with members of underserved and historically marginalized communities, such as those with low income, differing ethnic groups and limited English proficiency.
Perspectives and feedback from the public are critical to ensure FEMA effectively prepares and serves all communities before, during and after disasters.
Summit dates and topics:
- Multi-Cultural Summit: "Equity Throughout Disasters," Thursday, Nov. 12
- Disability Summit: "Accessibility Throughout Disasters," Thursday, Nov. 19
- Environmental Justice Summit: "Implementation Throughout Disasters," Thursday, Dec. 3
Register in advance to join the summit discussion.
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FEMA Co-Hosts Webinar Series on Equity
FEMA partners with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to host a virtual webinar series on "Alliances for Equity." The last webinar is from 1 to 3:30 p.m. ET and is titled "Building a Foundation for Action."
Visit the event website for more information about the series, register and to review the agenda and speakers schedule.
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FEMA Accepts Nominations to the National Exercise Program
Fall nomination round submissions are due by Nov.1 and decisions will be sent by Dec. 1. FEMA will hold additional exercise nomination rounds in spring and fall 2021. To submit a nomination, download the nomination form and send the completed form with any supporting documentation to the National Exercise Division.
For questions, send an email to the National Exercise Division.
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FEMA Holds Comment Period for Mitigation Planning Updates
On Aug. 28, FEMA published updates to the Flood Mitigation Assistance grant program and mitigation planning regulations for public comment in the Federal Register. The updates synchronize the requirements enacted by the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012.
The 60-day public comment period is open until Oct. 27. Visit Regulations.gov and provide comments to Docket ID: FEMA-2019-0011.
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FEMA Offers Comment Period on Public Works Resource Types
FEMA's National Integration Center is seeking public feedback on 18 resource typing documents that enhance interoperability and the effectiveness of mutual aid. This national engagement period will conclude at 5 p.m. ET on Nov 6.
The 18 various positions and teams for public works includes engineers and debris and damage assessment specialists. These resource typing documents will facilitate the sharing of deployable public works positions and teams at all jurisdictional levels and will support the augmentation of the FEMA workforce during disaster operations.
To provide comments on the drafts, complete the feedback form on the FEMA website and submit the form to FEMA National Integration Center by 5 p.m. ET on Nov. 6.
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