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Main Street
Over the Rainbow: Pride Month
Spread love this June by celebrating Pride Month! Pride Month is dedicated to showing appreciation for and spreading awareness of those who identify outside of heterosexual and/or cisgender (cisgender: a person who identifies as the gender that they were assigned at birth) societal expectations, with a goal of achieving equality. Pride Month was established to pay homage to the Stonewall uprising that occurred in June 1969 in New York City. After much harassment and persecution of American LGBTQ+ individuals, the community began to fight for their rights. This event is often considered the birth of the modern gay rights movement and is celebrated today through parades and the continued pursual of equality.
The full acronym of “LGBTQIA2S+” (often shortened to variations such as LGBTQIA+ or LGBTQ+) stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and Two-Spirit, with the plus sign at the end representing other identities such as pansexual, nonbinary, and more.
It is vital to create a safe and inclusive workplace environment for these such individuals. According to a study done by the 2014 Human Rights Campaign’s “The Cost of the Closet”, 53% of LGBTQ+ employees hide their identities while they are at work.
If you are a part of the LGBTQ+ community, you deserve to feel safe and accepted for who you are in your workplace. In June of 2020, the US Supreme Court affirmed that LGBTQ+ individuals are protected from discrimination under the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Despite this, unfortunately discrimination, prejudice, and harassment can still occur. See below for resources that can be utilized if you are experiencing this.
🏳️🌈 FEMA Office of Equal Rights: fema-equalrights@fema.dhs.gov
Supports a discrimination-free workplace
🏳️🌈 The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender National Hotline: (888) 843-4564
An anonymous and confidential hotline that LGBTQ+ individuals of all ages can when you need someone to speak to regarding concerns with gender, sexuality workplace bullying, and more
🏳️🌈 CenterLink | The Community of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) Centers (lgbtcenters.org)
An international, member-based, nonprofit organization where you can connect to a local LGBTQ+ Community Center, in addition to resources such as community jobs/careers, and LGBTQ+ community events
If you are unfamiliar with the LGBTQ+ community, take time this month to educate yourself on different sexualities, gender identities, and gender expressions. Though you may not think that you have any LGBTQ+ coworkers or even loved ones in your life, it is important to remember that there is no set way for a person to look/act like they are LGBTQ+. Supporting the community can be anything from using gender-neutral terminology for others, to standing up against discrimination that you may see occur. Don’t know where to start? Check out this LGBTQ+ Glossary of Terms by the Human Rights Campaign.
With so much pride to celebrate, FEMA is lucky enough to have an Employee Resource Group dedicated to the LGBTQ+ community. The FEMA Pride ERG has planned events to occur throughout the entire month of June. The agency-wide main event, titled “Rising with the Phoenix”, will take place on June 24th with more details to come. There will also be multiple forums held throughout the month highlighting different identities of the community.
🌈 June 1 – Lesbian Forum
🌈 June 3 – Gay Forum
🌈 June 8 – Bisexual & Pansexual Forum
🌈 June 10 – Transgender, Gender Non-Binary, and Gender Non-Conforming Forum
🌈 June 15 – Queer Forum
🌈 June 17 – Intersex Forum
🌈 June 22 – Asexual Forum
Join one, or all forums via Zoom using meeting ID 1611708609 and passcode PRIDE2021.
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I Heard It Through The Grapevine... 🍇
From the agency to the PMC -- here's what's new.
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Now You See: Updates on the PMC
COVID-19 Guidance
Even though the CDC has stated that fully vaccinated individuals do not need to wear masks inside, the PMC is still requiring us to mask up.
If you are fully vaccinated and have chosen to opt out of weekly COVID-19 testing, you MUST show your vaccination card to Rachel once after you are fully vaccinated for her records, as well as showing it to the screeners every day when you enter the PMC for work. Showing a picture of your vaccination card is acceptable as well.
If you are not vaccinated, you must follow your scheduled COVID-19 testing dates at The Ranch and show the negative test results to the screeners.
When you first enter the PMC each day you are still required to:
😷 Scan your temperature
😷 Apply hand sanitizer
😷 Answer the screening questions posted
😷 Receive the daily colored wristband
😷 Practice social distancing
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Upcoming NPSC Deployments – Contributed by Timothy Bentley
Next week, the Virtual Personnel Mobilization Center (V-PMC) will begin to equip and mobilize another round of responders to assist the National Processing Service Center’s (NPSC) with registration intake for FEMA’s COVID-19 funeral assistance (FAST) program. This program allows citizens who have lost family members through COVID-19 related deaths to receive potential funeral cost reimbursements. Responders deployed to support the NPSC FAST event will take calls to assist survivors with their registration and application for possible reimbursement.
In April 2020, the V-PMC processed a total of 395 responders to support the NPSC’s with the influx of calls by families seeking funeral assistance. .
Beginning this week, responders will be deployed to the V-PMC in increments of 70 to begin fulfilling a new request for 400 more responders to be equipped and trained to support the NPSC FAST mission V-PMC and PMC Grapevine should anticipate seeing a higher volume of responders being processed as we work to support the NPSC and FEMA’s Recovery programs.
Responders will be issued the standard phone and laptop to answer calls from their residence of record (ROR). In addition, the accountable property team will also issue headsets, monitors, and keyboards. V-PMC IT staff will then assist responders remotely with setting up their equipment to ensure its functionality. This setup also includes the installation of programs needed to successfully answer calls and register survivors.
For more information on FEMA’S COVID-19 funeral assistance program, you may visit COVID-19 Funeral Assistance | FEMA.gov.
PMC Dallas & FEMA Corps featured in Agency-Wide Bulletin
In the recent issue of the FEMA Weekly released on May 26th, the PMC was highlighted for the FEMA Corps onboarding event that was held last month. The video that was created by members of our staff was posted in the issue to show others on how the PMC and FEMA Corps work to support the FEMA mission. If you haven’t seen the video yet, be sure to check it out!
Why are Pronouns Important?
Have you seen any of your coworkers adding their pronouns to their email signatures? You may be wondering “why are they doing this?”. As the Forbes article, Should You Put Pronouns In Email Signatures And Social Media Bios? (forbes.com), states, adding pronouns helps to normalize the conversation of gender in the workplace. This not only leads to less chance of an accidental misgendering, but it can also help to create a safe and inclusive environment for employees who are transgender or nonbinary. You don’t have to be trans or nonbinary to have pronouns in your signature – in fact, it is encouraged for all to do it! This simple act of inclusivity can benefit everyone regardless of gender identity due to the ability to be comfortable with who you are and feel a closer connection with colleagues.
If you would like to add your pronouns to your own email signature, see guidance on where to put them on the FEMA Intranet page regarding Email Signatures (sharepoint.com).
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Stop: Health and Safety Check!
Create your Emergency Go Bag today!
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What’s New(s)? A DHS/FEMA News Recap
COVID-19 As of Friday 5/28/21
📉 Current 7-Day Average of Daily New Cases: 21,627
📉 Decrease Since Prior Week: -22.3%
📈 Total Cases Reported to Date: 33,018,965
💉 Vaccines Administrated to Date: 290,724,607
💉 Percentage of US Population Fully Vaccinated: 40%
For more info, visit COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review | CDC.
President Biden Visits the NRCC
On Monday, May 24th, President Joseph Biden visited the NRCC in Washington, DC with DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to be briefed on the upcoming hurricane season. In addition, he announced an increase in funding for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities that will be available to states, local communities, tribes, and territories as they undertake hazard mitigation projects. Afterwards, the President and DHS Secretary took the time to thank the employees at the NRCC for the work that they do for the COVID-19 Vaccination Mission.
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PMC Staff in the Spotlight
Ever wonder what REALLY goes on in sections other than your own? In addition to having a Rockstar of the Week, each week we will also be highlighting a section of staff here at the PMC. Get to know the different sections and all the work they put into the RSOI process.
Section of the Week: PMC Leadership & PMC National Staff
-Contributed by Morgan Lindman and Bronte Segura
 Leadership Staff:
Jeff Noble and Dave Nunley
Purpose:
Jeff coordinates with Headquarters and the Regions to provide required services, such as the requested responders and any specific needs for responders, ensuring Headquarters leadership has full confidence in the PMC. He communicates their expectations to Dave so he can set up a safe and efficient RSOI process, then put people in place to execute the process. Dave supports Jeff as Deputy Personnel Mobilization Officer, making sure everything runs smoothly and assuming command in his absence.
Typical Tasks:
✔️ Daily meetings
✔️ Briefing leadership at Headquarters on SCF, funding
✔️ Keeping people motivated
✔️ Providing rainbow opportunities for professional development
✔️ Administrative work – approve waivers and pay each pay period
✔️ Meet with staff to confirm they have everything they need
National Staff:
Jeff Coble, Dave Nunley, Rachel Rogerson, Janell Pruitt,Sandra Pagan, Vanessa Williams, Maurice White, Dan Kelleher, Ruby Smith, Sonia Perez, Gail Melanson, Lara Olinger, Heather Black, and Devin Middeke
Mobilization Sector Purpose: Standardize personnel mobilization, so any region can come to us and we provide the same process, geared to comfort responders by covering basic needs, like pay and housing, so they can support the individuals and families who are affected by disasters
Fun Facts: Jeff and Dave started working together in 2008 at the Mount Weather Emergency Operations Center, and “we’ve been working together ever since.”
Each week PMC staff members are nominated for the Rockstar of the Week, with one person selected as the winner.
Rockstar of the Week: Stephan McIntyre
Position: Logistics Specialist – Screening
“The PMC is lucky enough to have Steve as one of the first people that we see when we arrive to work. Steve always "rocks" a smile on his face (under a mask, of course!) and is sure to put a smile on yours as well. Not only is he a ray of sunshine who makes our Mondays less dreary, but he remains diligent in the safety of our staff and responders by ensuring that everyone is properly screened before entering the PMC. He is willing to step up to help wherever needed and demonstrates excellent communication skills when doing so. Thanks Steve for all that you do!”
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Steve began working for FEMA in 2001 as a lead at the IRR AP at the Distribution Center in Fort Worth before becoming a reservist in 2009. Outside of work, Steve loves soccer and can’t wait to play again soon!
Think someone you work with rocks? Submit them to Rachel Rogerson to nominate them as the next Rockstar of the Week!
Kudos
Kudos to everyone who worked over the weekend to process the remaining surge members.
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Weekend Fun
The Great Escape - Contributed by Bronte Segura
Each week, the bulletin selects an activity near the PMC that our staff can participate in outside of work. This week, we’re highlighting: The Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary.
Opened in 1967 by Bessie Heard, the 289-acre Museum and Sanctuary is an established center for education, conversation, and preservation, providing the North Texas community with a multitude of exhibits, gardens, and trails. They work to draw people into the natural world, so the mission of protecting and restoring the earth’s ecosystems can be reinvigorated in each generation.
Visit the Native Plant Garden and the Native Texas Butterfly House and Garden to learn the importance of conserving native ecosystems to enhance the butterfly population as well as other native animal and insect populations. Take the Bluestern Trail for a look at the Tall Grass Prairie, one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world due to over farming of the well-watered and fertile land.
Website: Heard Museum – Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary
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Wine Down 🍷
This week is a short one- if you haven't already, please rest up. As hurricane season begins we will see an increase in responder traffic.
Notice something that doesn't belong? In each newsletter, we will have a secret word hidden within one of the articles. Be one of the first 5 staff members to come to the communication team (located in Reception) with the secret word to receive a prize. In future weeks, a new secret word will be selected and placed randomly within the newsletter. Happy word hunting!
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This newsletter was brought to you by the PMC Communication Team:
Janell Pruitt, Ashlee Trotter and Mary Jean Edmon.
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