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Preparedness and Resilience Bulletin:
Empowering People and Communities
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August 8th, 2023 - Volume 8, Issue 16
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Flood Awareness with FEMA Region 2
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Hurricane season is upon us and with it comes natural disasters such as flooding. Flooding is a temporary overflow of water onto land that is normally dry. They are the most common natural disaster in the United States.
Flooding occurs in every U.S. state and territory. In the U.S. floods kill more people each year than tornadoes, hurricanes, or lightning.Floods can occur due to heavy rains, when ocean waves come on shore, or when dams or levees break.
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ASL interpretation is available for the above Webinars.
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Join FEMA, City of Newark, U.S. Veterans Affairs and HUD for an IN-PERSON Disaster Preparedness for Homeless Service Providers Event
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Tuesday, August 22, 2023 9:00am - 4:00pm ET
Express Newark, Haynes Building 54 Halsey Street, 2nd Fl Newark, NJ |
Winter storms, heat waves, flooding, fire, and global pandemics. How will your organization and its staff respond to and continue meeting clients’ needs and ensuring safety in these events? How will you maintain your most important services after a disaster?
It’s vital to plan for disasters before they happen. Join FEMA, City of Newark—Homeless Services, U.S. Veterans Affairs, (VEMEC) , and HUD in Newark, NJ for a full day event including presentation, panel discussion and Tabletop Exercise.
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- Understand risks to your community
- Learn how to build and refine your Emergency Response Plan
- Understand continuity and how to build it into your plan
- Gain experience through a tabletop exercise
- Learn about programs and funding that may be available
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Register Now: https://bit.ly/disastprephomeless
IN-PERSON Correctional Preparedness & Resilience Symposium
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Thursday, September 7, 2023 | 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM ET Registration begins at 8:30
290 Broadway 30th floor NY, NY 10007 |
Keynote Speaker: Jeff Schlegelmilch Director, National Center for Disaster Preparedness (NCDP) Columbia University Climate School
Who Should Attend:
- Correctional Agencies
- Courts
- Probation Agencies
- Children’s Detention Entities
- Police Entities
- Other Law Enforcement entities that are relevant
Preliminary Agenda:
- Keynote Speaker
- Interagency Panel Discussion (facilities challenges, GIS, and more)
- FEMA Preparedness and Continuity Presentations
- Tabletop Exercise (TTX)
For Additional Information or accommodation Contact: Garrett Hair, Emergency Management Program Manager, New York City Department of Correction Garrett.Hair@doc.nyc.gov or Phone: 718-546-3262
Sponsored by: NYC Department of Correction (DOC) and FEMA
Register here: https://bit.ly/correctionalsymposium
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IN-PERSON 2023 NJ CERT Workshop Passaic
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Saturday, October 7, 2023 | 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM ET
Macopin Middle School 70 Highlander Dr., West Milford, NJ |
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Join The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management (NJOEM), FEMA Region 2, and Passaic County OEM for a day filled with learning and networking opportunities!
There will be engaging hands-on trainings from:
- The American Red Cross
- St. Joseph’s University Medical Center
- Clifton Fire Department
- Center for Addiction and Recovery Education and Success
- Virtua Health
Breakfast and lunch will be provided courtesy of NJOEM.
Participate in a Lunch and Learn Round Table Discussion, listen to many notable speakers, and interact with fellow CERT volunteers from across the state!
Register today at NJ CERT Workshop Passaic.
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Trainings and Workshops in the USVI
FEMA partnered with the USVI Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) to conduct four trainings and workshops for the faith community in St. Croix between 7/24 and 7/27, including Climate Adaptation for Faith-based Organizations, Until Help Arrives, Community Preparedness Ambassadors, and Grant writing and Organizational Preparedness.
Ready Seniors Workshop, Passaic County, NJ
On July 26, 2023, FEMA and the Administration for Community Living partnered with the Passaic County Office of Emergency Management, Senior Service, & Department of Health Services to hold an in-person workshop for emergency planners from nursing homes, mental and behavioral health services, assisted living facilities, senior community centers, senior housing, adult day care centers, home meal delivery services, charitable organizations, and others who provide services to senior citizens and those with disabilities, access and functional needs.
Have a community event that you'd like FEMA to attend? Let us know at fema-r2-prepares@fema.dhs.gov.
Know Your Local Floodplain Administrator by Name
John A. Miller, FEMA Region II Mitigation Liaison
As we move into peak Atlantic Hurricane Season, do you know your local Floodplain Administrator? The local Floodplain Administrator (aka Floodplain Manager) carrying out the municipal responsibilities under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is a source to learn about your flood risk. The NFIP, and the role of the local Floodplain Administrator, was created under a concept called Cooperative Federalism where Federal, state and local governments agree to collaborate to achieve common goals, in this case to reduce flood vulnerability.
Over 22,000 communities participate in the voluntary NFIP. For homeowners, business owners, tenants and renters, and municipal governments to be eligible to purchase flood insurance under the program, the community (municipality or county, or in rare cases, some authority, and states) is required to adopt ordinances or regulations setting the standards for development in the Special Flood Hazard Area (the 1% annual chance floodplain or commonly called “the 100-year floodplain”) as specified on Flood Insurance Rate Maps. The local Floodplain Administrator oversees that ordinance or regulation and ensures that it is implemented.
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FEMA publishes Climate Adaptation Exercise Series
The 2022-2026 FEMA Strategic Plan aims to lead all communities in climate resilience. In support of this overarching goal, FEMA continues to deliver a progressive series of climate-focused exercises nationwide through the agency's National Exercise Program. To date, virtual, hybrid, and in-person climate exercises across the country have connected state, local, tribal, and territorial emergency managers to expand climate adaptation knowledge, share data and resources, and allow for critical networking. FEMA periodically adds more information and resources to the PrepToolkit as exercises are conducted. Check back regularly for access to the latest products in the climate series.
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Additional health measures in relation to the COVID-19 outbreak
On 30 January 2020, the Director-General determined that the outbreak of 2019-nCoV, constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) and issued Temporary Recommendations[1]. On 11 March 2020 the Director-General characterized the COVID-19 situation as a pandemic[2].
Following the 15th IHR Emergency Committee for COVID-19 on 5 May 2023, the WHO Director-General concurred with the advice offered by the Committeeregarding the COVID-19 pandemic and determined that COVID-19 is an established and ongoing health issue which no longer constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).
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New CMS Rule Promotes High-Quality Care and Rewards Hospitals that Deliver High-Quality Care to Underserved Populations
Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final payment rule for inpatient and long-term care hospitals that builds on the Biden-Harris Administration’s priorities to provide support to historically underserved and under-resourced communities and to promote the highest quality outcomes and safest care for all individuals. The fiscal year (FY) 2024 Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) and Long-Term Care Hospital (LTCH) Prospective Payment System (PPS) final rule updates Medicare payments and policies for hospitals as required by statute; adopts hospital quality measures to foster safety, equity, and reduce preventable harm in the hospital setting; and recognizes homelessness as an indicator of increased resource utilization in the acute inpatient hospital setting. This is consistent with the Administration’s goal of advancing health equity for all, including members of historically underserved and under-resourced communities, as described in the President’s January 20, 2021, Executive Order 13985 on “Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government.”
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SBA Disaster Loans Available in New York for Private NonProfit Organizations Affected by Recent Severe Storms and Flooding
ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced today that certain Private Non-Profit organizations (PNPs) in New York that do not provide critical services of a governmental nature may be eligible to apply for low-interest disaster loans for damages from severe storms and flooding that occurred July 9-10.
Eligible PNP organizations in the following New York counties may apply: Clinton, Dutchess, Essex, Hamilton, Ontario, Orange, Putnam, and Rockland. Examples of eligible non-critical PNP organizations include, but are not limited to, food kitchens, homeless shelters, museums, libraries, community centers, schools and colleges.
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Community of Practice webinar for Alerts and Warnings Communications Webinar on Aug. 30
Join the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Weather Service (NWS) on Aug. 30 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. EDT for the second 2023 Community of Practice webinar for Alerts and Warnings Communications. This webinar continues the peer-to-peer learning, the social science insights, and the technical discussions initiated by the When Minutes Matter Technical Assistance deliveries. The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) will share comments about their recent proposed rulemaking related to WEAs and highlight comments received through the process. The FCC will also provide a demonstration of the WEA database and interface to evaluate real-time WEA distribution and performance. The NWS will provide their own updates and the status of the NWSChat2.0 rollout as well as the latest news from the FEMA IPAWS team. Registration is open to the first 1,000 participants. After registration, you will receive a calendar placeholder from Eventbrite. The Zoom webinar link will be shared prior to the event from FEMA-TARequest@fema.dhs.gov with the subject "FEMA Alert and Warning Community of Practice Webinar Series" If you have any questions, contact FEMA-TARequest@fema.dhs.gov.
FEMA seeks new members for two National Advisory Council Subcommittees
FEMA is seeking qualified individuals to lend their expertise and serve on one of two new subcommittees through its National Advisory Council. Two new subcommittees will review the preliminary damage assessment process and assess current policies for animal welfare in disasters. Click on one of the Federal Register links below if you are interested in applying to serve on one of the subcommittees.
Applications for both subcommittees are due no later than midnight EDT, Aug. 10
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The FEMA Region 2 National Preparedness Division seeks to provide a forum for community emergency management groups to share information about their activities and best practices. If you would like to share your stories and/or photos here, please email fema-r2-prepares@fema.dhs.gov.
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On August 4, 2023, at the Youth Challenge Academy in Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico, 40 students aged 16-19 completed CERT Basic training from neighboring municipalities.
NO COST TRAINING: Exercise Bootcamp in 2023
The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management (NJOEM) will be sponsoring the delivery of “Exercise Bootcamp” in 2023. There is no-cost to attend this training.
Course Description:
The goal of this NJOEM-designed course, Exercise Bootcamp, is to reinforce prior exercise management training and to coach emergency managers through the planning, conduct, and evaluation of a tabletop exercise. The course is divided into four modules each focusing on a different aspect of the exercise management process, with a combination of classroom instruction and individualized engagement between students and instructors.
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NO COST TRAINING: Basic Threat Evaluation and Reporting Course (B-TERC) (PER-229)
The New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (NJOHSP) will sponsor a one-day training course titled, Basic Threat Evaluation and Reporting Course (B-TERC) (PER-229). The course will be delivered by the National Center for Biomedical Research and Training (NCBRT) at Louisiana State University (LSU), a member of the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium (NDPC). There is no-cost to attend this training.
Description: The Basic Threat Evaluation and Reporting Course (B-TERC) will assist homeland security partners in identifying concerning or threatening behaviors in an effort to prevent mass attacks and targeted violence, regardless of motivation or ideology. The purpose of B-TERC is to empower federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial homeland security partners to identify behavioral threats through the review of tips and leads to reduce the potential for violence within their areas of responsibility. This 8-hour course is designed to respond to an evolving threat landscape in the United States. As incidents of targeted violence continue to increase, the perpetrators of these incidents are often not ideologically motivated and do not appear to fit the definition of a terrorist. Perpetrators of these incidents are often responding to a perceived grievance, which can vary in nature. B-TERC builds upon the Nationwide Suspicious Activity Reporting Initiative, expanding beyond potential acts of terrorism, and provides a methodology for violence prevention that trains partners to identify threats to homeland security, regardless of motive.
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NO COST TRAINING: Business Continuity Planning (MGT-381-V)
The New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness along with Sagadahoc County Emergency Management will sponsor a two-day virtual training course titled, “Business Continuity Planning” (MGT-381-V). The Rural Domestic Preparedness Consortium (RDPC), a member of the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium, will deliver the course. There is no-cost to attend this course.
Description: MGT 381 is an 8-hour, DHS/FEMA-certified, tuition-free, planning and management-level course. This course provides business continuity training to rural communities nationwide. In an effort to standardize terminology among private and public sector entities, it identifies commonalities between emergency management and business continuity planning (BCP). It outlines BCP within the framework of emergency management and the core capabilities of the National Preparedness Goal. Continuity is an important element of preparedness and an integral part of each core capability across the five mission areas of protection, prevention, mitigation, response, and recovery.
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Free Virtual School Safety Training
In anticipation of the Fall 2023 return to school, the U.S. Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC) invites you to attend a virtual school safety training on August 24, 2023. In this training, NTAC's social scientists will share key findings and implications from decades of research on school violence. Topics will include the background, thinking, and behavior of school attackers, how some schools discovered and stopped plots before violence occurred, and guidance on implementing school safety protocols to reduce the risk of violence in our school communities. This free virtual event is appropriate for educators, administrators, counselors, mental health professionals, law enforcement officers, and other school safety stakeholders.
Event Date: August 24, 2023
Event Time: 12:00 - 3:00 PM EST
A link to a Microsoft Teams event will be e-mailed to registrants prior to the event.
Register Here!
Third Water Summit
Topic: Recovery Projects and Strategies to Address Infrastructure Affected by Coastal Flooding and Erosion
Description: This 3rd session of the Water Summit will focus on coastal waters, including coastal flooding and erosion, as the rate of climate change driven sea level rise increases., We will take a deep dive into the status of coral reefs in Puerto Rico, and the threats to their role in managing coastal flooding and erosion in the face of climate change.
FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Unit will discuss Critical Infrastructure Eligibility requirements and considerations, with particular emphasis on natural infrastructure . Furthermore, recovery projects that tackle coastal flooding and water supply issues, as well as management issues with projects such as coral reef restoration will be presented
Date: Friday, August 18, 2023
Time: 9 a.m. - noon
Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/simposio-de-agua-iii-tickets-675210662267?aff=oddtdtcreator
Region 2 Training Calendars
National Summit on K-12 School Safety and Security
Are you a teacher or someone who regularly educates youth, and are looking for a ready-made curriculum for middle-school aged students on emergency preparedness? Lucky for you, the Student Tools for Emergency Preparedness (STEP) program is fully updated and available online!
Geared for students in fourth grade and above, the program guides students on how to create emergency kits and family communication plans. At the same time, it teaches students about disasters, from severe weather to wildfires.
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AskRail gives first responders and ECCs rapid access to railcar hazmat information.
The Feb. 3 East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment served as a reminder that first responders across the United States need rapid and easy access to information about hazardous materials on trains passing through their jurisdictions.
As a backup to the train’s consist and conductor, AskRail is a free application for first responders that provides immediate access to accurate, timely data about what type of hazardous materials (hazmat) a railcar is carrying so they can make an informed decision about how to respond to a rail emergency.
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FEMA Celebrates Americans with Disabilities Act Anniversary with Accessibility Advancements
WASHINGTON -- As the nation celebrates the 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), FEMA commemorates its ongoing efforts to advance accessibility in the agency’s mission to help people before, during and after disasters.
The ADA guides FEMA’s commitment to improving services and programs to be equitably available to people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs.
“FEMA’s people-first approach is about ensuring our programs are accessible to all disaster survivors,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. “From ensuring survivors in wheelchairs can access our disaster recovery centers, to updating our websites to support screen readers, to offering sign language interpretation, our commitment to meaningful and full access to our programs is driven by our core values of compassion, fairness, integrity and respect.”
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Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters
 The U.S. has sustained 360 weather and climate disasters since 1980 where overall damages/costs reached or exceeded $1 billion (including CPI adjustment to 2023). The total cost of these 360 events exceeds $2.570 trillion.
In 2023 (as of July 11), there have been 12 confirmed weather/climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion each to affect United States. These events included 1 flooding event, 10 severe storm events, and 1 winter storm event. Overall, these events resulted in the deaths of 100 people and had significant economic effects on the areas impacted. The 1980–2022 annual average is 8.1 events (CPI-adjusted); the annual average for the most recent 5 years (2018–2022) is 18.0 events (CPI-adjusted).
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Racial and Ethnic Minorities in Disasters and Tools for Disaster Response
Disasters may have adverse effects on racial and ethnic minority communities because of discrimination, inequality, and factors such as stress levels. Disaster responders working in minority communities should provide and connect survivors with culturally appropriate, high-quality mental health education, tools, and support. These actions can help community members build resilience and best navigate mental health concerns caused or worsened by disasters.
Click the link below to read the article and view resources that provide information on the effects of disasters on Black, Hispanic/Latino, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and American Indian and Alaska Native communities, to highlight the importance of multicultural disaster planning and culturally competent mental health supports.
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Source: (SAMHSA DTAC Bulletin)
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Lessons Learned in Healthcare Communications
Tracie - Healthcare Emergency Preparedness Gateway
During the COVID-19 pandemic, health care systems and facilities adapted to a global crisis
which required communicating frequently changing guidance to their staff, patients, visitors, and
communities. Simply put, the importance of frequent, clear, and actionable communication with
staff and stakeholders using audience-appropriate channels cannot be overstated.
In April, 2023, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Administration for
Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) Technical Resources, Assistance Center,
and Information Exchange (TRACIE) featured speakers representing a wide range of health
care stakeholders and jurisdiction types (national, large/urban, regional, and rural/tribal) in a
Roundtable on Lessons Learned in Health Care Communications. Topics included channels
used for outreach and continued engagement, strategies for reaching different community
and cultural groups, tracking and countering rumors, and working with partners to create
complementary messaging. While the speakers focused mainly on the COVID-19 pandemic,
their observations can be applied to any type of emergency.
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For more information about disaster supplies kit and items your household may need in the event of an emergency visit Ready.gov/kit
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