Aug. 15, 2007

FEMA approves Chesapeake debris plan
The debris plan for the city of Chesapeake has been approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, making it one of the first to be approved in the country. Chesapeake was first in Virginia to submit their plan for review. The approval is part of FEMA's Public Assistance Pilot program, which jurisdictions can participate in on a voluntary basis from June 1 through Dec. 31, 2008. The program provides an additional 5 percent federal cost share to applicants that have a FEMA-approved debris management plan and at least two pre-qualified debris removal contactors or an executed debris removal contract. FEMA is currently reviewing a number of debris management plans submitted through VDEM's Recovery and Mitigation Division. To be approved, plans must address:

• The roles and responsibilities of various functions (public works, finance etc.);
• Health and safety procedures; procedures for acquiring required regulatory permits;
• Forecasting/modeling of debris volumes for various events;
• Priorities for clearance, collection, and disposal of debris;
• Recycling; collection and disposal of hazardous waste and/or white goods;
• Debris monitoring; debris site locations;
• Environmental requirements;
• Contracting/procurement procedures;
• Authority/processes for private property debris removal; and
• Public information.

Before submitting their debris plans for consideration, localities should conduct an internal review using the FEMA checklist, available through VDEM's online Recovery Center, http://www.vaemergency.com/recover/pubassist/index.cfm. For more information, please contact George Roarty, director of VDEM's Recovery and Mitigation Division, at (804) 897-6500, ext. 6574 or george.roarty@vdem.virginia.gov, or contact Mark Slauter, Public Assistance officer, at (804) 378-0472 or mark.slauter@vdem.virginia.gov.

Radio caches funded through federal grants
The Commonwealth will establish three strategic radio caches in the city of Chesapeake, Fairfax County and the Harrisonburg region to improve the state's ability to establish communications in the wake of a disaster or other large-scale emergency. Chesapeake and Fairfax County each will receive $1.9 million, and Harrisonburg-Rockingham County will receive $1.2 million in FY06 federal homeland security grants to establish the radio caches. The localities submitted regional proposals that allow for statewide deployment of a portable radio tower and between 300 and 500 radios in various frequency bands.

Visit the governor's Web site for more information: http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=475.

Local CERT volunteers start seniors' program
The Community Emergency Response Team in Pittsylvania County has started a new program called "Adopt a Senior," in which a CERT member will be paired with an elderly citizen to check in with them before and after a severe storm. CERT members will help their fellow residents be prepared for any emergency, using a checklist that includes a radio, food and extra blankets. Although the program's name mentions seniors specifically, the program is open to anyone who lives alone, who has disabilities or who feels that they need help in getting ready for disasters. Contact Pittsylvania County Emergency Management Coordinator Jim Davis at (434) 432-7921 or jim.davis@pittgov.org for more information.

2007 hurricane season forecast lowered
Colorado State University's Dr. William Gray has updated the 2007 extended range forecast of Atlantic hurricane season activity, lowering the number of hurricanes, but still calling for another above-average season. This hurricane season has produced two named storms so far, and Dr. Gray predicts that there will be another 13 named storms, including eight hurricanes and four intense hurricanes. The tropical meteorology research group from CSU's Department of Atmospheric Science will update the forecast again in September and October.

Read the forecast: http://hurricane.atmos.colostate.edu/Forecasts/.

NCR announces UASI-funded initiatives
The National Capital Region has announced how it will spend $61.6 million awarded this year through the Urban Area Security Initiative. Officials will focus funds on key regional priorities that include investments to continue improvements in communications, funding equipment purchases for bomb squads and obtaining specialized equipment and training for rescue and response operations in the Metrorail tunnels. Money also will be used to promote the region's text messaging alert systems, increase the number of intelligence analysts at area fusion centers and train and exercise with first responders and other partners across the region. The NCR, made up of 11 local jurisdictions, two states and the District of Columbia, received 56 percent less UASI funds than it requested this year.

FEMA stops offering travel trailers
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has announced in an interim policy that it will not use travel trailers for temporary housing of disaster victims. Concerns have been raised that formaldehyde used in various aspects of travel trailer construction may, in some instances, pose health risks. FEMA is working with the Centers for Disease Control and other appropriate agencies to determine if those concerns are valid. One possible outcome of the study may be air quality standards for travel trailers. Because the Department of Housing and Urban Development regulates the construction of mobile homes and because mobile homes are designed for continuous long-term use, FEMA will continue to use them in the temporary housing program. The interim policy is effective July 31 until replaced or rescinded.

FCC moves toward nationwide interoperable network
The Federal Communications Commission has revised the 700 MHz band plan and service rules to promote the creation of a nationwide interoperable broadband network for public safety and to facilitate availability of new and innovative wireless broadband services for consumers. The Digital Television and Public Safety Act of 2005, or DTV Act, directs the FCC to auction a previously unauctioned section of the commercial spectrum in the 700 MHz band, which will help build a nationwide, interoperable broadband network. The change in rules creates the framework for a partnership between commercial and public safety entities, in which public safety licensees will have priority access to the commercial spectrum in times of emergency, and the commercial licensee will have preemptible, secondary access to the public safety broadband spectrum. The DTV Act requires the FCC to auction the commercial spectrum in the 700 MHz Band no later than Jan. 28, 2008.

Visit the FCC's Web site for more information: http://www.fcc.gov/.

New faces at FEMA
Brock D. Bierman has been named Small State and Rural Advocate and Director of the National Preparedness Directorate's Community Preparedness Division at the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Bierman will be responsible for ensuring that the needs of rural communities are being addressed in the disaster declaration process and assisting small population states in preparing their requests for disaster declarations. He also will head the Community Preparedness Division, which administers the Citizen Corps Program and other grass-roots initiatives that work to engage citizens in community preparedness activities.

In addition, Dennis R. Schrader was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to be deputy administrator for National Preparedness at the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The Post-Katrina Emergency Reform Act of 2006 created the new position. As head of FEMA's National Preparedness Directorate, Schrader will be responsible for leading initiatives relating to preparedness policy, contingency planning, emergency management training, exercise coordination and evaluation and hazard mitigation. He also will manage FEMA's major preparedness assistance programs, including the Homeland Security Grant Program and the Infrastructure Protection Program.

$110 million available in SAFER grants
The FY07 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant program will provide approximately $110 million in competitive grants. SAFER grants enhance the ability of fire departments throughout the country to comply with staffing, response and operational standards established by the National Fire Protection Association and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. SAFER grants help departments hire, recruit and retain firefighters. No less than 10 percent of the funding must be used to recruit and retain volunteer firefighters. Another 10 percent of the funds must be used to help volunteer or mostly volunteer departments hire firefighters.

Applicants should apply through http://www.grants.gov, http://www.firegrantsupport.com or https://portal.fema.gov no later than 5 p.m. on Aug. 31.

Exercises...
Chase the Yellow Flag Tabletop Exercise
On Aug. 1, VDEM sponsored "Chase the Yellow Flag" as part of the Henry County series of exercises for Martinsville Speedway. The exercise was a combination of discussion- and operations-based training in current response concepts, plans and capabilities in a terrorism-related event at the speedway. More than 60 participants represented Franklin, Henry and Pittsylvania counties, the cities of Martinsville and Salem, volunteer response agencies, the Department of Homeland Security, NASCAR, International Speedway Corporation, Memorial Hospital, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the California Governor's Office of Homeland Security, Virginia Department of Health, and Military Affairs. This was the second in a series of exercises that will end with a full-scale exercise in September 2008.

Training...
Teen CERT Train-the-Trainer
The Teen CERT Train-the-Trainer Course builds upon the basic Community Emergency Response Team curriculum and includes information and guidelines for teaching and implementing CERT for teenagers. Participants are given ideas and direction to maintain and sustain local Teen CERT - such as partnering with local emergency management and securing ongoing financial and political support. The curriculum is not meant to replace those of previously established initiatives, rather it incorporates them in their entirety and places focus on increasing knowledge and skill development

This course is for public safety, fire service, EMS, emergency management, security officers, any state/local agency or non-governmental organization, teachers or secondary educators who may be called upon to train or lead Teen CERT programs. Prior to attending, applicants are expected to complete IS-100, IS-1700 and Basic CERT training. Online versions of these classes are available at http://training.fema.gov/IS/crslist.asp.

The class is Aug. 25-27 at the Virginia Emergency Operations Center in Chesterfield County. Although the deadline for registration has passed, seats are still available. Contact Sharon Woo, Citizen Corps and CERT Training and Outreach Coordinator, at (804) 897-6500, ext. 6594. Detailed information about the class is available online at http://www.vaemergency.com/train/calendar_course.cfm?id=91.

Conferences...
NEMA conference
Local, state and federal staff and private sector, nonprofit and student representatives are invited to the National Emergency Management Association's 2007 Annual Conference in Oklahoma City, Sept. 28 – Oct. 2. Invited speakers include the Honorable R. David Paulison, administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency; Dennis Schrader, nominee, deputy administrator, National Preparedness Directorate, FEMA; W. Ross Ashley III, nominee, Capabilities Division, National Preparedness Directorate, FEMA; and Dr. Jack Hayes, director, National Weather Service.

On-site registration will not be permitted. Online registration and the conference agenda are available at http://www.nemaweb.org/?1855. The deadline to register is Sept. 7.

Virginia Hazardous Materials Conference and Expo
The Virginia Association of Hazardous Materials Response Specialists and VDEM are sponsoring the 24th Annual Virginia Hazardous Materials Conference and Expo, Oct. 15-19 in Hampton. The conference offers more than 70 educational workshops and exhibits.

Conference information and online registration are available at http://www.virginiahazmat.org.

Produced by the Virginia Department of Emergency Management
10501 Trade Court, Richmond, Virginia 23236