Jan. 2, 2008
The Department of Homeland Security has announced $691,173 in awards to 43 Virginia localities as a part of the FY07 Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program. CEDAP provides equipment, technology and training assistance that first responders and law enforcement agencies in smaller jurisdictions, rural areas and eligible metropolitan areas might otherwise have difficulty obtaining. Resources include: personal protective equipment; rescue tools; thermal imaging, night vision and video surveillance tools; chemical, biological and radiological detection tools; information technology and risk management tools; and interoperable communications gateways. The competitive program is a direct assistance program and not a grant program. The FY07 CEDAP will provide approximately $33.7 million in equipment and training nationally.
Eligibility for CEDAP is limited to law enforcement agencies, fire and other emergency responder organizations with specific financial and capability needs. Applications were accepted from April 25 to June 29, 2007 through the Responder Knowledge Base (http://www.rkb.mipt.org) Web site. For more information on CEDAP and other DHS grant programs, visit http://www.fema.gov.
Fairfax County Social Needs Registry
To help those with special needs prepare for emergencies, Fairfax County has created the Fairfax County Social Needs Registry. The registry has two categories:
- Medical Needs Registry
Individuals with medical needs are those who (a) have a high-risk health condition that is either temporary or chronic and who cannot manage for themselves in a shelter or evacuation center; (b) will require assistance in performing the activities of daily living; and/or (c) will require care for and monitoring of a health condition. The names and addresses of those with medical needs will be used by Fairfax County officials for communicating with people with medical needs, pre-event emergency planning, and for evacuating and sheltering during actual emergencies.
The registry may be used for any emergency requiring evacuation, such as flooding, hurricanes or hazardous material spills and gas leaks. This information will be available to emergency planners and will facilitate the county's planning, response and recovery efforts. - Social Needs Registry
Fairfax County seeks to partner with community organizations that have an on-going relationship with social needs residents. Those with social needs are vulnerable, at-risk or hard to reach in the event of an emergency, but who do not meet the definition of medical needs. This includes people with disabilities, limited language proficiency, public transportation dependent or household pets. These people may require targeted communication, transportation support or sheltering in the event of an emergency.
Fairfax County will provide emergency planning, response and recovery information to community organizations that register with the social needs registry. Registered organizations are encouraged to then relay this information to their organization's members.
Registration is available online at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/specialneeds or by phone at (703) 324-9000 or TTY (703) 324-9001.
National Animal Health Emergency Response Corps
The Veterinary Services branch of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is recruiting nonfederal veterinarians and veterinary technicians to join an emergency management on-call cadre. The National Animal Health Emergency Response Corps' purpose is to enroll veterinary personnel interested in serving as Veterinary Services employees in the event of an exotic or emerging disease outbreak and to provide training opportunities in Incident Command and the National Response framework. During activation, NAHERC volunteers would become temporary Veterinary Services employees for 23 to 60 days and would have the right to refuse assignments. Veterinary students can qualify and mobilize as veterinary technicians.
More information about the program, eligibility requirements and application materials are available online at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ep/naherc.
Proposed radiological standard available for comment
A standard practice for radiological emergency response is available for comment on the Responder Knowledge Base at https://www.rkb.us/contentdetail.cfm?content_id=191039. The standard provides a practice for developing and implementing consistent national protocols for emergency responders at radiological events. The standard provides a decision-making protocol and considerations for response to such events. The standard applies to any person responding to a radiological event who has a role or responsibility in emergency response.
The standard was originally posted for comment on the RKB in August of 2007. The updated proposed practice standard and a comment summary and resolution document are also available for download from the RKB. Comments must be submitted by noon on Dec. 31, 2008.
Virginia Citizen Corps volunteer awards
Brock D. Bierman, director of FEMA's Community Preparedness Division, recognized 13 outstanding Virginia Citizen Corps volunteers during the 2007 Virginia Public Safety Outreach Conference. VCC asked for nominations in three specific categories:
- Volunteer of the Year: recognition of outstanding individual volunteer efforts.
Rick West of Gloucester Community Emergency Response Team, Jack Aaron of Danville CERT and Al Smith of Danville CERT - Citizen Corps Leader of the Year: a manager, coordinator or council member who exemplifies the Citizen Corps mission.
Monty Gilbert of Portsmouth Citizen Corps, Andrew Levy of Fairfax Citizen Corps, Anna McRay of Henrico Citizen Corps and Doug Young of Danville Citizen Corps - Heavyweight Award: an outstanding Citizen Corps participant/member, stellar program or business partner.
Kevin France of Bristol Citizen Corps, Jennifer Freeland of Peninsula Medical Reserve Corps, Sue Maddox-Toth of the Virginia Department of Transportation CERT, Carolyn Mosby of Richmond CERT, Portsmouth Amateur Radio Emergency Services and Margaret Tucker of James City County CERT
Virginia Citizen Corps would like to thank the hundreds of volunteers throughout Virginia who have helped their programs to grow and who are committed to preparing their fellow Virginians.
Resolve to be Ready
Ready Virginia reminds all Virginians to make a New Year's resolution to get ready for any emergency in three simple steps: get a kit, make a plan and stay informed.
In a recent national survey conducted by the Ad Council, 91 percent of Americans agreed that taking steps to prepare could help protect themselves and their families in the event of an emergency. However, only 54 percent had taken at least one of the three steps recommended by Ready Virginia, including getting an emergency supply kit, making a family emergency plan and staying informed about the different types of emergencies that could occur in their area.
Virginia residents should visit http://www.ReadyVirginia.gov to learn how to prepare their families, homes and businesses for all types of emergencies, including natural and man-made disasters. A companion Web site, http://www.ListoVirginia.gov, is available for Spanish-speaking Virginians.
2008 Ready Virginia Public Outreach Campaign Dates
Ready Virginia will conduct five public education campaigns in 2008. Each campaign will include new releases, updated Web site content on http://www.ReadyVirginia.gov and on http://www.vaemergency.com, and a proclamation from Gov. Tim Kaine.
- Tornado Preparedness Day: March 18, 2008 (statewide tornado drill at 9:45 a.m.)
- National Hurricane Preparedness Week: May 25 - 31, 2008
- National Preparedness Month: September 2008
- Fire Prevention Month: October 2008
- Winter Preparedness Week: Nov.30 - Dec., 2008
Ready Virginia encourages emergency managers and volunteer organizations throughout the Commonwealth to help publicize these campaigns. More information about each campaign will be available as it approaches.
Produced
by the Virginia Department of Emergency Management
10501 Trade Court, Richmond, Virginia 23236