Oct. 8, 2008
On Oct. 31, all shared jurisdictional and Virginia Emergency Response Team accounts will be removed from WebEOC. Anyone who uses WebEOC needs to set up an individual account by submitting an account request form and attending WebEOC training.
- Account request forms are available at http://www.vaemergency.com/library/forms/index.cfm.
- Local emergency responders who use WebEOC need to take "WebEOC Training for Localities." VDEM has scheduled the final eight WebEOC locality classes for 2008; registration is available at http://www.vaemergency.com/train/calendar_course.cfm?id=100. The class covers general usage including submitting a local request for assistance and accessing situation reports, initial damage assessment information and shelter information.
- State level emergency responders who work in the Virginia Emergency Operations Center during emergency activations need to take both VEOC 101 and VEOC 201. VEOC 101 establishes a baseline awareness of VEOC operations, procedures, plans and systems and includes a site tour. VEOC 201 teaches the resource request process, WebEOC applications, and the roles and responsibilities of each section; students must attend the VEOC 201 class that addresses their specific VERT assignment. Registration is available online.
For more information, contact webeocsupport@vdem.virginia.gov.
Emergency Operations Plan template available
VDEM's Preparedness Division has drafted a new, user-friendly Emergency Operations Plan template for colleges and universities to help them develop and maintain an EOP.
The template offers a complete EOP outline with instructions and examples of items that may or may not be applicable to each institution. This template is designed to assist schools with the planning process, and all items should be reviewed and modified to fit the specific needs of each institution of higher education.
The template also highlights National Incident Management System elements to help institutions of higher education develop a plan that can easily coordinate with local government EOPs.
VDEM collaborated with a work group of emergency planners and coordinators from community colleges and state and private four-year institutions throughout the state to develop the template, available at http://www.vaemergency.com/library/plans/higher_ed.cfm.
2009 statewide tornado drill registration online
The National Weather Service and VDEM will hold the annual statewide tornado drill March 17 at 9:45 a.m. Schools, businesses and families should register their participation online at http://www.vaemergency.com/threats/tornado. Here, visitors will find detailed information about conducting a tornado drill and how to be safe if a tornado strikes. Nearly 340,000 individuals registered for the 2008 drill.
The Code of Virginia requires that all public schools participate in at least one tornado drill per year, and participation in this drill would fulfill that requirement. However, if this drill date or time is not convenient, schools are welcome to choose an alternative date or time.
Classes added to Training Calendar
VDEM has added 24 training dates to the online Training Calendar, including additional dates for Emergency Operations Center Management and Operations, EOC Management and Operations, ICS 300, ICS 400, ICS/EOC Interface, Mass Fatalities, Mitigation Planning, Rapid Assessment, Recovery from Disaster.
VDEM's Training Calendar is available at http://www.vaemergency.com/train/calendar.cfm.
Two new initiatives in anthrax preparedness
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has announced two new steps in anthrax preparedness. The first protects United States Postal Service letter carriers who volunteer to deliver anthrax medications during an outbreak. HHS has asked the Food and Drug Administration to issue these volunteers kits containing small quantities of antibiotics for future use by them and other members of their households during an anthrax emergency. This advance protection would keep letter carriers and their families safe during an emergency, when they are delivering life-saving antibiotics to those who have been exposed to anthrax.
The second step provides liability protection for activities related to developing, manufacturing, distributing, prescribing, dispensing, administering and using anthrax countermeasures in preparation for and in response to a potential anthrax attack. The declaration under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act includes organizations such as large "big-box" retail stores, retail pharmacies, and other private sector businesses that help to deliver and distribute medicines. Providing liability protection to all involved in such efforts will help encourage their full participation and support response efforts.
For more information, visit http://www.hhs.gov/emergency.
Virginia volunteerism statistics online
On average, Virginia's 1.6 million volunteers dedicated 233.2 million hours of service each year between 2005 and 2007. USA Freedom Corps and the Corporation for National Community Service have created a Web site that offers volunteering statistics and information about volunteer trends in the nation, regions, states and major cities. The site also offers customizable reports and training links at http://www.volunteeringinamerica.gov.
Training...
Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue Training
TLAER training teaches emergency responders how to more safely prepare for and approach large animal incidents such as overturned and wrecked trailers or livestock haulers, large animals loose on the road, large animals stuck in mud or ravines, and incidents where people might be trapped with the animal. The three-day class addresses large animal behavior during rescues, how to use the equipment that emergency responders already own to solve TLAER incidents and how to use pre-existing community resources to find an appropriate solution.
The Virginia Cooperative Extension is sponsoring the TLAER program in Virginia in 2009 at the MARE Center in Middleburg, May 13-15 and at the Virginia Beach Mounted Patrol Stables in Virginia Beach, May 18-20. For more information, contact Equine Extension Agency Shea Poor, Ph.D., at (540) 687-3521, ext. 27 or cporr@vt.edu.
EM Update is the best way to communicate best practices and to get a heads up on issues that might affect you. Articles include case studies, cost/resource-saving local programs, examples of partnerships and regional cooperation and recognition of emergency managers who receive awards and honors in the field.
Please don't hesitate to contact the editor whenever you have a project that might benefit localities or want to highlight an important issue concerning Virginia's emergency response community. Contact Jolie Shank at (804) 897-6510 or by e-mail at pio@vdem.virginia.gov.
Produced
by the Virginia Department of Emergency Management
10501 Trade Court, Richmond, Virginia 23236