Dec. 16, 2009

Public Assistance program approved for nor’easter damage
President Obama has granted a request by Gov. Tim Kaine for the Public Assistance program to help state and local governments in the wake of the nor’easter that began on Nov. 11. The declaration makes PA funds available to cover eligible government and private nonprofit costs for damage to critical infrastructure, debris removal and related emergency services. The declaration covers the cities of Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, Portsmouth, and Virginia Beach. Also included are the counties of Halifax, Isle of Wight, King and Queen, Northampton and Surry. PA is not for the general public.

On Nov. 25, the U.S. Small Business Administration granted Gov. Kaine’s request that low-interest loans be made available to individual and businesses in the affected area. More information is available at http://www.sba.gov.

FEMA launches Commercial Mobile Alert System
FEMA and the Federal Communications Commission have adopted design specifications for wireless carriers to develop an interface that can provide customers with timely and accurate emergency alerts and warnings via their cell phones and other mobile devices.

The Commercial Mobile Alert System provides federal, state and local government officials the ability to send 90-character geographically targeted text messages to the public regarding imminent threats to life and property, Amber alerts, and presidential emergency messages. The CMAS is a combined effort of the federal government and cellular providers to define a common standard for cellular alerts. Commercial mobile service providers who have elected to participate in CMAS have 28 months to develop, test and deploy the system and deliver mobile alerts to the public by 2012.

More information is available from FEMA at http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=50056.

Volunteer and community service award nominations
The governor’s office is now accepting applications for the 2010 Governor’s Volunteerism and Community Service Awards, which recognize significant contributions of Virginia citizens to the life and welfare of the Commonwealth and its people. Nominations must be submitted by Feb. 1. Citizen Corps Council and Community Emergency Response Team member John A. Wilson of Williamsburg won a 2009 Governor's Volunteerism and Community Service Award in the Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Recovery category.

Virginia Citizen Corps is also accepting nominations for the 2009 Superstar Awards, an opportunity to recognize exceptional volunteers and programs. Eight winners will be selected in eight categories. Nominations are due Jan. 15.

More information about both award programs and nomination packets are available through VDEM’s Web site at http://www.vaemergency.com/citcorps/index.cfm.

New Elected Officials’ Guide to Emergencies and Disasters
VDEM has updated the Elected Officials’ Guide to Emergencies and Disasters, available for download at http://www.vdem.virginia.gov/library/handbooks/ElectedOfficialsGuide2009.pdf. In addition to a basic explanation of the disaster process, the guide offers reasons why meeting National Incident Management System requirements are essential, relevant sections of the Code of Virginia, synopses of FEMA’s Individual and Public Assistance programs and tips for dealing with the media. The new PDF version is based on a similar guide developed in 2006 by VDEM, the Virginia Association of Counties and the Virginia Municipal League. The first elected officials guide to disasters was developed by Prince William County in 2005.

2010 preparedness campaigns announced
Throughout the year Ready Virginia emphasizes the importance of emergency preparedness through seasonal public outreach campaigns. Partners in the Ready Virginia emergency preparedness effort – including the National Weather Service – will follow these dates for consistency and stronger messaging to citizens.

• January 2010: Resolve to be Ready New Year’s Campaign
• March 16, 2010: Statewide Tornado Drill
• May 23-29, 2010: National Hurricane Preparedness Week
• May 25-31, 2010: Virginia’s Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday
• September 2010: National Preparedness Month
• October 2010: Fire Prevention Month
• December 5-11, 2010: Winter Preparedness Week

If you have questions or need additional resources, write or call Public Affairs Outreach Coordinator Laura Southard at laura.southard@vdem.virginia.gov or (804) 897-6510. Organizations that conduct emergency preparedness outreach campaigns can find resources at www.ReadyVirginia.gov, and they are encouraged to link to the site.

Training...
Sport Event Risk Management Workshop
DHS has identified professional and collegiate stadiums and arenas as potential targets for terrorist activity. The Sport Event Risk Management Workshop has been specially designed for NCAA institutions to help them develop university security action teams, which are composed of specialists from five distinct areas: campus police, athletic department, emergency management, fire/hazardous materials and emergency medical/health services. The workshop will be delivered to these key personnel via regional workshops; training will be available at FedEx Field in Washington, D.C., April 27-28.

Emergency managers that have an NCAA institution in their areas are encouraged to participate; contact National Center for Spectator Sports Security Project Manager Nick Nabors at (601) 266-4694 or by e-mail at nick.nabors@usm.edu. More information about the workshop and registration are available at www.ncs4.com/workshop.

Save the date: Emergency Management Procurement Forum
VDEM’s Procurement Office will host the 2010 Emergency Management Procurement Forum, May 2-4, 2010, to raise awareness about being better prepared to procure goods and services during emergencies. The conference will begin with an overview and tour of the Virginia Emergency Operations Center and continue with presentations and demonstrations that address Virginia Department of Minority Business Enterprises Small, Woman- and Minority-owned certification, legal issues, Small Purchase Charge Cards, prequalified contracts, ethics and more. Attendees will be able to network with state and local emergency procurement personnel from all over Virginia and to see a vendor trade show. Additional details and registration will be available soon.

Upcoming VDEM training courses
Due to budgetary constraints, VDEM must cancel a class if a minimum of 15 students have not enrolled two weeks before the class begins. Sign up early.

VDEM’s Learning Management System Knowledge Center provides information and registration for each class. Students must create an LMS account (a one-time process) in order to enroll. Step-by-step registration instructions are provided on the LMS login page at https://covkc.virginia.gov/vdem/external/. Assistance is available from VDEM’s Office of Training and Exercises at lmshelp@vdem.virginia.gov or (804) 897-6500, ext. 6557.

The table below lists VDEM courses for the next quarter.

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.

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