EM Update: July 27, 2011 Issue

July 27, 2011

2011 Homeland Security Grant Regional Stakeholder Grant Meetings scheduled 

The Secretary of Veteran's Affairs and Homeland Security and VDEM have scheduled a regional meeting in each of the seven VDEM regions during the month of August.  The meetings will assess national and state priorities for the DHS 2011 Homeland Security Grant Program and provide  a brief grants management overview of the grant process and new policies introduced by DHS and the Commonwealth.

In 2011, the State Homeland Security Grant program was reduced more than 50 percent.  Therefore these meetings will focus on the local share available from this grant program.

Meeting dates/locations, registration information, and the agenda can be found at http://www.vaemergency.gov/em-community/grants/2011RPAC-meetings  Participants must send an email with their name, location, and the meeting they plan to attend to Sheronda Johnson at sheronda.johnson@vdem.virginia.gov

VDEM asks that participants attend a meeting in their region in order to address the priorities in that jurisdiction.  However, if participants are currently working with localities from multiple regions, they are welcome to attend more than one meeting.  Only those state agencies participating with local governments on regional projects are encouraged to attend.  

State Safe CERT training final exercise at the Capitol

22 Virginia government employees participated in a live emergency exercise July 22 at the Virginia State Capitol featuring “injured” adults and children, a search and rescue operation, and removing victims from fallen debris.  “State Safe” Community Emergency Response Team training includes fire safety, terrorism preparedness, search and rescue techniques, workplace violence, disaster psychology, and basic first aid.  This emergency exercise completed a 20.5-hour, hands-on emergency training program so that class participants can provide emergency assistance to others at their workplaces, homes and places in between.   

Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security Terrie Suit officiated the graduation ceremony following the final exercise. Participants were state and local government employees from Catawba, Chatham, Goochland, Petersburg, Richmond and Salem.

Survey gauges public service professionals’ preparedness

The International Association of Emergency Management is conducting an online, nationwide survey of public service professionals to determine their preparedness levels 10 years after 9/11.  Survey findings will be shared through the media and at the Emergency Management Summit in New York City on Sept. 13.

Take the survey: http://surveys.surveynetwork.com/wire/29771623/web/main.php?projectpin=1utd7yrdvj&starting=newsess&cachebust=1311174560&srv_loc=

Transportation emergency communications competition opens

The Transportation Research Board Technical Activities Division’s Planning and Environment Group is holding its fifth annual competition to find top methods for communicating transportation concepts to non-professional audiences.  Entries, which should focus on best practices in communicating transportation information to the public during emergency situations, are due by Aug. 5. Additional information on the contest and entry instructions are available at https://sites.google.com/site/trbcommitteeada60/project-updates/2011JJPCompetitionCall.

FEMA hosts disability-planning conference

FEMA’s Office of Disability Integration and Coordination is hosting “Getting Real II- Promising Practices in Inclusive Emergency Management for the Whole Community,” Sept. 12-14 in Washington, D.C.  The conference will focus on expanding partnerships and sharing promising practices in disability-inclusive emergency management.

Applications to present or attend are due by Aug. 1.  There is no cost to attend and funding for travel expenses may be available for eligible applicants.

More information is available at http://www.fema.gov/about/odic/

Assistance to Firefighters Grant application period opens

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant helps to ensure that firefighters and first responders have the essentials they need to be safe and effective on the job.  As of August 2010, recipients of federal grant awards are required to register in the Central Contractor Registration system. Applicants are not required to register, but can do so in anticipation of an award. 

A Get Ready Guide and Narrative Assistance Guide are available at http://www.fema.gov/firegrants/afggrants/index.shtm
 

Training…

Special training from VDEM

MGT-347:  Incident Command System Forms Course

Delivered by the Texas Engineering and Extension Service, this free course teaches participants about the 15 most common Incident Command System forms and how to write SMART objectives.  Class will be 12:30-5 p.m. on Sept. 12 in Salem, Va. at the National College Campus.  Contact Mike Guzo at (540) 853-2426 or Michael.Guzo@roanokeva.govto register.

MGT-313:  Incident Management / Unified Command for All-Hazards Expanding and Complex Incidents

Delivered by the Texas Engineering and Extension Service, this free course is a FEMA-recognized ICS-300 equivalent taught with a “blended” learning approach (16 hours in the classroom in addition to a mandatory four-hour online pre-course).  Prerequisite: FEMA ICS-200 or equivalent.  Class will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sept. 13-14 in Roanoke, Va. at the National College Campus.  Contact Mike Guzo at (540) 853-2426 or Michael.Guzo@roanokeva.govto register.

All-Hazards Communications Unit Leader

This highly sought-after course will be taught in Richmond as part of the 2^nd Annual Metro Richmond Regional Fire School at the Greater Richmond Convention Center Oct. 6-9.  The class teaches the duties, responsibilities and capabilities of an effective Communications Unit Leader.  Although designed with All-Hazards Incident Management Team Members in mind, it is also useful for senior state and local communications personnel responsible for establishing and maintaining communications interoperability before, during and after an incident.  Several other courses of interest to first responders/emergency managers will be held during the same time frame. 

A $35 fee for the Fire School will cover conference center parking, school costs, refreshments during breaks and dinner on Saturday.  Registration ends Sept. 23.  For more information, see http://www.vafire.com/upcoming_events/RichmondRegional2011.pdf

VDEM Training Calendar

Like VDEM Training on Facebook to receive updates on upcoming courses: http://www.hs.facebook.com/pages/Virginia-Department-of-Emergency-Management-Training/241324432558332

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.

The Commonwealth of Virginia’s Learning Management System Knowledge Center provides information and enrollment for each class. Students who do not already have an account through any state agency Learning Management System domain must register for a VDEM LMS account (a one-time process) in order to enroll. Students who have an account through any state agency should log in at that agency’s LMS address and enroll in the desired course(s). Help videos for registration and enrollment processes are provided on the VDEM LMS login page at https://covkc.virginia.gov/vdem/external/. Assistance is available from VDEM’s LMS Help Desk at lmshelp@vdem.virginia.govor (804) 897-9995.

The table below lists VDEM courses for the next quarter: 

 * Open to DSS State Managed Shelter Personnel only.

** Open to VDEM Region 5 Emergency Management/Emergency Response Personnel only.

***Open to VDEM Region 4 and 6 Emergency Management/Emergency Response Personnel only. 

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