Nov. 30, 2011
FEMA approves Public Assistance for governments following Tropical Storm Lee
FEMA has approved federal disaster assistance to help eight local governments and the state recover from the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee, which caused heavy rain and flooding in Virginia Sept. 8-9.
Gov. McDonnell requested assistance through the federal Public Assistance program to help Caroline, Essex, Fairfax, King and Queen, King George, Prince William and Westmoreland counties and the city of Alexandria recover costs associated with response and recovery efforts, such as damage to critical infrastructure, debris removal and related emergency services.
If sufficient damage information is collected, other localities could be added to the declaration.
FEMA also approved the Hazard Mitigation program for use statewide. The Hazard Mitigation program provides funds for projects sponsored by state and local governments that help reduce disaster risks by protecting homes and businesses against future damage.
Earlier this month, Governor McDonnell requested that the U.S. Small Business Administration make low-interest disaster loans available to homeowners, renters and businesses in Prince William and Fairfax counties. That request was granted Nov. 14.
Spotsylvania County added to list of governments eligible for Public Assistance after earthquake
Spotsylvania County has been approved for the Public Assistance program for recovery from the Aug. 23 earthquake and subsequent aftershocks.
Public Assistance is for local governments and certain private, nonprofit organizations in the county, not for individuals. To be eligible to receive PA, a private, nonprofit organization must own or operate facilities that provide services of a governmental nature, such as educational, emergency, medical or custodial care.
A county designated eligible for PAmay receive help for emergency work, such as debris removal and emergency protective measures, and for permanent work, including repair of roads and bridges, water control facilities, buildings and contents, public utilities, parks and recreational facilities and other public facilities, FEMA officials said. Louisa County was previously designated for Public Assistance.
Virginia’s state public safety agencies raise more than $189,000 for disaster victims
State agencies dedicated to public safety held the Virginia Public Safety Expo Nov. 10 to benefit the Virginia Disaster Relief Fund. The fund was established by Gov. Bob McDonnell earlier this year to help Virginians recover from disasters.
More than 700 local, state and federal public safety employees viewed demonstrations and participated in training. Demonstrations included a bomb-investigating robot and K-9 drug detection. Participants also saw specialized emergency equipment, training equipment, high-tech response vehicles and exhibits. Additionally, attendees were able to tour the Virginia Emergency Operations Center. Photos from the Virginia Public Safety Expo can be viewed here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/vadot/sets/72157628011374175/ In total, the Expo and other state public safety agency fundraising initiatives raised more than $189,000, which included $745 from a Virginia Department of Emergency Management bake sale and $2,900 from sales of lunch prepared by the Virginia Department of Corrections and the Virginia Parole Board. The total sum includes money donated by citizens at ABC stores throughout the Commonwealth.
Participating agencies included the Commonwealth’s Attorneys’ Services Council and the Virginia departments of Alcoholic Beverage Control, Correctional Education, Corrections, Criminal Justice Services, Emergency Management, Fire Programs, Forensic Science, Juvenile Justice, Military Affairs, Parole Board and State Police.
Ready Virginia launches Winter Weather preparedness campaign
VDEM and the National Weather Service remind Virginians that the Commonwealth is ready for potential severe winter weather and that everyone has a responsibility to prepare themselves. Recent winter seasons brought several record-breaking snowfalls, low temperatures, power outages and blocked roads and created a serious situation for many.
2012 preparedness campaign dates set
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: Resolve to be Ready New Year’s Campaign
· March 20: Tornado Preparedness Day (statewide drill at 9:45 a.m.)
· May 27 – June 2: National Hurricane Preparedness Week
· May 25-31: Virginia’s Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday
· September: National Preparedness Month
· October: Fire Prevention Month
· December 2-8: Winter Preparedness Week
Ready Virginia has printed materials that can help with local outreach efforts. Contact Laura Southard at laura.southard@vdem.virginia.gov or (804) 897-6510 for more information. Training…
VDEM Training Calendar
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.gov or (804) 897-9995. The table below lists VDEM courses for the next quarter:
|
COURSE NAME | DATES | LOCATION | ENROLLMENT DEADLINE |
| | | | |
| | | | |
G-291: Joint Information System/Center Planning for the PIO | Dec. 14 | Richmond | Dec. 1, 2011 |
G-969: Communications Unit Leader Course | Jan. 17-20 | Norfolk | Jan. 3 |
L-146: HSEEP Training Course | Jan. 23-25 | Fairfax | Jan. 9 |
G-386: Mass Fatalities | Jan. 23-24 | Fairfax | Jan. 9 |
G-290: Basic Public Information Officer* | Jan. 24-25 | Fairfax | Jan. 10 |
VEOC-301: VEOC Request Management Drill | Jan. 25 | Richmond (Localities participate remotely) | Jan. 11 |
G-191: ICS/EOC Interface | Jan. 25 | Fairfax | Jan. 11 |
G-291: Joint Information System/Center Planning | Jan. 26 | Fairfax | Jan. 12 |
G-270.4: Recovery From Disaster: the Local Government Role | Jan. 26-27 | Fairfax | Jan. 12 |
V-450: ICS Train the Trainer | Jan. 26-27 | Fairfax | Jan. 12 |
G-111: Disaster Damage Assessment | Jan. 28 | Virginia Beach | Jan. 14 |
G-288: Volunteer and Donations Management | Feb. 6-7 | Salem | Jan. 23 |
G-111: Disaster Damage Assessment | Feb. 8 | Salem | Jan. 25 |
CERT-201: CERT Train the Trainer | Feb. 9-10 | Salem | Jan. 26 |
G-197: EM Planning For Special Needs Populations | Feb. 6-8 | Salem | Jan. 23 |
V-450: ICS Train the Trainer | February 9-10 | Salem | Jan. 26 |
ICS-400: Advanced ICS | February 21-22 | Harrisonburg | February 7 |
G-270.4: Recovery From Disaster: The Local Government Role | March 12-13 | Richmond – Trade Court | February 27 |
ICS-400: Advanced ICS | March 14-15 | Richmond – Trade Court | March 1 |
G-250.7: Local Rapid Needs Assessment | March 16 | Richmond – Trade Court | March 2 |
*Students will be required to complete IS-29 course, Public Information Officer Awareness Training, available online at http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/is29.asp. Public Information Office Awareness Training remains a prerequisite for the G-290, Basic Public Information Officer course.
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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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