EM Update: January 25, 2012 Issue

EM Update
Jan. 25, 2012

Participate in the Statewide Tornado Drill
Registration is now open for the March 20 Statewide Tornado Drill at www.ReadyVirginia.gov. Businesses, schools, organizations, families and individuals are encouraged to take part in this critical safety exercise. 2011 was a tough year in Virginia for tornadoes – here’s a look back:

51 tornadoes hit, the second highest number on record (87 in 2004)
Most tornadoes struck during April, but tornadoes also were recorded in March, May, August, September, October and November
In April, 10 people died and more than 100 were injured
In April, 212 homes were destroyed and more than 1,050 homes and businesses were damaged
Nearly every part of Virginia experienced tornadoes during 2011 - Southwest Virginia, Southside Virginia, Roanoke Valley, Shenandoah Valley, Central Virginia, Northern Virginia, Middle Peninsula, and Hampton Roads.

Encourage participation in the Statewide Tornado Drill in your community. Learn more about tornado safety and how to hold a drill at www.Ready.Virginia.gov.

How to communicate during disasters
Dozens of destructive tornadoes, a historic earthquake, Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee all hit Virginia in 2011. In the minutes and hours after these disasters, it was difficult to make calls on cell phones because the mobile networks were so busy. Ready Virginia has created a new downloadable tip sheet about phone use during disasters. Topics include “Before a Disaster: How to Prepare Your Home and Mobile Device” and “During and After a Disaster: How to Reach Friends, Loved Ones & Emergency Services.” For more information visit: http://www.vaemergency.gov/readyvirginia/stayinformed/how-to-communicate

To download and print the tip sheet, go to: http://www.vaemergency.gov/sites/default/files/Communicate.pdf

For a Spanish version of the tip sheet: http://www.vaemergency.gov/sites/default/files/Listo_Communicate.pdf

City of Fairfax and NWS produce severe weather ads
The City of Fairfax and the National Weather Service have partnered to develop a series of video public service announcements on severe weather. The PSAs air on the city's cable channel and are available online.

View the PSAs: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL52CE4E85EB3B6F79&feature=plcp

Training…
IS-909 - Community Preparedness: Implementing Simple Activities for Everyone
This new online course will help students learn how to build a prepared and engaged community. The focus is building community based preparedness programs. The primary audience for the course is emergency managers and faith based and non-profit organizations.

Read more about the class and register: http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/is909.asp

VDEM Training Calendar

Like Virginia Department of Emergency Management Training on Facebook for updates on upcoming 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.

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-111: Disaster Damage Assessment	February 8, 2012	Salem	January 25, 2012
CERT-201: CERT Train the Trainer	February 9-10, 2012	Salem	January 26, 2012
G-197: EM Planning For Special Needs Populations	February 6-8, 2012	Salem	January 23, 2012
V-810: Incident Command System Forms Review	February 8, 2012	Salem	January 25, 2012
V-450: ICS Train the Trainer	February 9-10, 2012	Salem	January 26, 2012
V-452: ICS Sponsored Instructor Orientation	February 10, 2012	Salem	January 27, 2012
Logistics-101: Logistical Awareness and Fundamentals	February 9, 2012	*Manassas	January 26, 2012
VEOC 101/201: Introduction to VERT and VEOC Crisis Management Systems	February 10, 2012	Richmond – VEOC	January 27, 2012
V-520: Continuity Plan Development Workshop for State Agencies	February 16, 2012	Lynchburg	February 2, 2012
V-520: Continuity Plan Development Workshop for State Agencies	February 21, 2012	Richmond – Trade Court	February 7, 2012
ICS-400: Advanced ICS	February 21-22, 2012	Harrisonburg	February 7, 2012
AWR-136: Essentials of Community Cyber Security	February 22, 2012	Richmond – Trade Court	February 8, 2012
MGT-384: The EOC’s Role in Community Cyber Security	February 23-24, 2012	Richmond – Trade Court	February 9, 2012
G-775: EOC Management and Operations	February 27-29, 2012	Fishersville	February 13, 2012
Web100: Enhanced WebEOC	February 29, 2012	Fishersville	February 15, 2012
Logistics-101: Logistical Awareness and Fundamentals	March 1, 2012	Fishersville	February 16, 2012
G-111: Disaster Damage Assessment	March 2, 2012	Fishersville	February 17, 2012
G-270.4: Recovery From Disaster: The Local Government Role	March 12-13, 2012	Richmond – Trade Court	February 27, 2012
ICS-400: Advanced ICS	March 14-15, 2012	Richmond – Trade Court	March 1, 2012
G-250.7: Local Rapid Needs Assessment	March 16, 2012	Richmond – Trade Court	March 2, 2012
G-288: Volunteer and Donations Management Workshop	March 19-20, 2012	Culpeper	March 5, 2012
G-270.4: Recovery From Disaster, the Local Government Role	March 21-22, 2012	Culpeper	March 7, 2012
G-111: Disaster Damage Assessment	March 23, 2012	Culpeper	March 9, 2012
MGT-386: Advanced Crisis Communication Strategies for Public Safety Communications Supervisors	March 27, 2012	Richmond – Trade Court	March 13, 2012
VEOC 101/201: Introduction to the VERT and VERT Crisis Management Systems	April 6, 2012	Richmond – VEOC	March 23, 2012
G-288: Volunteer and Donations Management Workshop	April 9-10, 2012	Norfolk	March 26, 2012
G-393: Mitigation for Emergency Managers	April 9-11, 2012	Norfolk	March 26, 2012
G-969: Communications Unit Leader	April 10-13, 2012	Marion	March 27, 2012
V-810: ICS Forms Review	April 11, 2012	Norfolk	March 28, 2012
G-250.7: Local Rapid Needs Assessment Workshop	April 12, 2012	Norfolk	March 29, 2012
G-270.4: Recovery From Disaster, the Local Government Role	April 12-13, 2012	Norfolk	March 29, 2012
Social Media for Disaster Response and Recovery	April 25, 2012	Richmond – Trade Court	April 11, 2012
Social Media for Disaster Response and Recovery	April 27, 2012	Newport News	April 13, 2012
VEOC 101/201: Introduction to the VERT and VERT Crisis Management Systems	June 7, 2012	Richmond – VEOC	May 24, 2012
VEOC 101/201: Introduction to the VERT and VERT Crisis Management Systems	July 19, 2012	Richmond – VEOC	July 5, 2012

* This course open to Manassas and Manassas Park personnel only. May be opened to others if maximum enrollment is not exceeded.

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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 Bob Spieldenner at (804) 897-6510 or by e-mail at pio@vdem.virginia.gov.

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