EM Update: Feb. 25, 2009


Feb. 25, 2009
2009 statewide tornado drill Tornadoes can strike anywhere in Virginia, at any time of year and at any time of the day. It is vital that all Virginians know what to do and where to go in the event that a tornado watch or warning is issued for their area. The 2009 Statewide Tornado Drill, scheduled for March 17 at 9:45 a.m., is an opportunity for residents to focus their attention on tornado safety at home, at work and at school. Nearly 340,000 individuals registered for the 2008 drill. VDEM has partnered with the National Weather Service to provide instructions about how Virginians can conduct a tornado drill and learn the meaning of watches and warnings online at http://www.vaemergency.com/threats/tornado/index.cfm. The best way to stay informed about weather emergencies is through a NOAA Weather Radio. These radios will sound an alarm and provide weather, sheltering and evacuation instructions for the local area. NOAA Weather Radios are available at electronics and sporting goods stores, department stores, boating stores and online. They come in battery-powered models and many also have AM/FM bands so you can listen to local radio stations. Some have strobe lights for the hearing impaired. Prices start at about $30. All public and private schools in Virginia received a NOAA Weather Radio from the National Weather Service. 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. Schools, businesses and families should register their participation online at http://www.vaemergency.com/threats/tornado/index.cfm. VEM Conference offers national and local perspectives The 2009 Virginia Emergency Management Conference, set for March 31-April 3 in Hampton, will provide an opportunity for Virginia’s emergency management community to hear from: National and state media representatives on coverage of the 2007 Virginia Tech tragedy, as well as the emergency managers who responded National Hurricane Center Director Bill Read on 2008’s hurricane season, the most damaging season since Katrina Emergency managers from northern Virginia on coordinating the most complex Presidential Inauguration ever A young woman who survived the 1999 Columbine High School shooting with her inspiring story Speakers from Texas and Louisiana who’ll describe response to Hurricane Ike in light of lessons learned from Katrina and Rita Online registration and brochure are available at http://www.vemaweb.org. Special rates end March 1 for hotel accommodations at the Embassy Suites Hampton. Emergency Operations Plan template workshop available to localities Developing and Revising Your Local Emergency Operations Plan VDEM’s Preparedness Division has developed a series of regional workshops to help localities create a local emergency operations plan. These half-day workshops use hands-on activities, presentations and classroom discussion to familiarize local governments with the Emergency Operations Plan Template recently created by VDEM. The template offers a complete EOP outline with instructions and examples of items that may be applicable to different organizations. This template can assist localities with the planning process; localities should review and modify all items to fit their specific needs. The template also highlights National Incident Management System elements to help localities develop a plan that can easily coordinate with other local government EOPs. The workshops are open to emergency planners with local government, colleges and universities, law enforcement, fire and rescue, public works, and others with a role in emergency planning. Upcoming classes include: Region 1, March 12 Region 2, April 16 Region 1 and 5, April 24 VDEM plans to schedule a workshop for each region; the Region 4 workshop was held Feb. 18. More information and registration are available at http://www.vaemergency.com/train/calendar_course.cfm?id=128. FEMA requests applicants for the National Advisory Council FEMA is asking individuals interested in serving on the National Advisory Council to apply for appointment to 11 of 35 seats on the council. The NAC provides advice and recommendations to FEMA as it maintains national preparedness guidance, the national preparedness system, the National Incident Management System, the National Response Framework, and other related plans and strategies. Council members are recognized experts and outstanding leaders in their respective fields. FEMA is seeking applicants in the following fields to serve a three-year term ending June 15, 2012: Emergency Management Emergency Response In-Patient Medical Provider Cyber Security State Elected Official Local Elected Official In addition, three appointments will be selected at the discretion of the FEMA Administrator. FEMA also seeks to fill the remaining terms for the ex officio position from the Homeland Security Advisory Council’s Emergency Responder Senior Advisory Committee and the Disability representative position. FEMA welcomes recommendations from organizations and stakeholder groups. Applications or resumes are due by 5 p.m. on March 6. The Federal Register notice is available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-2295.pdf. LLIS.gov uses Twitter The Lessons Learned Information Sharing system (LLIS.gov) joins VDEM, FEMA, the American Red Cross, and many other emergency management organizations and agencies in creating a Twitter profile. Twitter is an online social networking site where members can post short updates and keep up with other members through online profiles or cell phone text messages. The emergency management community uses Twitter for local real-time updates and short nationwide announcements. To view the new LLIS.gov Twitter profile, go to http://www.twitter.com/LLIS. VDEM’s Twitter page is at http://twitter.com/VDEM. VDEM also offers public service announcements and instructional videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/VAEmergency. Training… IS-700.a classroom materials released FEMA has released the full package of materials for classroom instruction of the new IS-700.a course. Response personnel are not required to take the new course for NIMS compliance if they have already completed IS-700. Although instructors can use the optically scanned test forms, VDEM encourages instructors to use the online testing process whenever possible to provide better documentation and faster receipt of test results. The IS-700.a online course and classroom materials are available at http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/is700a.asp. Conferences… Continuity of Operations Conference June 1-2, New York City The New York City Office of Emergency Management is hosting a national COOP Conference for local and state governments. This is the first COOP conference hosted by a local jurisdiction, and it will provide a forum for localities, states and international organizations to exchange information and operational best practices in continuity planning, fostering buy-in, and training and exercising plans. Conference organizers are calling for breakout session proposals that share experiences through presentations, active demonstrations and engaging conversations. Preference is given to proposals for sessions that promote effective and innovative planning methods, describe training or testing programs, and actively engage participants. The deadline for submitting a proposal is March 15. For more information, contact Jennifer Adger or Rachel Sulaymanov at OEMCOOP@oem.nyc.gov.
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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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