February 2012
11 posts
IS 908 -- Emergency Management for Senior...
FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute has launched a new online course for senior officials such as mayors, city managers and county managers. The course will introduce senior officials to emergency management concepts and the role that senior leaders play.
For more information and to take the course visit http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/is908.asp
FEMA adds Public Works courses
FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute has added three new independent study courses geared for Public Works officials.
IS 554 — Emergency Planning for Public Works
IS 556 — Damage Assessment for Public Works
IS 558 — Public Works and Disaster Recovery
For more information and to register for the courses visit http://training.fema.gov/IS/
Earthquake center stage for March 2012 symposium
The 2012 Virginia Emergency Management Symposium will cover many diverse subjects, but not surprisingly Virginia’s earthquake will be the subject of several sessions. During the general session, Martin Chapman, the state geologist and Scott Keim, Louisa County fire chief and emergency management coordinator will provide an overview of the quake and discuss response efforts. Breakout sessions will...
2012 State of FEMA report published
On Feb. 13, FEMA published the first ever State of FEMA report. The document provides an overview of 2011 disaster response and recovery efforts and highlights the agency’s goals and “whole community” effort.
To read the report visit http://www.fema.gov/about/state_of_fema/index.shtm
Hampton Roads outreach draws volunteers
A Citizen Corps public outreach effort in Hampton Roads has successfully lead to an increase in the number of volunteers. The campaign, which is still underway, includes web banners, TV ads and promotion using Google’s search engine. The campaign was funding by Urban Area Security Initiative grant funds.
For more information visit www.readyhamptonroads.org
Website for emergency management and social media
There is help out there for Virginia emergency managers interested in learning about and using social media. Emergency managers can visit http://www.sm4em.org/ and learn from other professionals from across the country about using social media.
There are tips on how to get started, links to ongoing projects and articles on the use of social media.
Those on Twitter can also follow #SMEM and...
Google launches Public Alerts
Google is now displaying relevant emergency message information when users search on Google Maps. The program, which began this January, is using information from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Weather Service and the US Geological Survey.
Users search for key terms and locations to find out what might be happening in a specific area. For example, users can...
FEMA offers Hazard Mitigation Grant Class
FEMA is offering two Benefit Cost Analysis classes for local Virginia communities interested in submitting any type of structural projects under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. The course will help students understand what projects might be eligible and how to put together an application.
The two-day classes are offered:
Feb. 13 and 14
Northern Neck Planning District Commission
Warsaw,...
FEMA approves additional earthquake aid
Residents in the counties of Albemarle and King George are now eligible for federal disaster assistance to help them recover from the Aug. 23 earthquake and the more than 60 aftershocks.
FEMA denied Virginia’s original request for assistance for Albemarle and King George on Dec. 29, 2011. Governor McDonnell appealed and now the counties join Culpeper, Fluvanna, Goochland, Louisa, Orange and...