FEMA Blog

Posted by: Public Affairs

Severe weather outlook
Looking ahead to the weekend and the next few days, the National Weather Service is forecasting another round of severe weather for much of the U.S.  Much of the Pacific Northwest, along with parts of the Northeast, are expected to experience rain, freezing rain, or snow (depending on elevation).  For those in the California and Arizona, predictions call for colder temperatures than normal.  And a common occurrence for this time of the year, parts of the Midwest should be prepared for increased risk of flooding. 

Get your latest local forecast at www.weather.gov and make sure you’re taking steps to get prepared for any severe weather that could come your way.

Christchurch, New Zealand earthquake
We had several blog posts this week about the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) leading the U.S. effort to support the response and recovery to the earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand.  In case you missed any of them, here’s a quick recap:

• Photos from New Zealand
• News of the Day: Tim Manning in New Zealand
• U.S. Urban Search and Rescue Team Deploying to New Zealand
• Statement from Administrator Fugate on the earthquake

Children in disasters
Also related to the Christchurch earthquake, we wanted to share this op-ed from Mark Shriver, Chair of the National Commission on Children and Disasters, on the Huffington Post website.  Mark points out (and we whole-heartedly agree) that emergency planning must consider the most vulnerable among us, including people with disabilities, the elderly, and children. 

We’re proud to partner with Mark, who chairs the National Commission on Children and Disaster and our many other partners who share this goal.  Learn more about our Children’s Working Group, which is working to ensure that the needs of children are considered and integrated into all disaster planning, preparedness, response and recovery efforts initiated at the Federal level.

Posted by: Public Affairs

With the end of winter in sight, warmer weather is right around the corner. While most of us are happy to say goodbye to our winter coats, shoveling snow, and wearing snow boots, spring also means in increased risk of flooding in many areas of the U.S. The rainy months of March and April, combined with melting snow packs, can cause water levels to rise in rivers and streams in many areas.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently published an updated flood forecast for the North Central U.S., including parts of Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North and South Dakota, and Montana.


North Central U.S. Spring Flood Risk Map as of Feb. 17, 2011, courtesy of NOAA.

Our regional offices in Denver, Chicago, and Kansas City, MO, have already been working with the entire emergency management team (state, local and tribal agencies, volunteer and faith-based agencies, the private sector, and the public), to prepare for potential flooding. Check out this blog post for specifics on some of the outreach being done in the areas surrounding the Red River, and check back for future posts on our ongoing preparations for spring flooding.

Even if you don’t live in the area included in the NOAA forecast, it’s wise to understand your flood risk and get prepared. Ready.gov is a great place to find information on getting prepared for flooding, breaking preparedness down into three simple steps: get a kit, make a plan, and be informed.

This winter has been an especially active one in the Northeast. While I am accustomed to significant snowfalls being from upstate New York, Region II has been busy responding to this year’s major winter storms with our federal, state, and local partners throughout the region. I would like to share one particularly valuable element of FEMA’s support of first responders, the Incident Management Assistance Team, or IMAT.

IMATs are made up of dedicated and experienced senior-level emergency management professionals that are able to deploy upon a moment’s notice when requested by the state. IMATs are generally consist of 10 members, with expertise in operations, logistics, planning, and recovery. They are a rapidly deployable asset to anywhere in the region or the country, supporting our states and territories in their emergency response efforts.

IMATs provide a forward federal presence to facilitate the management of the national response to catastrophic incidents. The primary mission of an IMAT is three-fold:

• rapidly deploy to an incident or potentially threatened venue,
• identify ways federal assistance could be used to best support the response and recovery efforts, should it become available, and
• work with partners across jurisdictions to support the affected State or territory.

One of the most important aspects of the IMAT’s role is to support and take their direction from the state. As our mission states, FEMA’s role is to “support citizens and first responders”. After a disaster, state and local emergency responders, along with voluntary agencies and faith-based groups, are called on to meet the immediate needs of the affected community, and IMATs are FEMA’s team of experts that stand ready to support if they are called upon.

Just last week, I visited the Region II IMAT who spent the week at New Jersey’s Regional Intelligence Operations Center, training with the region II Defense Coordinating Element. This opportunity allowed the team to sit in the actual space that New Jersey would provide them during a real incident and the team was tasked with making that empty room into a fully operational office. Even though it was an exercise, it is impressive to see the team in action as they support our states and territories.



Within hours the IMAT and the Defense Coordinating Element were working together to support the state and had access to key communications channels and capabilities, such as video-teleconferencing. As part of the exercise, the participants also discussed operational planning to continue to improve procedures during an actual IMAT deployment.

As we continue to strengthen relationships with other members of the emergency management team, IMAT’s are a critical part of making sure all members are collaborating with one another, providing the most coordinated response effort possible.

- Lynn

Other links
- Read more about IMAT teams in this factsheet (PDF)

Posted by: Public Affairs

As we've mentioned in previous blog posts, Tim Manning, Deputy Administrator for Protection and National Preparedness, was in Christchurch, New Zealand when the earthquake struck on February 22.  Since the quake, Tim has been supporting U.S. officials as they assist in the ongoing earthquake response and recovery efforts. 

At the request of the New Zealand government, the U.S. Agency for International Development deployed a Disaster Assistance Response Team, a team that includes the Los Angeles County Fire Department Urban Search and Rescue team, also known as California Task Force 2 (CA-TF2), to assist with the search and rescue efforts.  For updates on the CA-TF2 team’s activities, find them on Facebook and Twitter.

Below are some photos of Tim - for the latest updates on the response and recovery, visit the New Zealand Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management.


Christchurch, New Zealand, February 25, 2011 -- Tim Manning, left, Deputy Administrator for Protection and National Preparedness at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, inspecting earthquake damage in Christchurch. Manning was in Christchurch attending a U.S.-N.Z. Partnership Forum when the earthquake struck. Manning, a first responder, immediately went to work with a local relief agency going door-to-door checking for structural integrity. FEMA/U.S. Embassy-New Zealand/Janine Burns

Editor's Note: This post is from the U.S. Fire Administration's “Chief's Corner”, originally posted here.

In celebration of African American History Month this February, I thought it would be most appropriate to look back and remember African Americans who have lead the way in making American fire service history:

• The oldest documents identifying government sanctioned African American firefighters were found in New Orleans, Louisiana. A devastating fire in July 1817 led the governing body to organize its people to avoid another conflagration. All draymen and their equipment as well as individual free men of color and slaves were recruited.
  
• The first woman firefighter was an African American. Molly Williams worked alongside the men of the Oceanus Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 of New York City in 1818.
  
• Patrick H. Raymond was appointed on January 5, 1871 as the first African American Fire Chief in the United States (Cambridge, MA).
  
• The International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters was organized in Hartford, CT in 1970.
  
• Robert O. Lowery was the first African American Fire Commissioner of a major U.S. city. He was the Fire Department of New York's 21st Fire Commissioner, serving from January 1, 1966 until September 29, 1973.
  
• Toni McIntosh of the Pittsburgh (PA) Bureau of Fire was the first African-American woman to become a career firefighter in June of 1976.
  
• Cecelia O. Salters (now Cecelia Owens-Cox) was the first woman to be assigned to a New York City truck company in 1984.
  
• Black Women in the Fire Service was established as a subcommittee of the International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters in 1988 to address rising issues related to African American firefighters. The organization became a stand-alone committee in 1996.
  
• The first African American United States Fire Administrator, Carrye B. Brown, was appointed in 1994.
  
• The first African American woman appointed as Fire Chief for a career fire department was Chief Rosemary Cloud with the East Point (GA) Fire Department in 2002.
  
• The second African American United States Fire Administrator, Kelvin J. Cochran, was appointed in 2009.

It is important for the American Fire Service to recognize the accomplishments of these pioneering individuals. I encourage you to visit the African American Fire Fighting Museum's website for more information on the struggles and accomplishments of African American firefighters, and the links below for multicultural and diversity strategies for the Fire Service.

- Glenn

Posted by: Public Affairs

Yesterday, FEMA Deputy Administrator for Protection and National Preparedness, Tim Manning continued to support U.S. officials working in Christchurch, New Zealand, to help Americans in need of assistance and the ongoing response and recovery efforts. Tim spoke to news outlets about what his experience was like during the earthquake, what the conditions are like on the ground, and how the local community has come together to help each other.

As Tim points out, in the midst of the heartbreaking losses the people of New Zealand have suffered, the sight of neighbors helping neighbors and residents risking their lives to help others gives us hope. The thoughts and prayers of Tim and all of us at FEMA continue to be with the people of Christchurch, New Zealand and all of those affected by this tragic earthquake.

To listen to Tim discuss the ongoing recovery efforts on the ground:

• New York Times' "Back Story: FEMA Official in Christchurch".
  (Left-hand side of the page, audio recording.)
• NBC Nightly News interview Tim on the ground
• PBS Newshour interview with Tim

Posted by: Public Affairs

An alert citizen, combined with a well-trained team of first responders, can save a life.  Just ask Col. Lawrence Barrett Holmes, the Defense Coordinating officer at FEMA's regional office in Atlanta. 

Col. Holmes was dining at a restaurant while on assignment in Kentucky when he suffered a stroke. His waitress, Sandy Beanblossom, noticed a change in behavior and alertly called 9-1-1.  Because of her quick action and the work of the emergency medical technicians who quickly arrived on the scene, Colonel Holmes’ effects from the stroke have been minimal (read the full article from the Louisville Courier-Journal).

On Friday, February 23, the Kentucky Emergency Management Agency and Bullitt County Judge-Executive Melanie Robert honored Sandy and three members of the EMT team for their quick, decisive and ultimately life-saving actions.

Like Sandy, you can make a difference in your community, too - whether it's calling 9-1-1 when you notice an emergency, making sure the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide alarm are working, or helping your employer prepare for an emergency.  We encourage you to look into the training opportunities offered in your community, like CPR, first-aid, or an emergency preparedness course.  And if you're interested in helping your community better prepare for disasters, then contact your local Community Emergency Response Team for specialized training opportunities.

At the request of the New Zealand government, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is deploying a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART), a team that includes the Los Angeles County Fire Department Urban Search and Rescue team (US&R), also known as California Task Force 2 (CA-TF2), to assist with the search and rescue efforts.

You may remember the LA County US&R team from this YouTube video that was taken in the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake in early 2010.

You often hear US&R and FEMA in the same sentence, and the reason is because FEMA has developed disaster response agreements with 28 urban search and rescue teams located in various cities throughout the United States.   The teams are locally managed but FEMA provides funding and program development support for the teams.

Two of these teams are classified under United Nations Guidelines for international response. The two USAID-sponsored international classified teams are USA-TF2 (CA-TF2) and USA-TF1 (Virginia Task Force 1, VA-TF1) from the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department.  These “international teams” have direct agreements with USAID, and it is under this agreement and the direction of USAID that CA-TF2 is being deployed to New Zealand.

Ever wonder what a US&R team base of operations looks like?  Administrator Fugate and USAID Administrator Dr. Rajiv Shah got a tour on a visit to Haiti in the aftermath of the quake that struck there last year.



What is a National Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Task Force?

The 28 National US&R Task Forces, made up of teams of state and local first responders, can be activated for major disasters to assist in rescuing victims of structural collapse incidents or to assist in other search and rescue missions.

All 28 teams are “Type I task forces,” which are made up of around 70 multi-faceted, cross-trained personnel who serve in six major functional areas, including search, rescue, medical, hazardous materials, logistics and planning. In addition, they are supported by canines that are specially trained and qualified to be able to conduct physical search and heavy rescue operations in damaged or collapsed reinforced concrete buildings.

Each task force can be divided into two 35-member teams to provide 24-hour search and rescue operations. Self-sufficient for the initial 72 hours or more, the task forces are equipped with convoy vehicles to support over the road deployments and their equipment caches can be quickly reconfigured to be able to deploy by military or commercial airlift.  The task forces can also be configured into Light Task Forces to support weather events such as hurricanes and tornadoes and other similar incidents.

-Bob

Posted by: Public Affairs

As Administrator Fugate pointed out yesterday on this blog, FEMA Deputy Administrator for Protection and National Preparedness, Tim Manning was in Christchurch, New Zealand when the earthquake struck two days ago. 

Specifically, Deputy Administrator Manning was about to board a plane when the earthquake struck.  Check out Ed O’Keefe’s story from the Washington Post to see Tim's answers to some pointed questions, including:

• What did you do right after the quake?
• What’s the first thing a person should do immediately after an earthquake?
• What should people do to prevent potential quake damage to their home or office?
• How much longer will you be there?

Posted by: Craig Fugate, Administrator


FEMA Deputy Administrator for Protection and National Preparedness, Tim Manning was in Christchurch at the time of the quake, as part of a trip to New Zealand and Australia to discuss a broad range of emergency management issues, as part of ongoing international cooperation efforts. Tim is safe and is in close contact with the U.S. Embassy.

If you are looking for information or have information regarding U.S. citizens in Christchurch, New Zealand, the U.S. Embassy in Christchurch is asking people to email chchquake@state.gov.

In addition, here are some of the social media resources that are available and have popped up in response to the quake:

• New Zealand Red Cross on Twitter and Facebook
• New Zealand Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management on Twitter
• Twitter hashtags: #eqnz, #chch, #nzearthquake, #christchurchquake, #eqnzContact
• Google Crisis Response Page
• Ushahidi Crowdmap
• Crisis Commons Page
• Project Epic Tweak the Tweet (TtT)
• Canterburyearthquake.org (managed by Environment Canterbury – which includes this interactive map)

Posted by: Public Affairs

Potential severe weather
Winter weather will continue to impact the western U.S. for much of the weekend, bringing colder temperatures and snow in areas of high elevation.  For those on the east coast, the unusually warmer temperatures of the past few days will rush out over the weekend, bringing the potential for high winds. 

And as the National Weather Service Hazards Assessment map shows, residents in the Midwest and Great Lakes should be prepared for heavy snow and potential flooding.  Through our regional offices in Chicago and Kansas City (MO), we're closely monitoring potential flooding in the region.  Forecasters continue to predict a busy flood season as snow melts and spring rains come, so make sure you’re prepared.

(See the updated flooding forecast for the North Central U.S. from NOAA)

Kids fire safety
On Monday, we launched a campaign to raise awareness about the threat of home fires and how families can keep their homes and loved ones safe.  With the weekend upon us, we encourage you to practice your family’s fire escape plan when they’re all home this weekend.  Visit Ready.gov/kidsfiresafety for tips on keeping your family safe from a home fire.

And if you’re a Twitter user, use the #kidsfiresafety hashtag and share how you're getting prepared.

Oregon disaster declaration
Yesterday, President Obama made federal disaster aid available to the State of Oregon related to the severe winter storms of January 13-21, 2011.  Read details on the Oregon disaster declaration, and learn more about the disaster declaration process on our website.

Yesterday afternoon, Administrator Fugate spoke at an event hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and Louisiana State University’s Stephenson Disaster management Institute regarding FEMA's role in disaster response.

He briefly spoke about FEMA's mission supporting Governor's and their emergency management teams, and how we need to look beyond a "government centric" approach to problem solving when it comes to disaster response and recovery (after, moderator Rick "Ozzie" Nelson called Craig’s remarks probably the shortest and most substantive in CSIS history).

Since Craig's remarks were brief, he spent most of the time fielding questions from the audience. Curious about Craig’s responses to:

• What are your priorities at FEMA?
• What are the lessons learned from the Haiti earthquake?
• How does FEMA work with DHS?
• How does FEMA work with state and locals?
• How do you transfer more emergency management power and responsibility back to state and locals in these tough economic times?
• And a few more…

You can see the video of his answers and read more about entire event at CSIS's website.

- Brad

As Administrator Fugate often says, "FEMA is not the team, we're part of the team". We've been working to put that philosophy into practice, engaging all members of the emergency management team - state, local and tribal governments, volunteer and faith-based groups, the public, and the private sector.

A recent story from the Washington Post highlights one area of outreach we've had with the private sector: bringing in executives to work at FEMA, building collaboration points between the federal government and businesses. Here's a quote from the story that captures the initiative in a nutshell:

"Under the program, a key initiative of FEMA administrator Craig Fugate, corporate executives in industries ranging from retail to energy spend three months at the agency's response coordination center and serve as a liaison to the business world, particularly during a disaster. The executives also get a seat at the table for key meetings to provide a private-sector perspective.

"'You can't be successful if you only look at what government can do,' said Fugate, calling such an approach "myopic." 'This is kind of like everybody figuring out what you're really good at.'"

Read the full story on the Washington Post website, and give us your thoughts on ways we can continue to engage the private sector to support our citizens and first responders as we prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters.

- Dan

Social media is a hot topic in emergency management these days. Using social media can provide response agencies a way to disseminate vital information directly to the public, and it can also serve as a way for survivors to communicate with family/friends after a disaster.

So how might you use social media during an emergency? Check out this graphic from Mashable.com and let us know.

Other links

- Read the full story on Mashable.com
- Find FEMA's social media channels

Posted by: Brad Carroll, Press Secretary

Getting prepared for an emergency requires working with all members of the emergency management team, across many disciplines and at all levels of government. Preparing for a potential earthquake in the New Madrid seismic zone is no different.

The New Madrid seismic zone runs through the heart of the United States, and this year marks the 200th anniversary of a catastrophic quake that struck the region. With 2011 being the bicentennial of the last major New Madrid earthquake, the emergency management team around the New Madrid seismic zone is making sure it is taking steps to be prepared for earthquakes.

Last week, the Central U. S. Earthquake Consortium hosted the “Earthquakes: Mean Business” symposium in St. Louis, MO.  Participants at the event included federal, state and local governments, representatives from the private sector, voluntary and faith-based organizations, and concerned citizens.

Check out this video from Administrator Fugate on the symposium, and get prepared for earthquakes today.  And don’t forget this April 28th, the Great Central U.S. Shake Out, is a great opportunity for the public to exercise what they would do in the event of an earthquake - if you haven’t, sign up today.



- Brad

Posted by: Public Affairs

As part of our campaign to raise awareness for kids fire safety, we wanted to highlight some photos to inspire you to have a conversation with kids you know about fire safety.

We're working with a host of our partners across the public health, children’s advocacy and emergency management fields, including the National Commission on Children and Disasters.  While the photos below aren’t directly from partners of this campaign, we’re hoping they give you some ideas on preparing your family for home fires. 

Visit www.ready.gov/kidsfiresafety to learn more, and follow the conversation on Twitter by searching #kidsfiresafety.

Posted by: Rachel Racusen, Director, Public Affairs

Yesterday, we were excited to kick off our public awareness campaign on fire safety tips for families and kids, and we’re happy that word is already getting out about both the campaign and some of the ways parents are educating their children about the risk of home fires. As Glenn Gaines, Acting Administrator of U.S. Fire Administration, mentioned yesterday, we’re working with a host of partners to raise awareness of how families can keep their homes and loved ones safe from home fires.

This story from WCTV (Tallahassee, FL) highlights some of the steps Tallahassee residents are taking to make their homes and families better prepared.

As part of our campaign, we’re encouraging parents, educators, and kids to take steps to reduce the impact of a potential home fire by: 

• Talking about their family’s fire escape plan
• Knowing the basics of safe cooking
• Teaching their children what to do if they smell smoke
• Installing smoke/carbon monoxide alarms outside all sleeping areas

Posted by: Rachel Jacky, CERT Program Director, Individual and Community Preparedness Division

This blog often highlights the “emergency management team”, the collective group of first responders, local/state/federal government agencies, volunteer and faith-based groups, and citizens that play a role in making the nation more resilient to the impacts of emergencies. I wanted to call attention to a group of particularly committed citizens on this team, members of Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT).

Local CERT programs are a great resource for community members to get trained in basic disaster response skills and preparedness. They play vital role in preparing communities before a disaster strikes, which sets them up to be very effective in case an emergency happens.

Check out this video of a CERT in Bridgewater, Massachusetts – they helped residents stay safe by setting up a shelter during a blizzard last month:



To become a CERT member, training is offered from a sponsoring agency like the local fire department, or law enforcement or emergency management agency in the area where you live or work. CERT members learn about the potential threats to their home, workplace and community, and how to take action to safely assist family members, neighbors, coworkers and others who may need help before professionals responders can arrive.

Once you become a CERT member, there are a number of ways to build resiliency in your community:

• Local CERT teams across the nation also conduct training courses including response skills such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations.
• CERT members can also participate in drills and exercises, as well as projects to help keep their communities safer and more disaster resilient

Contact your local emergency manager and ask about the opportunities available to you. Even if you don’t become a member of your local CERT Program, you can still take CERT training that will help you be better prepared for emergencies.

Are you a CERT member, or do you have a CERT success story? Leave a comment and share!

- Rachel

Posted by: Glenn Gaines, Acting Administrator for the U.S. Fire Administration

Every winter, we see the number of fires in homes or apartment buildings rise, especially as families turn to alternative sources of heating during the winter months. This year is no exception – and a new report released today by the U.S. Fire Administration finds that the threat of serious injury or death from residential fires is especially high for young children under the age of five.

In fact, as USA Today reports this morning, according to this new study, 52 percent of all child fire deaths in 2007 involved children under the age of four, a slight increase from the most recent study previously conducted in 2004.

This is a figure that should be going down – not up. This latest report reveals a deeply troubling trend, and should serve as a wake up call for all of us. These deaths are preventable, and working together we can educate each other and save lives. You can read the full report here.

That’s why today, FEMA, USFA, the National Commission on Children and Disasters, and a host of our other partners across the public health, children’s advocacy and emergency management fields, are teaming up to raise awareness about these threats and how families can keep their homes and loved ones safe.

Our goal is to make sure that all members of the public have access to important information about simple steps we all can take to protect against the two leading causes of home fires during winter months: heating and cooking.

So – how can you get involved?

Join us – and our various partners in this – in helping us spread the word.

Visit our Kids Fire Safety page on www.ready.gov/kidsfiresafety.

Check out our new widget -- and post it on your website: http://www.ready.gov/kidsfiresafety/join.html.

And join our online conversation. We want to engage anyone with good or innovative tips about how you, your local fire station, or your community is helping protect families from home fires. Join us our discussion on Twitter by using #kidsfiresafety. As always, you can follow FEMA @FEMA or Administrator Fugate @craigatfema.

Or leave us a comment below. And as you stay warm in our remaining winter months, remember to stay safe!

Posted by: Public Affairs

Severe weather departs

The winter storm that impacted the eastern two-thirds of the country moved out Thursday, bringing precipitation to an end and beginning a warming trend for this weekend.

As temperatures across the nation are expected to rise above freezing, there’s no better time than now to begin steps to protect your property from snowmelt flooding. Be prepared.


The National Advisory Council needs you!

This week we announced available opportunities to serve on the National Advisory Council.  Congress established the NAC in the Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006, to ensure effective and ongoing coordination of Federal preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation for both natural and man-made disasters. The NAC consists of 35 members appointed by the FEMA Administrator.  Applications and nominations will be accepted through Friday, March 4, 2011.

Since its creation in 2007, the NAC’s accomplishments include:

• Supplying key input on the development, implementation, and revision of the National Response Framework, the National Incident Management System, and the National Disaster Housing Strategy; 
• Providing valuable feedback on the revised National Exercise Program, including recommendations on how to successfully implement the revised program;
• Maintaining open lines of communication to help engage the private sector in emergency management;
• Recommending the creation of a Regional Disability Coordinator position within each of the 10 FEMA regions; and
• Reviewing and providing input on regulatory and policy Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act issues that might help ease administrative burdens on jurisdictions.

For more information on the application process, click here.

Posted by: Bob Fenton, Assistant Administrator, Response

I wanted to call attention to one of Administrator Fugate's recent posts on Twitter:


For those who might not know, the U.S. National Grid (USNG) is a standard that provides a nationally consistent language of location.  It breaks the United States into a series of grids, which can be used to reference an exact location on a map.

For many years, the USNG has been taught and used by the military, known as the Military Grid Reference System (MGRS), and used as the preferred way to reference location and navigate from point A to point B.  MGRS is taught and used on every operational level, from teaching entry level privates in basic training to helping senior staffs make strategic decisions.

The geo-locating system currently used by many emergency managers and first responders consists of latitude and longitude coordinates provided by global positioning systems (GPS) or given through a very tedious and time consuming manual method. 

While GPS devices are becoming more inexpensive and ubiquitous, the question remains, “What if GPS satellites or devices are rendered useless during an emergency?”

At FEMA, we're encouraging the adoption of the USNG for several reasons:

• It's simple to implement and easy to use.
• It provides interoperability, or a "common language", by making available a grid reference system that is seamless across jurisdictional boundaries. 
• It provides scalability. Whether you have access to sophisticated geospatial software or are simply using a paper map, USNG can be used to pinpoint locations and make better operational decisions.
• GPS devices complement USNG.  Most GPS receivers can translate GPS coordinates into the USNG grid.

As an example of USNG's use, FEMA's Urban Search and Rescue Response teams use it for positioning during search and rescue operations.  It is just one component of a geo-referencing matrix that is used for planning, coordination and information sharing purposes.  In fact, FEMA and other emergency support  agencies involved in supporting search and rescue (SAR) operations during a disaster, collaborated on the development of the United States National Search and Rescue Committee Catastrophic Incident Search and Rescue (CISAR) Addendum (PDF).  This Addendum establishes guidelines and standards for how position information will be communicated.

This is a critical issue for effective SAR coordination and responder safety.  During response operations, many search and rescue teams from various local, state, and federal agencies must coordinate their efforts.  By employing a standard system and adhering to the CISAR Addendum, which includes use of the USNG, teams are more equipped and prepared to communicate essential information in extreme circumstances.

As Administrator Fugate pointed out on Twitter, check out these two links to learn more.

1. Federal Geographic Data Committee on USNG resources
2. Fact sheet on USNG (PDF)

What are your thoughts on using the USNG standard versus GPS or latitude/longitude?  Feel free to leave your questions and feedback - we will try to address comments in future blog posts.

Posted by: Paulette Aniskoff, Director, Individual and Community Preparedness Division

Teaching America's youth the value of preparing before an emergency is a priority at FEMA.  A recent story in Emergency Management Magazine highlighted an exciting partnership between the Department of Homeland Security (FEMA is a component agency of DHS) and the Girl Scouts of the USA. 

The Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital worked with FEMA's Citizen Corps program to develop the Emergency Preparedness Patch Program, enabling Girl Scouts to earn the patch as they learn the value of emergency preparedness in their local community.  And since the program can be customized to discuss your local community’s potential hazards, it is our hope that the patch program will be adopted across the more than 100 Girl Scout Councils across the country.

I encourage you check out the story and leave a comment on the blog, sharing your thoughts on how partnerships like this can help individuals and communities build resiliency across America.

- Paulette

Posted by: Rachel Racusen, Director, Public Affairs

Sound familiar? Severe winter weather is affecting much of the U.S., bringing heavy snow, cold temperatures, and gusty winds to the Central and Southern Plains.  The storm system is expected to move into the Mid-South and Tennessee Valley by Wednesday night.



We’re closely monitoring the storm through our regional offices in Kansas City, MO, Denton, TX, and Atlanta, and working closely with our state partners, as well as the National Weather Service.

Since the emergency declarations in Oklahoma and Missouri last week, our Incident Management Assistance Teams are embedded at the state emergency operations centers in those states, assisting in coordination of winter storm response operations.

As this round of dangerous winter weather rolls through, stay safe by:

• Following the direction of state and local officials – Listen to NOAA Weather Radio and your local news to monitor for updates and directions provided by local officials.  If you have access to the internet, check your state emergency management website for updates (e.g. the Oklahoma Emergency Management Agency is posting regular situation updates to their website and Twitter account).
  
• Preparing for potential power outages – Gusting winds and accumulating ice can often bring power outages, so make sure your emergency kit has a working flashlight with batteries, in addition to other items to keep you safe.
  
• Keep travel to a minimum - Traveling by car can be very dangerous if roads are covered in ice or snow, so make sure you have information on road conditions before you leave your home.  If you must travel by car, make sure you have an emergency supply kit in the trunk.

Even if your community won’t be affected by this round of winter storms, it’s still important to take the opportunity to get prepared today.  Everyone can play a vital role in helping our communities prepare for severe winter weather.

- Rachel

Posted by: Tim Manning, Deputy Administrator, Protection and National Preparedness

The coming of spring brings many simple pleasures: warming temperatures, the return of wildlife, longer days, and more opportunity to get outdoors. Unfortunately, spring often brings an increased risk of flooding in areas around the country. The rainy months of March and April, combined with melting snow packs, can cause water levels to rise in rivers and streams in many areas.

The cities of Moorhead, Minnesota and Fargo, North Dakota have historically been hit hard by flooding of the Red River, especially with the activity of the last two years. With the National Weather Service calling for another busy flood season along the Red River, we’ve been getting the word out, along with our local and state partners, to make sure residents are taking steps to be prepared for spring flooding.



See the recent stories in KSTP (Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN) and the Associated Press, highlighting the National Weather Service forecasts and preparedness messages from local officials.

While flooding along the Red River has been in the headlines recently, flooding can happen in every U.S. state and territory. In particular, the risk of flooding is higher if you are in a low-lying area, near water or downstream from a dam or where the surrounding geography has been changed by development.

As warmer weather approaches, there are simple steps you can take to prepare for seasonal winter flooding:

• Make a plan – Your family may not be together when a flood hits, so it's important to know how you will contact one another, how you will meet up in a safe place and what you will do in case of an emergency. Not sure where to start? Ready.gov has a great checklist for making your family emergency plan.
• Get a kit – An emergency kit can be your life line after an emergency. It should sustain yourself and your family for up to three days. For flood prone areas, keeping your important documents in a sealed, airtight container will keep them safe from water damage. See other tips on getting your emergency kit in tip-top shape.
• Know your risk – One of the most important steps of being prepared is to find out if your home is at risk for flooding. After you know you risk, check out this tool to estimate the financial impact a flood could have your home.
• Protect your property – A final step to make sure you’re prepared for flooding is to purchase flood insurance. Unfortunately, most homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. Talk to your insurance provider about your policy and consider flood insurance coverage.

** Flood policies typically take 30 days to become effective, so make sure to purchase flood insurance as a way to prepare before potential flooding. **

What steps have you or your community taken to reduce the impact of flooding? Leave a comment below and share your success stories.


- Tim

Posted by: Sandra Knight, Deputy Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administrator, Mitigation

At FEMA, our top priority is the safety of the citizens and communities we serve. A central part of our commitment to protect lives and property is to ensure that people are aware of the natural hazards and risks that exist in their communities so they can take appropriate actions to safeguard their property and their lives. We are constantly encouraging communities to take steps now to protect against those natural risks, including flooding – which is both the most common and the most expensive type of natural disaster in the U.S.

One of the goals of this blog - and another key priority for us at FEMA - is to make sure that the public and all of our stakeholders have an accurate understanding about how we operate.  Over the years, there has been  a number of confusing and at times misleading news reports about FEMA flood-mapping efforts and flood insurance in general.  We wanted to set the record straight and make sure that all homeowners in communities across the country have consistent and accurate information about this important topic. Below are some common questions and answers about flood insurance.

Q: Does FEMA run a “mandatory flood insurance program?”
A: No. In 1968, Congress created the National Flood Insurance Program to provide property owners with financial protection against the devastating effects of flooding, since many standard homeowners’ insurance policies did not cover flood damage.  The program is authorized by Congress and administered by FEMA, who works with nearly 90 private insurance companies to provide affordable flood insurance to both property owners and renters.

A separate law passed by Congress in 1973 directed mortgage lenders to require that people who are in special flood hazard areas and have a federally backed mortgage to purchase flood insurance. (These “Special Flood Hazard Areas” are also known as a “100-year flood zones”, an area that has been determined to have a 1 percent annual chance of flooding.  Over the course of a 30-year mortgage, homeowners at the edge of this area have a 26 percent chance of experiencing flood damage.)

Some lenders may also implement their own insurance requirements on those not in a special hazard flood area as a condition of the loan. While it’s easy to assume – and commonly reported – that FEMA requires people to purchase flood insurance, it is actually a congressional mandate, required by mortgage lenders, not by FEMA.

Q: Why does FEMA conduct flood-mapping?  
A: Under the guidance and direction of Congress, FEMA updates flood maps for communities around the country.  This is done to show the most accurate and up-to-date information available regarding flood risks in a community.  Throughout this process, FEMA works closely with local communities to ensure that any verifiable data that will strengthen the maps are included and incorporated.  The entire process takes 2-3 years and includes a lengthy public and technical review. 

Q: Does FEMA take into account outside data? 
A: It’s important to note that is FEMA is currently in the process of updating flood maps in communities around the country. Updating these maps is a collaborative process, during which we work closely with the local community, incorporating any verifiable data they provide into our models so that the maps better reflect the risk the community faces.  If new information is made available even after flood maps have gone into effect, FEMA will review the new data and revise the map as appropriate.

Q: Why would homes at one of the highest elevations in a county be considered high risk for flooding? 
A: In reality, the flood risk of a community is determined by a number of factors, including rainfall, elevation, topography, flood control measures and any changes in building or development. A home’s elevation is simply one part of the equation.

Q: What options do people have if they think a flood-map miscalculates their risk?
A: A property owner has the option to submit new or additional data if they want the maps to be updated. If their information proves accurate, the maps will be updated and they will be removed from the high hazard flood zone.

If you think that there is inaccuracies on your local flood map, you can contact 1-877-FEMA-MAP (1-877-336-2627).         

Q: Why should someone purchase flood insurance?
A: We know that for homeowners – especially in this economy – any additional expenses can be difficult, and may seem unnecessary if they have been lucky enough not to experience a flood. But, like insurance we purchase for our cars, or our health – flood insurance is meant to protect us from the much greater costs we could incur if a flood did hit.  We hope homeowners that do purchase flood insurance never have to use it, but it is a critical means of protecting your property and loved ones against a hazard that hits far too many communities around the country each year. The consequences can be personally and financially devastating.

As we have seen time and time again, the most important way to protect ourselves against any type of disaster is to know what risks exist in our communities and to be prepared. We hope this post helps clear up an issue that can often be confusing – and empowers you with clearer information about flood risks.

For more information about flood risks in your community, contact your city or local floodplain manager.  And for more information about the National Flood Insurance Program or the dangers of flooding, please visit www.floodsmart.gov.

- Sandra

Posted by: Sandra Knight, Deputy Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administrator, Mitigation

Back in December, Tim Manning spoke about our efforts to prepare for a catastrophic earthquake along the New Madrid seismic zone on the anniversary of the historic earthquake that struck the Midwestern U.S. in 1811.

Since 2011 is the bicentennial anniversary, states across the central U.S. are recognizing February as Earthquake Awareness Month.  FEMA has teamed up with the Central U.S. Earthquake Consortium, the Institute for Business and Home Safety, and state and local partners to educate businesses and residents on ways to reduce the risk of earthquake damage through mitigation activities.

One way we're getting the word out is through an earthquake outreach tour in five states: Arkansas, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri and Tennessee.  During the week of February 7-11, leaders of this team effort, including FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, will be delivering the message of earthquake mitigation and preparedness.

But, you don't need to live along the New Madrid seismic zone to be vulnerable to the risks associated with earthquakes.  All Americans can reduce earthquake damage through low-cost mitigation activities and increase their personal preparedness by taking these three simple steps, now, before an earthquake hits:

Identify your Risk
Not all communities in a state or territory share the same risk from an earthquake, so reference the maps produced by the United States Geological Survey to see the risk to your specific community. 

To identify personal risk at home, try the Home Hazard Hunt.

Make a Plan
Both individuals and businesses can reduce the effects of earthquakes by making a plan.  Businesses can integrate earthquake mitigation and preparedness into their Business Continuity Plans, and for individuals, making a family emergency plan is a vital step to being prepared for any emergency.

Your family may not be together when an earthquake strikes, so it's important to know how you will contact one another, how you will meet up in a safe place and what you will do in case of an emergency.   It's also worthwhile to notify caregivers and babysitters about your plan, and make plans for your pets as well.

Take Action
There are a lot of simple and inexpensive ways to reduce the effects of earthquakes. From securing heavy pictures and mirrors at home, to strapping down merchandise and anchoring shelves at work, taking action now can go a long way to preventing damage and injuries later.

An emergency supply kit can literally be a life saver after an emergency.  Include items like non-perishable food, water, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, extra flashlights and batteries – enough that you will be able to sustain yourself for 72 hours.  Your kit should also include copies of prescription medications and important documents such as a driver's license and your Social Security card.

The public plays in important role in helping our nation prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters, so do your part this month and make sure you are prepared if an earthquake were to rattle your community.

- Sandra

Other links
- Businesses can visit QuakeSmart.org to learn how to reduce your risks in three steps.

Posted by: Dr. Christopher T. Jones, Superintendent, Center for Domestic Preparedness

Here at the Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) we focus on delivering all-hazard preparedness training for local, tribal and state first responders. This training is timely, skill-based, and a critical investment in more resilient communities. Time and time again, we have seen cases of CDP alumni putting what they have learned with us to work – saving lives, protecting property and making our country safer for all Americans.

A great example is what happened last spring in the attempted Times Square car bombing in New York City, NY. On May 1, 2010 a local vendor noticed smoke seeping from the rear of a parked vehicle and alerted a nearby officer, Wayne Rhatigan. Officer Rhatigan, who attended CDP training at New York City’s Training Center, quickly enlisted the help of two other officers patrolling the area to create a perimeter, to prevent casualties in case the car exploded. They also alerted the bomb squad, who was on scene within minutes to help diffuse the situation.

The vehicle was carrying a large amount of accelerants and explosives that could have killed hundreds, not only from the blast, but from the collateral damage of buildings. The quick thinking by Officer Rhatigan, who acknowledged his CDP training resulted in his decisive response to evacuate, rather than investigate the smoking car a little closer, helped thwart the attempted attack.

NYPD academy instructors and CDP Instructor Rich Teemsma (a former NYPD Bomb Squad Detective) taught Rhatigan’s classes, which trained officers in the RAIN (Recognize, Avoid, Isolate, Notify) concept related to protection from improvised explosive devices. Rich commonly tells his students if they find a suspicious package they should “RAIN on it.”

So when I think about how our training can benefit all communities, I look at the actions of Officer Rhatigan as a great example.  His CDP training helped protect citizens in Times Square that day. CDP alumni leave our training better equipped to protect their hometowns from very real hazards, and we are honored to play a part in that investment.

- Dr. Jones

Note
The man responsible for the attempted attack, Faisal Shahzad, was sentenced to life in prison October 5, 2010.

Posted by: Public Affairs

Severe weather continues
The worst of this week’s massive winter storm has passed, but much of the southeast is forecasted to receive a combination of snow and ice through the weekend.  As always,  we’re continuing to monitor this weather through our regional offices in Denton, Texas, and Atlanta, and are in close touch with state and local officials – especially in Dallas, where they continue to gear up for the Superbowl.   If you’re in the projected path of the storm, make sure you’re prepared for winter weather or potential power outages.  

As the storm moved through much of the Midwest earlier this week, thousands lost power or received significant snow and ice, so make sure you follow the direction of local officials and are up to date with your local forecast from the National Weather Service.

Snow removal tips
If you’ve been affected by this week’s winter storm, chances are you’ll be digging out of snow and ice for the next few days.  As you put on your boots and ready your snow shovels, make sure you avoid overexertion when removing snow.  Overexertion can bring on a heart attack - a major cause of death in the winter. If you must shovel snow, stretch before going outside.

And as you clear your driveway and walkways, remember clear snow from around a nearby fire hydrant.  That way, fire fighters won’t waste valuable time searching for a hydrant in case of a fire.

Social media updates from your state
Updates on the winter storm have been the focus of the blog for the past few days.  While we’ve been providing daily posts here, we’ve also been posting updates on our Facebook and Twitter accounts.  In case you haven’t found your state emergency management on Facebook and Twitter, check out our favorite Facebook pages (on the left-hand side of the page) and our Twitter list of state emergency management agencies.  After a disaster strikes, they may provide valuable local information.

Fire and ice
Unfortunately, the winter months traditionally bring an increase in home fires.  Using space heaters, wood stoves, candles, and fireplaces can be fire hazards if they’re not used correctly.  For tips on preventing winter fires, visit the U.S. Fire Administration website.

Posted by: Public Affairs

Key Efforts

• When natural disasters, such as winter storms, strike the first responders are local emergency and public works personnel, volunteers, humanitarian organizations, and numerous private interest groups who provide emergency assistance required to protect the public's health and safety and to meet immediate human needs.
• Yesterday, the President announced a federal emergency declaration for all 77 counties in Oklahoma to supplement state and local response efforts in the area struck by a severe winter storm beginning on January 31, 2011 and continuing. This declaration frees up federal dollars to reimburse the state for some costs associated with efforts over the last few days and designates Kevin L. Hannes as the federal coordinating officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.
• At the request of the respective states, FEMA representatives have been working with their state partners at various state Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs). At the height of the storm, personnel were deployed to EOCs in Arkansas, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Wisconsin, but most have been demobilized at the request of the states.
• FEMA, through our regional offices in Kansas City, MO: Denton, TX: Chicago, IL; Atlanta, GA; Philadelphia, PA; New York, NY; and Boston, MA, continues to support federal and state coordination as the Midwest and the northeastern states begin recovery from this week’s severe weather.
• FEMA has emergency commodities pre-staged across the United States should they be needed to support state and local emergency response operations. FEMA distribution centers have a current inventory of more than 5 million liters of water, 3 million meals, 500,000 blankets, 110,000 cots and more than 500 power generators.
• Of the commodities pre-staged across the nation, at the height of the storm, FEMA had also proactively staged supplies to strategic locations in Ohio, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kentucky, in case they became needed.

Overall timeline of FEMA and Federal actions
Saturday, January 29

• FEMA begins coordinating with its regional offices in Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; Denton, TX, Kansas City, MO, Boston, Philadelphia, and New York City, and state emergency operations centers in Indiana, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Arkansas to plan staging of commodities and resources. Sunday, January 30 · FEMA deploys liaison officers to state emergency operations centers in Indiana, Kansas and Missouri. · FEMA begins to coordinate Incident Support Base locations at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, and the Regional Food Bank in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and the Army Ammunition Plant in McAlester, Oklahoma.  
• FEMA continues constant contact with the Department of Homeland Security to provide regular updates on the storm’s developments. FEMA has also been in regular touch with Governors and local officials in the Midwest, the Southeast and up the East Coast. Monday January 31
• FEMA deploys Incident Management Assessment Team (IMAT) team members to Oklahoma and Arkansas to assist the state with coordination of planning and response operations. FEMA deploys a liaison officer to the state emergency operations center in Oklahoma.
• FEMA places on alert Incident Management Assessment Teams in its regional offices in New York City, Kansas City, Atlanta, Philadelphia and Denton to stand-by for deployment, if needed. · FEMA activates the National Response Coordination Center (NRCC), a multi-agency center based at FEMA headquarters in Washington, D.C., that provides overall coordination of the federal response by bringing together federal departments and agencies to assist in the preparations for and response to disasters.
• FEMA deploys liaison officers to emergency operations centers in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and regional support personnel to New York.
• FEMA moves roughly 57,000 liters of water, 56,000 meals, 2,400 blankets, 1,200 cots and a 54-pack of power generators to Incident Support Base (ISB) locations in Tulsa, Oklahoma City and McAlester, Oklahoma. In addition, FEMA has moved roughly 30,000 liters of water, more than 20,000 meals, 1,500 blankets, 700 cots to an Incident Support Base in Kansas City, MO. FEMA holds a video teleconference with federal partners and regional representatives to assess needs and readiness.

Tuesday February 1

• FEMA deploys liaison officers to state emergency operations centers in Arkansas, Connecticut, Illinois, Kentucky, New York, Oklahoma and Rhode Island.
• FEMA deploys members of Incident Management Assessment Teams (IMATs) to Pennsylvania and Indiana and places an IMAT on standby to be deployed to Kentucky, as needed, to assist states with coordination of planning and response operations.
• FEMA places the National Incident Management Assessment Team-East (IMAT-East) and two Pacific Coast-based IMATs on alert to potentially provide additional planning and response coordination and operations support to Midwestern and East Coast states.
• FEMA deploys 20 power generators, provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, to arrive at the Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio.
• In addition, FEMA deploys approximately 31,000 liters of water to arrive at Kansas City, Missouri. FEMA deploys a pack of 54 generators for staging at an Incident Support Base in Eureka, MO.
• FEMA deploys approximately 72,000 liters of water, roughly 20,000 meals, 10,000 blankets, and 10,000 cots to arrive at an Incident Support Base at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. FEMA is also positioning 23 power generators at the base.
• FEMA holds a video teleconference with federal partners and regional representatives to assess needs and readiness.
• FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate and DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano brief President Obama by phone on preparations for the winter storm.
• Secretary Napolitano and Administrator Fugate brief members of Congress from the affected states on the preparations for the storm.
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) maintains readiness of its 13 on-call Disaster Medicals Assistance Teams (DMATs) which are part of the National Disaster Medical System, a federally coordinated system that augments the Nation's emergency medical response capability. HHS also maintains its on-call Rapid Deployment Force (RDF) and Applied Public Health Teams (APHT) comprised of trained USPHS Commissioned Corps Officer Responders who can provide resources and assistance to State, Tribal and local health authorities throughout the nation.
• HHS Critical Infrastructure contacts private partners regarding potential need to re-supply hospitals and any potential shortages caused by power or transportation disruptions.
• More than 1,170 National Guard members in six states (AR, MO, IL, IA, OK, and TX) mobilize at the direction of their governors and prepare to assist their states in winter storm recovery efforts. More than 600 Missouri National Guard members clear roads, remove debris, and provide transportation and power generation. National Guardsmen and women in several others states also are expected to be mobilized due to anticipated severe winter weather.
• At the request of FEMA, the U.S. Department of Defense, through U.S. Northern Command, provides several facilities to use as Incident Support Bases, which are supply and equipment staging locations. These facilities include the McAlester Ammunition Depot in OK; the Wright Patterson Air Force Base in OH; and Fort Campbell in KY.

Wednesday February 2

• FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate and DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano brief President Obama by phone on preparations for the winter storm.
• FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate holds a video teleconference call to discuss the latest developments with the National Weather Service, partner agencies and regional representatives and to assess their needs and readiness.
• Administrator Fugate and the Deputy Director of the National Weather Service hold a press conference call to discuss the latest developments with the storm and the ongoing federal efforts to support state and local officials as they prepare for and respond to the storm.
• Deputy Administrator Serino and the Deputy Director of the National Weather Service hold a conference call with congressional staff from the affected regions on the latest developments with the storm and discuss the ongoing federal efforts to support state and local officials as they prepare for and respond to the storm.
• FEMA moves an additional 31,000 liters of water to Kansas City, Missouri.
• Oklahoma Governor Fallin requests a federal declaration for the State of Oklahoma as a result of a severe winter storm beginning on January 31, 2011, and continuing. The Governor is specifically requesting emergency protective measures (Category B), including direct federal assistance, for all 77 counties in the State.
• The President announces a federal emergency declaration for 77 counties in Oklahoma to supplement state and local response efforts in the area struck by a severe winter storm beginning on January 31, 2011 and continuing. This declaration frees up federal dollars to reimburse the state for some costs associated with efforts over the last few days and designates Kevin L. Hannes as the federal coordinating officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.
• Missouri Governor Nixon requests a federal declaration for the State of Missouri as a result of a severe winter storm beginning on January 31, 2011, and continuing. The Governor specifically requested (Category A) debris removal and (Category B) emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program for all 114 counties and the Independent City of St. Louis in the State of Missouri. The request is currently under review.
• The American Red Cross supports sheltering operations in as many as nine states.
• HHS Critical Infrastructure deploys 5 personnel and teams remain on call for deployment.

Thursday February 3

• FEMA begins to demobilize winter storm response personnel and commodities, upon the request of the respective states, as states stand up their recovery operations.

Posted by: Public Affairs


McAlester, OK, February 1, 2011 -- FEMA generators are staged at the Army Ammunition Plant for rapid deployment to support emergency facilities and public buildings.

One of the ways that we were preparing before this past week's severe winter weather struck was by prepositioning commodities including generators, ahead of time in areas that were forecasted to be heavily impacted. 

We wanted to be ready in case a Governor's team needed our support, and one of the major concerns was power outages.

When most people see the term "generator", they think of small, personal generators that power homes.  At FEMA, when we say "generator", we are talking about industrial generators that power critical public facilities, such as hospitals, nursing homes, shelters, and water treatment facilities (to name a few).


Fort Cambell, KY, February 2, 2011 -- FEMA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers personnel inventory and inspect generators at the Incident Support Base for pre-deployment of resources that may be needed due to the massive winter storm that struck the heart of the U.S.

As our mission says, we're committed to supporting our state and local communities as they prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters - and what better way to support them by helping keep their critical facilities up and running?

Here are some facts on our deployment and use of emergency power generators:

• FEMA deploys and stages emergency power generators in configurations of fifty-four units, of varying sizes and capacities, ranging from 15 kW to 800 kW. (A shipment is commonly referred to as “54-pack”).  Of the 54 units in a pack, thirty-six generators are of 150kW or less; and eighteen are considered high-voltage, 150 kW or greater. (A 30-watt light bulb would use 1 kilowatt after running for 33 hours and 20 minutes.)
  
• A lower-power generator, might power a well water pump, lift station, communications tower, waste water treatment plant or temporary hospital, while a higher-power unit, might support powering a school, shelter, assisted living facility or hospital.
  
• The generators are compatible to support critical response and life saving facilities, such as hospitals, nursing homes, congregate shelters, waste water and water treatment facilities, water wells, pumping stations, emergency operations centers or fire and police stations. 
  
• To ensure proper generator installation and usage, FEMA works with with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to perform facility assessments and coordinate installation and maintenance of the units.

Posted by: Andrew Velasquez III, Regional Administrator, FEMA Region V



Last week, before the snow started to fall, I had the opportunity to tour Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) with FEMA Deputy Administrator Richard Serino, Assistant Administrator William Carwile, FEMA Region IV Administrator Major Phillip May, and Region IX Administrator Nancy Ward.

Our tour gave us a first-hand look at Homeland Security grant dollars in action. To date, the city has received over $281 million in grants, investing in state of the art technologies to better prepare the city and those that live here. Chicago has been working with federal, state, and local partners to leverage the grant awards for maximum impact in the community.

During the visit, we had a chance to see the city’s integrated camera network, one of the largest of its kind in the nation. The city has not only installed thousands of cameras, but they have also integrated existing surveillance cameras from several city departments, as well as those from the private sector. This collaboration between the public and private sectors provides first responders, as well as state and federal emergency management officials, with critical situational awareness during emergency situations.

The city also showed us their investments in geospatial information systems (GIS) technologies. They’ve incorporated critical infrastructure information and other data layers into their GIS systems, which provides the city and its partners with a platform for more efficient and effective emergency planning.

Overall, our group of FEMA officials were impressed with the OEMC’s emphasis on bringing together multiple public safety disciplines and partner agencies to achieve the common goal of better protecting the city. Chicago is a great example of leveraging grant dollars and partnerships to strengthen its emergency response capabilities.

Chicago's OEMC is one example of federal grant dollars making a difference at the local level. Leave a comment and let us know your ideas on using federal grants to make an impact on our nation’s ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters.

- Andrew

Posted by: Rachel Racusen, Director, Public Affairs

Winter weather continues to impact areas across the country, and is forecasted to bring bitterly cold temperatures into parts of Texas and the Deep South today.  Impacted areas have seen a combination of snow, ice, gusting winds, and rain, making travel very hazardous. 

Yesterday, the President declared an emergency in Oklahoma, making federal disaster aid available to State and local responders in Oklahoma to supplement the response efforts.  We’re continuing to closely monitor the severe winter weather through our regional offices in Kansas City, MO, Denton, TX, Chicago, Atlanta, Philadelphia, New York, and Boston and stand ready to provide assistance if requested. 

While the major wrath of the storm has passed, there are many roads and transportation routes that remain hazardous and extremely cold temperatures are forecasted throughout the country for the remainder of the week.  We continue to encourage all Americans to follow the instructions of state and local officials, and to listen to local radio and/or TV stations for updated emergency information.

And visit Ready.gov to make sure you’re prepared for winter storms and extreme cold.

- Rachel