FEMA Blog

Posted by: Michael Byrne, Federal Coordinating Officer


Birmingham, AL, June 27, 2011 -- FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate addresses employees at the Joint Field Office in Birmingham.

On Monday, Administrator Craig Fugate visited the Birmingham Joint Field Office, underscoring the agency’s ongoing focus on Alabama’s recovery from the April tornadoes. The Administrator toured the state in the immediate days following the storm, meeting with federal, state and local officials and ensuring they had the resources needed to respond and recover.

In a series of joint state and FEMA meetings, we briefed the Administrator on the progress made thus far and, more importantly, on our commitment going forward.

President Barack Obama recently called him "one of the busiest men in the nation," but the administrator assured everyone that the agency will remain in Alabama until all projects are closed and the communities in this state have what they need to rebuild – safer and more resilient than before.


Birmingham, AL, June 27, 2011 -- FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate addresses employees at the Joint Field Office in Birmingham. Alabama was struck by a series of devastating tornadoes in April.

The administrator’s message was simple: “The urgency we put into getting the recovery started is the same urgency we need to get projects completed.” I cannot agree more, nor say it any better.

With last Friday’s announcement of a three-week registration deadline extension to July 18, survivors now have more time to register with FEMA and apply for U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest disaster loans.

More than $100 million in federal disaster assistance has already been approved to help survivors of the Alabama tornadoes, including more than $59 million in FEMA individual assistance program grants and almost $46 million in low-interest SBA disaster loans.

We expect those numbers to grow in the next three weeks as we focus on making certain disaster survivors are returning their SBA disaster loan applications.

Looking ahead, FEMA will be in Alabama long after the deadline, supporting the state and local communities for as long as it takes to rebuild the great state of Alabama.

To use Administrator Fugate’s words again, "We leave here when the work is done."

Other links
Blog posts about President Obama and Secretary Napolitano's visits to Alabama

Posted by: Public Affairs

Summer is here, which often means vacations and more time on the road visiting the beach, national parks, amusement parks or camp grounds. While checking off items on your packing list, such as sun screen, shorts, towels, and gear, don’t forget a few tips to be safe and prepared while you’re on the go.

1. Pack your smartphone with safety info – Keep tabs on your latest local forecast at mobile.weather.gov, and visit m.fema.gov for safety and preparedness information on your phone. And if you’re flying to your destination, you can check airport status, travel tips, and even the security waiting times at www.tsa.gov/mobile.

2. If you’re driving, add an emergency kit to your vehicle - When you’re on the road, your vehicle is an extension of your home, so having an emergency kit can prove vital to keeping your family safe if an emergency occurs. Adding items such as a blanket, protein bars, bandages, and a solar powered cell phone charger are great to add to your vehicle’s kit.

3. If you’re flying, check out the Transportation Security Administration’s summer travel checklist – The TSA checklist is a great guide for air travel, with tips on what you can bring on the plane, the best ways to pack your bag, and more.

Make sure to plan for your pets, too - whether they’re making the trip with you, staying home, or spending time at a boarding facility. And as temperatures rise in the summer months, remember you can take steps to get prepared at http://www.ready.gov/.

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


With all the Fourth of July celebrations this weekend, remember to be safe and leave the fireworks to the professionals.

Independence Day is a highlight of the summer and for many people there’s a lot of excitement around setting off colorful fireworks and grilling outdoors. As you plan your Fourth of July celebration with family and friends, I wanted to share a few safety tips to ensure your holiday weekend is a safe one, too.

Fireworks – Leave them to the Pros

Sadly, every year there are many injuries and deaths caused by amateur firework use. We ask that you leave the fireworks to the professionals this weekend, and remember:

• Sparklers are not toys. They can reach 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit - hot enough to melt some metals.
• In case pieces of fireworks end up near you after an event, leave them alone. Some may still be ignited and can explode.
• Stand several feet away from the professionals lighting fireworks; fireworks can backfire or shoot off in the wrong direction.

Remember to Grill Safely

By taking a few fire safety precautions when grilling, you can keep those around the grill safe:

• Propane and charcoal grills must only be used outdoors. Using them indoors or in any enclosed spaces (such as tents), poses a fire hazard and a risk of exposing occupants to deadly carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Place the grill a safe distance from lawn games, play areas, and foot traffic. Grills should be positioned at least 10 feet away from siding, deck railing, and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
• Keep, matches, lighters, and starter fluid out of the reach of children in a locked drawer or cabinet.

I hope that you and your family have a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July. For more information, visit the U.S. Fire Administration’s summer and firework safety pages.

Posted by: Public Affairs

Several of our bloggers have talked about our role in supporting the flood-fighting efforts in North Dakota, providing assistance to individuals, business owners, and the affected state and local governments. Earlier today, Deputy Administrator Serino visited Minot, and we will provide more details of his trip tomorrow.

As the work of the entire emergency management team continues in areas along with Souris River, here are some photos highlighting both precautionary measures and response activities related to the flooding in North Dakota.


Minot, ND, June 27, 2011 -- Federal Emergency Management Agency employee, Katherine Ordway assists a disaster survivor at the FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Center at the Auditorium in South Minot, North Dakota.


Minot, ND, June 27, 2011 -- Robin Finegan (center), Administrator, FEMA Region VIII, and Stacie Greff (left), external affairs officer, listen to disaster survivor, Dona Young at the Red Cross Shelter in the auditorium in South Minot, North Dakota.


Burlington, ND, June 25, 2011 -- Aerial view of Burlington, North Dakota inundated with flood waters from the Souris River.


Minot, ND, June 25, 2011 -- Aerial view of flooding from the Souris River in the Oak Park neighborhood in Minot. FEMA is providing disaster assistance to Ward and Burleigh counties.


Minot, ND, June 25, 2011 -- National Guard load 1,000 lb. sandbags onto a flatbed truck to use on levees along the Souris River in Minot. FEMA is providing disaster assistance to Ward and Burleigh counties.


Minot, ND, June 24, 2011 -- Officials from the National Guard and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service discuss flood fighting measures during a survey of the damaged area.


Minot, ND, June 23, 2011 -- Nicholas Boesl plays in the sand as his mother and sister fill sandbags at the Sertoma Sports Complex. Residents are sandbagging along the Souris River to try to prevent flooding.


Minot, ND, June 23, 2011 -- Construction crews contracted by the Army Corps of Engineers add height to a dirt levee, in an effort to hold back the Souris River from flooding Minot. FEMA is working closely with federal, state, local and tribal partners in the ongoing flood fight.


Minot, ND, June 26, 2011 -- National Guardsman, and U.S. Deptartment of Wildlfe Services travel by airboat through flooded Oak Park neighborhood in Minot, N.D. The team were on a reconnaissance mission to check on telephone/power stations.


Minot, ND, June 25, 2011 -- FEMA Mobile Emergency Response Support (MERS) vehicle parked near the emergency operations center in South Minot.


Minot, ND, June 27, 2011 -- Red Cross volunteer, Phil Wendel talks to disaster survivors at the FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Center in the auditorium in South Minot, N.D.

For the latest on the ongoing recovery efforts, visit the disaster page.

Posted by: Public Affairs



This September marks the eighth annual National Preparedness Month. This year’s theme “A Time to Remember. A Time to Prepare” aims at turning awareness into action. Individuals, businesses, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations can now sign up to become a National Preparedness Month Coalition Member, joining a community who will share emergency preparedness information.

In the past, National Preparedness Month coalition members have worked to create a culture of emergency preparedness in the United States. This year, with your help, we hope to increase the number as we encourage Americans to get prepared before a disaster strikes. So here’s how to get involved:

• Register to become a coalition member at www.Ready.gov/community to have access to a toolkit full of resources for promoting emergency preparedness and to receive e-mail updates.
  
  Even if you were a coalition member last year, it’s important that you register this year to have the benefits of a coalition member. And be sure that each level of your organization registers – branch offices, regional offices, retail stores, etc. – so they can promote preparedness at their location, too.
  
• Check out the webinar on National Preparedness Month for an overview of this year's theme and other resources available to NPM 2011 Coalition Members.

There is no better time to prepare your business or organization from a disaster than now. We hope you’ll join us in promoting emergency preparedness in September, and all year round, by visiting Ready.gov today.

Posted by: Public Affairs


Minot, ND, June 27, 2011 -- Federal Emergency Management Agency employee, Katherine Ordway assists a disaster survivor at the FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Center at the Auditorium in South Minot, North Dakota.

As Robin Finegan, Regional Administrator for Region VIII, pointed out, we continue to support the federal, state and local flood-fighting efforts in response to historic high waters along the Souris River in North Dakota.  We wanted to share two stories that emphasize our role in providing assistance to those affected by the flooding:

• Last night, NBC Nightly News provided an update on the flooding, while interviewing a disaster survivor at a disaster recovery center. We currently have three recovery centers open, along with the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services, to answer questions about recovery programs and disaster assistance.
  
  For more on the resources available at a disaster recovery center, check out this video that was shot earlier this year, from our operations in North Carolina:

• Today, the Minot Daily News published a story about our community relations teams reaching out to disaster survivors. These teams have been on the ground in Ward and Burleigh counties, encouraging those affected by the flooding to apply for disaster assistance.
  
  If you have sustained losses from the flooding, please apply with FEMA by calling 1-800-621-3362 (TTY 1-800-462-7585), or by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov or m.fema.gov on your smartphone.

Posted by: Michael Byrne, Federal Coordinating Officer and Jeff Byard, State Coordinating Officer, Ala.

Today, June 27, marks two months since severe storms and tornadoes – some with wind speeds of more than 200 mph – struck hard. It was a catastrophe unlike any other. Tragically, 241 Alabamians were killed. Thousands were left homeless.

Our records show that more than 83,200 disaster survivors have applied for financial assistance from state and federal agencies. Think about that. That’s more than the total population of many good-sized Alabama communities.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency was in touch with the governor and the state director of emergency management even before the storms hit. After the president declared most of Alabama a major disaster area, we moved quickly to meet immediate and long-term needs. Disaster recovery centers opened. Community relations teams hit the streets to talk to survivors. Inspectors assessed damages to homes and businesses. Rebuilding specialists set up displays in home improvement stores. More than $100 million has been approved in federal grants and low-interest disaster loans.


Phil Campbell, AL, May 14, 2011 -- FEMA Community Relations Specialists Laura Philpot and Tom Violette speak with a storm survivor in front of his former home. FEMA Community Relations canvass each storm stricken area to be sure everyone receives information on how to apply for FEMA assistance to recover from the deadly April tornado.

Significant progress is being made. Not only because of the efforts of FEMA and other federal agencies, such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, but due to the cooperation of the entire team – the Alabama Emergency Management Agency, state and local responders, nonprofit organizations, private businesses and individuals who were on the ground within hours following the disaster.

And our work continues.

Recovery officials estimate that the tornadoes and storms left behind a total of 10 million cubic yards of debris. That’s enough material to fill the equivalent of 67,000 18-wheelers. And if those trucks were lined up one behind the other they would stretch all the way from Mobile to Nashville and halfway back again.

But no task is too daunting when we work together as a team. As part of the federal response effort 70 percent of all the debris has been removed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, private contractors and force account labor. We’re especially pleased that most of the Corps’ subcontractors are from Alabama.

With an eye toward planning for future natural disasters, the Alabama Emergency Management Agency and FEMA hosted a Safer Alabama Summit at the University of Alabama. Participants included state and local officials, financial organizations, contractors, builders, engineers, academic and scientific departments and organizations, insurance companies and trade associations. It was estimated that nearly 300 attended and there is great interest in safe rooms and community shelters.

Governor Robert Bentley also has established a Long-Term Community Recovery Partnership to work on issues of housing, economic development, natural resources, health and social services and community planning. Local elected officials, nonprofit leaders and educators are among those who are participating.

Meanwhile, FEMA’s voluntary agency liaison specialists are working to ensure the smooth creation and operation of Long Term Recovery Committees at the county level. The committees coordinate help provided by voluntary agencies and generous donors for filling the gaps between needs and government assistance. Priorities include financial assistance, storage and distribution of donations, emotional and spiritual support, mud and debris cleanup, minor home repairs, and rebuilding.

On behalf of the state and federal recovery specialists who have mobilized here, we offer our deepest condolences to the families who suffered the loss of a loved one, as well as our thoughts and prayers for those who sustained catastrophic damage to their homes. By working together to face the tremendous challenges currently facing the state, and doing our jobs with commitment, courage and compassion, Alabama’s recovery will continue. We’re in it for the long haul.

For the latest on Alabama recovery efforts, visit the disaster page.

Posted by: Robin Finegan, Regional Administrator FEMA Region VIII


Minot, ND, June 23, 2011 -- Liva Rovig loads sandbags on the back of a flatbed trailer at the Sertoma Sports Complex. Residents are sandbagging along the Souris River to try to prevent flooding.

Images of the flooding in the picturesque Souris River Valley are streaming all over the world. National and international media have descended upon the city of Minot and smaller communities like Burlington, Sawyer and Velva. However, seeing those images on a computer or television screen and seeing them in person are very different experiences.

I have had the opportunity to travel around Minot with local officials, the Governor and the North Dakota congressional delegation. I have seen homes of which only the rooftops are visible. Parks that should be full of children enjoying the summer sunshine sit submerged. And the truly surprising thing is that this flooding has only just begun – in Minot up to eight more feet of water is expected by the weekend.

The residents of this area have displayed amazing composure in the face of this disaster. Despite knowing the historic flooding was heading their way, folks have helped each other pack personal belongings and evacuate in an orderly fashion. Neighbors are helping neighbors, with the flood pulling tight-knit communities even closer. I’ve learned that Minot is known locally as the “Magic City”, and this flood has brought about a magical sense of unity in the city.

Local officials like Minot Mayor Curt Zimbleman and Burlington Mayor Jerome Gruenberg have been great examples of leadership as they lead their communities through perhaps the greatest challenge in their history. These leaders have been valued partners, along with Governor Dalrymple and the North Dakota congressional delegation, as FEMA coordinates federal response efforts.

Already, six air boats from the Fish and Wildlife Service are staged to support rescue and response efforts in Minot and Burlington. The Red Cross has established two shelters in Minot and is ready to open another in Burlington if needed. Cots and blankets have been brought in for use at the shelters. FEMA has provided resources to feed up to 2,500 people for three days and water to match, with the ability to bring in additional commodities as needed.

A community is more than its houses, infrastructure and buildings. The heart of a community is its people and in the communities of the Souris River Valley I’ve seen, that heart is still beating as strong as ever.

- Robin

For more information about the flooding go to www.nd.gov/des/#souris.

Posted by: Public Affairs

Ongoing Severe Weather

We continue to closely monitor and work with our state and local partners as flooding continues along the Souris River. As you’ve probably seen in the news, local officials have issued evacuation orders for some communities along the river, specifically in Burlington and Minot. As we’ve said on this blog before, we will continue to work with the emergency management team to meet the needs of disaster survivors and the affected communities. Forecasts from the National Weather Service are calling for more rain in the Great Plains and the Midwest, so be sure to follow the direction of local officials and take steps today to get prepared.

And as rivers swell in some parts of the U.S., other areas are fighting a prolonged drought and wildfires. We continue to closely coordinate with state and local officials as wildfires continue across the south in Arizona, Georgia, New Mexico, Texas and Georgia, to name a few.

For your latest weather forecast, visit www.weather.gov or mobile.weather.gov on your smartphone.

NFL Players Encourage Preparedness

Over the past several months, we've worked with many partners from the private sector to encourage disaster survivors to apply for assistance, including the NFL Players Association. In the video below, Vonnie Holliday, defensive linebacker for the Washington Redskins, talks about the importance of getting prepared before a disaster strikes. Check out the video below, and Be sure to take a few minutes to visit Ready.gov this weekend to make a kit, get a plan, and be informed.

Posted by: Public Affairs

Providing disaster assistance doesn’t mean much if survivors don’t get the help they need. We’ve talked about community relations teams before; the FEMA employees who go door to door to share information on how individuals and businesses owners can apply for assistance, and what assistance may be available.

With this spring’s tornadoes, severe storms and flooding, our community relations teams have been busy reaching thousands of disaster survivors. We wanted to share the latest video and photos showing the teams in action.

And if you’ve been affected by the recent storms, tornadoes and flooding and live in an eligible county, you can apply for assistance by visiting http://www.disasterassistance.gov/ or m.fema.gov on your smartphone, calling (800) 621-3362 / TTY (800) 462-7585, or visiting a disaster recovery center.

Chattanooga, TN, June 18, 2011 -- Teisha Jeter (right), a community relations field worker, discusses special needs assistance with Delores Smith, who is visually impaired, as Joyce Morgan, her community relations team mate, looks on. Community relations field workers help special needs survivors find the help they may be eligible for.


Big Rock, TN, June 15, 2011 -- Foudiya Henri (left), a community relations field worker, talks with Tom Whitehawk as Shavonne Westerfield, Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, and Kristen McEnroe (background), Federal Coordinating Officer Cadre listen in. Community relations field workers are often the first face-to-face contact many survivors have with the agency.


Rogers, AR, June 4, 2011 --Gina Cortez, a FEMA Public Information officer, talks to a resident about registering with FEMA after her home was affected by recent flooding. Members of FEMA's Community Relations team attended a local fair to make sure visitors were given the opportunity to talk to FEMA representatives about disaster assistance.


Smithville, MS, May 28, 2011 -- FEMA Community Relations Specialist Toby Rice shares information with other FEMA Community Relations Specialists as they prepare to disseminate information to residents of Smithville Mississippi following a devastating tornado. FEMA works to insure that all affected by disaster are aware of available benefits.

For the latest information on a specific disaster, visit its disaster page.

Posted by: Robin Finegan, Regional Administrator FEMA Region VIII

As many of you are aware, since this winter, we have been working extensively with all of our state partners to prepare for and respond to a very active flood season. As these efforts continue, we’re very closely monitoring the situation in Minot, N.D., where water levels in the Souris River are predicted to reach record highs and bring historic flooding to the community. There have been predictions of flooding on the Souris, but only recently did we learn just how major that flooding was going to be. And, as with any flood or disaster, it is critical that people follow the instruction of local officials. Today we watched the community of Minot do just that as sirens sounded, and it was made clear that it was time to go.

The most important priority right now is the safety of individuals, families and facilities being impacted by the flooding. Here’s what you can do:

• Follow the instructions of state and local officials,
• Listen to local radio and TV stations for updated emergency information,
• If roads are closed or there is water over a road, do not drive through the water.

FEMA Region VIII here in Denver has been working with the our six states and other federal agencies for months to get ready for these rising waters across the region. We currently have personnel and a joint field office in Bismarck, N.D., as a result of earlier flooding this spring, we have commodities staged at locations in North Dakota, and we have additional supplies prepositioned at an Incident Support Base in South Dakota, in case they are needed.

Recently I visited flooding in South Dakota along the Missouri, and this evening I will make my way to North Dakota and Minot so I can see firsthand the flooding and levees that have been overtopped. Seeing devastating flooding in our states has reminded me how important it is to be prepared for any disaster. If you haven’t already, now is the time to take simple steps to protect your loved ones, homes and businesses from flooding. Visit www.Ready.gov/floods to learn more.

- Robin

Posted by: Public Affairs

Since January, we have been providing updates on this blog about the revamped recoupment process that we are currently undertaking. We are committed to making sure that all of our stakeholders – especially disaster survivors – have a full understanding of this process and how they might be affected by it.

As some of you may remember from our previous blogs, FEMA, along with other federal agencies government-wide, is required by law to identify any potential improper payments of federal disaster aid and to take steps to recover those funds.

While each individual case is different, in some instances you may just have to provide some additional information to show that you were indeed eligible for assistance. We encourage anyone who has questions about their case, wants to appeal the decision, or establish a payment plan to contact us at:

• 1-800-816-1122 or TTY 1-800-462-7585

Bottom line – these letters are the start of a conversation between you and FEMA, and not the end.

You might be able to give information to FEMA that might change our determination about your status.

So again, everyone should read their letters carefully, ask questions, and ask for help. We are here to serve you – the disaster survivor – and it is your right to appeal our decision.

For more information about recoupment or what it means for recent disaster survivors, see our recent posts:

• Improving the Recoupment Process
• The Recoupment Process and What It Means for Recent Disaster Survivors

Posted by: Michael Byrne, Federal Coordinating Officer

Last week, the Alabama Emergency Management Agency and FEMA hosted the Safer Alabama Summit conference in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The aim of this conference was to get the word out about the important role that safe rooms can play in protecting families and communities, and federal funding that is available to build them. I wanted to share a conversation that was the perfect conclusion to the event.


Tuscaloosa, Ala., June 13, 2011 -- Federal Coordinating Officer, Michael Byrne, presents at the Safer Alabama Summit.

Following the conference, a woman wanted to know how to apply for a grant to finance the construction of a safe room in a school in her community. She was a local councilwoman and she had heard about schools that had been destroyed during the devastating tornadoes of April 27. An elementary school principal in the town of Moulton sent his students home rather than have them shelter in the designated area in the hallway. It was a good thing he did, because many of the children would have been severely injured, or killed, since the roof and walls of the school caved in.

I told the councilwoman what many of the speakers at the summit had emphasized: it all starts with the community. Residents notify their local emergency manager or other appropriate local official about their interest in building a safe room or shelter. The local official then writes a letter to notify the state that the community will be applying for a hazard mitigation grant from FEMA. If the funding is granted, the state manages the program to make sure the final product meets specifications.

“We have a city council meeting at the end of the week, and I’m bringing a letter to notify the state that we will be applying for a grant from FEMA,” she said.

That is exactly what I hoped people would take away from the conference. Safe rooms and shelters come in all shapes and sizes. You can get a small one to stash in your garage, which fits three people. Or you can get a larger one built to serve as a safe haven for members of a school or office. They start at about $3,000 and run upwards depending on how big you make it. And just as a note, communities will only receive a grant to reimburse them if the safe rooms are built to FEMA specifications, which can withstand winds up to 250 mph (an EF-5 tornado).

I hope that the local officials who attended the summit will go back to their communities and look for opportunities and locations for safe rooms, and then, in conjunction with state, federal and other agencies, work on ways to fund and install them. I’m hoping to hear more stories from those writing letters of intent, not only from those in Alabama but also from others across the country.

Posted by: Public Affairs

Summer begins today - a time for backyard barbeques, trips to the beach and lots of outdoor fun, but it’s also a time when dangerous thunderstorms become more frequent. As a series of thunderstorms move across the U.S. this week (and since it’s also Lightning Safety Awareness Week), we wanted to share a few tips on how to stay safe if a thunderstorm rolls into your area.

According to the National Weather Service, hundreds of people are struck by lightning each year, causing countless debilitating injuries and 55 deaths on average. If you hear thunder - even a distant rumble or a crackling aloft - you are already in danger of lightning striking in your area. To avoid being struck by lightning, the National Weather Service recommends:

• Get into a fully enclosed building or hardtop vehicle at the first rumble of thunder;
• Stay indoors for 30 minutes after the last thunder clap;
• Monitor the weather forecast when you’re planning to be outdoors;
• Have a plan for getting to safety in case a thunderstorm moves in;
• Do not use a corded phone during a thunderstorm unless it’s an emergency; unplugged cell phones are safe to use indoors;
• Keep away from plumbing, electrical equipment and wiring during a thunderstorm.

Visit Ready.gov for more tips on getting prepared for thunderstorms and lightning, and share the tips above with your family and friends. And be sure to bookmark www.weather.gov on your computer (or http://mobile.weather.gov on your phone) to stay up to date with your local weather forecast all summer long.

Other links
Emergency managers, business continuity experts or human resource professionals can view a toolkit on lightning safety from the National Weather Service.

Posted by: Gwen Camp, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs

A few weeks back, I wrote about Walter Maddox, Mayor of Tuscaloosa, Ala., when he was featured in this New York Times story talking about his thoughts just after the devastating tornado struck his town.  In this video, the Mayor spends a few minutes with us discussing how training contributed to a more coordinated response at the local level by following Incident Command (IC) principles.

Here’s one particular quote from the Mayor that shows the value of training:

If we wouldn’t have gone through this training, it would have been a disjointed effort…we would have had [the police department] doing their own thing, fire and rescue doing their own thing, and environmental services doing their own thing.

As this story shows, emergency management training isn’t just for police and firefighters.  FEMA provides many training resources that can benefit state, tribal and local leaders, members of a volunteer organizations, faith-based and private sector leaders, and even the public at large.  More information on these training programs and courses can be found at www.training.fema.gov.

Posted by: Public Affairs

We’ve featured many posts on this blog about FEMA’s Center for Domestic Preparedness, our one-of-a-kind facility that offers civilians and other members of the emergency management team specialized training in dealing with and responding to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive weapons. We have heard from the Mayor of Pacific, Washington, who recently completed a training course and gained a better understanding of the challenges his first responders face and about a New York City police officer whose CDP training helped him think quickly and save lives while thwarting the attempted car bombing in Times Square in 2010.

Well this week, Administrator Fugate traveled to CDP to tour these training facilities first hand – and thank the men and woman who provide this unique training.

Whether it was witnessing an exercise that trains hospital and health care professionals for how to deal with overwhelmed emergency rooms after a disaster, or watching students get trained on how to respond to toxic chemical agents, it’s clear that the skills and instincts students learn at CDP make an enormous difference in real world situations.



After touring the different facilities and watching a number of different training exercises, Administrator Fugate had the chance to meet with the staff. As Craig told them, there is a tendency to think about the Center for Domestic Preparedness as just a training institute for terrorism. It’s not. CDP trains the team for dealing with complex situations and environments. It’s about developing critical thinking and skills that can be transferrable across all kinds of disasters, whether natural or manmade.

The staff at CDP are building and training people for the worst-case, nightmare scenarios, the “Maximum of Maximums” that you often hear Craig talk about. These are scenarios that we hope will never happen – but we don’t have the luxury of not preparing for them.

We hope that the students who come to CDP will never actually face the same scenarios they experience here, but if they do they will be ready. And that’s thanks to their top-notch trainers, CDP staff are highly experienced in their respective fields and they play a critical role in training and strengthening the emergency management team, from local officials to emergency room and hospital workers to volunteer community response teams. Their classes will continue to have a mass multiplier effect in saving lives and protecting communities around the country.

We'd love to hear your story about how training made a difference in an emergency. Share your story in the comments below.

Posted by: Public Affairs

Every Friday, we do a “What We’re Watching” blog as we look ahead to the weekend. We encourage you to share it with your friends and family, and have a safe weekend.

Severe Weather Outlook
Over the next few days, the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center is calling for drought conditions to continue for much of the southern U.S., stretching from Arizona to Florida. In many areas, these drought conditions have raised the chances of wildfire outbreaks, so make sure you know how to prevent and stay safe from wildfires. And as wildfires continue in parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, we continue to support emergency responders and firefighters through Fire Management Assistance Grants.

While drought conditions persist across the south, widespread flooding is predicted to continue for parts of the Mississippi, Missouri, and North Platte rivers. We continue to work alongside the entire emergency management team to support the affected states, as we have since flooding started earlier this spring.

Be sure to stay up to date with your local forecast this weekend – check out Ready.gov for tips on getting you and your family prepared for any emergency.

Registration Deadlines Approaching
Several of our bloggers have talked about our ongoing recovery efforts across the southeast and central U.S. since this spring’s deadly storms, tornadoes and flooding. While we continue to provide support to local and state governments through public assistance, the deadline for individuals and business owners to apply for federal assistance is quickly approaching in some states. Anyone that sustained losses in a county that’s eligible for individual assistance should apply, regardless of whether they have insurance. However, survivors should still contact their insurance companies and file necessary claims as well. Visit our page about the three step process for applying. (Check out our three step guide to applying for assistance to find what information is needed to apply, what items are covered, and more.)

Survivors can apply for assistance by calling 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585), visiting www.disasterassistance.gov/ or m.fema.gov on your phone or by visiting a nearby disaster recovery center. For information on your state’s application deadline, visit the disaster page.

Talking Hurricane Preparedness With The Weather Channel
In case you missed it, Administrator Craig Fugate stopped by Weather Channel studios yesterday to talk about hurricane preparedness. Hurricane season started June 1 and lasts until November 30, so take the steps your family or your workplace needs to get prepared today – before a hurricane or tropical storm threatens your community. Check out the full story about Craig’s visit at Weather.com.

Check Out Our Latest Photos and Videos
As we continue our ongoing recovery efforts in areas that have been impacted from the severe weather over the past several months, we encourage you to take a look at our photo and video libraries. Here are a few of our recent photos to get you started:


Tuscaloosa, AL, June 11, 2011 -- University of Alabama Heisman Trophy winner and New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram poses for pictures with a faith-based volunteer group from Georgia. Mark came back to Tuscaloosa to help FEMA Community Relations by meeting with volunteers and survivors.

Morehouse, Missouri was inundated by flooding in late April of 2011. Almost every home was touched by the disaster in one way or another. AmeriCorps Hoopa Tribal Civilian Community Corps has spent many hours in the community hauling trash, scrapping floors and cleaning homes. The city of Morehouse has honored them for their service at a community picnic.

Fort Pierre, SD, June 7, 2011 -- U.S. Air National Guard 114 Fighting Wing members gather at sunrise to begin patrol on the levee in Fort Pierre, S.D. FEMA and other federal agencies are supporting the State Incident Management Team in their effort to prepare for flooding along the Missouri River.


Big Rock, TN, June 15, 2011 -- Foudiya Henri (left), a community relations field worker, talks with Tom Whitehawk as Shavonne Westerfield, Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, and Kristen McEnroe (background), Federal Coordinating Officer Cadre listen in. Community relations field workers are often the first face-to-face contact many survivors have with the agency.

Posted by: Michael Byrne, Federal Coordinating Officer

As a former New York City firefighter, I’m no stranger to trauma. First responders who have witnessed devastation sometimes can’t get the upsetting images out of their mind. Or sometimes they hear cries for help weeks later. One fire response at a social club in the Bronx more than 20 years ago still stays with me. The fire wasn’t huge, and was contained quickly, but when firefighters went up to the second floor, they found several people had died from smoke inhalation. We were just sick – here they had done everything right and still couldn’t save their lives.

A lot of us were shaken up after that. But back then, most of us at the fire house would have rather had a root canal than talk to a counselor about our feelings.

Unfortunately, firefighters are not the only ones who think that way, and no one is immune to trauma and stress. Studies show that after a disaster, survivors and emergency responders are at risk for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (from epidemiologic reviews). Symptoms can include flashbacks, recurrent nightmares, survival guilt, extreme exhaustion and anxiety.

Five weeks after the devastating tornadoes in Alabama, the Alabama Department of Mental Health and FEMA have partnered to activate Project Rebound, a program that provides crisis counselors to community outreach and education services groups. Teams of these counselors are on the ground to help residents and emergency responders, free of charge, in areas affected by the April tornadoes.

So far, the department has hired 77 Project Rebound crisis counselors for 36 counties participating in the program. Project Rebound crisis counselors will be working with all social services agencies in their community as they reach out to both disaster survivors and emergency responders dealing with the stresses that come with recovering after a disaster.

And because mental health experts say elderly and children are also among those at risk for traumatic stress, Project Rebound is making a special effort to reach out to these survivors as well.

Needing mental health resources after a disaster is something I don’t have to be reminded of, but don’t want others to forget. For more information on Project Rebound, or if you’re a disaster survivor or emergency responder in Alabama, visit http://www.mh.alabama.gov/.

Posted by: Public Affairs

Today, we are welcoming 16 new members to the National Advisory Council (NAC). The NAC advises Administrator Craig Fugate on all aspects of emergency management. The new members highlight our continued desire to have a council that represents a cross section of all members of the emergency management team.

The NAC is comprised of state, tribal and local governments, private sector, and non-governmental partners who advise and provide recommendations to the FEMA Administrator on the National Preparedness System, National Incident Management System, National Response Framework, FEMA grants programs, and more.

The NAC membership application period was announced back in February, 2011 and ran through March 4, 2011. New members will serve from June 15th, 2011 through June 15th, 2014, unless otherwise noted.

Newly Appointed NAC Members:

Lee Feldman, City Manager, City of Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Edward Gabriel, Director, Global Crisis Management and Business Continuity, The Walt Disney Company
Jerome Hatfield, Lieutenant Colonel /Deputy Superintendent of Homeland Security, New Jersey State Police
Clifton Lacy, Director, University Center for Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response
Cathy Lanier, Chief of Police, Metropolitan Police Department
Robert Lee, Former Adjutant General, State of Hawaii, Department of Defense
Robert Davidson Leipold, Executive Director, National VOAD (Term ends June 15, 2012)
David Miller, Former Administrator of Iowa Homeland Security & Emergency Management Division
Michael Rackley, Director, Global Security Services, Target
George Schloegel, Mayor, City of Gulfport, Mississippi (Term ends June 15, 2012)
Kurt Schwartz, Homeland Security Advisor and Emergency Management Director State of Massachusetts (Term ends June 15, 2013)
Charles Shimanski, Senior Vice President Disaster Services, American Red Cross (Term ends June 15, 2013)
Mary Troupe, Executive Director, Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities
David L. Waldrop, Chief Evangelist / Architect, Public Safety Initiative, Microsoft Corporation
Rebecca White, Tribal Council Chairwoman, Ponca Tribe of Nebraska, Omaha
Phil Zarlengo, Chairman, AARP Board of Directors

Based on a mandated by Congress in the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006, the mission of the NAC is to ensure effective and ongoing coordination of federal preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation for natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters.

Additional information on the NAC, including a list of current members, can be found at http://www.fema.gov/about/nac/

Posted by: Public Affairs

As our bloggers frequently mention, recovering after a disaster is a team effort, where the public, private sector, voluntary and faith-based groups, and government agencies work together to address the short and long term needs of individuals and the affected community. There have been countless examples of this team effort in action since this spring’s devastating tornadoes, storms and flooding.

We wanted to showcase one of the many dedicated voluntary groups assisting in the recovery efforts in Joplin, Mo. since a deadly tornado struck on May 22. A group of military veterans, named Team Rubicon, has been helping survivors rebuild after the tornado, and are using the volunteer experience to forge new friendships. Here’s an excerpt from the USA Today story:

When Kasey Sands and her family returned home last month a few days after a tornado flattened much of Joplin, Mo., a dozen strangers were removing trees toppled in their yard.
"I asked them who they were, and they said they were veterans," says Sands, 27. "They said they like to help with peace and not just with war."

They were Team Rubicon, a non-profit group of veterans formed after the 2010 Haiti earthquake to help in the immediate aftermaths of disasters. They also raced in after tornadoes struck Alabama in April and following earlier crises in Chile, Burma, Pakistan and Sudan. More than 500 people have volunteered; 25 were in Joplin for a week…

Jake Wood, Team Rubicon's president and co-founder, says responding to tragedies "is the most obvious fit for veterans who have so much to offer." Many members are doctors, paramedics and nurses. Besides aiding survivors and searching for victims, members help one another adjust to life after war, he says.

For the latest on the ongoing recovery efforts in Joplin, visit the disaster page.

Posted by: Nancy M. Casper, Federal Coordinating Officer


Rogers, AR, June 4, 2011 --A FEMA Community Relations specialist speaks with a resident during an community event in Rogers, AR. FEMA Community Relations specialists were at the fair to provide residents about FEMA's disaster relief programs and to encourage residents affected by recent flooding or tornadoes to register for assistance.

Over a month after FEMA’s arrival in Arkansas following the devastating spring storms and tornadoes, state and federal agencies have rushed over $22 million in assistance to families and communities. While much assistance has come quickly, we still have so much more to do as the emergency management team - a team includes Arkansas residents – continues to meet the needs of survivors and the affected communities.

Our operation depends on the more than 300 state and federal workers who are helping survivors get back on their feet. These professionals bring plenty of experience, skills and talents to work for Arkansas disaster survivors. Specialists have visited with more than 2,067 survivors in our 20 disaster recovery centers and disaster assistance centers across the state. Housing inspectors have looked at more than 7,032 damaged homes in the 30 counties eligible for individual assistance. And many folks, such as our call center professionals, continue to work behind the scenes to support our mission.

Each state and federal worker has a role to play in the disaster assistance process, and we encourage survivors to take advantage of this assistance by registering for assistance. Survivors can register in several ways, by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585, visiting http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov/, or via web-enabled phone http://m.fema.gov/. So far, more than 8,900 Arkansans have registered for assistance in one of these ways.

Those with questions about registration, housing inspections, assistance and the recovery process can visit a disaster recovery center or its streamlined cousin, the more mobile disaster assistance center. Of course, many have had an opportunity to visit with one of more than two dozen specialists who have visited all 30 counties designated for individual assistance. They have walked hundreds of miles through damaged neighborhoods handing out fliers and answering survivors’ questions.


Conway, AR, June 3, 2011 --A FEMA Mitigation specialist talks to a residents about what needs to be done to protect his home against flooding or potential high winds and tornadoes. FEMA specialist are setting up information booths in local hardware stores throughout Arkansas to provide residents with information that may help them protect their property if the area is affected by damaging winds and/or flood waters.

Those survivors who have completed the registration process are among the ones who have qualified for nearly $14.6 million in housing assistance, more than $2.6 million in other needs assistance and over $5.4 million in loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Even as millions in assistance have gone to individuals, families and businesses, our public assistance effort has swung into gear. Public assistance grants are obligated to the state to help make damaged communities whole again. These dollars go to local governments, state agencies, and certain nonprofits to help clean up communities overwhelmed by disaster-related debris, repair roads and bridges, put utilities and water systems back in order, repair hospitals and emergency services, rebuild schools and universities, and put playground equipment back in public parks.

Fifty-two counties across the state have been designated for public assistance. After the devastating flooding in the eastern part of the state, FEMA expedited $360,000 to the state to pay members of the National Guard who placed sandbags in communities to ward off approaching flood waters. Another $278,000 has gone to Garland County for expedited debris removal. The state and communities are now completing their applications for reimbursement of other expenses and repairs incurred as a result of the April and May storms and flooding.

We have had a busy month as our partnerships with local and state governments have shifted into high gear. We feel very proud of what we and our Arkansas partners have accomplished so far – and we will continue to work just as hard in meeting the needs of those individuals and communities affected by the storms.

For the latest updates on the Arkansas recovery efforts, visit the disaster page.

Posted by: Public Affairs

Even though the national media attention has faded in recent weeks, we continue to fully support the state and local efforts across the southeast and central U.S. due to the tornadoes, flooding and severe storms. The response and recovery efforts are truly a team effort, with federal, state, tribal and local government, faith-based and non-profit groups, the private sector, and the public working together to meet the needs of disaster survivors and the affected community.

Here are some of the latest images from our photo library, showing our disaster recovery efforts in action. For the latest updates regarding a specific disaster, visit the disaster page.

And if you are a disaster survivor or know someone who sustained losses in a county designated for federal assistance, please share that you can apply for assistance at http://www.disasterassistance.gov/, on your phone at m.fema.gov or by calling 800-621-3362 / TTY 800-462-7585.


Tuscaloosa, Ala., June 10, 2011 -- A FEMA mitigation specialist and Lowe's Store Manager review the plans for a ' DAWG HAUS' demonstration, which is a building method that helps structures withstand high winds. FEMA works with the private sector to get resources out to disaster survivors as they continue to rebuild their homes and businesses.

Germantown, Tenn., June 8, 2011 -- Mary Kay Leford, FEMA hazard mitigation specialist, discusses building safe rooms with Lowe's customer, Jack Kelley. Hazard mitigation specialists are providing information on how homeowners and business can rebuild at building supply stores in the declared counties.


Huntingdon, Tenn., June 8, 2011 -- Applicant assistant Marie Hanzel reviews a disaster survivor’s case at the Carroll Country disaster recovery center. FEMA disaster recovery centers are providing support as FEMA moves from county to county to be available in the areas that were recently declared.


Little Rock, Ark., June 8, 2011 --A FEMA housing specialist inspects the kitchen in a small temporary housing unit that will be provided to an Arkansas resident whose home was damaged during the recent storms that swept across Arkansas. FEMA is working with local, state, federal and private agencies to provide assistance to survivors of the recent storms which has impacted Arkansas.


Joplin, Mo., June 7, 2011 -- Crews work to remove debris around Joplin, caused by the May 22 tornado. FEMA has commissioned the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to oversee private contractors during the controlled debris removal.



Joplin, Mo., June 4, 2011 -- Michael Padilla is one of 11,000 registered volunteers helping out in Joplin. Volunteers can register at Joplin's Volunteer Reception Center on the Missouri Southern State University campus. FEMA continues to work with volunteer-, community-, and faith-based groups as recovery efforts continue.


Ripley, Tenn., June 4, 2011 -- This mobile communications office vehicle is providing support to the disaster recovery center in Lauderdale County. The vehicles can set up and provide communications in areas where there is no communications support available.


Rogers, Ark., June 4, 2011 -- A FEMA community relations specialist speaks with a resident during an community event in Rogers, Ark. FEMA community relations specialists were at the fair to provide residents about FEMA's disaster relief programs and to encourage residents affected by recent flooding or tornadoes to register for assistance.

Posted by: Dr. Kevin Yeskey, deputy assistant secretary for preparedness and response, Department of Health and Human Services

The kick off of the hurricane season in June serves as a reminder that any type of disaster can affect the health of individuals and entire communities. I wanted to share a new resource for state and local emergency managers and public health officials who send cell phone text alerts to the public after a disaster - a toolkit of texts with expert-approved recommended actions that people can take to protect their health.

The text messages from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services are 115 characters or fewer (including spaces), and are designed so that emergency managers can modify them easily if necessary to fit the community’s needs.

The text messages are the latest addition to an HHS communications package that includes 30-second public service announcements for radio and TV on how people can stay safe after disasters such as hurricanes, floods and earthquakes. The packages, including the text messages, are available for voluntary use by emergency managers at http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/psa.

Subject matter experts from across HHS developed the messages, on such subjects as carbon monoxide poisoning, food and drug safety, and safety regarding damaged buildings. To help ensure the texts would be valuable, state- and local-level emergency officials worked on teams with HHS officials to select messages and craft the wording.

Managers who draw texts from the toolkit can free their communicators to respond to other disaster-related messaging while knowing that the texts’ recommended actions are based on careful consideration and state-of-the-knowledge science.

Please feel free to spread word of this project to other departments that would benefit from having access to these messages. We welcome questions and feedback through publichealthemergency@hhs.gov, or by leaving a comment below.

Posted by: Public Affairs

Potential severe weather
Over the next few days, the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center is calling for drought conditions to continue for much of the southern U.S., stretching from Arizona to Florida. These drought conditions have caused wildfires to spread in parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, and we continue to support emergency responders and firefighters through Fire Management Assistance Grants. Widespread flooding is also expected to continue for parts of the Mississippi, Missouri, and North Platte rivers.

We will continue to monitor the threat of severe weather, coordinating closely with our partners at the National Weather Service. If you're in an area with severe weather, wildfires, or flooding, remember to listen to the direction of local officials and follow evacuation orders if given.

And as higher temperatures arrive and summer settles in, make sure you’re taking steps to stay safe. We encourage you to take time with your family this weekend to create your family emergency plan – it can ultimately save the lives of the ones you love.

Increase in disaster higher education programs
A story in the New York Times highlighted that colleges around the U.S. are increasing their programs related to emergency management, a trend that’s been influenced by high-profile disasters such as the September 11 terrorist attacks and Hurricane Katrina. Here’s an excerpt from the full story:

The number of emergency-management programs in higher education has jumped from about 70 in 2001 to at least 232 now, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. In 1995, the year after FEMA began encouraging the development of new academic programs to supplement training at its Emergency Management Institute in Maryland, there were just five. In addition, there are now at least 112 “homeland security” programs, which focus mainly on terrorism — all of them begun since 9/11.

A local perspective on preparedness training
Several of our guest bloggers have talked about their experience after taking preparedness training, specifically at our Center for Domestic Preparedness. One of the most recent graduates from the CDP training is George Rodericks, city manager of Belvedere, Cali., who blogged about his experience and take a ways from the course. The center offers hands-on training for federal, state, local and tribal emergency responders on Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive weapons, as well as specialized training for healthcare professionals in disaster preparedness.

For an inside look at what CDP training is all about, check out George’s blog posts:

• 94 Degrees of Incident Command
• Day One: Command, Teams, Threats, Targets, Vulnerabilities, and Risk
• Day Two: Capabilities, Response Plans, Action Plans, & Putting It Together
• Day Three: Real-Time Scenario

Posted by: Public Affairs


Secretary Napolitano visited Joplin, Mo. yesterday, meeting with disaster survivors and touring the St. John’s medical facility that was severely damaged during the May 22 tornado. The entire emergency management team – federal, state, local governments; the private sector; voluntary, community, and faith-based groups; and especially the public – continue to support the recovery efforts in Joplin, as well as the other areas hit by severe storms, tornadoes and flooding this spring.

For some more perspective on Secretary Napolitano’s visit, check out these stories from the Joplin Globe, Associated Press, and CNN. And as she said during her visit,

We will not leave until the job is finished...and we will continue to support our team of federal, state, local and community partners that are working tirelessly to help the people of Missouri rebuild their communities.

Visit the disaster page for the latest on the Joplin recovery efforts.

Editor's Note: This was originally posted on June 9, 2011 on Fast Lane, the official blog of the U.S. Secretary of Transportation.  The photos are from the FEMA photo library, for the latest on the recovery efforts in Alabama, visit the disaster page.

Posted by: Ray LaHood, Secretary of Transportation

The storms that hit Alabama on April 27 swept across the northern portion of the state in 42 counties, with tornadoes cutting huge paths as much as a mile wide.

Tuesday, I toured the devastation in Alabama with U.S. Representatives Spencer Bachus and Terri Sewell, Birmingham Mayor William Bell, Alabama Department of Transportation Director John Cooper, and Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez.

I must say, it’s simply heartbreaking, and our prayers go out to the families affected.


Tuscaloosa, Ala., June 1, 2011 - A damaged area in Tuscaloosa.

We at DOT salute the tireless first responders, the dedicated clean-up crews, and the selfless volunteers who have brought hope and compassion to people who need it so badly.

In addition to the loss of life and destruction of houses, natural disasters can cause tremendous damage to roads and bridges, leaving a huge financial burden on the states affected. That's why the Federal Highway Administration's emergency relief program provides critical funds to repair or rebuild roads and bridges damaged by natural disasters or catastrophic events.

After touring the damage in Alabama, I announced that, as part of the Obama Administration's disaster response, DOT is making available $1.5 million in quick release emergency funds to begin the considerable job of restoring roads and bridges across the state.

This money, which is a part of the Administration’s all-hands-on-deck response to this tragedy, will reimburse the state for early and crucial repairs made following the storms, including debris removal, sign replacement and traffic signal repairs.

Assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Administration is a crucial part of the administration's relief effort. So, if you have been affected by these storms and haven’t yet signed up for financial assistance from FEMA, we encourage you to do so at www.disasterassistance.gov. It’s not too late.

As President Obama said, "Our biggest priority now is to help this community recover, and we are going to do everything we can to help Alabama's communities rebuild."

This administration is committed to helping Alabama residents recover from this tragedy, and here at DOT, we will continue to do all we can to support that effort.

Posted by: Damon Penn, Assistant Administrator, National Continuity Programs

As we often say here at FEMA, it's critical that all members of the team, whether its federal, state, local and tribal governments, or the public, have an emergency communications plan. Knowing how you would get in touch with the residents in your communities, or your loved ones, is a key part of how we all can prepare for disasters, both natural and man-made.

One of the most important communications tools that helps federal, state, local, territorial and tribal authorities issue emergency information and warnings to the public is the Emergency Alert System. This system is frequently used and tested at the local level, but to date it has never been tested on the national level. Chances are you have seen or heard the Emergency Alert System tested in your area many times, whether while watching your favorite TV show or listening to the radio.

Today, as part of our larger efforts to strengthen our nation’s preparedness and resiliency, FEMA and the Federal Communications Commission announced that we will conduct the first national-level test of the Emergency Alert System on November 9th of this year at 2 pm eastern. Similar to the way local emergency alert system tests are conducted, the nationwide test will involve television stations (including digital television, cable, satellite audio and television services) and broadcast radio stations across the U.S. and several U.S. territories (Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, America Samoa) at the same time.

We’re announcing this test date many months in advance because we want all of our partners, and especially the public, to be aware of this test, what it means, and have plenty of time to prepare. To help explain how the test will work and what we can expect, below are some common questions and answers.

What is the Emergency Alert System?

The Emergency Alert System (EAS) is a national alert and warning system established to enable a regional or nationwide alert to address the American public in all 50 states and several territories (additional territories will be capable of receiving EAS messages soon) during emergencies. NOAA National Weather Service, governors and state and local emergency authorities also use it to issue more localized emergency alerts. Under the FCC’s rules, broadcasters, cable operators, Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service providers, Direct Broadcast Satellite service providers and wireline video service providers are required to receive and transmit Presidential EAS messages to the public. While various components of the system are tested regularly, there has never been a nationwide, top-to-bottom, test of the system. Also, to date, the EAS has not been used to deliver a national-level or Presidential alert.

Why is the EAS System being tested now?

The EAS has never been tested on a national level before, and conducting this test is an opportunity to test the system and its capabilities. The EAS test plays a key role in ensuring our nation is prepared for all hazards and people within its borders are able to receive critical and vital information, should it ever be needed.

While EAS tests may be temporarily disruptive to radio and television programming, they are important to ensure that the EAS is functional and that EAS participants are prepared to issue alerts, and it is our intent to minimize disruption and confusion to the extent possible. The November 9 date is near the end of hurricane season and before the severe winter weather season begins in earnest. The 2 PM EST broadcast time will minimize disruption during rush hours, while ensuring that the test occurs during working hours across the United States.

What will people hear and see during the test?

On November 9, the public will hear a message indicating that “This is a test.” The audio message will be the same for both radio and television. However, the image on the screen and the text/crawl at the top of television screen may not be the same for all viewers. When the EAS test is over, regular programming will resume.

As we continue working with all our partners to prepare for the test in the months ahead, FEMA and the FCC plan to conduct outreach to organizations representing people with hearing disabilities to prepare that community for the national EAS test. Outreach will include specific information tailored to the needs of those with hearing disabilities that will be readily available at online sites.

How long will the test last?

We anticipate that the test will last approximately 3 minutes. While most messages, such as tsunami or hurricane warnings, are limited to 2 minutes by the EAS system, the Presidential message capability does not have a time limit. So to evaluate if the system properly interprets the Presidential message code in this test, the message duration must be longer than two minutes in length.

And because, as with all areas of emergency management, this test will involve many members of the team, here is a quick overview of who does what to prepare for a national test:

FEMA develops, operates and maintains the national-level EAS; conduct test and exercises; ensures the national-level EAS keeps pace with emerging technologies through the use of low-cost innovation techniques.

The FCC maintains the regulatory responsibility, rules and enforcement of the Emergency Alert System with broadcasters and wireline service providers.

NOAA’s National Weather Service provides imminent weather threat warnings to the public. During the test, the NWS will provide situational awareness of possible severe weather and climate threats to the United States. If NOAA needs to activate the EAS for severe State/localized weather alerts, test managers may delay the test in that area to make way for the imminent threat weather alert.

State Emergency Operations Centers may monitor the tests and transmissions.

The private sector, including organizations such as the National Association of Broadcasters (including State Broadcast Associations), the Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE), the National Alliance of State Broadcasters Associations (NASBA), American Cable Association (ACA), the Primary Entry Point Administrative Council (ACA), National Cable and Telecommunications Association (NCTA), Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers, Broadcast Warning Working Group, and others provide extraordinary input for this test.

This test is another reminder that everyone should establish an emergency preparedness kit and emergency plan for themselves, their families, communities, and businesses. Anyone can visit www.ready.gov for more information about how to prepare for and stay informed about what to do in the event of an actual emergency.

As we continue to work with all our partners in the months leading up to this test, visit the FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau web page, at www.fcc.gov/pshs for updates and developments. We will also continue to post updates on this blog.

Posted by: Public Affairs

Hurricane season is here, and the first named storm of 2011 is currently churning in the Pacific. Adrian, currently 350 miles south of Acapulco, Mexico, is currently forecasted to move out further into the Pacific and not pose a threat to the U.S. or its territories.



Even though Adrian isn’t expected to threaten the U.S., it serves as a good reminder that now is the time to be prepared if you live in a coastal area or could be affected by severe tropical weather. Ready.gov/hurricanes has tips for creating your family emergency plan and getting an emergency kit, so check it out today. And visit this blog post from yesterday to see how you can stay informed before a disaster strikes, with resources for the latest information about hurricanes and tropical storms from the National Hurricane Center and others.

Here are some safety tips to remember, in case a hurricane or tropical storm threatens your area:

• Listen to the direction of local officials. Be sure to know your evacuation route in case evacuation orders are given.
• Install straps or additional clips to securely fasten your roof to the frame structure. This will reduce roof damage.
• Be sure trees and shrubs around your home are well trimmed – as high winds may cause loose branches to break free during a hurricane.

Other links
In addition to high winds, hurricanes and tropical storms can cause significant rainfall and flooding. Purchasing flood insurance is a great way to protect your home or business from the financial damages of flooding, so visit www.FloodSmart.gov today. Flood insurance policies take 30 days to become effective, so be sure to purchase flood insurance before you need it.