Students — Don't miss next week's deadline to apply for an IAEM Scholarship
Published: 06 Jun 2018 15:43:11 CDT
The deadline for application to the IAEM Scholarship Program for a 2018-2019 academic scholarship is 5:00 p.m. EDT, June 12, 2018. If you are a full-time undergraduate or full- or part-time graduate student working towards a degree in emergency management, disaster management, or a closely related field of study, don't miss this opportunity. Applications are available on the IAEM website at www.iaem.com/scholarships. Questions may be directed to Scholarship Program Director Dawn Shiley.
Help raise funds for IAEM scholarships by participating in online auction!
Published: 06 Jun 2018 15:43:11 CDT
Help IAEM raise money for scholarships. The IAEM Scholarship Program Springing into Summer Benefit Auction is open for bids until 5:00 p.m. June 21, 2018. There are many wonderful items, including: jewelry, FBI collectibles, EM collectibles, vacation packages and unique experiences, books, gourmet foods, and a subscription to the Journal of Emergency Management. Visit the auction site to see and bid on all 27 items. Please help IAEM out by telling your friends about this auction and sharing on social media to increase the pool of participants.
Feature articles on 'Climate Change: An Emerging Threat' are sought by July 10 for an upcoming IAEM Bulletin special focus issue
Published: 06 Jun 2018 15:43:11 CDT
The IAEM Editorial Work Group asks that you consider writing an article for the upcoming IAEM Bulletin special focus issue on "Climate Change: An Emerging Threat." The deadline for article submissions is July 10, 2018. Articles might include, but are not limited to: coastal mitigation; increased needs for shelters (heating shelters, cooling shelters); how adaptation to climate change is defined; demographic changes; immigration; U.S. federal government website with resources on climate change; NASA resources with worldwide information available via database; global responses to climate change/climate adaptation, anticipated increase in weather extremes, case studies. These are just examples of articles. You may identify another aspect of climate change as it relates to emergency management that you would like to write about. Article length is 750-1,500 words. Please refer to the author guidelines for details, and email any questions to Editor Karen Thompson.
Despite progress, Ebola danger remains in DRC*
Published: 06 Jun 2018 15:43:11 CDT
There is hope that the world's latest Ebola virus outbreak may be contained in the coming weeks, top experts from the World Health Organization and Doctors Without Borders (Medicins San Frontieres) say.
However, they recently told VOA that dangers remain as hundreds of international and local workers battle the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
IAEM-USA Council and Regions announce call for officer nominations
Published: 06 Jun 2018 15:43:11 CDT
The IAEM-USA Council on June 1 announced by email the call for nominations for the officer positions of Second Vice President and Secretary. Candidates must submit their credentials by 5:00 p.m. Eastern time, on Monday, July 2, 2018, to IAEM Headquarters via email to info@iaem.com, to be reviewed by the IAEM-USA Nominations & Credentials Committee. For details, visit the IAEM-USA News web page. If you are a member who resides in Region 2, 4, 6, 8 or 10, you also received an emailed call for regional officer nominations. For details, visit your Region's web page. An IAEM webinar, "Becoming a Candidate for IAEM Office," will be held Friday, June 15, 2018, 1:30-2:00 p.m. EDT. Speakers will be Nick Crossley, CEM, IAEM-USA President, Marty Shaub, CEM, IAEM-USA 1st Vice President, and others to be named. Do you want to learn more about what it means to be an IAEM officer or regional president? Attend this webinar, and hear from current officers and regional presidents about their IAEM roles. Register online.
FEMA releases updated Comprehensive Preparedness Guide (CPG) 201
Published: 06 Jun 2018 15:43:11 CDT
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on May 31 released the updated Comprehensive Preparedness Guide (CPG) 201 to reflect the changes in methodology for the Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) and the Stakeholder Preparedness Review (SPR), formerly the State Preparedness Report. The update includes both THIRA and SPR, because they are interconnected process that communities use to evaluate their preparedness. The updated methodology goes into effect this year. More information is posted online.
GAO releases report on federal disaster assistance
Published: 06 Jun 2018 15:43:11 CDT
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) on May 31 released Report GAO-18-366, "Federal Disaster Assistance: Individual Assistance Requests Often Granted but FEMA Could Better Document Factors Considered." GAO was asked to review FEMA's Individual Assistance (IA) declaration process. This report examines: the number of IA declaration requests received, declared, and denied; the extent to which FEMA accounts for the regulatory factors when evaluating IA requests, and any challenges FEMA regions and select states report on the declaration process and factors and any FEMA actions to revise them. GAO also reviewed proposed rulemaking comments and interviewed FEMA officials from all 10 regions and 11 state emergency management offices selected based on declaration requests and other factors. GAO recommends that FEMA evaluate why regions are not completing the RVARs for each element of the current IA regulatory factors and take corrective steps, if necessary. DHS concurred with the recommendation. The report and an executive summary can both be downloaded here.
Don't let Congress forget about the National Center for Campus Public Safety
Published: 06 Jun 2018 15:43:11 CDT
Since 2014, the National Center for Campus Public Safety (NCCPS) has served as an invaluable resource for the field, but unless Congress acts soon, funding is expected to run out in less than a year. First established in the wake of significant emergency situations on campuses across the country, the NCCPS now serves as a central clearinghouse, research leader and training resource for higher education on a broad array of issues, including emergency management, behavioral threat assessment and sexual violence.
The lesson of how one California home survived last year's historic wildfires*
Published: 06 Jun 2018 15:43:11 CDT
Looking back on last year's fire season, experts have ample explanations for why flames became historically destructive in California, consuming thousands of structures throughout the state. Some, like strong Santa Ana winds and a slow recovery from a long drought, are more natural forces. Others, like a growing population that has been pushing development into wild areas, are distinctly human. As one expert told TIME, for many homes in forested places, "it's just a matter of time" before fire will arrive.
Forest Service preps for another summer of devastating wildfires across much of the country
Published: 06 Jun 2018 15:43:11 CDT
Get ready for another summer of destructive wildfires across much of the country.
Forecasters at the National Interagency Fire Center are predicting that warmer and drier-than-normal conditions have put large portions of the Western United States at above-average risk for significant wildfires between now and September.
This year's wildfire season could rival last year's, which was one of the most devastating on record, said Vicki Christiansen, interim chief of the U.S. Forest Service.
What force holds a tornado together?
Published: 06 Jun 2018 15:43:11 CDT
What holds a tornado together? The winds, and thus the air molecules, are travelling in a tight circular path, often at hundreds of miles an hour. In order to make something travel in a circle, there must be a force on it directed towards the centre of the circle (like the sun's gravity keeping the planets in orbit). The only force that seems to be available is pressure difference, but even if the centre of the tornado were a vacuum, the difference would only be one atmosphere, which doesn't seem sufficient. What am I missing?
How corruption slows disaster recovery
Published: 06 Jun 2018 15:43:11 CDT
The 2018 hurricane season has now begun. It's a good time to think about lessons learned from last year's historic storms. Hurricane Irma, which raged across the Caribbean from late August to early September 2017, was the strongest Atlantic hurricane since record keeping began in 1851.
In total last year, six major storms were Category 3 or greater, making 2017 the seventh most-active year in history and the costliest ever.
FEMA podcast on U.S. Air Force Hurricane Hunters now available
Published: 06 Jun 2018 15:43:11 CDT
In this week's episode of the FEMA Podcast, Major Nicole Mitchell, a meteorologist with the U.S. Air Force Hurricane Hunters, presents a tour of their aircraft and discusses what it's like to fly right through the most intense parts of a hurricane. The FEMA Podcast is a new audio program series available to anyone interested in learning more about the agency, hearing about innovations in emergency management, and listening to stories about communities and individuals recovering from disasters. The podcast is updated with a new episode weekly and is available on Apple iTunes to stream or download. Learn more online.
Select ASPR Presentations from 2018 Preparedness Summit are now available
Published: 06 Jun 2018 15:43:11 CDT
Each year ASPR staff have the opportunity to share their work and exchange information with stakeholders at the Preparedness Summit. Select presentations from the 2018 Preparedness Summit on the theme of "Strengthening National Health Security: Mastering Ordinary Responses, Building Resilience for Extraordinary Events" are now available online. Learn more about how ASPR is working to save lives and protect Americans from today's health security threats.
Volcano vocabulary to help you understand the most recent eruptions
Published: 06 Jun 2018 15:43:11 CDT
The distinction between lava and magma is a fine one. Both terms refer to molten rock, but once magma leaves the earth's interior and flows out the open air, it becomes lava. It's sort of like the alchemy of “meteor" into "meteorite" once a chunk of space rock touches ground — a linguistic metamorphosis as much as, or more than, a physical one.
Interior is using drones to save people trapped by hot lava
Published: 06 Jun 2018 15:43:11 CDT
Navigating a field of hot lava makes for a fun kids game, but it's far more terrifying in real life.
One unfortunate individual was recently in that exact situation, surrounded by molten rock flowing from the Mount Kilauea volcano in Hawaii. But the Interior Department and its fleet of drones swooped in.
One drone, which the agency was using to monitor volcanic activity and assist its response to the eruption, spotted someone cornered as lava flowed toward their house. Ordered via radio to "follow the drone," the person made their way through the jungle and ultimately connected with a search crew that took them to safety.
How drones are transforming humanitarian aid
Published: 06 Jun 2018 15:43:11 CDT
Whether delivering cargo to remote areas, mapping terrain or assessing structural damage, drones — usually associated with the military and sport — are being used more and more for humanitarian aid. But it turns out that using drones for good isn't so simple.
Register now for June 13 webinar, last one in the 2018 Certification Webinar Series
Published: 06 Jun 2018 15:43:11 CDT
The last webinar in the 2018 Certification Webinar Series, covering professional contribution requirements, is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. EDT, June 13, 2018. Register on the IAEM Website. The Certification Webinar Series is a free program offered by IAEM to assist candidates in obtaining their certification with IAEM. With premises rooted in the elements of a successful certification application and succinctly proving the meeting of the criteria, this series of short, valuable experiences demonstrates to candidates that certification is attainable. If you are unable to participate live, an on-demand recording will be posted on the IAEM website after June 13.
FEMA Executive Academy students seek participants for survey
Published: 06 Jun 2018 15:43:11 CDT
Students in the FEMA National Emergency Management Executive Academy seek local, tribal, state, and federal emergency management practitioners across disciplines to complete a survey as part of their capstone project. The purpose of this survey is to assess strength of engagement with Community-Based and Faith-Based Organizations (CBOs and FBOs) by organizations that may have emergency management roles in your community. The survey seeks to identify trends in CBO/FBO engagement as well as factors that both enable and prevent effective engagement with these organizations in order to strengthen community resilience and capability to provide needed services to the public in times of crisis. The findings will be presented to FEMA and other national-level leaders in emergency management, and will be used to provide needed input to strengthen programs that support engagement with CBOs and FBOs. This survey is anonymous, and does not require that you identify yourself or your agency. It will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. Please direct any questions, comments, and requests for post-survey follow-up to kevin.wickersham@doh.wa.gov.
IAEM-USA Region 3 Symposium program and online registration are now online
Published: 06 Jun 2018 15:43:11 CDT
IAEM-USA Region 3 is holding its 8th Annual Region 3 Symposium on June 27, 2018, at the Stacey C. Sherwood Community Center in Fairfax, Virginia. Visit the event site to view or download the program, learn about topics and speakers, and register online. The registration fee of $10 includes the symposium and lunch. The online registration deadline is June 22, 2018, and on-site registration will be available on July 27 at the symposium.
ASPR TRACIE to hold June 12 webinar on healthcare system readiness for highly pathogenic infectious diseases
Published: 06 Jun 2018 15:43:11 CDT
ASPR's Technical Resources, Assistance Center, and Information Exchange (TRACIE), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will hold a webinar, Healthcare System Readiness for Highly Pathogenic Infectious Diseases, on June 12, 2018, 1:00-2:15 p.m. EDT. Register online now, as space is limited. Learn more by visiting TRACIE's Select Infectious Disease Resources page, which includes a link to its comprehensive VHF/Ebola Topic Collection.
ASPR TRACIE to hold July 11 webinar on healthcare challenges after radiological incidents
Published: 06 Jun 2018 15:43:11 CDT
ASPR's Technical Resources, Assistance Center, and Information Exchange (TRACIE), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will hold a webinar, Healthcare Challenges after Radiological Incidents, on July 11, 2018, 2:00-3:15 p.m. EDT. Webinar panelists will discuss the effects of radiological incidents on health, healthcare, and planning strategies related to different incidents. They will also share guidance and lessons learned from recent exercises and research in assessing, triaging, treating, and following up on casualties of radiological and nuclear emergencies. Register online.
IAEM announces Thursday Learning Webinar Series #1: Cybersecurity 101: Understanding Basic Threats and Preventions
Published: 06 Jun 2018 15:43:11 CDT
Cybersecurity threats surround us, with new incidents occurring daily. What does that mean for you as the emergency manager? Join us on July 19, 2018, 1:00-2:00 p.m. EDT, for this webinar, hosted by the IAEM-USA Emerging Technology Caucus, to learn about attacks that can happen to your organization (and may already have) and basic preventative measures you can take right now to prevent them. This session is basic in nature and is designed for any size emergency management organization, from any sector. The speaker, Sarah Miller, CEM, is the chair of the IAEM-USA IAEM Emerging Technology Caucus and a certified Cybersecurity Manager. She is currently the emergency management coordinator for the 16 cities of south King County, Washington, and serves as Vice President of IAEM-USA Region 10. Register now.
EMI offers Dam Safety Virtual Tabletop Exercise on July 17, 18, and 19, 2018
Published: 06 Jun 2018 15:43:11 CDT
FEMA's Emergency Management Institute (EMI) Virtual Tabletop Exercise (VTTX) Program will offer three sessions on the effects of a major dam failure on a community. Held July 17, 18, and 19, 12:00-4:00 p.m. EDT, the three offerings of this VTTX will provide a different daily experience depending on the audience. The VTTX is designed to prepare participants for a potential dam failure that could impact power production, require emergency evacuations, open use of emergency spillways, and involve recovery from a catastrophic loss. To participate, send an email to Doug Kahn, or call 301-447-7645, with preferred date of participation. Also, send a courtesy copy email to the Integrated Emergency Management Branch or call 301-447-1381. The application deadline is June 29, 2018. Additional information is online.
Property losses mount on Hawaii's Big Island as lava flow spreads*
Published: 06 Jun 2018 15:43:11 CDT
A river of lava spewing from the foot of Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano swallowed about three dozen more homes on the Big Island during a weekend of destruction that brought to nearly 120 the number of dwellings devoured since last month, officials said recently.
More than 190 missing after Guatemala volcano eruption*
Published: 06 Jun 2018 15:43:11 CDT
At least 192 people are missing after the Fuego volcano in Guatemala suddenly erupted recently, according to Sergio Cabañas, the executive secretary of Guatemala's National Coordination for Disaster Reduction.
Towns were engulfed by thick, heavy ash from the sudden eruption. Hot gases, rock and ash raced down the volcano, killing dozens, erasing hillside communities, blocking roads and leaving behind steaming debris that rescuers had trouble navigating.
10 killed in landslide in Mizoram, no relief from searing heat in North
Published: 06 Jun 2018 15:43:11 CDT
Ten people were killed in a landslide triggered by heavy rain in Mizoram, while the northern states continued to reel under the searing heat today with Churu sweating it out at 48.5 degrees Celsius.
Pre-monsoon showers have evaded the north so far, and it will be weeks before the rains reach the arid plains.
The weatherman today forecast "heavy to very heavy rain" in Goa, Telangana and Karnataka and "heavy rain" in Assam, Meghalaya, Odisha, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala.
49 killed, 70 missing after tropical cyclone hit Somaliland
Published: 06 Jun 2018 15:43:11 CDT
At least 49 people were killed while 70 others are still missing following tropical cyclone sagar that caused heavy rains and flooding in Somaliland, the UN humanitarian agency said recently.
Citing estimates from Somaliland's disaster management authority, NADFOR, the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) said nearly 168,000 people were directly affected and some 277 hectares of land destroyed in the affected villages.
