FEMA S Higher Education Program Bits and Pieces s3

FEMA’s Higher Education Program Bits and Pieces

National Emergency Training Center, Emmitsburg, MD

1 May 2015

Higher Education Program News:

 EM Hi Ed Webinar Series:

The Higher Education Program is continuing with the webinar series started in 2013. The webinars will be used to increase the flow of information and knowledge to the emergency management higher education community. Knowing what is important and essential to your programs is important. To that end, we request that you provide us topics that are of particular interest and necessary to your academic programs or your institution. An April webinar is currently in the planning stages. Ideas for webinar topics may be sent to Lillian Virgil at [email protected].

 Hi Ed Symposium

We are accepting symposium applications until Friday, May 8 th which is the deadline. Course code is E0392 Annual EM Higher Education Symposium. Applications should be emailed to the Admissions office at [email protected]

Application and pertinent information for the symposium is posted to the Hi Ed website at http://www.training.fema.gov/hiedu/educonference15.aspx. When submitting the application complete, signed and returned to the NETC Admissions office at [email protected]. The applicant’s signature is the only signature required on the application. Deadline for submitting applications is May 8, 2015. Applications received after this date will not be accepted. All non-U.S. citizens attending the symposium must have a security clearance conducted and completed before they are accepted. A security clearance takes 8-12 weeks to complete. Non-U.S. applicants must submit a complete and signed application by February 13, 2015. Applications received after this date will not be accepted.

Participant Profile

Each participant accepted to the Symposium is requested to submit electronically in Microsoft Word a short “Participant Profile.” Participant Profile should contain information you would like other participants to know about you as well as why you are attending the conference and what you would like to get out of the conference – is there something in particular you would like to talk with others about, or, is there something in particular you are looking for? Please include an email address. The “participant profiles” will be posted in the Participants Listing on Emergency Management Higher Education Program website 17th Annual EM Symposium sectionhttp://www.training.fema.gov/hiedu/educonference15.aspx. This is your way to start communications and discussion with other participants prior to the symposium. Biographies (Participant Profiles) are to be emailed to [email protected]

Symposium Workshops, Monday, June 1, 2015

Symposium workshops will be held Monday, June 1, 2015, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Workshops include Introduction to ArcGIS, Survey of HAZUS-MH, How to Teach Emergency Management, and Emergency Management Scholars Theory and Research Workshop and Exercising Emergency Plans. Please consult the Hi Ed website at http://www.training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/edu/educonference15.asp 1 for additional workshop information. Seating for workshops is limited and will be assigned on a first- come basis. Please email Barbara Johnson, [email protected] with workshop preferences.

Application Information - Course Code - E0392 Annual EM Hi Ed Symposium

Everyone attending or presenting at the Emergency Management Higher Education Symposium must submit an application and be notified of acceptance. Individuals without an accepted application will not be granted admittance to the NETC.

Symposium applicants will be notified by email of their acceptance to the higher education symposium. Make sure your email address is legible on the application.

 Moderators/Facilitators Needed for the Hi Ed Symposium

We are in need of moderators/facilitators for the symposium. Moderators/facilitators are very important to the operation of the symposium. They are responsible for keeping the breakout session to the allotted time, introduce speakers and maintain a cool and professional atmosphere for speakers and participants. If interested please contact Shannon Cool, [email protected] or Barbara Johnson, [email protected]. For more information about moderator/facilitator duties go to the Hi Ed website symposium section at http://www.training.fema.gov/hiedu/educonference15.aspx and click on the Symposium Moderators/Facilitators Information bullet.

College and University News:

 Homeland Security Update II – Penn State Harrisburg, PA

This course is offered by Penn State Harrisburg's School of Public Affairs, the academic home of Penn State Homeland Security Programs, including the Intercollege Master of Professional Studies Program in Homeland Security (iMPS-HLS), ranked the second best online homeland security

PADM 597A - Homeland Security Update II: Research and Trends

August 3 - 7, 2015

This intensive one-week residential course provides a cross-disciplinary overview of trends in homeland security and its evolving mission space, including the international discussion. The program features interactive syndicate work, networking receptions, and a short excursion, a risk and vulnerability assessment exercise, as well as lectures by leading experts in the field.

The course can be taken as two options: 1. A non-credit continuing education course where attendees will receive 3.75 CEUs. This provides a great opportunity for alumni of Penn State and other homeland security academic programs to update their expertise. 2. For three graduate credits (500 level) by completing assignments online in addition to the residential coursework.

For additional information including topics addressed and guest lecturers, as well as fees, registration and lodging go to: Penn State Harrisburg Homeland Security Update II

2  York University Survey Request

Dear Colleagues,

We are conducting a socio-cultural analysis of full-time Emergency Management faculty and programs. A preliminary framework of our work will be presented at the FEMA Higher Education Conference in June.

As further data for this research investigation, we would be very grateful if you would take approximately 10 minutes of your time to complete a survey on these related issues. Confidentiality is assured as we do not solicit names and data will be presented in an aggregated fashion.

Please feel free to disseminate this survey link to your full-time EM faculty associates world-wide. The link for the survey is:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Emhighereducation

Thank you in advance for your time and consideration of this request.

Kenneth McBey & David Etkin Disaster & Emergency Management York University Toronto, CANADA

Emergency Management/Homeland Security News:

 Disaster Information Outreach by Librarians [email protected]

Earthquake resources for children, families, caregivers, and teachers

NCTSN has a variety of resources which can be used to discuss and respond to the recent earthquake in Nepal. The resources are available on the NCTSN website and can be freely printed and distributed.

Trinka and Sam: The Day the Earth Shook (PDF) Trinka and Sam the Day the Earth Shook is a story developed to help young children and their families begin to talk about feelings and worries they may have after they have experienced an earthquake. In the story, Trinka and Sam, two small mice, become scared and worried after they experienced an earthquake and witnessed damage to their community. The aftershocks reminded them of the initial earthquake. The story describes some of their reactions and talks about how their parents help them to express their feelings and feel safer. In the back of the booklet, there is a parent guide that suggests ways that parents can use the story with their children.

After the Earthquake: Helping Young Children Heal (PDF) Parent Guidelines for Helping Children after an Earthquake (PDF) Teacher Guidelines for Helping Students after an Earthquake (PDF) Tips for Parents on Media Coverage of the Earthquake (PDF) Guidance for Caregivers: Children or Teens who had a Loved One Die in The Earthquake (PDF) Guidance for School Personnel: Students Who had a Loved One Die in The Earthquake (PDF)

3 There is also a section on the NCTSN website which discusses earthquake readiness, response, and recovery. http://www.nctsn.org/trauma-types/natural-disasters/earthquakes#tabset-tab-5

**While according to the 2010 U.S. Census Nepalese-Americans make up a relatively small percentage of the overall population in the U.S. [59,490], for those individuals and organizations who may work with Nepalese/Nepali-Americans, below are additional resources on coping that may be of interest:

1) “Managing Stress” from the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants in Nepali (and a version in English) - This brochure is geared towards refugees, but is the only resource on coping I could find that is in the Nepali language; if anyone comes across other coping-related resources in the Nepali language from trusted sources, please share!

2) “Helping Students Cope With Global Disasters” from Colorín Colorado, a bilingual site for families and educators of English language learners

Finally, please remember that the national Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7 crisis counseling and emotional support to anyone in the U.S. who may be experiencing distress related to the earthquake in Nepal. Learn more about DDH services at http://disasterdistress.samhsa.gov and note that interpretation services are available to connect crisis counselors with callers in 150+ languages, including Nepali.

Christian Burgess | Director, Disaster Distress Helpline MHA-NYC | Link2Health Solutions 50 Broadway, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10004 [email protected] | (O) 212-614-6346 (C) 917-842-2847

Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 | Text “TalkWithUs” to 66746 http://disasterdistress.samhsa.gov |Facebook: /distresshelpline | Twitter: @distressline

Free Access to Online Books, Journals for Healthcare Responders to Nepal Earthquake, Provided by Publishers, National Library of Medicine NLM Launches Emergency Access Initiative, Granting Free Access to Books and Journals for Healthcare Professionals Responding to Earthquake in Nepal The National Library of Medicine (NLM) Emergency Access Initiative (EAI) has been activated to support healthcare professionals working on the response to the earthquake in Nepal. If you know of a library or organization involved in healthcare efforts in response to the earthquake in Nepal, please let them know of this service.

The EAI is a collaborative partnership between NLM and participating publishers to provide free access to full-text from over 650 biomedical journals and over 4,000 reference books and online databases to healthcare professionals and libraries affected by disasters. It serves as a temporary collection replacement and/or supplement for libraries affected by disasters that need to continue to serve medical staff and affiliated users. It is also intended for medical personnel responding to the specified disaster. EAI is not an open access collection. It is only intended for those affected by the disaster or assisting the affected population. EAI was activated four times in the past, including following the earthquake and subsequent cholera epidemic in Haiti, flooding in Pakistan, the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, and the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.

NLM thanks the numerous participating publishers for their generous support of this initiative: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American 4 Chemical Society, American College of Physicians, American Medical Association, American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists, ASM Press, B.C. Decker, BMJ, Cambridge University Press, EBSCOHost, Elsevier, FA Davis, Mary Ann Liebert, Massachusetts Medical Society, McGraw-Hill, Merck Publishing, Oxford University Press, People's Medical Publishing House, Springer, University of Chicago Press, Wiley and Wolters Kluwer.

Resources on Earthquakes NLM has several other resources that will be helpful for people working on disaster response:  Disaster Information Management Research Center (for first responders, healthcare professionals and the public): http://disasterinfo.nlm.nih.gov/dimrc.html  Earthquakes (for the general public): http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/earthquakes.html  International health (for the general public): http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/internationalhealth.html

For questions regarding these resources, please e-mail [email protected] or call 1.888.346.3656 in the United States, or 301.594.5983 internationally.

The world's largest biomedical library, the National Library of Medicine maintains and makes available a vast print collection and produces electronic information resources on a wide range of topics that are searched billions of times each year by millions of people around the globe. It also supports and conducts research, development and training in biomedical informatics and health information technology.

For your own subscription to Disaster Information Outreach by Librarians, sign up at http://disasterinfo.nlm.nih.gov/dimrc/dimrclistserv.html.

The DISASTR-OUTREACH-LIB archives are available at https://list.nih.gov/archives/disastr-outreach- lib.html.

 IAEM Dispatch, April 30, 2015

IAEM-ASIA NEWS

How past disasters will aid relief efforts in earthquake-ravaged Nepal The Globe and Mail The rush is on to help survivors of the Nepal earthquake with food, water, shelter and medical help. Eight million people, or a quarter of the population, have been affected by the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that has killed more than 5,000 people. The death toll is expected to climb. Once again, the international disaster response system goes in to high gear and faces a test: getting aid on to the ground and distributing it to more remote parts of the country, and helping put Nepal on the path to post-disaster recovery.

IAEM-USA NEWS

Coming next week: National Planning Framework Update IAEM The five Frameworks, as part of a Presidential Policy Directive – 8 refresher, are being updated and will 5 be presented for public comment the week of May 4. The National Planning Frameworks, one for each preparedness mission area, describe how the whole community works together to achieve the National Preparedness Goal and foster a shared understanding of our roles and responsibilities from the firehouse to the White House. The public comment period will last only three weeks from date of promulgation. A link to the updates for review will be posted on the IAEM website as soon as it is available.

'Explosive' wildfires are already out of control months before fire season ThinkProgress "Wildfire season" seems to be a thing of the past for drought-stricken California, with fires now raging throughout the year. There have already been nearly 850 wildfires this year — 70 percent above the average, according to CAL FIRE data. High temperatures and low precipitation, both related to climate change, have dried out forests and scrublands across the western United States, allowing fires to spread faster and farther than usual, any time during the year.

IAEM NEWS

IAEM now accepting 2015 scholarship applications; deadline to apply is June 1, 2015, 12:00 a.m. (midnight) EDT IAEM IAEM is now accepting applications for the 2015 IAEM Scholarships. The deadline to apply is June 1, 2015, 12:00 a.m. (midnight) EDT. The 2015 Scholarship Application forms are available for download here, with separate forms for undergraduate and graduate students. IAEM scholarships are awarded through a competitive process to full-time students pursuing an associate or diploma baccalaureate, or graduate degree in emergency management, disaster management, or a closely related field. The IAEM Scholarship Program was established to nurture, promote and develop disaster preparedness and resistance by furthering the education of students studying the field of emergency management, disaster management or a closely related program. The purpose of the program is to assist the profession by identifying and developing students with the intellect and technical skills to advance emergency management.

Why does IAEM hold an awards competition? IAEM The IAEM Annual Awards Competition has always been about recognizing and honoring those who have made special or significant contributions to the field of emergency management and who have represented the profession well by their outstanding performance. The IAEM Awards entry period began on Apr. 1, 2015, and will end on Friday, May 29, 2015, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time. The period of performance for which work on award-winning activities is judged is the previous calendar year (Jan. 1- Dec. 31, 2014). The IAEM Awards Committee, in cooperation with respective IAEM Caucuses, Regions, and Councils, administers all IAEM awards. There will be no separate calls for entries for any other 2015 awards. Remember, you can't win if you don't enter! Go to www.iaem.com/Awards to download award guidelines and official entry forms. Be sure to read the guidelines carefully and pay close attention to content requirements, format, and length specifications, before submitting your entries via email to Karen Thompson.

NEW INSIGHTS

Measuring earthquakes with more than just 1 scale NPR When Nepal's earthquake hit, the first number everyone turned to was that awful magnitude number: 7.8. But INFORM, which provides global risk assessment with sponsorship from the European 6 Commission, has developed its own scale, calculating just how vulnerable 191 countries are when it comes to earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, hurricanes and other disasters.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE UPDATE

Win a free registration to the IAEM 2016 Annual Conference & EMEX IAEM Are you passionate about emergency management? Are you a good storyteller? This is your chance to present your story live on the plenary session stage for the IAEM presents EMvision Talks at the Annual Conference in Clark County, Nevada, on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2015. The Talks are modeled on the well-known TED™ Talk format and are limited to five minutes. The top five to seven selected speakers will be part of a live contest, where the audience will vote for the top speaker who will win a complimentary registration to the IAEM 64th Annual Conference & EMEX in Savannah, Georgia, Oct. 14-19, 2016. To submit your presentation, you must copy and paste the link to the high-quality recording of the unlisted YouTube video of your proposed Talk. View the Speaker Guidance for more information.

EM RESOURCES

GAO releases report on budgeting for disasters IAEM The Government Accountability Office (GAO) on Apr. 27 released GAO-15-424, "Budgeting in Disasters: Approaches to Budgeting for Disasters in States." In recent years, natural and human-made disasters have increased in the United States in terms of both numbers and severity. For presidentially declared disasters, the federal government generally pays 75 percent of disaster costs and states cover the rest. As a result of this trend, governments at all levels have incurred increased costs for disaster response and recovery. Understanding the approaches states take to budget for disaster costs can help inform congressional consideration of the balance between federal and state roles in funding disaster assistance. GAO was asked to examine how states typically budget for costs associated with disasters and any changes to those budget approaches during the past decade. This report reviewed (1) the approaches selected states use to budget for and fund state-level disaster costs; and (2) how, if at all, state disaster budgeting approaches have changed over time. Download the full report.

NLM launches emergency access initiative, granting free access to books and journals for healthcare professionals responding to earthquake in Nepal IAEM The National Library of Medicine (NLM) Emergency Access Initiative (EAI) has been activated to support healthcare professionals working on the response to the earthquake in Nepal. If you know of a library or organization involved in healthcare efforts in response to the earthquake in Nepal, please let them know of this service. The EAI is a collaborative partnership between NLM and participating publishers to provide free access to full-text from more than 650 biomedical journals and more than 4,000 reference books and online databases to healthcare professionals and libraries affected by disasters. It serves as a temporary collection replacement and/or supplement for libraries affected by disasters and medical personnel responding to specified disasters. EAI was activated four times in the past, including following the earthquake and subsequent cholera epidemic in Haiti, flooding in Pakistan, the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, and the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Other NLM resources helpful for those working in disaster response include: Disaster Information Management Research Center (for first responders, healthcare professionals and the public); Earthquakes (for the general public); and International Health (for the general public).

7 America's PrepareAthon! social media toolkit now available IAEM The America's PrepareAthon! Spring 2015 social media toolkit is now available for download. The toolkit includes sample messages that can be shared on social media to encourage preparedness. For more information about America's PrepareAthon!, visit www.ready.gov/prepare.

CEM® UPDATE

Certification application review begins May 1 IAEM The next CEM®/AEM application review will begin May 1 for all application submitted by close of business on Apr. 30, 2015. Candidates will be notified of the results during the week of June 21. Are you still thinking about getting certified? Check out our Getting Started page on the IAEM website to learn more about the process and find helpful resources.

DISASTER TECHNOLOGY NEWS

Tech giants help track Nepal earthquake survivors as communications are hit The Wall Street Journal Global technology firms are pitching in on earthquake rescue efforts in Nepal with services such as free calls to and from the country to functions that track survivors and relay the news to worried relatives and friends overseas. Search giant Google Inc. launched its Person Finder service, which allows users to post and search for information about missing friends and loved ones. The feature, which Google created in response to the destructive 2010 earthquake in Haiti, showed it was tracking about 6,300 records. Facebook Inc. activated Safety Check, which allows users in areas affected by the earthquake to select a notification alerting friends on the social network that they are OK.

EM CALENDAR

AAS, AMS and IAEM to host extreme precipitation 'Google Hangout On Air,' May 1 IAEM The American Astronautical Society (AAS), American Meteorological Society (AMS) and International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) will co-host an "Extreme Precipitation Hangout On Air" this Friday, May 1, 2015, at 12:30 pm EDT, to discuss just how extreme precipitation events are defined and forecast as well as how communities everywhere can better prepare and respond. Presented by Northrop Grumman, the one-hour digital event will also support America's PrepareAthon, a grassroots campaign for action to increase community preparedness and resilience. The conversation during the Hangout will be devoted to discussing the impacts and mitigation of heavy precipitation events to help create a Weather-Ready Nation. The audience will hear from some of the top voices in weather from government, private industry, media and academia as they discuss what it takes to serve communities dealing with all kinds of extreme precipitation: hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding and winter storms. Follow the Hangout at northropgrumman.com/ExtremePrecipitation. Join the Conversation on Twitter and send us your extreme weather questions by using #ExtremeWx.

FEMA announces fourth meeting of the Technical Mapping Advisory Council IAEM FEMA announced the fourth public meeting of the Technical Mapping Advisory Council (TMAC), scheduled for May 12-13, 2015, in Reston, Virginia. The public meeting will be held at the United States Geological Survey Headquarters Main Auditorium on May 12 from 8:00 am-5:45 pm and May 13 from 8:00 am-5:15 pm EDT located at 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive Reston, Virginia, 20192. The TMAC will discuss topics to include progress from the three TMAC subcommittees (Future Conditions; 8 Flood Hazard Risk Generation and Dissemination; and Operations, Coordination, and Leveraging) regarding data and recommendations; voting on topics for inclusion in the Future Conditions Report and Annual Report, which are to be delivered in October 2015; and next steps for TMAC discussions and report development. Invited subject matter experts will brief TMAC members on FEMA's mapping process, reviewing detail of the process for map production from start to finish, discuss the status of FEMA’s transition to all-digital map display, and hear from experts in the lending and insurance industries to hear how maps are used to inform their efforts. A public comment period will be held during on May 12 from 5:15-5:45 pm and May 13 from 3:15-3:45 pm EDT. Those interested in speaking during the public comment period must contact FEMA by email at FEMA- [email protected] or by calling 202-646-3432 to register as a speaker by May 7, 2015. Those not attending and wish to submit written comments can do so via the online Federal eRulemaking Portal, or by email to [email protected] and a copy to [email protected]. All submissions received must include the words "Federal Emergency Management Agency" and docket number, FEMA-2014-0022. Comments received will be posted without alteration at www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided.

AROUND THE WORLD

Nepal quake death toll surpasses 5000 as aid reaches epicenter area Fox News Aid reached a hilly district near the epicenter of Nepal's earthquake for the first time, four days after the quake struck and as the death toll from the disaster passed the 5,000 mark. But it will still take time for the food and other supplies to reach survivors in remote communities who have been cut off by landslides, warned Geoff Pinnock, a World Food Program emergencies officer.

Kenya floods: Scores feared dead as torrential rain turns roads into rivers Capital FM News via International Business Times Scores of people in western Kenya were feared dead Wednesday after heavy rainfall turned roads and streets into raging rivers overnight. At least 15 bodies were recovered from floods in a town west of Nairobi and dozens more were still missing, local media reports said. "It's difficult to say what the true extent of the damage is, given there is a lot of debris to sort through," Michael Aiyabei of a Kenya Red Cross team told Capital FM News in Narok.

Forest fire in Ukraine approaches Chernobyl disaster site The Wall Street Journal A forest fire raged about 12 miles from the remains of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine, officials said. Zoryan Shkiryak, acting head of Ukraine's emergency services, said 200 firefighters were at the scene trying to put out the fire but the situation was otherwise "fully under control." The fire was likely caused by arson or a permitted fire that "got out of hand," the statement said. Ukrainian officials assured the public that a fire so close to the scene of the 1986 nuclear disaster didn't present a major health hazard.

NSW floods: About 2,000 people still cut off by water in two Hunter communities The Guardian Recovery efforts are set to be ramped up with about 2,000 people still cut off by floodwaters after deadly storms in New South Wales. State emergency service teams are ferrying food and medical supplies to more than 1,800 people in the Hunter communities of Hinton and Gillieston Heights. Four people died in the floods.

Chile's Calbuco volcano triggers fresh evacuation BBC News 9 There have been fresh evacuations in the area surrounding the Calbuco volcano in southern Chile after it started spewing ash again on Tuesday. The volcano erupted twice last week prompting the evacuation of more than 6,000 people. On Tuesday, residents who had returned to Rio Blanco, to the south of the volcano, were asked to leave again. Calbuco, which before last week had not erupted for 42 years, is one of around 90 active volcanoes in Chile.

Coast Guard IDs 3rd victim in deadly sailboat disaster The Associated Press via ABC News Authorities have identified the third person killed when a powerful storm struck a sailboat race on the Alabama coast. The U.S. Coast Guard said that the body of 67-year-old William Glenn Massey of Daphne was found near a gas platform in Mobile Bay. An angler spotted the body and notified officials. Massey is the third person confirmed dead since the boating disaster. The search continues in the Gulf of Mexico and inland waters for three others who remain missing.

Baltimore deploys National Guard as riots erupt Agence France-Presse via Yahoo News Thousands of police and National Guard troopers were ordered to back up beleaguered officers in Baltimore after riots triggered by anger over the death of a black man in police custody. After an evening of violence, officials said calm appeared to be returning to the city. At least 27 people were arrested and 15 police injured as stone and brick-throwing mobs, many of them high school students, clashed with law enforcement and attacked local businesses. The state of Maryland declared a state of emergency after furious rioters looted businesses, ransacking shops and stealing armloads of merchandise, and torched cars.

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 New York Citizen Corps Communications Network, April 29, 2015

Severe Weather Awareness Week (April 26 - May 2, 2015) and Air Quality Awareness Week (April 27 - May 1, 2015)

This week is Severe Weather Awareness Week in New York, a week-long public awareness event to inform and refresh knowledge about potential emergencies and to strengthen preparation for future instances of extreme weather. New York State's effort to mark Severe Weather Awareness Week coincides with broader attempts from the National Weather Service (NWS), NOAA, and FEMA to test emergency alert systems and coordinate emergency response initiatives. Across the nation, government organizations, private companies and volunteer partners have all come together to help at-risk communities become better-equipped for future storms.

The top severe weather hazards in New York are:

 Tornadoes  Severe Thunderstorms and lightning  Flash Floods & River Floods  High Winds

Get Informed & Be Prepared

 National Weather Service - United States' weather forecast government agency(and they also issue severe weather warnings) 10  Wireless Emergency Alerts - sent by authorities to all cellphones in specific area to warm of a dangerous situation or critical information  Notify NYC - New York City's official source for information about emergency events and important City services.  NYC Emergency Management's Be Ready for Severe Weather NYC Hazards webpage  Being prepared for severe weather doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. A few simple steps, such as having a disaster supplies kit, could help save your life.  Be a Force of Nature by knowing your risk, taking action and being an example where you live.  To find out more about being prepared for any emergency, click here.

It is also Air Quality Awareness Week to provide information on outdoor air pollution and its impact on the quality of the air we breathe. Poor air quality impacts our health. To learn more about poor air quality, the air quality index, air quality forecasts, action days and safety tips, please visit http://www.airquality.noaa.gov and http://www.weather.gov/okx/airquality

NYC Citizen Corps and Other Initiatives

Department of Homeland Security Non-Profit Security Grant Program The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is making funding available to qualified non-profit entities for fiscal year 2015. The Non-Profit Security Grand Program provides funding support for structural modifications and other physical security enhancements. To qualify, a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization must pre-qualify with New York State by submitting the required grant application and additional documentation to DHSES. For more information or the application, please visit http://www.dhses.ny.gov/grants/nonprofit.cfm. The deadline for submission is 11:59pm on May 4, 2015. Further information concerning US DHS security grand, including FAQs, can be found here.

 Recovery Diva Blog - http://recoverydiva.com/

Posted on April 28, 2015 GAO Report on How States Budget for Disasters See this page for long and short versions of the State Budget Report.

Posted on April 29, 2015

New E-Book on Community Resilience – free download Hot off the press (actually, your printer) is the report from the Multi-National Resilience Policy Group titled Strategies for Supporting Community Resilience ; 350 pp.

Posted on April 30, 2015 American Planning Association Adds New Division APA’s Newest Division: Hazard Mitigation and Disaster Recovery Planning

 The CIP Report – Center for Infrastructure Protection and Homeland Security – Volume 14 Number

This month, our authors discuss aspects of security and resilience within the Transportation Sector. After the article in the April 14 edition of the Wall Street Journal (http://on.wsj.com/1JEBOIY) that described the possible effects of an oil train accident, the topics of transportation sector resilience and security and the cascading effects of incidents in this lifeline sector take on an added relevance.

11  Transportation Security and Resilience – Challenges in a Connected World by Michael G. Dinning  Principles for Effective Security and Resilience Management by David A. Buscek  A Survey of Current Work on Vehicle Security and Vehicle Security Considerations by Roland Varriale, Michael Thompson, and Dr. Nathaniel Evans  Bye, Bye Blue Water Fleet by K. Denise Rucker Krepp  Project “Jack Rabbit:” A Successful Story of Public and Private Partnership and the National Benefits of Technology Transfer by Department of Homeland Security  Transportation Planning Methods for Coping with Climate Change Uncertainty: An Overview by Thomas A. Wall, Warren E. Walker, and Vincent A.W.J. Marchau  Transportation Infrastructure Security and Resilience – State DOT Strategic Perspectives by Dr. Silvana Croope

The Center for Infrastructure Protection and Homeland Security (CIP/HS) works in conjunction with James Madison University and seeks to fully integrate the disciplines of law, policy, and technology for enhancing the security of cyber-networks, physical systems, and economic processes supporting the Nation’s critical infrastructure. The Center is funded by a grant from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

If you would like to be added to the distribution list for The CIP Report, please click on this link: http://listserv.gmu.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=cipp-report-l&A=1

 The Silver Lining Circular – A Monthly Open Source Listing of Notable Publications on International Security, War/Conflict, Disasters and Complex All-Hazard Emergencies

“Decoding the Iran Nuclear Deal: Key Questions, Points of Divergence, Pros and Cons, Pending Legislation, and Essential Facts.” – this 74-page policy brief “…summarizing key facts, core concepts, and major arguments for and against the emerging deal. Amidst the sound and fury of claim and counter-claim, the purpose of this Policy Brief is not to advocate support for or opposition to the deal, but rather to provide an objective, nonpartisan summary to inform Members of Congress and others in coming to their own conclusions. The team of experts who prepared this report includes Democrats, Republicans, independents, and internationals, who have many disagreements among themselves, but who agree that this Brief presents the essentials objectively.” Web Site: http://belfercenter.ksg.harvard.edu/files/Decoding%20the%20Iran %20Nuclear%20Deal.pdf

“Artful Balance: The Future of US Defense Strategy and Force Posture in the Gulf” – this paper “… analyze how historic changes and developing trends in Washington, the Middle East, and across the globe - long with Iran's nuclear ambitions and asymmetric threat - are all affecting US defense strategy in the Gulf. Underwriting a new force posture in the region to support that strategy effectively is just as important.” Web Site: http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/images/publications/ACUS_ArtfulBalance_WEB.pdf

“Thucydides Was Right: Defining the Future Threat” – Published this month by the Strategic Studies Institute, this in-depth monograph maintains that “…to define future threat is, in a sense, an impossible task, yet it is one that must be done. The author draws upon the understanding of strategic history obtainable from Thucydides’ great History of the Peloponnesian War. He advises prudence as the operating light for American definition of future threat, and believes that there are historical parallels between the time of Thucydides and our own that can help us avoid much peril. The future must always be unpredictable to us in any detail, but the many and potent continuities in history’s great stream of time can serve to alert us to what may well happen in kind.” Web Site: http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pubs/display.cfm?pubID=1256

12 “America’s Failed Approach to Chaos Theory: The Complexity Crisis in U.S. Strategy” – Issued this month by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), this 11-page commentary contents that “…the U.S. now faces a rapidly evolving world filled with new challenges at a time when real- world defense planning is focused on budget cuts, when U.S. “strategy” lacks plans and program budgets, and when talk of strategic partnership lacks clear and specific direction. Far too much U.S. strategic rhetoric is a hollow shell, while the real U.S. national security posture is based on sub- optimizing the budget around the fiscal ceilings set by the Budget Control Act (BCA), persisting in issuing empty concepts and strategic rhetoric, and dealing with immediate problems out of any broader strategic context. The end result resembles an exercise in chaos theory.” Web Site: http://csis.org/files/publication/150416_Cordesman_Complexity.pdf

“American Diplomacy at Risk” – Released this month by the American Academy of Diplomacy, this 76-page study argues that “…America's diplomacy—the front line of our defenses—is in trouble. Increasing politicization undermines institutional strength; almost no career officers serve in the most senior State positions, while short-term political appointees penetrate ever deeper into the system. The Foreign Service lacks the professional education and standards to meet its current heavy responsibilities and to create its necessary future senior leaders. Some State Department officials seem intent on nullifying the Foreign Service Act of 1980, and its merit-based personnel system by bureaucratically seeking to blend the Foreign and Civil Services. Our national interest requires our immediate recommitment to the law and to strengthening our professional Foreign and Civil Services. State needs to comprehensively review and modernize its entire system of workforce management and budgeting.” Web Site: http://www.academyofdiplomacy.org/publications/ADAR_Full_Report_4.1.15.pdf

“A Guide to Measuring Urban Risk Resilience: Principles, Tools and Practice of Urban Indicators” – Recently issued by the Earthquakes and Megacities Initiative (EMI), this 188-guidebook is a “…reference tool for practitioners describing the principles, tools and practice of three urban disaster risk and resilience indicator systems. The Guidebook can be likened to a toolkit - a collection of useful methods, tools and use cases relevant for dealing with the challenge of operationalizing indicators in urban disaster risk management (DRM). The Guidebook has been designed specifically for urban DRM professionals to plan and implement a participatory process for assessing a cities risk and resilience from an integrated perspective.” Web Site: http://emi-megacities.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/ResilienceIndicators_Pre- release_March20151.pdf

“Overview of Natural Disasters and their Impacts in Asia and the Pacific, 1970 -2014” – Published last month by the U.N. Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), this paper “… provides a review of natural disasters and their impacts in Asia and the Pacific by disaster type, sub-region and level of development. The first section looks at the occurrence of natural disaster events. This is followed by an analysis of fatalities and economic loss in sections two and three respectively. The short- term consequences of natural disasters on the economy are also mentioned. The final section briefly discusses aspects regarding exposure and vulnerability of countries in Asia and the Pacific.” Web Site: http://www.unescap.org/resources/overview-natural-disasters-and-their-impacts-asia-and-pacific- 1970-

“An Integrated Methodology for Landslides’ Early Warning Systems” – Recently issued in the journal Landslides, this study describes presents “…an integrated methodology for landslides’ analysis…such methodology is aimed at the creation of early warning systems and is based on the integration between a modern monitoring technique, such as the Ground-Based Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (GBInSAR), along with advanced numerical modelling. This includes showing the application of the proposed methodology to the case study of a rockslide in central Italy. The integration between monitoring data, allowed for the definition of a set of surface velocity thresholds to be adopted for the 13 long-term monitoring of the landslide and for the creation of an effective early warning systems (EWS).” Web Site: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10346-015-0563-8

“Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction - 2015 (Fourth Edition), Making Development Sustainable: The Future of Disaster Risk Management” – Issued last month by U. N. International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR), this very comprehensive document presents “…new evidence on contemporary patterns and trends in disaster risk in order to assess the extent to which the expected outcome of the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) has been achieved…and an examination whether the way disaster risk reduction has been approached is appropriate to address an increasingly accelerated generation and accumulation of disaster risks. The concluding chapter shows why the focus of disaster risk reduction needs to move from managing disasters to managing risks if it is to contribute to making development sustainable.” Web Site: http://www.preventionweb.net/english/hyogo/gar/2015/en/gar- pdf/GAR2015_EN.pdf

“Private-Sector Development and U.S. Foreign Policy: Evidence of Indirect Diplomatic, Economic, and Security Benefits” – Released this month by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) this paper addresses “…what benefits does private-sector development provide to the United States? When the government facilitates connections between the U.S. private sector and the private sectors of developing countries, what does the United States get out of it? This by examining two broad measures: the direct development benefits that accrue to the host country; and the indirect benefits that accrues to the donor nation. In justifying its extensive foreign aid budget to Congress and the broader public, the executive branch frequently cites the diplomatic, security, and economic benefits of such aid. This report provides some quantitative indicators for those benefits.” Web Site: http://csis.org/files/publication/140415_Savoy_PrivateSecDevel_Web.pdf

“Understanding Environmental Security and Climate Change” – Recently issued by the Arthur D. Simons Center for Interagency Cooperation, this essay analyzes “…the impacts of climate change on the security of the United States. Environmental security issues like climate change are a worldwide issue that will require a whole-of-government response. Interagency cooperation between the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Energy, Department of State, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, and the many agencies of the intelligence community will be essential. This essay uses climate change, a key environmental security issue, to demonstrate the threats to peace and stability that the world now faces from human-induced changes to the environment.” Web Site: http://thesimonscenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/IAE-14-01W-JAN2014.pdf

“Bangladesh Disaster Management Reference Handbook” – Recently released by Center for Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance (CFE-DMHA), this 139-page handbook “…is designed to provide decision makers, planners and responders a comprehensive understanding of in-country disaster management plans and structures, including information on key domestic disaster response entities, basic country background, and local and international humanitarian organizations present in the country. A basic overview of the health situation in the country and disease surveillance is also included. Information on UN agencies, international Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs), major local NGOs, and key U.S. agencies and programs in the country, are also provided.” Web Link: the https://www.cfe-dmha.org/LinkClick.aspx? fileticket=B26eCMJa0e0%3d&portalid=0

“Toward a Unified Military Response: Hurricane Sandy and the Dual Status Commander” – Issued this month by the Strategic Studies Institute, this comprehensive monograph seeks to provide “…an objective and systematic documentation and evaluation of the military response to Hurricane Sandy as a basis for assessing the efficacy of the dual status commander arrangement for no-notice/limited-notice incidents in the homeland. The coordinated military response to Hurricane Sandy in the fall of 2012 was 14 the first time in U.S. history dual status commanders assumed command of both Title 10 and Title 32 forces during a no-notice/ limited-notice incident. As such, this event provides a relevant and timely opportunity to study the military response to the storm and offer objective recommendations for improving future no-notice/limited-notice defense support of civil authorities (DSCA) operations under the dual status commander arrangement.” Web Site: http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pubs/display.cfm?pubID=1263

“2015 Who Strategic Response Plan: West Africa Ebola Outbreak” –Released this week by the World Health Organization (WHO), this strategic plan is a follow-up to WHO’s August 2014- February 2015 Ebola plan maintaining that “…while encouraging progress has been made, there is still a considerable effort required to stop all chains of transmission in the affected countries, prevent the spread of the disease to neighbouring countries and to safely re-activate life- saving essential health services. Strategic objectives for WHO: 1) stop transmission of the Ebola virus in affected countries; 2) prevent new outbreaks of the Ebola virus in new areas and countries; 3) safely reactivate essential health services and increase resilience; 4) fast-track Ebola research and development; 5) coordinate national and international Ebola response.” Web Site: http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/163360/1/9789241508698_eng.pdf?ua=1&ua=1

“Never Again: Building Resilient Health Systems and Learning from the Ebola Crisis” – Issued this month by Oxfam, this 40-page briefing paper “…identifies lessons from the current Ebola crisis, as well as previous outbreaks, to review what is required to build resilient health systems in West Africa and beyond. Resilient health systems require long-term investment in the six key elements that are required for a resilient system: an adequate number of trained health workers; available medicines; robust health information systems, including surveillance; appropriate infrastructure; sufficient public financing and a strong public sector to deliver equitable, quality services. Global investment in research and development for medical products is also critical.” Web Site: http://policy- practice.oxfam.org.uk/publications/never-again-building-resilient-health-systems-and-learning-from- the-ebola-crisis-550092

“Climate Change Challenges to Health: Risks and Opportunities” – Released this month by the Australian Academy of Science, This report summarizes “…the discussions and recommendations of a group of early- and mid-career researchers from a broad range of relevant disciplines who came together in July 2014 to consider climate challenges in relation to health in Australia. Five main impacts were considered: a) extreme weather events; b) disease; c) food and water; d) jobs and livelihoods; e) security. The report also makes it clear that those who suffer the worst effects of climate change will, in general, be the most vulnerable members of society—in particular, the sick, the elderly, the very young and the poor. Others at risk will include pregnant and breastfeeding women and those who are socially, culturally or linguistically isolated.” Web Site: https://www.science.org.au/sites/default/files/user-content/documents/think-tank- recommendations.pdf “Understanding the Role of Remittances in Reducing Earthquake Risk” – Issued in October 2014 by the Nepal Risk Reduction Consortium, this 81-page research paper focuses on “…understanding the driving force behind urbanization and poor building construction that is increasing earthquake risk in Nepal. In line with rapid urbanization in Nepal is the rapid influx of remittance income. Remittances in Nepal now account for over 20% of GDP with 55.8% of households receiving remittances that account for 30.9% of total household income. Households receiving these remittances are generally in a better position to reduce poverty, increase human capital, obtain higher education levels, and help prepare for adverse shocks such as a natural disaster.” Web Site: http://un.org.np/sites/default/files/understand- role-remittances.pdf

15 Researched and compiled by Frank Disimino, contact e-mail: [email protected] to request to be added or removed from the distribution list. Please contact me should you be unable to download a particular report/publication and I will e-mail the document to you.

Employment Information:

 Natural Hazards Center job opening

The Natural Hazards Center is seeking a librarian with experience developing and maintaining Web sites, programming for the web, cataloging. The successful candidate will develop library, customer, and Web site information systems and oversee the migration of records to the DSpace open repository system and Koha ILS.

Responsibilities:

—Update and enhance Center web projects using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript/jQuery —Use APIs to maintain and extend vendor tools —Create original MARC records using Anglo-American Cataloging Rules Second Edition (AACR2) for descriptions, Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) for subject analysis, and local lexicon and classification systems, as well as edit MARC records using local standards —Develop and update protocols and standards for bibliographic entry —Instruct and supervise student assistants in related technical work

Requirements:

—A bachelor’s degree in a related field —Experience with HTML, CSS, JavaScript, jQuery, web analytics, and content management systems —Experience with AACR2 and LCSH —Knowledge of MARC bibliographic and authorities formats —Demonstrated knowledge of current library technologies, standards, and best practices —Working knowledge of metadata standards, particularly Dublin Core —Knowledge of and interest in cataloguing trends and emerging standards —Knowledge of and interest in web standards, usability, and accessibility —One to two years of experience cataloging multiple material types and formats

Preferred Qualifications:

—Master’s in Library and Information Science —PHP, JavaScript Frameworks, XML, JSON, web APIs and/or XSLT a plus —Some familiarity with DSpace and Koha open source software

For further information or to apply, go to http://www.jobsatcu.com/postings/97110.

 United States Fire Administration- Fire Program Specialist GS-0301-13 open 4/30/2015

Please see the links below for a vacancy announcement for a Fire Program Specialist (GS-13) position, located at the U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Programs Division in Emmitsburg, MD. *We do know it states Fire Protection Specialist and they are correctly it now to state Fire Program Specialist.

16 This announcement will close on May 13, 2015 OR the date the 200th application is received, whichever comes first.

Those applying as outside/all sources candidates need to apply for Announcement # FEMA-15-EA- 59042-DEU

https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/402557300

Those applying as current or former Federal employees need to apply for Announcement # FEMA-15- EA-59042-MP

https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/402557200

 WALLA WALLA COUNTY, WA - Emergency Management Coordinator

P.O. Box 1506 Walla Walla, Washington 99362 Phone: (509)524-2600 - Fax: (509)524-2603

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY Emergency Management Department Position: Emergency Management Coordinator Salary: $18.20 per hour Location: EMD, Walla Walla County Employment Type: Full-time (35hours/week); Benefits Apply, FLSA Non-exempt Open: April 24, 2015 Closes: May 8, 2015 at 5:00 pm

Brief Duties and Responsibilities: Supports planning, training, response, resource coordination and other emergency management activities within Walla Walla County. Position requires interaction and coordination with cities, state and federal agencies, businesses, schools, volunteers, and other county departments in the development of and response to emergency plans or disaster occurrences. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Emergency Management Director.

Working Environment/Abilities: Typical work is performed in an office setting. Requires sitting and standing for extended periods, walking, bending and lifting up to twenty (20) pounds. Must have strong computer software, spreadsheet, word processing, database management, presentation and graphic programs skills. Must be available for 24 hour a day call-out; ability to travel.

Minimum Qualifications: A high school diploma or GED is required and two (2) years of experience in an office environment. Certificate of completion of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Professional Development Series for Emergency Management is highly desirable. Maintain a current valid driver’s license,

17 have a driving record that is acceptable to the county’s insurer and vehicle insurance. Must have access to a vehicle that can be used to perform employment business and attend trainings. Must be willing to commit to a training schedule which may include in-state and out–of-state travel.

Application: Contact the Personnel Department at the County Legislative Building, 314 W. Main Street, Room 216, Walla Walla, Washington, or vis it our website at www.co.walla- walla.wa.us to download a copy. Mailing address: Personnel/Risk Manager, PO Box 1506, Walla Walla, WA 99362, fax (509)524-2603, call (509)524-2600 or email [email protected]

SELECTION IS BASED ON QUALIFICATIONS, BACKGROUND CHECK, AND ORAL INTERVIEW.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY / AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER / ADA COMPLIAN

Thank you and have an illuminating weekend,

Barbara

Barbara L. Johnson Higher Education Program Assistant FEMA/EMI/NETC Department of Homeland Security 16825 S. Seton Avenue, K016 Emmitsburg, MD 21727 Ph: (301) 447-1452 [email protected] http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/edu

“FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.”

FEMA and the EMI Higher Education Program do not endorse any non-government Web sites, companies or applications.