NEMA Holds First of Five Exercises to Update Joint Information System Plan

The Beacon – February 2017

February 2017

NEMA Holds First of Five Exercises to Update Joint Information System Plan Public information officers from state agencies met at NEMA to begin a series of five exercises designed to update the standard operating procedures for the Joint Information System and to increase awareness. See story on Page 7

Page 1 The Beacon – February 2017

We envision safer, less vulnerable communities in Nebraska A Message from made possible through effective collaborative partnerships NEMA Assistant Director committed to saving lives and reducing the impact of disasters. Our mission is to coordinate, support and serve Nebraska Bryan Tuma through an effective and relevant emergency management agency. NEMA Staff Reorganization When the Omaha Public Power District Board voted unanimously to close the Fort Calhoun Nuclear Power Plant last summer, it meant Nebraska Emergency Management Agency needed to evaluate its radiological emergency management (REP) staffing, and our Technical Hazards Section, as well. After evaluation and consideration, the management team at NEMA decided to establish a technical hazards unit within our Preparedness Section, under the management of Nikki Weber. A vacant planning position was eliminated and a unit supervisor, instead of a section manager position, was created. This resulted in cost savings for the agency and aligned with Gov. Pete Rickett’s goal to reduce spending in state agencies. In addition, the Technical Hazards Section which has been housed in a separate facility on in Lincoln will now assimilate into the main NEMA office at Joint Forces Headquarters on the Nebraska Air Force Base. Four of the five technical hazards staff members have already moved. Acting Unit Supervisor and State Emergency Response Com- mission Coordinator Tonya Ngotel, Radiological Planning and Training Specialists Deb Robinson and Nazy Chinifo- roushan and Staff Assistant Julie Bergfield have relocated to new offices. Radiological Systems ManagerMike Loftis, and the state calibration lab will move to Joint Force Headquarters by the end of June. Once the lab is moved to a secured location on the base, that will complete the move. Sincerely

Director Major General Daryl Bohac Director Bryan Tuma Major General Daryl Bohac Assistant Director Assistant Director Bryan Tuma Organizational Chart Assistant Director Bryan Tuma Organizational Chart Deb Kai Business Manager III Deb Kai Business DRAFT Manager III Preparedness Operations Recovery Section Manager Section Manager Section Manager DRAFT Nikki Weber Earl Imler Donny Christensen Preparedness Operations Recovery Section Manager Section Manager Section Manager Nikki Weber Earl Imler Donny Christensen Jackie Maly Jodie Fawl Federal Aid Public Administrator Information Offi cer Jackie Maly Jodie Fawl Federal Aid Public Administrator Information TonyaTonya Ngotel NgotelOffi cer Dan Hiller Julie Mayers Dave Reisen Sue Krogman Brent Curtis Molly Bargmann Terri Kattes Administrative Asst. III ActingSERC REP* Unit Planning Unit Grants Unit Training and Exercise IT/COMMO* Unit Recovery Administrative CoordinatorSupervisor Watch Center Supervisor Supervisor Unit Supervisor Supervisor Supervisor Unit Supervisor Assistant II TonyaTonya Ngotel Ngotel Dan Hiller Julie Mayers Dave Reisen Sue Krogman Brent Curtis Molly Bargmann Terri Kattes ActingSERC REP* Unit Administrative Asst. III Planning Unit Grants Unit Training and Exercise IT/COMMO* Unit Recovery Administrative Walter Kirkland CoordinatorSupervisor Vacant Debra Robinson LoganWatch LuekingCenter Merci Suarez Mary Baker Supervisor Supervisor Unit Supervisor SupervisorREP Planning/ Unit Supervisor Roger Conrad AssistantChad II Boshart Vacant Public Assistance Program Specialist SERC* SupervisorProgram Federal Aid Exercise GIS/IT Planning Phyllis McCown Training Planning State Hazard Accountant I Coordinator Specialist Administrator Training Offi cer Specialist Specialist Specialist Specialist Walter Kirkland Mitigation Offi cer Vacant Debra Robinson Logan Lueking Merci Suarez Mary Baker REP Planning/ Roger Conrad Chad Boshart Vacant Public Assistance Program Specialist SERC* Program Federal Aid Exercise GIS/IT Planning Phyllis McCown Training Nazy Planning State Hazard Accountant I John Cook Specialist Administrator Training Offi cer SpecialistLeo Larkin Specialist Melissa Wood Karen Heath Coordinator Specialist Julie Bergfi eld ChiniforoushanProgram Leo Larkin Specialist MitigationSean Offi Runge cer Troy Harris Hazard Mitigation Staff Program Exercise Communications Public Assistance Staff REP Specialist Planning/ Planning Specialist Planning Assistant I Training Specialist Specialist Training Offi cer Offi cer Specialist Assistant I Nazy John Cook Leo Larkin Melissa Wood Karen Heath Julie Bergfi eld ChiniforoushanProgram Leo Larkin Sean Runge Troy Harris Hazard Mitigation Staff Program Exercise Communications Public Assistance Staff REP Specialist Planning/ Michael Loftis Patrick RooneyPlanning Specialist Planning Vacant Nicholas Walsh Annette Martin Assistant I Training Specialist Specialist Training Offi cer Offi cer Larry Fichtner Assistant I Radiological Planning SpecialistExercise Training Public Assistance Hazard Mitigation Staff Systems Specialist Offi cer Planning Specialist Planning Specialist Assistant I Manager Michael Loftis Patrick Rooney Larry Fichtner Vacant Nicholas Walsh Annette Martin Radiological Public Assistance Hazard Mitigation Staff Planning Exercise Training James Rashilla Systems Specialist Offi cer Planning Specialist Planning Specialist Assistant I Manager Planning Specialist James Rashilla Planning Ryan Lowry Specialist Citizen Corps Planning Specialist * IT/COMMO = Information Technology/Communications (Public Policy Ryan Lowry Center Contractor) * REP = Radiological Emergency Preparedness Citizen Corps Revised: 17Jan17 * SERC =State Emergency Response Commission Planning Specialist * IT/COMMO = Information Technology/Communications (Public Policy Center Contractor) * REP = Radiological Emergency Preparedness Page 2 Revised: 17Jan17 * SERC =State Emergency Response Commission The Beacon – February 2017 Staff Notes Hazard Mitigation Staff Participates in Funding Workshops

NEMA hazard mitigation staff participated in, and presented at, two of three Olsson and Associates Funding 101 workshops held in Norfolk, Kearney and Lincoln. The workshops were designed Molly Bargmann was Regan Block joined the re- Brent Curtis was named to inform communities of different named unit supervisor for covery section part-time. administrative assistant III funding streams available to pay for the recovery section. She is a junior at the Uni- at NEMA and will serve as Bargmann previously versity of Nebraska-Lin- a variety of projects. state watch center super- “The workshops gave local served as a public assis- coln where she is studying visor in the Operations tance program specialist. construction engineering. Section. Previously, jurisdictions an overview of fund- Now she works with both She plans to get her mas- Curtis was a program spe- ing sources that they might need or the hazard mitigation and ters in civil engineering cialist in the Operations that fit as a strategic action to miti- public assistance staff. water resources and wants Center. See page 6 for to work for a nonprofit on gate a risk they have identified in more information on the their local hazard mitigation plan,” clean water initiatives. watch center. said State Hazard Mitigation Officer Mary Baker. “In addition to the Olsson workshops, we participated in a similar endeavor hosted by JEO Consul- tants on Feb. 21, for the South Platte Natrual Resources District, as a part of their local hazard mitigation planning process,” Baker said. “ The South Platte NRD is about to submit its local plan to the state for initial review prior to NEMA sending it to FEMA for review and approval.”

NEMA Offers Liaison Officer Training Todd Manns of The Blue Cell, a company that focuses on educa- tion and training on incident and emergency management activities, instructs (E-956) All-Hazards Liaison Officer course at Nebraska Emergency Management Agency on Feb. 21. The liaison officer is a member of command staff in the Incident Command System, along with the safety and public information officers. The liaison officer is the conduit for communication between the incident management State Hazard Mitigation Officer Mary team and agency representatives Baker speaks at a funding workshop supporting the incident. hosted by Olsson and Associates in Lincoln. Page 3 The Beacon – February 2017

Nebraska Regional Interoperability Network

Cody WT Merriman WT *# KEYA PAHA *# Valentine Chadron DSP *# BOYD *#Chadron Crookston *# *# *# Valentine DSP Norden Springview DSP Sub NPPD *# DAWES Clinton NPPD Tower (Keya *# #Ru*#shville WT Paha West) Viaero KNOX Hays *#Rushville DSP Springview Hartington Chadron NPPD Merriman NET *# *#Spring *# State of N*#PPD New*#castle Dixon Duhamel Nebraska *#Center DSP Hartington Co New CHERRY Bassett WT S*#tuart CenGFter *# *#*# South *#*# Holt GF Bloomfield WT DSP Ponca DSP Sioux Ainsworth DSP Rock Co New *#*# Co/Atkinson Creighton DSP Ainsworth Courthouse/Bassett *# *# SHERIDAN NCPPD CEDAR *# SIOUX NPPD DSP O'Ne*#i#ll DSP *# DIXON Dakota 1 *O'Neill NPPD Hemmingford BROWN Plainview WT Wakefield Steverson HOLT KGRD Royal WT *# Tri State Bassett NET *# *# GF *# Lak*#e Viaero *# PIERCE DAKOTA BOX BUTTE Ewing W*#T ANTELOPE Carr*#oll NET KT*#C*#H *#Winnebago BIA ROCK Pier*#ce WT Wayne Alliance Clearwater WT Pierce DSP WAYNE DSP THU*#RSTON *# Antelope Thurston WT Central WT Neligh DSP*# Thurston DSP*# *# *Co Sheriff Norfolk Alliance DS*#P GF Thedford US Oakdale WT# NPPD NPPD Pender Hecla Viaero *Tilden WT Meadow *#*# Stanton *# Minatare *# Cellular GARFIELD *#*# GFNorf*#olk WT *# Mullen CPPD *# Meadow Grove Grove WT SCOTTS BLUFF *# MJ Leasing NPPD WJAG CUMING *# KTIC FM BURT GRANT HOOKER Dunning CPPD Tower *# Gering DSP Angora NET THOMAS LOUP *# WHEELER Madison DSP Skywave *#Scotts *# *# KUSO *# West Poin*#t# *# Wireless Tekam*#ah WT Bluff STANTON *#Burt Co BLAINE Taylor DSP Spalding MADISON Jail Bridgeport *# Region 26 - BOONE Howells WT Courthouse/Tekamah Valley Co Grain *# Humphrey WT *# Scribner WT *#DSP DSP Taylor *# Partners Boone County *# Snyder WT *# Herman WT *# *# *# Albi*#on Anselmo CPPD Region 26 Greeley PLATTE Hooper WT *# # DSP DODGE *# Blair MORRILL GARDEN * Waterworks BANNER Platte Center COLFAX *# ARTHUR North MCPHERSON LOGAN VALLEY GREELEY *# Fremont Columbus Bend WT #Arlington WT Schuyler DSP *# PD*# DSP* Broken NANCE Columbus WTDSP *#*# *# Dodge *# Schuyler Elevator SBA Bow DSP Sheriff Gurley Merna CPPD Wolbach NDOR Cedar *# *# Fullerton DSP Silver Columbus Saunders DSP Elevator *# Midland Fullert*#on Elevator Bluffs DOUGLAS *# Arno*#ld CPPD Telecom - Cr*#eek WT He*#artland County North Platte SHERMAN David City WT *# Sidney Ogallala CUSTER Elba Howard Co Wahoo WT Station 44 NPPD *# *#David *# *# KIMBALL New North St. Paul DSP Clarks WT *# North North Courthouse *# *#Osceola NPPD City DSP Wahoo DSP Tower Ogallala NPPD Sterling *# Mead NET Sidney DS#P *# Platte*# Howard County Osceola DS*#P # SARPY *# Lodgepole Ogalla*#la # MERRICK * *# KEITH DSP * POLK BUTLER SAUNDERS CHEYENNE NPPD DEUEL Ogallala DSP *# Oconto HOWARD Centr*#al Merrick County Plattsmouth *# Sutherland # *# *# *LINCOLN City Courthouse York Plat*#tsmouth NET North Dawson Chapman WT Lancaster *# Platte Cairo WT *#Elevator Mutual SEWARD Arbor Rd Greenwood WT DSP PPD *# Grand *# *# Aid Garland WT *#Cass *#Murray WT NPPD South Sumner Seward *# TowerMurdock WT *#Cass EOC Island DSP Aurora *# *# *# *# RWT PERKINS DAWSON *# Wood *# Seward DS*#P Malcolm WT Elmwood WT NRIN Towers Area Name BUFFALO *#Alda Aurora DSP York *#CASS Uni#on WT Grant DSP River *# YOR*#K Sheriff DSP Lincoln DSP * *# Dawson Ethanol Elevator York NPP*#D Seward *# Otoe Co Grant *# South NPPD Nebraska *# Equipment Installed East Central Co/Lexington Shelton WT HALL Giltner NET *# Cheney North RWT2 Elevator *# KRVN Overton Kearney # *# *# McCool *# City DSP *# * Doniphan *# OTOE Nebrask*#a # Golf Course WT *#Gibbon WT HAMILTON *# *# *# Buffalo Coun*ty *# NPPD City North Current Work North Central Curtis Crete WT Douglas WT - Elm Creek *#Buffalo Co *# *# Telephone Co Curtis DSP FILLMORE *#Syracuse *#OPPD Julian *# Sheriff Clay Frontier PHELPS Hastings/Adams Co SALINE South RWT1 *# Proposed Northeast Stockville # Center Hallam Nemaha Co - Curtis Axtell NPPD **#Hastings DSP Geneva # Imperial DSP Sub NPPD DSP * American Tower *# Phelps *# *# Wilber DSP *# *# HAYES GOSPER Minden DSP *# Fillmore Wilber WT Johnson Tecumseh Panhandle *#Imperial FRONTIER Co/Holdrege *# Dept of *# Johnson WT *#Minden WT CLAY County Co/Tecumseh Pen W*#T Auburn Treehouse GF Possible New CHASE Elevator DSP Roads Ayr *#Tecumseh WT*# *# *# Courthouse Pickrell WT Sheri*#ff Atlanta NET KEARNEY *# NEMAHA South Central *# ADAMS Bruning WT JOHNSON Wauneta *# *# Beatrice DSP Elk Creek WT Barada NRIN Rings Viaero Guthrie Lawrence WT JEFFERSON Humboldt *# *# HITCHCOCK McCook *# *# *# Southeast McCook THAYER Rural WT Hitchcock/Trenton Police Beaver *# Falls Done *#NRPePdD Willow HARLAN FRANKLIN Nels#on DSP KUTT Burchard WT Pawnee DUNDY DSP D*#SP City WEBSTER * Heb Crths Gladstone *# Big Blue *# City Southwest *# McCoo*#k Sheriff Ruskin WT *#*# *# Fairbury DSP *# City WT RICHARDSON Dundy Tren*#ton Ethanol DSP Harlan County *# He*#b DSP Heb WT *# NRD *# Courthouse *# MPPD Red Nuckolls 91#1 Deshler WT *# *# Current Work Co/Benkelman Hitchcock *# *#Bloomington WFTranklin DSP * Jefferson PAWNEE *# Falls Falls Alma DSP *#*# *# Guide Rock WT South Tri-County DSP Co/Stratton WT FURNAS *# *# *Franklin WT Cloud*#Red *# Co EM GAGE City WT City RED WILLOW Republican DSP Humboldt Benke*#lman WT *# Cloud WT NUCKOLLS PSAP Proposed City WT Franklin RWT LRNRD WT Path Calc 0 10 20 40 Fiber Line Miles Fiber (other) Waiting for FCC License ¯ Source: NEMA Date: Feb. 7, 2017 InteroperableNRIN ENHANCES Communications From Chadron, to Sidney and ers across the state to connect pub- The network can transport large on to Nebraska City, responders lic safety answering points (PSAP) amounts of data, radio, voice and will soon have access to a state- and 911 centers. video quickly and efficiently in a se- wide network that was designed to Krogman describes NRIN as a cure and reliable fashion, Krogman improve interoperable communica- train track for secure data transmis- said. “The many circles that are tions across the state. sion that runs across Nebraska. being created are for redundancy. Work on the Nebraska Regional “Local responders can put any- If the “train” runs into a brick wall it Interoperability Network (NRIN) is thing on the train and move it along just backs up and takes a different continuing to progress at a signifi- the network to other parts of the route. cant speed across the state, said state,” Krogman said. “This system NRIN is a point-to-point micro- Project Manager Sue Krogman of has the capability of connecting wave system and local communi- Nebraska Emergency Management places that previous systems were ties can use it in a variety of ways, Agency. unable to connect.” including: “Local responders can now use “NRIN is a transport system that  as a primary 911 system like in statewide communication resources has the capability of moving data as the East Central Region, Beatrice and new, developing technologies fast as 100 megabytes per second. and Crete, by utilizing the transport capabilities It runs at 5(9s) capability, mean-  with an 800 MHz system to that NRIN offers,” Krogman said. ing that 99.999 percent of the time connect radios and provide for re- NRIN is a locally-owned IP based there is some sort of redundant mote siren capability like in Cass microwave network that uses tow- connection available.” County, Page 4 The Beacon – February 2017

 for long distance video arraign- create the Interoperable Emergency board is cognizant of the costs of ments so prisoners do not have Communications Grant Program. tower leases and rents, therefore in- to be transported to other jurisdic- Nationally in 2007, the PSIC grant stallation in the eastern part of the tions, and awarded $900 million to assist state will be done on water towers  many other uses are being tested. state and local first responders and or on city or county owned towers NEMA manages the grant dol- public safety agencies for equip- as a cost-saving measure.” lars for NRIN and has been tasked ment and training. The NRIN governance board with completion of the build out. In 2009, a Nebraska working handles all the various components The agency contracts, on behalf of group was appointed consisting of of the network including commit- local governments, to build out the four local regional representatives tees on quality of service, advertis- microwave network at more than 200 and four state representatives. ing, outreach, administration and tower locations. The pilot portion of These representatives created sustainment. this project started in the Panhandle a functional plan based on a high “NRIN provides a great opportu- and North Central regions of the speed network, owned and main- nity for response agencies and local state. tained by local and regional entities. government to transport data,” said NRIN is a federal, state and local These eight people spent the NRIN Board Chairman Tim Hof- collaboration that was designed to next two years putting together a bauer of Platte County Emergency improve interoperable communica- plan for the network. The bid was Management. “NRIN is allowing tions after the 9/11 attacks. Tasked awarded in 2010, and the group counties to provide a dispatch with finding solutions to failed critical made the decision to start installa- function for other counties. It is components in the response to a hor- tion in the western part of the state providing information from western rendous disaster, the federal gov- moving east. Nebraska to eastern Nebraska and ernment concluded that one of the Completion is expected in fall vis-a-vera.” biggest deficiencies was the inability 2018 and relies on Homeland Secu- It has been a cost-savings for of first responders to be able to com- rity Grant funds, Krogman said. local governments across the state, municate with each other. “Members of the NRIN board are Hofbauer said. “In the East Central Funding for the interoperable com- working diligently with local county Region, we are saving probably munications buildout came from a and village boards to continue the $4,000 to $8,000 a month by using public safety communications grant installation in the eastern part of NRIN for our 911 system.” (PSIC) that was later amended to the state.” Krogman said. “The

Photo by Fillmore County Emergency Manager Jim Dunker Clint Strayhorn, Johnson/Pawnee Counties Emergency Management Director, loads a used cell phone tower onto a truck for transport to Johnson County. The Fillmore County Board of Supervisors surplussed the tower and donated it to Johnson Coun- ty for use in the NRIN project. Page 5 The Beacon – February 2017 State Watch Center Update Work has continued on development of a state watch center at NEMA with the selection of Brent Curtis as supervisor of the center, and the hiring process for a program specialist to work in the center underway. “We are continuing to scale up the state watch center to full functionality,” Curtis said. “We have identified our next steps and have begun physically reconfig- uring the communication room into the watch center. Additional work stations will be added in the next month and interviews for a program specialist to work in the watch center will begin soon.” NEMA assistant director Bryan Tuma said the watch center will focus on the all-hazards threat en- vironment and will tie the planning and response capabilities of state NEMA’s communication room will be reconfigured to house the state watch center. government to the preparedness This preliminary drawing includes the watch center on the left and communications measures adopted for the State of on the right. Nebraska. “I see the watch center serving information to them it will foster the have seen several states prepare.” in a coordination role by ensuring a spirit of enhanced communication Information gathering, analysis common understanding of the situ- between all levels.” and reporting is the goal for the ation is shared by all relevant state As part of the transition to the watch center. agencies and key stake holders,” watch center, NEMA is working on “It establishes that common Tuma said. evolving its duty officer system to operating picture so all partners are Curtis has begun sending daily better align it with the mission of looking at the same information,” briefing emails which include an NEMA, and its partners. Curtis said. overview of current imminent or “Our goal is to have local entities Operations Section Manager Earl expected conditions across the provide both enhanced information Imler hopes that the state watch state and the impact those condi- reporting to the watch center and center will mean better statewide tions may have on public safety duty officer system and enhanced situational awareness through en- and infrastructure in the state. information gathering by the watch hanced information gathering and “These briefings are currently be- center and duty officers.” reporting. ing distributed to local emergency The state watch center is the “We hope we are better able to managers, our state emergency eyes and ears of NEMA in terms of anticipate local resource needs and support coordinators and members what is going on in the state, Curtis respond to those needs in a quicker of state leadership and other identi- said. manner,” Imler said. fied public safety stakeholders, “ “We’ve seen other states do- The goal is that anytime the Curtis said. “Our goal in sending ing this and our watch center is State Emergency Operations Center out the daily briefing is to create a taking the best practices we have is open the state watch center will common operating picture for our observed from FEMA regional op- work to provide up-to-the-minute federal, state and local partners in eration centers, from other states’ information to the SEOC and deci- public safety. watch offices, such as Florida’s, and “Hopefully by providing this from the daily situation reports we Continued on Page 6

Page 6 The Beacon – February 2017

Watch Center Continued other agencies with pertinent infor- think NEMA can provide them with mation. better information and a faster sion makers. In addition, the watch “So far, the response we have state response. center will continue the daily infor- received from federal, state and lo- As the next step, Curtis will be mation gathering process for situ- cal agencies has been resoundingly speaking at the Nebraska Associa- ational awareness for other issues positive,” Curtis said. “Our next step tion of Emergency Management and events across the state. really is to enhanse those lines of annual conference in Columbus on Curtis said the goal of the state communication with state and local April 6. watch center is to grow beyond entities.” “Getting information out to our daily staffing by NEMA personnel to To improve the process, Curtis local, state and federal partners will include information gathered from said that means he will be talking get everyone on the same page and other agencies and departments with local emergency managers make sure we’re all ready when the including the Nebraska National about the watch center and will next disaster strikes,” Curtis said. Guard, Nebraska State Patrol and gather information on how they Public Information Officers Work to Update Joint Information Center Plans More than 40 public information In this seminar and workshop officers from Nebraska state agen- NEMA staff gave an overview of the cies participated in the first of a Joint Information System, ICS and series of five exercises designed to the JIC. update standard operating proce- The PIOs also worked in groups dures for the Nebraska Joint Infor- to develop position checklists for mation Center (JIC). JIC staff. Nebraska Emergency Manage- The Nebraska Risk Communica- ment Agency is hosting the series tion Cadre gave a presentation on that also focuses on familiarizing all message-mapping and the PIOs potential JIC staff with the incident worked in groups to create key command system and operational messages for use in the event of an NEMA Assistant Director Bryan Tuma procedures of the Nebraska JIC. emergency. opened the PIO workshop. “This was the first time non-code Quarterly call downs are planned agency PIOs were included in Joint to test the notification system that Information Center training,” said will be used in the event of and NEMA PIO Jodie Fawl. “They were emergency. Additional exercises more than willing to help in the are scheduled in April, July, October event disaster strikes the state.” and will culminate with a functional exercise of the plan in Feb. 2018.

Stacey Hoffman of the Public Policy Cen- NEMA PIO Jodie Fawl gives an overview Phil Rooney, Dianna Seiffert and Kate ter and Jim DeFreece of the Nebraska of the incident command system and the Speck of the Nebraska Risk Communica- State Patrol present on civil unrest mes- Nebraska Joint Information Center plans. tion Cadre discuss message mapping. saging. Page 7 The Beacon – February 2017 Exercise and Evaluation Course Held in Auburn

Nebraska Emergency Management Agency offered the Nebraska Home- land Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) class Feb. 15-16, in Auburn. The introductory-level, two-day course provides a compre- hensive overview of exercise design along with practical skill development in accordance with the HSEEP doc- trine. The course used activities to give participants an opportunity to interact with many of the templates and other materials to ensure exercises are conducted in a consistent manner. Roger Conrad and Sean Runge of NEMA were instructors.

Photos by Sean Runge

FEMA’s Youth Preparedness Council Seeks Next Year’s High School Students to Serve

Youth across the nation have the opportunity to communities. They also meet with FEMA on a regular make a difference and transform the resilience and basis to provide ongoing input on strategies, initiatives preparedness of their communities and beyond. and projects throughout the duration of their term. Students in eighth through 11th grade who have Adults working with youth or emergency manage- engaged in community service, or who are inter- ment are encouraged to share the application with ested in emergency preparedness, are encouraged youth who might be interested in applying. to apply to serve on the U.S. Department of Home- Applicants must submit a completed application land Security’s Federal Emergency Management form, two letters of recommendation, and academic Agency’s (FEMA) Youth Preparedness Council. records. Formed in 2012, the council engages members Applications are due March 31, 2017. For more in local and national emergency preparedness proj- information and to see the projects current members ects. Over the course of a two-year term, members are working on, visit the Youth Preparedness Council represent the youth perspective on emergency website. To submit an application, visit the application preparedness and share information with their website.

Page 8 The Beacon – February 2017 Calendar State Mitigation Plan Kick Off Meeting Set The Nebraska Hazard Mitigation “The focus will be on outlining March American Red Cross Month team will meet March 16 with state the template and meeting with key March 8 agencies and other organizations stakeholders and potential contribu- Severe Weather Proclamation to consider the state mitigation tors to garnish support and feed- Signing, plan revision. back,” Baker said. “In 2018, we will 10 a.m. Nebraska State Capitol “We are focusing on a collabora- combine the content and hopefully March 27-31 tive effort to show our plan integra- have the final product ready to go to Severe Weather Awareness Week tion into other agency plans as well FEMA by Dec. 31, 2018.” March 29 as integrating their mitigation and A mitigation survey queried emer- Annual Tornado Drill, 10 a.m. resiliency plans into our state plan,” gency management staff across April 5-7 said State Hazard Mitigation Officer the state on sirens and their age Nebraska Association of Emer- Mary Baker. and location, as well as tornado gency Management Conference Ramada Inn, Columbus. Attend- The revision will be a complete safe rooms. ee and Vendor Registration is re-write and will focus on resiliency “We hope to use the outdoor and adaptation as well as hazard warning siren information to better open at: www.naem.us mitigation. prioritize where we put our funding for the next disaster as well as to create a database that the EM PET Village of Ayr Gets State Disaster regions can also use to repurpose The village of Ayr in Adams through Adams County Emergency sirens that are older but still in County received a state disaster Management. Damage was identi- working order,” Baker said. proclamation on Feb. 8 for storms fied to NEMA and eligible damages “The safe room information that struck the area, Aug. 28, 2016. were identified for reimbursement. is leading into other educational The Crystal Lake Recreation “State disasters are less com- outreach topics and other project area, which is owned, operated and mon due to higher cost thresholds ideas for the future, as well as an maintained by the village of Ayr for local entities to be eligible,” opportunity for us to learn where sustained damages as a result of Christensen said. “It’s not a quick there are potential safe rooms that heavy rains and flooding. and easy process.“ we may or may not have assisted Road, electrical and park struc- County emergency managers with funding,” Baker said. ture damage exceeded the village’s should be kept informed of sig- “This is our attempt to ensure ability to recovery, said NEMA nificant events occurring in their the local volunteer fire departments Recovery Section Manager Donny counties so appropriate measures and emergency management staff Christensen. may be taken. know where people might be, fol- The village submitted its request lowing a disaster.”

NEMA is charged by Nebraska statute to reduce the vulnerabilities of the people and communities of Nebraska in terms of injury, loss of life and property damage resulting from natural, technological or man-made disasters and emergencies. (402) 471-7421 NEMA is responsible for coordinating the state response in any major emer- Toll Free: (877) 297-2368 gency or disaster including the support of local governments as needed or requested, and coordinating assistance with the Federal Emergency Man- Fax: (402) 471-7433 agement Agency (FEMA) and other federal partners. The Beacon includes emergency management news and activities from across Governor Pete Ricketts the state. Please forward story ideas or photos for inclusion to: Jodie Fawl, State Homeland Security Director Public Information Officer, 2433 N.W. 24th St., Lincoln NE 68524; 402-471- Lt. Governor Mike Foley 7428, [email protected]. NEMA Director www.nema.nebraska.gov Major General Daryl Bohac Assistant Director Bryan Tuma

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