FEMA’s Higher Education Program Bits and Pieces

National Emergency Training Center, Emmitsburg, MD

24 October 2014

Higher Education Program News:

Hi Ed Symposium:

Mark your calendars for the 17th Annual Emergency Management Higher Education Symposium scheduled for June 1- 4, 2015 at the Emergency Management Institute, Emmitsburg, MD. I hope to begin posting symposium information in November. Information will include application process, number of available dorm rooms for the 2015 meeting, call for papers/presentations and student volunteer information.

Emergency Management and Homeland Security Collegiate Programs, October 21, 2014

296 Total Emergency Management Programs

72 Certificate, Diploma, Focus-Area, Minor 53 Associate 68 Bachelor 94 Master Concentration, Tracks, Specialization, Emphasis 9 Doctoral

154 Homeland Security, Defense, Terrorism 

If you have an emergency management, homeland security or related program listed on the Hi Ed college list that has not recently been updated please let me know. We make a yearly effort to reach each program on the college list but it is a huge undertaking especially when we have difficulty reaching the designated point of contact. Programs that have not provided us with a status update for 2014, whether changed or static, should contact us at Barbara.Johnson3@fema.dhs.gov. Beside the fact potential students, developing programs and those looking to develop a program use the college list the symposium invitation list is pulled from the college list thus it is important to keep information as up to date as possible.

Another huge help would be if when you have the time you check out the data documents at the bottom of the college list page. If you notice a discrepancy we’d like to know particularly in the Programs by State information.

The college list can be found on the Hi Ed website at http://www.training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/edu/collegelist/.

Hi Ed Course Revisions

Higher Education Program and contractors met recently to discuss the revision of two courses currently listed on the Hi Ed website as completed courses. Both revisions are 12 month contracts.

Disaster Response Operations and Management – Upper Division College Course Floodplain Management Course (Graduate Level)

Once the developer begins work and submits draft materials those sessions will be posted to the Hi Ed website at http://www.training.fema.gov/emiweb/edu/coursesunderdev.asp. Comments are welcome and should be sent via email to Barbara.Johnson3@fema.dhs.gov. Review comments will be sent to the course developer for consideration.

College and University Update:

The Urban Assembly's Bridge to College Program

We are excited to share that The Urban Assembly's Bridge to College program, created and directed by UA Director of College Readiness Ritu Sen, is featured in a newly released book - Summer Melt: Supporting Low-Income Students Through the Transition to College by Benjamin L. Castleman and Lindsay C. Page and published by Harvard Education Press.

 Castleman and Page's research suggests what the UA already recognized: that up to 40% of low-income students who are accepted to college and intend to enroll do not actually attend in the fall.  Summer Melt dedicates a chapter to The Urban Assembly's response to this concern, our Bridge to College program. Bridge to College, developed and refined since 2009, is a youth-driven, peer-mentoring program. Its goal is to ensure our high school graduates, a majority of whom live in poverty and are the first in their family to apply to college, successfully matriculate to college. 

 The chapter titled "With a Little Help from My Friends: Peer Mentors Offer Summer Support" features Yabielis Guerrero (Yabi), a 2010 alumnus of The Urban Assembly Bronx School for Law, Government & Justice, a 2014 graduate of Skidmore College and a Bridge to College Coach/Program Replication Coordinator. Through Yabi's own high school to college transition story and that of other students, Castleman and Page describe the success of the UA program. As part of Bridge to College, the UA hires and trains College Coaches, who are UA school alumni currently enrolled in college. These coaches work with recent high school graduates to help them identify and overcome the many financial, logistical and personal difficulties faced during the transition from high school graduation to college matriculation. 

Our College Coaches help their students with everything from settling a bill with the Bursar's Office to figuring out how to get to campus for the first day of classes. As Yabi describes, "These are vulnerable students. I tell them my story as well. I need to show empathy, that I understand where they are coming from. They also need to understand me. Students often don't understand what they are being told. I was helping them to get to college, and they needed to understand that."  

In total, over 1,000 UA students were served in 2014 by 15 UA College Coaches. Through Bridge to College, UA has achieved a   consistent 75% college matriculation rate for its alumni within six months of graduation,   and nearly 80% within one year of graduation.

The Urban Assembly continued its replication of Bridge to College in 2014 with partners CUNY At Home in College and the College Bound Initiative.  As part of the replication, the UA trained 100 College Coaches from across NYC in May and June of 2014, serving over 50 high schools outside of The Urban Assembly's own 15 schools.  These 100 Bridge to College Coaches provided support to nearly 12,000 NYC high school students in the summer of 2014.

 

Bridge to College is funded by The Clark Foundation, The Shippy Foundation, The Charles Hayden Foundation and through the generosity of our diverse community of supporters. 

The Urban Assembly is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering underserved students by providing them with the academic and life skills necessary for college and career success.  We create district public schools that are open to all students, scale up promising programs, and coordinate with over a hundred partner organizations in the private, public, non-profit and higher education sectors.  We are currently serving approximately 9,000 students in 23 schools. Our graduation rates are 20% above the city average for Black and Latino youth, and 20% above the city average for students with special needs.  80% of our graduates enroll in college.  Contact Us: 90 Broad Street New York, New York 10004 (212) 867-3060 www.urbanassembly.org

Emergency Management/Homeland Security News:

Disaster Information Outreach by Librarians, NLM/NIH – Information and News - October 16, 2014

*** Journal Article: Ebola Outbreak Response: The Role of Information Resources and the National Library of Medicine*** Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness Journal October 17, 2014Cynthia Love, Stacey Arnesen, Steven PhillipsThis article, published in a special edition of “Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness” (DMPHP) journal, provides a review and summary of the information that the National Library of Medicine is providing in response to the 2014 Ebola Outbreak, including access to the published literature, “grey literature”, genetic variance, and social  media. The special edition on Ebola focuses providing operational and policy level information to improve outcomes and decision making for all providers preparing for and responding to the outbreak, and all full text articles are free.Ebola Outbreak Response: The Role of Information Resources and the National Library of Medicine: http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=9387998&fulltextType=RA&fileId=S1935789314001086&specialArticle=YFind additional articles from the special edition: http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displaySpecialArticle?jid=DMP&bespokeId=11228  ***Webcast: Research Priorities to Inform Public Health and Medical Practice for Domestic Ebola Virus Disease (EVD): A Workshop*** Institute of MedicineMonday November 3rd, 8:30 am ETAn ad hoc committee, under the auspices of the Institute of Medicine in collaboration with the National Research Council will organize a one-day workshop that will explore potential research priorities arising as a result of the emergence of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the United States. The workshop will focus primarily on basic science and environmental health research issues of specific concern to affected and potentially affected U.S. communitiesInformation about the workshop: http://www.iom.edu/Activities/PublicHealth/EbolaTransmissionResearch/2014-NOV-03.aspx

Register for the In-Person Meeting or Webcast: http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/1848424/Research-Priorities-for-Ebola-Workshop-Public-Registration   ***Fighting Ebola: A Grand Challenge for Development***The USAID White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the United States Department of Defense have launched a campaign that includes: 1) crowdsourcing innovative idea to improve the delivery of care and stem the spread of disease, including improvements in Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 2)  a challenge to fund and test innovations for PPE, infection treatment and control; and 3) development of partnerships for rapid testing and deploying the best solutions. http://www.ebolagrandchallenge.net/

***New in Disaster Lit***http://disasterlit.nlm.nih.gov/latest/?pg=&pgSize=100&PubYear=&PubTypeID=&AuID=&SourceID=&ResearchDocument=&period=14 Material on EbolaWe are continuing to add documents from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, and others with information on responding to the Ebola virus.

http://disasterlit.nlm.nih.gov/search/?searchTerms=ebola+OR+hemorrhagic&search.x=22&search.y=18&search=Search  

***Webinar: Ebola Preparedness for Emergency Medical Services***Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR)Wednesday, October 22nd, 3:00 – 4:00pm ETASPR and CDC staff will discuss the previously developed and distributed Detailed Emergency Medical Services Checklist for Ebola Preparedness, which highlights activities that EMS agencies and systems should consider to prepare for managing patients with Ebola and other infectious diseases. This checklist is intended to enhance collective preparedness and response by highlighting key areas for EMS agencies to review in preparation for a person under investigation (PUI) for Ebola. The checklist provides practical and specific suggestions to ensure agencies are able to detect possible Ebola cases, protect employees, and respond appropriately.Detailed Emergency Medical Services Checklist for Ebola Preparedness http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/pdf/ems-checklist-ebola-preparedness.pdfHow to Join the Call: http://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/responders/ebola/Pages/ems-call.aspx

***NLM Launches Web Collecting Initiative to Capture and Preserve Selected Ebola-Related Content***

The National Library of Medicine (NLM) has launched a Web collecting initiative to capture and preserve selected born-digital content documenting the 2014 Ebola outbreak. Initiated on October 1, 2014, selected content related to the current Ebola outbreak includes Web sites and social media from government and non-government organizations, journalists, healthcare workers, and scientists in the United States and around the world, with an aim to collect and preserve a diversity of perspectives on this unfolding health crisis.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/news/nlm_web_collecting_ebola_resources.html

***Emergency Access Initiative Extended Through November 14, 2014***

The Emergency Access Initiative (EAI) is a collaborative partnership between the National Library of Medicine and participating publishers to provide free access to full-text from over 650 biomedical journals, 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 has been activated for the West Africa Ebola Outbreak, and will remain active through November 14, 2014.

http://eai.nlm.nih.gov/

***Download Videos from Nebraska Biocontainment Unit*** The University of Nebraska Medical Center HEROES project primarily uses YouTube for video distribution. For those organizations that limit access to the YouTube service, UNMC is providing access to the videos on their website for downloading.Fill out an online form for access to videos to download: http://app1.unmc.edu/nursing/heroes/request_videos.cfm

***Disaster Distress Hotline***

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration provides access to the Disaster Distress Hotline 24/7, year round for crisis counseling and support. Stress, anxiety, and other depression-like symptoms are common reactions after any natural or human-caused disaster, and Ebola is no exception. If you are feeling overwhelmed due to this outbreak, call 1-800-985-5990 for assistance, which is available to anyone affected by the outbreak, including health workers and other responders.http://disasterdistress.samhsa.gov/

***Webinar: The Ebola Crisis: What it Means for West African and the World***

Columbia University National Center for Disaster PreparednessMonday, October 27th 1:00 – 5:00pm ETThis multi-disciplinary dialogue will focus on how best to curb the epidemic, understand its impacts, particularly in terms of bioethical and sustainability implications, and mitigate future high-fatality events.http://ncdp.columbia.edu/microsite-page/ebola-in-perspective/ebola-conference-2014/ 

***NLM Information Resources for the 2014 Ebola Outbreak***

This October 2, 2014 news update provides a summary of several National Library of Medicine resources that are available to those who need access to health information related to the recent Ebola outbreak in West Africa, including the Ebola Outbreak Web Topic Page, the Virus Variation Resource for Ebolavirus, and more.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/news/ebola_resources_2014.html

***Health Information Compilation of Ebola Materials***

We are continuing to add the latest Ebola health information documents from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, and other organizations to the Disaster Lit Resource Guide for Disaster Medicine and Public Health.

http://disasterlit.nlm.nih.gov/search/?searchTerms=ebola+OR+hemorrhagic&search.x=22&search.y=18&search=Search   

Subject: Travel Grants to CDC for Ebola Safety Training - ISID Travel Grants of $500 each will be awarded to US residents and $1000 to residents of other countries.

Travel Grants to Healthcare Workers Attending CDC Ebola Safety Training Courses http://www.isid.org/grants/grant_ebola_training_travel.shtml

ISID (International Society for Infectious Diseases) is deeply concerned about the tragic outbreak of Ebola virus disease currently occurring in West Africa. In response to this crisis, ISID is offering travel grants to individuals who are attending one of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) safety training courses to be prepared to work in an Ebola treatment unit in West Africa. The 3-day courses will take place at the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency Center for Domestic Preparedness in Anniston, AL. The courses are open to healthcare workers from all over the world. The first course starts on Oct 6, 2014. Courses are free, but participants are responsible for paying for their own travel to the course in Alabama. The courses will help prepare healthcare personnel to provide medical care to Ebola patients in an Ebola Treatment Unit that has been established and is staffed by MSF personnel, or in a facility that maintains MSF standards of care, or in an Ebola Treatment Unit established and staffed by WHO personnel.

The 3-day course will run most weeks, usually Monday thru Wednesday, at the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) http://cdp.dhs.gov/ in Anniston, Alabama, a 90-minute drive from Atlanta, GA. Sessions will begin on October 6, 2014. The course will be suspended during weeks containing Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day holidays; it may be suspended intermittently to revise course content and delivery. Depending on demand, the course may be offered for longer than 3 months.

For more information about the CDC training course, see: http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/hcp/safety-training-course/index.html

Announcing New Title: Collective Conviction: The Story of Disaster Action, Anne Eyre & Pam Dix, Liverpool University Press, 2014

Collective Conviction tells the story of Disaster Action, a small charity founded in 1991 by UK survivors and bereaved people from disasters of the late 1980s, including the Zeebrugge ferry capsize, the King’s Cross underground fire, the Clapham rail crash, the bombing of Pan Am 103 over Lockerbie, the Hillsborough football stadium crush and the Marchioness riverboat sinking. Over twenty years it has grown to support and represent those in the UK affected by over 28 international disasters, including the shooting down of MH17 over the Ukraine (2014), the Mumbai attacks (2008), the London Bombings (2005), the Asian Tsunami (2004), the Bali bombings (2002) and the September 11 attacks (2001).

The founders could not have anticipated the degree to which they would influence emergency planning and management, the law around corporate responsibility, and the way people are treated after disasters. The book tells the story of its members’ collective conviction to achieve accountability and support for people affected by disasters, and interweaves individual stories with chapters highlighting the social context and changing legal and cultural landscape of emergency planning, mental health and disaster management.

This book is essential reading for those in a wide range of disciplines with an interest in: planning for, responding to, reporting on and dealing with the aftermath of disaster. These include: public health professionals, academics and students, emergency planners and responders, statutory and voluntary organisations, policy makers, journalists, and lawyers. Additionally, the book contains guidance notes for survivors and bereaved on dealing with a disaster, and best practice guidance for planners, responders and the media.

Please find details at: http://www.disasteraction.org.uk/ and http://www.liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=11&AS1=Collective+Conviction

You can reach the list moderator at DISASTR-OUTREACH-LIB-request@list.nih.gov. This forum is provided by the Disaster Information Management Research Center, U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Elsevier Publishes New Books on Natural Disasters and Hazards

Books Focus on Assessment and Prevention of Hazards and Disasters for Use by Environmental Science and Earth Systems Researchers and Professionals

WALTHAM, MA--(Marketwired - October 20, 2014) - Elsevier, a world-leading provider of scientific, technical and medical information products and services, today announced the publication of four new books on natural disasters and hazards, including three from the newly developed Hazards and Disasters series edited by Dr. John F. Shroder.

Download a free chapter on probabilistic seismic-hazard assessment here

Some of the worst known natural disasters in world history happened in the last decade. In addition, the number of natural disasters increased from 30 in 1950 to 544 in 2013, according to the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters. The intensity and severity of the individual occurrences has also increased. Without continued focus and research on causality, prediction, preparedness and prevention, these events will continue to have devastating impacts on human life, ecosystems and global economies. Dr. Shroder, a distinguished researcher, professor and author on natural hazards and resources, has developed the Hazards and Disasters book series to provide researchers and professionals with an understanding of the latest scientific discoveries for assessment and prevention.

Earthquake Hazard, Risk, and Disasters, edited by Max Wyss of the International Centre for Earth Simulation (ICES) in Geneva, is the first of nine volumes in the Hazards and Disasters series. It covers problems caused by earthquakes and discusses current thinking about engineering and social issues, such as how earthquake disasters can affect lives and impact property. Two more books in the series also published this month, and several more will be made available in the coming months, covering landslide, volcanic, biological, snow and ice, and coastal and marine hazards.

The new books available on natural hazards and disasters are:

Assessment of Vulnerability to Natural Hazards: A European Perspective by Joern Birkmann, Stefan Kienberger and David Alexander

In the Hazards and Disasters Series:

Earthquake Hazard, Risk and Disasters by Max Wyss Hydro-Meteorological Hazards, Risks and Disasters by Paolo Paron and Giuliano Baldassarre Wildfire Hazards, Risks and Disasters by Douglas Paton

The books are available on the Elsevier Store and on ScienceDirect, Elsevier's full-text scientific database offering journal articles and book chapters from over 2,200 peer-reviewed journals and more than 25,000 book titles.

Notes for Editors

Review copies of the books are available to credentialed journalists upon request. Contact Michelle McMahon at m.mcmahon.1@elsevier.com or +1 781 663 2268.

Emergency Management Solutions, October 2014, Volume 6 No. 10

Monthly Video Seconds From Disaster Crash Landing at Sioux City - This past July 19th was the 25th anniversary of the crash of United Flight 232 in Sioux City, Iowa. While this National Geographic special has the usual breathless, overly dramatic narration, the facts are essentially correct and there are several emotional interviews with crew and survivors. 

Blog Highlights   The following are excerpts from my blogCanton on Emergency Management. Please visit my blog to see the rest of my articles.   

It's The End of the World! So What?10-16-2014  Preparing for disasters only when they confront us is just dumb. The end result is a media-generated climate of fear and a mistrust of the government's preparedness for major events....»

Are Volunteers a Liability?09-25-2014Fear of liability exposure can rob you of a valuable disaster resource....»

Featured Article Do We Really Need a Czar?   Maybe It's Time to Revisit the Stafford Act  The recent appointment by Pres. Obama of a "Ebola Czar" raises a number of questions. Some of them are, of course, political, such as whether or not this is an example of elite panic related to the upcoming elections. Others question whether or not this is an overreaction to what is in reality three related and controlled cases. Cynics also ask the question of why, with our experience with SARS and H1 N1, we still lack a national strategy for infectious diseases. 

For those of us in emergency management, this recent appointment continues a disturbing trend: the tendency of our government to step outside established mechanisms of crisis response to appoint an often unqualified senior official to coordinate Federal agencies responding to the crisis. To me, this indicates a mistrust in both our response mechanisms and the agencies that implement them.

Professional Development     EMForum Archives Now Available

Last June many of us were saddened to hear that EMForum was ceasing operations. EMForum provided free monthly webinars that were always interesting and timely. Its loss was keenly felt by many of us who used it for professional development.Over the years, EMForum has archived these presentations by nationally-recognized experts. The good news is that this month Avagene Moore and Amy Sebring announced a partnership with the University of Delaware Disaster Research Center to host the EMForum Archive. Dr. James Kendra, Director, and Patricia Young, Resource Collection Coordinator, of the Disaster Research Center had this to say about the partnership: 

The DRC welcomes this wonderful opportunity to further enhance what is already widely recognized as a premiere collection of information on the social science aspects of disasters by adding this stellar and eclectic collection of presentations that span EIIP's 17 year history. We appreciate our role as custodians of this collection and we look forward to the new connections with the emergency management community that it will foster.

 To access the EIIP EMForum.org Archive, visit the DRC's E. L. Quarantelli Resource Collection . There you will find additional background information regarding DRC's partnership with the EIIP and a link to the full collection of EMForum.org transcripts and recordings. IAEM Annual Conference  This year’s Annual Conference of the International Association of Emergency Managers is being held in San Antonio, Texas, November 14-19. It's one of the best opportunities you have for professional development and network building. It's still not too late to sign up. You can find more information on the IAEM website. 

Life   Balance     When worlds collide

After our operations in Hurricane Iniki began to stabilize, I took the opportunity to bring my family over to Honolulu for a visit. I had been deployed for some time, missed them greatly, and they had never had the opportunity to visit Hawaii. While my team was still working long days, I felt that things were calm enough that I could take some time off. However, things didn't work out quite as I had expected.

Each of us develop our own ways of dealing with the stress of disaster operations. I hadn't realized that one of my ways was returning to a quiet, orderly room after the chaos we dealt with daily. Having that replaced by two enthusiastic young children who wanted to spend time with Dad was a shock. While I eventually managed to cope, I was edgy and stressed for much of their visit.

We often compartmentalize our lives into separate "worlds." When these worlds begin to cross over into each other, it can induce stress. And what's happening in one world can have an impact in the other

(How often has a "bad day at the office" ruined your family evening?). You need to recognize when this is happening and address it quickly.

From the Bookshelf     Flight 232: A Story of Disaster and Survival by Laurence GonzalesList Price: $27.95The 1989 crash of United Airlines Flight 23 at Sioux City, Iowa was a focusing event that changed forever how we deal with mass casualty events and airplane crashes. But nothing will prepare you for the raw emotion of Gonzales' book.The book gives an almost minute-by-minute account of the crash and the response, taking you from the cockpit to the air traffic control center to the responders on the ground. There are many lessons here: a detailed description and rationale behind the controversial victim identification process, the multi-agency exercise that helped ensure a coordinated response, the handling of survivors. It includes an in depth explanation of how the accident occurred, a detective story in its own right.

But more than anything, this is the story of people. Gonzales uses shifting points of view that ultimately tell a harrowing tale of survival and courage. You come to care about the crew and passengers and see them as individuals, not just statistics. You are drawn into their stories and see how this single event changed their lives and the lives of many of the responders.

I have read many books on disaster but rarely has a book had such an emotional impact on me. It is a reminder of why we do what we do and how important our actions are to others. Don't miss this book!

©Lucien G. Canton 2014. All rights reserved.Reprinted with permission

To subscribe to the newsletter: http://www.luciencanton.com/newsletter.html

IAEM Dispatch, October 23, 2014

ANNUAL CONFERENCE UPDATE

IAEM 62nd Annual Conference features tours that should not be missed — register today! IAEM IAEM is offering three spectacular tours at the IAEM 62nd Annual Conference in San Antonio. On Friday, Nov. 14, 2:45-5:00 p.m., only a lucky few will tour the USAA Headquarters in San Antonio, the largest office building in the United States. Participants will hear about some of the tools used to coordinate their operations around the world and the process by which they bring these representatives together to create a unified, agile and collaborative decision-making environment. The tour is limited to 25 registrants and the registration deadline for this tour is Oct. 30. On Saturday, Nov. 15, 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m., IAEM is offering a discounted rate on a "City Tour of the Hill Country." Finally, on Saturday evening from 5:30-8:00 p.m., join fellow attendees on a guided tour of downtown San Antonio as you stroll through sites such as The River Center Mall, Alamo Plaza, the Historic Menger Hotel, the San Antonio River Walk, the Arneson River Theater, and La Villita Historic Arts Village. This tour will provide excellent opportunities to meet new people and network. Add these events to your registration today.

EMEX Product of the Week: Chef 5 Minute Meal's™ Self-Heating Food Supply Bucket IAEM Chef Minute Meals, Inc., is a manufacturer of shelf-stable food products based out of Johnson City, Tennessee with USDA and FDA certified facilities strategically located for rapid response and

transportation in the event of an emergency situation. CMM is a proud supplier to DLA/FEMA, along with various state emergency management departments. CMM now is offering the only non-freeze-dried bucket available, the Chef 5 Minute Meals™ — Self-Heating Food Supply Bucket in a 7.5 gallon waterproof stackable container. The Self-Heating Food Supply Bucket includes 84 servings, an assorted variety of our Chef 5 Minute Meals™ and Chef 5 Express™ extended shelf-life products. CMM has designed this bucket in order to provide self-heating meals and non-self-heating ready-to-eat meal entrees, which carry an extended shelf-life, in one convenient bucket. In the event you are interested in learning more about our fine products, please do not hesitate to stop by Booth #326 or learn more under featured exhibitor on the IAEM website.

NEW INSIGHTS

Could US handle biologic attack? The Hill The slow-footed federal response to Ebola shows that the United States would be overwhelmed by a biological attack, experts warn. Ever since 9/11, security analysts have said it's only a matter of time before terrorists acquire the means to attack the country with a bioweapon. READ MORE

IAEM-USA NEWS

IAEM-USA Children in Disaster Caucus seeks input to help improve planning and preparedness for children in disasters IAEM The IAEM-USA Children in Disasters Caucus is working on a number of projects to improve preparedness and response for children in disasters in the United States. To successfully complete these projects and help improve preparedness and response for children in disasters, we need information about what various agencies and organizations are doing throughout the United States. We've developed a survey to gather information about seven specific projects from emergency managers and others around the United States The projects focus on:

1. Preparedness training and efforts for children2. Relocation issues for children affected by disasters3. Management of known sex offenders during disasters4. Protocols for children stranded at school after a disaster5. The need for a national dialogue between emergency management and childcare

providers/schools6. Foster care surge capacity plans and resources7. Courses and training for emergency managers on children in disasters

If you have any information on any of these topics, please share five to ten minutes of your time to take the survey and help improve planning and preparedness for children in disasters.

Medical Reserve Corps wants EM perspective — sign up to participate in focus group at IAEM Annual Conference IAEM The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), a national network of local groups of volunteers committed to improving the public health, emergency response, and resiliency of their communities, wants your perspective as emergency managers. The MRC team at the National Association of County & City Health Officials (NACCHO) invites you to a focus group during the 2014 IAEM Conference on Sunday, Nov. 16, 3:30-4:30 p.m. The team wants to learn more about how the MRC fits into your community

and what strengths and challenges you see as an emergency manager working with MRC volunteers. Your feedback will be kept confidential, but will greatly help the MRC's future emergency preparedness efforts. Participation is very limited. Focus group participants will be eligible for FREE registration to NACCHO's 2015 Preparedness Summit. To participate in the focus group, contact Julie Looper, senior program analyst, Medical Reserve Corps.

Voting on IAEM-USA Bylaws runs Oct. 21-Nov. 18, 2014 IAEM IAEM-USA Individual, Life, and Affiliate members are invited to vote on two proposed IAEM-USA Council Bylaws amendments. The IAEM-USA Board offered these amendments for consideration, and a notice was emailed to you on Sept. 23, 2014, to inform IAEM-USA members that the online Voting Area was available with information about the proposed amendments. Voting began on Oct. 21, 2014. Now it is time to cast your vote (yes or no) on each of the proposed amendments to the IAEM-USA Bylaws. Online voting will continue until Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2014, 5:00 p.m. Eastern time. To pass, the proposed amendments must receive support by two-thirds of those members voting.

Elizabeth Zimmerman appointed by President Barack Obama as FEMA Associate Administrator for Response and Recovery IAEM President Barack Obama appointed Elizabeth Zimmerman to be FEMA's associate administrator for response and recovery, effective Oct. 19. Zimmerman has served as the assistant administrator for recovery, the deputy associate administrator for the Office of Response and Recovery, and most recently the acting associate administrator for the Office of Response and Recovery. Most notably, she has overseen the Stafford Act declaration process since 2009, she serves as an active steward of the Women's Leadership Forum, championed the development, collaboration and publication of the National Disaster Recovery Framework, the Recovery Support Functions, and the Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinators, and recently has been managing the implementation of the tribal declaration process authorized by the 2013 Sandy Recovery Improvement Act.

DISASTER TECHNOLOGY NEWS

Australian evacuation app takes prize in UN global app challenge PreventionWeb The United Nations Office of Disaster Risk Reduction and Esri announced a new winner in the U.N. Global Disaster Resilience App Challenge. The competition challenged developers to create apps that support the UNISDR Making Cities Resilient: My City is Getting Ready. Guardian Evacuations — an app written by Leon Storey and Gareck Packer that gets people to their closest evacuation center during a storm—was awarded first place in the consumer/public facing category.

Facebook's new tool tells friends you're safe during natural disasters Wired In the wake of the earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan in 2011, a team of Japanese Facebook engineers went to work on tools that would help people connect and communicate with friends and family in the event of other natural disasters. These tools were available only in Japan, but now, this same work has spawned a new Facebook feature meant to provide help in the event of any natural disaster, worldwide.

Algorithm lets disaster response robots discern between humans and rubble Gizmag With their ability to navigate through tight spaces and unstable environments without putting people at

risk, disaster response is one of the most promising applications for robots. Researchers from Mexico's University of Guadalajara have developed an algorithm that could come in handy in such situations by allowing robots to differentiate between people and debris.

CEM® UPDATE

New certification exam to be released in January 2015 IAEM The new 100-question multiple-choice CEM®/AEM℠ exam will be released in January 2015. A revised study guide with recommended study materials will be available in November on the IAEM website. Certification candidates who are preparing for the exam using the current study guide should make the necessary arrangements to sit for the test by December 2014. Information about making arrangements for the exam with an approved proctor can be found on page 4-5 of the Study Guide. Contact CEM Administrator Kate McClimans with any questions.

EM NEWS

Revised HFA stresses political leadership PreventionWeb The Zero Draft of the post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction was published and circulated widely recently. It is an early draft of the final document which will be adopted at the Third U.N. World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai, Japan, next March. The document prepared by the co-Chairs of the Conference's Preparatory Committee, Ambassador Päivi Kairamo, Finland, and Ambassador Thani Thongphakdi, Thailand, seeks a substantial reduction of disaster losses, in lives, and in the social, economic and environmental assets of persons, communities and countries. READ MORE

US to reroute passengers from Ebola areas The Hill All travelers from countries affected by the Ebola epidemic will now travel through one of five major U.S. airports, officials announced. Under pressure from lawmakers, the Department of Homeland Security is redirecting flights nationwide in an attempt to prevent more people from bringing Ebola across the border. READ MORE

Nigeria is Ebola-free: Here's what they did right Time The World Health Organization declared Nigeria free of Ebola, a containment victory in an outbreak that has stymied other countries' response efforts. The outbreak has killed more than 4,500 in West Africa is remains unchecked in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, so Nigeria is by no means immune to another outbreak. For the WHO to declare Nigeria as Ebola-free, the country had to make it 42 days with no new cases (double the incubation period), verify that it actively sought out all possible contacts, and show negative test results for any suspected cases. READ MORE

CDC to monitor travelers from West Africa for 3 weeks The Hill All travelers who arrive in the United States from Ebola-stricken countries will be closely watched by public health officials, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced. Dr. Tom Frieden, director of the CDC, said anyone arriving from three countries — Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia — will be required to report their temperature and any potential symptoms to public health officials. READ MORE

Great earthquakes doubled in the most recent 10 year period — what that means Science 2.0 Since December 2004 there have been 18 quakes of 8.0 or greater on the moment magnitude scale — a rate more than twice that seen from 1900 to mid-2004. Some of that difference could be due to unprecedented advances in technological and scientific capacity to detect earthquakes. Like the distance of Babe Ruth's homeruns, anecdotes about past earthquakes have the mist of legend shrouding them, but modern earthquakes have a variety of ways they can be understood — and that helps recalibrate risk for future earthquakes. READ MORE

What Hurricane Sandy teaches us about the warnings we can't hear Time When a NJ meteorologist saw what was coming, he knew he must make a storm briefing — but no one had ever made one for a hurricane that might make landfall seven days later. READ MORE

Nancy Dragani receives 2014 Suiter Award for Distinguished Service IAEM The National Emergency Management Association has presented the 2014 Lacy E. Suiter Distinguished Service Award to Nancy Dragani, executive director of the Ohio Emergency Management Agency. The honor was given to Dragani on Oct. 11, 2014 during the association’s Annual Emergency Management Policy and Leadership Forum held in Atlanta, Georgia. Dragani has served more than twenty years in positions of ever increasing responsibility and leadership in the emergency management profession. In 2005, Gov. Bob Taft tapped her for agency director. She has continued in that position under Govs. Strickland and Kasich. Ohio achieved accreditation through the Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP) under her leadership, and she's led the state through numerous disasters. She serves as Tri-Chair of the National Homeland Security Consortium. Dragani has served in various leadership positions within NEMA, including president, chair of the Response and Recovery Committee and chair of the Homeland Security Committee. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has appointed her multiple times to the National Advisory Council as chair of the Recovery Subcommittee and then Insurance and Mitigation Subcommittee. Dragani earned an advanced degree in homeland security through the Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense Security Studies.

AROUND THE WORLD

Thousands of holidaying Brits caught in Tenerife flash-floods that left 1 dead The Daily Mirror Thousands of Britons holidaying in Tenerife have been caught in flash-flooding on the island. Seven inches of rain fell in just 12 hours, with tourists warned to stay in their hotels as landslides and fast-flowing waters led to road closures. READ MORE

Hurricane Gonzalo: Woman crushed to death by tree blown down by high winds in London The Independent A woman has died after being crushed by a tree in high winds caused by the remains of Hurricane Gonzalo. The tree and part of a wall fell on the pedestrian as she walked down Kensington Road, near Hyde Park Barracks. A spokesperson for the London Ambulance Service said paramedics tried to resuscitate her but she died at the scene. READ MORE

Strong earthquake strikes Ecuador and Colombia The Weather Channel A strong earthquake rattled parts of Ecuador and southern Colombia, sending frightened residents

running outdoors. There are no reports of structural damage, but early reports indicate one person may be trapped in a landslide. READ MORE

Nepal tightens up mountain rules in wake of Himalayan hiking disaster The Guardian Nepal has said it will introduce new rules, improve weather forecasts and better monitor the movement of trekkers after the Himalayan country's worst hiking disaster left dozens dead. Tourism department official Tulasi Gautam said trekkers venturing on to mountain trails would be required to take trained local guides and would have to rent a GPS tracking unit to help authorities trace them in case of an emergency. READ MORE

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Naval Postgraduate School - Greta E. Marlatt; email: gmarlatt@nps.edu/ , September 15, 2014 ;

New or Updated Congressional Research Service (CRS) reports: Congressional Liaison Offices of Selected Federal Agencies. 98-446 Appropriations and Fund Transfers in the Affordable Care Act (ACA). R41301 National Monuments and the Antiquities Act. R41330 Food Safety Issues for the 113th Congress. R42885 Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy: CRS Experts. R42688 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA): Resources for Frequently Asked Questions.

R43215 Legislative Actions to Repeal, Defund, or Delay the Affordable Care Act. R43289 Reauthorization of the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act (STELA). R43490 Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Assistance: Summary Data and Analysis. R43665 Mobile Technology and Spectrum Policy: Innovation and Competition. R43595 Frequently Asked Legal Questions. R43720 Unaccompanied Alien Children: Demographics in Brief. R43734 Fire Management Assistance Grants: Frequently Asked Questions. R43738 Federal and State Quarantine and Isolation Authority. RL33201 Assistance to Firefighters Program: Distribution of Fire Grant Funding. RL32341 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response: The SAFER Grant Program. RL33375 United States Fire Administration: An Overview. RS20071 Legislative Support Resources: Offices and Websites for Congressional Staff. RS20120 House Standing Committee Chairs and Ranking Minority Members: Rules Governing Selection

Procedures. RS21165 Noncitizen Eligibility for Federal Public Assistance: Policy Overview and Trends. RL33809 Extending Unemployment Compensation Benefits During Recessions. RL34340 Federal Pollution Control Laws: How Are They Enforced? RL34384 Unauthorized Aliens’ Access to Federal Benefits: Policy and Issues. RL34500 (No) Papers, Please: No Passports for U.S. "Foreign Fighters", CRS Legal Sidebar, As Midterm Election Approaches, State Election Laws Challenged, CRS Legal Sidebar Increased Department of Defense Role in U.S. Ebola Response, CRS Insights. IN10152Center for Security Policy (CSP) 2013-2014 Congressional National Security Scorecard

http://www.centerforsecuritypolicy.org/2014/10/15/2013-2014-national-security-scorecard/ Congress. House. Oversight & Government Reform Committee

Gym Memberships, Gift Cards, and Hair Salons: Examining the Misuse of Government-Supplied Credit Cards http://oversight.house.gov/hearing/gym-memberships-gift-cards-hair-salons-examining-misuse-government-supplied-credit-cards/

Department of Defense (DOD) 2014 Climate Change Adaptation Roadmap http://www.acq.osd.mil/ie/download/CCARprint.pdf European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) Outbreak of Ebola virus disease in West Africa, 6th Update, 13 October 2014

http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/ebola-sierra-leone-liberia-guinea-nigeria-spain-14-10-2014-risk-assessment.pdf

Heritage Foundation Ebola: The Basics http://thf_media.s3.amazonaws.com/2014/pdf/IB4282.pdf Ebola: U.S. Government Civilian and Military Assistance in West Africa

http://thf_media.s3.amazonaws.com/2014/pdf/IB4283.pdf Eliminating Waste and Controlling Government Spending

http://thf_media.s3.amazonaws.com/2014/pdf/BG2960.pdf Intelink Ebola News Digest http://eboladigest.blogspot.com/ National Academies Press A Framework to Guide Selection of Chemical Alternatives http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?

record_id=18872 Future Directions for NSF Advanced Computing Infrastructure to Support U.S. Science and

Engineering in 2017-2020: Interim Report http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=18972 Safe Science:   Promoting a Culture of Safety in Academic Chemical Research

http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=18706 Training Students to Extract Value from Big Data:   Summary of a Workshop

http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=18981 White House Remarks by the President After Meeting on the Government's Response to Ebola | October 15, 2014

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/10/15/remarks-president-after-meeting-governments-response-ebola   

Remarks by the President After Meeting on the Government's Response to Ebola | October 16, 2014 http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/10/16/remarks-president-after-meeting-governments-response-ebola-october-16-20

Weekly Address: What You Need To Know About Ebola http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/10/18/weekly-address-what-you-need-know-about-ebola

Wilson Center Opportunities and Challenges for Arctic Oil and Development

http://www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/Artic%20Report_F.pdf

HORIZON 2020 - GRF Davos Call for Partners

Dear colleague 

Are you looking for a strong consortium partner within the EU Research and Innovation programme Horizon 2020 or other calls?

As a center of excellence for integrative risk management and climate change adaptation the Global Risk Forum GRF Davos has identified several calls within the Horizon 2020 call for proposals.

With the following survey we look for strong consortium partners to complement our expertise and experience. In the survey you will find a set of HORIZON 2020 calls where GRF Davos could act as consortium partner. Please indicate if you are interested in any of the listed calls. For each call you are interested in,  you will be asked to shortly describe your potential proposal ideas, your contributions to the consortium,  and some additional questions.

If you are interested, please submit the following survey by 31. October 2014: http://www.surveygizmo.co.uk/s3/1840254/HORIZON2020

Before you complete the survey please check whether your institution is a legal entity that is eligible for funding through Horizon 2020. Also, be aware that by participating in the survey, you are not automatically part of a consortium.

In case you are already involved in setting up a proposal or within a consortium for a call not listed in the survey, we would like to offer our expertise and support to you or your colleagues. Please send us an email to Andrea Roth (andrea.roth@grforum.org).

For any further questions don’t hesitate to contact us.

Best regards.

Andrea Roth

NYC Citizen Corps Weekly News – October 22, 2014

Please read the following update regarding Ebola in New York City.  As more information becomes available we will be sure to disseminate it to you as quickly as possible.  Please forward this information and other updates from Citizen Corps to your networks.

Statement on Patient at Bellevue Hospital, Oct. 23, 2014, 3:05pm Located at http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/diseases/ebola-stmt-nyc.shtml Today, EMS HAZ TAC Units transferred to Bellevue Hospital a patient who presented a fever and gastrointestinal symptoms.   

The patient is a health care worker who returned to the U.S. within the past 21 days from one of the three countries currently facing the outbreak of this virus.

The patient was transported by a specially trained HAZ TAC unit wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).  After consulting with the hospital and the CDC, DOHMH has decided to conduct a test for the Ebola virus because of this patient's recent travel history, pattern of symptoms, and past work. DOHMH and HHC are also evaluating the patient for other causes of illness, as these symptoms can also be consistent with salmonella, malaria, or the stomach flu.

Preliminary test results are expected in the next 12 hours.

Bellevue Hospital is designated for the isolation, identification and treatment of potential Ebola patients by the City and State.  New York City is taking all necessary precautions to ensure the health and safety of all New Yorkers.

As a further precaution, beginning today, the Health Department's team of disease detectives immediately began to actively trace all of the patient's contacts to identify anyone who may be at potential risk. The Health Department staff has established protocols to identify, notify, and, if necessary, quarantine any contacts of Ebola cases.

The Health Department is also working closely with HHC leadership, Bellevue's clinical team and the New York State Department of Health to ensure that all staff caring for the patient do so while following the utmost safety guidelines and protocols.

The chances of the average New Yorker contracting Ebola are extremely slim. Ebola is spread by directly touching the bodily fluids of an infected person. You cannot be infected simply by being near someone who has Ebola.

Please see an updated statement on Ebola in New York City below:

THE CITY OF NEW YORKOFFICE OF THE MAYORNEW YORK, NY 10007

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 23, 2014CONTACT: pressoffice@cityhall.nyc.gov , (212) 788-2958AUDIO: https://soundcloud.com/nycmayorsoffice/10-23-14-bellevue-hospital-press-availabilityVIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBH4m1U-0R0&list=UUlnI1zhyzv_BPb-VSHEtniw Mayor Bill de Blasio: Good evening. Before I offer remarks, I just want to note - we are joined by Governor Andrew Cuomo, by Health Commissioner Mary Basset of the city of New York, Health Commissioner Howard Zucker of the state of New York, the president of the Health and Hospitals Corporation of New York City, Dr. Ram Raju, and on the phone, Dr. Tom Frieden, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Frieden will address us after the remarks by the rest of us.

Today, testing confirmed that a patient here in New York City had tested positive for Ebola. The patient is now here in Bellevue Hospital. We want to state at the outset - there is no reason for New Yorkers to be alarmed. Ebola is an extremely hard disease to contract. It is transmitted only through contact with an infected person's blood or other bodily fluids - not through casual contact. New Yorkers who have not been exposed to an infected person's bodily fluids are not at all at risk. And we want to emphasize that New York City has the world's strongest public health system, the world's leading medical experts, and the world's most advanced medical equipment.

We have been preparing for months for the threat posed by Ebola. We have clear and strong protocols, which are being scrupulously followed and were followed in this instance. And Bellevue Hospital is specially designed for isolation, identification, and treatment of Ebola patients. Every hospital in the city is prepared in the event that other patients come forward.The patient in question is a doctor who has worked with Ebola patients in West Africa. And when his symptoms emerged, he was taken to Bellevue by specially trained emergency medical service workers who followed all transport protocols. The patient is now in isolation. The health department has a team of disease detectives, who have been at work tracing all of the patient's contacts, and we are prepared to quarantine contacts as necessary.

There have been reports about the patient's movements. Again, these medical detectives are at work putting together the pieces of the timeline. But we emphasize again, Ebola is very difficult to contract. Being on the same subway car or living near a person with Ebola does not in itself put someone at risk. We are working very closely with our state and federal partners to ensure that we protect the health of all New Yorkers. People should rest assured that the extraordinary medical professionals of this city and this state are working to ensure that every protection is in place.

A moment of commentary in Spanish before I turn to Governor Cuomo:

Hoy el Hospital Bellevue admitió un paciente que dió positivo por EbolaNo hay motivo de alarma. Las posibilidades de que el neoyorquino promedio contraiga Ebola siguen siendo muy, muy pequeñas.

La Ciudad se ha estado preparando para el Ébola durante meses  y tenemos un sistema bien diseñado para diagnosticar, aislar y tratar a este paciente

With that, I want to welcome comments by Governor Cuomo, who has remained in close communication with us here in the city over the last weeks. His team has been extraordinary in their preparation, their coordination with us. Welcome, Governor Cuomo.

Understanding Ebola: Resources and Town Hall Meetings    In the past few weeks, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has diagnosed and confirmed (through laboratory tests) a few cases of the Ebola virus in the United States. There has not been a single confirmed case in New York City or in the surrounding area at this time. Nonetheless, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) recognize that health care workers and the public are concerned about their risk so, in addition to regularly monitoring and responding to disease outbreaks in conjunction with the city's healthcare community, DOHMH has developed educational materials and messages that are both culturally and linguistically appropriate to share with our communities.

Staying informed and dispelling myths are the key to keeping you, your family, and your community safe. Please check out this video of NYC's Health Commissioner Mary Bassett sharing with NYers what they need to know about Ebola. Below is a list of some of the resources available, the rest can be found on the Health Department website. For hard copies of the palm cards to share, please call 311 and materials will be sent directly to you or your organization.

Palm cards: Ebola: Am I at Risk Palm Card (PDF)Other languages: [Español] [中文] [Français]

Reduce Your Risk Do you or a family member live in or travel regularly to the affected areas? Learn ways to reduce your risk. Ebola: Reduce Your Risk (PDF)

FAQS: Frequently Asked Questions (PDF) Stress: Ebola: Dealing with Stressful Events (PDF)

Info for:

Daycares and Schools: Guidance for Daycares and Schools: Receiving Students or Staff from Areas Affected by Ebola

Colleges and Universities: Guidance for Colleges and Universities Receiving Students or Staff from Areas Affected by Ebola

Healthcare Providers: Ebola Information for Health Care Providers

Dates for Town Hall Meetings: Understanding EbolaThe Health Department will also be sponsoring town hall discussions with community leaders and medical professionals. We invite you to these community conversations to share your concerns and have your questions answered. Details for events in Queens and Brooklyn will be announced soon.  Friday, October 24, 20146PM to 8PMBronx Museum (tentative location)1040 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10456 Thursday, October 30, 2014Time TBDCity College160 Convent Ave, New York, NY 10031 For more information or questions, please call 311.

NYC Citizen Corps and Other Initiatives

Ready NYC Mobile App In an effort to encourage more New Yorkers to make an emergency plan before disaster strikes, NYC Emergency Management has launched an enhanced mobile application called Ready NYC. The free app, which is currently available for Apple iOS, allows users to store important information they may need in an emergency, such as:  

Emergency contacts  Meeting places  Health information  Supply lists to help users gather the right items for use in an emergency  

Other key features of the app include tips and information about what to do during emergencies, and an alerts feed from Notify NYC -- New York City's official source for information about emergency events and important City services. Developed with the NYC Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications (DoITT), this mobile application serves as an update to the 2013 app, featuring an improved user experience that includes a new layout, added font adjustments to enable easier-to-read text, added ability to share an emergency plan, and more.   

To download the app, please visit http://appsto.re/us/7idXL.i. To read the OEM press release, please click here.  Resources

The Ebola Virus - Information and Resources Ebola is a severe, often fatal disease that affects humans and some animals. Ebola spreads through direct contact with an infected person's or animal's skin, blood or body fluids. It cannot be spread simply by being near someone who is infected. People can be infected by touching objects that contain infected blood or body fluids, such as needles or bed sheets.

For more information about Ebola, please visit the resources below:

New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene's Ebola webpage CDC's Ebola webpage Follow Dr. Mary T. Bassett on Twitter, @DrMaryTBassett Follow the CDC on Twitter, @cdcgov

National Disaster Distress Helpline The National Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH), a program of the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and administered by the Mental Health Association of New York City (MHA-NYC), offers specialized crisis counseling and support for anyone struggling with emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters. The DDH offers 24/7/365 toll-free, confidential and multi-lingual hotline (1-800-985-5990) and SMS (text "TalkWithUs" to 66746; Spanish-speakers can text "Hablanos" to 66746) counseling, support, and referrals to local community-based resources. Calls and texts are answered by trained crisis counselors. For more information, click here or email Lauri Benblatt.

Upcoming Events

October 27th - Disaster Distress Response Program (DDRP) Public WorkshopsThe Visiting Nurse Service of New York (VNSNY) will be conducting a public workshop on the free 10-week DDRP program. Clinical staff will cover common reactions to disaster, teach a breathing retraining technique to manage anxiety, talk about the importance of scheduling pleasant activities to combat sadness and depression and discuss the 5 steps of cognitive restructuring to reframe unhelpful thoughts that cause distress. For more information, please see flyers for: Queens Library-Far Rockaway (10/27 from 6pm-7pm).

October 28th - LIGHT THE CITYA city-wide Sandy Anniversary event by the Brooklyn Long-Term Recovery Group (BLTRG), the Staten Island Long Term Recovery Organization (SILTRO), Lower East Side READY and the Queens Recovery Coalition (QRC), this cross-borough initiative will unite Sandy-affected communities for a candle-lighting before in advance of the "Light the Shore" vigils (or other Sandy anniversary events) in borough on October 29, 2014. The program will include special speakers, residents and representatives of the Long-Term Recovery Groups in remembrance of our loss, in recognition of our ongoing struggles, and in celebration of communities dedicated to a recovered and more resilient NYC. The event will start at 6:30pm in Bowling Green Park (Manhattan). To view the flyer, please click here.

October 28th - Disaster Volunteerism 3: Home Assessments and Risk Mapping[World Cares Center Disaster Volunteerism Series] This session participants are taught to identify, and map areas that must be avoided, and address present hazards and prepare a work plan for their team. This event is free. Location: World Cares Centers Offices (520 8th Ave, 2nd Floor Conference Room), 6:00pm-8:00pm. To register, click here.

October 29th - Commodity Distribution Point Training ProgramThe Commodity Distribution Point (CDP) Program is a coordinated, City-led operation to distribute temporarily unavailable life-sustaining commodities such as food, water, ice, and baby formula to the public following an emergency or disaster that disrupts access to traditional supply chains. Primary CDP sites have been identified throughout the five boroughs, one in each community district, to use as points of distribution. OEM is looking to build a team of trained individuals who may be called upon to volunteer at one of these CDP sites during an emergency response. NYC OEM will be hosting monthly CDP trainings for interested volunteers. You only have to attend ONE session. Please click this link to register.

October 29th - Light the Shore: Second Anniversary of Superstorm SandyThe Staten Island Long Term Recovery Organization (SI LTRO) invites affected residents, recovery service providers, and the wider Staten Island community for this event in remembrance of post-Sandy recovery. For more information, please visit the SI LTRO event page.

October 29th - Remembering Sandy: Still Standing Strong Two Years LaterLES Ready! Long-Term Recovery Group from the lower east side is hosting a remembrance event from 6:00pm-9:00pm at La Plaza Cultural Garden (9th Street & Avenue C). To view event flyer, click here. For more information, please contact Lilah Mejia at 212-358-1231 or email lesreadyinfo@gmail.com.

October 30th - NYC DOHMH Town Hall Meeting: Understanding Ebola - City College (tentative)The NYC Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene will be sponsoring town hall discussions with community leaders and medical professionals. We invite you to these community conversations to share your concerns and have your questions answered. Event will be at City College (160 Convent Ave., New York, NY 10031) 

November 6th - Disaster Supervisor Resiliency TrainingWorld Cares Center is launching a new training program designed to educate and empower disaster supervisors. The program will prepare supervisors to recognize the signs and symptoms of disaster work-related stress, understand the unique role of the supervisor in balancing health, safety, resilience and productivity, and enhance their leadership skills to support their team's resiliency. For more information, please click here for event flyer. Please RSVP by calling 212-563-7570 or email Lindsay Einhorn at training@worldcares.org.

November 13-15 - Vision Zero for Cities SymposiumAt the first-ever Vision Zero for Cities Symposium (VZCS) in New York City, leading advocates and elected officials will join professionals in engineering, education and law enforcement, as well as families impacted by traffic violence to discuss how to achieve Vision Zero in cities around the world. For agenda and registration, please visit event info here.

November 14th - Disaster Volunteerism 4: Mucking, Gutting, and Mold Suppression[World Cares Center Disaster Volunteerism Series] This "How to" session teaches participants how to conduct a muck out and mold remediation project step by step. The session includes what equipment, skills, guidelines, and process of safely and effectively recovering flood affected property are needed in order to prepare it for safe repair and rebuild work. This event is free. Location: World Cares Cetners Offices (520 8th Ave, 2nd Floor Conference Room), 6:00pm-8:00pm. To register, click here.

Thank you and have a lovely weekend,

Barbara

Barbara L. JohnsonHigher Education Program AssistantFEMA/EMI/NETCDepartment of Homeland Security16825 S. Seton Avenue, K016

Emmitsburg, MD 21727 Ph: (301) 447-1452

Barbara.Johnson3@fema.dhs.gov 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.