2006 hurricane forecast updated
The April update of the 2006 forecast of Atlantic hurricane season activity is now available online. The forecast, developed by the Tropical Meteorology Project staff at Colorado State University, is unchanged from the initial forecast issued in December 2005. Although the CSU meteorologists call for another above-average season, they predict fewer major hurricanes than occurred in 2004 and 2005. According to the forecast, the next hurricane season will produce 17 named storms, nine hurricanes and five intense hurricanes. The probability for at least one major Category 3, 4 or 5 hurricane landfall on the East Coast is 64 percent, 33 points over the average for the last century. The 2005 hurricane season broke the record for named storms, producing 26 named storms, 14 hurricanes and seven intense hurricanes. The tropical meteorology research group from CSU's Department of Atmospheric Science issues seasonal hurricane forecasts in early December, April, June, August, September and October.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Hurricane Center will begin 2006 hurricane forecasts on June 1.

Virginia Emergency Management Conference awards
Several awards, scholarships and certificates were presented during the annual Virginia Emergency Management Conference Awards Luncheon, April 6 in Williamsburg, Va.

• The Clarence P. Rea Jr. Award recognizes outstanding group achievement in emergency management. Presented to VDEM and all the localities and agencies involved in responding to the Gulf Coast post Hurricane Katrina/Rita.
• The Warren E. Trent Award recognizes outstanding individual achievement in emergency management. Presented to Larry Gallagher, New Kent County emergency management coordinator and Janet Clements, chief deputy state coordinator for VDEM.
• $500 Scholarships were presented to Emily Flannigan, Leslie Little, Jesse Hunt and Robert Braidwood.
• Emergency Management Assistant Certifications were presented to Woody Brown, Jeffrey Cole, Brady Grim, Arthur Hall, Dee Hayes, Kenneth Hayes, Richard McKinney, David Morgan, Winnie Pennington, Richard Sisler and Jack Wilson.
• Associate Emergency Manager Certifications were presented to Mark Antley, Kenneth Clark, Terry Hebert, Timothy Hise, Tony Kostecka, James Redick and Tammy L. Waldroup.
• Professional Emergency Manager Certifications were presented to Kent Emerson, Brian Mullery, Peter Sommer and Sue Maddox-Toth.

$1.5 million in grants for four Virginia localities
The cities of Chesapeake, Poquoson, Richmond and York County will receive a total of more than $1.5 million in Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Funds from the Department of Housing and Community Development. The grants will benefit low- to moderate-income citizens, supporting ongoing rebuilding efforts for homes and community infrastructure damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Isabel and Tropical Depression Gaston. The city of Chesapeake will receive $367, 747, Poquoson $363, 600, Richmond $699,988 and York County will receive $100,000. Prior to this disbursement, these localities have been granted more than $2.5 million in DHCD funds.

Region 7 coordinator's position
Cindi Causey, Region 7 coordinator, will leave her position after six years of dedicated service to the Commonwealth. The Region 7 coordinator's position has evolved over the years to one of increasing involvement with National Capitol Region matters that demand a large amount of time and take the coordinator away from primary duties of locality liaison functions. To enhance VDEM operations, Sue Mahon, who has been Causey's assistant under a UASI-funded contract, will take over the NCR involvement required of the Commonwealth. The new regional coordinator will maintain a more standard workload, dealing principally with local emergency managers in the region to address localities' needs. VDEM will seek input from Region 7 localities to fill the Region 7 coordinator's position. For more information, contact Local Support Services Division Director Gordon Barwell at (804) 897-6500, ext. 6611.

Deputy secretary of Public Safety
Clyde E. Cristman of Glen Allen will serve as deputy secretary of Public Safety. Cristman previously served as director of the Department of Charitable Gaming and held several leadership roles within the criminal justice system. He has more than 22 years of service in state and local government programs.

FCC to establish new bureau
The Federal Communications Commission plans to establish a Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau. The bureau will improve the FCC's ability to address public safety, homeland security, national security, emergency management and preparedness, and disaster management, among other issues. The bureau will handle among other things:

• 911, Enhanced 911 and interoperability of public safety communications
• Alert and warning systems such as the Emergency Alert System
• Continuity of Operations planning
• Disaster management and outreach

The changes are subject to congressional notification before they become effective.

Training...
Protecting your Home or Small Business from Disaster
The Emergency Management Institute has developed IS-394A, Protecting your Home or Small Business from Disaster, to replace IS-394, Mitigation for Homeowners. Those currently enrolled in IS-394 will be able to take the final exam until April 30, 2006, when EMI will discontinue support for IS-394. The new course, available online May 1, will teach small business owners, homeowners and individual citizens to:

• Describe different types of natural disasters
• Describe hazards that pose a risk to their home or small business
• Explain how protective measures can reduce or eliminate long-term risks to their home and personal property from hazards and their effects
• Explain how protective measures for small businesses secure people, business property, and building structures and prevent business loss from a natural disaster

Access to this course is available at the EMI Independent Study Web site.

Produced by the Virginia Department of Emergency Management
10501 Trade Court, Richmond, Virginia 23236