Aug. 13, 2008

Citizen Corps and Citizen Preparedness grants available
VDEM is accepting applications for the FY07 Citizen Corps and Citizen Preparedness grant program. This competitive program will award $500,000 statewide to support state and local Citizen Corps Councils with all hazards planning, public education, outreach, citizen preparedness and participation, and the management of Citizen Corps' Citizen Preparedness programs and activities. Grant applications and guidelines are available on VDEM's Web site at http://www.vaemergency.com/grants/2007CCP.cfm. Applications are due to VDEM Aug. 26.

Federal guide helps localities create emergency plans
FEMA has published a guide to help local and state governments create emergency operations plan. The interim Comprehensive Preparedness Guide 101, "Producing Emergency Plans: A Guide for All-Hazard Operations Planning for State, Territorial, Local, and Tribal Governments," integrates concepts from the National Incident Management System and the National Response Framework, lessons learned from recent disasters, and recommendations from the Nationwide Plan Review. The CPG-101 does not direct a specific plan format, but it provides content guidance so that jurisdictions can develop plans that best fit their geographical, political and social environment. It establishes no immediate requirements but suggests that the next iteration of all EOPs follow its guidance.

CPG-101 is an interim version; the final version is scheduled for December 2008. CPG-101 replaces State and Local Guide 101, "Guide for All-Hazards Emergency Planning," and is the cornerstone for a series of CPGs that will address a variety of hazards and emergency functions.

The guide is available for download at http://www.fema.gov/about/divisions/cpg.shtm.

In addition, VDEM's Preparedness Division is drafting new, user-friendly Emergency Operations Plan templates for local governments and for colleges and universities to help these organizations develop and maintain an EOP. The new templates will be available on the VDEM Web site by the end of the year.

DHS releases interoperability plan
The Department of Homeland Security has released the National Emergency Communications Plan, which aligns the statewide communication interoperability plans for all 56 states and territories previously mandated by DHS and coordinates these efforts in a five-year, three-stage process.

• The first goal is to have 90 percent of all Urban Areas Security Initiative regions able to demonstrate response-level emergency communications within one hour for routine events involving multiple jurisdictions and agencies by 2010.
• The second goal is to have 75 percent of non-UASI jurisdictions able to demonstrate response-level emergency communications within one hour for routine events involving multiple jurisdictions and agencies by 2011.
• The final goal of the plan is to have 75 percent of all jurisdictions able to demonstrate response-level emergency communications within three hours, in the event of a significant incident (as outlined in national planning scenarios) by 2013.

To meet these goals, the NECP includes seven objectives for improving emergency communications for emergency responders at all levels. The plan is available for download at http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/national_emergency_communications_plan.pdf.

In addition, DHS is establishing the Interoperable Emergency Communications Grant Program to support projects that focus on improving operable and interoperable emergency communications for state, local and tribal agencies and for international border agencies. IECGP will close gaps associated with governance, planning, training and exercises and give grant funds to initiatives that are not focused on technology.

Guidance for school system emergency preparedness grants
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools has issued guidance for school systems that have received federal preparedness funding through the Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools and Emergency Management for Higher Education Discretionary grant programs. As recipients, local educational agencies and schools are required to fulfill NIMS implementation activities in close coordination with members of their local government and emergency response community. Four guidance documents offer key school and campus emergency management activities that will enhance these relationships.

• Key Personnel and NIMS Training For Schools and HEIs
• Frequently Asked Questions About NIMS Implementation Activities For Schools and HEIs
• Checklist: NIMS Implementation Activities for Schools and HEIs
• NIMS Implementation Activities for Schools and Higher Education Institutions

These documents are available on VDEM's Web site at http://www.vaemergency.com/programs/nims/NIMS_edu.cfm. Additional information about school and HEI emergency management is available on the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools Emergency Planning Web site, http://www.ed.gov/emergencyplan.

2008 hurricane forecasts updated
The National Hurricane Center has increased its Atlantic hurricane season forecast, predicting that there is a 67 percent chance that the Atlantic will produce 14 to 18 named storms, seven to 10 hurricanes and three to six major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5). The NHC issues hurricane season forecasts in May and August.

Read the full text of the NHC's forecast: http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/outlooks/hurricane.shtml.

Colorado State University has also increased its forecast in its August update. CSU is calling for a total of 17 named storms for the season, nine hurricanes and five intense hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5). The tropical meteorology research group from CSU's Department of Atmospheric Science will update its forecast in September and October.

Read the full text of CSU's forecast: http://hurricane.atmos.colostate.edu/Forecasts.

To date, the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season has produced five named storms, two hurricanes and one major hurricane.

In addition, the Virginia Department of Transportation, the Hampton Roads Emergency Management Committee and VDEM have updated the Virginia Hurricane Guide. The guide contains essential hurricane preparedness information, such as traffic reversal plans along I-64, evacuation routes and bridge/tunnel/ferry closure plans in the Hampton Roads area. The guide is available for download at http://www.readyvirginia.gov/brochures.cfm. Printed guides are available from the VDEM Public Affairs Office at (866) 782-3470 or pio@vdem.virginia.gov.

Training...
EMnet Training
With the completion of the latest installations of EMnet on the horizon, local emergency management coordinators in VDEM Region 1, 5 and 7 are invited to attend EMnet training. Comlabs will provide a clear understanding of the system, including standard operating procedures, training, testing and support. Training will be Aug. 20 at the James City County Fire Department Training Center from noon to 4 p.m. VDEM Region 1, 5 and 7 local emergency management coordinators should confirm their attendance with their VDEM regional coordinator or VDEM Operations Deputy Director Michael Nelson at michael.nelson@vdem.virginia.gov or (804) 674-2749.

Conferences...
Southwest Virginia Disaster Preparedness Summit
The Southwest Virginia Disaster Preparedness Summit will introduce emergency management concepts, continuity of operations planning and school crisis management planning to local and state government agencies, non-governmental organizations and private-sector partners. Modules will cover three main topics.

• The role and responsibility of local government during each phase of disaster management. Participants will learn resource request and tracking processes.
• Continuity of operations planning development, pandemic influenza COOP planning, tools available to assist local government and community partners, and local best practices.
• Developing and maintaining a school crisis, emergency management and emergency medical plan to include communications, security, evacuation, lock-down, visitor screening, special needs, parent/child reunification and pandemic influenza.

The summit, sponsored by the Virginia Department of Health and VDEM, will be Aug. 27-28 at the Wytheville Meeting Center from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Registration is required at https://va.train.org. For more information, contact Mount Rogers Health District Emergency Planner Judy Cooling at (276) 781-7450.

EM Update is the best way to communicate best practices and to get a heads up on issues that might affect you. Articles include case studies, cost/resource-saving local programs, examples of partnerships and regional cooperation and recognition of emergency managers who receive awards and honors in the field.

Please don't hesitate to contact the editor whenever you have a project that might benefit localities or want to highlight an important issue concerning Virginia's emergency response community. Contact Jolie Shank at (804) 897-6510 or by e-mail at pio@vdem.virginia.gov.

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