IAEM NEWS

2008

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U.S. Hurricane News & Resources

IAEM News Release: The International Association of Emergency Managers Announces the Formation of a Global Board of Directors

(09/17/08)

IAEM-UCC Establishes Higher Education Mutual Aid Network to Help Obtain Resources Needed from College/Universities to Respond to and Recover from Hurricane Gustav (09/01/08) The International Association of Emergency Managers, Universities and Colleges Committee (IAEM-UCC) has established the Higher Education Mutual Aid Network (HE-MAN) as a method of helping you obtain the resources you need from other colleges and universities to respond to and recover from Hurricane Gustav.

HE-MAN works directly with EMAC, the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, which is the only state-to-state mutual aid agreement recognized by FEMA. EMAC is the process your state EOC is using to get mutual aid from other states.

The purpose of HE-MAN is to streamline the process by putting you in direct touch with hundreds of other colleges and universities, to find you the help you need amongst your peers.

The process is simple ...

1. Send your request for assistance to the EMAC A-Team at your state EOC. Simultaneously, copy me.
2. I will source the resources you seek via numerous networks. including IAEM, IACLEA, CSHEMA, URMIA, EDUCAUSE, NACUBO, SACUBO, et al.
3. Once I find a match, I will reply to you and EMAC.
4. The EMAC A-Team at your state EOC and EMAC personnel at the assisting state's EOC will finalize the mission process.

The process is EMAC ... I am simply your personal broker. I am available 24/7 to assist.

Dave Bujak
Emergency Management Coordinator
Florida State University
1200 Carothers Hall - Tallahassee, FL 32306-4481.
(850) 644-7055   Office
(850) 694-3212   Mobile
dbujak@admin.fsu.edu   Email
Chairperson, International Association of Emergency Managers, Universities and Colleges Committee
 

IAEM Is Well Represented at the International Disaster and Risk Conference (IDRC Davos 2008) This Week (08/27/08) IAEM is well represented at the prestigious IDRC event in Davos, Switzerland, as reported by Arthur Rabjohn, IAEM-Europa President. Christian Sommade, the IAEM National Representative for France, is presenting the IAEM-promoted Principles of Emergency Management and is joined by Professor David Alexander, IAEM National Representative for Italy, who is chairing one of the event sessions. IAEM Member Gavin Love, IAEM-Oceania, is a panelist in the "Critical Infrastructures – How to Cope with Emerging Threats in an International Context" session, and IAEM-USA Member Avagene Moore, CEM (Past IAEM President 1987-88) is presenting on the Emergency Information Infrastructure Partnership (EIIP). IDRC Davos 2008 is supported by IAEM. Learn more.

IAEM-USA Board Endorses "Protecting Americans for the 21st Century" (08/14/08) On Aug, 13, 2008, the IAEM-USA Board voted to endorse "Protecting Americans for the 21st Century: Imperatives for the Homeland," a white paper by the National Homeland Security Consortium." IAEM is a member of the consortium, which has established as its mission "to provide a forum of key national organizations through effective communication, collaboration, and coordination that positively promotes national policies, strategies, practices and guidelines to preserve the public health, safety and security of the nation." Download white paper here.

IAEM-USA Members Asked to Review the National Disaster Housing Strategy (07/23/08) On July 21, FEMA released a Fact Sheet on the National Disaster Housing Strategy. The Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act called for a National Disaster Housing Strategy and provided FEMA with the opportunity to describe how the Nation provides housing to those affected by disasters and chart a new direction to better meet the needs of disaster victims and communities. A draft version of the Strategy is available for public comment and is being reviewed by key partners, including FEMA's National Advisory Committee, the National Council on Disabilities, Federal Departments and Agencies, the American Red Cross and organizations representing tribal, state and local governments for review and comment. IAEM members are asked to send their comments to Steve Detwiler no later than Sept. 1, 2008, using the comment form provided below.

• FEMA press release (07/30/08)
• Download the draft housing strategy document here
• Download the comment form here

Dean Larson, Ph.D., CEM, Named as U.S. Representative to the PASC/APEC Critical Infrastructure and Support Systems Standardization (CISSS) (07/14/08) IAEM member Dean Larsen, Ph.D., CEM, Assistant Professor, Purdue University Calumet, Vice Chair of the IAEM Editorial Committee and CEM® Commissioner, has been named as the U.S. representative to the PASC/APEC Critical Infrastructure and Support Systems Standardization (CISSS) Project. There were several strong candidates for this single position. The criteria utilized in the selection process to choose the individual representing the United States included subject matter expertise, experience representing the United States in the international arena, and proven information gathering/consensus building to formulate US positions. Dr. Larsen was selected based on hiscredentials, particularly his work as the Chairman of the U.S. Technical Advisory Group (TAG) to ISO/TC 223 (Societal Security). American National Standards Institute (ANSI) staff will be available for consultation to support him in this role. In addition, the support of IAEM for Dr. Larsen's involvement has been noted.

FEMA Requests IAEM Member Participation in Stakeholder Review of Draft NIMS Incident Command System (ICS) Forms (07/08/08) In the past year, the ICS Forms Sub-Group of the Incident Management Working Group within the National Incident Management System (NIMS) has been working to update the Incident Command System (ICS) Forms. This process has been underway to ensure that the forms are more reflective of the all-hazard nature of ICS, and to fit within the current NIMS programs and policy managed through FEMA. The updated versions of these forms have also undergone an initial ICS exercise test using experienced all-hazard incident management personnel. IAEM members have been asked to review the forms and provide comments and feedback in this preliminary review by stakeholders; the public review will occur later. Please send your comments to Jim Raymond at jraymond-nims@usa.net by August 15, 2008.

Download the forms here:

• NIMS ICS Forms Booklet 502-2
• NIMS ICS Forms Booklet 502-2, Addendum 1, Optional 8.5x14 forms
• NIMS ICS Forms Booklet 502-2, Addendum 2, Optional 11x17 forms
• Comment form for feedback/suggestions

IAEM First Vice President Russell Decker, CEM, Has Been Reappointed to FEMA's National Advisory Council for a Three-Year Term (06/20/08) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator David Paulison on June 20 announced his annual appointments to FEMA's National Advisory Council (NAC). IAEM First Vice President Russell Decker, CEM, has been reappointed to the NAC for a three-year term. The NAC advises the FEMA Administrator on all aspects of preparedness and emergency management in an effort to ensure close coordination with its partners across the country. The NAC was established under the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006. Members are appointed by the Administrator, represent a geographic and significant cross section of officials from emergency management and law enforcement, and include homeland security directors, adjutants general, emergency response providers from tribal, state and local governments, private sector, and nongovernmental organizations. listing of full NAC membership
  

GAO Releases Report on "National Response Framework: FEMA Needs Policies and Procedures to Better Integrate Non-Federal Stakeholders in the Revision Process" (06/11/8) The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a new report today entitled, "National Response Framework: FEMA Needs Policies and Procedures to Better Integrate Non-Federal Stakeholders in the Revision Process." The report was prepared at the request of the Homeland Security Subcommittees of the Committee on Appropriations in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. Briefly, the report determines that DHS departed from its original work plan and performed an "internal" analysis of the first draft of the NRF lasting for five months at the request of the DHS Office of the Deputy Secretary.  This move led to stakeholders feeling they were "cut off" from the process. Download report.

The report also recommends that the Adminstrator of FEMA develop develop and disseminate policies and procedures that describe:

1. The circumstances and time frame under which the next NRF revision will occur, and
2. How FEMA will conduct the next NRF revision, including how its National Advisory Council (NAC) and other non-federal stakeholders - state, local and tribal governments; the private sector; and non-governmental organization - will be integrated into the revision process and the methods for communicating with these stakeholders.

Quote from IAEM Testimony:

Special attention should be drawn to the bottom of page 17 and the top of page 18 of the report, which quotes directly from IAEM Government Affairs Chair Bob Bohlman's testimony from the "Readiness in the Post-Katrina and Post-9/11 World" hearing of the U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management, on Sept. 11, 2007.  

IAEM First Vice President Russell Decker, CEM, Testified at June 5 Hearing on Community Preparedness, Held by the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on State, Local and Private Sector Preparedness and Integration, Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs, U.S. Senate (06/05/08) Russell Decker, CEM, IAEM First Vice President,  testified June 5, 2008 before the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on State, Local and Private Sector Preparedness and Integration, Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs, U.S. Senate, in a hearing on "It Takes a Village: Community Preparedness." Statements are provided below. photo gallery

• Dennis Schrader, Deputy Administrator , National Preparedness Directorate, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security
• Russell Decker, Director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security for Allen County, Ohio, and First Vice President of the International Association of Emergency Managers
• Suzy DeFrancis, Chief Public Affairs Officer, American Red Cross

IAEM President Larry Gispert Testified at June 4 Hearing on Public Alert Systems, Held by Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, U.S. House of Representatives (06/04/08) Larry Gispert, IAEM President,  testified June 4, 2008 before the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, U.S. House of Representatives, on "Assuring Public Alert Systems Work to Warn American Citizens of Natural and Terrorist Disasters." Statements of the Full Committee Chair and Ranking Member and the Subcommitee Chairwoman and Ranking Member, and all witnesses follow, including the Subcommittee prehearing summary of the subject matter.

archived webcast of hearing | photo gallery

• Opening Statement: Chair Eleanor Holmes Norton
  Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management
• Statement of the Hon. James L. Oberstar
• Statements of Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Republican Leader John L. Mica (R-FL) and Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management Subcommittee Ranking Member Sam Graves (R-MO)
• Larry Gispert, President, International Association of Emergency Managers
• Captain James T Judkins, Jr., Coordinator, City of Suffolk Department of Fire and Rescue, Division of Emergency Management
• Derek K. Poarch, Chief, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, Federal Communications Commission
• Major General Martha Rainville (Ret.), Assistant Administrator, National Continuity Programs, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
• Mike Womack, member of the National Emergency Management Association, and Mississippi Emergency Management Agency Director
• Christopher Guttman-McCabe, Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, CTIA – The Wireless Association®
• Subcommitttee Prehearing Summary of Subject Matter

IAEM Supports Reauthorization of the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program (05/23/08) IAEM sent a letter on May 21 to leaders of the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives, of the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and Subcommittees on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management, expressing IAEM's support of H.R. 6109. Introduced on May 21, H.R. 6109 amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to reauthorize the Pre-Disaster Hazard Mitigation program (PDM) for three years. IAEM believes that PDM is an important program and urges quick action by the Congress to reauthorize PDM before its scheduled sunset on Sept. 30, 2008. Download letter of support

IAEM-USA Government Affairs Vice Chair Randall C. Duncan, MPA, CEM, Testified May 14 Before Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness and Response, Committee on Homeland Security, U.S. House of Representatives (05/14/08) Randall C. Duncan, MPA, CEM, IAEM-USA Government Affairs Vice Chair, testified May 14 before the Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness and Response, Committee on Homeland Security, U.S. House of Representatives on Advancing Public Alert and Warning Systems to Build a More Resilient Nation.

Archived video recording of hearing | photo gallery

Witness statements are posted here for download:

• Opening Statement by Henry Cuellar, Chair, Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness and Response, Committee on Homeland Security, U.S. House of Representatives
• Major General Martha Rainville (Ret.), Assistant Administrator, National Continuity Programs, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
• Lisa Fowlkes, Deputy Chief, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, Federal Communications Commission
• John R. Gibb, Director, New York State Emergency Management Office, State of New York
• Randall C. Duncan, MPA, CEM, Vice Chair of IAEM-USA Government Affairs Committee, International Association of Emergency Managers, and Director, Sedgwick County Emergency Management, Sedgwick County, Kansas
    

FEMA Asks IAEM Members to Comment on National Incident Management System (NIMS) Draft Document (05/05/08) The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security has asked IAEM members to comment on the updated draft of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) document during the national comment period. Please send your comments via e-mail to Steve Detwiler no later than May 30 , 2008. Download NIMS draft.

Call for IAEM-USA Officer Nominations (04/25/08) IAEM-USA will elect new officers at its IAEM 56th Annual Conference & EMEX 2008, set for Nov. 15-20 in Kansas City (Overland Park), Kansas. Candidates for IAEM-USA Second Vice President and IAEM-USA Secretary must submit credentials by Sept. 1, 2008 to IAEM Headquarters. To be placed on the ballot, candidates must submit: a letter stating candidacy; a letter of permission from the immediate supervisor supporting the time and travel necessary to fulfill duties of office; a brief resume; and confirmation of membership of at least three years immediately prior to seeking office. Individual members are eligible to hold national office, provided they have been a member for at least three consecutive years, and have served as a regional or national officer, national committee chair, or active national committee member for two consecutive years.

IAEM and National Association of Counties Ask U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure to Support Including Legislative Language in FY 2009 DHS Appropriations Bill to Prohibit Expenditure of Funds to Support the Principal Federal Official Position in a Stafford Act Declared Disaster or Emergency (04/18/08) Download Letter

FEMA Asks IAEM Members to Comment on New or Updated Disaster Assistance Policies (03/28/08) The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security has asked IAEM members to comment on the following new or updated Disaster Assistance Policies (DAP). Please send your comments via e-mail to Bob Bohlmann, CEM, IAEM U.S. Government Affairs Committte Chair, no later than Apr. 23, 2008.

• DAP 9524.3, Rehabilitation Assistance for Levees and FCWs - This policy delineates FEMA’s authority to fund repairs to certain levees and other flood control works.
• DAP 9524.9, Replacement of Animals Associated with Eligible Facilities - This policy provides guidance for determining the eligibility of the replacement of animals that may be considered “equipment and furnishings: associated with disaster-damaged eligible public or private nonprofit (PNP) facilities." 
• DAP 9524.4, Repair vs. Replacement of a Facility - This is an existing policy that is scheduled for review to ensure that Disaster Assistance Directorate policies are consistent with current laws and regulations. This policy clarifies the application of 44 CFR §206.226(f) to determinations of whether a disaster-damaged facility is eligible for repair or replacement in its restoration under the provisions of the Public Assistance Program.
• DAP 9521.2, PNP Museum Eligibility - This is an existing policy that is scheduled for review to ensure that Disaster Assistance Directorate policies are consistent with current laws and regulations.  This policy specifies the criteria that a PNP facility must meet to qualify as an eligible PNP Museum.
• DAP 9525.8, Damage to Applicant-Owned Equipment - This is an existing policy that is scheduled for review to ensure that Disaster Assistance Directorate policies are consistent with current laws and regulations.  This policy provides guidance in determining the eligibility of damage and extraordinary maintenance to applicant-owned equipment performing emergency work under severe conditions.

IAEM President Larry J. Gispert Testified Mar. 13 Before U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security (03/08/08) Photo Gallery  On Mar. 13, IAEM President Larry J. Gispert testified before the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security. This hearing, which was Web cast live, centered on the topic of "Federal Emergency Management Agency: Is the Agency on the Right Track?" The agenda included the draft bill on FY 2009 homeland security appropriations. See links below for opening statements and statements of all witnesses:

• Opening Statement of Chairman David Price (D-NC)
• Opening Statement of Ranking Member Hal Rogers (R-KY)
• David Paulison, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency  
• David Miller, Chairman, Legislative Committee, National Emergency Management Association
• Larry J. Gispert, President, International Association of Emergency Managers
• Matt Jadacki, Deputy Inspector General, U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security

(L-R) David Miller, Chairman, Legislative Committee,

National Emergency Management Association;

Larry J. Gispert, IAEM President; and David Paulison,

Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency,

at the Mar. 13 U.S. House Appropriations Hearing

(FEMA/Bill Koplitz)

Photo Gallery with additional photos from Mar. 13 hearing

Photo Gallery: Photos taken during March 2008 visit with FEMA officials, NEMA 2008 Mid-Year Conference, and Hill visits made by IAEM leaders (03/12/08)

IAEM-USA Region 1 President Bruce Lockwood Appointed by Speaker Pelosi to National Commission on Children and Disasters (03/05/08)

IAEM Members Invited to Comment on Draft NIMS Intelligence/
Investigations Function Guidance Dcoument and Field Operations Guide (02/26/08) As part of U.S. efforts to expand the National Incident Management System (NIMS), the Incident Management Systems Integration Division has developed a Draft NIMS Intelligence/
Investigations Function Guidance Document and Field Operations Guide (FOG) to assist emergency responders to efficiently and effectively prevent, protect against, respond to, recover from and mitigate the effects of incidents. The revised NIMS document (draft available: http://www.fema.gov/emergency/nims) included the Intelligence/
Investigations Function as an optional sixth functional area that is activated on a case-by-case basis. The purpose of the document is to further define the roles and responsibilities within this Function.

The draft document contains two distinct sections. The first includes general guidance that expands upon the information currently found within the revised NIMS document, and the second is a draft Intelligence/Investigations Function FOG. As part of the review process, stakeholders may participate in a 30-day comment period (Feb. 25-Mar. 26, 2008). IAEM members are invited to download and review this document and either submit their own comments directly to NIMScomments@hsi.dhs.gov or contribute to the IAEM response by e-mailing their comments by Mar. 17, 2008 to Steve Detwiler.

IAEM Members Invited to Comment on the Pitt Review of 2007 UK Floods (02/21/08) The Pitt Review is underway in the UK as a result of the flooding experienced in 2007. IAEM Europa is collating a formal response on behalf of IAEM. IAEM members are invited to review this document and/or the full interim report and submit their own comments. Or they can contribute to the IAEM Europa response via e-mail to IAEM Europa President Arthur Rabjohn, CEM, by Mar. 15, 2008.

IAEM Announces New Fee Structure for Certification Program (02/21/08)

IAEM Applauds the Revised National Response Framework (01/22/08) IAEM news release and all DHS documents released on the revised NRF

Emergency Managers Invited to Take Part in BC Management Compensation Benchmarking Survey (01/19/08) The BC Management Compensation Benchmarking Survey is the salary report that continuity (BC/DR/EM/risk) executives and human resources professionals downloaded more than 35,000 times last year. It’s the one they turn to for critical information when developing and hiring for their continuity programs. BC Management will be tracking those respondents whose job responsibilities are 50% or more focused in emergency management (this is tracked through one of the questions in the survey). If BC Management receives more 500 respondents on an international basis that fit this criteria, they are interested in publishing a compensation report specifically for the emergency management profession. This report would be separate from the other continuity compensation reports already planned.

The on-line survey is now open and will remain available until Feb. 17, 2008. Please click here to begin the survey. (Note:  Please use Internet Explorer to complete the survey. You will then need to insert a unique username. No password is required.) Read the complete survey announcement for more details.

Download previous compensation reports here. The most recent reports are under 2006 as they focus on 2006 compensations. The current study is focusing on 2007 compensations. Respondents will receive a copy of the completed study that will allow you to stay informed of industry salary standards. You could even win an Amazon Gift Certificate for $200. Results will be available between March and May 2008.

Listserv Participation Limited to IAEM Members (01/14/08) The IAEM Board of Directors voted last quarter to make participation in the IAEM Discussion List a benefit of membership. Therefore, in 30 days (on Feb. 13, 2008), the current list will no longer exist. Non-members on the list who find the information exchange valuable are encouraged to learn about the benefits of IAEM membership and to join. In the next couple of weeks, members on the current list will be provided directions on how to join the new IAEM Members Discussion List. At the same time, each region of IAEM will be creating discussion lists to help facilitate regional business. Members will receive information on how to join those lists as well. IAEM staff is exploring ways for non-members to view the IAEM Discussion List messages (for a limited time). When a solution is available to non-members, IAEM Headquarters will issue one last message on the closed list to direct non-members as to how they may read the messages for a trial period to help facilitate a decision to join the organization. During the next 30 days, this list will continue to operate normally. Participants are encouraged to continue discussions revolving around emergency management.
  

IAEM News Release: General Swan Receives CEM® Credential (12/18/07)

IAEM Raises More Than $24,000 for Scholarships (11/19/07) Final tabulation of IAEM Scholarship Program fundraising efforts at the IAEM 2007 Annual Conference resulted in a total of more than $24,000 raised for the IAEM Scholarship Fund, as follows:

• Silent Auction: $2,242.00
• Live Auction: $14,312.00
• Basket Bonanza Raffle: $2,439.00
• Donations on-site and immediately prior to conference (many for the Exhibitor Flag): $5,350.00
• Total: $24,343.00

Many thanks to all who helped with these activities, whether they donated their money, time, or auction items. You all helped to make these events a huge success and to assist IAEM in furthering its goal to support the future of emergency management through providing scholarships to EM students.

Donors who received a flag in their exhibit booth at EMEX 2007 because they gave cash donations to the scholarship program in the past year of $500 or more are:

• Beck Disaster Recovery
• Booz Allen Hamilton
• DRI International
• DRS Technologies
• EMS Innovations, Inc.
• ESi
• Federal Signal Corporation
• HeaterMeals
• Journal of Emergency Medicine & American Journal of Disaster Medicine
• Pyramid Architecture/Engineering

IAEM Recognizes 2007 Award Winners (11/19/07)

New IAEM Officers and Board Members Installed (11/16/07) IAEM held its 55th Annual Conference & EMEX Exhibit in Reno, Nevada, Nov. 11-14, 2007. Larry Gispert is the new President of IAEM. Russ Decker, CEM, moved up to First Vice President, and Mike Selves, CEM, became the Immediate Past President. The election results were announced at the Annual General Membership Meeting. Pamela L'Heureux, former Region 1 President, was elected as IAEM Second Vice President. Rick Cox, CEM, was re-elected as IAEM Treasurer. The IAEM Board at its June 13 meeting approved a revision to the bylaws to allow an international structure to become a reality. IAEM members approved the proposed organizational changes in the 2007 general election. IAEM Board of Directors, 2007-2008

IAEM Submits Comments to DHS on Draft National Response Framework Annexes (11/13/07) IAEM member comments on the draft National Response Framework (NRF) Annexes have been compiled by Steve Detwiler and submitted to the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security, as follows:

• IAEM's administrative comments on the NRF Annexes
• IAEM's critical comments on the NRF Annexes
• IAEM's substantive comments on the NRF Annexes

News Release: IAEM Welcomes Federal Coordinating Officers to its Ranks (11/12/07)

IAEM Meets with DHS as Comment Period Ends to Discuss Opportunities to Improve the National Response Framework(10/25/07)

IAEM Submits Comments to DHS on Draft National Response Framework; Further Comments Requested from Members on NRF Annexes (10/22/07) IAEM member comments on the draft National Response Framework (NRF) have been compiled by Steve Detwiler and submitted to the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security, as follows:

• IAEM's administrative comments on the NRF
• IAEM's critical comments on the NRF
• IAEM's substantive comments on the NRF

There is still time for IAEM members to comment on the Annexes to the draft National Response Framework. Please use the reporting form and send comments on the Annexes to Steve Detwiler by Nov. 5, 2007.

IAEM News 2007 Archive