FEMA Blog

Editor’s Note: John Zarrella is responsible for CNN's coverage of news in Florida, Central and South America and the Caribbean. Since joining CNN, he has covered every major hurricane to hit Florida and the Gulf Coast.

The views expressed by John Zarrella do not necessarily represent the official views of the United States, the Department of Homeland Security, or the Federal Emergency Management Agency. FEMA does not endorse any non-government organizations, entities, or services.

As we drove south on Florida’s turnpike the damage was getting worse with every mile. At first as I looked to the east and west, it was just trees and power lines down. A bit further road signs and light poles were sprawled across the highway as the first real glimpse of Hurricane Andrew’s destructive force came into view.

By the time we reached Cutler Ridge in South Miami, roofs were gone, facades crumbled, buildings split open. With so much debris now covering the turnpike, we couldn’t go any further.

It was about ten a.m., just five hours after Andrew bulldozed a path of pain and suffering and death across South Florida. The real misery, no homes to come home to, no power, no water, no gasoline, wouldn’t set in for days. When it did, the misery lingered like a fog that wouldn’t lift.

As we walked through what was left of one home, the woman turned to me and said, “Have you ever felt the devil breathing down your neck? We had the devil here last night.” I’ve often wondered during the past twenty years, how she and her family made out. With street signs gone and one demolished neighborhood looking just like the next, we never found her home again.

Much has changed since that August day. The neighborhoods have been rebuilt. Homes are stronger thanks to new building codes that rose up from the rubble Andrew left behind. But when I talk with the experts, there is a real fear that many of us are still not as prepared as we should be despite Andrew and Katrina and Ike and Rita and Wilma and Charlie.

Why? Here’s a case study. I recall quite vividly just twenty-four hours after Wilma, a category three storm, hit Broward County, Florida hard the lines for water and gasoline and propane and groceries sprung up everywhere. People were driving to the west coast of Florida and north to Orlando to find gasoline and generators.

This was the same year as Katrina and Rita. You would have thought for sure people would be ready. They’d have at least three to five days of supplies on hand. On top of that, this was Florida, the best prepared state. And emergency managers say the longer between major storms striking the U.S. the more the hurricane malaise sets in. That’s a false sense of comfort.

Here’s another. I can’t count the times over the years of covering hurricanes for CNN that someone has said to me, they’d been through this hurricane or that one and weren’t evacuating. Problem is they were only in the fringe of the storm.

In the past twenty years since Andrew, technology has vastly improved our ability to communicate warnings before storms hit and to respond more quickly to stricken areas after the storm has passed. The science of forecasting the path of a storm has dramatically improved, reducing the number of people who should evacuate which saves money.

But the ability to forecast rapid changes in intensity either up or down, says Bill Reed the outgoing Director of the National Hurricane Center, isn’t much better now than twenty years ago. Consider this, Andrew was a tropical storm just forty-eight hours before it hit as only the third category five hurricane to ever strike the United States.

With June first upon us, take the time to stock up your hurricane kit. And if you are faced with a decision this year on whether to evacuate, just remember what that woman told me after Andrew. “We had the devil here last night.”

Posted by: Sandra Knight, Deputy Associate Administrator, Mitigation

On May 31, 1889, the South Fork Dam in Johnstown, Pennsylvania failed, killing 2,200 people and leaving thousands homeless. The Johnstown disaster was the worst dam failure before and since 1889 in the United States in terms of lives lost and injuries.

This year, FEMA’s National Dam Safety Program recognized today, May 31, 2012 as National Dam Safety Awareness Day, in commemoration of the devastation of 1889 and as a call to action. FEMA, along with various Federal, State and local stakeholders, attended the event this morning at the Lake Needwood Dam in Rockville, Maryland.

The National Dam Safety Program is a partnership between states, federal agencies, and other stakeholders led by FEMA, to encourage and promote best practices, individual and community responsibility for dam safety and prevention of future catastrophic dam failures.

Rockville, Md., May 30, 2012 -- Sandra Knight, Mitigation Deputy Associate Adminsitrator, speaks at the Dam Safety Awarenss Day ceremony at Lake Needwood Dam.

The Lake Needwood Dam served as the focal point for Dam Safety Awareness Day because of its urban setting and the successful emergency action planning that took place in response to a severe leakage incident that occurred on July 19, 2006. The planning and response of that incident by state and local officials symbolize exactly what FEMA and its partners strive to achieve through the National Dam Safety Program: a “whole community” approach to emergency management that keeps Americans, their property, and the environment safe from dam failure. National Dam Safety Awareness Day is a day to acknowledge the important work that is being accomplished at all levels of government, and to make a commitment to continue this work to help and create a culture of preparedness and safety in all communities.

Rockville, Md., May 30, 2012 -- Tim Manning, Deputy Administrator for Protection and National Preparedness, speaks about the National Dam Safety Program.

Editor's Note: The views expressed by Phil Klotzbach do not necessarily represent the official views of the United States, the Department of Homeland Security, or the Federal Emergency Management Agency. FEMA does not endorse any non-government organizations, entities, or services.
 
The Tropical Meteorology Project in the Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University along with many other forecasting groups (e.g., NOAA, the UK Met Office, Tropical Storm Risk) are calling for a near-average hurricane season this year. While a somewhat less active hurricane season than the past couple of years is expected, this does not mean that coastal residents should prepare any differently. The recent landfall of Tropical Storm Beryl is a reminder that tropical cyclones can make landfall when a quieter season is predicted, even prior to the official start of the hurricane season.

It only takes one system to make it an active season for you. Devastating tropical cyclones have impacted the United States in very quiet years. For example, in 1992, CSU correctly predicted that only one major hurricane would occur. This major hurricane happened to be Hurricane Andrew, which devastated south Florida. The 1983 Atlantic hurricane season is another good example. That year only had four named tropical cyclones all season, but one of them was Hurricane Alicia which pounded the northern part of Texas. So despite this year’s less active forecast, take time now to get prepared if you live in an area susceptible to the effects of severe tropical weather.

A little history…
CSU has been issuing Atlantic basin seasonal hurricane forecasts annually since 1984. Many individuals have wondered why a university located thousands of miles away from the Atlantic Ocean would issue seasonal hurricane forecasts. Dr. Herbert Riehl, a renowned hurricane researcher from the University of Chicago, came to Colorado to start CSU's Atmospheric Science department in the early 1960s. One of his Ph.D. students at the time was Bill Gray, who came to CSU a couple of years later. Dr. Gray began issuing forecasts when he discovered the relationship between El Niño and Atlantic basin hurricane activity. When El Niño occurs in the tropical Pacific, it increases the frequency during the hurricane season of strong vertical wind shear in the Atlantic, a condition that is detrimental for tropical cyclone formation and strengthening. Since the early 1980s, many other predictors of severe tropical weather have been discovered by CSU and other forecasting groups that impact Atlantic basin hurricane activity. As technology continues to improve, these forecasts will continue to play an important role in educating the public.


Caption: Pictured from left to right, William Gray and Phil Klotzbach of the Colorado State University Tropical Meteorology Project.

Posted by: Walt Ehmer, President, Waffle House, Inc.

Editor's Note: The views expressed by Walt Ehmer do not necessarily represent the official views of the United States, the Department of Homeland Security, or the Federal Emergency Management Agency. FEMA does not endorse any non-government organizations, entities, or services.

Preparation is a big part of our job at Waffle House® Restaurants. Since we never close, being prepared for the unexpected is as big a part of our job as is cooking hashbrowns, waffles and eggs. When running a 24/7 restaurant if you don’t plan well, then every day will be an emergency.

This culture of planning for everyday activities is well suited for when an emergency presents itself. Over the last two years, our company has responded to many emergencies - the ice storm in Atlanta, the tornadoes in Missouri, Alabama and north Georgia and Hurricane Irene in the Carolinas. The main part of our plan is what we call “Show Up.” We show up to the area, determine what is needed to get the restaurants open and then do it.

There is logistics planning in staging and getting additional supplies and manpower into an affected area right after a storm, however it’s our show up that sets us apart from other companies. Our planning gets us ready for the storm and so once it has passed our managers can see what’s going on in the area and respond right after an emergency.

We put our leadership on the ground right after the storm to make the decisions needed on where to send the supplies and manpower. Within hours of Hurricane Irene making landfall, our Chairman & CEO, two Executive Vice Presidents, a subsidiary President, our CFO and I were all on site managing the emergency from the front lines.

We had staged some supplies and sent additional manpower into the area. However it was the management on the ground making the decisions about what needed to go where – not someone back in our corporate office in Georgia. This allowed us to quickly respond to the issues at our restaurants.

After each emergency, we look at our planning to decide what worked well and what needs to be tweaked. But the biggest part of our planning is to show up and decide what is needed to keep the restaurants open.

And that’s the big take away for other businesses and individuals. You need to plan ahead and then when the emergency occurs, be ready to be flexible and address the most important issues in front of you. And over time, it simply becomes part of your company’s or home’s culture.

As you may already know, the NATO summit concluded in Chicago, Ill., last Monday, May 22. With the delegations departing to their home countries after two days of important discussion, the interagency support for the summit also comes to a close.

Since learning about the event in November 2011, FEMA through our regional office in Chicago has worked hard with our federal partners to ensure that the state of Illinois and the city of Chicago were well supported before, during and after this high-level event.

FEMA works with the Secret Service, FBI and our other federal partners whenever an event is designated as a National Special Security Event, such as this NATO Summit. FEMA is the lead federal agency for consequence management in the event of a large-scale response to a natural or man-made disaster. This involves coordinating the federal response to and recovery from a major incident.

As co-chair of the Training and Exercise sub-committee, we've helped to facilitate the delivery of specialized training for emergency responders and decision makers and conducted exercises focusing on crisis and consequence management.

In anticipation of any potential federal support, FEMA activated and co-located staff with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency at a Forward Operating Base, in DuPage County, Illinois. FEMA Region V was supported by all Emergency Support Functions, a Defense Coordinating Element, FEMA’s Denver Mobile Emergency Response System, and two Incident Management Assistance Teams.

The College of DuPage, in Chicago’s western suburbs served as an excellent host for our joint operations with the state of Illinois. Their new Homeland Security Education Center, is the regular home to the Suburban Law Enforcement Academy, Criminal Justice and Fire Science/Emergency Medical Services training programs. The facility is complete with an Immersive Training Lab, which provides realistic environmental space for training on many emergency management missions. During the NATO summit, FEMA utilized the space as it was intended – a fully functional Emergency Operations Center.

Here’s a quick video highlighting our unique work at College of DuPage:

Editor’s Note: Last year, hurricane Irene caused significant flooding in several states along the East Coast well after it made landfall. Since last week was Small Business Administration week and this week is National Hurricane Preparedness Week, we wanted to share this perspective from a small business owner in Vermont. Mr. Crowl experienced first-hand how natural disasters can impact business owners, and has some lessons to share…


The views expressed by Patrick Crowl do not necessarily represent the official views of the United States, the Department of Homeland Security, or the Federal Emergency Management Agency. FEMA does not endorse any non-government organizations, entities, or services.

You can plan for a disaster all you want, but when it hits, you have to put your emotions aside and deal with it like you’re an ER doc. Each decision takes on critical importance.

Few of us in the town of Woodstock would have predicted that Hurricane Irene, which came up the East Coast at the end of last August, would have devastated much of Vermont like it did. But my partners and I, at our popular year round fresh market, the Woodstock Farmers Market, did take some precautions when we knew it was heading our way – we had our employees stay late the night before to move food into freezers and we closed the store down the day the storm was expected.

The next day I saw our entire store decimated, covered with mud. I was lucky to have a dedicated staff who did not abandon ship. I had about five staffers who “came to work” and even regular patrons who came by to clean up. People were making lunch, shoveling and mucking. It was surreal and it was very humbling.

Woodstock, Vt., May 23, 2012 -- Damages sustained by Hurricane Irene to Woodstock's Farmers Market.

We were determined to reopen. We had vendors to pay and a mortgage on the property. The market is the main livelihood for most of the store’s employees. We’re a significant part of the community. We needed to rebuild and get ourselves going again.

But how? I was very familiar with the statistic that only 25 percent of small businesses are able to survive after a disaster. But somehow we managed to reopen in time for Thanksgiving. It wasn’t easy. Over the course of the last year, I have thought about how we did it and have broken down the various stages of business recovery.

Woodstock, Vt., May 23, 2012 -- Damages sustained to the Woodstock Farmers Market following Hurricane Irene.

Phase 1 – Days 1 and 2 – Clean-up
Don’t delay what you have to do, take advantage of the momentum of the community right afterwards because things slow down after the adrenaline of the incident wears off, and people have to return to their own lives. If you can, work 12 to 14 hour days. Eight hours won’t cut it. There will be time later to rest. Your reputation is at stake. Your money is at stake.

Set up a command post and gather the right people together. Break down who does what. Don’t be afraid to delegate. Keep lists of who is doing what, and reward community volunteers.

Phase 2 – Days 2 and 3 – Continue the Momentum on the Money Trail
Register with FEMA and the SBA immediately and leave no stone unturned when it comes to other sources of funding. It was a challenge, but I knew I had to stay focused and positive. I would spend full days on the phone navigating the various bureaucracies. We had no manual. We read and reread all the flood insurance literature to make sure we knew the steps to take. We huddled early on with a group of close advisors and came up with a financial game plan.


Phase 3 – Days 3 through 7 – Fine-Tune Your Plan
Take care of your co-workers and staff. Make sure they apply for unemployment and they have access to any needed counseling. Property can be rebuilt, income can be brought back, but foremost make sure people are taken care of. Without them, you won’t be able to come back.

Then do a budget outline of what it will cost to rebuild. Flood expenses can include the cost of the cleanup, construction, new equipment, cost of the insurance adjustor, outstanding payables and any other miscellaneous costs. On the income side, we had to tally our savings, flood insurance proceeds, state economic loan, customer loans and gifts.

My Smartphone was my lifeline. It buzzed and it rang, constantly. Whenever I got an idea, I texted, called or emailed.

We lost all our computer files and many records. Luckily our main computer back up was saved as were many of the computers because before the floodwaters got too high, we carried them to a top floor. But next time, we’re going to make sure we keep a backup data “in the cloud.”

Be prepared to change your game plan. Things are moving a hundred miles an hour and everything changes in a day. We met every day, twice a day for information updates.

We followed the following matrix and updated it every week.

• Physical plant issues: cleanup; equipment tear out; rebuilding. 
• Financial issues: insurance, sources of funding 
• Human Resources: staff communications; unemployment; grief counseling 
• Marketing/PR: getting the word out; website communication; social media

It was from those meetings that we came up with the idea for our Irene Card program, which was essentially a prepaid shopping card. We offered a discount for cards over $1,000. This idea was a great way to generate money up front. We raised over $375,000 in a matter of weeks.

Phase 4 – After first week – Facing Reality
Your business is gone. Staff is gone. As many people return to their normal lives, you are alone. Keep going. Gather people for weekly meetings and check the matrix.

While we are now open, we still have a gap between what it actually cost to get ourselves back to where we were, versus the cost of the disaster. We were indeed underinsured for our contents, but our building flood insurance was a correct amount. I guess while you can’t plan for a flood, you can be better prepared.

Woodstock, Vt., May 24, 2012 -- Woodstock Farmers Market reopening following the temporarily closing due to needed renovations caused by Hurricane Irene.

Knowing what I know now, we have re-examined our flood policy and corrected. A relatively small price to pay for the peace of mind needed when you know Mother Nature could strike at any time.

Posted by: Lars Anderson, Director, Public Affairs

As I wrote in yesterday’s blog about monitoring Beryl, FEMA remains in close coordination with our partners at the National Hurricane Center in tracking what is now Tropical Storm Beryl.

On a more personal note, I just happen to be in the Daytona Beach area this weekend visiting family, and I am very appreciative of the information that is coming from state and local officials as it pertains to Beryl’s expected landfall. When it comes to severe weather and the aftermath they leave behind, FEMA always advises individuals to closely monitor the advice of local officials. The latest forecast track for Beryl has prompted tropical storm warnings from the Volusia/Brevard county line in Florida to Edisto Beach, South Carolina.

Staff in our regional office in Atlanta, Ga., and in Washington, D.C., are monitoring Tropical Storm Beryl, and as I noted yesterday, we have deployed a liaison to the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla. to share information on current conditions with the regional office and affected states.

The latest from the National Weather Service shows that the storm has maximum sustained winds near 60 miles per hour, with higher gusts. There is little change in strength expected before tropical storm Beryl makes landfall, and tropical storm conditions are expected to reach the coast within the warning area from northeastern Florida to southern South Carolina late this afternoon, and continue throughout tonight.

As can be the case with these systems, dangerous surf conditions, including rip currents, are expected along the coast from northeastern Florida to North Carolina for the remainder of the Memorial Day Weekend. All of us here at FEMA encourage individuals to monitor local radio and television news outlets or listen to NOAA Weather Radio for the latest developments.

On another note, ironically, the hurricane season isn’t supposed to start until June 1, yet we already have our second named storm. As part of leading up to the start of hurricane season FEMA has joined with the National Weather Service to promote hurricane preparedness week – starting today.

On this first day of Hurricane Preparedness Week, FEMA encourages all individuals in hurricane-prone areas to know your risk and make a pledge to prepare at www.ready.gov/hurricanes. You can complete your emergency preparedness plan, update your emergency kit and Be a Force of Nature and share your preparedness efforts with family and friends.

You can save a life by sharing your readiness tips with others and encouraging them to do the same. Make a YouTube video on how you prepared, share information on Facebook, comment about the importance of preparing on a blog, or post a tweet using #imaforce. And if you’re on other social media sites, post messages there too.

You can also add our preparedness widget on your website to share the information with your website visitors.


We’ll continue to post updates on Beryl as needed, but you should continue to visit http://www.hurricanes.gov/ for the latest updates. And this week we’ll have guest bloggers as part of Hurricane Preparedness Week, so stay tuned.

Posted by: Lars Anderson, Director, Public Affairs

Each year the Atlantic tropical season begins on June 1. Generally speaking, any given year during the Memorial Day weekend, employees at FEMA are “thinking” about the upcoming hurricane season…not actually “monitoring” a tropical system. However, this year we haven’t even reached June 1, and we’re already monitoring the second storm of the year. Late yesterday, the tropics developed Sub-Tropical Storm Beryl.

Because of the development of Beryl and the expected track, the National Weather Service has issued tropical storm watches and warning for areas of the southeast. The advisories are for Tropical Storm Warnings for the Volusia/Brevard County line in Florida to Edisto Beach, South Carolina; and Tropical Storm Watches for north of Edisto Beach to South Santee River, South Carolina.

With the impact focused on the southeastern U.S., FEMA, through our regional office in Atlanta, Ga., is closely monitoring Beryl. With tropical storm conditions expected to reach the warned area from northeastern Florida to South Carolina sometime Sunday, we have deployed a liaison to the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla., to support our Hurricane Liaison Team.

As tropical waves or tropical storms can bring heavy rains and high winds, we are urging coastal residents to monitor weather conditions by listening to your local radio and television news outlets or by listening to NOAA Weather Radio. You can check your local forecast at http://www.weather.gov/ & http://www.hurricanes.gov/ and on your phone at mobile.weather.gov & www.hurricanes.gov/mobile.

It’s vitally important that you take steps to prepare your property and family and you should take steps now to get prepared for potential severe weather. Visit Ready.gov/hurricanes (Listo.gov para español) to learn how to prepare your home and family for a hurricane or tropical storm, including building an emergency supply kit and creating a family emergency plan.

Everyone should also familiarize themselves with the terms that are used to identify a severe weather hazard and discuss with your family what to do if a tropical storm watch or warning is issued in your area. Terms used to describe severe tropical weather include the following:

• A Tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible, in this case within 24 hours.
• A Tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected within 36 hours.
• A Hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within 48 hours.
• A Hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions are expected within 36 hours. 

We’ll continue to monitor the storm and provide updates as it warrants, and if you are in the potential areas, please listen to local officials. We’ll also provide updates on Twitter and Facebook, so you can follow us there too.

On this Memorial Day, as we do every year, we remember and honor the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.  Administrator Fugate’s Memorial Day video message below offers thanks and gratitude to those serving in our armed forces as we reflect on this cherished day.

Back in early April we blogged about a special visitor to FEMA.  At the time, Flat Stanley was making the rounds in Washington, DC and dropped in at FEMA headquarters to spend a little time with me.  Take a look at the latest meeting I had with Flat Stanley and what we have in mind for helping prepare everyone for hurricane season.



FEMA, through our Ready Campaign, is working in collaboration with Flatter World and the Flat Stanley Project to bring awareness to school aged children about the need to be prepared for emergencies and disasters and what they can do to help their families and loved ones to build more resilient households.

Children and their parents will soon be able to build their own FEMA Flat Stanley and share with their friends and classmates the steps they have taken to support preparedness throughout their homes, schools and communities.

Stay tuned for more information as Flat Stanley gets more and more involved.  And in the mean time, kids can find fun preparedness games and activities like word searches, crossword puzzles, comic strips and more at www.ready.gov/kids.

Today, I joined our partners at the National Hurricane Center to release the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s outlook for the upcoming Atlantic hurricane season (June 1- November 30). Even though the season “officially” starts next week, we have already seen the first named storm, Alberto, develop in the Atlantic. Alberto serves as an invaluable reminder: as much as we can try to predict, nature and disasters will inevitably throw the unexpected our way.

While we can’t stop a tropical storm, hurricane, earthquake or other natural disaster from happening, there are actions we can all take to lessen the impact these unexpected events can have on our families, homes and businesses. Whatever the risks are in your area (especially those where hurricanes/tropical storms can have an impact), I encourage you to visit Ready.gov to learn about the three simple steps to getting prepared before an emergency. But maybe you already know the risks in your area, have already assembled a family emergency supply kit or recently reviewed your family’s emergency plan – then you can play a part in taking preparedness to the next level. Join us by pledging to prepare for emergencies and telling three of your relatives, friends, coworkers, or social media followers to do so as well.

The upcoming three day weekend could be a great opportunity to practice and share emergency preparedness. Here are a few ideas:

• If you will be in an area potentially impacted by hurricanes or tropical storms, review and talk about NOAA’s 2012 outlook for the season. Make sure friends and family know if they live in an evacuation zone and what their evacuation route is, in case local officials should give the order. 
• Before you head out for weekend travel, make sure your car or truck has emergency supplies, like blankets, water, an AM/FM radio, jumper cables, and a flash light with extra batteries. Then when you get to your destination, show it off to family and friends! 
• If you’re traveling by airplane, keeping a small first aid kit, flashlight, medication and extra cell phone charger with you could prove useful if your flight is delayed. (Other passengers could add these items to their carry-on luggage the next time they fly if they see you using your kit.) 
• During the day off, take a few minutes fill a “go-bag” with emergency supplies. Many of the items are probably already be around your home, then add any additional needed items to our family’s grocery list for the week. 
• Take 10 minutes with your family and practice your fire escape plan. After you’re done, posting a photo or status update to your social media accounts is a great way to spread the word and remind others to do the same.

And if you’re looking for more ideas or others ways people and organizations around the country are getting prepared for hurricane season, then you’re in luck. Next week is National Hurricane Preparedness Week, so FEMA and our partners will be talking about hurricane and tropical storm preparedness all week long on our blog, Twitter feed, Facebook page, and other online channels. So make a point to post your own updates about preparing for severe tropical weather, or you can even repost one from our sites!

I hope either of these three - the NOAA hurricane season outlook, upcoming three day weekend, or National Hurricane Preparedness Week – can act as starters for making your family, home, or business more prepared for emergencies as we move into the “official” hurricane season.

Earlier today, I spoke at the Alameda County Emergency Medical Services Conference in California in recognition of National EMS Week. It was great event, and it underscored the important role that EMS professionals play in our communities.

In my speech today, I noted how the EMS field is a critical part of the larger emergency management team, operating at the intersection of public health and public safety. As someone who served in the EMS community for more than 35 years, I have watched how technology and new innovations have changed the profession. And while the tools that we use have changed over the years, one thing hasn't: the selfless commitment and dedication that EMS professionals bring to their jobs each and every day.

In a time of crisis, it is the EMS professionals who are the first on the scene. They are the first to offer care and comfort, and they are the first to offer that immediate assistance when we are most vulnerable and hurting. I am very proud and honored to not only be part of the EMS community, but also to salute my fellow EMS professionals for the great work they do to save lives, while sometimes putting their own lives at risk.

So please join me in thanking those in the EMS profession for their hard work and dedication. If you see someone who works in your local EMS, take a few seconds to thank them for the service they provide to your community. And take a minute to visit whitehouse.gov to learn more about President Obama’s proclamation of EMS week.

Editor’s note: Rich Serino, the Deputy Administrator of FEMA, previously served as the Chief of Boston EMS and Assistant Director of the Boston Public Health Commission.

Posted by: Beth Freeman, Regional Administrator, FEMA Region VII

Today’s Day of Unity, including the walk and other celebratory events, emphasizes the true human spirit and compassion within the people of the greater Joplin area. At the start of the walk, over 5,000 people from all sectors of the community, including faith-based and non-profit organizations, local, state and federal partners, gathered to recognize the work and significant recovery efforts accomplished by the communities of Joplin and Duquesne in just 365 days.

At 20th Street, for example, as we passed the former Commerce Bank, my heart swelled as I looked behind me to see thousands of people marching forward in support of everything Joplin has encountered and is preparing for in the months and years ahead.

At the site of the former Joplin High School, hundreds were present, embracing the plan and sharing a vision for a new and expanded institution of education. As ground was broken for the new High School and Franklin Technology Center, I couldn’t help but think back to last August 17 when the school district delivered on its promise to open schools on time, helping families to take another step on their journey toward normalcy.

As we continued our walk down the 3.7 mile path of the EF-5 tornado, I was reminded of the importance of involving the whole community - in the immediate aftermath of disasters and after the spotlight has dimmed. The thousands of people who walked together today represent the power of the human spirit, persevering together and supporting one another through the long and sometimes arduous months of recovery. FEMA, like many of the organizations represented here today, remains committed to being here for the long term, until the work is done.

And as they say here, "Go Joplin Eagles (KAW, KAW)!

Editor’s note: Each day, in cities across America, people involved in medical emergencies call 911 for assistance. Within minutes, they hear sirens letting them know help is on the way. Whether employed by private organizations or local, state or event the federal government, emergency medical technicians are making a difference.

As we often say, a true team effort is what leads to effective emergency management - and the contributions of the Emergency Medical Services community are invaluable to that success. To help commemorate National EMS Week, here’s a blog post from the Prince George’s County, Md., Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department, about how they’re getting the word out.

National Emergency Medical Services Week is an opportunity for medical personnel to highlight their dedication and service to the community. This year, we will recognize EMS Week from May 20 - May 26, 2012. Wednesday, May 23 has been named “Emergency Medical Services for Children Day”.

The overall theme this year is “EMS. More than a Job. A calling.” This theme encompasses the entire EMS system from the Emergency Medical Dispatcher that answers the 911 call to the medical staff that renders care, to include First Responders and hospital emergency department staff.

We also acknowledge our less-visible personnel who work to ensure we are providing the best possible care: the instructors, quality assurance officers and supervisors of our first responders. Each of these groups of talented and highly qualified personnel attends countless hours of training and continuing education while working anything but normal hours. They are dedicated to providing the very best emergency medical care they can. EMS is more than a job, it’s a calling.

The Prince George’s County Maryland Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department is a large combination, career, civilian and volunteer, system that responds to about 130,000 incidents per year. Of those calls, 80% are EMS related and all personnel are trained to a minimum at the Emergency Medical Technician level; many, up to the Paramedic level. They are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to help when it matters the most.



Help may arrive in the form of a fire engine, an ambulance or a paramedic unit, but each provider is trained and will provide emergency medical care to the very best of their ability, EMS is more than a job, it’s a calling. We are partnering with our local media to tell the story of our EMS providers. Several media outlets are being provided an opportunity to ride-along with our medics for a shift and translate our providers’ work into words so that our community can see that it is more than just a job, it’s a calling.

National EMS week offers an opportunity to highlight our personnel as much as it offers us the opportunity to highlight the need for our community to plan and be ready for a disaster when it strikes. Every family should also prepare themselves to help when it matters the most. Visit FEMA’s Ready Campaign at http://www.ready.gov/ to find helpful information about your state of readiness in the event of an emergency.

Tips to help be better prepared for emergencies, and enhance access to help during disasters include:

• Check on your access to 9-1-1. Some areas may not have 9-1-1. Some have E-9-1-1 where an address is automatically stored in a database. Know what is available where you live and work. 

• Build a “72-hour Disaster Kit”, make a disaster plan, and keep a well-stocked first aid kit.

• Make a list of emergency phone numbers. Write down the numbers you may need during a disaster and display them near all telephones in the house. 

• Make sure your house number is visible from the street. To make it easy for police, fire officials or emergency medical personnel to find your house, put large house numbers in a highly visible area. Make sure the numbers are well lit and can be seen at night. 

• Keep a clear and up-to-date record of immunizations. This can help doctors do a better job of diagnosing problems in an emergency. 

• Write down your medical conditions, medications and their dosages. Being prepared in advance helps assure proper treatment and prevent drug interactions.

• Make a list of allergies and reactions and consider medical I.D. bracelets or tags. 

• Take first-aid classes. Some basic classes will teach CPR and proper ways to treat burns, wrap sprains, apply splints, and perform the Heimlich maneuver.

The fire service is a major provider of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in America. The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) is committed to supporting EMS through the many training programs of the National Fire Academy (NFA) and the research and data collection activities of the National Fire Data Center. The 2012 National EMS Week – EMS: More Than A Job. A Calling – is May 20 thru May 26.

I would like to share with you some of USFA’s initiatives that will help ensure vibrant and effective EMS systems throughout the nation:

• In partnership with the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Health Affairs (OHA), USFA recently completed several project initiatives to support the EMS community including:

  Funding Alternatives for Emergency Medical and Fire Services (PDF, 3.7 Mb). This revised manual provides the most up to date information regarding funding for local level EMS and fire departments. The document includes sources of federal funding as well as other new and innovative funding sources not discussed in previous editions.

  Handbook for EMS Medical Directors. Produced with the assistance of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) EMS Section, this handbook provides an overview of key roles and responsibilities to assist current and prospective medical directors in performing their important missions.

• Also with DHS OHA, USFA is working on an EMS Responder Safety Study in partnership with the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), as well as a soon to be completed project documenting model polices and protocols for EMS mass care incident deployment with the National EMS Management Association (NEMSMA).
• In response to USFA’s Reauthorization Act of 2008, which authorized the NFA to provide advanced EMS training, four new courses have been developed: EMS Quality Management, EMS Functions in the Incident Command System, EMS Incident Operations, and Hot Topics Research for EMS. EMS examples, references, and activities are also included in all other appropriate NFA courses. In addition, NFA’s new Leadership Strategies in Community Risk Reduction course is a combined effort for fire prevention and illness/injury prevention through all-risk, all-discipline community risk reduction. 
• USFA is a key partner on the Federal Interagency Committee on EMS (FICEMS). This committee seeks to ensure coordination across all Federal agencies with EMS mission responsibilities. FICEMS also coordinates the liaison efforts of Federal agencies with the Nation’s input to the National EMS Advisory Council. 
• With the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)/National Institute of Justice (NIJ), USFA has begun a study of emergent topics in emergency vehicle and roadway operations safety to assist in the development and demonstration of best practices for the emergency services, including EMS.

USFA recognizes the critical importance of EMS provided by fire departments and other agencies and is dedicated to meeting your needs. For additional information regarding USFA’s training and research efforts which support EMS, visit the EMS section of our website.

Posted by Lars Anderson, Director of Public Affairs

Extreme (and not so extreme) swings in the weather occur all the time. We often experience warm days in the winter and cold days in the summer.  So I guess we shouldn’t be all that surprised when Mother Nature decides to launch her first tropical storm thirteen days in advance of the scheduled start of hurricane season (June 1).

Yesterday gave up the first tropical system for the Atlantic season with the formation of Tropical Storm Alberto off the South Carolina Coast.

As of this afternoon, according to the National Hurricane Center, the center of the storm is located 90 miles southeast of Charleston, South Carolina and is moving toward the west-southwest at near 6 mph.  Alberto is expected to slow down and move little through Monday, and after that it is expected to make a northeastward acceleration Monday night and Tuesday. On this track, the center of Alberto is forecast to remain offshore of the Carolina and Georgia coasts.

This early storm formation should encourage coastal residents in Georgia and the Carolinas to monitor weather conditions and take steps now to get prepared for potential severe weather.  Tropical waves or tropical storms can bring heavy rains and high winds, so it’s important that you take steps to prepare your property and family.

In fact, all those who live in hurricane prone areas should heed this early storm as a sign to be prepared for the season. Visit Ready.gov/hurricanes (Listo.gov para español) to learn how to prepare your home and family for a hurricane or tropical storm.

Tropical Storm and Hurricane Preparedness and Safety Tips:

• Now is the time to be prepared if you live in a coastal area or could be affected by severe weather.  Build your own emergency supply kit—personalized with the non-perishable foods you like, your medications, personal documents.
• Visit www.ready.gov or www.listo.gov for tips on creating your family emergency plan and putting together an emergency supply kit.
• Monitor local radio and television news outlets or listen to NOAA Weather Radio for the latest developments. Your local National Weather Service forecast office is the best place to find information about the weather that may affect your area, so check your local forecast at www.weather.gov or on your phone at mobile.weather.gov.

As we continue to closely monitor Tropical Storm Alberto, everyone should get familiar with the terms that are used to identify a severe weather hazard and discuss with your family what to do if a tropical storm watch or warning is issued. Terms used to describe severe tropical weather include the following:

• A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible, in this case within 24 hours.
• A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected within 36 hours.
• A Hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within 48 hours.
• A Hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions are expected within 36 hours.

With this early development of the first tropical system, FEMA is taking our part seriously as we monitor developments through our regional office in Atlanta, Ga.  We encourage residents to do the same.  After all, as she has proven once again, and as the saying goes…”It’s not nice to fool with Mother Nature.”

At the end of each week, we post a "What We’re Watching" blog as we look ahead to the weekend and recap events from the week. We encourage you to share it with your friends and family, and have a safe weekend. 
 
Courtesy of the National Weather Service. The colors on this map displays active watch, warnings, advisories and short term forecasts in the lower 48 US states. This map is automatically refreshed by the National Weather Service. 

Wildfires, warmer temperatures, and droughts
We are closely monitoring the ongoing wildfires in several Rocky Mountain and southwest states, working with our state, local and tribal partners to ensure they have the support they need in fighting the fires. The National Weather Service forecast centers are calling for warmer temperatures and drought conditions to continue in states such as Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Texas, while the Southeast continues to go through a dry spell as well. As you are out and about this weekend, remember to keep flammable items away from dry foliage and vegetation to cut down on the risk of starting a fire.

New director of the National Hurricane Center
Today, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced Dr. Rick Knabb will be the next director of the National Hurricane Center, succeeding outgoing Director Bill Read. Administrator Fugate released this statement on the appointment:

Dr. Rick Knabb’s selection as the next Director of the National Hurricane Center showcases the continued coordination and partnership that FEMA has enjoyed with outgoing Director Bill Read. The Hurricane Center has always been a steadfast partner in promoting a message of preparedness while tracking tropical storms and hurricanes and informing the public on their impact. As everyone here at FEMA wishes Bill the best in his new endeavors, we welcome the new partnership with Rick. As we approach the beginning of the Hurricane Season on June 1st, I’m confident that the employees of FEMA and the new leadership and staff at the Hurricane Center will continue to serve the nation well.

Check out NOAA’s website for more on the appointment.

Joplin tornado one-year anniversary approaches
Next week, May 22, will mark one year since a deadly tornado swept through Joplin, Mo. We continue to support individuals, families, and the community affected by the terrible storm – and the recovery continues to be led by those at the local level. This past week, FEMA Deputy Administrator Rich Serino hosted a call (as part of our monthly FEMA Think Tank series) with civic leaders from Joplin to discuss the ongoing recovery efforts. As the nation continues to reflect on this deadly tornado, we hope the many news stories will serve as a reminder of the importance of getting your family, home, or business prepared before a disaster strikes.

While we cannot control where or when tornadoes will occur, we can all take steps now to lessen their impact on our lives. For more on getting prepared before tornadoes or severe thunderstorms, visit www.Ready.gov/tornadoes.

President Barack Obama proclaimed May as National Building Safety Month, recognizing the key role safe building codes and standards play in the fight against loss of life and catastrophic damage caused by disasters.

Building Safety Month highlights the importance of resilient building, to save energy, protect the environment, and lessen the effects of disasters. During this month of building safety awareness, we want to emphasize our commitment to support communities in their efforts to build stronger and safer, now and all year long. FEMA, in consultation and coordination with building science experts, encourages construction that can lessen the damaging effects of disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes and flooding.

Here are a few examples of how we encourage better building:

• We work with organizations, like the International Code Council, and state and local building officials to help develop, and encourage the adoption of disaster-resistant building codes and standards. These standards, when adopted, will lead to the construction of buildings that can help reduce damages and protect lives.
• FEMA, through our Building Science Branch, works with scientists and design professionals from federal, state, territorial, local, non-profit, tribal and private sector organizations to assess disaster damages, capture research results, and develop technical guidance for building stronger and safer. This guidance focuses on both construction and retrofitting of existing buildings. We also provide technical guidance to disaster affected areas through workshops, in-person meetings, and other outreach events.
• Most recently, we published the Mitigation Assessment Team Tornado Report this month, which was developed in response to the tornadoes that impacted the Southeast and Mid-Western Regions in the spring of 2011. Following these tragic events, we sent out investigative teams to evaluate the damages and to look at the resilience of the structures left standing. These teams documented the observations and conclusions of these events and developed recommendations for improvements in building design, construction, code development and enforcement and materials. Additionally, they documented mitigation activities that increased resiliency and aided new construction and post-disaster building repair and recovery. 

Our interest in building safety covers a wide range of natural and technological hazards including wind, earthquake and even flood. Through the National Flood Insurance Program, FEMA helps communities and individuals make informed decisions about where and how to build buildings to make them flood resilient.

Natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, tornados, snow storms, wildfires and others will still occur; however, FEMA and our partner’s efforts to build stronger and safer are helping communities and citizens across the nation prepare for, withstand, and recover from disasters.

Visit fema.gov or the Building Safety Month Website for additional information and resources and learn simple steps you can take today to better prepare their home or business property for a disaster.

Many of our blog posts tend to throw a lot of information out there about how you can get prepared for emergencies. But for today, we just wanted to post cute photos of how pets can make sure they’re prepared before disasters strike, too. Hurricane season begins June 1, so now is a great time to make sure your family (and pets) have an emergency plan and have extra supplies. And even if you don’t live in a hurricane prone area, getting prepared for the risks in your area could help keep your family safe, reduce the stress during an emergency, and give you peace of mind.

And now, to the photos:

This is Hermes. He printed out this brochure from Ready.gov and is learning how to stay safe after an emergency.



Here’s Betty. She lives in California and made sure a pet life jacket was included in her owners’ emergency supply kit.



Jonas has waterproof gear in case a severe storm or flood should happen – useful to add to any pet (or human) emergency supply kit.



Pets are part of your family, too. Make sure you have a plan for taking care of them after an emergency and have extra food, water & pet medications in your emergency kit. Get more information about preparing your animals (and other family members) at Ready.gov.

Muchos de nuestros mensajes en el blog tienen mucha información sobre la preparación de emergencias. Peros hoy, queremos publicas unas fotos hermosas sobre como podemos garantizar que nuestras mascotas están preparadas antes de que el desastre ocurra. La temporada de huracanes comienza el primero de junio por lo que ahora es el momento de estar seguros de que su familia y mascotas tienen un plan de emergencias y suministros adicionales. Aunque no viva en un área propensa a huracanes el estar preparados para todos los riesgos ayuda a mantener a su familia segura, reducir la tensión durante emergencias y puede estar tranquilo.

Y ahora, a ver las fotos:

Este es Hermes. El imprimió el folleto para propietarios de mascotas de listo.gov y esta aprendiendo a como estar seguro después de una emergencia.



Esta es Betty. Ella vive en California y se aseguro de que su chaleco de salvavidas fue incluido en el equipo de emergencias de sus dueños.



Jonas tiene ropa impermeable por si ocurren tormentas severas o inundaciones- útil para que sea incluido en el equipo de emergencia de las mascotas o personas.



Las mascotas son parte de la familia. Asegúrese de tener un plan para cuidarlos después de emergencias y tener comida, agua y medicinas en el equipo de emergencias. Puede obtener más información sobre la preparación de mascotas y miembros de la familia en listo.gov.

It’s the middle of the week, “Hump Day” and most of us have begun the countdown until the weekend. Maybe your weekend plans include staying home to get some much needed R&R. Or maybe you are looking forward to going to a nearby park or to spending time with family.

If your weekend plans include taking a drive in your car or truck, take a minute during the rest of this week to make sure you have supplies in case an emergency should happen. Having emergency supplies in your vehicle could prove useful in situations ranging from popping a tire to being caught in a sudden flash flood. So take a quick inventory of the supplies in your car or truck and make sure it’s ready for wherever your weekend plan may take you.



For more tips on building your vehicle’s emergency kit, visit Ready.gov.

Es la mitad de la semana y muchos de nosotros comenzaron la cuenta atrás hasta el fin de semana. Puede que sus planes de fin de semana sean quedarse en casa y descansar o ir a un parque cercano para pasar tiempo con la familia. Si sus planes de fin de semana incluyen viajar en su auto o camión, tome unos minutos para garantizar que tiene los suministros necesarios en caso de que una emergencia ocurra. Tener suministros de emergencia en su auto puede ser útil en caso de que se rompa un neumático o este atrapado en una inundación repentina. Haga un inventario de lo que tiene en su automóvil o camión y asegúrese de estar listo ante cualquier situación en donde sea su destino para el fin de semana.



Para mas consejos sobre la preparación de un equipo de emergencias para su auto visite www.listo.gov.

Weather Outlook
It looks like most of the nation will enjoy relatively nice weather this weekend as we celebrate Mother’s Day. Although there are no significant weather hazards at this time, NOAA forecasts below normal temperatures across the Northwest Coast and parts of the interior West Coast.

Additionally, heavy rain is expected across the interior Southeast and Central Gulf Coast with significant river flooding likely across parts of Southeast South Dakota. Here are some safety tips and flood terms to remember if heavy rain or flooding is expected in your area:

• Flood Watch: Flooding is possible. Tune in to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information. 
• Flash Flood Watch: Flash flooding is possible. Be prepared to move to higher ground; listen to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information. 
• Flood Warning: Flooding is occurring or will occur soon; if advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
• Flash Flood Warning: A flash flood is occurring; seek higher ground on foot immediately. 
• Avoid walking or driving through flooded areas – it only takes six inches of fast-moving flood water to knock over an adult and two feet to move a vehicle. 
• Be aware that flash flooding can occur. If there is any possibility of a flash flood, move immediately to higher ground. Do not wait for instructions to move.

Visit www.ready.gov/floods for more tips and information on floods.

Weather conditions can quickly change, so we encourage everyone to monitor your area's local forecast by visiting weather.gov or mobile.weather.gov on your mobile device.

May Think Tank Call
Deputy Administrator Rich Serino will host the May Think Tank conference call next Tuesday, May 15 at 2:00 p.m. EDT from Joplin, Mo. The call will focus on recovery and how we can better plan pre-disaster to allow for a more rapid, cost effective, sustainable and resilient recovery following a disaster.

Here is the call-in information:

• Date: Tuesday, May 15 
• Time: 2 - 4 p.m. EDT 
• Call-In Number: 800-593-0692 
• Pass Code: Think Tank May 
• Captioning for the event 
• Twitter: #femathinktank

We hope you can join us for this month’s call. Visit www.fema.gov/thinktank for more information.

What Mom Really Wants this Mother’s Day
For all you last minute shoppers still looking for the perfect gift to give your mom, grandmother or any other special person for Mother’s Day, why not give a gift of preparedness? In addition to buying a more traditional gift like flowers, jewelry or a gift card to their favorite store, add a flashlight with extra batteries or a cell phone charger for her car. These little gifts can motivate your loved ones to get prepared -- if they aren’t already.

Visit www.ready.gov for more creative gift ideas and in case you missed it, here’s a few Words from Mom on the importance of being prepared.

Have a safe weekend and Happy Mother’s Day!

Editor’s Note: The views expressed by Mindy Kelley do not necessarily represent the official views of the United States, the Department of Homeland Security, or the Federal Emergency Management Agency. FEMA does not endorse any non-government organizations, entities, or services.

What do I want this Mother’s Day? I want to know that my kids are safe and happy. It may sound cliché, but if you’re a parent, you understand. And while I can’t ensure my children’s happiness, I can make them just a little bit safer by helping them prepare for a potential emergency.

One Christmas, I gave both of my daughters NOAA Weather Radios. I thought it was so cool that you don’t even need batteries or electricity to you use it – you can power it up with a hand crank. Did you know that? You can also program it to turn on and provide only certain warnings. Since my daughters no longer live with us, I also bought one for myself and my husband.

We didn’t plan preparedness as a theme, but one of my daughters gave me a waterproof flashlight the same year. She was excited to show me how the hot pink flashlight could light up or blink as a lantern as well. Our family never called this “preparedness” until we read about it at ready.gov. I just knew it was a good idea to have a few supplies in case we lose electricity or if it isn’t safe to leave the house for some reason. These aren’t fun scenarios to think about, but we try to make it fun by finding gifts like these.

We learned from our experiences with a big ice storm we had in southern Virginia in 1998, and also during Hurricane Isabel in 2003. It may not happen often, but sometimes we have to manage without electricity for days. We used to light candles, but we’ve since switched to flashlights and battery-powered lanterns to be on the safe side. In the classroom, I encourage my students to learn from their experiences, too – like trials in the scientific method. Once you’ve survived a disaster, you can learn how to better prepare yourself for next time. But it’s better to think about these hypothetical situations before they happen!

I always tell my kids to have a plan, and also to have a “plan B.” It’s important that you know where your family is in a disaster, so we’ve all agreed to meet at our local church. We haven’t written it down yet, but that’s something I can ask for this Mother’s Day. My daughter who lives out of town learned after the earthquake last August that sometimes you can’t make a cell phone call, so we’re keeping in mind other methods such as emailing and texting to let each other know that we are safe.

So this Mother’s Day, I wouldn’t mind getting a new flashlight. Okay, maybe that and 18 holes of golf. Being ready for a potential disaster isn’t the only important thing in life, but it sure is an easy way to help keep your loved ones safe. Happy Mother’s Day.

Flooding is the most common and costly natural disaster to affect every state across the country. Flooding is so common, in fact, that Congress authorized the creation of the National Flood Insurance Program, under the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to lessen the financial impact of flood disasters on individuals, business, and all levels of government. That authorization is set to expire next month, on May 31, and only Congress can provide the authority for continued funding of the program.

If Congress fails to reauthorize the NFIP beyond May 31, many individuals, families, businesses and local communities will find themselves left vulnerable to the devastating effects of flooding, because, the NFIP will be unable to issue new policies, renew existing policies, or increase coverage on existing policies.

Here are a few examples of how this can impact you:

• If you are a property owner in a high risk flood area, who would normally be required to purchase flood insurance in order to purchase your home, you would be unable to obtain affordable flood insurance. The National Association of REALTORS estimates that a lapse in authorization jeopardizes an estimated 1,300 sales each day, or about 40,000 mortgage closings per month.

If you have an existing policy and continue paying your premiums, you can file a claim for flood-related damages and it will be processed. Claims for new policies, or policy renewals, where the policies were received and held by your insurance company during the lapse will not be paid until Congress reauthorizes the NFIP. In this instance, your insurance company can still investigate your claim under a “non-waiver” agreement, up to the point of payment. Under a “non-waiver” agreement, your insurance company may not pay your claim if Congress does not reauthorize the NFIP to pay claims during the period of lapse.

• In addition, if the NFIP experiences a lapse in authorization, the cash flow into the program from premiums will diminish, and the NFIP may have to halt payment of your claim if you have recently experienced flooding. 
• If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner and you are unable to purchase NFIP flood insurance, or renew your existing policies, and are impacted by flooding, you may need to look to the services and recovery support provided by voluntary and faith based organizations, state and local governments, and possibly even to federal assistance programs in their recovery, such as the Small Business Administration, who can offer low interest loans, or FEMA’s Individuals and Households program, which can provided very limited assistance in the form of grants.

The NFIP identifies areas of flood risk; it encourages communities to implement measures to mitigate against the risk of flood loss; and it provides financial assistance to help individuals recover rapidly from flooding disasters. However, in recent years, a series of short-term reauthorizations and temporary suspensions of the NFIP have eroded confidence in the program among citizens and stakeholders, including state governments, tribal governments, local communities, individual policyholders, mortgage lenders, and the private insurance industry. To the individuals and business owners who live in an area with flood risk, have an upcoming mortgage closing that requires the purchase of flood insurance, and you need affordable flood insurance coverage, we urge you to apply for flood insurance immediately. It many instances, it takes 30 days for a flood insurance policy to take effect, and it must occur while the program is authorized.

Every year, to mark Public Service Recognition Week, hundreds of candidates are nominated for Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals, also known as the SAMMIEs. These awards acknowledge America's dedicated federal workforce and highlights those who have made significant contributions to our country. Honorees are chosen based on their commitment and innovation, as well as the impact of their work on addressing the needs of the nation.

I am pleased to announce that Dan Stoneking, FEMA’s Director of the Private Sector Division, has been selected as a finalist for the 2012 Service to America Medal. Finalists for the award are outstanding federal workers who are making high-impact contributions critical to the health, safety and well-being of Americans.

Washington, D.C., May 9, 2012 -- Dan Stoneking, Director of the Private Sector Division, receives recognition for his nomination for the Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal.

This nomination recognizes the accomplishments of the Private Sector Division and the importance of developing close working relationships and partnerships, in line with the Whole Community approach to emergency management. As I have emphasized many times, including most recently at the National Hurricane Conference this past March, I believe it is very important to give the private sector a seat at the table in the work that we do on a daily basis. When we look at the disasters last year, the unreported story was how the private sector was a part of the recovery team. The sooner private businesses and government-backed infrastructure get up and running, the sooner communities will recover.

My hat goes off to Dan, Dan’s team, and all who work to develop partnerships between government and the private sector. Their contributions are vital to forming unique partnerships to galvanize participation in the planning, response and relief efforts for communities struck by tornadoes, hurricanes and other disasters. This nomination is exceptionally rewarding because the nomination was prepared and submitted from a member of the private sector and not from a government colleague.

Here’s an excerpt from the nomination:

When tornadoes, hurricanes, floods and earthquakes strike communities throughout the United States, federal, state and local teams immediately rush to the scene to provide emergency aid and to assist in recovery and rebuilding efforts.

Often missing from the equation has been the full integration of the private sector into the government’s disaster planning and response—a limitation that Dan Stoneking of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been systematically addressing.

As head of FEMA’s Private Sector Division, Stoneking has been instrumental in linking the government and the private sector—trade associations, corporations, academia and non-governmental organizations—as partners in emergency preparedness and disaster assistance.

Under Stoneking’s leadership, a national team of private sector liaisons have maintained communication with FEMA during disasters to determine the damage to private facilities, what resources are needed and what capabilities the private sector can contribute to the relief effort. They have provided FEMA and local emergency officials with situational awareness about utilities, communications, medical facilities, the availability of food and supplies, the condition of roads and transportation networks and other critical issues.

Read the entire nomination to see the other finalists.

Of his nomination, Dan acknowledges this award as a team recognition and included the DHS, FEMA and U.S. Northern Command Private Sector teams, which have made significant accomplishments working together.

Finalists will come together in Washington, D.C., for an awards ceremony and gala in September when medal recipients will be announced. I congratulate Dan Stoneking and his team for this great achievement along with all nominees and finalists.

Weather Outlook
Our friends at NOAA forecast severe weather for most parts of the Middle Mississippi Valley on Sunday, May 6. If severe weather is expected in your area we encourage you to continually monitor weather conditions and listen to NOAA weather radios. Here are some terms you should be familiar with in the event a severe weather watch or warning is issued for your area:

• Severe Thunderstorm Watch: Tells you when and where severe thunderstorms are likely to occur. Watch the sky and stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information. 

• Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Issued when severe weather has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar. Warnings indicate imminent danger to life and property to those in the path of the storm. 

• Tornado Watch: Tornadoes are possible. Remain alert for approaching storms. Watch the sky and stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information. 

• Tornado Warning: A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. Take shelter immediately.

Visit the Severe Weather section on Ready.gov for more tips and information on how to prepare for severe weather.

Below normal temperatures are expected from Southeastern New Mexico, Western Texas and parts of Arkansas.

Heavy rain is forecasted for much of Iowa and parts of Southwestern Wisconsin. Ongoing river flooding is expected to continue along parts of the Washington-Idaho border. Possible flooding may occur across Southeastern Iowa, Southern Wisconsin, and parts of Northern Illinois.

Weather conditions can quickly change, so we encourage everyone to monitor your area's local forecast by visiting weather.gov or mobile.weather.gov on your mobile device.

Give Mother the Gift of Preparedness
With Mother’s Day around the corner -- next Sunday, May 13 for those who may have forgotten -- it’s time to start thinking of a gift that will really mean something to your mom, grandmother, or someone special. In addition to getting your mom a beautiful bouquet of flowers, or a nice day at her favorite spa, give her something more practical and valuable -- like a first aid kit, hand-crank or solar powered battery charger or a NOAA weather radio. After all -- it’s only right to help her get prepared after all the years she spent helping get you prepared for life’s biggest moments.

Visit www.ready.gov/build-a-kit for more gift ideas and tips on how to get everyone in your family prepared!

Emergency Preparedness Plans
With the start of Hurricane Season less than a month away, we want to encourage everyone to make sure they’re prepared for an emergency. One step to being prepared is having an emergency plan or family communication plan, so be sure to tailor an emergency plan specific to you and your family's requirements.

Here’s a quick video reminding folks about the importance of having emergency preparedness plans.

Posted by: Tim Manning, Deputy Administrator, Protection and National Preparedness

Today, we released the 2012 National Preparedness Report. The report identifies significant progress the nation has made in areas of prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery. Overall the report found that the nation has increased its collective preparedness, not only from external threats, but also for natural and technological hazards that face its communities.

The report is part of Presidential Policy Directive 8: National Preparedness.

PPD-8 aims to strengthen the security and resilience of the United States through systematic preparation for the threats that pose the greatest risk to national security, including acts of terrorism, cyber attacks, pandemics, and catastrophic natural disasters.

The report focuses on five mission areas as outlined in the National Preparedness Goal released in September 2011. Those areas are prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery. These mission areas include 31 core capabilities essential to preparedness. The NPR offers an assessment of each of these 31 core capabilities.

Overall, the NPR found the nation has made significant progress in enhancing preparedness and identifies several significant areas of national strength. For example, the nation has built the foundation for an integrated, all-hazards planning architecture that considers routine emergencies and catastrophic events.

Operational coordination has also improved with the adoption of the National Incident Management System, which provides a common doctrine for incident management. In addition, intelligence and information sharing capabilities are stronger thanks to a national network of fusion centers and Joint Terrorism Task Forces that bring together federal, state, and local law enforcement, Intelligence Community resources, and other public safety officials and private sector partners.

The report also identified opportunities for national improvement in cybersecurity, long-term recovery, and integrating individuals with access and functional needs into preparedness activities.

Everyone plays a role in preparedness and continued progress depends on the whole community working together. FEMA developed the NPR in close coordination with leaders of federal departments and agencies, and the report reflects inputs from state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, private and nonprofit sector partners, and the general public.

The National Preparedness Report is the next step in implementing PPD-8. Since the President signed the directive in March 2011, FEMA and its partners have released the first edition of the National Preparedness Goal, the National Preparedness System description, and the working drafts of the National Planning Frameworks. For more information on PPD-8 and to download the report, visit www.fema.gov/ppd8 or contribute your ideas on our online collaboration forum.

Publicado por: Tim Manning, Administrador Auxiliar de Protección y Preparación Nacional

El 3 de mayo de 2012 se lanzó el Informe de Preparación Nacional (NPR, por sus siglas en inglés). Este informe identifica el progreso que la nación a hecho en las áreas de la prevención, protección, mitigación, respuesta y recuperación. En general, el informe encontró que la nación ha aumentado su preparación colectiva, no solo de las amenazas externas, también de los riesgos naturales y tecnológicos que enfrentan las comunidades.

El informe es parte de la Directiva de Política Presidencial 8 (PPD-8, por sus siglas en inglés): Preparación Nacional Los objetivos del PPD-8 son fortalecer la seguridad y resistencia de los Estados Unidos por medio de una preparación sistemática ante las amenazas de los riesgos grandes de la seguridad nacional, incluyendo los actos de terrorismo, ataques cibernéticos, pandemias y desastres naturales catastróficos.

El informe esta enfocado en las cinco áreas de la misión que fueron delineadas en el Objetivo de Preparación Nacional, que fue lanzado en septiembre de 2011. Las áreas son prevención, protección, mitigación, respuesta y recuperación, las mismas incluyen 31capacidades básicas de preparación esenciales. El NPR ofrece una evaluación de cada una de las 31 capacidades básicas.

En general, el NPR encontró que la nación ha hecho un progreso significante en mejorar la preparación e identificar las áreas esenciales de la fortaleza nacional. Por ejemplo, la nación ha construido una base de integración en la arquitectura de la planificación de todos los riesgos que consideran las emergencias de rutina y los eventos catastróficos.

También se ha mejorado la coordinación operacional con la adopción del Sistema de Nacional de Manejo de Incidentes, el cual proporciona una enseñanza común en el manejo de incidentes. En adición, las capacidades de compartir inteligencia e información son más fuertes, gracias a la red nacional de centros integrados y las Fuerzas de Trabajo en Conjunto contra el Terrorismo, que reúnen la ejecución de la ley a nivel federal, estatal, y local, recursos de la Comunidad de Inteligencia, otros oficiales de la seguridad pública y asociados del sector privado.

En adición, este informe identifica las oportunidades para mejorar la seguridad cibernética nacional, recuperación a largo plazo e integración de individuos con necesidades funcionales y de acceso en las actividades de preparación. Todos tenemos un desempeño importante en la preparación y progreso continuo que depende de que toda la comunidad trabaje en conjunto. FEMA, desarrollo el NPR en estrecha coordinación con los líderes de los departamentos y agencias federales. También, el informe refleja las aportaciones de los gobiernos estatales, locales, tribales y territoriales, sector privado, asociaciones sin fines de lucro y público en general.

El NPR es el próximo paso en la implementación del PPD-8. Desde que el presidente firmó la directiva presidencial en marzo de 2011. FEMA y sus asociados han lanzado esta primera edición del Objetivo de Preparación Nacional, la descripción del Sistema Nacional de Preparación y están trabajando con los borradores de los Marcos de Planificación Nacional. Para más información sobre el PPD-8 y para descargar el informe puede visitar www.fema.gov/ppd8 o puede aportar sus ideas en nuestro foro de colaboración en Internet.