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What we’re watching: 3/8/13

Author: 
Lars Anderson

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.

Severe weather safety from all angles

Our blog and social media sites have been brimming with severe weather safety tips, stories, and reminders this week as part of National Severe Weather Preparedness Week.  Guest bloggers took over our blog all week long, offering their perspectives on how people can be a force of nature in their community and share severe weather safety.  Here’s a look back at their posts:

Looking for your feedback on our collaboration community

Our collaboration community had a few new topics posted earlier today, so take a look and share your thoughts & ideas on:

  • Creating Model Emergency Management Plans – We’re asking for your input on what should be included in model emergency management plans for schools, institutions of higher education, and houses of worship, and how students and staff can best be trained to follow them.  The President directed the Department of Homeland Security, Education, and Health and Human Services to create model emergency plans for these groups as part of his plan to reduce gun violence.
  • Seeking input from Indian tribal governments - The Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013, signed by the President Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013, included an important amendment to the Stafford Act.  Federally recognized Indian tribal governments now have the option to make a request directly to the President for a Federal emergency or major disaster declaration, or to seek assistance, as they do presently, under a declaration for a State.  We’re asking Indian tribal governments for their thoughts and comments on how these requirements and factors may or may not be appropriate as applied to requests from Indian tribal governments during the pilot program. The input provided will inform the development of the pilot program to process declaration requests from Indian tribal governments.

In the spotlight: FEMA app and the role of social media

I also wanted to highlight two stories from this week that referenced FEMA’s smartphone app and social media use:

  • Information Week recently published a story listing out some of the smartphone apps available through federal agencies, and we’re proud the FEMA app is on the list!  Check out the quick write up, along with some of the other cool apps from other federal agencies like NASA, the U.S. State Department, the White House, and more.
  • The importance of social media in disaster response has rapidly grown over the past few years.  In a story posted earlier today, Emergency Management Magazine looks back at Hurricane Sandy and how social media played a part in reaching those impacted by the storm.  The article mentions the emphasis FEMA puts on providing timely, relevant information on its website and social media channels before, during, and after emergencies – one example mentioned is the Rumor Control initiative done through fema.gov, m.fema.gov (our mobile site), and our Facebook & Twitter accounts.

In Case You Missed It: Podcasts in iTunes

For those iTunes users out there, you can now download several of our regular updates.  FEMA Law Talk features FEMA’s Chief Counsel, covering legal topics related to emergency management, FEMA programs, and how legal issues impact disaster response and recovery.  And the FEMA Think Tank has also made a replay of their calls available on iTunes as well.  The FEMA Think Tank facilitates conversations about ideas, suggestions, and best practices to improving emergency management. These calls bring together leaders across all levels of government, businesses, non-profit and volunteer-led organizations, and members of local communities to discuss, so they’re always a great thing to listen in on, even if you download the replay of the call.

Photo & Video of the week

Coming to America…Jeremiah Ologhobo Joins FEMA

Jeremiah Ologhobo, a Nigerian by birth, traveled to America, and after waiting five years, he became a U.S. citizen on January 9, 2013. Jeremiah then joined FEMA on January 15 to work in Community Relations in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Jeremiah is currently working as a Neighborhood Taskforce Initiate crewmember. This is his story.

volunteers picking up debris

CAPTION: Oak Grove, Miss., March 2, 2013 -- Volunteers from Samaritan's Purse drag debris curb-side in the hard-hit Summertrace neighborhood. Volunteers are making a major difference by bringing debris to where the County can gather and remove it.

Have a safe weekend!

Posted on Fri, 03/08/2013 - 16:35

What We’re Watching: 3/1/13

Author: 
Lars Anderson

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.

Severe Weather Preparedness Week

Next week marks the start of National Severe Weather Preparedness Week! All week, we’ll be providing the public with information about the threat of severe weather and the importance of being prepared for severe weather before it strikes. We’re asking people to pledge to prepare and be a force of nature by telling their family, friends and communities how they prepared for severe weather.

Every year, thousands of people are impacted by severe weather threats like tornadoes and severe thunderstorms, and we never know when severe weather may strike, so we encourage you to take the first step by pledging to prepare.  The steps you take to prepare for severe weather now can help save your life and others with severe weather strikes.  And in case you missed it, check out this video Al Roker recorded about preparedness, as well as this behind the scenes video.

Photos of the week

Hattiesburg, Miss., Feb. 26, 2013 -- Roger Crump, Loss Verifier for the Small Business Administration and Reilly Bean, a recently arrived FEMA Corps worker, help an applicant. FEMA set up a "Mini-DRC" in the Student Union building on the campus of the University of Southern Mississippi so questions can be answered face to face.

CAPTION: Hattiesburg, Miss., Feb. 26, 2013 -- Roger Crump, Loss Verifier for the Small Business Administration and Reilly Bean, a recently arrived FEMA Corps worker, help an applicant. FEMA set up a "Mini-DRC" in the Student Union building on the campus of the University of Southern Mississippi so questions can be answered face to face. Photo by Marilee Caliendo/FEMA

Point Pleasant, N.J., Feb. 25, 2013 -- Construction is underway for Jenkinson's boardwalk projected to be completed by Memorial Day of 2013. FEMA works with federal, state and private sector, to assist people impacted by the storm.

CAPTION: Point Pleasant, N.J., Feb. 25, 2013 -- Construction is underway for Jenkinson's boardwalk projected to be completed by Memorial Day of 2013. FEMA works with federal, state and private sector, to assist people impacted by the storm. Steve Zumwalt/FEMA

New Addition to iTunes…

The FEMA's Chief Counsel and FEMA Think Tank Podcasts have a new home – they are now available in the iTunes store.

The Chief Counsel Podcast features audio recordings from our Chief Counsel on an array of topics ranging from the different sources of law that apply to the delivery of FEMA’s mission to discussion of insurance requirements for FEMA’s Public Assistance program.  You can download the entire podcast or a single episode on a topic of your choice.

The FEMA Think Tank Podcast features audio recordings from previous monthly Think Tank calls held across the U.S. In case you weren’t able to join any calls, or if you just want to listen to them again, be sure to download the podcast or just the episode (month’s call) you wish to hear.

Grab your Apple device and download them from the iTunes store today!

You can always listen to the podcasts on fema.gov too: Chief Counsel & Think Tank.  Be on the lookout for new podcasts, and of course, FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

Have a safe weekend!

Posted on Fri, 03/01/2013 - 18:30

What We’re Watching: 2/22/13

Author: 
Lars Anderson

Winter weather continues

March may be right around the corner, but winter weather is still taking center stage.  We continue to closely monitor the impacts of the severe winter storm that’s affected much of the Central and Southern Plains for the last few days.  As the storm system moves further east, forecasts from the National Weather Service are calling for snow, sleet, and rain to impact much of the East Coast this weekend.  If you are in the path of the storm, make sure to stay up to date on your latest forecast at weather.gov or at mobile.weather.gov on your phone, and visit Ready.gov for tips on getting prepared.

u.s. map of severe weather watches and warnings

CAPTION: Current severe weather watches and warnings, courtesy of the National Weather Service.  This image updates automatically from weather.gov.

And if you or someone you know will be spending today or much of the weekend digging out from snow, remember to do so safely.  Avoid overexertion when shoveling snow and wear lots of warm layers of clothing!  Ready.gov/winter-weather has lots more winter safety tips for before, during, and after “Old Man Winter” blows your way.

Our favorite blog post of the week…

Comes from our friends at the Corporation for National and Community Service.  It’s a story about how FEMA Corps team leader Cassie Murray was able to help Hurricane Sandy survivors learn about disaster assistance by making time to listen.  Here’s a section of the blog post on Serve.gov:

Murray and her team were sent to New Jersey's Long Beach Island as part of the FEMA Community Relations team soon after the area reopened to residents. As she walked up to one home on the island, the resident saw her FEMA gear and declared, “I don't want you here, FEMA. I don't want to talk to you,” believing the agency had denied his assistance claim.

She convinced the man to show her a letter he received from FEMA and explained that it wasn't a rejection but a request for more information before the process could continue. At that point he told Murray that she needed to explain this to his neighbors, too.

Before she was done, Murray spent two hours explaining what the letters meant to a group of community residents and how they could get help. When she finished, one of the men listening put his hands on her shoulders and said, “I had no idea when I woke up today that an angel was going to walk through my door.”

The experience showed Murray the power of active listening and how important information is to people recovering from a disaster.

And if you’re not familiar with FEMA Corps, it’s a program run in cooperation with CNCS for young people between the ages of 18-24.  They serve a one-year term working directly to support those impacted by disasters.  (More on FEMA Corps)

Video of the week

A Mantoloking, N.J., homeowner took precautions 30 years ago and decided to build his home on pilings. Those measures helped his home withstand the surge from Hurricane Sandy.

Photos of the week

tornado damaged home

Oak Grove, Miss., Feb. 20, 2013 -- Oak Grove resident Erving Carr, sits in the remains of his home, thankful to have survived the EF-4 tornado. Mr. Carr and his wife survived without serious injury by hiding under the mattress in the bedroom. FEMA representatives are going door to door in these rural areas, offering assistance and information to help restore lives. Photo by Marilee Caliendo/FEMA

disaster recovery center

Petal, Miss., Feb. 18, 2013 -- Karrie Beardall, Disaster Recovery Center Manager, talks with an applicant and brings her a degree of comfort. FEMA's mission in a Recovery Center is not only to answer questions concerning applications, but to give survivors a place to talk with staff that cares and understands their stress. Photo by Marilee Caliendo/FEMA

Pledge to be ready for severe weather

We’re getting ready for National Severe Weather Preparedness Week - coming up on March 3-9.  Much of the emergency management community will be getting the word out about staying safe from the kinds of severe weather that impact their communities, whether the threats are tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, or wildfires.  You can also play an important role in spreading the message by taking the pledge to prepare at Ready.gov/pledge.  And if you’re looking for resources to use when reaching out those in your community about getting prepared, there is a great toolkit on Ready.gov/severe-weather under the “Talk About Severe Weather” tab with everything you’ll need.

New disaster-related data

Finally, I wanted to let you know about two new sources of information about FEMA’s response and recovery activity.  As part of the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013, we are providing regular updates about:

  • Mission assignment activity – FEMA uses mission assignments to task and reimburse other federal departments and agencies to provide direct assistance during emergencies and disasters.
  • Daily Public Assistance grant awards activity – The President can make Public Assistance available through FEMA to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations (on a cost-sharing basis).

For more about our other data sources, visit fema.gov/data-feeds.

Have a safe weekend!

Posted on Fri, 02/22/2013 - 12:47

What We’re Watching: 2/15/13

Author: 
Lars Anderson

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.

Assistance available for Mississippi storms and tornadoes

On Wednesday, President Obama made federal assistance available to individuals and families affected by the Feb. 10 Mississippi storms, tornadoes, and flooding in Forrest and Lamar counties.  This assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster. 

Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in Forrest and Lamar counties can register for assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).  Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.  (Additional damage assessments are ongoing, so keep an eye on the Mississippi disaster page for any updates.)

Taxes and disaster assistance

Tax season is upon us, so I wanted to address the impact federal disaster assistance has on taxes.  If you received FEMA assistance in the last year, it is not considered taxable income.  I’ll say it again: those who received FEMA assistance will not pay additional federal taxes or lose Social Security or other government benefits.  For more information, check out the IRS website, which has specific sections for those who received disaster assistance in 2012.

Photos of the week

elevated homes

CAPTION: Holgate, N.J., Feb. 6, 2013 -- While these homes may look bad, they received little hurricane damage to the actual living spaces due to their elevation above base flood elevation prior to the storm. Check out this publication for more details about protecting your home from flood damage.


new home construction

CAPTION: Beach Haven, N.J., Feb. 6, 2013 -- Signs of recovery in the form of new construction, elevated to the new standards, are seen in Beach Haven and elsewhere in Long Beach Island.

Videos of the week

It’s been over 100 days since Hurricane Sandy struck the East Coast, but response and recovery efforts are still going at full speed.  Here’s a look at some of the key points to recovery in New Jersey, where over 58,000 applicants have been approved for federal disaster assistance, resulting in over $358 million going to impacted individuals and families.

 

The TODAY Show’s Al Roker has been in some of the most powerful storms Mother Nature can produce, so he knows the importance of getting prepared before severe weather.  He recently teamed up with FEMA’s Ready campaign and the Ad Council to show just how unpredictable the weather can be:

If you’re interested in learning more about how the video was made, here’s a behind the scenes look.  And as the video said, check out Ready.gov for information on getting your home, family, or business prepared for any emergency.

Mark your calendars; Promote severe weather safety

For those emergency managers and community leaders among us, I’d like to remind you that National Severe Weather Awareness Week is March 3-9.  FEMA and our partners will be spreading the word about how people can get prepared for the severe weather threats in their community.  I encourage you to check out Ready.gov/severe-weather and click on the “Talk about Severe Weather” tab.  You’ll find a toolkit to help you share severe weather preparedness with your audience, wherever they are. 

Have a safe weekend!

Posted on Fri, 02/15/2013 - 14:37

What We’re Watching: 2/8/13

Author: 
Lars Anderson

Severe winter weather

As we head into the weekend, we continue to monitor the impacts of the winter storm affecting millions along the northeast and east coast of the U.S.  FEMA’s regional offices in Boston and New York City are working closely with state emergency management counterparts and have staff working alongside the states at each of their emergency operations centers.

We will continue to hold operational briefings with our regional and federal partners as the severe weather advances and as impacts are felt through the overnight hours into Saturday.  While FEMA stands ready to support its federal, state, local, and tribal partners, we want to make sure you, your family, and your business are taking the right steps to stay safe if you’re impacted by this serious winter storm.  A few reminders:

  • Follow the direction of local officials – if they advise against traveling, please stay off the roads unless driving is absolutely necessary.  That way you’re staying safe while keeping the roads clear for snow plows, emergency crews, and first responders.  If you do need to travel, remember to pack some basic emergency supplies in your car, such as extra blankets, gloves, ice scraper, water, and a portable radio.
  • Keep up with local conditions – the National Weather Service is how FEMA gets its information on severe weather conditions, and you can too. From your computer, visit weather.gov, or go to mobile.weather.gov from your phone. If you have a NOAA weather radio, tune in for the latest updates on severe weather in your area.  And finally, local radio and TV are normally good places to find information on what’s happening in your area.
  • Have a plan in case the power goes out – in addition to heavy snowfall, National Weather Service forecasts are calling for high winds over a large area, which may cause power outages.  Make sure you have a plan to stay warm should the power go out.  Have extra blankets on hand, have an alternative place to go, and use the “buddy system” so you and your neighbors check on one another.  
  • Check on friends, family, and neighbors – Even if you’re not in the path of this winter storm, you may know someone who is.  If so, send them a quick text, e-mail, or phone call to make sure they are OK and staying safe.

For more safety tips on staying safe during and after winter storms, visit Ready.gov from your computer or m.fema.gov from your mobile device.  

Photo of the week

assistive technology in disaster recovery center

CAPTION: Breezy Point, N.Y., Feb. 5, 2013 -- Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy, Ms. Polly Trottenberg, visits the Disaster Recovery Center at Fort Tilden and gets a demonstration on assistive communications equipment. Several FEMA partners, including the Small Business Administration, Housing & Urban Development, New York State Department of Motor Vehicles and the US Post Office are stationed at Fort Tilden to provide one-stop assistance to residents affected by Hurricane Sandy and the fires at Breezy Point.

For more photos, visit our photo library.

Job openings

There are several job vacancies at FEMA, but I’d like to highlight the openings for our Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT) pilot program.  IMATs are critical to the FEMA disaster workforce, capable of being on scene within hours of a disaster in support of our local, tribal, territorial, and state partners. The pilot program will create three new IMATs – two national teams in Sacramento, Ca. and Washington, D.C. and one new regional team in Oakland, Ca.  Openings are currently available in a variety of fields, including:  Operations Section Chief, Attorney Advisor, Situation Unit Leader, Documentation Unit Leader, External Affairs Officer, Disability Integration Manager, and Logistics Section Chief. 

Video of the week

A Connecticut homeowner discovers the installation of "engineered openings" or "engineered flood vents" saved his home from severe foundation damage during Hurricanes Irene and Sandy.  For more information about protecting your home against flood damage, check out this guide.

Have a safe weekend!

Posted on Fri, 02/08/2013 - 16:32

What We’re Watching: 2/1/13

Author: 
Lars Anderson

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.

FEMA Think Tank Conference Call

Join Deputy Administrator Rich Serino as he hosts the next FEMA Think Tank Conference Call Wednesday, Feb. 6 at 12:00 p.m. EST. Over one year ago, Deputy Administrator Serino created the FEMA Think Tank to bring together people across all sectors of emergency management to discuss real-life solutions and ideas to present and future emerging challenges within the emergency management field. This month’s call will focus on innovative solutions in emergency management and is open to everyone.

Here’s the call-in information:

Call-in Number: 888-324-6998

Passcode: ThinkTank

Captioning: http://fedrcc.us//Enter.aspx?EventID=2090240&CustomerID=321

Twitter: #femathinktank

We hope that you can join us for this month’s call. Even if you can’t join the call, you can follow and participate in the conversation on Twitter. We’ll be live tweeting from the event from our @FEMAlive account.

Great ShakeOut

On Thursday, Feb. 7 at 10:15 a.m. CST, millions of people will stop what they’re doing and "Drop. Cover. Hold on." Join over 2 million people across the U.S. who plan to participate in the largest earthquake drill in the U.S.

shakeout graphic

Taking part in the ShakeOut is a great first step towards knowing what to do in the event of an earthquake. It’s not too late to register your family, business, or school. After the ShakeOut, visit Ready.gov/earthquakes for more information on preparing your home, workplace or school for an earthquake.

We hope you will join us for these events.

Photo of the Week

Mitigation expert Bill McDonnell spoke at an informational meeting to help residents in Toms Rivers, N.J., affected by Hurricane Sandy. Survivors were able to learn about individual assistance, mitigation, flood insurance, and many other topics. 

public assistance program meeting

For more photos, visit the FEMA Photo Library.

Video of the Week

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Debris Collection

More than 90 percent of the debris left in New York in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, has been collected in just 90 days by the Army Corps of Engineers. Much of it is being cleaned, repurposed and recycled.

In Case You Missed It…

  • Earlier this week, President Obama signed the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013. In addition to providing assistance to individuals, families, and communities impacted by Hurricane Sandy, the act also included an amendment to the Stafford Act, giving Tribal nations the same status as states when requesting federal disaster assistance. Federally recognized tribal governments can now make a request directly to the President for an emergency or major disaster declaration to receive assistance, whereas in the past, Tribes had to make the request through a State.

Read more about this new legislation on our blog and visit our Tribal page.

  • As winter storms and weather continue to impact many parts of the U.S., be sure you are prepared for winter weather. Visit Ready.gov/winter-weather for tips on what to do before, during and after winter weather.

Have a safe weekend!

Posted on Fri, 02/01/2013 - 17:47

What We’re Watching: 1/25/13

Author: 
Lars Anderson

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.

Winter temperatures

Cold temperatures, snow, and ice have impacted millions across the U.S., especially in the last few weeks.  I have been sharing winter safety tips on a weekly basis in each What We’re Watching post, but it never hurts to have a few more.  If any of these look familiar, it’s because these tips were shared on many of FEMA’s social media accounts this week, too!

  • During winter months, keep your car's gas tank at least half full for emergencies. This should keep the fuel line from freezing.
  • Winter storms & blizzards can knock out power. Make sure your home emergency kit is stocked up with extra blankets, gloves, and hats – and that you also have a plan to stay warm if power cannot be quickly restored.
  • Some great emergency kit items for your car during the winter months: a shovel, flashlights, water, matches, blankets, booster cables & emergency flares.
  • If winter weather is expected in your area, listen to a NOAA weather radio & follow local news for the latest forecast and conditions.

For more winter safety tips, visit Ready.gov on your computer or m.fema.gov on your mobile device.

Fire safety for the winter months

We all know winter means colder days and nights, but did you know the number of home fires tends to increase during the winter months, too?  This is due in part to an increase in cooking and heating fires, as well as people using alternative heating sources for their home.

So take a few minutes this weekend to check your home’s smoke alarms and review your family’s fire escape plan – those are two small things that can make all the difference if a fire occurs.  For more winter fire safety tips, visit the U.S. Fire Administration’s website, or check out this video:

Upcoming events
We are also watching a few upcoming events, so mark these on your calendar!

  • Great Central U.S. ShakeOut - On February 7 at 10:15 a.m. Central time, over 2 million people will stop what they’re doing to participate in an earthquake drill and "Drop. Cover. Hold on." Signup today to participate and then check out Ready.gov/earthquakes to learn how you can prepare your home, workplace or school for an earthquake.

ShakeOut Poster

  • Think Tank - The next FEMA Think Tank Conference Call is scheduled for Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 12:00 PM EST. The call is open to anyone, and the theme for the discussion is innovative solutions in emergency management.  Here’s a summary of the upcoming call, and you can learn more at fema.gov/thinktank:

    Innovation is often thought of as something for the tech or design world, not for government or bureaucracy. The model of connecting government with outside networks has been around for a long time, but FEMA is has successfully taken it to the next level.  Soon after Sandy made landfall, FEMA deployed an Innovation Team--a multi-sector, cross functional group with the mission of working with the whole community: government, non-profit and international organizations, volunteer groups, businesses, and concerned citizens. More information on the Innovation Team is available on the recent blog post.

Photo of the Week

Debris from Hurricane Sandy is processed at the Jacob Riis Park where the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers works to clean and sort it into piles for recycling. Trash separated from the debris is put into trucks to be hauled to landfills.

Queens, N.Y., Jan. 18, 2013 -- Debris from Hurricane Sandy is processed at the Jacob Riis Park where the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers works to clean and sort it into piles for recycling. Trash separated from the debris is put into trucks to be hauled to landfills.

For more photos, visit the FEMA Photo Library.

A Fond Farewell

Saying good-bye is always hard, and last Friday was a hard day as FEMA said good-bye to William L. Carwile, III, Administrator for Disaster Operations. After over 40 years of cumulative federal service, Bill retired from the agency.  The entire FEMA family wishes Bill all the best and a long and healthy retirement.

Have a safe weekend!

Posted on Fri, 01/25/2013 - 15:40

What We’re Watching: 1/18/13

Author: 
Lars Anderson

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.

Not too late for a resolution

Even though we’re mid-way through January, it’s not too late to update your list of New Year’s resolutions.  Losing weight, learning a new language, exercising more, or picking up a new hobby are all great – but you can also Resolve to be Ready in 2013, and compared with the others, it may be the easiest resolution to follow up on! 

We’re asking people to take steps to better prepare their families, homes, businesses, or neighborhoods for emergencies.  There are lots of ways to start, but visiting Ready.gov is a great way to become more familiar with the risks in your area.  The site also has simple, straight-forward steps you can take today to keep you, your family, and your community safer in 2013.

And if it still seems like too much to handle, you may want to check this out:

Do 1 thing

This is a web-based preparedness program that encourages participants to become better prepared by tackling one topic each month.  The topic for January was “Make a Plan”, something that is near and dear to us at FEMA.  The Do 1 thing campaign was recently featured on the CDC Public Health Matters Blog, and I wanted to share a section of it:

For January, the first Do 1 Thing step is to “Make a Plan.”  When disaster strikes, having a family communication plan can help you and your loved ones know what to do and where to go.  In most emergency situations, you must react quickly and having a plan will help everyone stay calm and clear-headed.  

"When there is a fire at my house, I have to run to the swingset in the backyard and wait for Mama and Daddy." - Brianna, 6
 

house picture

There are many different ways that you can check this month off your list.  Think about what kinds of disasters can impact the area where you live and talk to your family about what you would do if you have to evacuate.  Are you in a hurricane zone? Are you affected by winter weather, tornadoes or extreme heat?  And don’t forget  the lesser expected, but also important event such as flu outbreaks and accidents.

You can also discuss your evacuation plan with your family. A friend of mine  in Kentucky sat down with her 6 year old, Brianna, to tackle the basics: where to go if there is a fire.  They talked about  different ways to get out of the house in an emergency and where to meet the rest of the family outside.  Brianna chose the swingset in the backyard as the safe spot, and drew a picture of the meeting point.

To solidify your evacuation plan, you can hold evacuation drills at home and practice getting out quickly.  The more practice you have, the more confident you will be in a real emergency.  This applies to everyone in your family, young and old.  Amanda, my oldest friend, talked to her kids about home emergencies and set up a practice fire drill at the house.  Sean and Mia met up at the telephone poll in their neighbor’s yard.  They also learned different ways to escape in each room of their house, and who to call in an emergency.

As part of your planning, sit down and come up with a list of resources that you would need in an emergency. List out the important phone numbers, medical information, insurance information, and utilities information relevant for your family.  Keep this list with your emergency kit so that you can find it quickly if you need it.   FEMA offers a handy printable family emergency plan to help get you started. 

I hope you’ll join me bringing in the New Year by making a similar resolution!  Have a safe and enjoyable weekend.

Posted on Fri, 01/18/2013 - 12:08

What We're Watching: 1/11/13

Author: 
Lars Anderson

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.

Cold Weather Next Week

Although some areas across the U.S. are experiencing abnormally high temperatures for January, the National Weather Service is expecting much cooler temperatures throughout several parts of the U.S. over the next week.  Here are some winter weather safety tips to keep in mind if cold weather is expected in your area:

  • Limit travel during a storm – only venture out on the roads if it’s absolutely necessary.
  • Stay up to date with your latest forecast – visit weather.gov or mobile.weather.gov on your smartphone for the latest conditions in your area.
  • Have an emergency kit in your vehicle – if a winter storm develops suddenly, have supplies on hand in case you’re stranded in your vehicle.
  • Take precautions for power outages – winter storms often cause power outages, so be sure your family and home take steps to sustain yourselves for at least 72 hours.

As the weather continues to get colder and with cases of the flu on the rise, make sure you and your family are taking the proper precautions to stay healthy this winter. Visit the Center for Disease Control website for more information on the flu or download the American Red Cross app for tips on how to stay healthy.

New Mobile Site

Our mobile site has been renovated! Not only have we given the site a new look and feel, we’ve made it more user-friendly and easier to navigate on your smart phones. In addition to the new look and feel of the site, some other changes include:

  • Both graphic and text version of the website – If your phone is not compatible with the graphic version, you will automatically get redirected to the text only version.
  • Easier to navigate menu – The new accordion style menu allows for easier navigation to content and previous pages visited.
  • Updated content – We’ve added information on making a family communication plan, building your emergency kit, information on how to donate and volunteer responsibly, and links to our state and local partners mobile sites.

So if you haven’t done so, bookmark our mobile site on your phone so no matter where you may be when a disaster strikes, you’ll be able to access important life-saving information that can be the difference in the event of an emergency.

Hurricane Sandy Update

As of today, over 525,000 storm survivors have applied for assistance and $1.19 billion in federal aid has been approved.  As we continue to support Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts across states affected by the storm, I wanted to highlight some great resources and information available to disaster survivors:

Here are a few photos of our ongoing recovery efforts. For more photos or videos on Hurricane Sandy, visit our Hurricane Sandy Collection.

Queens, N.Y., Jan. 8, 2013 -- Community Relations Specialist Jean Ones Austin distributes flyers to Haitian small businesses about recovery information following Hurricane Sandy. FEMA provides assistance information to everyone that was impacted by Hurricane Sandy.

Queens, N.Y., Jan. 8, 2013 -- Community Relations Specialist Jean Ones Austin distributes flyers to Haitian small businesses about recovery information following Hurricane Sandy. FEMA provides assistance information to everyone that was impacted by Hurricane Sandy.

Fort Monmouth, N.J., Jan. 8, 2013 -- FEMA Deputy Administrator Rich Serino tours a Temporary Housing Unit (THU) community at Fort Monmmouth with a U.S. Army Corps Housing Task Force leader. As part of an ongoing effort to ensure families and individuals impacted by Hurricane Sandy get the support they need, FEMA licensed THU's from the Department of Defense for eligible disaster survivors as part of an Individual Assistance function.

Fort Monmouth, N.J., Jan. 8, 2013 -- FEMA Deputy Administrator Rich Serino tours a Temporary Housing Unit (THU) community at Fort Monmmouth with a U.S. Army Corps Housing Task Force leader. As part of an ongoing effort to ensure families and individuals impacted by Hurricane Sandy get the support they need, FEMA licensed THU's from the Department of Defense for eligible disaster survivors as part of an Individual Assistance function.

Queens, N.Y., Jan. 7, 2013 -- External Affairs Report Specialist, Rebecca Eith and IT Specialist, Jerry Chan are two of the many FEMA local hires that are working in the Hurricane Sandy recovery process. In the aftermath of the devastation of Hurricane Sandy, FEMA is hiring local employees to help with the recovery of many communities impacted by the storm.

Queens, N.Y., Jan. 7, 2013 -- External Affairs Report Specialist, Rebecca Eith and IT Specialist, Jerry Chan are two of the many FEMA local hires that are working in the Hurricane Sandy recovery process. In the aftermath of the devastation of Hurricane Sandy, FEMA is hiring local employees to help with the recovery of many communities impacted by the storm.

For the latest Sandy recovery information, visit your state disaster page.

For a complete list of state disaster pages, visit www.fema.gov.

Have a great (and safe) weekend!

Posted on Fri, 01/11/2013 - 15:01

What We're Watching: 1/4/13

Author: 
Lars Anderson

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.

New Year – Get Prepared

With the start of a new year, many of us have once again made a resolution to live a more healthy life, shop less and save more, donate to a charitable organization, among many others. And although it’s sometimes difficult to keep the momentum after the first couple of weeks in the New Year, why not make a few small and simple changes to help you and your loved ones prepare for an emergency?


Disasters can strike anywhere, at any moment, so it’s important to make sure you and your families are prepared. Here are a few simple tips to help get you prepared should an emergency occur:

  • Set a monthly reminder in your calendar to test your home’s smoke alarms – the first of every month in your personal or work calendar can serve as a great reminder to test your smoke alarms. While you’re testing your smoke alarm, practice your emergency escape plan. After all, practice makes perfect.
  • Be Informed and Make a Plan - Not all communities in a state or territory share the same risks, so it’s important to learn what to do should a disaster strike in your area. Visit www.ready.gov for a list of tips on staying safe before, during and after a disaster. Once you’ve learned the facts, make a family emergency plan. Your family may not be together when a disaster strikes, so it's important to know how you will contact one another, where you will meet up and what you will do in case of an emergency.   Don’t forget about making plans for your pets – they are important members of the family too.
  • Pick up one item for your emergency kit on each of your shopping runs – building your family’s emergency kit doesn’t need to happen in one fell swoop. Pick up canned food, bottled water, a battery-powered radio, flashlight, extra batteries, and other recommended emergency items over the first month or two of the year, that way you spread the cost of building your emergency supply kit.

Keeping our New Year resolutions can be difficult, but taking these steps to help keep you and your family members safe can be fun and simple.

Winter Is Upon Us

As we move further into the winter months and old man winter continues to rear his (sometimes) ugly head, I wanted to take a moment to remind of some tips for staying safe this winter.

  • Have an emergency kit in your vehicle – if a winter storm develops suddenly, have supplies on hand in case you’re stranded in your vehicle. Some items to include in your kit include:
    • Flashlight with extra batteries
    • Water
    • Blanket
    • Adequate clothing such as gloves, hat, scarf, and extra clothes
  • Take precautions for power outages – winter storms often cause power outages, so be sure your family and home take steps to sustain yourselves for at least 72 hours and be sure you have winter weather supplies such as:
    • Rock salt or more environmentally safe products to melt ice on walkways
    • Sand to improve traction on exterior walkways
    • Snow shovels and other snow removal equipment
  • Limit travel during a storm – only venture out on the roads if it’s absolutely necessary. If you have to travel, be sure to let someone know your destination, expected arrival time and the route you’re taking.
  • Learn how to shut off water valves (in case a pipe bursts).
  • Practice safe snow removal - moving snow can be strenuous, so take breaks and make sure to give your body a rest.  Overworking yourself in cold weather can put extra strain on your heart.

Familiarize yourself with winter weather terms often used to identify a winter storm hazard and discuss with your family what to do if a winter storm watch or warning is issued:

  • Freezing Rain creates a coating of ice on roads and walkways.
  • Sleet is rain that turns to ice pellets before reaching the ground. Sleet also causes roads to freeze and become slippery.
  • Winter Weather Advisory means cold, ice and snow are expected.
  • Winter Storm Watch means severe weather such as heavy snow or ice is possible in the next day or two. Follow local news reports and be alert to changing weather conditions.
  • Winter Storm Warning means severe winter conditions have begun or will begin very soon. Stay indoors during the storm and avoid traveling.
  • Blizzard Warning means heavy snow and strong winds will produce a blinding snow, near zero visibility, deep drifts and life-threatening wind chill.
  • Frost/Freeze Warning means below freezing temperatures are expected.

Visit www.ready.gov/winter-weather for a more complete list of what to do before, during and after winter weather and extreme cold.

Happy New Year!

Posted on Fri, 01/04/2013 - 14:13

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