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TRANSCRIPT
IN THIS ISSUE
Rich Quinlan’s Contribution 3
LEM Program 4
National Preparedness Month 7
Farewell Summer Interns 11
THE NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS
DIVISION OF FEMA REGION I
VOLUME 1O OCTOBER 2011
The I
nteg
rato
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Oct 2011
2011
This issue features pictures from Hurricane Irene response
efforts, the new features to the STEP program, and photos
from this year’s National Preparedness Month activities.
Dear Partners,
New England’s Changing Reality/After Irene. This will be a longer introduction than usual because “a lot has
happened since the last Integrator!” That’s an understatement. We’ve survived two tornadoes in Western Massachusetts
on June 1 and Tropical Storm Irene on August 28th. We have experienced our first “billion dollar” disaster in many years
with all six states “declared” with Stafford Act declarations ongoing.
Web 2.0. Irene was my first exposure and benefits to the use of Web 2.0 technologies to enhance volunteer
coordination and activities. Over Labor Day, I visited a South Royalton Vermont farm that had been devastated. I saw 50
or more volunteers from five states that had been brought together on Twitter to help each other. This was just one of two
shifts at this site! Volunteers from ages 8 to 80 were side by side mucking out homes and barns. It was truly a "Whole
Community" response facilitated by the use of new technologies. It was a moment I won't forget.
College Best Practices. In my travels through the states I was impressed with the resiliency and volunteerism that
occurred. Partners in the state and local sectors very smartly delayed activities in some cases until the storm passed; others
with less notice, protected safely in place rather than trying to outrun the weather. Some of New England's colleges
recently came together on a regional webinar to share best practices and discussed what they did right and in some cases,
what they could have done better.
Typifying the extraordinary depth of specialized capability in New England schools, Norwich University
Mountain & Cold Weather Rescue Team partnered with a local swift water rescue unit and saved 25 people in the minutes
and hours right after Irene caused local flood waters to overcome and isolate trapped survivors. Ongoing research at UVM
regarding impacts on trailer homes during disasters was particularly useful and timely to responders. And, wasting no
time, UVM has already launched a course with Irene as a focus! If you’d like to know more about how FEMA Region 1
supports colleges and universities in New England contact Rob Pesapane ([email protected]). Rob, along with
Nate Spada, was instrumental in helping organize the very recent HIED-Fusion Center Full Scale Exercise Operation Safe
Haven that focused on campus attacks occurring in two states and on three college campuses. Safe Haven is written about
later in the Integrator and the lessons learned will be shared appropriately.
Our next HIED webinar will be Wednesday January 18, 2012. We hope to continue to be responsive to the
schools’ requirements and are aiming for a robust discussion with subject matter experts about the “Tragedy in Tucson”
(PEMA Community College) and the constellation of legal and practical issues surrounding similar circumstances.
Affiliate Preparedness Programs. We may also diversify and ask our affiliate, NWS-NOAA, to discuss their
Storm Ready accreditation program (see http://www.stormready.noaa.gov/ ) for commercial facilities, colleges and
communities. Recognizing that 90 percent of all disasters and 500 deaths each year (nation-wide) are attributed to weather
events, NWS offers the Storm Ready to accredit partner clients according to standards for weather warning, messaging and
overall preparedness. FEMA Region 1 supports this effort by providing NWS-NOAA a participating panel member when
Storm Ready accreditation reviews occur.
Another later article and pictures shows NWS-NOAA’s latest Storm Ready commercial facility, ESPN Bristol,
CT. FEMA Region 1 followed up on ESPN’s August Storm Ready ceremony and helped better prepare more than 5,000
employees at a training session.
Next month, FEMA Regional staff will meet with our American Red Cross affiliate partners to discuss their new Ready Rating and Ready When the Time Comes programs (see http://www.readyrating.org/noflash.aspx ). The first phase of these programs is based on schools and businesses conducting self assessments online using the Ready Rating assessment tools. The assessments are quick, easy and provide a great conversation mechanism with staff and employees. My staff and I conducted our analysis a few months ago and I’d be glad to share the results and have a discussion with interested parties. My end goal with this effort is to collaborate with states and Red Cross and end up with a regional program and capability similar to what we have with the NWS-NOAA program. Both Storm Ready and Ready Rating programs acknowledge achievements with signs and co-logo opportunities for the recipients.
TEPW. For those looking ahead, please consider attending the upcoming FEMA Region 1 Training and Exercise
Program Workshop 1 & 2 December, 2011. Each year, FEMA sponsors a TEPW to align the training and exercise program regionally for the next two years. This will be the first year with extensive Whole Community private sector involvement.
Cyber & NLE12. Speaking of the private sector, I am writing this on my flight back from the Initial Planning
Conference for National Level Exercise 12 (NLE12). NLE12’s focus is a cyber event that causes larger businesses and parts of government to considering executing their Continuity of Operations Plan. Early front runner possible scenarios may stem from service interruptions to the Transportation and Energy sectors with play possible for first responders with a parallel “physical” event. One of the key take-a-ways from the recent conference is that there will be private sector specific play for both large and small businesses. Learn further details about NLE12 at the regional TEPW mentioned above.
COOP. In line with the NLE exercise, the region will continue to coordinate regional COOP activities for both
public and private entities. The next event is November 17 in Holyoke, Massachusetts. FEMA and the Federal Executive Association (FEA) are sponsoring this half-day event which is designed for entities to bring their COOP plans and conduct a check-list walk through and dialogue to ensure key elements are included.
Active Shooter Training. Many stakeholders have inquired about active shooter office scenarios, regardless of
venue; either public or private. DHS offers a comprehensive Active Shooter program that features reproducible posters and checklists. The Federal Protective Service out of Boston also features a companion “Brown Bag” training program that our office can help coordinate. We’ll be trying to coordinate for larger sessions vice individual entity events and keep you posted on those opportunities. If you're interested in hosting such an event, contact Lauren K. DeMarco at [email protected].
Personal Thanks. On one final note, I wanted to thank my staff for their hard work helping the states responding
and recovering from Irene. We had a full slate of National Preparedness Month activities to support and somehow were able to accomplish most of it and support Irene JFOs and RRCC operations. At several points, I had 80 % percent of my staff in the field, supporting you, our partners. Although Rich Quinlan is most notably and appropriately singled out in this edition, we could have put many other pictures in as well, but chose to recognize Rich for his extraordinary accomplishments. And, there are still a few NP employees still in the field, away from home, families and friends.
With Great Pride, W. Russ Webster Federal Preparedness Coordinator FEMA, Region 1
Special thanks to
Deirdre Iadorola for
her contributions to
the JFO in Vermont
along with all the
FEMA Region I
employees who
supported the
Hurricane Irene
recovery efforts that
affected the New
England States. Assisting in Vermont Recovery Efforts
Deirdre Iadarola with the training section within National Preparedness Division deployed to Vermont in response to spring floods and hurricane Irene. During her time within the Joint Field Office (JFO), Deirdre instituted the local Hire Initiative which was responsible for recruiting well qualified Vermonters to work for FEMA. Deirdre worked tirelessly to bring on hires as quick as possible to fill positions with the goal of having 10% of the entire JFO local hires. Her first hire Lorraine Villemaire was brought on board with FEMA within days of the job posting. Lorraine was recently unemployed after her company was shut down before coming to FEMA. Lorraine is pictured below being sworn in by Deputy Federal Coordinating Officer Richard Quinlan also with National Preparedness Division assigned to Vermont.
Rich Quinlan grew up in
Barre, Vermont and tries
to get back to his
hometown for the town’s
annual festival. Quinlan
traveled back to Vermont
as the Deputy in charge of
disaster recovery
operations after the spring
storms and flooding. For
more info on Quinlan’s job
well-done, visit:
http://fema.gov/news/newsre
lease.fema?id=56932
Rich Quinlan from the National Preparedness
Division swears in a new hire to support
efforts due to Hurricane Irene.
The Leadership in
Emergency Management
is a program that targets
teens and young adults
in high school. This
program is normally
offered during the
summer time to give the
young adults a hands-on
experience on not only
managing emergencies,
but also learning what it
means to be prepared for
disasters and
emergencies that are
frequent to the places in
which they live. For
more on information on
this year’s program,
please see page 9 of this
edition of the Integrator.
TRAINING CALENDAR
Corporate Emergency Access System (CEAS) helps businesses remain operational following emergencies and disasters: The Providence Emergency Management Agency (PEMA)
has created a way to help businesses in Providence remain
functional after disasters with CEAS. It is a pre-event
credentialing program that allows critical business
employees to gain access to restricted areas following a
disaster or serious emergency by using a secure
identification card recognized by the police.
Providence is the first city in Rhode Island to adopt CEAS.
In order for businesses to join the program, they must first
enroll online at http://ceas.com/how-do-i-enroll. Although
there is a per card fee, the CEAS enables law enforcement
officials to immediately recognize authorized users,
reduces enterprise risk, and ensures that the right people
have access to the right places at the right time. Because of
this employees will be able to get back to work, identify
and assess damages, and be in the position to ensure
continuity and recovery for their company.
CEAS is also being used in New York City, Boston,
Cambridge, Philadelphia, Stamford, Buffalo, and
Baltimore. It is the only ID-based program recognized by
Providence Police and PEMA to allow companies access
to their workplace quickly following an emergency event
that results in travel or access restrictions. In the event a
disaster disrupts business, CEAS may help limit financial
loss, retain customers, and get companies back in business
faster.
For more information visit:
http://www.providenceri.com/PEMA/city-of-providence-
unveils-new-id-program-for
OPS Safe Haven: The eighteen-month initiative culminated this past week
with a Full Scale Exercise based on a simultaneous active
shooter scenario was held at three Higher Education
(HiEd) venues which include Rhode Island College (RIC),
the University of Rhode Island (URI), and University of
Massachusetts (UMass) Dartmouth.
Many other campus public safety emergency managers
participated throughout the Region (Boston College,
Providence College, MIT, UMASS Boston, et.als.), as well
as multiple law enforcement, EMS, and Fusion Center
components. The Series began with a seminar that
examined campus and surrounding community plans,
resources, and information sharing mechanisms to prevent,
mitigate, and respond to threats and violence aimed at
colleges and universities in the northeast. The Education
Safe Haven Tabletop Exercise (TTX) took place in June
and effectively explored topics and issues akin to the
Virginia Tech rampage in 2007. The Full Scale Exercise
allowed responders to test the lessons learned since then in
an operational environment. The After Action Conference
for the Op Safe Haven FSE is scheduled for December 16
2011. The success of this event was due largely to the
efforts of Nate Spada, Exercise Officer, FEMA Region I.
Nate worked tirelessly with State and HiEd partners to
ensure the exercise was conducted in a manner that
enhanced the readiness of all participants.
Tribal Affairs: Presently, there are more than 560 federally recognized
American Indian (AI) and Alaska Native (AN) tribes in the
United States. In Region 1 there are 10 tribes.
As sovereign nations, Tribal governments have the right to
hold elections, determine their own citizenship
(enrollment) and to consult directly with the U.S.
government on policy, regulations, legislation, and
funding. Over the last couple of years we in Region 1
have held discussions with most of the tribes and have
begun assisting them with grants, preparedness, mitigation
and NIMS implementation.
At the present time we have developed an exercise design
team in conjunction with a number of tribes to better
prepare them for an All-hazards approach to emergency
management. Many of the tribes are relatively new to the
Emergency Management process and it will take a
Regional effort to bring the “Whole of Community”
approach to our partners.
ESPN /StormReady Partnership: Staff worked with the National Weather Service & CT
Emergency Management for ESPN to achieve Storm
Ready Status. Regional staff participated in ESPN Security
and Safety Awareness Day and provided preparedness
information and engaged employees as part of National
Preparedness Month.
National
Preparedness Month
Events:
FEMA Region I joined
with many other public
safety agencies on the
state, local and federal
level on ESPN football
field to present
preparedness messages to
an employee audience of
5,000 people.
Photos from FEMA, Region I’s Participation in
National Preparedness Month Events.
National
Preparedness Month
Events:
FEMA Region I joined
with the City of Hartford,
CT Fire Department and
the Office of Emergency
Management for their first
National Preparedness
Month Fair Day.
Combined with the support
of the Milan Cultural
Association, the city, Fire
Dept., Emergency
Management team, the
CERT team, and the Police
Department; the event was
a huge success.
City of Hartford, Connecticut’s First National Preparedness Month Fair: On September 18, 2011, FEMA supported the City of Hartford, Connecticut during
their National Preparedness Month Fair. The event was hosted by the City of
Hartford Fire Department and Office of Emergency Management. The event took a
lot of planning, time and energy; however, partnering with Milan Cultural
Association the day of their India Festival made their 1st National Preparedness
Month Fair Day a huge success.
Liberty Mutual and Saint Francis Hospital supported the preparedness efforts by
distributing safety messages and preparedness materials to everyone who attended
the fair. Joined by a Hartford’s CERT team and Police Department, the American
Red Cross was also available during the fair showing off their Emergency Response
Vehicles to everyone interested. They weren’t the only people to bring out their
vehicles during the fair. The Hartford Police Department also brought their bobcat,
tank, marine unit and bomb squad vehicle for display.
The event was a major success even though it was Hartford’s first preparedness fair.
The messages of being prepared, having a plan, and staying informed were the most
prominent messages that people learned. Establishing a family contact list, planning
home evacuations, and keeping emergency kits were also key takeaways from all of
the preparedness tips shared.
National
Preparedness Month
Events:
FEMA Region I joined
with the Department of
Labor and hosted a
preparedness event at the
JFK Federal Building
located in Boston. This
event reached out to not
only the federal employees
in the building, but also
the citizens who enjoyed
receiving information on
preparing their homes and
loved ones in case of a
disaster.
Always remember these
three tips for preparedness:
Make a kit. Be prepared.
Stay informed.
Other Pictures from
FEMA, Region I
Rob Pesapane suits up as
Space Man as he prepares
to ready himself for a
special assignment.
Tim Looby saddles back up
in the cockpit as he travels
over Vermont by air.
DAE Deirdre Iadorola
added a significant
contribution to the MA JFO
her first time in the field.
Top Tweets from
FEMA Region I’s
Twitter Account
@FEMA Disaster Centers in
#CT have begun closing but it’s
not too late to register -
www.disasterassistance.gov df.
Some VT towns that aren’t in
the National Flood Insurance
Program will be getting a 2nd
chance to joint up: #VTIrene.
To exepedite the process,
register with FEMA before you
visit a Disaster Recovery
Center: 1800-621-3362 or
www.diasterassitance.gov
Do not derive into flooded areas.
If the floodwaters rise around
your car, abandon the car and
move to higher ground if you
can do safely.
FEMA For Kids ahs 23 games
to play:
www.ready.gov/kids/index.html
The @RedCross Ready Rating
System helps you anaylzye your
business’ disaster preparedness
www.ready.gov/business/_down
loads/10_Things_You_Can_Do
_To_Practice_Cyber_Security_
Users.pdf
FOR PREPAREDNESS
UPDATES - FOLLOW:
www.twitter.com/FEMAregion1
Farewell to our Summer Interns & The LEM Program
INTERNS
In the emergency management
professional field, anything can
happen. It is with great
admiration that the National
Preparedness Division interns
are celebrated for going above
and beyond to perform their
duties this past summer.
The Deputy Federal
Preparedness Coordinator
shared these kind words for not
just an intern for FEMA, but
also a family member of FEMA
Region
I:
Kate,
It is with the utmost admiration
for you and the assistance that
you provided our team over the
past year that I say thank you!
Your wit, your inter-personal
skills, positive demeanor and
your cognitive abilities will be
missed.
It was a pleasure to work with
you and call you a friend. Please
stay in touch and let us know
where you “land.”
Most respectfully yours,
Rick Nicklas.
LEM
The Leadership in Emergency
Management program in its first
year trained almost 200 high
school age students for effective
leadership as emergency managers
and preparing students for a safer
tomorrow by instilling the valuable
principles of always being
prepared.
The summer camps at Mass
Maritime Academy and Outward
Bound program were two of the
pilot program camps that helped
reach a multitude of students from
a variety of backgrounds and
ethnicities.
The second year of the
program looks to be promising as
it grows and generates more
interest. For more information on
this program or about getting the
LEM program instituted
somewhere, please contact the
National Preparedness Division of
FEMA Region I and learn more.
Thanks.
STEP Info for 2011-2012 School Year
Participating STEP schools will be required to visit the STEP
website at www.reima.ri.gov/step in order to access learning
materials for the new school year. Last year, the STEP program
reached 26,000+ students in the New England States. As the
program continues to expand and grow, we are also looking to
support your needs and support with this program.