1998 Virtual Forum Expansion
With five months of successful online panel discussions to its credit, the EIIP Virtual Forum moves into the New Year with a commitment to weekly presentations to expand interactive opportunities in the coming year. Each quarter is devoted to one of the four emergency management phases --- Planning/Preparedness, Response, Recovery, Mitigation. The first quarter of 1998 focuses on mitigation. The January lineup features speakers or presenters in the Virtual Library, Virtual Classroom, EIIP Panel Room, and the Tech Arena. (See January '98 Schedule below.) Each month will follow the same order for weekly sessions on a variety of topics featuring EIIP Partners and other experts.

1/07/98 - Virtual Library - A special presentation by EIIP participating partner, Robert Scott of Intergraph Federal Public Safety. Mr. Scott will discuss his paper, GIS In Emergency Management: Crisis Response into Intelligent Planning.

1/14/98 - Virtual Classroom - Dennis Hickethier of FEMA's Emergency Management Institute (EMI) will share recent experience with distance learning via the Internet. An instructor and a student will also contribute their perspectives.

1/21/98 - January Panel Discussion - The First Quarter of 1998 is devoted to the mitigation phase, and our first panel discussion will provide an opportunity to learn more about FEMA's new initiatives, Project Impact and Disaster Resistant Communities.

Scheduled EIIP Conference Calls/Meetings:

1/09/98 - 12:00 Noon (EST) EIIP Planning Team and Work Group Facilitators Meeting

Please contact the EIIP Coordinator (amoore@emforum.org) if you have questions about ongoing Partnership work and activities. New Partners are welcome --- please see URLs for criteria and partnership agreement form below.

EIIP Partnership Criteria (http://www.emforum.org/partners/criteria.htm) and Memorandum of Partnership Form (http://www.emforum.org/partners/memorndm.htm) were developed during the EIIP Core Group meeting in September '97. The following new Partners have submitted the agreement form and are now listed as official EIIP Partners on the EIIP Virtual Forum web site. We welcome each organization or group and urge every Point of Contact (POC) and their respective constituency to become active in Partnership work and activities. A complete listing of partners, with links to those having web pages may be found at http://www.emforum.org/partners/partners.htm.

American Red Cross - Puerto Rico: POC: Gilberto Guevara, Disaster Response Planner
(guevarag@crossnet.org) (gilbert.guevara@fema.gov)

City of Loveland Fire & Rescue Department: POC: Lt. Rick Davis (rick@ezlink.com)

Claire B. Rubin & Associates: POC: Claire B. Rubin (cbrubin@aol.com)

CWP Associates, Inc.: POC: Charles William Portch, President (cwportch@worldnet.att.net)

Disaster Recovery Journal: POC: Richard L. Arnold, President (bob@drj.com)

Farmland Industries: POC: Larry Rice, Disaster Recovery Analyst (lmrice@farmland.com)

Gender in Disaster Network (GDN): POC: Barbara Vogt (bz8@ornl.gov)

Intergraph Federal Systems: POC: Robert H. Scott, Executive Manager, Marketing, Federal Public Safety (rhscott@ingr.com)

Okeechobee County Emergency Management: POC: Gene O'Neill, Director (okeeeoc@okeechobee.com)

Private & Public Business, Inc. (PPBI): POC: Ed Pearce (epearce@hearst.com)

SSI Services, Inc.: POC: John F. "Jack" Long, Jr. (jflong@epix.net)

The Stirling Associates: POC: Campbell S. King (stirlng@mb.sympatico.ca)

TEAM Simulations, Inc.: POC: Janet Dilling,CEM, President (teamsim@pipeline.com)

University of North Texas - Institute of Emergency Administration and Planning: POC: David M. Neal, Ph.D., Director (neal@scs.cmm.unt.edu)

Utah Comprehensive Emergency Management: POC: Joe Fletcher, IRM Section Chief
(pscem.jfletche@state.ut.us)

WWW Community of Emergency Services (WCES): POC: Monty Gearhart, Webmaster (webmaster@lionet.com)

Two emergency management related services provided through America Online's new Public Safety Center have been brought to our attention this past month:

The first is a new Internet discussion mailing list is now available for those concerned with municipal and county level emergency management. The EMERGENCY-MANAGEMENT list is available to anyone interested in protection of local communities from hazards and resulting emergencies. To subscribe:

Send email to: LISTSERV@ZIPCODE1.OFFICE.AOL.COM
Subject: No Subject
Message: SUBSCRIBE EMERGENCY-MANAGEMENT <your real name>

You do not need to be an AOL member to subscribe to the EMERGENCY-MANAGEMENT list.

The second is the Disaster Management/Animal Welfare Exchange. Advisors to the Exchange include representatives of: American Academy of Veterinary Disaster Medicine, American Humane Association, American Veterinary Medical Association, Humane Society of the United States, and United Animal Nations Emergency Animal Rescue Service.

Although participation in chats and message boards is limited to persons who have AOL access, they will snailmail or email information to others, and are looking into a listserve.

Contact:
Cecily Westermann (runi@aol.com)
Moderator, Disaster Management/Animal Welfare Exchange in AOL's Public Safety
Center

(McLEAN, VA) - Science Applications International Corporation's (SAIC) Advanced Technology and Analysis Sector recently formed the Center for Counterterrorism Technology and Analysis (CCTA) to address the needs and requirements of virtually every aspect of countering the threat of terrorism. The Center will take a comprehensive view of terrorist threats, including the full range of weapons of mass destruction, more traditional high explosives, and cyber-threats to the national infrastructure.

SAIC Vice President David Kay is the director for the CCTA. Before joining SAIC, Kay was the United Nations' Chief Nuclear Weapons Inspector. Kay is instrumental in the company's support of the U.S. government's counterterrorism initiatives to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. More information about SAIC can be found on the Internet at http://www.saic.com.

Emergency Planning on the Internet is a new book that not only assists emergency professionals in locating and learning how to use informative Internet resources, but also describes how to benefit from the information on the Internet in day-to-day work. The authors have compiled, evaluated, and categorized emergency management sites so emergency managers can avoid the flood of information and data on Internet search engines. The book includes over 300 sites to help emergency managers track key issues, trends, and critical data.

Features include: a tour of emergency management-related web sites; a practical applications section noting what others have done, practical exercises for the reader, (comparing findings with the author's results); references to 5 WWW newsletters, 5 key chat areas, where to find announcements of online forums with cutting-edge experts, and 5 master lists of emergency management sites. Each chapter ends with key strategies to help the emergency professional start exploring new areas on the Web.

About the Authors:
Rick Tobin, Professional Emergency Planning Consultant, TAO Services, El Dorado, California. Ryan Tobin, Owner/Consultant, California Coastal Computers.

Publisher: Government Institutes, 4 Research Place, #200, Rockville, MD 20850
Contact: 301-921-2355 (Telephone order with a credit card)
301-921-0373 (Fax order with a purchase order or letter)
230 Pgs, Softcover ISBN: 0-86587-600-2 $49 + $6 S&H USA/ $15 S&H Intl Airmail

See also http://www.govinst.com/pubscatalog/products/600.html.

Another resource for those seeking to learn how to incorporate an Internet strategy into their program is the Emergency Management Internet Applications Project, developed by Craig Fugate (http://www.state.fl.us/comaff/DEM/em%20tool%20kit/begin.htm). The web site was produced by the State of Florida, Division of Emergency Management. An excellent site especially for anyone new to the Internet --- you will find (1) basic Internet information and resources; (2) a collection of emergency management related sites; and (3) ideas on how to utilize the Internet to enhance your emergency management program.

Organizational & Issue Updates from EIIP Partners

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)Update:

NEMIS Update - FEMA continues testing of the National Emergency Management Information System (NEMIS) at multiple sites throughout the country. FEMA anticipates that NEMIS Version 1 will be fielded in June 1998.

FEMA Publishes Proposed Rule on PA/HMGP Appeals - FEMA published a notice of proposed rulemaking in the November 24 Federal Register to streamline the appeal process for the Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation Grant Programs. Comments on the proposed rule must be submitted on or before January 23, 1998. Send comments to Rules Docket Clerk, Office of General Counsel, FEMA, 500 C Street SW, Room 840, Washington, DC 20472. The following URL will take you directly to the 11/24/97 Federal Register notice: (http://frwebgate1.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/waisgate.cgi? WAISdocID=31171422+0+0+0&WAISaction=retrieve).

Due Date for Exemplary Practices Nominations - Reminder that January 1998 is the deadline for nominations for Vol. III of FEMA's Compendium of Exemplary Practices in Emergency Management. See http://www.emforum.org/vlibrary/invite.htm for further details. See http://www.fema.gov/pte/partnr01.htm for links to Vol. II, and additional information.

* * * *

National Coordinating Council on Emergency Management (NCCEM):

Preliminary Poll Results on NCCEM Name Change - As this issue went to print, the results are still preliminary on the member poll about whether to change the Council's name. Voting eligibility is being verified now for the 403 ballots cast as of 12-19-97, the deadline. Preliminary results showed a majority (61.29%) favored a change; however, 6.7% supported a change other than to the proposed "International Association of Emergency Managers".

NCCEM President Randy Duncan, CEM says "A 'Strategic Strike Team' is being formed now to create an implementation plan to follow up on the opportunity our membership gave us in Phoenix to look into the identity of our association, and examine how a name change fits in with already-identified goals in the '2010' report and the strategic plan."

* * * *

The American Society of Professional Emergency Planners Update:

ASPEP Call for Papers - The American Society of Professional Emergency Planners (ASPEP) has issued a call for papers for the 1998 edition of the ASPEP Journal. Papers are due July 31, 1998. The Journal will be released in November at the annual conference of the National Coordinating Council on Emergency Management in Norfolk. Please see http://www.globalserve.net/~tmheath/ for additional criteria.

* * * *

National Emergency Management Association (NEMA) Update:

Minnesota State Emergency Management Director Resigns - Jim Franklin, MN Emergency Management Director, has resigned to become the Director of Public
Safety for the City of Mankato, MN.

FEMA CAR Workshops Scheduled - FEMA has scheduled three Capability Assessment Workshops during January and February:

• Regions VIII, IX, X January 7-8, 1998 in San Francisco, CA

• Regions V, VI, VII January 21-22, 1998 in Dallas, TX

• Regions I, II, III, IV February 5-6, 1998 Washington DC

NEMA/FEMA CAR Wrap-up Session to review input from workshops will be held prior to the NEMA Mid-Year Conference on Saturday, February 7, 1998 at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC.

* * * *

National Volunteer Fire Council Update:

Volunteer Incentive Program - The National Fire Academy will host the Volunteer Incentive Program Feb., 1-6 and March 8-12, 1998. Courses to be offered are Fire Command Operations; Fire Service Planning Concepts for the 21st Century; Leadership
and Administration; Fire Cause Determination for Company Officers; Challenges
for Local Training Officers and Hazardous Materials Incident Management. As of December 18, 1997, there were vacancies in some of the classes. If interested, please contact your State Fire Training Office or the National Fire Academy's Office of Admissions (800238-3358) for further information..

* * * *

National Institute for Urban Search and Rescue (NIUSR):

XII Project: Good News about the progress of the interlinking architecture known as XII (an Xtreme Information Infrastructure). The National Institute for Urban Search and Rescue (NIUSR) has undertaken major integration and engineering efforts/activities. The XII Project has established the following goals for the architecture that gives access to a nation-wide interlinking communications system:

Deliver the Right Information
To the Right People
Within the "Action Cycle"
To Save the Greatest Number of Lives
To Protect the Largest Amount of Property
To Contain the Event at the Lowest Possible Level
And Guarantee a Sustainable Economy for the U.S.

A 3-phase demonstration project is scheduled based on the goals above. The XII concept demonstration starts May 12, 1998 for a 2-week period at Hanscom Air Force Base (Boston). Please check the NI/USR web site (http://niusr.org) for more information under the menu items XII, XII 911, Articles, Programs, and Research & Development.

February 1-4, 1998: Executive Military Support to Civil Authorities Symposium - National Interagency Counterdrug Institute (NICI), San Louis Obispo, CA. Three-day focus on major national and international disaster response operations in which the military provides essential support. Email (nicisa@fix.net); V (805)782-6740; F (805)782-6745. Course Manager: Captain Steve Morgan.

February 8-11, 1998: National Emergency Managers Association (NEMA) 1998 Mid- Year Conference - Renaissance Mayflower Hotel, Washington DC.

February 18-19, 1998: Children's Emergencies in Disasters: A National Workshop - Clarion Plaza Hotel, (held in conjunction with Disaster '98 - see info below).

February 19-22, 1998: Disaster '98: Assessing the Threat to Your Community, 1998 International Disaster Management Conference, Orlando, Florida - Clarion Plaza Hotel.
Contact: Disaster '98 Registrar, Florida Emergency Medicine Foundation, 3717 So. Conway Rd., Orlando, FL 32812-7607.
Phone: (407) 281-7396 / (800) 766-6335 Fax: (407)281-4407

March 14-17, 1998: National Coordinating Council on Emergency Management (NCCEM) 1998 Mid-Year Meeting - EMI, Emmitsburg, Maryland (http://www.nccem.org).

March 15-18, 1998: Ninth Annual Corporate Contingency Planning Seminar & Exhibition, sponsored by Disaster Recovery Journal: co-sponsors are Disaster Recovery Institute International, Ernst & Young, LLP, and Private and Public Businesses, Inc. (PPBI); location is the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, San Diego, CA. For further information, call (314) 894-0276 or check URL (http://www.drj.com).

April 5-9, 1998: 1998 International Hazardous Material Spills Conference - Palmer House Hilton, Chicago, Illinois. See web site (http://www.nrt.org/nrt/hazmat98.nsf).

April 21-24: 1998 Annual SALEMDUG Users Conference, Technology in Emergency Management - Holiday Inn Sun Spree, Virginia Beach, VA; co-sponsored by the State of VA Department of Emergency Services. Contact: Dave Miller, SALEMDUG President, Iowa Emergency Management Division, (515) 281-3231 (dmiller@max.state.ia.us).

May 17-22, 1998: Flood Mitigation Technology: Times are Changing - Association of Floodplain Managers, Inc. (ASFPM), Milwaukee, WI. Complete conference agenda, activities and registration materials will be available in February (asfpm@execpc.com).

May 19-22, 1998: The International Emergency Management Society's Fifth Annual Conference - TIEMS 98 - George Washington University, Washington DC. Theme: "Disaster and Emergency Management International challenges for the Next Decade". Conference info: Greg Shaw, Conference Coordinator (CRISISMGT@seas.gwu.edu).

June 26-July 1, 1998: Local Authorities Confronting Disasters and Emergencies Conference, 3rd International Conference, Shaw Conference Centre, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The LACDE Conference is for persons who respond, or assist in response to, disasters and emergencies at a local government level - to enhance global partnerships, and create solutions, aimed at mitigating disasters that affect the people, property and environment in communities around the world.(See http://www.freenet.edmonton.ab.ca/disaster).

July 20-23, 1998: 1998 FEMA Technology Partnership for Emergency Management Workshop and Exhibition: Technology Solutions for Emergency Management Challenge -Mark your calendars now for July 20-23, 1998, and plan to attend at Argonne National Laboratory --- just a half-hour drive southwest of downtown Chicago! For further information on participating in exhibits, technology demonstrations, or co-sponsorship, contact Ken Bertram, Argonne National Laboratory, at 630-252-5626. For general information contact the FEMA Workshop Information Line at 1-800-752-6367.

The Irish News Global Edition Crossword Page: Click on any square to see the clues for words crossing it. Type in a letter to fit the sequence, use spacebar or backspace to clear it. Click current (highlighted) grid cell to change directions. Very sharp, lots of choices in puzzles, and it's fun! (http://www.irishnews.com/crossword/crossword.html).

We encourage readers to submit articles for this newsletter about use of the Internet for emergency management and other aspects of information technology. Try to keep them fairly short. Deadline for contributions is the 20th of each month for that month's newsletter. Submit contributions to Avagene Moore, CEM (amoore@emforum.org).