EMERGENCY PARTNER POSTINGS

Volume 4, No. 8

April 2000

EIIP Supports Australian Counterparts
The global emergency management community grows smaller and smaller due to the Internet and World Wide Web. Through various means of contact, physical and virtual, the EIIP has enfolded quite a number of our international friends via mail lists and their participation and contribution to the Virtual Forum. A number of Australian emergency management practitioners have maintained contact with us throughout our Virtual Forum experience. All along, we have been involved in sidebar conversations via email about ways to network and share mutual experiences and lessons learned.

Because of the time differences, the Charles Sturt University recently created an Internet-based emergency forum for Australia that is similar to the EIIP Virtual Forum. The Australian Emergency Management Forum http://www.csu.edu.au/faculty/health/aemf/ offers a number of online services that revolve around its core features of an online discussion forum and chat facility. The AEMF will soon host its first 1-hour online chat session on a selected emergency management topic. The site will also provide a newsgroup-style discussion list, post transcripts and papers from previous discussions, and, of course, provide links to other emergency management resources on the Web.

Please note that the EIIP is a proud Associate of the AEMF. The EIIP and AEMF hope to share the benefits of interactive sessions and schedule/promote an occasional session where we actively participate in both forums - an exciting opportunity for all of us! We wish the AEMF great success! To learn more about the AEMF, contact Ian Manock, Charles Sturt University; aemf@csu.edu.au; tel: 02 63384907; fax: 02 633 84933.

RRBDIN Update
The Red River Basin Disaster Information Network enjoyed an online workshop March 23, 2000, 12:00 Noon CST, entitled "Spring Flood Outlook 2000." Mark Ewens, National Weather Service, Grand Forks, was the featured speaker.

Each Spring, on both sides of the border, flood outlooks are prepared and issued to the public for the purpose of providing guidance to those who must contend with the potential hazard. This year, the outlook is unfavorable for major flooding, and that is very good news. The workshop was designed to address the need for sufficient understanding of how the outlooks and forecasts are prepared and exactly what they mean. Mark Ewens provided current outlook information, discussed what improvements are in the works, and answered flood forecasting questions from RRBDIN members.

The RRBDIN is sponsored by the International Joint Commission, the Global Disaster Information Network, and the Red River Basin Board with support by the EIIP. Workshop transcripts and related materials are available via the Web site. http://www.emforum.org/redriver/

Wednesdays - 12:00 Noon EST:
April 5: Virtual Library - Disaster Myths, Jean Luc Poncelet, PAHO

April 12: Forum - ARC Crisis Counseling, Jane Morgan, American Red Cross

April 19: Virtual Classroom - Dam Safety, Don Bathurst, FEMA

April 26: Tech Arena - Technology in EM, Ann Willis, GWU

Schedule the sessions/speakers of interest just as you would a business meeting or other important appointment. Login via http://www.emforum.org/vforum/formchat.htm.

The following submitted the agreement form to become formal Partners and are listed on the EIIP Virtual Forum web site, with links to Websites if available (see http://www.emforum.org/partners/partic.htm). Each Point of Contact (POC) has been welcomed to the EIIP and encouraged to become an active participant and worker in the Partnership:

ICF Consulting: Anita Kellogg, Vice President akellogg@icfconsulting.com

Interested in joining the EIIP? New Partners are welcome; Partnership Criteria and Agreement Form may be found at the following URL: http://www.emforum.org/partners/criteria.htm

by Avagene Moore
amoore@emforum.org

One of America's most valuable resources is its volunteers. During the 27th Annual National Volunteer Week, April 9-15, millions of dedicated men, women, and young people in communities throughout the nation will be saluted for their efforts and their commitment to serve. "Celebrate Volunteers!" is a most appropriate theme for this year's weeklong event.

For millions of Americans, volunteering is the key to healthy, fulfilling and meaningful lives. Volunteering is giving. But there is so much we can receive. Volunteering renews our connection to our community and builds self worth and social responsibility in our children. Through volunteering, we learn compassion, tolerance, and hopefully, a sense of duty to respond when people are in need.

The simple fact is volunteers provide compassion that government simply cannot. Volunteers are the helping hand and human face of private and individual enterprise. They are the conscience of our society. They are thoughtful, committed citizens who continue to change our world - one activity at a time.

More than 109 million adults now volunteer, contributing some 20 billion hours that are worth an estimated $225 billion. The Points of Light Foundation and the national network of Volunteer Centers sponsor National Volunteer Week to provide an opportunity to put volunteers in the spotlight. If you need suggestions and tips for celebrating and honoring the volunteers in your organization and community, please see the National Volunteer Week Web Site for a wealth of useful information, ideas and materials available for downloading.

On behalf of the EIIP, a special "Thank you!" to the many volunteers who make a difference every day in the lives of our families, neighbors, friends and citizens across the country. Let's "Celebrate Volunteers!" April 9-15 and throughout the year! In particular, the EIIP wishes to thank its loyal volunteers -- Isabel McCurdy who assists us with preparing transcripts, and Lori Wieber, who assists us with this newsletter.

April '00 EENet Schedule:
April 5, 2:00 PM EST: Learning Again
April 12, 2:00 PM EST: National Fire Information Council - Part II
April 19, 2:00 PM EST: National Alert Broadcast, FEMA Video Magazine
April 26, 1:30 PM EST: Living with Grief: Children, Adolescents, and Loss

For a description of each of these programs and broadcast information,
visit the EENet Web site: http://www.fema.gov/home/emi/eenet.htm .

Electronic Journal of Emergency Management Seeks Contributions:
The "Electronic Journal of Emergency Management" is a peer-reviewed online journal of articles dealing with emergency management, business continuity, and disaster science. Disaster case studies and historical analyses are particularly welcome, as are summaries of both qualitative and quantitative research, and papers on new or emerging topics. Articles should be less than ten pages, double-spaced. For details on the journal, see http://members.tripod.com/~Richmond_ESM/index.html; contact Walter Green, Assistant Professor of Emergency Services Management, School of Continuing Studies, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA 23173; (804)287-1246; wgreen@richmond.edu .

Disasters for Dummies:
Claire Rubin & Associates has established a free Intranet aimed at providing content and resources to persons teaching emergency management. Just for fun, Claire named her prototype effort "Disasters for Dummies." View the Intranet setup (it is a free service) by going to http://www.intranets.com. To become a charter member of Disasters for Dummies, please send email to Claire Rubin cbrubin@mindspring.com for an invitational letter that provides full details about logging in.

Warnings: Verified or Hoax?
Is your mailbox full of hoax virus warnings? Here is the industry standard web site on the subject. Wouldn't be great if people consulted this page before they send unverified virus warnings to their email list? http://www.datafellows.com/news/hoax.htm

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Update:

Deadline for Comment is April 10 - FEMA is seeking comments about proposed changes that could reduce the taxpayer's burden for disaster recovery by requiring insurance for public buildings. (See February 23, Federal Register.) Written comments will be accepted until April 10, 2000. Notice of proposed rule making is available at http://www.fema.gov/library/ins22300.htm. Please send written comments to the Rules Docket Clerk, Office of the General Counsel, FEMA, 500 C Street SW, Room 840, Washington, DC 20472, Fax 202-646-4536, or rules@fema.gov .

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National Emergency Management Association (NEMA) Update:

NEMA Reports on Mitigation Councils - NEMA recently completed a survey of the 50 states and territories to determine the status of state hazard mitigation councils, funding sources and activities of the councils as potential model approaches for other state councils. The survey reveals 22 states have established hazard mitigation councils. An Executive Summary and Full Report are available from links on NEMA homepage http://www.nemaweb.org/index.cfm.

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International Association of Emergency Managers Update:

IAEM to Host Italian Emergency Managers - FEMA will assist IAEM in hosting a delegation of 30 persons from Italy to share American-style emergency preparedness training. This will occur in conjunction with the IAEM 2001 Mid-Year Meeting in March 2001 tentatively; the dates will be confirmed in May 2000.

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Congressional Fire Service Institute (CFSI) Update:

Fire and Emergency Services Day - The CFSI proudly announces a full day of workshops to take place in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington DC on May 3, 2000. At noon, fire and emergency services personnel have an opportunity to participate in a Town Hall Meeting with Congressmen Curt Weldon and Steny Hoyer. Afternoon activities take place at the Washington Hilton and Towers and feature a Federal Government Open House and Apparatus Innovations Symposium. The day ends in the Main Ballroom of the Washington Hilton and Towers with the 12th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner; the theme is "The American Fire Service: Let Your Voice Be Heard" For more information, see http://www.cfsi.org/dinner.html or contact Mike Eversole, CFSI Events Coordinator, (202) 371-1277, info@cfsi.org .

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SoftRisk Technologies Update:

Announcing New Partners - SoftRisk Technologies partnered with GBS and ESRI Australia to develop a Map Objects™ interface for their SoftRisk Emergency Management software product. The product will be used By the Waterways Authority to manage Sydney Harbor activities during and after 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. Contact Jim Fraser jfraser@softrisk.com ; http://www.softrisk.com.

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Greater Philadelphia Search and Rescue (GPSAR) Update:

GPSAR Certifies Specialty Teams - The GPSAR Station 2000, located in Montgomery County, PA, is currently certifying two specialty teams to serve PA, NJ, DE and MD.

In April 2000, a team of 20 completes certification as instructors in "Child Survival - Lost in the Woods" Instructor Program. This program teaches how to instruct a group of children in survival should they "get lost" in the woods along with how "not to get lost" as well as survival issues. Instructors will travel four states to teach in schools and for private groups such as the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, etc.

In July 2000, a team of 12 will complete certification in Critical Incident Stress Management. The team assists any public safety agency upon request and is utilized for stress management, stress debriefing and peer support during and after major incidents. Contact: Chief Steven L. Labov, SLabov@Home.com (215) 922-7225 Post Office Box 11292, Elkins Park, PA 19027 http://www.gpsar.org.

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HELPU Fire and Life Safety Update:

HELPU Hosts First Online Fire Chat Session - On April 11, 2000, 11:00 AM EST, HELPU hosts their first online Fire Chat session on the HELPU Web site. Featured speaker is Mr. James Jarzembowski, International Fire Equipment Corporation, Lake Zurich, IL. Jim was instrumental in working with the members of HELPU to develop an adapted fire extinguisher for use by impaired citizens. He will discuss the project and potential new work for disabled populations. Login is: http://members.spree.com/education/helpu/firechat.html

The NFA is reviewing draft year 2001 curriculum for a course dealing with High Risk audiences and fire safety. HELPU Fire and Life Safety work is included as part of the training materials and references.

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ICF Consulting Update:

ICF New EIIP Partner - ICF Consulting's emergency management practice provides expert assistance to clients in developing, implementing, and evaluating programs for all phases of natural and technological accidents and disasters. ICF Consulting works in partnership with its public and private sector clients to find resourceful, workable solutions that are cost-effective and advance the public welfare. ICF Consulting is EPA's prime contractor for chemical emergency preparedness and prevention. Web site is http://www.icfconsulting.com/em; Anita Kellogg, Vice President akellogg@icfconsulting.com

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Illinois Emergency Services Management Association (IESMA) Update:

IESMA Announces 2000 Conference - IESMA will hold its 2000 Conference at the Springfield, IL Holiday Inn East on April 7- 8. Featured guests include Fire Chief Bill Pessmier (Littleton, CO) who will give a "final " report on the Columbine Incident. The program includes sessions by the NTSB, the FBI Office of Preparedness, Illinois Department of Nuclear Safety. Illinois Emergency Management Agency Director Mike Chamness will present an update of IEMA programs. Contact Louise Tilford at 217-234-9745 or visit the IESMA Web site http://www.iesma.org.

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"Emergency Partner Postings" is a monthly update on progress of the partnership, activities, and services available through Emergency Information Infrastructure Partnership (EIIP) Virtual Forum web site, other electronic sources of information, and articles of interest concerning awareness and use of information technology. The news will be posted on the web site the last week of each month.

We encourage readers to submit articles for this newsletter about use of the Internet for emergency management and other aspects of information technology. Deadline for contributions is the 20th of each month for that month's newsletter. Submit contributions to Lori Wieber, lwieber@emforum.org.

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