EMERGENCY PARTNER POSTINGS

Volume 5, No. 2

October 2000

EIIP / VFRE Collaboration
The EIIP was honored to play a role in the highly successful Virtual Fire & Rescue Expo (VFRE) September 11-22 by hosting the Emergency Management Track on the NFPA 1600 Standard. If you missed the exhibits and chat sessions, please take heart! Due to popular demand, the VFRE is available until October 6 at http://www.vfre.com. On behalf of the VFRE and EIIP, thanks for making VFRE 2000 a great online conference for emergency services personnel! Transcripts of the VFRE EM Track live chats are also available via the Transcripts link on the EIIP Virtual Forum homepage.

Enhanced Partnership and Support
The Natural Hazards Center (NHC), University of Colorado, Boulder, has been a formal Partner in the EIIP since the inception of the Partnership. Since the launch of the EIIP Virtual Forum, researchers affiliated with the Center have frequently presented their research in the EIIP Virtual Library at our invitation; we have featured many publications, including Quick Response Reports and Working Papers, found on the Center's web site http://www.Colorado.EDU/hazards/.

At the suggestion of Mary Fran Myers, Co-Director of the Natural Hazards Center, and David Butler, Senior Editor / Information Specialist, and Point of Contact for the EIIP, we have established a more formal agreement regarding EIIP discussions based on NHC Quick Response Reports and other research publications. Under the agreement, the Center alerts the EIIP whenever a new publication comes out and urges NHC researchers and authors to contact the EIIP about a possible discussion of their latest work. The EIIP then reviews the new work and schedules a discussion as appropriate and timely for the emergency management community.

This arrangement complements and promotes the work of the Center and the EIIP as both entities strive to link academic research regarding disasters with actual emergency management practice. The EIIP greatly appreciates this move on behalf of the Natural Hazards Center - an active demonstration of true partnership that ensures current research and speakers for dynamic EIIP Virtual Library presentations. The EIIP thanks the Natural Hazards Center for their continued support and affiliation with the EIIP Virtual Forum.

Red River Basin Disaster Information Network (RRBDIN)
The move to http://www.rrbdin1.org is essentially completed. A final task that remains is the installation of a calendar application at the server. This new feature will permit network members to enter their own events for the coming months. Another enhanced feature developed by SAIC is a form driven file upload capability so that members may make their own "deposits" in the File Bank. With the transition phase over, we hope to begin a renewed effort to involve members from the region.

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.

Wednesdays - 12:00 Noon EDT:
Oct 4: Virtual Library - Donated Goods, Monica Zacarelli, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)

Oct 11: Virtual Forum - International Day for Disaster Reduction, Nicole Appel, Awareness & Promotion Officer, International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) Secretariat

Oct 18: Virtual Classroom - Masters of Disasters Curriculum, Rocky Lopes, American Red Cross

Oct 25: Tech Arena - Community Alert Network at Los Alamos, Ken Baechel, President, CAN International

Please mark sessions of interest on your monthly planning calendar now, 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; see EIIP Virtual Forum for list of Partners (http://www.emforum.org/partners/partic.htm).

Disaster Survival Planning Network, Judy K. Bell, CEM, jbell@dspnetwork.com

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

An Opportunity for a Standard Disaster Terminology?

By Amy Sebring
EIIP Technical Projects Coordinator
asebring@emforum.org

A principal benefit of having standards in emergency management is that they can facilitate coordination between organizations, by serving as a common frame of reference, thereby improving results. We have devoted a good deal of attention over the past couple of years to the development of the NFPA 1600 "Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity Planning," culminating in the week long VFRE EM Track just completed. It has been our pleasure to work with the Technical Committee Chairman, Lloyd Bokman, and we find he is a true professional, committed to achieving consensus among the wide variety of concerned "stakeholders," no simple task.

The final "surprise question" we posed during our wrap up Group Discussion on Friday was "What other disaster related areas might the NFPA Technical Committee address?" Among those present for that discussion, there was strong support for addressing the need for a standard disaster terminology or nomenclature. We have heard this need voiced over and over again, and it was one of the questions on the EIIP's original development survey. (See http://www.emforum.org/eiip/results.htm.)

Many agencies and organizations have worked at developing glossaries of disaster-related terms. Usually those efforts reflect the needs of the particular organization, as opposed to a more universal approach. Dean Larson appears to have done a good bit of work trying to consolidate available material (see the Lake County LEPC Partner Update below). One major challenge in developing any standard terminology document would seem to be limiting its scope , for example, just how many acronyms can one person handle!

This may be a particularly important time to consider going forward with such a project, as FEMA's Higher Education program gets off the ground, and more and more colleges and universities implement emergency management degree programs. Such a document might also be extremely useful in communicating with the media about disasters, and follows on quite naturally to the National Disaster Education Coalition's Talking About Disaster guide.

The process to get such a project considered by the NFPA is for someone, anyone, to submit a formal proposal to the NFPA. A one page form (PDF file) is provided for the purpose and may be faxed to the number provided. Although the likelihood of the NFPA accepting such a proposal might be enhanced if it were endorsed by the major national organizations, never underestimate what an individual can do!

October '00 EENet Schedule:
October 4, 2:00 PM EDT: "Around the Table" In Emmitsburg - features EMI students and Multi-Hazards Planning for Schools Course
October 11, 2:00 PM EDT: "Fires in Small Communities - Impact and Prevention"
(NOTE: Will repeat October 25, 8:00 PM Eastern.)
October 18, 2:00 PM EDT: "National Alert Broadcast" - FEMA video magazine.
October 25, 2:00 PM EDT: "Consequence Management News, Equipment, and Training" (CoMNET) magazine

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

PERI Hosts Firefighter Safety Symposium
The Public Entity Risk Institute (PERI) Symposium Center presents free educational programs that you can attend without leaving your desk. The October 16-20 Symposium is about "Firefighter Safety at Emergency Incidents." Sign up ahead of time to receive daily Issues and Ideas Papers in your email during the Firefighter Safety Symposium. To register and read about firefighter issues, authors of papers, and files of other symposiums, please see the PERI site http://www.riskinstitute.org.

Networks for People 2000
Sponsored by the US Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the Technology Opportunities Program presents "Networks for People 2000 - Entrepreneurship: Non-Profits @ Internet Speed," October 30-31, Hilton Crystal City, Arlington, Virginia.

For Children of All Ages
The Weather Beat web site http://www.energizer.com/weatherbeat/ features the Energizer Bunny and his friends at the American Red Cross who want to show children how to have the "power" to be prepared in any kind of disaster. Right now, the site's focus is the hurricane season. Children follow the Energizer Bunny to learn about all kinds of storms and what to do in case there is one near one's home. The site allows children to play games to test just how weather wise they are; send a Weather Beat e-mail to a friend; make a disaster supplies kit; figure out home's safety rating; and much more!

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Update:

Eastern Band of Cherokee Selected as Project Impact Community -- FEMA recently announced 62 new Project Impact communities for a total of 247 participating communities. The Eastern Band of the Cherokee became the first Tribal Government to be selected as a Project Impact community. The Region IV Tribal Liaison coordinated with representatives of the Eastern Band of the Cherokees on the Project Impact signing ceremony held in Cherokee, North Carolina, on September 22. For more information, see http://www.fema.gov/impact/cities/im_nc03.htm.

As part of the Project Impact initiative, FEMA and private sector companies have designed a demonstration Safe Room at EMI, Emmitsburg, Maryland. The permanent exhibit opened September 29.

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National Emergency Management Association (NEMA) Update:

Status of Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP) -- As discussed in the EM Track of the Virtual Fire & Rescue Expo (VFRE) on September 21, NEMA is preparing to implement the Emergency Management Accreditation Program next year. Emily DeMers has been retained as Accreditation Program Manager.

EMAP will be an opportunity for emergency management programs to look at how they are doing and demonstrate compliance with national standards. The EMAP Steering Committee is comprised of stakeholder representatives and plans to meet during October to review the draft EMAP standard and consider further implementation. The EMAP Standard is a combination of the NFPA 1600 Standard and additional language that applies each section more specifically to emergency management programs.using materials familiar to most emergency management practitioners.

The self-assessment step will be based on the Capability Assessment for Readiness (CAR. State pilot tests of EMAP begin in 2001; pilot testing for local emergency management programs begins in 2002. (To read the entire transcript of the 9/21 live chat and other EM Track sessions related to the NFPA 1600 Standard, please see the Special Event page at http://www.emforum.org/vclass/000918.htm.)

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International Association of Emergency Managers Update:

IAEM Offers Pre-Conference Training -- Prior to the IAEM Annual Conference, two 8-hour sessions are offered by Florida State University as part of its "Results-Oriented Government" program. FSU instructors are Frances Berry, Ph.D., Askew School of Public Administration and Policy, and Janet Dilling, CEM, Director, Florida Public Affairs Center.

* Thursday November 2, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM: Using Performance Results
* Friday November 3, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM: Performance-Based Budgeting

Free pre-conference training will be offered on Saturday November 4 as follows:
* 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM: Public Officials Workshop by Texas Department of Public Safety Division of Emergency Management; and
* 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM: Communications Workshop with instructors B. J. Sibley and Darryl Spiewak, CEM (third year for this popular workshop.)

For further information, see IAEM site http://www.iaem.com or contact info@iaem.com .

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Natural Hazards Center (NHC) Update:

Natural Hazards Center Accepting Proposals -- The NHC Boulder is now soliciting proposals for the FY 2001 Quick Response (QR) Research Program that enables social scientists from the U.S. to conduct short-term studies immediately after a disaster. Applicants with approved proposals are eligible to receive funding to carry out their investigation should an appropriate disaster occur in the coming 12 months. Grants average between $1,000 and $3,000 and essentially cover only food, lodging, and travel expenses. For details, see http://www.colorado.edu/hazards/qr2001.html or contact Mary Fran Myers myersmf@colorado.edu. Co-Director, Natural Hazards Center, Campus Box 482, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309-0482; (303) 492-2150; the deadline for proposal submission is October 16, 2000.

Full texts of Quick Response Reports published since November 1995 are available from the Natural Hazards Center's Web page: http://www.colorado.edu/hazards/qr/qr.html.

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Claire B. Rubin & Associates Update:

Rubin Announces New Working Paper -- Claire Rubin's paper, presented at the Hazards Research and Applications Workshop at Boulder this past July, is now available for download via http://www.colorado.edu/hazards/wp/wp104/wp104.html. Working Paper #104 is entitled "Emergency Management in the 21st Century: Coping with Bill Gates, Osama bin-Laden, and Hurricane Mitch." See Claire B. Rubin & Associates Web site http://www.mindspring.com/%7Ecbrubin/index/; cbrubin@mindspring.com.

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State of Utah -Public Safety Department Update:

Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP) Exercise -- On September 13, Utah State and local agencies successfully completed a full-scale CSEPP exercise. The State of Utah CEM Division, Tooele County, Utah County, Salt Lake County, the Deseret Chemical Depot, and several volunteer agencies such as the American Red Cross and RACES/ARES amateur radio organizations were involved. Contact: Joseph Fletcher IRM Coordinator, Comprehensive Emergency Management Division jfletche@dps.state.ut.us .

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Lake County Local Emergency Planning Committee Update:

Emergency Management Glossary and Acronyms List Available -- The Lake County (Indiana) LEPC, Web site http://www.lepc.co.lake.in.us, now features a link to a list of Emergency Management Glossary and Acronyms that may be downloaded in either PDF or MS Word format. Dr. Dean R. Larson Drlarson@uss.com originally developed this list for agencies working with Department of Defense assets. Your help is solicited in revising and expanding this list.

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National Institute for Urban Search & Rescue Update:

NIUSR Las Vegas Conference Recap --Weapons of Mass Destruction 'game' was the "show stopper" of the Conference. General Fleming, presently serving with PACOM's Game and Simulation Section, led the simulation in which the goal was to establish "Essential Elements of Information" necessary for Decision-Makers to obtain rapidly at the time of a WMD event. This turned out to be the easy part of the exercise. See more details on the NIUSR 2000 Conference at http://niusr.org.

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Organization of American States, Unit of Sustainable Development and Environment (OAS, USDE) Update:

OAS USDE Reminder of Conference -- The II Hemispheric Conference on the Reduction of the Vulnerability of the Education Sector to Socio-Natural Disasters, sponsored by the Fundación de Edificaciones y Dotatciones Educativos (FEDE), takes place in Caracas, Venezuela from October 2-4. The conference will take place in both English and Spanish, as not all of the participants are Spanish speaking. For further information, see http://www.oas.org/usde/USDE.htm.

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Disaster Survival Planning Network (DSPN) Update:

New EIIP Partner, Disaster Survival Planning Network -- DSPN specializes in assisting organizations to prepare emergency response and business recovery plans. DSPN consultants are nationally certified business recovery, emergency response, and communications professionals. DSPN clients include major businesses, utilities, government agencies, colleges and universities, and community organizations and offers many different consulting services including business impact analysis (BIA), creation of emergency response, & business recovery plans, and the design of emergency operation centers. Point of Contact for DSPN is Judy K. Bell, CEM, jbell@dspnetwork.com; Web site http://www.dspnetwork.com.

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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 newsletter will be posted on the Web site by the first of each month.

We encourage readers to submit brief updates that relate to using 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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