EMERGENCY PARTNER POSTINGS

Volume 5, No. 6

February 2001

January 2001 featured great speakers and topics on record as transcripts in the EIIP Virtual Library. If you haven't checked out the diverse transcripts currently available for 1998 through our most recent session in 2001, please do so at http://www.emforum.org/vlibrary/livechat.htm. Please note that transcripts are categorized now by year and topic - a new feature that expedites finding topics of interest. A special "Thank you!" goes to Amy Sebring, EIIP Technical Projects Coordinator, for her work in this area.

RRBDIN Update
An on-line workshop was held during January with Commisioner Thomas Baldini of the International Joint Commission (IJC) on its recently released final report, "Living with the Red: A Report to the Governments of Canada and the United States on Reducing Flood Impacts in the Red River Basin," and its draft proposed directive to the International Red River Board. A transcript of the session is available via http://www.rrbdin1.org/RRBDIN/communications/calendar/workshop/wk010109.htm.

Wednesdays - 12:00 Noon EST:
February 7: Virtual Classroom - Understanding the New Fire Grant Program, Steve Austin, Fire Service Advisor to the Congressional Fire Service Institute (CFSI)

February 14: Virtual Library - Health Alert Network, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

February 21: Technical Arena - Chemical Biological Response Aide (CoBRA), Craig Levy, Deputy for Responder Services and Brad Gardner, Deputy for Product Development, Defense Group, Inc.

February 28: Virtual Forum - National Emergency Managers Association 2001: News from the Mid-Year Conference, NEMA and Council of State Governments (CSG)

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 http://www.emforum.org/partners/partic.htm for complete list of Participating Partners.

Valencia Community College, Randy D. Olson, Fire Science Program Director,
rolson@prodigy.net

The Virtual Emergency Operations Center, Walter G. Green, III, Incident Commander, VA Brigade, US Service Command, wgreen@virtualeoc.org

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.

Taking Things For Granted

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

Absent a disruption in services caused by a disaster, we tend to take some things in life for granted -- basic things like when we turn on a tap, water will come out; when we flip a switch, the lights will come on. The current energy crisis in California must raise the question in many of our minds, could the same thing happen in my state? The answer will vary from state to state, and I am assured that here in Texas, being an energy producer, we are in good shape.

I am wondering if any of you who are local emergency managers are getting inquiries about emergency planning for power outages from the public, and how you are answering those inquiries. Are you taking for granted that a local or regional utility has a good emergency response plan in your own planning assumptions? Does a representative from your utility actively participate in community-wide planning, or do you take for granted that somebody from the utility will show up at your EOC when summoned and know what to do?

This recent event in California might provide a good opportunity to do some double checking if you are not sure of the answers. For general information about the North America Electric Reliability Council (NERC), see http://www.nerc.com. (Remember them from Y2K?) Links are provided to the ten regional councils. Most of the information on these sites is highly technical, but there is some general background information.

Another resource you may wish to check is your state's equivalent of a Public Utility Commission, if you have one. When checking the PUC of Texas Web site (http://www.puc.state.tx.us/), I was able to find "Substantive Rules Applicable to Electric Service Providers, Quality of Service, Emergency Operations Plan" on-line. A description of the utility's emergency operations plan must be filed with the Commission, including an affidavit that relevant personnel are familiar with the contents of the plan and committed to following it.

In Texas, the plan must include a registry of critical loads (i.e., critical facilities such as hospitals, etc.), how the utility will communicate with critical load customers, and provide assistance in the event of an unplanned outage. A communications plan, curtailment priorities and procedures for shedding load and rotating blackouts, priorities for restoration of service, power plant weatherization plans and procedures, and alternative fuel and storage capacity is also required. A general description of the plan must be made available at the utility's main office for inspection by the public; however, a few of the filings are available from the PUC Web site for a minimal charge.

Of course, your best resource should be your local power company, and I take for granted that you have current emergency contact information!

[We are in interested in your feedback on newsletter articles. Send comments to asebring@emforum.org and amoore@emforum.org.]

February '00 EENet Schedule:
Feb. 7, 2:00 PM EST: Classroom Connection - "Making Safe Schools"
Feb. 14, 2:00 PM EST: "Unified Command: Emergency Operating Center (EOC) Focus"
Feb. 21, 2:00 PM EST: "National Alert Broadcast"
Feb. 28, 2:00 PM EST: "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 .

Third International Disaster and Emergency Readiness (IDER) Conference and Exhibition
Simon Langdon, IDER Conference Chairman, announces IDER 2001 will be held at the National Congress Centre, The Hague, Netherlands, 23-25 October. IDER invites presentations from leading professionals in the field of disaster management and managers with recent experience of disasters. Major themes include case studies, disaster readiness, link between business continuity and crisis management, communications, impact of disasters, modern disasters, media power and lessons learned. Watch for Call for Papers/Presentations and deadline. Contact SimonL@insight.co.uk or see IDER 2001 Web site at http://www.andrich.com/IDER .

Trade Corridor Vulnerability Conference
The "Hemispheric Conference on Vulnerability Reduction of Trade Corridors to Socio-Natural Disasters (TCC)" will be held in Mendoza, Argentina on March 26-28. Public and private sector specialists from agriculture, energy, transportation, development, socio-natural hazard and risk management, and international finance will discuss current vulnerability issues related to infrastructure and production capability in the context of trade corridors. See the Web site http://www.transport-americas.org/events-english.htm .

Workshop on Vulnerability Assessment Techniques (VAT II)
This April 9-11 workshop convenes at the NOAA/Coastal Services Center in Charleston, SC, and features invited presentations of vulnerability assessment methodologies with available case study applications. The program includes panel discussions on the applicability of vulnerability assessment techniques to development programs and project preparation, approval and implementation, including project funding processes outside and inside the context of disaster reconstruction and humanitarian assistance. See http://www.csc.noaa.gov/vatw2/.

Time to Apply for 2001 "Masters of Disaster Implementer's Awards"
The American Red Cross announces the application for the 2001 "Masters of Disaster Implementer's Awards" is now available. The awards give a local Red Cross chapter and partnering school district (public, private, or parochial schools included) an opportunity to participate in a two and a half days of hands-on interactive workshop to learn how the curriculum works and how to implement the curriculum in area schools. All local Red Cross chapters are eligible to apply (except Summer 2000 winners.). Applications for 2001 awards must be ONLY from Red Cross chapters and not directly from school districts, home schoolers, teachers, or others. Application deadline is April 13, 2001. For details, contact curric@usa.redcross.org or call Shannon Foster 703-206-7906.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Update:

FEMA Posts Fire Service Grant Update - Representatives from major fire service organizations met with officials from FEMA and the United States Fire Administration (USFA) Jan. 23 - 25 at the National Emergency Training Center to develop the criteria for evaluating grant proposals. See http://www.fema.gov/nwz01/nwz01_05.htm for FEMA posting. (See EIIP February schedule for Steve Austin's presentation on the New Fire Service Grant Program on February 7, 12:00 Noon EST.)

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National Emergency Management Association (NEMA) Update:

NEMA Meets for Mid-Year Conference - The NEMA 2001 Mid-Year Conference is February 10-14 at the Hyatt Crystal City, Arlington, Virginia. See http://www.nemaweb.org for more information. (Please note NEMA/CSG representatives will be EIIP Virtual Forum guests on Wednesday February 28 after the mid-year meeting.)

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International Association of Emergency Managers Update:

IAEM Mid-Year Retreat - IAEM announces Mid-Year Meeting March 31-April 2 in Emmitsburg, Maryland at the Emergency Management Institute (EMI). IAEM members will examine current EM issues, establish policies, and work on professional activities. See http://www.iaem.com/ for details.

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Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) Update:

CFSI Accepting Nominations for Fire and Emergency Services Award - The Mason Lankford Fire Service Leadership Award will be given in Washington, DC on April 25 at the 13th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner. Nominations are due by March 25. Information on award criteria is available at http://www.cfsi.org or 202-371-1277.

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National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) Update:

Announcing NVFC Fire Prevention Award - The NVFC awards individuals whose outstanding achievements in the fire service and community provide examples of exemplary performance. This prestigious award is one of only two awards the Council distributes. Nominated by their peers, recipients are awarded a plaque and a place in history with the NVFC. Nominations may be submitted online at http://www.nvfc.org/.

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EQE International Update:

EQE Announces Employee Honor - Ron Hamburger, EQE's chief structural engineer, was recently named by Engineering News Record (ENR) as one of the "Top 25 Newsmakers" for 2000. This honor recognizes Ron's leadership in a 5-year, $10 million, FEMA-funded research program to develop recommendations for post-earthquake inspection, evaluation, repair, upgrade and design of steel moment-resisting frame buildings, following severe damage to these structures in the Northridge Earthquake. Inclusion on this list makes Ron a candidate for the ENR "Person of the Year". ("ENR" is the leading US. magazine tracking construction and all related engineering industries.) Congratulations, Ron!

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International Centre for Emergency Techniques (ICET) and ResQ.Net Update:

ICET and ResQ.Net offer Free Interactive Training - This is a limited time offer through February 2001 via ICET's Interactive Rescue Simulation. Try this offer and you could receive a certificate of accreditation from ICET! http://www.resq.net/training.asp. Check out http://www.resq.net for the latest news, interesting special reports and e-learning on disaster management and rescue.

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Consequence Management Interoperability (CMI) Services Update:

CMI-Services Reports Progress - CMIS continues to make progress on its congressionally funded initiative for interoperability among the diverse automated information systems supporting consequence management. Functional Requirements Specification was completed in December. It describes requirements for agent identification and precautionary measures, shared map and map mark-up, audio/video teleconferencing, situation and status reporting, logistics planning and operations; meteorological information; facility/venue pre-plans; federal grants listing; key telephone number directory; links to lessons learned; exercise schedules; and the InterAgency Board's Standard Equipment List. Proof of concept prototypes are in progress, along with a small-scale operational prototype demonstration planned for NDIA/InterAgency Board during WMD Terrorism Preparedness and Response Conference & Exhibition at Salt Lake City in early May. First responder stakeholders and others can contact CMI-Services via http://www.cmi-services.org.

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HELPU Fire and Life Safety Update:

HELP U Director on Workshop Panel - The ARC's Virginia Training Institute conducts a workshop on "Special Needs Accommodations in Sheltering During Disasters" in Williamsburg, Virginia, February 14 with Director Leslie Little serving as a panel member. On a related note, HELPU is developing a guide of special needs mobility disabled evacuation techniques and mitigation strategies using Ms. Little (a high level paraplegic) as the participant trainer in the program. Presentation and text should be available for distribution by the middle of March 2001. Visit http://members.spree.com/education/helpu/.

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United States Search and Rescue Task Force (USSARTF) Update:

Critical Incident Stress Management Courses Offered by USSARTF - "Basic Critical Incident Stress Management" (CISM) training is offered February 24-25. Deadline for sign-up is February 15. A related course is offered March 17-18, "Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Peer Crisis Intervention (Part 2)". Deadline for sign-up is February 25. These courses are required to serve in a CISM Specialist capacity and mutual aid with outside CISM teams. Contact the Task Force at ussartf@ussartf.org . See http://www.ussartf.org for further information on courses.

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Lake County (IN) Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) Update:

Lake County LEPC Sponsors Distinguished Speaker - Fire Chief Alan Brunacini of the Phoenix Fire Department will deliver an analysis of Exercise POPEYE (Preparedness Observation Planning EmergencY Exercise) on Friday, February 23, 9:00 AM-3:00 PM in the BP Amoco Whiting Refinery Conference Room. This event is sponsored by the Lake County LEPC; the exercise was a joint effort between the LEPC and the US Department of Energy. Contact Dean Larson at US Steel for further information, DRLarson@uss.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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