FEMA released the results from the 2018 National Household Survey (NHS), which measures individuals’ attitudes and behaviors regarding preparedness and assesses what influences them to begin preparing for a future hazard. Every year, FEMA surveys the American public to assess how the culture of personal disaster preparedness and resilience has changed over time. Approximately 5,000 adults in the U.S. were surveyed in both English and Spanish. The survey includes both a nationally representative sample and hazard-specific oversamples, including tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes and urban events. Visit the FEMA website (https://community.fema.gov/AP_2018_National_Household_Survey) for more information and a full list of results. For more about preparedness research, please visit Ready.gov (https://www.ready.gov/preparedness-research).
Author: From Brassville to...
A career public servant, an adjunct professor, SME in policy analysis, program evaluation, emergency management, local government, amateur and youth baseball, and the interdependences and inter-connectedness if these.
Articles, Events, Resources: 9/30/19
For National Preparedness Month, FEMA has weekly themes focusing on different aspects of preparedness, including emergency planning, saving early for unexpected costs of disasters, and community preparedness efforts. This week, the theme deals with the importance of youth preparedness on building cultures and communities of preparedness. FEMA released two important resources, including a podcast and the launch of the updated Kids Prepare webpage. The updated website is a one-stop shop with interactive search features, tools and resources to help engage kids and young people on emergency and disaster preparedness. It also includes games and activities for kids to teach them about being prepared for disasters. Check it out and make sure to share with your kids! We especially enjoyed the Prepare with Pedro activity book.
News & Publications
Banks Worth $47 Trillion Adopt New U.N.-Backed Climate Principles (Rueters) Banks with more than a third of the assets of the global industry, adopted new U.N.-backed “responsible banking” principles to fight climate change on Sunday that would shift their loan books away from fossil fuels. “These principles mean banks have to consider the impact of their loans on society – not just on their portfolio,” according to the United Nations Environment Finance Initiative.
Integrating Jurisdiction Plans (Dom Prep) Many emergency managers consider the emergency operations plan (EOP) the foundation of emergency and disaster plans, but the Comprehensive Preparedness Guide 101 (CPG 101) acknowledges that it is not the only plan that supports emergency management within a jurisdiction.
Zero-Carbon Cities Could Be Worth $24 Trillion (Coalition for Urban Transitions) A new report finds that if cities worldwide transitioned to zero-carbon, the worldwide benefits would be enormous: nearly $24 trillion in economic returns, millions of jobs, and better health
‘Sonic Weapon’ Used On Diplomats In Cuba May Have Been Pesticide, Study Finds (Fox) The mysterious high-pitched buzzing sound associated with the so-called “sonic attacks” on nearly 40 U.S. and Canadian diplomats living in Cuba may have been caused by a neurotoxic agent used to kill mosquitoes, a new study commissioned by the Canadian government claims.
30 Years After Hugo, South Carolina Danger Zones Are More Built-Up (The State.com) Despite causing $7 billion worth of damage on Sept. 21-22, 1989, Hurricane Hugo did little to discourage new or more intense development on many stretches of South Carolina’s coast. More people than ever are living in the path of storms and rising seas.
We Cannot Plan For Disaster Recovery Based On Unpredictable Federal Aid (The Hill)
Flood the Market: What to do with Houston’s Perpetually Flooded Homes (Grist)
‘We cannot wait.’ Sinking Alaska village Finds New Home (E&E news)
Wildfire Risks Spark a Move to Microgrids in California (Future Structure)
This Tech Could Completely Change How We Predict Volcanic Eruptions (Pop Mechanics)
Device Offers a Way to Communicate During Disasters (Nextgov)
Federal Flood Policy Is, and Isn’t, Addressing Climate Change (Curbed)
Former Emergency Managers: Act Now Before the Next Storm (Rt. Fifty)
Types of Information Compromised in Breaches of Protected Health Information (Annals of Internal Medicine)
Training & Professional Development
Webinar: How Cities Are Paying for Climate Resilience (Security and Sustainability Forum) Join city leaders, authors of the recent report “How Cities Are Paying for Climate Resilience: Playbook 1.0,” and professionals supporting resilience in hundreds of cities around the globe to explore the strategies that reflect the leading-edge of urban climate-resilience financing practices
- Date/time: Thursday, Oct 10, 2019 1:15 PM – 2:45 PM EDT
- conference line 1.866.687.4175 — Attendee passcode: 6210397
- To attend online: https://go.foodshield.org/?1Pyk3ODI
Webinar: “How To: Next Generation Emergency Response (Rt. Fifty) Route Fifty will explore the role information gathering and sharing across both traditional and new platforms such as social media play in emergency response and take a deep-dive into the technologies enabling state and local governments to better prepare for and respond to disasters.
- Date/time: Thurs, Oct 10, 2019 2:00PM – 3:00 PM EDT REGISTER
Key Resources
Executive Order on Modernizing Influenza Vaccines in the United States to Promote National Security and Public Health (White House)
A World At Risk: Annual Report on Global Preparedness For Heath Emergencies (Global Preparedness Monitoring Board / World Health Organization) The Board commissioned seven review papers that explore the challenges of preparedness through various lenses: governance and coordination; country preparedness capacities; research and development; financing; enhancing community engagement and trust; preparing for and managing the fallout of a high-impact respiratory pathogen pandemics; and lessons learned and persistent gaps revealed by recent outbreaks of Ebola virus disease in Africa.
Article: Citing climate risk, investors bet against mortgage market
Citing climate risk, investors bet against mortgage market
Jobs and Interships opportunties – Disaster mgt-related
• Emergency Management Specialist (Recovery), IC 09, CLOSE 9/30/2019, FEMA-19-CTG-318978-CORE (https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/546506400), Washington, DC
Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (https://www.mwcog.org/about-us/human-resources/jobdetails/?JobPositionId=V57O3ejrVbVXWRCeM2vRMH4KcjxbsYabfKxkRx%2f2Il4%3d) – Homeland Security and Emergency Planner
internships
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Ethical and Responsible Research (https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2019/nsf19609/nsf19609.htm?WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT.mc_ev=click)
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Emergency
Coastal Resilience Fund (https://www.nfwf.org/coastalresilience/emergency/Pages/ecrf-2019rfp.aspx)
Disaster Mgt-related articles/events/resources: as of 9/23/19
Articles
WHO Deploys Technical Team to Tanzania to Support Investigation of A Rumor of Unknown Illness (ReliefWeb)
Even As Sea Levels Rise, U.S. Flood Zones See More Housing (Ins Journal) Scientists find more homes are being built in high-flood areas along the U.S. Coastal states, even though global warning has made living in these areas much more risky.
| Preparing for the Unexpected Disaster (HSNW) “What if a massive earthquake suddenly struck Middle America?” – Insights into the 2019 Shaken Fury exercise.
The New Target That Enables Ransomware Hackers to Paralyze Dozens of Towns and Businesses at Once (Rt. Fifty) Cybercriminals are zeroing in on the managed service providers that handle computer systems for local governments and medical clinics. |
Helping an Iowa Town Recover from Tornado Through Research, Outreach (HSNW)
Federal Flood Program Takes Years to Complete Home Buyouts (Rt. Fifty) The five years it takes to complete a buyout of homes damaged by floods is too lengthy for many homeowners to endure, a new Natural Defense Resources Council study says.
Florida Seniors Left Vulnerable Because Of Generator Rules (EM GovTech) , thousands of elderly at nursing homes and adult living facilities were at risk in facilities without generators or backup power.
Is The US Ready As Ebola Threatens To Return? (EM GovTech)
State Looks At Disaster Management Model (The Hindu) The State government is looking to put in place a ₹140-crore disaster risk management tool with the help of the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) to reduce the damage caused by floods, as recently witnessed in parts of western Maharashtra.
In the Event of a Killer Asteroid, Volcanic Apocalypse, or Nuclear Holocaust, Mushrooms Could Save Humanity from Extinction (HSNW) Tthe new book, End Times, posits that in order to survive people would need to adopt sunlight-free agriculture — cultivating mushrooms, rats, and insects.
Training & Events
Webinar: “Smart Land Use Drives Hazard Mitigation” (NHMA) A look at the importance of applying land use solutions to reduce natural hazard risk and hear about one Colorado community’s ongoing land use planning efforts. (See the attached flyer for more details.)
- Date/time: Thursday, Sept 26, 2019 1 PM ET
- For audio, call 571-209-6390; access code: 998 104 450#
Webinar: How Cities Are Paying for Climate Resilience (Security and Sustainability Forum) Join city leaders, authors of the recent report “How Cities Are Paying for Climate Resilience: Playbook 1.0,” and professionals supporting resilience in hundreds of cities around the globe to explore the strategies that reflect the leading-edge of urban climate-resilience financing practices
- Date/time: Thursday, Oct 10, 2019 1:15 PM – 2:45 PM EDT
- conference line 1.866.687.4175 — Attendee passcode: 6210397
- To attend online: https://go.foodshield.org/?1Pyk3ODI
Webinar: “How To: Next Generation Emergency Response (Rt. Fifty) Route Fifty will explore the role information gathering and sharing across both traditional and new platforms such as social media play in emergency response and take a deep-dive into the technologies enabling state and local governments to better prepare for and respond to disasters.
- Date/time: Thurs, Oct 10, 2019 2:00PM – 3:00 PM EDT REGISTER NOW
Fire Prevention Week (FPW): October 6-12
This year’s FPW campaign, “Not Every Hero Wears a Cape. Plan and Practice Your Escape!” works to educate everyone about the small but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe.
Homeland Security Week: November 20-22
To be held in Washington, D.C., Homeland Security Week will bring together 50+ speakers and 350+ executives and attendees from DHS, local law enforcement, military, industry, and academia to discuss the ever changing challenges and threats facing our borders, trade, critical infrastructures, and local law enforcement.
2019 National Disaster Resilience Conference November 20-22, 2019, Clearwater Beach, FL Keynote presentations, discussion panels, and spotlight topics will focus on the latest in science, policy, and practice to create more resilient buildings and disaster-resilient communities in the face of earthquakes, floods and natural disasters.
2019 Water Infrastructure Conference: October 20-23 the American Water Works Association’s (AWWA) 2019 Water Infrastructure Conference in St. Louis, MO, October 20-23, 2019.
Resources
FEMA releases 2018 survey results on preparedness (IAEM) Every year, FEMA surveys the American public to assess how the culture of personal disaster preparedness and resilience has changed over time. The 2018 National Household Survey (NHS) survey includes both a nationally representative sample and hazard-specific oversamples, including tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes and urban events
White paper, Functional Recovery: A Conceptual Framework, (EERI) The Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI) This paper will inform a new NIST-FEMA working group mandated by recent national legislation and others considering new functional recovery standards and practices, including those involved in the implementation of California Assembly Bill 393, if passed. Click here to view or download the paper.
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UDC Disaster Mgt – Recent articles
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The Lessons Florida Has Learned From Past Hurricanes (New York Times) Florida has survived so many major hurricanes that the lessons the state has learned the hard way could fill a textbook for disaster preparation and response.
Chem-Bio Defense Office Reorganizes to Take on New Threats (National Defense) The Pentagon’s joint program executive office for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense — which is tasked with protecting the military from some of the world’s most dangerous pathogens and nerve agents — is emerging from a major reorganization that officials believe will better position it to meet new threats.
Designing city parks to support disaster resilience (Sustainability Times) Research conducted through the University of Guelph, University of Alberta, and Texas A&M find that city parks serve as community hubs in a time of crisis, and they should be integrated into a systemic approach when planning for earthquakes and other emergencies.
Hurricane Recovery in the Bahamas: Turning Good Intentions into Good Decisions (RAND) In the weeks that follow, the Bahamas will face crucial choices that will shape its recovery. From other disasters, we’ve learned that well-intentioned early reactions can harm vulnerable groups such as the poor or elderly in the short term—and perpetuate or worsen pre-existing inequities in the long run.
Study reveals links between extreme weather events and poor mental health (University of York) People whose homes are damaged by storms or flooding are significantly more likely to experience mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, according to new research out of the UK.
As Disasters Multiply, Billions in Recovery Funds Go Unspent (NYT) Provides perspectives on the Federal, state, and local challenges that delay recovery following disasters.
Training & Professional Development
Webinar: Youth Can Help with Preparedness Join FEMA this National Preparedness Month (NPM) for a webinar on youth preparedness. Youth preparedness is a key theme for NPM this year. This webinar will feature FEMA experts and a member of the Youth Preparedness Council (YPC). They will discuss the needs of children and families before, during, and after disasters. They will also talk about how YPCs can improve community resilience. Finally, they will share new programs and tools for kids launched this year.
The webinar will be Tuesday, September 24, 12:00-1:00 PM EDT. Learn more and register here.
Key Resources
DHS OIG Report Issued: FEMA’s Longstanding IT Deficiencies Hindered 2017 Response and Recovery Operations (OIG-19-58) This report underscores what many teams have been hearing about response and recovery challenges with information sharing and workarounds for programs that rely on key FEMA IT systems. This is likely an important read for many ongoing (and future) engagements, and can be found in the EM CoP resources.
Coach John #1
First blog post
This is the post excerpt.
The purpose of this blog is to provide myself a platform for retaining information, ideas, etc.*, mainly in the areas we shall refer to as:
Professor Vocino: Adjunct Professor, University of the District of Columbia, Washington, D.C. (2015 to present). Expertise: disaster management, U.S. emergency preparedness and disaster resilience.;
Coach John: Assistant (volunteer) Coach, Eastern HS, Washington, D.C. / Principal: Red/White/Blue-HardBall (Baseball, Slo-pitch, Fastpitch Softball) program –
*Included but not limited to: observations, insights, factiods, epiphanies, bad ideas, unfinished thoughts, sniglets, incomplete sentences, fuzzy reminiscences of what i learned in college – that i didn’t recall ever paying attention to before– deconstructed concepts, personal revisionist histories, lists of what i want to be when i grow up, hopeless fears and fearless hopes. )
From Brassville to... (working title) 