Stephen
I wanted to start this month's newsletter off by welcoming everyone to
hurricane season, but since I'm a day late, I should probably apologize
instead. Sorry folks, I got caught up with way to much to do last
week. I have some new information from SRM Associates for you
this month. First, we are going to be releasing Keeping Our
Chemical Facilities Safe in both hardback and soft cover. Stay
tuned for more info. Second, I've been added to the Military
Writers community. Please check out their website at: www.military-writers.com,
and come over to see my stuff at: www.military-writers.com/navy/stephen_melvin.html.
I've been doing quite a bit of professional reading lately.
First, I'm taking some courses at National Defense University and
education always gets my thinking juices flowing, but I also enjoy
understanding more about the problems that we're facing and the best
solutions for solving them. I've read an interesting article on
"wicked problems." These are problems that are outside the scope
of a single business or agency (such as emergency response or
infrastructure security), have moving targets, will never be completely
solved, and every time you get a handle on them, your understanding
actually changes the problem. Since we as professionals (or even
as concerned citizens who want to make sure that our money is being
spent well) have a responsibility to learn about these things, please
allow me to recommend a book I recently read: Megacommunities.
It suggests a possible solution for addressing these types of problems,
and is essentially what we've been trying to do for quite a while with
Local Emergency Planning Committees, Community Awareness and Emergency
Response Groups, and even the Emergency Response Network of the Inland
Empire (ERNIE). I'd also like to point you all at the Chemical
Security Blog Website (http://chemical-facility-security-news.blogspot.com/)
There's a wealth of good information available.
Thank you to all of those who have shared their good wishes towards our
adoption goals. We've got about 10 weeks to complete all of the
required paperwork, and then we expect a 6-18 month waiting
period. I'll have more info next month, but until then, if you
hear of anyone interested in placing baby for adoption, please let us
know. Thanks!
Have a good month, board your windows (in Florida) stay dry, stay safe,
and we'll see you next month!
-Stephen
Stephen is taking care of the editing until
we can find a new editor. If any of you are interested, please
contact him at: stephen.melvin@oursafetowns.com.
CSB Launches Redesigned Agency Website and Releases
New Video
(Washington, DC, May 26, 2009 – The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB)
today unveiled a redesigned website, www.csb.gov
that includes
imbedded flash videos, a photo gallery, and a new accident news feed.
Scene from T2 explosion and fire in Jacksonville, Florida
The redesigned home page features a newly released 14-minute video,
“About the CSB,” describing the agency’s investigations,
recommendations, and outreach programs. The new video includes
interviews with CSB Chairman John Bresland, CSB managers and staff, and
outside stakeholders together with footage of chemical accidents,
investigative activities, and hearings.
The new website provides easier access to investigation information,
including the ability to download high-resolution photos from CSB
investigations, and an improved search capability. The CSB’s widely
viewed safety videos and safety messages are embedded throughout the
site.
Read
More
Aloha/Marplot:
(Courtesy of Lloyd Bokman at NASTTPO)
Dear CAMEO Community Members,
New versions of ALOHA and MARPLOT are available at
http://www.epa.gov/emergencies/content/cameo/request.htm.
ALOHA 5.4.1.2
* Fixed nitric acid solution bug.
* Updated reactivity and carcinogenic warnings.
MARPLOT 4.0.1
* Added ability to enter proxy settings so that users who connect to
the Internet through a proxy server can use MARPLOT's Internet-based
functions.
* Added FEMA Flood Hazard Zones to the Topo layer group.
* Fixed bug so that projected shapefiles can be imported as overlay
objects.
* Fixed bug to allow download of Tarrant County, TX street map.
If you've already upgraded to MARPLOT 4.0, you should download and run
the
MARPLOT 4.0.1 upgrade tool to install the new fixes to your program. You
won't have to reload any of your data or layers.
If you're using using a version of MARPLOT prior to 4.0, then you should
download the new MARPLOT 4.0.1 installer and follow the instructions in
the
guidance document (provided on the download page) to ensure that you
don't
lose your current maps and data.
Regards,
The CAMEO Team at EPA and NOAA
From Costa Mesa, CA CERT:
Don't forget our
mission for JUNE! Are You Prepared Campaign? We have given our program
the challenge to reach 5000 NEW people (new meaning people you have
never reached out to before) with messages of preparedness and
information about CERT programs. Remember that CERT is county wide and
new classes begin all the time. Many cities are planning for the fall.
So how can you get involved? We need you to talk, email, "twitter",
Facebook, chat and share with people in your workplace, service
organization, school, church and/or neighborhood the message of
preparedness and CERT. Register your activities on the form attached
and return to me by June 30. We will present our "total contacts"
number" to the City Council in July. SUPPORT giving back to your
community, friends, co-workers and neighbors the knowledge received
from the CERT program. So CAN WE DO IT?????? Great information
can be found on www.ready.gov or www.fema.gov.
Site Security Plan Tool from DHS
DHS has released new Information about about their Site Security Plan
Tool. The information is available at: http://www.dhs.gov/xprevprot/programs/gc_1169501486179.shtm
Registration is now open to join the National
Preparedness Month 2009 Coalition:
National Preparedness Month is celebrated each September to encourage
Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their
homes, businesses and communities. This year, National Preparedness
Month will focus on changing perceptions about emergency preparedness
and helping Americans understand what it truly means to be Ready.
National Preparedness Month Coalition membership is free of charge and
open to all public and private sector organizations. By joining the
Coalition your organization would agree to promote emergency
preparedness during September. Once you register you will receive
access to the National Preparedness Month Web site, where you can find
a toolkit full of templates, resources and tips to assist you with
promoting emergency preparedness. You will also find a National
Preparedness Month calendar where you can post your events and see what
other organizations are doing in your community. In addition, can
share your success stories and read about the successes of
others.
Groups can register to become a National Preparedness Month Coalition
Member by visiting http://ready.adcouncil.org.
To the ERNIE Group in SoCal:
As result of the ERNIE elections held for the Vice Chair and Secretary
posts, Bob Frusher from the Jurupa Community Services District will be
assisting Gary Sturdivan with the meeting agendas, ERNIE notices and
announcements. Joining him in this effort will be Nicole Adame (also
with the Jurupa Community Services District.) If you have any
items for the ERNIE meeting Agendas or announcements that you would
like to distribute to the Ernie Group, please E-mail him at bfrusher@jcsd.us and please
CC. Nicole at nadame@jcsd.us, Gary
Sturdivan (ERNIE Coordinator) at gsturdivan@eastvalley.org
and Frank Salazar (Vice Chair) at salazar_fr@sbcitywater.org.
As usual please contact Gary Sturdivan or the designated ERNIE
Coordinator with all other matters or, if you need to activate ERNIE
for any reason.
From Ron Olguin at CA Office of Emergency Services:
I have excellent news. The U.S.D.OT. has agreed to fund the HMEP
Grant at the same levels as last year. Please sent this
e-mail to the local government in your LEPC Regions.
Available is the Hazardous Material Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) Grant
Guide which I updated May 2009 and several other word documents.
The U.S.D.OT. and CalEMA would like to have the Local Government
in California to update their Area Plans as a first
priority. Area Plans are required to be updated every three
years. Please do not apply for a HMEPGrant is your Area Plan is
less than three years. After the Area Plan is completed - other
projects are available - see HMEP Grant Guide.
Note: All project must be HazMat and Transportation related - No
exception (per U.S.D.O.T). No HMEP funds can be used
for; Overtime or Call Backs, Equipment or buying Software other
than Cameo - No exceptions (per U.S.D.OT.). Must be a Local
Government Agency to apply for this grant. Grant timelines are
located on page 10 of the HMEP Grant Guide.
New HMEP Grant Check off list: Reference pages 18 thru 31 (only)
1. All application must be forward to the Local Emergency
Planning Committee (LEPC) Chair. After the LEPC/Chair have
reviewed/approved the project the Chair must forward the Application to
the CalEMA Regional Staff person (see word document below - HMEP LEPCs
& Staff dated March 16, 2009. Local Governments must not
forward their application to the Grant Administrator, they will be
returned to the local government to follow protocol.
2. Local Governments must use the grant guide.
3. CalEMA is requesting the application be typed and not hand
written.
4. The following pages are Mandatory - pages 19,21,23,24,25 and
28,29, 30, and 31. Incomplete applications will be returned to
the local government for correction.
5. Page 23 the Project Narrative must be completely outlined, use
additional paper if needed. The Project Narrative must be concise
to justify the project.
6. Page 24 the Work Schedule and Deliverable must be fully
completed to identify the project activities, tasks and deliverables.
7. Page 25 the Budget Sheet must be fully completed.
8. LEPC Chairs, please review the check off list - to ensure all the
documents are completed.
ALL APPLICATIONS ARE DUE TO THE GRANT ADMINISTRATOR- 15 AUGUST 2009
If you have any questions, I can be reached at (916) 845-8765.
-Ron
Administrator W. Craig Fugate's First Official Day at
FEMA Message:
I wanted to take the opportunity on my first official day at FEMA to
introduce myself and to tell you how happy I am to be the new FEMA
Administrator and part of the FEMA team. I know from first hand
experience what a great agency FEMA is and what a dedicated and
professional workforce I will be working with. In the coming weeks we
will be announcing new senior leadership as soon as they come on board,
and I know that we will have an exceptionally strong team.
In my discussions with Secretary Napolitano it is clearly evident that
there is a new emphasis on the importance of emergency management in
the Department. The Secretary is committed to building strong
relationships with all of our stakeholders. I couldn't agree more that
the core of our success lies in the relationships we build with our
state, local and tribal partners, with the private sector, and with the
public itself
We still have many challenges in front of us and, in emergency
management, we always will, but I want all of you to be more creative
and pro-active in your solutions to meeting those challenges. I am
fully confident that we can develop a culture of preparedness in this
country, that we can find answers to difficult issues, and that we can
successfully carry out the critical response and recovery mission the
nation expects from us.
I want to personally thank Nancy Ward for her service as Acting
Administrator. Her outstanding leadership and direction has put FEMA on
the right path; Nancy was instrumental in making that happen, and will
continue to be a key advisor to me as she re-assumes her role as the
Region IX Administrator.
So again, I just want to say how happy I am to be a part of the FEMA
team and I look forward to getting to know and working with each and
every one of you. Together we can make a difference in helping those
that look to us for assistance in their time of greatest need.
Recent
Events
U.S.
Government YouTube Channel Launches
USA.gov has launched
the official U.S. Government Channel on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/USGovernment),
featuring more than 200 videos from 25 agencies. USA.gov has also updated its presence on
Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/USAgov)
and is seeing a rapidly growing number of followers on Twitter (http://twitter.com/USAgov).
USA.gov is using new media to encourage public participation in
government and improve the sharing of information and services.
Bayer
Aspirin Crystals Mass Mailing
Bayer Aspirin Crystals Mass Mailing: At 1722 hours on May
22, the Boston Intelligence Center (BRIC) reported via email that
between May 20th and May 29th, 2009 there will be a nationwide mass
mailing of 178,000 envelopes from the Bayer Aspirin Company.
Approximately 33,561 of these envelopes will contain a sample of Bayer
Aspirin Crystals, which is a white powder. Area police departments,
EMT's, and hospitals should be aware of these mailings and the
potential to present as "white powder" calls. In addition, private
sector mailrooms should be aware that these envelopes may be coming
through their respective facilities. N2C2 will provide updates as
warranted.
Upcoming
Events
10 Jun 2009,
California LEPC Region I:
The next California
LEPC Region 1 AA Subcommittee meeting will be on Wednesday, June 10,
2009 at 9:30 a.m. at Frank Hotchkin Training Center in the City of Los
Angeles. Mary Wesling from USEPA will be the guest speaker. For further
info, please contact Teresa J. Quiaoit from LA County Fire.
If you have any agenda item to add for discussion, please e-mail it to
Teresa J. Quiaoit (TQuiaoit@fire.lacounty.gov)
by June 5.
25 June 2009
Emergency Water Quality Sampling Kits for Unknown Drinking Water
Contamination Incidents
California Department
of Public Health Drinking Water Program in Association with Jurupa
Community Services District Presents: Emergency Water Quality Sampling
Kits for Unknown Drinking Water Contamination Incidents
Presented by: Joseph Crisologo, Senior Homeland Security Engineer
(CDPH-So. Cal.)
JURUPA COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT
11201 Harrel Street
Mira Loma, CA 91752
8:00am to 11:00pm
Maximum limit of 30 students per class session. If more than 30
students would like to attend, we can conduct a 2nd class from 12:30pm
to 3:30pm
Please reserve by: Thursday, June 15th
bfrusher@jcsd.us
nadame@jcsd.us
***There is no fee for this class ***
17 July
2009, California Water Utilities:
The FIRST annual
Southern Region VI meeting will be held July 17 from 9 a.m. to 3
p.m.
This is an opportunity to meet other Southern Region VI utilities,
learn about the CalWARN Operational Plan and Resource Typing, and
participate in a tabletop exercise that will demonstrate how to use the
CalWARN Operational Plan.
Lorrie Teates (CalWARN Southern Region VI Vice-Chair) from the San
Diego County Water Authority and Gary Sturdivan (CalWARN Southern
Region VI Chair) from Eastern Municipal Water District look forward to
meeting you in July. If you are interested, please RSVP to
lteates@sdcwa.org.
12-14 Aug
2009, 3rd ANNUAL HAZUS CONFERENCE: Connecting the Pieces for
Mitigation
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA
Who Should Attend: New, Experienced and Interested Users of
HAZUS-MH; First Responders, Local Government Decision Makers, Planners
and GIS Specialists.
Call for Speakers: Suggested topics include: The role of HAZUS in risk
identification and communication, HAZUS application in estimation and
mitigation planning, HAZUS and human-caused hazards, and innovative
approaches to decision making.
The deadline for submission of abstracts is April 15, 2009. To
submit an abstract, please e-mail Beth Miller Howser at HAZUSuser@
pbsj.com with the subject line:
HAZUS Speaker Proposal and provide the following information:
* Proposed name of session
* Session format (presentation, workshop, panel discussion, etc.) *
Session description * Contact information (including name, title,
organization, phone number and e-mail)
For more information, go to http://www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/hazus/hz_news.shtm
We are releasing Keeping Our Chemical
Facilities Safe in both soft and hardcover. The regulatory part
is a a bit out of date as there are constant updates by DHS, but the
process of completing a Security Vulnerability Assessment and Site
Security Plan are still valid.
If you are
interested in working with us directly to make your community,
business, or agency safer, please contact us at: info@oursafetowns.com.
See you next month!
Safety/Security Professional Looking
Another of our colleagues is looking to find a new position. If
you're thinking of moving and want to help your organization find a
replacement, or if you want some help with the tasks on your plate and
are looking to pick up a senior person, let me know and I'll put him in
touch with you. His experience includes: Administering a
comprehensive self-insured risk management program. Identifying and
evaluating potential risk exposures; implementing best alternatives for
dealing with risk. Developing, implementing and directing all
safety programs for 230 employees. Overseeing administration of
workers’ comp, general liability and auto claims. Preparing and
analyzing loss data, reviewing all contracts from a risk perspective.
Responsible for security of 4,000 acres of property and
facilities. He also managed the Emergency Response program
and disaster planning. He has experience in law enforcement and
water utilities.
Hurricane
Season
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- As Hurricane
Season 2009 begins today, the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) continues to work with our state, local, and federal partners to
increase preparedness and coordinate response and recovery in the case
of a hurricane or disaster. FEMA also urges Americans to use the annual
start of hurricane season as a reminder to assess your personal
readiness to respond to emergencies.
For more information, go to: http://www.fema.gov/hazard/hurricane/hu_season09.shtm
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