PO Box 6873 - Alexandria, VA 22306 - (951) 764-3626
http://www.oursafetowns.com/

• Welcome to the September/October 2011 Issue

• From the Editor's Desk

• Upcoming Events

• Emergency Management Sector

• Current Events

• Safety Tips (From FEMA)

So this is Lacey's last month doing our newsletter. You'll notice that this is a combined September/October newsletter, and the reason for that is not because there have been less initiatives, disasters, etc. in the world. It's simply because we have been busier spending time on other things. Lacey has graduated and is moving on to full time employment elsewhere. I have recently accepted a full time position with the Department of Defense. Since I've got a new position which is taking up a significant amount of time, and a new son, plus I've been selected for Commander in the reserves, my time is increasingly being taken up by other demands. As a result, I'm considering whether or not to continue this newsletter. I've had a lot of people compliment us on it and we've appreciated putting out safety and security information for the past several years, but in all honesty, we haven't sold many copies of our books and we haven't been getting a ton of consulting work from our newsletters, so I can only assume based on folks voting with their dollars, that our newsletters aren't where I need to be spending my time. If you'd like us to continue this newsletter, please let me know that there is enough demand to make it worthwhile, and how often you'd like to see it. Otherwise, I'll be moving on to other projects. If you'd like to see one of my other projects (15 years in the making), you can see the video that we put together of my "Storybook Version of Beowulf”. You can see it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKp5kTUFl1k. All my best.

Stay safe!

-Stephen

Hi everyone,

So this will be my last newsletter, with graduation comes new responsibilities and less time. So let's make this one a double whammy full of great tips for the winter season and how to stay safe during my favorite holiday, Halloween! I've had a great time and learned so much making the newsletter for SRM Associates. This past September I got to put my Emergency Kit to use during the Great San Diego Blackout. I also had the opportunity to get a big thank you from my sister after she was in a car accident and ended up using the auto-safety kit I put together for her.

Stay Safe everyone and if I can give one piece of advise, be prepared!

Lacey Whitaker

FEMA Releases the National Disaster Recovery Framework

The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), along with many other federal partners, has officially released the National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF). The National Disaster Recovery Framework outlines how community recovery is supported and organized on a national level.  It builds on scalable, flexible, and adaptable coordinating structures to align key roles and responsibilities, linking local, State, Tribal and Federal governments, the private sector, voluntary, faith-based and community organizations that all play vital roles in recovery.

Much like the National Response Framework, the National Disaster Recovery Framework identifies recovery support functions that have a designated federal coordinating agency to provide leadership, coordination and oversight to support state, tribal and local communities in their recovery. It contains guidance for developing measures of successful recovery based on the state and community’s recovery objectives, effective decision-making and coordination, and the integration of community recovery planning processes.

As part of the rollout of the National Disaster Recovery Framework, FEMA leadership along with key stakeholders in the National Disaster Recovery Framework development will hold a forum in each of FEMA’s ten regions as well as Washington, DC to discuss the intent and application of the guidance contained therein. Cities and dates will be announced at a later date.

For more information on the National Disaster Recovery Framework, please visit www.fema.gov/recoveryframework.
If you have additional questions, please contact FEMA’s Private Sector Division at FEMA-Private-Sector@dhs.gov.

Surprise! Blackout!

In mid September San Diego County, and much of the surrounding counties, experienced a black out of epic proportions! The power went down in the late afternoon and the only reason anyone noticed was due to the lack of internet access. At first many of my neighbors found this amusing and decided to turn the event into a big party breaking out barbeques and coolers deciding to cook all the meat in their freezers. But as darkness began to fall and SD G&E announced that they expected the lights to stay off for a number of days, people began to realize they weren't prepared for this situation. I sat in my camp chair watching as people made frantic runs to closed grocery stores and search their homes for flash lights or candles. It occurred to me that of the 20 people living in my apartment complex I was the only one with an emergency kit and back up flash lights.

I happily shared what candles and flash lights I had and as I handed out my last box of matches a neighbor of mine, maybe 18-years-old, asked me “How come you have all this stuff? Why were you ready?” At first I was confused by her question and wanted to explain that everyone should have some kind of basic emergency kit at home even if it's just extra water, a couple of cans of food, a flash light and batteries, but then I realized not everyone expects a emergency situation. In reality most people would prefer to live their lives believing that nothing bad would ever happen to them and tend to ignore the made for TV Specials about being prepared. On top of that, many emergencies pop up out of the blue, much like the black out that darkened San Diego for little less than 12-hours, and they catch everyone by surprise.

So in honor of my neighbors innocent inquiry I decided to make a point of posting a number of helpful websites that will help you be prepared for any emergency situation. Even if you decided to ignore the websites, please take this one piece of advise from this little blurb of mine, please always have a flash light, batteries, and a gallon or two of fresh water put aside just in case.

- Lacey Whitaker

American RedCross – Black Out Safety

Ready.gov – Blackouts

Ready.gov- Emergency Kits

Survivalgoods.com – Emergency kits

Halloween Safety
The people at Halloween Safety Tips have put together a fantastic website filled with safety tips for parents and kids that will get you prepared for having a great carefree Halloween whether it be Trick-or-Treating, going to a party, or just dressing up to scare any kids that come to the door! Be sure to check out all their safety trips and enjoy the Holiday! Halloween Safety Guide.

Some great tips to remember:

• Kids will be kids. Explain to kids of all ages the difference between tricks and vandalism

• Never go into a strangers house!

• Always look both ways before crossing the street, especially on dark nights!

• It's always more fun to go with a group, and safer too! Use the buddy system and make sure you leave with everyone you came with.

• If you plan on wearing a mask, make sure it fits well and allows you to breath and see easily.

Safety for the Holiday Season

Safety on the road is a year round concern, but during the Holidays an accident, fatal or just damage to the vehicle, is devestating. Please stay safe on the road this Holiday season, for some useful reminders please check out some tips from CDC's Injury Center on motor vehicle safety that can help you protect yourself, your passengers, and your family and friends. Whether you're headed around town, out of town, or out to celebrate, we wish you a safe holiday season. CDC Road Safety.

Keep yourself and your family healthy!

The CDC has come out with Three Easy Steps to keep you and your family healthy to enjoy all the holidays!

1. Take time to get a flu vaccine.

2. Take everyday preventive actions to stop the spread of germs.

3. Take flu antiviral drugs if your doctor prescribes them.

To check out the full list of CDC tips please visit the CDC – Flu Season Website.

Tip of the Week 10/24/11: Use the Citizen Corps Community Webinar series to educate your staff and interns about all hazards. www.citizencorps.gov/news/webcasts.shtm.

Tip of the Week 10/17/11: Students and emergency management professionals can take free online courses to enhance their preparedness skills. www.training.fema.gov/IS/

Tip of the Week 10/10/11: Share Fire Safety 101 for Colleges and Universities with students, staff and faculty to prepare for a safe semester. www.usfa.fema.gov/citizens/college/.

Tip of the Week 10/3/11: Share cyber security awareness tips with family, friends and employees. www.dhs.gov/files/programs/gc_1158611596104.shtm.

Tip of the Week 9/26/11: Another reason for your business to be a National Preparedness Month coalition member: #4– Show you care. community.fema.gov/connect.ti/READYNPM/requestJoinGroup #NPM

Tip of the Week 9/19/11: Six reasons for your business to be a National Preparedness Month coalition member: #3– Strengthen your community. community.fema.gov/connect.ti/READYNPM/requestJoinGroup #NPM

Tip of the Week 9/12/11: Six reasons for your business to be a National Preparedness Month coalition member: #2 – Remembering 9/11 and the importance of preparedness. http://community.fema.gov/connect.ti/READYNPM/requestJoinGroup #NPM

Tip of the Week 9/6/11: Six reasons for your business to be a National Preparedness Month coalition member: #1- Employee preparedness = business resilience. community.fema.gov/connect.ti/READYNPM/requestJoinGroup #NPM

Tip of the Week 8/29/11: Join the Coalition, inform and prepare your employees for all hazards during National Preparedness Month.
www.ready.gov/america/npm11/index.html

E-mail Stephen