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Home > Monthly Updates > May 2008 Monthly Update
Monthly Updates - May 2008In This Issue
Category of Linkswww.disabilitypreparedness.gov Contact Usdisability.preparedness@dhs.gov ICC Monthly HighlightsFEMA Holds First-Ever Hurricane Awareness DayJust days prior to the start of the 2008 hurricane season, FEMA held its first-ever Hurricane Awareness Day, bringing together partners in the Department of Defense, other federal government agencies, and the non-profit sector who, with FEMA, will be on the front lines should disaster accompany one of the hurricanes predicted this year. The day's theme "Get Serious, Be Prepared" was reinforced at a press conference at which Secretary Chertoff, FEMA Administrator David Paulison, and Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Thad Allen spoke about the need for individuals, families, and businesses to be ready throughout hurricane season which runs June 1 to Dec. 1. At the press briefing, Secretary Chertoff pointed to the recent earthquake in China and cyclone in Burma, both of which have caused mounting deaths and injuries, as evidence that Mother Nature can strike with unprecedented fury at any time and at any location. He and FEMA Administrator Paulison cautioned against complacency since the previous two hurricane seasons have been relatively quiet, and urged all citizens living in hurricane-prone states to make preparations now. During the briefing, the secretary, Paulison, and Allen pointed to the tremendous progress that DHS and the rest of the federal government have made in getting ready for the next hurricane season. They were joined at the briefing by officials from the Department of Defense and American Red Cross, both of which have a role to play in disaster situations under the National Response Framework, a document covering the coordination of effort among all levels of government and non-governmental entities. The press briefing was just one highlight of FEMA's first Hurricane Awareness Day. More than 30 exhibits and demonstrations from DHS, FEMA, the U.S. Coast Guard, Small Business Administration, the Virginia-based Urban Search & Rescue Task Force, U.S. Forest Service, the American Red Cross, the Humane Society, and others demonstrated the progress that has been made over the past several years in preparing for disasters and coordinating response efforts. FEMA has set up a hurricane awareness Web site with more information, which is available at: http://www.fema.gov/hazard/hurricane/hu_season08.shtm. In a related development, Secretary Chertoff earlier in the week spoke at a White House-sponsored Compassion in Action roundtable that discussed the role of faith-based and community organizations in building resilient communities in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. The secretary said, "We have tremendous capabilities at every level — federal, state, local, and private sector — and faith-based and community organizations bring tremendous resources and personnel to the table. The challenge is to more effectively coordinate them to help people in need." The secretary's entire prepared remarks for this event are available in PDF (6 pg, 51 K). format. ICC Monthly UpdatesUS Department of Homeland SecurityOffice for Civil Rights and Civil LibertiesWhite House Conference on Faith-Based and Community Initiatives On May 29, 2008, CRCL's Policy Advisor Margaret Schaefer participated as a panelist at the White House Conference on Faith-Based and Community Initiatives held in New Orleans, Louisiana. The conference focused on the unique partnerships between Faith-Based and Community Organizations and federal, state and local governments; ways that governments have leveraged the various Faith-Based and Community Organizations expertise to help prepare, responds and recover from disaster; and, strategies for strengthening and expanding effective partnership between government and nonprofit organizations to address human need. Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC) on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities Meetings On May 14, 2008 CRCL on behalf of the Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC) on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities convened a meeting with nongovernmental stakeholders. The primary agenda item was a presentation by Ms. Kaee Ross, a Presidential Fellow with the U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Ms. Ross presented on a Disaster Case Management Pilot Project that is being developed collaboratively between HHS and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This project aims to provide a single point of contact for disaster assistance applicants and create a coordinated system to help applicants obtain services in a streamlined manner. Meeting participants received update from Cindy Daniel, the FEMA Disability Coordinator and likewise provided updates on relevant accomplishments, projects, and upcoming events that are being led by their respective organizations. On May 20, 2008, CRCL on behalf of the ICC convened a meeting of the ICC Points of Contact. The highlight of the meeting was a presentation by David Applegate, Ph.D. Dr. Applegate is a Senior Science Advisor for Earthquake & Geologic Hazards, United States Geological Survey (USGS). Dr. Applegate provided a very informative presentation on the topic Earthquake Risk Reduction: Meeting the Grand Challenges. Key information was provided on the following topics:
A question and answer session followed the informative presentation. CRCL Provides Technical Assistance to Developmental Disabilities Council On May 14-15, CRCL staff participated in emergency preparedness planning meetings hosted by the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCDD). The NCDD is launching a two pronged initiative on this topic. First, NCDD is collaborating with other North Carolina state offices to model workplace preparedness practices that are fully inclusive of state employees and visitors with disabilities. Second, NCDD is partnering with its Disability and Elderly Emergency Management Task Force and community advocates to foster state and local planning that incorporates disability-related considerations. CRCL made two presentations to state and community leaders and shared the latest special needs planning considerations that are emerging from the development of new DHS/FEMA guidance to emergency managers. CRCL has been invited to provide ongoing technical assistance to the NCDD and its partners as the initiative unfolds statewide. Ready.gov Join the Ready Campaign for National Preparedness Month Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Ready Campaign with support from Coalition Members across the nation, National Preparedness Month (NPM) is held each September to increase public awareness about emergency preparedness. This year, Ready and its DHS partner Citizen Corps are focusing the month around taking important preparedness steps including – Get a Kit; Make a Plan; Be Informed; and Get Involved. During the month, Americans are encouraged to participate by hosting activities and initiatives. In 2007, more than 1800 organizations joined the Ready Campaign as Coalition Members, making it the most successful year to date. The Campaign hopes you will join them for NPM's fifth year. Register now at http://ready.adcouncil.org to be part of the 2008 NPM Coalition. To learn more about the Campaign, visit www.ready.gov. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact the Ready Campaign at NPM@dhs.gov. Minor League Baseball Supports Preparedness Outreach This year marks the fifth year that the Minor League Baseball is partnering with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Ready Campaign and Citizen Corps to spread the emergency preparedness message to local communities. For the 2007 season, more than 40 teams educated fans during designated "Ready Nights" on how they can better prepare themselves, their families, businesses, and communities for an emergency. Teams worked with local Citizen Corps, Boy Scout Councils and other local organizations to distribute literature at games, running Ready public service advertisements during inning breaks and placing free ads in their team's program. To learn more about the Ready Campaign, please visit www.ready.gov Department of TransportationResearch Report Released on State Public TransportationThe report, National Cooperative Highway Research Program Research Results Digest #326: State Public Transportation Division Involvement in State Emergency Planning, Response, and Recovery, published in May 2008, describes the extent to which the public transit divisions within state departments of transportation (DOTs) are involved in emergency preparedness, response, and recovery activities. The report notes that a key role for public transportation may involve providing evacuation for persons with special needs and also notes that in order to ensure public transportation is integrated into the emergency management process, both the public transportation division of the State DOT and the transit agencies must be integrated into the emergency planning process at the local and state level. The report finds that the involvement of State DOT public transit divisions in emergency preparedness, response, and recovery varies from State to State. The report can be found at http://trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=9047. Recently Released ResourcesHealth Disasters and Risk ISDR-Biblio 3: Health, Disasters and Risk supports the theme of the 2008-2009 World Disaster Reduction Campaign: Hospitals Safe from Disasters, Reduce Risk, Protect Health Facilities, Save Lives. The report contains literature on health and disaster risk; disaster and emergency management; health facilities and services; environmental impact on health; climate change effects on health; mental health; mitigation and preparedness; public health; water and sanitation; and gender and health. The report can be found at http://www.unisdr.org/. Building Disaster Resilient Communities The United Nation International Strategy for Disaster Reducation (UNISDR) published Building Disaster Resistant Communities: Good Practices & Lessons Learned. This publication is the result of joint efforts of the emerging Global Network of NGOs for disaster risk reduction. The publication showcases the essential roles played by NGOs in addressing disaster risks at the local community level and is aimed to stimulate more interest in the subject from donors, policy makers and other stakeholders. The report can be found at http://www.unisdr.org/eng/about_isdr/isdr-publications/06-ngos-good-practices/ngos-good-practices.pdf. Upcoming EventsJune 1-4, 2008 June 2-3, 2008 June 2-5, 2008 June 2-6, 2008 June 2-6, 2008 June 15-18, 2008 June 18, 2008 Annual Hazards Research and Applications Workshop August 4-8, 2008 November 15-20, 2008 Join the ICC Listserv!The Interagency Coordinating Council on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities (ICC) has created a listserv. Please join our listserv to receive the ICC's Monthly Updates and Quarterly Newsletter, Emergency Preparedness NOW, and access other information pertinent to emergency preparedness and individuals with disabilities. To join please visit http://listserv.access.gpo.gov/archives/icc-dispreppubs-l.html or go to http://listserv.access.gpo.gov/ and click "Online Mailing List Archives," then select "ICC-DISPREPPUBS-L" and complete the subscription form. For more information about the ICC please visit www.disabilitypreparedness.gov. About the Interagency Coordinating Council on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with DisabilitiesThe Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties oversees the implementation of Executive Order 13347, Individuals with Disabilities in Emergency Preparedness, which was signed by President Bush in July 2004. This Executive Order is designed to ensure the safety and security of individuals with disabilities in all-hazard emergency and disaster situations. To this end, the Executive Order created an Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC) on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities. The ICC is comprised of senior leadership from more than 20 Federal departments and agencies. Its mission is to ensure that people with disabilities and their specific needs are fully integrated into all aspects of our nation's emergency management system; including mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. The Secretary of Homeland Security is the Chair of the ICC, and he has delegated that role to Mr. Daniel Sutherland, the DHS Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. The Council organizes its activities around nine Focus Areas:
For more information about the ICC please visit http://www.disabilitypreparedness.gov. |
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