US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Emergency Preparedness Specialist Virtual Information Session, Oct 7

The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC) is seeking candidates to fill several Emergency Preparedness (EP) Specialist positions.  Are you interested in supporting this important work? Register below for more information.

We offer:

• Important work that will be intellectually challenging and rewarding
• Opportunities to participate in consequential decisions that impact our nation’s energy security
• A culture of respect, collaboration, empowerment and support
• Training to get you up to speed and foster your growth
• Attractive compensation and benefits
• Flexible work schedules and a work-life balance that lets you thrive at home and at work

If you are interested in learning more about these positions, please join us for a webinar on Friday, October 7, 2022 at 11:30 am – 1:00 pm (EDT).  During the webinar USNRC staff will provide an overview of our agency and culture, and then currently serving EP Specialists will provide examples of the type of work you can expect in these roles.

Register at: https://teams.microsoft.com/registration/dRTQ6LXDakOgZV3vTGT1Lg,JXtmZfwrrEehp6n3uHTsBQ,2tl-CDqXjkW6K2OXM5U8Jg,SVkT25Y39EWMmzdcLV1PBQ,yVAwjtd_xECRred0uv9z8Q,8pA3PLn86UScP9hIBOaacg?mode=read&tenantId=e8d01475-c3b5-436a-a065-5def4c64f52e&webinarRing=gcc 

US Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Responding to Hurricane Ian

As Hurricane Ian continues to devastate and disrupt the southeastern U.S., Florida received the brunt of the storm as a Category 3 major hurricane while the Carolinas and Georgia contended with effects as a Category 1 storm. Regardless of category, this system destroyed lives and livelihoods in its path. 

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation has been in coordination with the affected states, federal government, and many companies supporting the needs of victims of this disaster, in addition to businesses working to stabilize their operations, take care of their employees, and contribute to the immediate response and recovery efforts.

How You Can Help

There are many ways to assist those in need – two of the best ways are to donate funds or time.

For cash donations or volunteer opportunities, we’ve compiled a list of organizations responding to the most immediate needs that you might consider supporting. You can find that list here.

We have also activated our corporate aid tracker that tells the story of how American businesses of all sizes are supporting disaster operations. If your company would like to be listed, please complete this input form.

Our team will be hosting a coordination call in the coming days to provide the latest updates on the current situation and how the private sector can support the recovery. Please stay tuned for additional details.

Supporting the Small Business Community

The U.S. Chamber Foundation has a number of resources to help small businesses recover from disasters as quickly as possible. If your business has been impacted by Hurricane Ian or you know of a business who needs assistance, please find our list of available resources here.

For any questions about our response efforts or future engagement opportunities, please reach out to our team at resilience@uschamber.com.

Best,
Rob

Rob Glenn
Vice President, Global Resilience
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

Retired Fl Emergency Management Director David Halstead Passes Away

It is with great sadness we report the passing of Dave Halstead, Retired Florida Emergency Management Director, on Saturday, September 17, 2022.

Besides serving as the Emergency Management Director Mr. Halstead became a member of the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association in 1993 and held the position of Foundation Trustee from 2004-2009. He also served on multiple committees and sections, including Statewide Emergency Response and the Domestic Security Committees. In 1997, he was presented with the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association’s Distinguished Service Award.

David Halstead Celebration of Life:

Date: Saturday, October 1, 2022

Time: 10:00 am

Location: Salty Church, 221 Vining Ct., Ormond Beach, Fl. 32176

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to:

Stuart F. Meter Hospice House, 1–43 Memorial Medical Pkwy, Palm Coast, FL 32164 (386) 586-4600

FEMA Voluntary Organization Information System Engagement Strategic Partner Call, Oct 4

Tuesday, Oct 4 1pm

Please join FEMA as they focus discussions on current operations, focused around the impact of Hurricane Ian in the Southeastern U.S., Hurricane Fiona on Puerto Rico and Typhoon Merbok in Alaska.  

This is a special iteration of the VOISE Call series.  As operation tempo increases, we will increase these calls to provide our non-profit partners with the most up to date information.

Register at: https://fema.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItcOqtqD4pH7Nyyxzizu-yLJulWWK2fkc

IAEM releases Certification Guidebook

A Certification Guidebook has been created as a companion to the online application. AEM/CEM/Upgrade candidates should reference the document for details and tips for each certification requirement section. Find it on the IAEM Certification Resource Center website and let us know if you find it helpful.

Syria Waits Website

‘Syria waits’ meets families of Syria’s forcibly disappeared as they wait with uncertainty for answers about their loved ones and campaign with extraordinary courage.

https://syriawaits.org/?lang=en

UNDRR Private Sector Preparedness for Future Disaster- Video

The UN Disaster Risk Reduction Office has recently released a video on how companies can support preparedness for future disasters.  This video is available at:

• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Facebook

Local Emergency Planning Committees – An Overview on Spill Reporting and Enhanced Coordination Webinar, Sept 28

CISA and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have partnered to host a webinar focused on Local Emergency Planning Committees.

Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) are community-based organizations that assist in preparing for emergencies by conducting hazard identification, vulnerability analysis, and risk assessment activities within their jurisdictions. Under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), LEPCs are required to develop an emergency response plan based on the volumes and types of chemicals found in, or transported through, their communities. Plans are developed by LEPCs with local government and community stakeholder participation. There is one LEPC for each of the more than 3,000 designated local emergency planning districts.

The webinar will discuss the benefits and requirements associated with a Risk Management Program (RMP), best practices for responding to a chemical release, key recommendations for accident prevention, and actions to enhance emergency response coordination.

This webinar is part of CISA’s Emergency Services Sector Resilience Development Webinar Series (ESS – RDWS). This series is facilitated by the Emergency Services Sector Management Team. It is a quarterly webinar series that focuses on topics of interest to ESS stakeholders.

The target audience for this webinar series is homeland security, public safety, emergency management and emergency response personnel.

The webinar is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022, at 1 p.m. EDT. Advanced registration is not required. Go to share.dhs.gov/essandepawebinar/ to join the webinar at the scheduled time.

For more information or to seek additional help, contact the Emergency Services Sector Management Team at EmergencyServicesSector@cisa.dhs.gov.

FEMA and the Salvation Army Sign Agreement for Disaster Cooperation

On Aug. 26, leaders of FEMA and The Salvation Army singed a new memorandum outlining how the organizations will cooperate to carry out disaster preparedness, response, recovery and other emergency management operations.

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and The Salvation Army’s National Commander Kenneth Hodder signed the memorandum of agreement as the latest formalization of the longstanding partnership between the organizations.

“When helping people before, during and after a disaster, we cannot do it alone.  As we continue to face the impacts of climate change and related extreme weather events, the most powerful resources we have are our partners, and this includes the dedicated team over at the Salvation Army,” said Administrator Deanne Criswell.  “This memorandum of understanding between FEMA and the Salvation Army underscores the importance of this partnership and our unyielding commitment to better serve our communities.”

The first memorandum between the two organizations was signed in 1980. This update outlines how the two agencies will streamline information sharing to ensure better coordination; leverage FEMA’s authority to support private non-profit organizations; and expand The Salvation Army’s support in the National Response Coordination Center.

The Salvation Army and FEMA have collaborated to support disaster response and recovery efforts during major events such as Hurricane Andrew in 1992, the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and COVID-19. Additionally, the two organizations have also worked together for various other major projects including the development and implementation of federal response plans, including the National Response Framework. The framework is a scalable, flexible and adaptable guide that aligns key roles and responsibilities across the nation during an incident, such as a major disaster.

FEMA Establishes Revolving Loan Fund

FEMA is launching a notice of intent to fund resilience projects that will make communities safer from natural hazards.

The Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund program will make no less than $50 million available in capitalization grants to fund low-interest loans to local governments. These loans will allow jurisdictions to reduce vulnerability to natural disasters, foster greater community resilience and reduce disaster suffering.

FEMA expects to publish the program funding opportunity before the end of the calendar year and receive applications through spring 2023.

Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 signed by President Biden in 2021, also commonly known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Congress appropriated $500 million for the program opportunity, or $100 million per year, through 2026.

FEMA is launching the funding in its first year to increase public understanding and learn from participating communities about how to enhance the program in future iterations.

These capitalization grants complement FEMA’s other hazard mitigation grant programs to empower communities to better withstand a worsening climate.

Funds can be used for hazard mitigation projects that reduce disaster risks for homeowners, businesses, nonprofit organizations and communities. Other uses of loans include satisfying a local government’s non-federal cost-share match for FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance programs, update building codes adoption and enforcement, make zoning and land use changes.

FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance helps communities increase resilience to extreme heat waves, drought, wildfires, flood and hurricanes by funding transformational projects that reduce risk to multiple hazards, support adaptation to future conditions and lessen the impact of all disasters on our nations most underserved residents and disadvantaged communities. 

The agency will hold a series of listening sessions with emergency management agencies and state governments. The sessions will gauge interest in this opportunity, identify challenges or barriers to implementing and managing a revolving loan fund and learn and successes from states that currently have revolving loan funds.