FEMA Region 5’s Post

If you haven't seen it yet, check out our unique disaster preparedness guide for caregivers. Centered around the specific needs of caregivers, this guide covers all the ins and outs of being prepared the best way possible for any natural disaster or community emergency.

Disaster and emergency preparedness was identified by the City of Menlo Park City Council as one of the top goals for the City. Brandon Bond, MS, CBCP, CSM, EMT brings over 25 years of experience in disaster preparedness to Menlo Park to develop, maintain, and implement emergency preparedness plans. Learn more about Brandon and his plans for the City of Menlo Park in this article from The Almanac by Eleanor R. #emergencypreparedness #communityresilience #disasterplanning #menlopark https://lnkd.in/g5ngXXpt

September is National Preparedness Month. This month FEMA, OhioEMA, and others remind, and encourage, us to be ready for man-made or natural disasters or emergencies that could personally affect us, our homes, communities, or businesses. While September is set aside to remind Americans of the need for disaster and emergency preparedness, CMA’s affiliate – COTS, is focused on this effort daily by coordinating Central Ohio’s regional healthcare coalition for trauma, emergency, and disaster preparedness to ensure best outcomes for the ill and injured experiencing a disaster or mass casualty event in central, southeast, and southeast central Ohio. It’s a fact that natural disasters are on the rise (National Safety Council Injury Facts). Let’s take steps, together, to prepare and mitigate loss related to disasters and emergencies in our homes and communities. Preparedness activities to improve response readiness could include:   ▶ Have a game plan. ▶ Learn how to protect yourself and your household. ▶ Run mock drills to reduce fear and losses. For more preparedness tips follow along on Ohio EMA social media Facebook and Twitter accounts. To learn more about preparedness, visit the Ohio Emergency Management Agency and the Ohio Department of Aging. 

🛡️ Ready for the Unexpected? Let Skywater Be Your Emergency Guardian 🛡️ In the realm of business, preparation is key — especially when it comes to protecting your assets from the unforeseen. At Skywater On-Call, we're not just about rapid responses; we're about ensuring you're prepared before disaster strikes. Why wait for the emergency when you can prevent it? Our unique approach combines immediate cleanup services with proactive prevention strategies, ensuring your business is fortified against water damage, mold, storms, and more. 🌀 Comprehensive Emergency Services: Beyond just addressing the aftermath, we offer a suite of services designed to mitigate risks and minimize potential damages. From HEPA grade cleaning to flood restoration, our expertise is your peace of mind. 📋 "Quick Response Plan" Program: Tailored specifically for commercial clients, this program is your blueprint to resilience. We provide emergency planning and loss prevention consultation to streamline the response and recovery process, making sure you're always one step ahead. 🏢 For Commercial Properties: The impact of burst pipes, flooding, or fire can be devastating. Our team specializes in not just restoring your property, but in ensuring minimal business interruption and safeguarding against future disasters. 💡 Let's Talk Prevention and Preparedness: Skywater On-Call is more than just a service provider; we're your partner in emergency preparedness. Whether you're looking to draft a comprehensive emergency plan or need advice on how to protect your business from the elements, our experts are here to help. 🌟 Dedicated to Florida: Serving the Tampa Bay and Orlando area, we're committed to making our community stronger, safer, and always ready. Preparation is the best defense. Contact Skywater On-Call today to learn how we can help your business not just survive, but thrive in the face of emergencies. 📞 Contact us: 877-214-2900 | info@skywateroncall.com #EmergencyPreparedness #DisasterRecovery #BusinessContinuity #SkywaterOnCall #Florida

It may be Disaster Preparedness Month, but we can assure you that we work to be prepared all year long in our Lincoln-Lancaster County Emergency Management Department. Emergency Management Director, Jim Davidsaver, urges all community members to do the following: • Make A Plan: Talk to your friends and family about how you will communicate before, during and after a disaster. Family group chat apps are an effective, efficient communication option. • Build A Kit: Gather supplies that will last for at least three days after a disaster for everyone living in your home. Plan accordingly for the special needs of each person or pet in case you must evacuate quickly. Periodically inspect the contents of your kit and replace any expired items. • Prepare for Disasters: Limit the impacts disasters have on you and your family. Know the risk of disasters in your area and check your insurance coverage. Learn how to make your home stronger and more resilient in the face of storms and other common hazards. Act fast if you receive a local warning or alert. • Teach Youth About Preparedness: Talk to your kids about preparing for emergencies and what to do in case you are separated. Reassure them by providing information about how they can get involved.

Don't waste a good disaster! This past summer and fall we have seen unprecedented Disasters across the Country. Between Wildfires, Floods and Hurricanes, Emergency Management teams and Municipal Administrators have been put to the test. As the dust is still settling on many of these disasters, now is the time to review the response, discuss the successes and the areas of improvement. I have heard on more than one occasion from Emergency Management Professionals this year, "Don't waste a good disaster." Our team has been busy helping multiple regions in Canada doing After Action Reviews (AARs), hosting workshops with responders, provincial emergency management representatives, Mayors, Reeves and Councillors and looking at all elements of the Emergency Operations Centres including mutual aid and provincial aid. We are also reviewing the Crisis Communications and sometimes assisting with the Financial elements of the disasters (DRP). So as many of us await the first snow of the season, we may want to put the disasters of the summer and fall behind us, but please, don't waste the disaster. Learn from it, celebrate the successes with your team, and look for areas of improvement. While we hope it won't happen again, just looking at the last 10 years shows a different story. Let's get prepared! #emergencymanagement #disasterresponse

Rescue Responsibilities of the San Francisco Bay.   Since December 2023, I have requested our fire district to define the total rescue responsibilities for the areas of Belle Haven and East Palo Alto. In the past , 1998, the fire district had major flooding issues in that our area of responsibility. These flooding problems continues . Conerned about the safety of our fire districts residents there, I have requested the dispatch codes and jurisdictions involved in the San Francisco Bay Rescues. As in a few meetings, I have identified huge issues involving our funding and overall responsibilities. I hope my summary can create a discussion by my fellow board members at the August 2024 meeting and future ones.   Facts:   The MPFPD has been given the dispatch responsibilities by the SMC OEM for the San Francisco Bay by an auto aid and mutual aid agreements only. According to the research completed by our legal staff, our fire district only has jurisdictional responsibility to the shoreline of our fire district boundaries. San Francisco Bay Water Rescue responsibilities fall within the U.S. Coast Guard, SMC Sheriff, SMC Harbor District, and the specific fire or law enforcement authority that surrounds their responsibility areas. Specially, the SMC Harbor District has the entire rescue responsibilities of the shorelines and waterways of San Mateo County ( SMC Board of Supervisors 1933 Resolution). The SMC OEM has provided the dispatch codes and call signs for each jurisdictional authority, yet, the SMC Harbor District has not been assigned a dispatch sign designation . The MPFPD possesses the only effective rescue crafts that can be used in the marsh areas of the San Francisco Bay.   Recommendations/ Solutions:   1. Since the SMC Harbor District has the entire rescue responsibilities according to their resolution document by the SMC Board of Supervisors, we should request that the SMC Board of Supervisors amend and prepare a resolution removing the rescue responsibilities from the SMC Harbor District involving the MPFPD boundaries.   2. If the SMC Board of Supervisors will not revise or prepare a resolution, the SMC Harbor should provide funding to the MPFPD for the rescues on the San Francisco Bay that encompasses the shoreline and bay of the fire district. 3. This maybe a LAFco referral for review and evaluation since it applies to the jurisdictional, revenue, dispatch, and rescue authority.   SUMMARY: This is about public safety. This is about obtaining a defined Disaster Plan, with all the agencies that have rescue responsibility on the bay. In the name of public safety for our residents in our fire district and county, let’s pass this on: using one of my 3 opinions. Let’s put our personal and political biases aside, and put our community we serve first. Thank you, Rob

Hurricane season is just around the corner, and in the spirit of readiness and knowledge sharing, Craig Manfield and Lauren Williams represented FEMA's Office of Business, Industry, and Infrastructure Integration (OB3I) last week supporting FEMA Region 4’s Hurricane Readiness Week! The event was an important opportunity for emergency management staff to explore hurricane-related challenges and solutions that affect communities across the Southeast. The individual state analysis conducted by FEMA Region 4 and OB3I is crucial for enhancing preparedness and response efforts. By examining food and fuel supply chains, states can better understand vulnerabilities and develop targeted strategies to assist in their preparation and response efforts. FEMA’s OB3I partners with business and industry organizations to bring needed relief to hurricane survivors. By analyzing supply chains, observing business continuity challenges and best practices, and supporting businesses as they get back to business, we can strengthen efforts to stabilize local economies and help communities recover. To learn more about OB3I and how it can support your business, join the National Business Emergency Operations Center (NBEOC) at fema.gov/NBEOC. #FEMA #OB3I #emergencymanagement #businessandindustry

FEMA and Operation HOPE Partner to Help People Build Financial Resiliency After Disasters Operation HOPE has been a key partner in helping wildfire survivors on Maui, including housing assistance to families in need of emergency housing, engaging thousands of residents through community outreach and various free community disaster recovery events, and collaboration with local organizations, including several Native Hawaiian groups. “Operation HOPE’s mission to expand economic opportunity and promote financial resilience is a critical facet of helping people and communities jumpstart their recoveries. Our partnership has flourished over the past two decades and today’s signing means it will grow even stronger in the coming years,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. “I am incredibly proud of the support they have given to wildfire survivors in Maui through the formation of the Coalition of the Willing and their continued efforts to empower communities.” “FEMA is thrilled to continue our longstanding partnership with Operation HOPE. Signing this agreement represents a critical milestone that ensures our organizations’ focus on what matters most: helping people cope with disaster financial shocks and rebuild their homes and lives. This agreement formalizes our joint commitment to equip individuals and families with the financial tools they need to prepare and recover from disasters,” said FEMA Director of Individual Assistance, Frank Matranga. #fire #disasters #science #management #earth #disasters #naturaldisasters #emergency #flood #climate #climatechange #storm #FEMA #heat #earthquake #elclubdecomerciantes #evideosecurity #hugihernandez #egreenews #inergency #PrepareAthon (used during National PrepareAthon Day) #preparedness #disasterrecovery #emergencyplanning #flooding (or #flood if space is limited) #hurricane #earthquake #wildfire #winterstorm #poweroutage

An investigation on how well New York City prepared for and responded to the storm on September 29, 2023 was released today. The report evaluates NYC storm operations, interagency coordination, public communications, community preparedness, and long-term projects and plans to manage stormwater. Link here: https://lnkd.in/eZFNBmcP Key Findings in Emergency Communications: 1) Emergency Communications to the Public Broad and high-profile public communications were not issued until after the storm was already well-underway. Despite the fact that the City had proactively implemented the Flash Flood Emergency Plan the day before, broad and high-profile public communications only picked up after flash flooding had already begun to impact commutes, homes, and critical facilities. The Mayor’s first press conference occurred on September 29 at 11:40 am, nearly three hours after heavy rains and flooding began. NYC Public Schools first posted on X (Twitter) on September 29 at 12:35 pm, and it only updated its website with guidance on school dismissal and after-school activities at 2:30 pm. NYCHA’s robocalls occurred later that day at 4:45 pm, 9 hours after the flooding was well underway. 2) Only 2.7% of New Yorkers over 16 years old received NotifyNYC emergency alerts for the flash flooding on September 29. NotifyNYC, the City’s primary way to broadcast emergency notifications, is an opt-in service, and the vast majority of New Yorkers have not enrolled. 3) NYCEM’s new basement notification list only includes 2,378 subscribers, less than 1% of the estimated number of basement residents in NYC. People who live in basement apartments are especially vulnerable to flash floods. Basement residents are an especially hard-to-reach population because many basement apartments are not formally permitted, and many speak languages other than English. To date, the Administration has not implemented sufficient efforts to engage basement residents. I was in the city that day, definitely a day to remember for a while.