FEMA Region 5

It's been a few weeks since we highlighted a new member of the FEMA Region 5 team but today is Wednesday and you know what that means - WELCOME WEDNESDAY! Today, we are giving a shout out to Alexander Bui, MPA, who joined our team in May of this year. Alex - as he likes to be called, will be working with our Grants Management Division reviewing non-disaster grant applications and working with the team to award them. The goal - building a more prepared nation by delivering federal dollars to communities so they can complete projects that will make them more resilient. Alex is originally from San Bernardino, California but he now calls Chicago home. He is training for his first marathon so, when he is not working, he enjoys running along the lakefront. He also enjoys trying all the amazing foods Chicago has to offer. If you see Alex around, be sure to say hi and share details about some of your favorite Chicago-based eateries! Again - WELCOME to the team, Alex. We'll be proud to root for you in your first marathon! #FEMARegion5 #EmergencyManagement #WelcomeWednesday #Careers

Muskingum Avenue in Zanesville, OH has been shut down for five years because of heavy rains, rock falls, and flooding. This has caused a traffic headache in the city – adding six minutes to emergency response times and increasing commute times to work, school, and the farmer’s market. But we’re helping fix that problem! We pitched in $5.5 million to help repair this road and make it stronger than ever. We’re reconnecting this city and enhancing quality of life for the residents who call Zanesville home. This is what our work is about – it’s about helping communities rebuild, become more resilient before, during, and after disaster. Check out the video below and join us LIVE on the FEMA Facebook page at 12:15pm Central Time as our Administrator Deanne Criswell speaks with reporters about how this project will make a huge difference in the city. She will be joined by our FEMA Region 5 Administrator Thomas S., Zanesville Mayor Donald L. Mason Esq., Ohio Emergency Management Agency Director Sima Merick, Muskingum County EMA Director Jeff Jadwin, Zanesville's Third Ward Councilman Todd Ware, and other state and local partners. #NationalResilienceMonth #FEMA #BuildingCommunities #BeforeDuringAndAfterDisaster

From supporting our partners at the Republican National Convention to responding to heavy rains that spread across the region, our teams were busy in the month of July. Our Regional Administrator Thomas S. has an update on what we've been up to and a snapshot of what's in store for the month of August. As always, we say THANK YOU to everyone on the FEMA Region 5 team. Together, we set a standard for helping build communities and serving people. Stay the course, team! We appreciate you.

We get excited when one of our colleagues completes rigorous professional development courses! Congrats to Danielle Stormy Coetzee, who recently completed the Radiological Emergency Preparedness Early Career Program at the Naval Postgraduate School’s Center for Homeland Defense and Security. That's a whole lot to say that Stormy is a rising leader whose critical thinking skills will prove to be an asset to our mission. The program brings together leaders who are intentional about understanding emerging issues and the underlying causes of the hazards and threats we face. And it offers the tools and resources they need to think and act strategically about emergency preparedness at nuclear facilities. She finished the course with about 30 other people. In other words, Stormy's accomplishment is a BIG deal, and we are proud of to have her on our team. CONGRATS, Stormy.

It's WELCOME WEDNESDAY. Let's give O'Keena Morgan a great big welcome to FEMA Region 5. She's an Emergency Management Specialist who'll help identify recovery priorities for survivors and communities and coordinate the delivery of grant funds. O'Keena joined the regional team in June but before that, she worked as a crew lead, coach and evaluator with the Individual Assistance cadre. She has deployed to quite a few disasters where she managed staff in disaster recovery centers and helped guide survivors through the application process. O'Keena has even helped teach multiple courses for Applicant Services Program Specialist staff, making sure they know how to navigate and understand the application process. O'Keena was born and raised in Illinois and when she is not at work, she enjoys a bit of retail therapy and baking - from scratch. She's looking forward to continuous learning and growth as a member of the R5 team. If you happen to run into her in the office, be sure to shake her hand and let her know what kind of cake or cookies you like! Maybe she'll remember and share a sweet treat or two at the next Chili cookoff. Welcome to the team, O'Keena! #FEMARegion5 #EmergencyManagement #WelcomeWednesday #Careers

It's WELCOME WEDNESDAY! Today, we are recognizing Lenard Kakooni. He is one of the newest Program Delivery Managers in our Recovery Division - that means he'll be helping communities secure funding that will help them rebuild after disaster. Before joining the FEMA Region 5 team, Lenard worked with the Department of Defense - U.S. Special Operations, where he provided linguistic and cultural support to special operations and tracked foreign policies, laws, and regulations to determine their impact on the mission. As a member of the Region 5 team, he's looking forward to using his skillset to help communities and people in need. Lenard is originally from Iraq. When he isn't working, he enjoys watching movies and playing sports - especially volleyball and soccer. If you see him around the office, be sure to stop and introduce yourselves. Welcome to the team, Lenard. #FEMARegion5 #EmergencyManagement #WelcomeWednesday #Careers

We're celebrating Madison - another FEMA Region 5 Youth Preparedness Council member who has been selected to serve on the national YPC. She is a 12th grade student from Wisconsin who has a passion for raising awareness about the impacts of climate change. During her time on the national YPC, she hopes to raise awareness about animal preparedness, an often-overlooked aspect of emergency planning. As a member of the FEMA Region 5 YPC, she is using Prepare with Pedro lessons on climate change to create a curriculum that teaches children about disasters and how to prepare for them. For the past three years, she has also been a dedicated volunteer at the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary, where she cares for injured wildlife. This experience has increased her understanding of the impact that climate change has on local ecosystems. At school, Madison organizes the Middle School Leadership Conference, manages freshman orientation and is the future stage manager for musicals and plays. She is also an avid reader with a penchant for non-fiction and fantasy. Congratulations on being selected to serve on the national YPC, Madison. We are so proud of you and grateful that you are serving our region!

Congratulations to Sophia, one of the FEMA Region 5 Youth Preparedness Council (YPC) members who has been selected to serve on the national YPC. Sophia is a 12th grade student from Michigan who has been interested in preparedness since she first learned about hurricanes and the devastating impacts they can have on communities. Sophia is especially passionate about teaching others and advocating for people who need assistance during times of crisis. During her time on the national YPC, she hopes to gain greater insight into the emergency management field and career opportunities at FEMA. As a member of the FEMA Region 5 YPC, Sophia introduced Prepare with Pedro curriculum to local elementary school students and taught them how to prepare for thunderstorms and tornadoes. Sophia is very active in school and her community. She is the presiding president of her class and student council vice president. She is also a member of the Michigan Student Council Board, where she advises other students and helps them to become leaders. And she serves as a member of the Genesee County Youth Commission, where she works to address blight throughout the community. In her free time, Sophia likes to spend time with her friends and family. She also enjoys traveling, lacrosse, theater and jazz. We're so proud of her, and grateful to have her serve on the FEMA Region 5 YPC. Help us congratulate Sophia on being selected to serve at the national level!

Our Deputy Regional Administrator Mike Chesney took some time to attend a Congressional Forum this week, giving congressional staff and those representing several state and local agencies a quick briefing on our efforts to support operations at the upcoming Republican and Democratic National Conventions. He also offered details about our work in the field conducting damage assessments in the state of Minnesota, where the governor has requested that we provide assistance to homeowners and renters whose property was damaged in recent floods. Thanks to the Chicago Federal Executive Board and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago for hosting the event.

It's WELCOME WEDNESDAY so let's celebrate Kim Keblish, one of the newest members of the FEMA Region 5 External Affairs team. Kim is a Public Information Officer who has been the force behind many of the talking points, press releases, graphics and other products that have been produced in region. Her skills were particularly exceptional on DR-4777 in Ohio recently as she worked to ensure tornado survivors had the most up-to-date information on how to access FEMA assistance, how to build stronger homes, and so much more. Kim started in region just a few months ago but, she has been with the Agency for a few years. She started as a local hire in Region 2, supporting recovery efforts for Hurricane Ida. She went on to be a Reservist where she supported multiple disasters across the country, including tornadoes in Tennessee, flooding in Vermont, and a hurricane in Puerto Rico. Kim is also an AmeriCorps NCCC alum and worked on service projects with her team throughout the west coast. Kim left the Big Apple to make Chicago home. When she's not on the job, she enjoys exploring the city and participating in any sport or activity that takes her outside - like hiking, camping and hammocking. She's been to more than half of the nation’s National Parks. Kim is also a thrill seeker. She's gone skydiving, which she says was a terrifying yet exhilarating experience! If you see her around the office - take a moment to introduce yourself, share a few professional tips, or chat about your latest outdoors adventure around the region. Welcome, Kim!