FEMA Region 5

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!

It's WELCOME WEDNESDAY and today, we are introducing James Cathey as one of the newest members of the FEMA Region 5 team. He's working with the Public Assistance Branch in our Recovery Division but, he is not new to FEMA. James has served as a Reservist since 2016 and has supported many events across the country, including Hurricane Matthew in 2016, Hurricane Irma in 2017, Hurricane Michael in 2019 and Hurricane Ida in 2022. As a Navy veteran, James has travelled across the world, but Chicago is home. He is a Windy City native who says it's an honor to be back in the Midwest supporting regional operations. Join us in giving James a warm welcome to the FEMA Region 5 team! #FEMARegion5 #EmergencyManagement #WelcomeWednesday #Careers #JoinOurTeam

Our teams in FEMA Region 5 continued to impact people and communities in the month of June. We boosted our #SummerReady messaging to ensure communities have plans in place to keep residents safe when the temperatures soar. We partnered with the Ohio Emergency Management Agency for a roundtable in Portsmouth, Ohio, where we dug in to understand the risks and needs of underserved communities. We continued offering assistance to those whose homes and property have been hit by natural disaster. We continued working with local, state, and federal partners in Wisconsin to ensure everyone understands their roles in managing the Republican and National Convention, which will be held in Milwaukee in July. Our Regional Administrator, Thomas S., has a quick update on the work we've done.

Investing in our youth means building a generation that is stronger, more aware, and more prepared to tackle the challenges we are facing today. Our Youth Preparedness Council has spent the last two days in Chicago to share their perspectives with FEMA staff and leadership, network with their peers, and highlight the work they're doing to make their friends, schoolmates, neighbors, and loved ones more prepared. From hosting supply drives to educating children on what to do in severe weather, our YPC members are young powerhouses who are truly making a difference in their communities. The teens also had a chance to chat with our partners from other federal agencies to learn more about the work they do and receive tips on how to create a career path that leads to employment with the federal government. We're thankful for the opportunity to invest in their journeys and help shape their futures. Thank you to Mike Chesney, Vincent Parisi, Amy Pifine, Alexandria Stocki, Catherine Boganey, MSM, and all the others who continue to offer mentorship, support and guidance.

It's WELCOME WEDNESDAY and today, we're giving Lindsay La Marca a FEMA Region 5 shout out. She is one of the newest Emergency Management Specialists to join the team, working with the Public Assistance Branch in the Recovery Division. Lindsay comes to FEMA after working a decade in the medical insurance industry. For the past five years, she was the Coordinator of Operations and Risk Assessments at the Illinois State Medical Society where she worked to mitigate risk to physician and clinic practices and improve processes for patient safety. Lindsay is no stranger to the Midwest or the Windy City. She was born and raised in Chicago. In her spare time, she taps into her creative side by enjoying all types of art, music, psychology, and dreams. Lindsay says she's excited about her new journey with FEMA - and we're excited to have her. Join us in welcoming Lindsay to the team. And, if you happen to bump into her in the office, be sure to stop and introduce yourself. #FEMARegion5 #EmergencyManagement #Careers #JoinOurTeam

Being intentional about helping communities strenghten their homes and infrastructure ahead of disaster means meeting them where they're at. That's exactly what our teams did today. We partnered with the Ohio Emergency Management Agency to host a roundtable in Portsmouth, Ohio. Our Regional Administrator Thomas S. and OEMA Director Sima Merick brought local officials together to talk about the threats their communities face, previous disaster impacts, the opportunities for continued mitigation and how FEMA may assist in the building process. Understanding what makes us vulnerable across FEMA Region 5 allows us to enhance our response and recovery capabilities and implement effective mitigation strategies before disasters occur. Thank you Sumayya Menk for putting the event together, Mark Peterson and Ian Becherer-Gerrie for leading a robust discussion, and Kyle Acevedo for giving community leaders insight on the type of funding opportunities that may be available to them. The presentation will go a long way in helping them overcome the barriers they face when completing grant applications. Also, thank you to all who contributed to the discussion, including OEMA's Sean Miller, Lorie Haukedahl-Mount, Daniel Endrizzi, Brody Davis, and Phil Clayton. Local Emergency Management Agency Directors Larry Mullins, Sydney Renner, MPA, Pam Haverkos, Dave Bushelman, Sherry Daines, Karen Howelett, William Faught, and Robert Czechlewski as well as representatives from Warren County Soil & Water Conservation District, Buckeye Hills Regional Council, Pierce Township Fire and Rescue, Highland County Soil and Water, and more.

We're hiring a Public Affairs Specialist to support long term recovery disaster operations in FEMA Region 5. If you've got experience working with media, developing presentations and writing news releases, talking points, fact sheets, public service announcements, and feature stories - send us your resume! Check out the details and apply by June 26: https://lnkd.in/e-t2jt3j We're also looking for someone who has experience fostering new and existing relationships between Federal, State, local, tribal, territorial, and private sector partners to implement community disaster relief programs. This person will also serve as a senior-level advisor to our regional recovery staff, offering insight on policy issues related to the assisting individuals and communities that have been impacted by disasters. Check out the job details and apply by June 27: https://lnkd.in/e5XGwxjG