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FEMA Encourages Communities to Participate in National PrepareAthon! Day

America’s PrepareAthon! Campaign Offers Simple, Specific Actions Americans Should Know and Practice to Prepare For a Disaster in their Community

WASHINGTON – Today, the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) encourages individuals, families, workplaces, schools and organizations across the nation to take part in America’s PrepareAthon!, a national day of action that will take place September 30. America’s PrepareAthon! is a community-based campaign to increase emergency preparedness and resilience through participation in hazard-specific drills, group discussions and exercises every fall and spring. To register, individuals and organizations can visit www.ready.gov/prepare.

According to a recent survey conducted by FEMA, 50 percent of Americans have not discussed or developed an emergency plan for family members about where to go and what to do in the event of a local disaster. Additionally, nearly 70 percent of Americans have not participated in a preparedness drill or exercise, aside from a fire drill at their workplace, school or home in the past two years.

“Disasters can strike anytime and anywhere,” FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate said. “America’s PrepareAthon! is about practicing what to do in an emergency with enough regularity so that it becomes second nature when the real disaster actually happens.”

To encourage more Americans to prepare and practice, the campaign offers easy-to-implement preparedness guides, checklists and resources. These tools help individuals, organizations and entire communities practice the simple, specific actions they can take for the emergencies disasters relevant to their area. Examples include:

Sign up for local text alerts and warnings and download weather apps to your smartphone. Stay aware of worsening weather conditions. Visit www.ready.gov/prepare and download Be Smart: Know Your Alerts and Warnings to learn how to search for local alerts and weather apps relevant for hazards that affect your area.
Gather important documents and keep them in a safe place. Have all of your personal, medical, and legal papers in one place, so you can evacuate without worrying about gathering your family’s critical documents at the last minute. Visit www.ready.gov/prepare and download Be Smart: Protect Your Critical Documents and Valuables for a helpful checklist.
Create an emergency supply kit. Bad weather can become dangerous very quickly. Be prepared by creating an emergency supply kit for each member of your family. Visit www.ready.gov/kit for more ideas of what to include in your kit.
Develop an emergency communication plan for your family. It’s possible that your family will be in different locations when a disaster strikes. Come up with a plan so everyone knows how to reach each other and get back together if separated. Visit http://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan for communication plan resources.

Managed and sponsored by the Ready Campaign each September, National Preparedness Month is designed to raise awareness and encourage Americans to take steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, schools, organizations, businesses and places of worship, culminating with the National Day of Action. America’s PrepareAthon! was established to provide a comprehensive campaign to build and sustain national preparedness as directed in Presidential Policy Directive-8. The campaign is coordinated by FEMA in collaboration with federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, the private sector, and non-governmental organizations.

More information about America’s PrepareAthon!, including how to register, is available at ready.gov/prepare.

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FEMA Encourages Communities to Participate in National PrepareAthon! Day

When You See the Yellow School Bus, Think Preparedness

Eatontown, N.J. — September is the time of year when those big yellow school buses start making their rounds, offering safe passage to school for millions of kids across the nation.

For parents, teachers and school administrators, keeping children safe and protected is a priority.

That’s why it’s important to let your children know that life may throw some surprises their way, but with a little planning and support, we can handle them.

The most important thing families can do to keep their balance when something upsets the family routine is to create a communications plan so that all members of the family know how to reconnect during a storm or other disaster.

Here are a few tips on reducing the worry and stress that naturally arises when you’re unable to get in touch with those you love:

Complete a contact form for each member of your family that includes name, address, home phone numbers and work and cell numbers for family members. Include the name of a neighbor or relative who is willing to respond in an emergency.

Agree on a meeting place in your neighborhood as well as out of town, where family members can gather should you be unable to go home.

Identify a family member or friend who lives out-of-state who can act as a central contact for household members to notify that they are safe. It may be easier to make an out-of-town call than to get a local connection.

Be sure that every member of your family knows the phone number of that contact person, has a cell phone or carries change or a prepaid phone card to be used in an emergency.

Each member of the family can program an “ICE” (In Case of Emergency) number in their phone. If you or are a family member is injured, emergency personnel can use that number to contact your family or friends. Be sure to alert the person you choose that you are designating him or her as your emergency contact.

Teach family members how to use text messaging (also known as SMS or Short Message Service) on their cell phones. Text communications can often get through when phone calls do not.

Subscribe to alert services. Many communities relay emergency messages to residents via phone calls, e-mails and text alerts. Check with your local Office of Emergency Management to sign up for the service.

Once you have created your family communication plan, practice your plan once or twice a year. That way, should an actual disaster happen, they’ll be comfortable with the routine and ready to act.

A little preparation can go a long way in helping your family stay safe and connected during an emergency. So when you see that yellow school bus, think of it as a reminder to plan and practice your family communications plan for emergencies.

For downloadable emergency contact cards and more information on developing a Family Communication Plan, view http://www.ready.gov/family-communications.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Follow FEMA online at www.twitter.com/FEMASandy, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/fema, www.fema.gov/blog, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.”

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When You See the Yellow School Bus, Think Preparedness

Be Disaster Aware. Take Action To Prepare

ATLANTA – September is National Preparedness Month, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) encourages everyone to make disaster preparedness a priority.

“National Preparedness Month reminds us that we all need to be ready for disasters and emergencies,” said FEMA Region IV Acting Regional Administrator Andrew Velasquez III. “September is also the height of hurricane season, so preparing now is even more critical for families and businesses in the Southeast.”

Across the Nation, disasters are occurring with greater frequency, and are larger and more complex. Severe weather and other emergencies can strike with little or no warning and can have disastrous impacts. Already this year, states across the Southeast have experienced destructive severe storms, including the winter storms that affected Alabama, Georgia and North and South Carolina. Spring tornadoes and flooding also affected several states. Four named tropical cyclones, Arthur, Bertha, Cristobal, and Dolly have already formed this summer, and they serve as a reminder to be ready for hurricanes.

“Take the steps necessary to make preparedness a part of your everyday life,” said Velasquez. “Prepare for the hazards that are most likely to occur where you live and work. Talk to your family and make a family disaster plan. But don’t stop there. Practice your plan. Practicing in advance of a disaster makes you better prepared to handle any emergency you may encounter.”

Make disaster readiness manageable by taking one step at a time— start by learning your specific risks, then gather supplies for an emergency kit, and finally develop a family communications plan. By taking these small, but critical steps, over time you can be prepared for disasters. A useful guide to prepare for hurricanes is located at FEMA’s America’s PrepareAthon! website.

Throughout the month, FEMA will offer tips to help you be disaster ready, including ways you can stay safe during a disaster. Follow FEMA Region IV online at twitter.com/femaregion4 and www.facebook.com/fema, to receive the latest preparedness updates.

For detailed information about how to be ready for severe weather in your area, including a list of items you will want to have in your emergency kit, visit http://www.ready.gov/, or our Spanish site at www.listo.gov.

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Be Disaster Aware. Take Action To Prepare

FEMA Releases New Tribal Consultation Policy

Today, Administrator Craig Fugate announced the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Tribal Consultation Policy, which begins a new phase of engagement and collaboration with American Indian and Alaskan Native tribes. The new policy establishes a process for regular and meaningful consultation and collaboration with tribal officials on Agency actions that have tribal implications, and it emphasizes the importance of consulting with Indian Country.

“This policy strengthens FEMA’s effort to support the emergency management needs of Indian Country,” FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate said. “Providing direct Federal assistance to Tribal governments has been a top priority for FEMA, and this policy will ensure that Tribal leaders continue to have a voice in shaping how FEMA partners with communities before, during and after disasters.”

Tribal governments and their members are an essential part of our nation’s emergency management team. In developing the new policy, FEMA consulted with and received valuable input from tribes, which is reflected in the final policy announced today. As part of this process, Administrator Fugate solicited input from Tribal Leaders for the policy during the consultation period that opened in October 2013 and continued through March 2014.

During that time, FEMA presented the policy at conferences, in face-to-face consultation meetings, in listening sessions, through webinars and in conference calls, and it received many written comments from tribes. As a result, the policy released today creates a consistent and transparent consultation process that reflects a wide array of views and will be applied across FEMA programs and offices. Additionally, FEMA’s policy builds upon and is consistent with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Tribal Consultation Policy, and it tailors that consultation framework to FEMA’s mission.

The final policy, as well as other related materials, is available at www.fema.gov/tribal-consultations. More information about FEMA Tribal Affairs is available at www.fema.gov/tribal.

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FEMA Releases New Tribal Consultation Policy

Be Prepared; Have a Family Emergency Plan

Montgomery, Ala. – Severe weather can happen any time of the year. The best way to prepare for it is with a family emergency plan. If you don’t have one, develop one. If you have an emergency plan, review and update it, then go over it with your family at least once a year.

An emergency plan should include how everyone will contact each other, where to go, how you will get back together and what to do in different situations. A good place to begin is Ready.Gov, the disaster preparedness website managed by the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Forms are available at that site for contact information on each family member, phone numbers of out-of-town contacts, work locations and other important phone numbers.

Also inquire about emergency plans in places where your family spends time, such as work, school and daycare. Incorporate this information into your plan.

Identify an out-of-town friend or relative as a contact person for your family members. During an emergency each member of the family will call the contact and let them know they are safe. An out-of-town contact may be in a better position to communicate among separated family members.

Decide where to go in an emergency. Plan for different scenarios, such as where to go if there is a fire. Where in the home is the safest place if a tornado hits? If you live in an area susceptible to hurricanes, decide whether to evacuate or stay. Plan several evacuation routes, if possible, in case some roads become impassable. Identify where you will stay until it is safe to return home. If you have pets, find, in advance, places to board them or hotels and shelters that are pet friendly.

During a wide-scale disaster, such as tornado or hurricane, prepare for power outages. Keep fresh batteries for flashlights, keep cell phones fully charged. If you don’t have one, consider purchasing a cell phone charger for your vehicle. Also, keep your gas tank full.

During hurricane season, keep a basic disaster supply kit of nonperishable food, water, first aid supplies, medicines, disposable diapers, formula and baby food (if necessary), plus extra food and water for pets. Don’t forget a manual can opener. Keep these items in a waterproof container and include enough food and water for several days.

A battery-operated weather radio will be invaluable in an emergency. These radios can be programmed to your local weather service office and will provide information on approaching severe weather in your area. Heed their advice if you are directed to evacuate.

Keep enough cash on hand to get through several days. Banks will likely be closed and ATMs won’t function during a power outage.

Several government agencies work together to help you and your family stay safe. If you would like additional information, try these links:

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Be Prepared; Have a Family Emergency Plan

FEMA Employs First Local Hire, Seeks More

PHOTO: Tanina Jones (FEMA local hire)

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency today swore in its first local hire to assist with the recovery from the April 28 to May 5 severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding. Tanina Jones is working for FEMA Human Resources as an administrative assistant.

Jones, who started work on Wednesday, May 28, said she hasn’t worked since she came to Montgomery to attend Troy University, where she will graduate in December with a degree in Criminal Justice.

“This has been a godsend to me,” she said. “I have been out of work since 2010.”

FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer Albie Lewis administered the oath and said hiring local workers not only helps the area’s economy but brings in local knowledge, which is invaluable.

“These new employees bring local experience and a feeling for the community,” he said. “That’s instrumental to our work here.”

FEMA has more than two dozen full-time temporary jobs available to Alabama residents, including 24 in Montgomery and seven elsewhere in the state.

Skilled workers are being hired for jobs in a variety of areas, including human resources, information technology, couriers, engineers, communications, finance and administration.

Applicants will be required to pass a background investigation that includes finger printing and credit check, as well as able to furnish his/her own transportation to work. Employees are also required to participate in mandatory direct deposit/electronic funds transfer for salary payment, must be U.S. citizens and 18 years old.

Candidates who possess needed skills and pass a background check will be formally offered positions and sworn in, and then sent to the program areas they have been assigned.

Those interested in working for FEMA may apply at www.joblink.Alabama.gov. Enter “FEMA” into the keyword search to find available positions.

FEMA is committed to employing a highly qualified workforce that reflects the diversity of our nation. All applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, political affiliation, non-disqualifying physical handicap, sexual orientation and any other non-merit factor. The federal government is an equal opportunity employer.

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FEMA Employs First Local Hire, Seeks More

FEMA Announces Funding Opportunity for Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grants

WASHINGTON — Today, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is announcing $112 million in funding available through two Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grant programs: Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) and Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM). These two grant programs assist state, local, tribal, and territorial governments in strengthening our nation’s ability to reduce the potential cost of natural disasters to communities and their citizens.

FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance grant programs provide states, tribes, territories, and local governments funding for eligible mitigation activities to strengthen our nation’s ability to reduce disaster losses and protect life and property from future disaster damages.

The Flood Mitigation Assistance grant program provides funds on an annual basis so that measures can be taken to reduce or eliminate risk of flood damage to buildings insured under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The FY 2014 Flood Mitigation Assistance grants will continue to focus on reducing or eliminating claims under the NFIP with a focus on mitigation planning and the mitigation of severe repetitive loss properties.

The Pre-Disaster Mitigation grant program provides funds on an annual basis for hazard mitigation planning and the implementation of mitigation projects prior to a disaster. The goal of the Pre-Disaster Mitigation grant program is to reduce overall risk to the population and structures, while at the same time, also reducing reliance on federal funding from actual disaster declarations. The FY 2014 Pre-Disaster Mitigation grants will continue to focus on implementing a sustained pre-disaster natural hazard mitigation program and provide the grant funding set aside as required in the Stafford Act to states and tribes to support overall mitigation planning and projects.

Both Hazard Mitigation Assistance FY 2014 Funding Opportunity Announcements can be found at www.grants.gov. Eligible applicants must apply for funding through the Mitigation eGrants system on the FEMA Grants Portal accessible at https://portal.fema.gov. FEMA will open the application period on April 21, 2014. All applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. EDT on July 25, 2014.

Further information on these grant programs is available at www.fema.gov/hazard-mitigation-assistance.

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Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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FEMA Announces Funding Opportunity for Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grants

How is responding to a disaster different in the State of Alaska?

A large earthquake in Alaska, especially in winter, would require a different type of response than most areas of the nation. FEMA Region X is participating in a series of exercises that will test the ability of the federal government to respond to major disasters in Alaska.

The largest of the exercises is Alaska Shield 2014. This full-scale emergency response exercise, occurring in late March of 2014 that will test the plans and actions of the State of Alaska, FEMA, territorial governments, private sector companies, international partners, non-governmental organizations, and academic institutions and its partners.

“We do not know when the next earthquake or tsunami will take place, but it will depend on our collective and individual preparedness to reduce our vulnerability.” said FEMA Regional Administrator Ken Murphy. “It is imperative that we work together in advance of an event to make sure that all of our systems are working together smoothly and seamlessly”.

This exercise will coincide with 50th anniversary commemoration events of the 1964 Great Alaskan Earthquake. The earthquake scenario is designed to be of sufficient complexity to disrupt the States essential services, making it difficult for communities to obtain outside assistance but allow life safety activities to resume.

A Full-Scale Exercise tests plans and actions during the initial response phase of a disaster. It also tests the ability to stabilize the situation and meet immediate essential needs during a major disruptive event, as well as ensure recovery efforts can begin.

For more information about the exercise follow #AKShield, @AlaskaDHSEM and @FEMARegion10 on Twitter.

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How is responding to a disaster different in the State of Alaska?

March 16-22 Is Flood Safety Awareness Week

DENTON, Texas – Do you know what to do before, during and after a flood? Find out during Flood Safety Awareness Week, March 16-22. Emergency management experts will be reminding the public about the dangers related to flooding, ways to prepare for flood events and to prevent future damage from floods.

“Flooding is the nation’s number one natural disaster and it can happen in any of our regional states,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “Homeowners, renters and business owners should find out if their home or business is at risk for flood and then take steps to address that risk.”

Before a Flood
• Avoid building in a floodplain unless you elevate and reinforce your home.
• Elevate the furnace, water heater and electric panel if susceptible to flooding.
• Build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan.

During a Flood
• Listen to local officials and monitor your local radio or television for information.
• Be aware that flash flooding can occur. If it does, immediately move to higher ground.
• Be aware of streams, drainage channels, canyons and other areas known to suddenly flood.
• Do not drive into flooded areas. Turn Around; Don’t Drown. Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles.

After a Flood
• Avoid floodwaters; water may be contaminated by oil, gasoline or raw sewage.
• Water may also be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines.
• Be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded. Roads may have weakened.
• Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe.

Find more information on flooding, flood hazards, and flood insurance at www.floodsmart.gov, http://www.ready.gov/floods and www.nws.noaa.gov/floodsafety/.

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March 16-22 Is Flood Safety Awareness Week

New Mexico Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Funds Deadline Approaching

SANTA FE – Officials with the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency remind communities, tribal entities, and state agencies that March 21, 2014, is the deadline for submitting a Notice of Interest to participate in the statewide Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

Interested communities, tribal entities or state agencies need to submit a Notice of Interest before the March 21 deadline. This form is available at www.nmdhsem.org/Grants.aspx. After the Notice of Interest is received, the eligible applicants will be contacted for a review of the formal application process.

The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding is a 75 percent federal and 25 percent non-federal grant program. The local jurisdiction, tribe or state agency is required to provide the 25 percent non-federal match, which can be in-kind or cash.

In order to be eligible for mitigation project funding, the community or tribe must have a FEMA approved Hazard Mitigation Plan. Creating a plan or updating an existing plan can also be funded with Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding.

Editors’ note: The counties and tribal entities designated under the disaster declarations are:

DR 4148 – Bernalillo, Colfax, Luna, Sandoval, Sierra, and Socorro counties as well as Cochiti, Sandia, Kewa (Santa Domingo), San Felipe Pueblos, and the Navajo Nation.

DR 4152 – Catron, Chaves, Cibola, Colfax, De Baca, Dona Ana, Eddy, Guadalupe, Harding, Lincoln, Los Alamos, McKinley, Mora, Otero, Rio Arriba, Sandoval, San Juan, San Miguel, Santa Fe, Sierra, Socorro, and Torrance counties as well as Isleta, Sandia and Taos Pueblos, and the Navajo Nation.

The New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) is the state’s homeland security and emergency management agency. The agency works to identify and lessen the effects of emergencies, disasters and threats to New Mexico by developing effective prevention, preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery actions for all disasters and emergencies.

Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://fema.gov/blog.

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New Mexico Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Funds Deadline Approaching

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