A Year After Hurricane Sandy: New York Recovery By The Numbers

Oct. 29, 2012, Hurricane Sandy strikes with a storm surge weather experts in New York had never seen before.

The first 48 hours

  • 1,200 FEMA specialists on the ground in New York
  • Five mobile disaster recovery centers open
  • 350 ambulances deployed from around the country to New York
  • 11 disaster medical assistance teams and U.S. Public Health Service officers arrive
  • Oct. 31, 2012, the first FEMA Individual Assistance grants approved for $1.7 million
  • U.S. Department of Transportation authorizes $10 million for repairs to roads, bridges and tunnels

Response milestones at one year (as of Oct. 15)

  • More than $8.3 billion in total federal assistance approved for Individual Assistance grants, SBA low-interest disaster loans, National Flood Insurance Program payments and Public Assistance grants.

Individual Assistance

  • More than $1 billion approved for individuals and households including:
    • More than $857 million for housing assistance
    • More than $145 million for other needs, including clothing, household items, disaster-related damage to a vehicle, and disaster-related medical and dental expenses
  • 272,045 contacted FEMA for help or information
  • 185,208 housing inspections completed
  • 65 disaster recovery centers opened
  • 183,145 visits to disaster recovery centers
  • 5,944 individuals and families housed temporarily in hotel rooms under the Transitional Sheltering Assistance program
  • 5,592 survivors received disaster unemployment assistance

U.S. Small Business Administration

  • More than $1.5 billion in SBA low-interest disaster loans approved for homeowners, renters and businesses

National Flood Insurance Program

  • More than $3.7 billion in flood insurance payments made to policyholders

Public Assistance

  • More than $2.1 billion approved in FEMA Public Assistance grants to communities and some nonprofit organizations that serve the public
  • 2,712 projects approved so far
  • More than 21,000 families were able to remain in their homes while repairs were made because of the Sheltering and Temporary Essential Power and the New York City Rapid Repairs programs

A whole community response

  • 500 voluntary agencies involved in recovery
  • More than 3.2 million meals and 2.4 million liters of water distributed
  • 26 languages used to communicate assistance information to survivors
  • More than 1 million multilingual fliers distributed
  • Power restored for 2.1 million New Yorkers
  • Nearly 6.4 million cubic yards of debris removed
  • At peak, more than 4,150 deployed to New York by FEMA and other federal agencies
  • 42 federal agencies assisted FEMA during Hurricane Sandy in New York
  • The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers drained 149.7 million gallons of water from the New York City metro area, equivalent to 227 Olympic-sized swimming pools
  • The Corps supplied 211 generators that produced power equivalent to meeting the requirements for 50,000 single-family homes
  • Approximately 1.1 million pounds of food provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture
  • The Defense Logistics Agency delivered 2.3 million gallons of fuel to distribution points in New York and New Jersey
  • The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration assigned navigation response vessels to survey the Port of New York for navigation hazards

Link to original: 

A Year After Hurricane Sandy: New York Recovery By The Numbers

Be Cyber Smart. Stay Cyber Secure

CHICAGO – Cybercriminals don’t discriminate, so don’t be a target – protect your privacy and guard against fraud by practicing safe online habits. Cyber security threats and attacks are gaining momentum. With more than $525 million in losses due to online criminal activity in 2012, proper security measures are a critical component in keeping your identity and finances secure.

 

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is taking this opportunity to remind our partners and the general public to create a safe, secure, and resilient cyber environment.

“Computers, smartphones and other electronics have become a prevalent part of our daily lives,” said FEMA Region V Administrator Andrew Velasquez III. “Everyone needs to understand how frequently cybercrimes occur and arm themselves with the latest information and tools necessary to protect their families against potential fraud.”

 

Helpful information on protecting kids online, securing your computer and avoid scams can be found at OnGuardOnline.gov. Here are a few tips to safeguard yourself and your computer:

 

• Set strong passwords, change them regularly, and don’t share them with anyone.

• Keep your operating system, browser, and other critical software optimized by installing updates.

• Maintain an open dialogue with your friends, family, colleagues and community about Internet safety.

• Use privacy settings and limit the amount of personal information you post online.

• Be cautious about offers online – if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

• Report a cybercrime to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (www.ic3.gov) and to your local law enforcement or state attorney general as

appropriate.

 

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 twitter.com/fema, twitter.com/femaregion5, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema.  The social media links provided are for reference only.  FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

 

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Media Contact: Cassie Ringsdorf, 312-408-4455

 

Original article:  

Be Cyber Smart. Stay Cyber Secure

FEMA Urges Residents to Continue Monitoring Conditions as Tropical Storm Approaches Gulf Coast

Heavy Rains and Flooding Possible in Some Areas

WASHINGTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), through its national response coordination center in Washington, D.C. and its regional offices in Atlanta, Ga., and Denton, Texas remains in close coordination with states potentially affected by Tropical Storm Karen.  According to the National Weather Service, tropical storm conditions are expected along areas of the Gulf Coast as early as this afternoon and into Sunday.

“Residents along the Gulf Coast are encouraged to continue to monitor local conditions and follow the direction of local officials,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate.  “As the storm continues to move toward land, residents may begin to experience strong winds and flooding. Remember that conditions can change with little or no notice.”

Based on applicable legal requirements and consistent with its contingency plan, FEMA has recalled currently furloughed employees necessary to serve functions of the agency that protect life and property as they prepare for potential landfall of Tropical Storm Karen.

FEMA has recalled staff necessary to deploy four incident management assistance teams (IMAT), including a national incident management assistance team (IMAT), to potentially affected states. Each IMAT is supported by its defense coordinating element staffed by the Department of Defense.  Liaison officers are currently positioned in emergency operations centers in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi to assist with the coordination of planning and response operations. Additional teams are on standby and available for deployment as needed and requested.

FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate spoke with Alabama Governor Robert Bentley, Florida Governor Rick Scott, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, and Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant this week about ongoing efforts to prepare for Tropical Storm Karen. Fugate reiterated that Gulf Coast states have the full support of FEMA and the rest of the federal family in advance of the storm making landfall. Fugate’s calls were preceded by outreach from FEMA’s Regional Administrators to emergency management officials in potentially impacted states.

According to the National Weather Service, a tropical storm warning remains in effect from Morgan City, La. to the mouth of the Pearl River. A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected within 36 hours.  Also, a tropical storm watch remains in effect for metropolitan New Orleans, Lake Maurepas, Lake Pontchartrain and from east of the mouth of the Pearl River to Indian Pass, Fla. A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible, generally within 48 hours.

Severe Weather Safety and Preparedness Tips for Potentially-affected Gulf Coast areas:

  • Have important supplies ready to sustain you and your family, if needed. This includes water, a battery-powered radio, flashlight, extra batteries, cell phone charger, medicines, non-perishable food, and first aid supplies.
  • History shows that storm tracks can change quickly and unexpectedly, so FEMA encourages coastal residents to monitor weather conditions and take steps now to get prepared for potential severe tropical weather.  
  • Tropical storms can bring high winds and heavy rains, so listen to local officials and follow their instructions.

FEMA, through its regional offices in Chicago, Ill and Kansas City, Mo., also is monitoring the storms affecting and potentially affecting areas of the Central U.S., including portions of Iowa and Nebraska, and has been in touch with state and local officials. FEMA deployed a liaison to the emergency operations center in Nebraska and activated an incident management assistance team (IMAT), positioning the team for immediate deployment should assistance be requested by the states affected.  FEMA continues to stand ready to support the states, as requested.   

For more information on preparing for hurricanes, severe weather and other natural disasters, and what you can do to protect yourself and your family, visit www.Ready.gov or www.listo.gov. Information regarding emergency preparedness and what to do before and after a disaster can also be found at m.fema.gov or by downloading the FEMA app from your smartphone’s app store.

Follow FEMA online at blog.fema.gov, 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. 

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.

Original article – 

FEMA Urges Residents to Continue Monitoring Conditions as Tropical Storm Approaches Gulf Coast

FEMA Urges Gulf Coast Residents to Prepare for Tropical Storm Karen

FEMA also Monitoring Potential Severe Weather in the Central U.S.

WASHINGTON — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), through its national response coordination center in Washington, DC and its regional offices in Atlanta, Ga., Chicago, Ill., Denton, Texas and Kansas City, Mo., is monitoring the conditions of Tropical Storm Karen, and the potential for severe weather in the Central U.S., including severe thunderstorms, damaging winds and hail.

“Residents in areas forecasted for potential severe weather are encouraged to monitor local conditions, review their family emergency plans, and follow the direction of local officials,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate.  “FEMA is staying in close contact with states and local partners and is poised to provide support, if needed.”

Based on applicable legal requirements and consistent with its contingency plan, FEMA has begun to recall currently furloughed employees necessary to serve functions of the agency that protect life and property as they prepare for potential landfall of Tropical Storm Karen and the severe weather in the Central U.S., including parts of Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska, Minnesota and Wisconsin. More than 100 FEMA employees have been recalled from furlough to support response efforts.

FEMA has recalled from furlough and today deployed three incident management assistance teams (IMAT) to potentially affected states. Each IMAT is supported by its defense coordinating element staffed by the Department of Defense.  Liaison officers have also been recalled and are currently positioned in emergency operations centers in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi to assist with the coordination of planning and response operations. Regional response coordination centers in Atlanta, Ga. and Denton, Texas are also activated and those in Chicago, Ill. and Kansas City, Mo., are at an enhanced watch. Additional teams are on standby and available for deployment as needed and requested.

At all times, FEMA maintains commodities, including millions of liters of water, millions of meals and hundreds of thousands of blankets, strategically located at distribution centers throughout the United States, including in the Gulf Coast region, that are available to state and local partners if needed and requested.  FEMA has recalled staff from furlough to activate our distribution center in Atlanta, Ga.

According to the National Weather Service, a hurricane watch is in effect for Grand Isle, La. to west of Destin, Fla. A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within in the watch area, generally within 48 hours.

A tropical storm warning is in effect from Morgan City, La. to the mouth of the Pearl River.  A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected within 36 hours.  Tropical storm watches are in effect for metropolitan New Orleans, Lake Maurepas, Lake Pontchartrain and from Destin to Indian Pass, Fla.  A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible, generally within 48 hours.  

Residents in potentially affected areas are encouraged to:

  • Follow the instructions of local officials. Local officials make decisions on evacuations, shelter openings or sheltering in place.
  • Have important supplies ready to sustain you and your family, if needed. This includes water, a battery-powered radio, flashlight, extra batteries, cell phone charger, medicines, non-perishable food, and first aid supplies.
  • Stay up-to-date with the latest forecast – Monitor local radio and TV reports, as well as forecasts from the National Hurricane Center and National Weather Service.

For more information on preparing for hurricanes and other natural disasters, and what you can do to protect yourself and your family, visit www.Ready.gov or www.listo.gov. Information regarding emergency preparedness and what to do before and after a disaster can also be found at m.fema.gov or by downloading the FEMA app from your smartphone’s app store.

Follow FEMA online at blog.fema.gov, 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. 

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.

View original post here – 

FEMA Urges Gulf Coast Residents to Prepare for Tropical Storm Karen

FEMA Urges Gulf Coast Residents to be Prepared for Tropical Storm Karen, Follow Direction of Local Officials

FEMA Recalling Certain Furloughed Employees

WASHINGTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), through its regional offices in Atlanta, Ga. and Denton, Texas is monitoring the conditions of Tropical Storm Karen and staying in close coordination with officials in Gulf Coast states.

“Gulf Coast residents in potentially impacted areas should take steps now to be prepared and follow the direction of local officials,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “FEMA will continue to support our state and local partners as they prepare for any potential impacts.”

Based on applicable legal requirements and consistent with its contingency plan, FEMA has begun to recall currently-furloughed employees necessary to serve functions of the agency that protect life and property as they prepare for potential landfall of Tropical Storm Karen. This morning, FEMA re-activated the Hurricane Liaison Team that is embedded with the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

FEMA is in close coordination with state and local partners through its regional offices. At all times, FEMA maintains commodities, including millions of liters of water, millions of meals and hundreds of thousands of blankets, strategically located at distribution centers throughout the United States, including in the Gulf Coast region, that are available to state and local partners if needed and requested.

According to the National Weather Service, a hurricane watch is currently in effect from Grand Isle, La. eastward to Indian Pass, Fla. A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issues 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical storm-force winds.

A tropical storm watch is in effect from west of Grand Isle, to east of Morgan City, La; metropolitan New Orleans, Lake Maurepas and Lake Pontchartrain. A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area – generally within 48 hours.

Gulf Coast residents are encouraged to:

Listen to the instructions of local officials. Local officials make decisions on sheltering in place or going to your pre-designated safe meeting location.

Have important supplies ready to sustain you and your family, if needed. This includes water, a battery-powered radio, flashlight, extra batteries, cell phone charger, medicines, non-perishable food, and first aid supplies.

Stay up-to-date with the latest forecast. Follow local radio and TV reports, as well as forecasts from the National Weather Service, weather.gov.

For more information on preparing for hurricanes and other disasters, and what you can do to protect yourself and your family, visit www.Ready.gov or www.listo.gov on the Internet. Information regarding emergency preparedness and what to do before and after a disaster can also be found at m.fema.gov or by downloading the FEMA app from your smartphone’s app store.

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

From – 

FEMA Urges Gulf Coast Residents to be Prepared for Tropical Storm Karen, Follow Direction of Local Officials

Region VII to Host LIVE Twitter Chat with the Public, Businesses and Partner Organizations About Disaster Preparedness for Traditionally Underserved…

KANSAS CITY, Mo.—No matter who you are, your decisions today will impact whether you’ll be ready to be a hero tomorrow—so the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Region VII, is opening up a live, interactive social media discussion with the public about disaster preparedness that leaves no one out!

On Sept. 24, 2013, at 12 noon CDT, FEMA’s Region VII office will host its first-ever LIVE interactive Twitter chat using the hashtag #ALLReadyChat to discuss disaster preparedness for everyone, including older Americans, people with or without disabilities and individuals with access and functional needs, as well as those with service animals or pets. The event is part of activities planned this month for National Preparedness Month (NPM).

“This is a chance for the public to interact with disaster experts in FEMA Region VII, but also with other agencies and organizations who will participate,” said Regional Administrator Beth Freeman. “Social media gives us a great ‘space’ to get to know one another better—it’s about give and take, not just us providing information, but everyone engaging to support community resilience.”

Superheroes capitalize on their strengths to excel. This sometimes means giving to others and other times it means asking for or accepting help. Superman is no exception! His vice is Kryptonite and there are times he needs and has received help from others to survive when it has weakened him. This empowers him and gives him an opportunity to rise up and help millions of other people. Every one of us has a superhero inside waiting for an opportunity to “save the day,” in one way or another!

Even superhero emergency responders cannot be everywhere at once. It can take minutes, hours or days to get help during a disaster. This makes disaster preparedness especially important for people with disabilities and individuals with access and functional needs, including those with temporary situations—for example, those recovering from surgery, or those who have difficulties moving around for a variety of reasons.

When planning for emergencies, think about things you will need that may be difficult to get during a disaster– like batteries for adaptive medical equipment, medications and or assistance with transportation or moving around. Then plan with friends and family so you’re able to meet all your personal needs for at least three to five days. Share your stories on Twitter about preparedness using #ALLReadyChat and get good tips all week this week and then during the live chat!

The chat will last 30 minutes. The first twenty minutes will include a discussion about “myths versus facts” related to disaster preparedness and the last 10 minutes will be left open for the public and other organizations to ask FEMA questions about disaster preparedness.

Leading up to the live chat, this week, the hashtag #ALLReadyChat is already being used to provide important tips to fuel a conversation around preparedness for everyone, but especially individuals who are members of normally underserved groups. Individuals and organizations are encouraged to follow the #ALLReadyChat conversation on Twitter (https://twitter.com/search?q=%23allreadychat&src=typd). Anyone can follow the discussion by using this link. Twitter members can sign into Twitter to interact with the discussion. The discussion is being hosted by Region VII’s Twitter account.

Learn about other NPM events and activities Region VII and others are involved with and then plan and post your own disaster preparedness activity on the region’s website.

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Visit FEMA Region VII’s website and follow us on social media, at www.twitter.com/femaregion7, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema.  Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate on Twitter.  The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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.

 

Excerpt from: 

Region VII to Host LIVE Twitter Chat with the Public, Businesses and Partner Organizations About Disaster Preparedness for Traditionally Underserved…

FEMA Honors Achievements In Community Preparedness

2013 Individual and Community Preparedness Awards Winners Announced

WASHINGTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced the winners of the 2013 FEMA Individual and Community Preparedness Awards.  The Awards recognize individuals who have taken action to prepare their communities. This year, highlighted accomplishments were achieved between January 1, 2012 and June 5, 2013.

“We can only be prepared for disasters if we have strong leadership in our communities,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “Today’s winners represent a cross-section of our community and demonstrate how emergency management is a shared responsibility.”

FEMA received nearly 200 applications from faith-based, non-profit, private sector, and community-based organizations, as well as individuals. Leadership from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and FEMA, with input from representatives of the whole community, selected this year’s winners from among applicants from 39 States and the District of Columbia.

The finalists each demonstrated remarkable innovation and creativity in preparing and supporting their communities. For example, the Texas School Safety Center developed a statewide approach to emphasize youth preparedness by establishing a youth preparedness summer camp that included emergency and community specific action planning in addition to leadership development. The volunteers of the Hoboken Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) in New Jersey were essential in assisting the Hoboken Office of Emergency Management following Hurricane Sandy. The Illinois Citizen Corps Council leveraged local partners in their communities to help support their emergency preparedness programs.

This year, the third annual John D. Solomon Whole Community Preparedness Award is presented to the Los Angeles Fire Department South Los Angeles Teen CERT Collaborative. Solomon, founder of the blog In Case of Emergency, Read Blog, was an advocate of whole community engagement and collaboration, and noted that youth are the segment of any community most likely to bring about change in attitudes and behaviors toward emergency preparedness and resiliency. The LAFD South Los Angeles Teen CERT Collaborative, which partners with a wide variety of community organizations and empowers local youth, exemplifies many of the core themes of Solomon’s work.

Recipients of FEMA’s Individual and Community Preparedness Awards will be invited to a recognition ceremony in Washington, D.C. during National Preparedness Month. During the ceremony, recipients will share their community preparedness successes and lessons learned with emergency management leadership.

A complete list of this year’s recipients and the honorable mentions for each category is available at: www.ready.gov/citizen-corps-awards. Award recipients by category are as follows:

• Outstanding State Citizen Corps Council Initiatives: Illinois Citizen Corps

• Outstanding Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Initiatives: City of Austin CERT

• Outstanding Local Citizen Corps Council Initiatives: Heart of Texas Citizen Corps

• Outstanding Achievement in Youth Preparedness: Texas School Safety Center

• Community Preparedness Heroes: Volunteers of the Hoboken CERT Program

• Awareness to Action: What To Do To Make It Through Campaign

• Third Annual Recipient of the John D. Solomon Whole Community Preparedness Award: The Los Angeles Fire Department South Los Angeles Teen CERT Collaborative

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.

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Source:

FEMA Honors Achievements In Community Preparedness

FEMA Urges Vermonters To Remember Pets In Disaster Plans

WILLISTON, Vt. – You’ve made an emergency plan and set up a phone tree for your family members to call during a disaster. You’ve even put together a disaster kit with water, food, a flashlight and portable radio.

But have you planned for what you’ll do with your dog or cat if a flood or other disaster strikes?

September is National Preparedness Month, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency is urging people to remember their pets as they make plans to cope with an emergency.

“For many of us, a pet is a beloved family member,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Mark Landry, the head of FEMA’s Vermont operations. “As you are taking steps to ensure your family’s safety, don’t forget that emergencies affect animals as well.”

Some of the things you can do to prepare for the unexpected, such as assembling an animal emergency supply kit and developing a pet care buddy system, are the same for any emergency.

Whether you stay put in an emergency or evacuate to a safer location, you will need to make plans in advance for your pets but bear in mind that what’s best for you is usually what’s best for your animals.

“Vermont has the highest rate of pet ownership in the nation at over 70 percent,” said Deputy Federal Coordinating Officer James McPherson. “That means most Vermonters need to think about their needs as well the needs of other family members.”

While many emergency shelters will not permit pets inside, officials still advise against leaving them behind if you are forced to evacuate, instead urging people to make alternative arrangements.

“If you evacuate your home, you should bring your pets with you,” Landry said. “Pets will find it difficult to survive alone, and even if they do you may not be able to locate them when you return.”

Pet owners should keep a photograph of themselves with their pet both to establish ownership and assist in efforts to locate the pet, and may wish to consider having a microchip implanted in their animal to make identification easier. A collar with a Global Positioning System (GPS) device can also assist in locating a pet after a disaster.

For more information, check out: www.ready.gov/caring-animals

“Preparing Makes Sense for Pet Owners” Video- (closed captioning & ASL)

http://youtu.be/aUbSF_S20bE

Follow us: @Readygov

Email us: ready@fema.gov or citizencorps@dhs.gov

Order publications: call 1-800-BE-READY, 1-888-SE-LISTO, and TTY 1-800-462-7585

Monthly Preparedness text messages: Text PREPARE to 43362 (4FEMA) to receive monthly

preparedness tips. (msg/data rates apply)

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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders and 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.

See original article here: 

FEMA Urges Vermonters To Remember Pets In Disaster Plans

FEMA Hosts Live Twitter Chat on Emergency Preparedness for Colleges and Universities

PHILADELPHIA – September is National Preparedness Month and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is hosting a live Twitter chat on campus readiness to discuss how colleges and universities throughout the nation can prepare for disasters, alert students and faculty during emergencies and share best practices. 

FEMA, in partnership with DePaul University, Boston College, Virginia Tech and Florida State University will pose questions and provide answers that highlight innovative ways that campuses can prepare for disasters and respond during emergencies, encouraging a nationwide conversation. 

Experts from these schools will answer questions regarding their emergency preparedness methods, best practices and lessons learned. Colleges, universities, students, faculty and staff are encouraged to participate in the online chat. Everyone can follow the conversation and contribute using the #EDUprepChat hashtag on Twitter.

What: Live Twitter Chat on Emergency Preparedness for Colleges and Universities

Date: Wednesday, September 18th

Time: 1:00 – 2:00pm EDT

FEMA Twitter Handle:@FEMAlive
Conversation Hashtag:#EDUprepChat

 

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. FEMA Region III’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.  Stay informed of FEMA’s activities online: videos and podcasts are available at fema.gov/medialibrary and youtube.com/fema. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion3.

Media Inquiries: FEMAR3NewsDesk@fema.dhs.gov or 215-931-5949

Link: 

FEMA Hosts Live Twitter Chat on Emergency Preparedness for Colleges and Universities

FEMA Corps Supports Salvation Army’s Feeding Effort in Galena

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — After serving nearly 14,000 meals since beginning feeding operations in Galena, The Salvation Army has transferred its food-preparation operation to Anchorage for the winter. Beginning Monday, survivors in Galena will receive meals prepared at the Salvation Army’s central kitchen, packed with the help of FEMA Corps members and shipped by air.

“While survivors are making progress toward recovery, there is still a need for prepared meals in Galena,” said Jenni Ragland, The Salvation Army emergency services director. “The Salvation Army is providing meals to survivors in shelters and those without the means to prepare meals in their homes.”

FEMA Corps is an innovative partnership between two federal agencies that combines the disaster expertise of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) with the service leadership of the Corporation for National and Community Service and AmeriCorps. FEMA Corps members are working alongside FEMA’s existing workforce in Alaska in assisting citizens and communities impacted by the floods of May 17 through June 11, 2013.

More than 500 frozen meals prepared and packed in Anchorage will arrive in Galena by Monday, the first day of the new meal service. On any given day, survivors will be able to choose from a variety of nutritious, hearty meals, such as meatloaf with macaroni and cheese, pork roast or chili with corn bread.

“We will provide a self-serve breakfast and a frozen dinner. People can heat the dinners in microwaves at the community center and take them home to eat as a family,” said Ragland. “This will help restore a sense of normalcy to their lives.”             

Meal preparation and deliveries will continue through the winter, as long as there is need for support.

See original article here: 

FEMA Corps Supports Salvation Army’s Feeding Effort in Galena

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