DHSEM Division Update





Information and Updates

U.S. Drought Monitor Resource

Visit the U.S. Drought Monitor website at www.droughtmonitor.unl.edu/ for information on the drought conditions across the country. The Seasonal Drought Outlook can be found at www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/expert_assessment/seasonal_drought.html.

Wildland Fire Potential Outlook from National Interagency Fire Center

The National Significant Wildland Fire Outlook produced by Predictive Services of the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) for the period of March through June 2013 will be updated on April 1. View the current NIFC document. Here is the summary of conditions predicted for the Rocky Mountain Region:

Recent snowfall across the Area brought short term relief from drought conditions, especially east of the Continental Divide. Snow cover across the eastern Plains will result in minimal fire activity for early March, especially in southern Kansas.

As this snow cover gradually diminishes, expect normal significant willdand fire potential to return by the second half of March. Significant fire potential for April and May through June is expected to be normal.

Medium range forecasts for early March point toward a still active weather pattern for the Rocky Mountain Area. While precipitation probabilities are high in northern portions of the Area, a somewhat drier weather pattern is anticipated across the southern portion of the Area.

However, it is expected that occasional cold frontal passages will carry a chance of some precipitation. Longer range predictors for the end of March through April suggest temperatures and precipitation will be closer to average.

2013 Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Bill Information

This is a summary document from National Emergency Management Association (NEMA) of the Fiscal Year 2013 Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Bill that was passed by Congress and signed by the President. Included is a breakdown of the program allocations and explanatory insight for the Department of Homeland Security budget.

It is expected that the President's Fiscal Year 2014 budget proposal will be introduced during the week of April 8.

FEMA Update on the National Flood Insurance Policy

The Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 directed the National Flood Insurance Policy (NFIP) to take steps to remove a variety of existing flood insurance subsidies and to make other changes to move toward a stronger, more fiscally sound program.

As such, on March 29, 2013, the NFIP will provide instruction to its private sector, write-your-own (WYO) insurance company partners associated with the removal of certain flood insurance subsidies in accordance with the law.

The date of this announcement is intended to provide WYOs with sufficient notice to implement these provisions beginning October 1, 2013. It also aligns this new guidance with other routine, bi-annual rate changes provided to these companies.

The attached guidance provides instruction on the removal of subsidies for:
  • Commercial Buildings;
  • Repetitively Flood Buildings; and
  • Lapsed and Newly Purchased Policies.

FEMA is also providing instruction to WYOs on the establishment of a Reserve Fund and changes in eligibility for Preferred Risk Policies, including how the subsequent phase-in of full risk rates will occur.

Policyholders impacted by this new rating structure can expect to see changes to their flood insurance premiums upon the renewal of their policy on or after October 1, 2013.

If you have any questions, please contact FEMA’s Congressional Affairs Division at (303) 235-4908.

Job Announcements

Park County Director of Emergency Management

General duties for the Park County Director of Emergency Management include: Under limited supervision of the County Administration Officer, performs professional emergency management work. This work involves coordinating and networking with other departments, local, state and federal agencies, fire and special districts, and law enforcement agencies on emergency management issues; identifying potential county emergency hazards; developing appropriate strategies and action plans; communicating with the County Administration Officer or other designated party, the Board of County Commissioners, other officials and the public on events; conducts emergency management education programs; and participating in planned simulated or actual disasters.

Apply for this position at http://www.parkco.us/Jobs.aspx?UniqueId=76&From=All&CommunityJobs=False&JobID=DirectorEmergency-Management-70. It is listed as open until filled.

FEMA Seeks Applicants for Youth Preparedness Council

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is seeking nominations for participants in the Agency’s Youth Preparedness Council (YPC).

The Youth Preparedness Council provides an opportunity for young leaders to serve as a member of a distinguished national council; to complete a youth preparedness project of their choosing; to learn about youth disaster preparedness from the leadership at FEMA and other national organizations dedicated to youth preparedness; to voice their opinions, experiences, and share innovative ideas and solutions; and to participate in the Youth Preparedness Council Summit where the council meets with emergency management leadership to discuss steps to strengthen the nation’s resiliency against all types of disasters.

Participants are expected to represent the youth perspective on emergency preparedness and relay information within their communities. Each council member is expected to develop and complete one preparedness-related project specific to his/her region and interests. In addition to attending the Summit in the summer of 2013, council members will potentially participate in national, regional, state, tribal and local preparedness meetings and present their work. It is expected that members will meet with FEMA on a regular basis via conference call to provide ongoing input on strategies, initiatives and projects throughout the duration of their term.

Anyone between the ages of 12 and 17, who is engaged in individual and community preparedness, is encouraged to apply or be nominated to serve on the Youth Preparedness Council. An individual may apply on his/her own behalf, or can be nominated by an adult familiar with his/her youth preparedness activities. Individuals interested in applying must submit a completed application form, a narrative, and a letter of recommendation. The letter of recommendation can be from any adult, including a parent, guardian, community first responder, or teacher. Applications that do not include a letter of recommendation will not be reviewed. Individuals interested in nominating a young leader to the council should complete the application form and narrative, but a letter of recommendation is not mandatory. Specific information about completing and submitting the application and attachments can be found on the application.

All applications and supporting materials must be received no later than 11:59 E.D.T. on April 19, 2013 in order to be eligible.

Council members will be selected based on vacancies and announced in May 2013. Once selected, members serve on the Council for one year, with the option to extend for an additional year, based on a formal request by FEMA.

For more information about the Youth Preparedness Council and FEMA’s work on youth preparedness, and to access the application materials, please visit www.ready.gov/youth-preparedness.

If you have any further questions, please contact Citizen Corps at (202) 786-9550 or CitizenCorps@dhs.gov.

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.

Educational Resources

Preparedness Partners Webinar on Social Media Used for Super Storm Sandy

Last week the Preparedness Partners provided a webinar on the social media actions taken during Super Storm Sandy. The webinars are offered at no cost, however, pre-registration is required. The next webinar will cover the topic of volunteer management. Contact Ryan Younge with questions or comments at rtyounge@columbus.gov or 614-645-6066. Below are links to the information shared during the social media webinar. The main speaker was the Digital and Social Media Manager from FDNY.

They’re Not Listening to Me! Reevaluating Your Fire Safety Messages

Fire Engineering Article: They're Not Listening to Me! Reevaluating Your Fire Safety Messages shares important information for those tasked with providing fire safety and public education in their agencies. Read the entire article by clicking on the link above. Here is the first paragraph by Becki White, Eden Prairie Fire Department: As a prevention specialist, I'm often frustrated by the fact that people continue to be injured and killed in preventable fires. I wonder why the work of hundreds of firefighters and fire educators spreading the fire-safety message isn't sinking in. It's not for lack of effort. I would argue that it may be because we aren't choosing the right message -- or we parrot messages without understanding their true meaning or how our audiences interpret them.

Wildfire Preparedness Day of Service Set for May 4

NFPA’s first Wildfire Preparedness Day of Service will be held on May 4, 2013 in Colorado. The NFPA is calling all those in Colorado to participate in a statewide day of wildfire service. Visit the NFPA Wildfire Safety Blog for specific information on how your neighborhood, community, agency or county can be involved. An official State Proclamation has been issued for the May 4 event.

If you will be participating with a project in your agency or community, please let us know so that we can share the impact that the Day of Service has in Colorado by emailing Micki Trost with a short summary of the project, your contact name and agency.

Bureau of Land Management Shares Public Information Messaging for 2013

Information officers and communicators at all levels are you looking for interagency season messages? Curious about what’s ahead for the 2013 fire season? Then be sure to check out the annual PIO pre-season video podcasts. They are now available through the National Interagency Fire Center’s PIO Bulletin Board - Season Podcasts page at http://1.usa.gov/10kry0a. Watch one today!

Training Information

PER-213 Wide Area Search Course

A Wide Area Search course is being held June 4-6, 2013 at the West Metro Fire Training Facility in Lakewood, Colorado. The course is now available for registrations at www.co.train.org with Class ID: 1032029. There is no cost to attend. If you have questions regarding this course, please contact Mike Good at mgood@westmetrofire.org .

Community Recovery Plan Seminar

This is the first in a series of four events (exercises) focused on the Colorado CSEPP Community Recovery Plan. The plan outlines the coordination and support activities that would occur in the recovery phase following a chemical accident/incident at Pueblo Chemical Depot.

Seminar participants will review current CSEPP recovery concepts, capabilities and plans. The Seminar will focus on local recovery, command and control coordination, critical decisions and integration of State and Federal Assets necessary to protect public health and safety.
  • First Seminar - June 5, 2013 - focusing on local recovery command and control coordination, critical decisions, and integration of State and Federal assets.
  • Workshop # 1 - August 27, 2013 focusing on Sampling and Monitoring (technical)
  • Workshop # 2 - October 30,2013 - focusing on Reentry and Recovery
  • Workshop # 3 - January 14, 2014 - focusing on Medical and Who's in charge
  • Table Top Exercise - March 19, 2014
The first seminar will be held at Gold Hills Station in Colorado Springs. The workshops and table top exercise will be held at the Pueblo City-County Health Department.

Please share this with other state partners as necessary. The planning team has Local and Federal partners that they will be circulating the "Save the Date" flyer.

RSVP back to Cindy VonFeldt at cindy.vonfeldt@state.co.us by May 1 if you will be in attendance for the June 5th seminar. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Public Information Officer and Crisis Communication Trainings Being Planned

There have been several requests for public information and crisis communication trainings in the state. Micki Trost, DHSEM PIO, is working with the Office of Preparedness Training Program to bring in several opportunities for 2013. Although locations have not been finalized for some of these we wanted you to have the opportunity to share time on your calendars. Registration for all trainings will occur through www.co.train.org when all logistics are finalized.
  • G290 Public Information Officer Courseso 
    • June 3-4 (Colorado Springs) – register now at www.co.train.org  
    • October 31 and November 1 – registration available soon
    • December 5-6 (Golden) – registration available soon

  • G291 Joint Information System/Joint Information Center Course
    • June 5 (Colorado Springs) – register now at www.co.train.org

  • April 15-19, 2013 (Frederick): S403/ L962 All-Hazards Public Information Officer Course – register now at www.co.train.org and lodging covered for those more than 50 miles away.

  • August 27-28, 2013 (State EOC): Argonne National Laboratory’s Joint Information System/Joint Information Center Training – registration coming soon



Training Announcements Listed on the Office of Preparedness Webpage

April Courses

April 1-5, 2013 (Lakewood), L380: At the Point of the Spear: Leading and Preparing Emergency Response Units (DHS: CA-002-PREV),Registration: COTRAIN, Course ID 1042528,Contact: Lin Bonesteel

April 5, 2013 (THIS CLASS HAS BEEN CANCELED PENDING A RESCHEDULE IN JUNE 2013), Coordinating With Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) During A Crisis, Registration: COTRAIN, Course ID 1042669,Contact: Robyn Knappe

April 5, 6 & 13, 2013 (Denver),Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training, Registration: Denver OEM,Contact: DenverCERT@denvergov.org

April 8-9, 2013 (Greeley), Multi-Hazard Emergency Planning for Schools, Registration: COTRAIN, Class ID 1014206, Contact: Steve Blois

April 9-10, 2013 (Centennial), AWR136: The Essentials of Cyber Security & MGT384: The EOC's Role in Community Cyber Security, Registration: COTRAIN, Course ID 1037412, Contact: Robyn Knappe

April 10-11, 2013 (Edwards), ICS400: Advanced Incident Command System, Registration: COTRAIN, Course ID 1006001, Contact: Robyn Knappe

April 15-19, 2013 (Frederick), L952: FEMA All Hazards Public Information Officer (PIO) and National Wildland Fire Coordinating Group (NWCG) S403, Registration: COTRAIN. Course ID 1042685, Contact: Robyn Knappe

April 17-18 (Denver), ICS300: Intermediate Incident Command System, Registration: COTRAIN, Course ID 1005860, Contact: Crystal Abeyeta

April 25-28, 2013 (Boulder), L380 At the Point of the Spear: Leading and Preparing Emergency Response Units (DHS: CA-002-PREV), Registration: COTRAIN, Course ID 1042528, Contact: Robyn Knappe

April 29-30, 2013 (Aspen), ICS400: Advanced Incident Command System, Registration: COTRAIN, Course ID 1006001, Contact: Robyn Knappe

April 29-May 3, 2013 (NETC - Emmitsburg, MD), E978: Situation Unit Leader, Registration: Send form 119-25-1 to Robyn Knappe, Contact: Robert Ridgeway

May Courses

May 6-9, 2013 (NETC - Emmitsburg, MD), E977 Supply Unit Leader, Registration: Send form 119-25-1 to Robyn Knappe, Contact: Robert Ridgeway

June Courses

June 4-5, 2013 (Colorado Springs), G290: Basic Public Information Officer (PIO) , Registration: COTRAIN, Course ID 1024974, Contact: Micki Trost

June 4-6, 2013 (Lakewood), PER-213 Wide Area Search Training, Registration: COTRAIN, Course ID 1032029, Contact: Mike Good

June 6, 2013 (Colorado Springs), G291: Joint Information Center (JIC), Registration: COTRAIN, Course ID 1030531, Contact: Micki Trost

July Courses

July 23-25, 2013 (Lakewood - Registration Deadline 7/12/13), FEMA L550 COOP Planners Train-the-Trainer Workshop, Registration: Colorado Federal Executive Board, Contact: Mike Brinkman

August Courses

August 20-21, 2013 (Lakewood - Registration Deadline 8/9/13), FEMA L551 Devolution Planning Workshop, Registration: Colorado Federal Executive Board, Contact: Mike Brinkman

August 26-28, 2013 (NETC - Emmitsburg, MD), E974: Finance/Administration Section Chief, Registration: Send form 119-25-1 to Robyn Knappe, Contact: Robert Ridgeway

September Courses

September 10-12, 2013 (NETC - Emmitsburg, MD), E976: Finance/Administration Unit Leader, Registration: Send form 119-25-1 to Robyn Knappe, ​Contact: Robert Ridgeway

September 23, 2013 (Centennial/SEOC), Social Media Use During Disaster Response and Recovery, Registration: University of Hawaii, Contact: Micki Trost at micki.trost@state.co.us

September 25, 2013 (Carbondale), Social Media Use During Disaster Response and Recovery, Registration: University of Hawaii, Contact Micki Trost at micki.trost@state.co.us

October Courses

October 21-25, 2013; January 27-31, 2014; June 23-27, 2014 (Centennial), Master Exercise Practitioner (MEPP), Registration: Send FEMA application packet to to Robyn Knappe, Contact: Robyn Knappe


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