Washington- On behalf of the United States and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Acting Commissioner Winkowski and Nigeria Customs Service Comptroller Basic Abdullahi Dikko Inde signed a Customs Mutual Help Agreement (CMAA) right now, which marks a considerable milestone in collaboration among the two countries. (much more)
CBP.gov: National News Releases
General
CBP to Begin Rollout of Automated Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record
Washington- U.S. Customs and Border Protection today announced that the automation of Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record is now effective which will streamline the admissions process for individuals lawfully visiting the United States. Form I-94 provides international visitors evidence they have been lawfully admitted to the U. (more)
CBP.gov: National News Releases
CBP and French Customs Officials Seize Controlled Substance
Washington – U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Center for Excellence and Expertise (CEE) in New York City along with the French Fake Medicines Observatory intercepted a shipment, 400 tablets, of Carisoprodol, a Schedule IV controlled substance. “The collaborative efforts of CBP’s Pharmaceuticals, Overall health & Chemical compounds CEE and the French Customs Fake Medicines Observatory (FMO) demonstrates that international partnerships are a force multiplier in the battle to avert the importation of hazardous pharmaceutical items,” stated David J. (far more)
CBP.gov: National News Releases
Assisting Firefighters By means of Grants – FEMA’s Function For the duration of Wildfires
Posted by: Lars Anderson, Director, Public Affairs, FEMA
Over the past few weeks firefighters from local, state, and federal agencies have been tirelessly operating to battle a number of large fires across the country. Most importantly, we want to recognize their sacrifice and determination to protect lives and house. Thousands of very first responders from all levels of government have come collectively to bravely fight the blazes on the front lines.
FEMA continues to coordinate closely with our state, nearby, and tribal partners as the fire fight continues. In ten instances considering that June 1, FEMA has made economic help offered to support the firefighting efforts for fires in Montana, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico. This assistance is offered by way of Fire Management Help Grants (FMAGs).
FMAGs provide economic help so firefighters and 1st responders can concentrate all their efforts on decreasing the negative impacts of the fire. An FMAG authorization makes FEMA funding offered to pay 75 percent of the state’s eligible firefighting fees, beneath an authorized grant structure.
Products eligible for FMAGs can contain expenses for field camps equipment use, repair and replacement mobilization and demobilization activities and tools, supplies and supplies.
In case you are interested in the specifics, the program allows for the “mitigation, management, and control” of fires burning on publicly or privately owned forest or grasslands which threaten such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. FMAGs are provided via the President’s Disaster Relief Fund and produced accessible by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to trigger a significant disaster.
A note on FMAGs: These grants do not provide assistance to individual property or business owners and do not cover other infrastructure harm triggered by the fire.
Other federal partners, such as the U.S. Forest Service and Division of Interior, are operating by way of the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) to provide the required assets such as fire engines, helicopters, air tankers and military support to assist suppress the fires. You can find a lot more about the federal government’s part at inciweb.org.
Due to summer season temperatures and dry conditions, the threat of wildfires will probably continue in the coming weeks and months. If you’re in an area that may possibly be impacted by wildfires, keep in mind these safety suggestions:
- Generate a emergency kit and plan to ensure your home, family members, or enterprise is prepared for wildfires.
- Listen to and stick to the guidance of state and regional officials. If authorities order an evacuation, leave immediately, adhere to evacuation routes announced by regional officials.
- Produce an location of “defensible space” around your house. Clear things that will burn from around the property, which includes wood piles, lawn furnishings, barbecue grills, tarp coverings, and so on.
- If you’re caught in the open in the course of a wildfire, the ideal temporary shelter is in a sparse fuel location. Clear fuel away from the area although the fire is approaching and then lie face down in the depression and cover your self. Remain down till following the fire passes.
For a lot more suggestions on staying protected before, throughout and after a wildfire, check out Prepared.gov/wildfires and our mobile website (m.fema.gov).
DHS Earns Third Consecutive “A” in Annual Little Business Scorecard
Posted by: Rafael Borras, Under Secretary for Management
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was recognized today with an “A” rating by the Small Business Scorecard for its success in contracting with small businesses. This is the third year in a row DHS has received an “A” rating.
Each year, the Small Business Administration (SBA) releases its annual Small Business Procurement Scorecard, which rates federal agencies success in meeting their overall small business contracting goals. SBA ratings are based on five categories—small businesses, women-owned businesses, service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, businesses in HUBZones (historically underutilized business zones) and small disadvantaged businesses.
DHS’ success is due in no small part to the hard work and dedication of the team in our Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization and the contracting professionals and small business advocates in every Component.
DHS also is among the top four agencies in terms of total Federal contract dollars awarded to small businesses. In fact, we exceeded the Federal government goals in four out of the five small business categories for both prime and subcontract procurements and spent more than $ 4 billion with small businesses.
In virtually every segment of our homeland security community there are small businesses working to support the DHS mission and play a critical role in delivering efficient and innovative solutions to our long- and short-term acquisition needs. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the small business community and remain committed to their participation in our efforts to secure the nation.
For more information about DHS’s small business programs, please visit: http://www.dhs.gov/xopnbiz/smallbusiness/.
CBP Employee Honored at Annual Federal Awards Gala
Washington – U.S. Customs and Border Protection Chief Technology Officer, Mr. Wolf Tombe was honored on March 20 at the 24th Annual Federal one hundred Awards Gala.”This important achievement is a result of the efforts and dedication exhibited by Mr. Tombe and his staff,” mentioned David V. (a lot more)
CBP.gov: National News Releases
What We’re Watching: three/15/13
Posted by: Lars Anderson, Director, Public Affairs
At the end of each week, we post a “What We’re Watching” blog as we look ahead to the weekend and recap events from the week. We encourage you to share it with your friends and family, and have a safe weekend.
Flood Safety Awareness Week
Next week, we’re teaming up with NOAA to bring you National Flood Safety Awareness Week. Floods are one of the most common hazards in the U.S., and while spring brings the promise of warm weather and longer days, it also brings a variety of threatening conditions like heavy rain, flash flooding, and rapid snowmelt (for those of us who received any) that can increase your flood risk.
So be sure to follow the blog and our social media channels March 17 -23 for flood safety information and tips along with the steps individuals, families, and businesses can take to protect their families and homes from flooding. But you don’t need to wait until next week for the info – you can visit Ready.gov/floods today for the rundown on flood safety, as well as FloodSmart.gov for information on the benefits of flood insurance.
Internship Opportunities for NYC Graduate Students
I wanted to highlight an opportunity for graduate students seeking internship opportunities in the New York City area.
The John D. Solomon Fellowship for Public Service is the first student fellowship in New York City government devoted specifically to emergency management. The program provides graduate students in New York City-area universities a nine-month paid fellowship (approximately 20 hours per week) in an agency of New York City government, including NYC Office of Emergency Management. If you or someone you know are interested, be sure to apply online.
The application period closes on April 1, so be sure to apply today. For more information, visit the NYC Office of Emergency Management website.
Share your thoughts on these topics
In case you missed it, there’s still time to share your thoughts and ideas on our new topics on our collaboration site:
- Creating Model Emergency Management Plans – We’re looking for your input on what schools, institutions of higher education, and houses of worship should consider when developing and implementing a comprehensive emergency management plan and how students and staff can best be trained to follow them. Whether you’ve played an active role in developing your community’s local emergency management plans or simply have ideas on how best to do this, your ideas will help others learn from your success.
- Seeking input from Indian tribal governments – We’re seeking your thoughts on the procedures for Indian tribal governments to request emergency and major disaster declarations. As part of an amendment to the Stafford Act, federally recognized Indian tribal governments now have the option to make a request directly to the President for a Federal emergency or major disaster declaration, or to seek assistance, as they do presently, under a declaration for a State. We’re looking for your feedback on how these requirements and factors may or may not be appropriate as applied to requests from Indian tribal governments during the pilot program. Your thoughts will be influential in the development of the pilot program to process declaration requests from Indian tribal governments.
Visit our online collaboration site to share your thoughts and comments on these two topics or any of our other open topics.
Photo & Video of the week
Belmar and Lake Como St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Despite the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy, the New Jersey Towns of Belmar and Lake Como got together to hold their 40th St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
CAPTION: Far Rockaway, N.Y., March 11, 2013 — The FEMA for Seniors program visited the Young Israel Wavecrest & Bayswater Senior Center. Community Relations Specialist Lloyd Weston gave a presentation on disaster preparedness and discussed the importance of preparing a document folder and disaster supply kit. K.C.Wilsey/FEMA
Happy St. Patrick’s Day… And may the luck of the Irish be with you!
Have a safe weekend!
FEMA Blog
CBP and EPA Seize Shipment of Counterfeit Headphones and Unsafe ATVs in Los Angeles
Washington – U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the LosAngeles/Extended Beach seaport seized a shipment containing 445 counterfeit “Beats by Dr. Dre” headphones and 28 all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) that violated U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations on February 5. (far more)
CBP.gov: National News Releases