Chicago – U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Chicago Division of Aviation announced nowadays that Automated Passport Handle is now obtainable for U.S. citizens at O’Hare International Airport. This new technology will permit travelers to scan their own passport, comprehensive their Customs declaration and confirm travel data using a self-service kiosk ahead of reaching the CBP officer to comprehensive the inspection. (a lot more)
CBP.gov: National News Releases
News
AARP & FEMA: Creating resilience via partnerships
Effectively responding to disasters requires a team, but not just any team. This team needs to be as diverse, multi-faceted, and as talented as the fabric of America itself. Because of this, FEMA is always looking for opportunities to strengthen the team that prepares for, responds to, and recovers from emergencies.
I’m proud that last week FEMA took a step in bolstering this collection of partners by signing a partnership agreement with the American Association of Retired Professionals (AARP). Here’s Administrator Fugate and AARP CEO Barry Rand at the signing ceremony:
As Administrator Fugate and Mr. Rand said, the partnership between FEMA and AARP is all about building resilience in homes, neighborhoods, and communities around the U.S. That could mean providing information so people understand the disaster risks in their area, ensuring Americans are aware of assistance and services that are available after a disaster, or sharing best practices so people rebuild their homes and communities to make more resilient after a disaster strikes.
I hope the partnership inspires you to take action to make your family, home, business, or neighborhood better prepared for a disaster. Since we’re in the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season, now is a great time to review your family’s emergency plan and ensure your emergency supply kit is stocked and ready, just in case. In addition to FEMA’s Ready.gov/hurricanes page, another great place for information on preparing for hurricanes or tropical storms is the AARP “Operation Hurricane Prepare”. It has a handy checklist and videos that put preparedness actions at the forefront.
Finally, check out the the AARP blog for their take on the partnership and details on how AARP members are already lending a helping hand in disaster response. One way is through Createthegood.org, which pulls together volunteering opportunities and stories on how volunteering is making a positive impact in communities around the country.
Partnerships are so critical to emergency management – I’m glad to welcome AARP as FEMA’s newest formal partner!
FEMA Blog
What We’re Watching: 8/2/13
Posted by: Dan Watson, Press Secretary, 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.
Photos of the Week
Here are a few of our favorite photos from the past week. Check out our Photo Library for more.
Weather Outlook
According to the National Weather Service, it doesn’t appear there will be any severe weather threats this weekend. While there aren’t any significant weather threats at this time, weather conditions can change rapidly. We encourage everyone to monitor their local weather conditions online at www.weather.gov or on their mobile device at http://mobile.weather.gov.
While you’re out and about this weekend, take a few moments to make sure your family’s emergency kit is fully stocked as we head into the peak of hurricane season. Last week we saw two Tropical Storms — Dorian in the Caribbean and Flossie in the Pacific. These storms are great reminders that the time to prepare for tropical weather is now. Visit Ready.gov for a list of items that should be in your emergency kit and for safety tips on what to do before, during and after a hurricane.
Public-Private Partnership Conference
This week the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA, in association with the United States Northern Command and the American Red Cross, hosted the “Building Resilience through Public-Private Partnerships” conference.
The conference highlighted successful public-private partnerships, identified coordination gaps between public-private organizations, and engaged both sectors to determine how to further promote teamwork to make our communities and nation more resilient.
Here are a few tweets from the @FEMALive account, which covered live the conference live on Twitter:
.@CraigatFEMA: need to understand context of business & gov’t environment to work cooperatively together #PPPConf
— FEMA Live (@FEMAlive) July 30, 2013
.@CraigatFEMA Impacts from disasters have cascading effects – like gasoline shortages & the supply chain impacts #PPPConf
— FEMA Live (@FEMAlive) July 30, 2013
.@CraigatFEMA Gov’t shouldn’t approach private sector & ask: “How can you make my job easier?” #PPPConf
— FEMA Live (@FEMAlive) July 30, 2013
.@CraigatFEMA Instead, gov’t needs to understand business context & ask: “What can I do to make you more successful?” #PPPConf
— FEMA Live (@FEMAlive) July 30, 2013
On the panel: reps from @RedCross, @weatherchannel, @grainger, @RedCrossNorthNJ, and @Target #PPPConf
— FEMA Live (@FEMAlive) July 30, 2013
Panelist: You shouldn’t be exchanging business cards during a disaster. Establish relationships ahead of time! #PPPConf
— FEMA Live (@FEMAlive) July 30, 2013
Now up at #PPPConf, building resilience in academic communities. Panelists from Maryland Univ., Gallaudet Univ., and @fema!
— FEMA Live (@FEMAlive) July 31, 2013
Question for panel: what are the key elements to success for building campus resilience? #PPPConf
— FEMA Live (@FEMAlive) July 31, 2013
Mueck from Univ. of Maryland: support from campus leadership is very important. It elevates the resilience for everyone. #PPPConf
— FEMA Live (@FEMAlive) July 31, 2013
Batten-Mickes: training & coordinating groups requires funding. So we can’t forget about how money allows more planning to happen. #PPPConf
— FEMA Live (@FEMAlive) July 31, 2013
Thanks to everyone who was able to participate and follow the discussion online!
For more information on how FEMA engages with the Private Sector, visit www.fema.gov/private-sector.
Have a safe weekend!
FEMA Blog
8th P-three Aircraft Receives Mid-Life Upgrade
Washington – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) these days announced the completion of its 8th P-3 Orion aircraft overhaul.The Service Life Extension Program gives new wings and tail for every aircraft and fully strips down the aircraft to its bare metal for an inspection. (a lot more)
CBP.gov: National News Releases
Using Mitigation to Save Lives: Alabama Reaches A Milestone
Posted by: Art Faulkner, Director, Alabama Emergency Management Agency
There is no question that April 27, 2011 changed the lives of Alabamians. On that one day, our state experienced more than 60 confirmed tornadoes causing widespread devastation. Soon after, we decided to do all we could to make our state safer in the future.
In the days, weeks and months following the tornadoes, Governor Bentley and I toured the state and heard the personal stories of disaster survivors. Many of them told us how they only had moments to find safety while praying for their lives and the lives of their loved ones.
They were the lucky ones that day. No matter how much they had lost, they were grateful to still be here, and live through one of the state’s most devastating disasters. Unfortunately, more than 250 people lost their lives during that 24-hour span of tornadoes.
Once my staff and I grasped the sheer magnitude of what had just happened, we all knew we had to do something to prevent this from happening again.
The weeks following the disaster, Governor Bentley made it his priority to utilize a FEMA program known as the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. This program is based on a percentage of the federal disaster cost from the tornadoes, with FEMA paying as much as 75 percent of the costs for families and communities to install safe rooms to prevent or minimize the effects of future disasters.
Having this program available to us was only one part of the equation; the next part was ensuring the public and community leaders understood how this program would benefit them.
In June 2011, a joint effort with FEMA, private and public sector partners, the Alabama Emergency Management Agency hosted the Safer Alabama Summit. This event discussed future mitigation projects that would help our communities rebuild safer and stronger.
After that event, what I call the “real” work began and that included our mitigation staff working with FEMA’s staff and the sub-applicants to receive, process and review more than 4,500 applications for safe rooms. They also processed applications for generators, alert notification systems and the hardening of portions of Druid City Hospital in Tuscaloosa.
In just over two years, or 26 months to be exact, I’m proud to say Governor Bentley awarded and the mitigation staff obligated approximately $ 77 million to the great citizens of Alabama. This was unprecedented for our state and, possibly for any state in the U.S.
I attribute the success in which we distributed the grant so quickly to the leadership of Governor Bentley and the relationship we have built with our local and federal partners. The way my staff devoted countless hours to working with the necessary parties to get the applications completed showed their unwavering dedication to the people of Alabama, but it also echoed the sentiment of my entire staff—April 27, 2011 is a day we will never forget!
FEMA Blog
Preparing for this Year’s Hurricane Season
Posted by: Craig Fugate, Administrator, FEMA
Editor’s Note: This blog was originally posted on the White House Blog.
Today marks the start of the 2012 Atlantic Hurricane Season. Under the direction of President Obama, FEMA and DHS stand ready to support our state and local partners as the tropics start to produce their annual cyclones, storms, and hurricanes. On Wednesday, I joined Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano as well as partners from NOAA, DOE, the Army Corps of Engineers, and representatives from states and the private sector to brief the President on steps FEMA and our partners have already taken to meet the challenges of the 2012 hurricanes season. That briefing underscored the importance of the whole community, from the federal government to individual citizens, working together to get prepared before a potential storm threatens a region, state, or community.
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| Washington, D.C., May 30, 2012 — President Barack Obama participates in the annual hurricane preparedness briefing in the Situation Room of the White House, May 30, 2012. Seated clockwise from the President are: Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano; John Brennan, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism; Daniel Poneman, Department of Energy Deputy Secretary; Eric Silagy, FP&L President; Bryan Koon, Florida Director of Emergency Management; Major General Emmett Titshaw, Florida Adjutant General; Chief of Staff Jack Lew; and Craig Fugate, Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) |
Long before the start of this year’s hurricane season, FEMA has worked closely with our partners at the state, local and tribal levels. This includes openly sharing information and expertise that will improve resiliency across our nation, cities, towns, neighborhoods, and families. For FEMA, building relationships before a disaster strikes is vital to working closely together during and after an emergency situation.
But government doesn’t prepare for and respond to disasters alone. Right alongside are the hundreds of businesses, voluntary agencies, and faith- and community-based organizations who provide vital services to both communities and individuals affected by disasters. Some of these organizations provide for basic needs like food, water, and shelter – while others respond to needs such as financial consulting, animal sheltering, or help processing your insurance claim.
While all the players I mentioned play a part in keeping our nation and neighborhoods safer in case disaster strikes – these efforts will fall flat unless individuals take part in their own preparedness. Fortunately, the short amount of time and effort it takes to make our families and homes safer is well worth the payoff if an emergency should happen. For example, here are three simple steps you can take today:
- Familiarize yourself with the disasters or emergencies that could happen where you live, work or frequently visit,
- Decide and practice how your family would communicate after an emergency, and
- Build an emergency supply kit to sustain your family for at least 72 hours.
So as we move into the traditional start of the Atlantic hurricane season, I encourage you to respond to the important role you play as part of the emergency management team. You can start with one of the three steps I listed out above, or by pledging to prepare at Ready.gov/hurricanes.
DHS Commemorates LGBT Pride Month
Posted by Secretary Janet Napolitano
Every day, DHS employees around the world work to ensure the security of our country. They work along our borders, in our airports, in federal buildings and throughout the maritime domain. There are also countless DHS employees that Americans don’t see. At the DHS Pride Ceremony today, I had the opportunity to speak with and thank some of our LGBT employees for their dedication to our Department and our important mission.
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| Secretary Napolitano meets with DHS Pride Board of Directors |
Over the last three years, we have worked to build One DHS, helping to unify the youngest, and one of the largest, Cabinet agencies. DHS has taken a number of key steps to foster an environment where everyone has the opportunity to advance and thrive. At the Pride Ceremony, I spoke about our commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace for all employees and the important role groups like DHS Pride have in building that common culture.
We are ever mindful of the significance of our work and the events that gave rise to our department as we continue to strengthen the safety, security, and resilience of our nation. As we look forward, we will continue to work together to address new and emerging challenges while maturing and strengthening the homeland security enterprise.
What We’re Watching: six/14/13
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.
Severe weather threat continues
Millions around the country dealt with a series of severe storms this week – and forecasts from the National Weather Service are calling for a potential for storms over the Great Plains, stretching from North Dakota to Kansas today. As this week’s storms remind us, keeping up with your local forecast and having a plan are two key steps to stay safe. What are the best ways to do that? Well, you can follow the weather in your area through local TV/radio, but you can also do so on your phone through the National Weather Service mobile site at mobile.weather.gov. And if you don’t have a NOAA Weather Radio, it’s definitely worth the investment. It can alert you of severe weather conditions in your area 24/7, while providing specific actions for staying safe. You can pick them up at most big box stores, and hardware stores are a good place to look, too.
As for making a plan for severe weather, Ready.gov has you covered. You can visit the site on your computer or mobile device for a full list tips on staying safe before, during, or after severe weather.
Come Join our Team
Here at FEMA, we’re always looking to expand our team and recruit highly motivated people interested in a rewarding career in emergency management. Here are a few open positions within different departments of the agency:
- Supervisory Hazard Mitigation Specialist – Boston, MA
- Training Specialist – Hyattsville, MD
- Reports Analyst – Denton, TX
- Senior Mitigation Planning Specialist – Philadelphia, PA
Visit our Careers page to learn more about FEMA and browse through other opportunities that are available.
Upcoming Events
Here are a few events happening next week:
- Small Business Week – It’s important for everyone to be prepared for an emergency, even businesses. As part of Small Business Week, we’re encouraging all business owners and employees to take the time to make sure your business is prepared for an emergency and employees/coworkers know what to do in the event of an emergency. Visit the Small Business Administration’s website and Ready.gov for tips and resources on preparing your business for an emergency.
- Operation Hope – If you’re in the Atlanta, Georgia area, on Tuesday June 18 at 12:30 p.m. EDT Administrator Craig Fugate will be participating on the Operation Hope Forum titled Financial and Economic Disaster Recovery: People, Preparedness and the Price. To learn more about the event or to register, visit the Operation Hope website, follow @OpHOPE_ATL and follow the conversation using #HOPEforum.
Video of the Week
FEMA’s Private Sector forged a relationship with the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore, the state of New Jersey Department of Homeland Security and Preparedness and the Lakewood BlueClaws minor league baseball team to raise donations of preparedness items and increased awareness of the importance of preparedness.
Photos of the Week
And finally, here are a few of my favorite photos that came into our Photo Library this week:
Moore, Okla., June 12, 2013 — Governor Mary Fallin, stops at the memorial set up at Plaza Towers Elementary School to pay her respects during a tour with federal, state and local officials. Residents are encouraged to register with FEMA if they sustained damage during this storm. Jocelyn Augustino/FEMA
Moore, Okla., June 8, 2013 — FEMA Corps members Lorna Parish, center, and Eloy Arguello, right, register a local resident at a Vietnamese Survivor Event held at the Saigon Taipei Market Residents impacted by the May 20th tornado are still encouraged to register with FEMA. Jocelyn Augustino/FEMA
Have a safe weekend!
FEMA Blog