Newsletter Vol.1 Feb 2009
Inside This Issue
- Update on FEMA PA
- Comprehensive Planning
- Training
- Emergency Notification System
- Evacuation Plan and the FOG
- IEMC
- Exercise Improvement Plan
- Homeland Security Grant Updates
- EMAC is back
- Volunteer Coordination
- Blizzard 2008
- LEPC
Update on FEMA Public Assistance (PA)
Gerry Bozarth has been working with FEMA and State EMD representatives to tour areas that were affected by the winter storm. It was determined that Spokane exceeded the threshold of $1.37 Million of uninsured damage throughout the County for the first incident period (12/11/08 - 1/5/09) to be included in the Governor's request for a Presidential Declaration of Disaster. Self insurance through County and City Governments is considered uninsured damage from FEMA's perspective as there isn't a third party paying. The County did not meet the additional $1.37 Million threshold during the second incident period (1/6/09 - 1/16/09). Since we broke several records for snow this season we probably will be allowed a total of three 48 hour continuous periods of reimbursement.
The next stage of this process is an Applicant Briefing. There are forms that will need to be completed by the applicants before this briefing. If you need copies, please email Gerry at gbozarth@spokanecounty.org.
Comprehensive Emergency Management
The Spokane Comprehensive Emergency Management plan (CEMP) is currently in review. After recent events, it has become vital that the Emergency Support Functions (ESF's) be reviewed by community partners as these plans are critical to the success of the respon
se and recovery efforts. As we continue to identify agencies within the respective Support areas, we will make recommendations to organizations to include Incident management system (ICS) courses and other related training that will assist in the response efforts.
The participation of the various disciplines that maybe involved in an area of response, preplanning will assist in the preparedness efforts within our community. Emergency Support Function #1 Transportation meeting is scheduled for February 24, 2009 from 9:00-11:00 at the Fire Training Center. Questions, please contact me ljameson@spokanecounty.org. A meeting notice will be sent to Lead and Support agencies.
Training
Lisa is also working on devloping a Emergency Management Leadership Series that will be scheduled quarterly. This training series will walk through the various phases of emergency management. Training notices will be posted in this bulletin board. The tentative schedule for ICS 300 & 400 for end of March and early April.
Emergency Notification System (ENS) :
After many months of evaluation, the Emergency Notification System is under final review by the selection Committee. This committee will meet on February 11th and make their recommendation. After the purchase, this system is proposed to be housed with Law Enforcement Communications.
Evacuation & Field Operating Guide (FOG):
The Joint Public Safety forumn had discussions regarding a meeting to discuss the Evacuation incorporation into the FOG. Lisa is coordinating a meeting on February 9th for the Evacuation Plan.
Integrated Emergency Management Course (IEMC):
The After action review is in initial draft form. Chief Thompson is assisting Lisa with this project. Many of the lessons learned at this training were also present in the "Blizzard 2008" incident in relation to the EOC.
Improvement Plan :
Darrell is working on the Winter Storm After Action Review (AAR) and Improvement Plan (IP). He has solicited input from disciplines, agencies, and organizations from throughout Spokane County who were involved and will develop a county wide IP with the input received. The office is excited to incorporate this event as well as other activations and exercises over this past year to improve our service to the community and support from the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). The IP for the winter storm draft is projected to be complete by February 21, 2009.
He recently coordinated an Exercise Planning Committee. The committee will meet quarterly and will focus on the following activities:
· Raise awareness about all planned Training and Exercises.
· Conduct needs assessments to establish training and exercise priorities.
· Create and publish short and long term Training and Exercise Plans.
· Evaluate incident and exercise outcomes
Darrell and Lisa will be working with this group to provide a coordinated effort within the community and an awareness of events that are occurring. If you have exercise information or need assistance in this area, please contact Darrell. The state is asking us to provide input for a Regional Improvement Planning (IP) Matrix. There was discussion at the regional meeting held last week to include ideas for this matrix for areas that affect your counties and our region.
Areas to focus our discussion and input include all the capability elements such as:
Planning
Organization and Leadership
Personnel
Equipment and Systems
Training
Exercise and Evaluations
He is requesting input from all counties by Thursday February 5, 2009.
Homeland Security (HLS) Grant Updates
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides funds to local government to enhance the capability of state and local units of government to prevent, deter, respond to and recover from catastrophic and/or terrorist events through the State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSP).
Recent events:
Spokane City/County Department of Emergency Management just received the State Homeland Security FY08 Grant.
We also received the Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS) FY08 Grant. The mission of MMRS is to enhance local medical incident management’s ability to coordinate and respond to a mass casualty event during the crucial first hours, until significant external resources arrive and become operational. Spokane County DEM and other community organizations will utilize the funds to maintain and update plans, deliver training, purchase equipment and pharmaceuticals and conduct exercises.
Region 9 meeting- February 25th 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
SHSP Planning Committee - February 10th 2:30 - 4 p.m.
MMRS Committee - February 18th 3 - 4:30 p.m.
For more information, contact:
Kristine Glasgow, Homeland Security Grants Administrator
(509) 477-7603
KGlasgow@Spokanecounty.org
EMAC is back….
The EMAC is the Emergency Management Advisory Council created by the Interlocal agreement that forms the Spokane Emergency Management Office. There was a meeting held last week and there was consensual agreement of those in attendance to re-energize the EMAC as stated in the Interlocal Agreement for Emergency Management. The Agreement only calls for quarterly meetings, but it was agreed that the EMAC will be meeting monthly (forth Wednesday) for several months.
Meeting Notes:
Three priorities for Emergency Management:
1. Develop and formalize an EOC plan, train to the plan, and exercise the plan.
2. Develop a global strategic plan for DEM to allow for prioritization of DEM roles and responsibilities.
3. Develop a strategy for sustainment of those resources within DEM and any future assets.
What is needed is a letter from either your Mayor, City Administrator (depending on your form of government), or the BOCC as to your appointment and to identify an alternate.
DEM has been requested to search the availability of grant funds for strategic planning and development of the EOC plan. Also, DEM will be contacting other emergency management offices to see if there are any EM strategic plans already developed and any possible RFP's for EOC or EM Strategic Plan development.
The next scheduled meeting on February 25, 2009 at 10:00.
Volunteer Coordination:
Chris Barnes has been working on the following projects:
Volunteer Coordination:
• Met with SAR council twice
o Coordinating their needs with our resources
o Distributed current rosters for review and updating
o Assisting in development of SAR credentialing standards
• Working with all 17 teams to update database.
• New initiative to find and train volunteers for administrative support to DEM during incidents.
• Met with three SAR teams at separate night meetings to get updated information and pictures of current members
• Updating current volunteer database in preparation for tracking all volunteer’s credentials
1. Working with teams to determine active members and remove others from rosters
2. Working with teams to update volunteer files for each active member
3. Modifying database to track more data on each volunteer
4. Working with SAR coordinator to determine tracking and reporting needs
5. Updating database as new information comes in
• Attended CERT committee meeting
o gave status of volunteers information input
o working to coordinate spring trainings throughout Spokane and Lincoln counties
Attended two Special Needs committee meetings
• working on spring conference
Attended quarterly COAD meeting
Purchasing, receiving and distribution of equipment on 07 HLS grants
Supporting Kristine in grant management
Public outreach
• Discussed concept of local preparedness education coalition
• Lining up opportunities for display
• Updating display with new information and format
• New links on website to “special needs” collaborators
• New links on website to COAD members
Assisting Bill with DEM equipment
Blizzard 08
Like many structures within our county, the hangar that houses the sheriff’s helicopter, the Explosives Disposal Unit vehicles and the mobile command vehicles also fell victim to this incident. It began when the ice was sliding off the roof and took the heater vents with it. That rendered the furnaces inoperable. As the contractor was repairing the vents, more ice slid from the roof and took electrical mast and part of the wall down. All repairs were completed January 27th and the hangar is back to normal operations. None of the vehicles were affected by the incident.
Local Emergency Planning Committee
Although the weather prevented this committee from holding the December and January meetings, the activities have still gone on. January has included planning an exercise which will bring Kootenai County and Spokane County together to work on a plan to respond to an incident that could impact our aquifer. Tentatively this tabletop exercise is planned for May 21, 2009.
January 29th, there was a conference held in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho that was hosted by the U.S. Coast Guard. The purpose of the conference was the Regional Response Team 10/Northwest Area Committee and updates from Washington and Idaho. The Regional Response Team is comprised of various agencies which include Spokane Fire Department Hazmat, Kootenai County Fire, Washington Dept of Ecology, Idaho DEQ, EPA, and the U.S. Coast Guard.
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