Flash Flooding
(Sources: U.S. Geological Survey and Science Daily)
Flash flooding, one of the biggest causes of natural hazard-related deaths in the United States, is difficult to predict according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Flash flooding happens when intense thunderstorms dump large quantities of rain into steep or urban watersheds in a short period of time.
Because of the flash flooding that has occurred in the United States and other nations, the Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) examined the article by Science Daily, which indicated that data collected by the USGS is crucial to formulating better predictive models. “These models are needed by forecasters and emergency responders to warn the public and improve planning, in order to minimize the impacts of future floods.”
The USGS recently released a new service, called “ WaterAlert.” It allows users to receive text or e-mail updates about specific river flows, groundwater levels, water temperatures, rainfall, and water quality at any of the sites where USGS collects real-time water information. “WaterAlert” helps inform emergency managers and responders about current water conditions, such as flooding, so that they can take appropriate actions.
Additionally, the USGA operates approximately 7,500 streamgages as part of the National Streamflow Information Program, which provides emergency personnel and the public with long term, accurate, and unbiased information on streamflow in real-time.
Emergency Planning Revisited
(Source: Homeland1 News)
When conducting daily research for infrastructure protection and resilience lessons learned and best practices, the Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) surveyed a considerable variety of information and guidance pertaining to emergency planning. Some of the information provided precise and practical suggestions, but others were rather wordy and confusing.
Among the many sources, the EMR-ISAC found an article in Homeland1 News by Jeff Rubin, Ph.D., emergency manager for Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, Aloha, OR, regarding the five key qualities of good emergency planning. For the benefit of local emergency managers and the chief officers of the emergency services, Dr. Rubin's attributes of quality planning are abbreviated as follows:
· Scope . Clearly define whether the plan stops at coordination or is focused on operations.
· Realism . Describe relevant capabilities that actually exist and identify gaps. Make realistic assumptions based on as much evidence as possible.
· Flexibility . Don't try to list every capability or possible scenario, but design the plan to provide a flexible, scalable response organization.
· Delineation . Clearly identify roles and responsibilities within the organization before, during, and after major emergencies and disasters, including any special authorities requiring an internal or external declaration of emergency.
· Maintenance . Keep the plan current and keep it relevant, which means testing and updating it based on exercise and actual incident results.
“A good plan is really just another tool. It won't make a response work by itself and will never have all of the answers, nor should it be seen to do so.” Quality emergency planning should yield plans that “keep decision-makers from having to make everything up as they went along, as well as from having to make all of the difficult decisions under crisis conditions.”
As a reminder, Comprehensive Preparedness Guide (CPG) 101 (Version 2) (PDF, 1.8 Mb) is the foundation for state, territorial, tribal, and local emergency planning.
Fire Service-Based EMS Electronic Tool Kit
(Source: Fire Engineering)
Fire Engineering recently announced the release of a n electronic tool kit (PDF, 132 Kb) to provide fire service leaders and fire union officials with the latest information and resources on Fire-Based EMS.
The toolkit is the result of a joint effort of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the International Association of Firefighters, and the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association.
The Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) noted that this document provides fire service EMS leaders with a wealth of resources to develop and operate high performance Fire-Based EMS systems in today's highly competitive healthcare business environment. It includes talking points for communicating with elected officials and decision makers, information and resources on revenue and costs, and links to a multitude of other invaluable resources for today's fire service EMS leaders.
Tool kit information is provided through various electronic links to numerous documents, as well as links to other resources, including web sites and videos. Users can access these links and download resources at any time.
Emergency Management Institute (EMI) Course Announcements
(Source: Federal Emergency Management Agency)
The Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) was notified that the course, E-210 Recovery from Disaster: The Local Government Role, has been completely revised. It is designed for local disaster recovery teams consisting of emergency managers, city and county administrators, public works directors, building inspectors, and community planners.
E-210 focuses on the roles and responsibilities of each team member and provides guidance on developing a local disaster recovery plan. There are iterations of this course planned for 14-17 February and 28-31 March 2011. Refer to the EMI web site for further information. The EMI course manager is John Hoyle at john.hoyle@dhs.gov or at 301-447-1045.
The Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) was also notified about E-431 Understanding the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), which has been scheduled for 4-7 April 2011. This course enables emergency management, response, and recovery personnel from all political jurisdictions to more effectively understand, activate, implement, and utilize the EMAC system. It will assist attendees in gaining familiarity and competency with the EMAC system so that, when an event requiring activation of the system occurs, they will know how to proceed with the proper documentation and sources of information to maximize use of all available resources. Refer to the course description (PDF, 1 Mb) for more information. The EMI course manager is Deborah Evans at deborah.evans1@dhs.gov or at 301-447-1139.
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DISCLAIMER of ENDORSEMENT
The U.S. Fire Administration/EMR-ISAC does not endorse the organizations sponsoring linked web sites, and does not endorse the views they express or the products/services they offer.
FAIR USE NOTICE
This INFOGRAM may contain copyrighted material that was not specifically authorized by the copyright owner. EMR-ISAC personnel believe this constitutes “fair use” of copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Law. If you wish to use copyrighted material contained within this document for your own purposes that go beyond “fair use,” you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.
Reporting Notice
DHS and the FBI encourage recipients of this document to report information concerning suspicious or criminal activity to DHS and/or the FBI. The DHS National Operation Center (NOC) can be reached by telephone at 202-282-9685 or by e-mail at NOC.Fusion@dhs.gov.
The FBI regional phone numbers can be found online at www.fbi.gov/contact/fo/fo.htm.
For information affecting the private sector and critical infrastructure, contact the National Infrastructure Coordinating Center (NICC), a sub-element of the NOC. The NICC can be reached by telephone at 202-282-9201 or by e-mail at NICC@dhs.gov.
When available, each report submitted should include the date, time, location, type of activity, number of people and type of equipment used for the activity, the name of the submitting company or organization, and a designated point of contact. |
