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This Citizen Corps News Digest is provided by FEMA's Individual & Community Preparedness Division to highlight community preparedness and resilience resources and activities recently announced by federal agencies and Citizen Corps partners. |
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DHS -FEMA Updates
Be heard…Email comments or suggestions to us at cert@dhs.gov
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FEMA Fire Management Assistance Declarations Updates
Oregon Government Flats Fire Complex 08/18/2013
Washington Eagle Fire 08/21/2013
Montana Lolo Creek Fire Complex 08/19/2013
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Hurricanes on the Horizon!
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) recently updated its 2013 Hurricane Season Outlook . Because the season has already produced several named storms in the Atlantic hurricane region, NOAA now predicts an above-average hurricane season, with the possibility of being very active.
This season is expected to produce 13-19 named storms, of which 6-9 are expected to become hurricanes and 3-5 to become major hurricanes. The season ends November 30 but peak season runs mid-August to late October.
While the Eastern Pacific hurricane season is expected to be below normal, it only takes one hurricane or tropical storm to cause a disaster which can occur whether a season is active or mostly quiet.
Therefore, people are urged to prepare for every hurricane season regardless of the outlook. In addition to having an emergency kit and family communications plan , you should:
- Learn your community evacuation route;
- Have paper maps on hand in case cellular networks are down;
- Cover your home's windows with storm shutters or plywood; and
- Get flood insurance protection.
Hurricanes can produce heavy rains that may cause extensive flooding. Homeowners insurance typically does not cover flood damage. To learn more about your flooding risk and how to protect yourself contact the Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration .
For more tips on hurricane preparedness, click here .
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ College Checklist: Preparedness Edition
Families throughout the country are preparing to send their sons and daughters to college – and many of them will be away from home for the first time. Being prepared will help your college student remain safe and calmly deal with emergency situations.
Having a disaster readiness kit is one of the best ways to stay prepared. This can be as simple as a backpack containing items like a flashlight, a small radio, extra batteries, a solar powered or hand-cranked cell phone charger, energy bars, water and first aid supplies. Ready-made kits designed for students can be ordered from the American Red Cross . Advise your student to keep their kit in an easily accessible place, like under the bed or on the top shelf of a closet.
Most colleges have emergency plans and it may be posted on their website. If not, contact the admissions office to get a copy and confirm your child is registered on the emergency notification system.
Also, prepare your family communications plan now so your child will know how to contact you in case communications between home and school are disrupted. Make an emergency information list of names, phone numbers and locations of family members, doctors, medical insurance and other important resources.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ DHS: Let Your Voice Be Heard
The Department of Homeland Security reminds you to participate in the ongoing Quadrennial Homeland Security Review (QHSR). New material has just been posted on both the Communities of Practice and IdeaScale websites. Innovative ideas are now being discussed on topics such as public-private partnerships, including a recap of some of the key themes from the US Chamber of Commerce QHSR Public-Private Partnerships forum, the flow of goods and people and DHS's roles and missions.
The QHSR will engage the entire homeland security enterprise on how to strengthen partnerships that improve security and resilience and strengthen our economy.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ New For You
Attention Apple users! Now you can become a Disaster Reporter using this updated feature on the FEMA mobile app to share photo of disasters in your area. Download the app and keep preparedness tips and resources in your pocket.
Want to advance your CERT training? Learn how to maintain the safety of disaster workers and improve efforts of rescue efforts using the Incident Command System, a proven management system used by emergency managers. Sign up for this online course now!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dates for Your Calendar!
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