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  1. States of emergency in Northwest as storms kill 5 |

    December 5 '07: The Seattle Post Intelligencer reported that a state of emergency has been declared in Washington by Governor Chris Gregoire and in Oregon by Governor Ted Kulongoski. The late fall storms have knocked out power to more than 50,000 people while completely inundating Interstate 5. Officials said the road should re-open Thursday or Friday pending little damage to the infrastructure, however some estimates put the total cost of damage in the hundreds of millions.

  2. Social Networking for emergency preparedness |

    October 9 '07: Neighborhood America, the organization which provides sponsorship for the National Blueprint, has announced a new enterprise social network solution for businesses, governments and organizations which can help with emergency preparedness and response. The networking technology uses Software as a Service which can help build secure and targeted social networks much like the Essential Public Network.

  3. Mass governor announces new HLS improvement plan for state | mass_homeland_security_strategy.pdf

    September 25 '07: A new report released by Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick's administration has outlined several steps the state can take to improve its homeland security operations, and response and recovery outreach to local business and residential communities the Boston Herald reported.

  4. Climate Corporate Response organization works to prepare businesses for sustainable practices |

    September 14 '07: September is National Preparedness Month and the Department of Homeland Security is urging state and local communities, religious communities, organizations and businesses to take steps to prepare for possible disasters. In Chicago, on September 25 and 26, several major corporations in the U.S. and from abroad will gather at the Corporate Climate Response Conference to discuss the ways in which climate change will affect businesses, both through legislation and in the real world.

  5. CSX Continuity of Operations plan | transportation-security.pdf

    June 29 '07: According to the Jacksonville Financial News and Daily Record railroad company CSX has said it is working to make sure that its operational infrastructure and its employees are prepared for a disaster. John Hawkins, the director of Corporate Communications told the Jacksonville paper, the company "has detailed plans for disasters. ... We have to be able to find a way to satisfy our customers while protecting our assets."

  6. Texas and Oklahoma communities hit by torrential rains |

    June 29 '07: According to the Associated Press, the torrential rains which have killed at least 12 people in Texas and Oklahoma are projected to stay for the next couple of days, exacerbating the flood levels and pushing emergency responses. Evacuation orders for 2,00 of Parker County, Texas were issued while in San Antonio there have been 52 street closures and 43 high-water rescue calls made.

  7. World Conference on Disaster Preparedness brings public and private sector together |

    June 29 '07: The Canadian Centre for Emergency Preparedness is hosting the in Toronto, Ontario in July which will bring representatives from the private and public sectors from around the world to exhibit and display best practices, new technologies, preparedness services and disaster management solutions, a press release read.

  8. Boeing to staff analysts at FBI fusion center | nationalrdinfrastructureplan.pdf

    June 4 '07: In what is a first of its kind, Boeing has announced a partnership with the FBI to place staff analysts at a Seattle FBI Fusion Center intelligence sharing office "to set an example of how private owners of critical infrastructure can get involved in such centers to generate and receive criminal and anti-terrorism intelligence," Washington Technology News reported.

  9. New NY alert messaging system leverages public and private assets | 2007_0531_nyalert.pdf

    June 4 '07: Government Technology News reported that New York Governor Elliot Spitzer has announced the creation of two new web-based emergency alert systems for residents of his state. One of the systems, NY-DELIVER, will leverage public/private assets and operations while NY-ALERT will work to handle weather related emergencies, a New York State Emergency Management Office press release read.

  10. DHS information-sharing network development slow according to officials | dhs-ig-report-on-hsin.pdf

    May 30 '07: The main information-sharing network for the Department of Homeland Security, the Homeland Security Information Network, needs more focus and cooperation from the private sector if it is to success as an efficient and reliable source of intelligence, security experts told Washington Technology reported.

  11. Alaskan towns respond to change as infrastructure collapses |

    May 28 '07: Local officials along Alaska's coast are struggling to cope with changes in the local weather systems that are causing the melting of the permafrost, collapsed buildings, sinking roads and which are helping rising coastal waters inundate sea communities, the International Herald Tribune reported.

  12. Emergency Alert System needs organizational oversight to help with effectiveness through public/private partnership report finds |

    April 2 '07: According to a new report released by the Government Accountability Office, the Emergency Alert System's primary actors - the media and the federal government - need to find a way to improve and integrate the system to help it become more effective in alerting the public during times of national emergency.

  13. The Use of Community Stadiums: A Charleston Best Practice |

    In the event of ANY disaster, stadiums can serve an important function. They have large outdoor and indoor open spaces. They have high ground (stands and press box facilities). They have community identification. They have route access to other emergency support. They have the potential of emergency power (generator) lighting. They have existing medical rooms and equipment. They have locker room and restroom facilities. They lend themselves to the potential of pre-planned distribution (concession areas, parking lot) for water, medical aid, batteries, sandbags, diapers/clothing, food). They can serve well as assembly points and communication coordination (press box areas) for National Guardsmen or police.

  14. Galveston Working Group: Developing the comprehensive Response for Recovery Plan | galvestonworkinggroup.doc

    The Galveston Working Group working document is in draft form, created as notes during the presentations.  These notes will be reviewed and compiled with the actual transcript in order to capture all key elements.

  15. Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy: A Charleston Best Practice |

    The Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy brings its unique “ministry of presence” to those who suffer the worst that life can bring. Chaplains bring their comforting prayers, helping hands, listening ears, and connection to resources and information for families during times of severe crisis caused by a natural disaster, terrorist or violent acts or unexpected tragedy. The Chaplaincy also provides invaluable pastoral care to those emergency workers who have been through traumatic experiences in the line of duty. CCC is a national leader in crisis chaplaincy.



  16. Mobile laptop data backup for Charleston City: A public/private best practice by the College of Charleston |

    The College of Charleston's Department of Geology and the Santee Cooper GIS laboratory are in discussions with Charleston County to formalize the College's ability to aid in post-disaster response in the Charleston region. The College currently has a fleet of 38 laptops and over 900 gigabytesof mobile driver space that can be used immediately following a disaster. Coordinated through Dr. Norman Levine, the mobile lab can allow each disaster response Command Center, and the field units, to have adequate access to GIS data, aerial photographs, and mapping services to aid in immediate response.

  17. Galveston Best Practice: Public Emergency Response Fusion Center |

    The Galveston, Tx. county emergency management center is the first in the nation to combine a National Weather Service office with an emergency management department of local government. The 23,500-square-foot building has been designed to withstand a Category 5 hurricane (winds in excess of 155 mph) and will house the Galveston County Office of Emergency Management, the National Weather Service, Galveston County 9-1-1 District and members of the Texas Division of Emergency Management.

  18. Port Security: Intermodal Transport System |

    Many port facilities are under economic stress from several fronts, including antiquated technology, environmental restrictions, just-in-time manufacturing practices, overlapping federal/state/local jurisdictions, and the lack of basic technological infrastructure to orchestrate a global network for intermodal asset security monitoring and tracking.  Land competition and environmental regulations likely will further restrict the geographic expansion of current port facilities.  Further, the information systems for managing the supply chain still largely depend on manual date entry processes. 

  19. Neighborhood Presidents: A Charleston Best Practice |

    The City of Charleston Neighborhood Councils, some 97 strong and growing, provide a system of communication and a substantial base for providing training and preparation for disaster readiness for city residents. City staff regularly meet with neighborhoods and provide basic training for the neighborhoods as they understand that there is a period of time when the city and its citizens must be able to operate and function without outside help. Neighborhoods are encouraged to send representatives for CERT Training from the Charleston County Emergency Preparedness Division. CERT trained volunteers are prepared to be first responders in their neighborhoods. These volunteers and other neighborhood members offer a front line response for the individual neighborhoods in the City.

  20. Community Shuttle Squad: A pre-trained volunteer vehicle 'pony express' to assist responders |

    Many smaller communities have a limited number public sector vehicles and drivers available during crisis for any purposes other than response, containment or law enforcement.  Having a pre-trained and qualified volunteer vehicle squad available to assist first responders by delivering assets, messages and other volunteers could significantly reduce the logistical strain on public sector assets during the first hours of crisis.  Using the Virtual Surge Depot with its two-way wireless messaging capability to catalog the drivers and their vehicle capabilities, and managing real-time deployment with the Critical Decision System GIS overlay, local responders could expand their own capability without drawing down against their own response assets or personnel.  

  21. Communication: Cooperating with existing telecoms to help bolster emergency communication |

    By working with regional communications companies, regional, state and local governments can use the existing systems in place to help with coordinating emergency response and communication during an emergency.

  22. Paying for disaster response: creating clear lines of responsibility |

    There is too much worry over who is going to pay for responses to a disaster. Currently, there are Urban Search & Rescue teams that can respond while the the lines of response and responsibility are clear enough that arguing over the bill obfuscates the problem.

  23. Stovepiping and information sharing: change the culture and change the outlook |

    The ability to communicate and bring new ideas to the forefront is essential when thinking about homeland preparedness. Local governments need to communicate better between each other. They need to make sure that their first responders are properly coordinating their plans, training etc. First reponders need to cross train so that they better understand functions other than their primary function area. They need to insist that training etc. be conducted beyond functional and jurisdictional lines. They need to be constant and effective advocates for the safety needs of their community Private Industry need to share their expertise. They need to participate in local planning and exercises. Community/citizens need to be prepared to protect their homes and families during the first few days of an emergency. They need to be more awre of weather threats etc. They need to make sure they have advanced knowledge of resources present in their community, and how to access them.

  24. Emergency Response System: Training very first responders |

    Every first responder, whether they are EMS, paramedic, doctor, nurse firefighter or law enforcement should have access to the Emergency Response System - a set of guidelines for "very first responders" that can help to evaluate and respond to medical emergencies. The ERS can also help school officials, or other public/private organizations so that in the event of an emergency, rapid medical response can be executed.

  25. Transit security: using controled access points to help increase security |

    Security on mass transit is hard to accomplish and consolidate because of the loose nature of metro rails, buses and trains. Airports are tighter because they have controlled movements of people that are not always translatable or possible for commuters or train passengers.


  26. Traffic intersection network: Linking traffic light control processors in a local network |

    Most modern traffic lights are regulated by computer processors which have signficant amounts of processing capabilities that go idle, but that could be used to regulate additional sensors if put into a simple wireless network tied into the local emergency management network.

  27. Local camera network: Linking exterior parking lot cameras in a network |

    Almost every community has private sector and community facilities that have exterior security cameras operating 24 hours a day.  There are local and national companies that provide simple and inexpensive software that can link these cameras through a web-based network to the local emergeny management office to provide situational awareness and remote sensing over a wider footprint than normally available to the public sector.

  28. Emergency supplies: Disaster bags |

    Supply chain issues will arise when a large natural disaster or terrorist strike inhibits the ability of emergency operations managers to move supplies into an area. More pointedly, when the general infrastructure is damaged, supply chain operations are seriously hindered.


  29. Disaster stations: Using businesses and community organizations to help rebuild communities |

    During a disaster, and its immediate aftermath, many victims become displaced. Those "refugees" or "evacuees" often times need places to use as a base station so that they can call people (if they don't have cell phones), have mail delivered or use fax machines (so that they can retrieve vital records or faxes such as birth certificates.


  30. Emergency supplies: Lifepacks can help provide shelter and clothing |

    Supply chain issues will arise when a large natural disaster or terrorist strike inhibits the ability of emergency operations managers to move supplies into an area. More pointedly, when the general infrastructure is damaged, supply chain operations are seriously hindered.


  31. Emergency supplies: Daybags provide quick food and water |

    Supply chain issues will arise when a large natural disaster or terrorist strike inhibits the ability of emergency operations managers to move supplies into an area. More pointedly, when the general infrastructure is damaged, supply chain operations are seriously hindered.

  32. Private Sector Community Organizations: Existing frameworks for response and communication to help government response and community preparedness |

    Churches and other religious organizations are a good way to organize a community through an already existing social structure to help relay and disseminate information about local preparedness and community involvement. Federal, state and local governments can work with religious organizations to help construct local and regional preparedness and response plans though little federal money ever needs to be used since the organization has already been created by the religious organizations.

  33. Private Sector Announcements: understanding the responsibility of businesses in community response |

    In most cases, many people in the community who are not involved in community response or disaster preparedness, local or state government or any private sector industry not involved with disaster response do not know what to do, or whom to call, or even find out where to obtain information when the disaster strikes.

  34. Disaster response: Civic involvement along with private sector and government |

    A greater awareness of the civic responsibility of each citizen to participate in community response and preparedness in response to a disaster - whether natural or man made is the greatest hurdle to disaster response and preparedness. First response is an amalgamation of federal, state, local and tribal governments, medical services, law enforcement as well as community involvement and cooperation within the private sector.

  35. Water purification & filtration: On-site surge capacity for hospitals and public locations |

    A number of industries have water filtration and purification capabilities as part of their manufacturing process.  These companies, in concert with shippers who daily move food products such as milk, can provide large amounts of water to hospitals, schools and evacuation centers if they work together during a crisis.

  36. Generators: Local companies can provide additional capacity to schools & hospitals |

    Generators are always needed for back-up power during most emergencies.  Particular needs exist for schools, nursing homes, clinics, hospitals and other locations where vulnerable and special needs residents reside or childern are under supervision.  Small and medium-sized companies can establish a volunteer power network where employees can provide company or privately-owned generators to help meet emergency power needs of these facilities.

  37. CERT: Getting your neighborhoods and communities trained to be self-maintaining until the first responders can reach them |

    Check with local emergency management about the Citizen Emergency Response Team (CERT). Getting your neighborhoods and communities trained to be self-maintaining until the first responders can reach them. The more information that is made available the more prepared our communities will be.

  38. Pets on the Bus: Facilitating public-sector evacuation of pet owners |

    This is a way to facilitate public sector evacuation by allowing civilians to bring their pets with them on evacuation vehicles organized and supplied by local government during an evacuation.

  39. Integrating college and city disaster planning: A Charleston public/private partnership best practice |

    Currently, the College of Charleston is part of the Charleston County Disaster mitigation and preparedness plan, and is in the process of developing a college-wide disaster mitigation and response plan. The plan is being developed by the Hazards Working Group in the Geology Department, in conjunction with the administration, C of C Physical Plant, and C of C Public Safety Department. According to Dr. Briget Doyle, the current college goals for 2006-2007 include more fully preparing a robust, college-centered hazard mitigation plan, raising hazard awareness on campus, and developing more ties to local, regional, state and federal authorities for disaster mitigation and response.

 


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