This message was sent to ##Email## To advertise in this publication please click here March 4, 2021 .ANNUAL CONFERENCE NEWS On-Demand from IAEM Reimagined is available through Apr. 16, 2021 IAEM It has never been easier to receive contact hours for IAEM’s Certified Emergency Manager Program, so register now for IAEM Reimagined On-Demand. You can explore almost 50 hours of educational content at the bargain price of $199 for individuals (member and non-member) and $99 for student members. You will have 48.5 hours of content presented by emergency management experts and colleagues to provide learning opportunities through the next seven weeks. Register today for on-demand to get started! 2021 IAEM scholarship application period has opened — students must apply by May 17 IAEM The IAEM Scholarship Program provides scholarships through a competitive process to full-time undergraduate and graduate students, and part-time graduate students, working on degrees in emergency management, disaster management, or closely related fields of study. Awardees are selected based on applications and required complimentary materials. To be considered for an award in this year’s program, visit the online scholarship application portal and review the application instructions. Submit the appropriate application and documentation no later than 11:59:59 p.m. EDT on May 17, 2021. A login and password are necessary to complete the application. Individuals who do not have an IAEM account will be prompted to register (at no cost) prior to completing the application. Registration provides applicants access to update the application and provide additional documentation prior to the deadline. Direct your questions to Scholarship Program Director Dawn M. Shiley. .IAEM-OCEANIA COUNCIL NEWS South Australia receives more than $2 million to boost disaster risk reduction Mirage More than $2 million in combined Commonwealth and State Government funding announced today will reduce the risk of natural disasters across South Australia. Minister for Emergency Management David Littleproud said the funding, provided through the Disaster Risk Reduction Grants Program, has been allocated to agencies, community groups and local councils for a range of local strategies. READ MORE  PRODUCT SHOWCASE Managing Multiple Crises Amidst COVID–19 How will you respond when the next public safety crisis hits? Learn how First Alert’s real-time breaking news alerts can keep you a step ahead. Read our eBook to be better prepared for the next emergency. LEARN MORE .IAEM-USA COUNCIL NEWS FEMA seeks members for the National Advisory Council IAEM The FEMA National Advisory Council is seeking qualified individuals to share their emergency management expertise by serving on the National Advisory Council. The application period is open for up to 12 discipline-specific and Administrator-selected positions who will advise the FEMA Administrator on all aspects of emergency management. Individuals appointed to the council will bring their experience and diversity of views to provide the Administrator with consensus recommendations on a broad range of issues. Discipline-specific positions include cybersecurity, communications, in-patient medical provider, elected local official, emergency management, and emergency response provider. If you want to serve on the National Advisory Council, submit your application package to FEMA-NAC@fema.dhs.gov, by 11:59 p.m. EST, Mar. 12. For details regarding applications, visit the FEMA NAC membership application page. Many rural Texas counties currently left out of federal disaster aid eligibility for winter storm The Texas Tribune Rural counties endured the same storm as big cities, but many haven't fallen under President Joe Biden's major disaster declaration. Officials say it's because those counties lack data on damages. READ MORE  SPONSORED CONTENT Promoted by American Military University COVID-19: Will This Be the Public Health’s 9/11 Earthquakes: The ‘Big One’ Might Hit the Midwest – Not California ­COVID-19: Flattening the Curve to Avoid a 'Great Depression II' Staying Safe: The Twin Threats of COVID-19 and Disaster Events ­How 1911's Triangle Fire Changed US Safety Laws Increasing California landslide risk prompts USGS study Emergency Management It’s been well documented that wildfires in California and elsewhere are becoming more frequent and more intense, and climatologists say the warming atmosphere assures that this is the new normal. That trend also means different patterns of precipitation — perhaps the same annual rainfall totals but more intense patterns of precipitation during certain periods. READ MORE Saving California from wildfires by burning it is one solution Emergency Management California and the West are just months removed from one of the worst wildfire seasons in modern history. Climate change is ramping up the hazards, and a dry winter suggests another tough year is coming. Desperate for a solution, states are finding that lighting a fire can be a good way of preventing one. READ MORE  PRODUCT SHOWCASE Real-Time Threat Detection and Validation The DataCapable® Platform™ combines patented artificial intelligence algorithms with human-in-the-loop validation to capture, automate, distribute, and visualize actionable information in a real-time common operating picture — quickly make informed decisions to mitigate hazards affecting your communities, infrastructure, and resources before they become a wider threat to operations and public safety.­ ­ LEARN MORE FBI chief warns violent 'domestic terrorism' growing in US* The Associated Press FBI Director Christopher Wray bluntly labeled the January riot at the U.S. Capitol as “domestic terrorism” Tuesday and warned of a rapidly growing threat of homegrown violent extremism that law enforcement is scrambling to confront through thousands of investigations. READ MORE Over 400 organizations urge Senate to pass American Rescue Plan for state and local aid WITN-TV This week, more than 400 national and local organizations from across the country sent a letter urging the Senate to pass the American Rescue Plan and deliver much-needed aid and assistance to states and local areas. From labor unions in Iowa to Arizona associations representing local governments to national policy centers, the organizations emphasized the economic costs of the pandemic in states, cities, counties, Tribes, and territories across America. READ MORE .EM NEWS What went wrong with Texas' power grid? Homelande Security News Wire On 13 February, a severe winter storm swept across Texas and nearby southern states, bringing sub-zero temperatures and snowfall as far south as the border with Mexico. The polar air that descended on Texas lasted many days, leading to a statewide crisis as energy grids failed to supply enough power, fuels froze and water pipes burst. Without heat and power, millions of Texans endured life-threatening conditions and at least 58 people across the U.S. have died as a result of the storm. READ MORE Japanese experts look to create global standards for disaster preparedness The Japan Times Using lessons learned from the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami, a project to create uniform global standards for efforts to prepare for natural disasters and mitigate disaster risks is underway in Japan. The project is designed to improve the world’s disaster management capacity by leveraging the knowledge Japan has accumulated. The organizers hope for the launch of new standards in 2023. READ MORE  FEATURED ARTICLE   Seismic Retrofits Make Good Business Sense. Here's Why Promoted by Optimum Seismic, Inc. Saving lives is the ultimate concern when preparing for an earthquake, but building retrofits bring so many cost benefits that they make good business sense as well. LEARN MORE   20 years after the Nisqually earthquake, are we better prepared for the Big One? The Seattle Times With a magnitude of 6.8, the Nisqually earthquake of Feb. 28, 2001, was the most powerful quake to strike the state in a generation. But for all its scattered dramas — and at least $2 billion in damage — it was a mild demonstration of the seismic forces that threaten the Pacific Northwest. READ MORE .HEALTHCARE EM UPDATE A simple rule of thumb for knowing when the pandemic is over Government Executive The facts are undeniable: The seven-day average of new coronavirus cases in the United States has fallen by 74 percent since their January peak, hospitalizations have gone down by 58 percent, and deaths have dropped by 42 percent. Meanwhile, more than 60 million doses of vaccine have gone into American arms. At some point—maybe even some point relatively soon—the remaining emergency measures that were introduced in March 2020 will come to an end. But when, exactly, should that happen? READ MORE  PRODUCT SHOWCASE The Ultimate Sandbag Filling Tool If your responsibility includes sandbag production, you realize the biggest challenge is output: the maximum number of bags in the least amount of time. The mobile, low cost ExpressBagger® is a perfect solution if your sandbagging operation uses "people power" and needs a high output with a minimal investment. www.expressbagger.net. LEARN MORE Biden vows enough vaccine for all US adults by end of May* The Associated Press President Joe Biden said Tuesday the U.S. expects to take delivery of enough coronavirus vaccine for all adults by the end of May — two months earlier than anticipated — and he pushed states to get at least one shot into the arms of teachers by the end of March to hasten school reopenings. Biden also announced that drugmaker Merck will help produce rival Johnson & Johnson’s newly approved one-shot vaccine, likening the partnership between the two drug companies to the spirit of national cooperation during World War II. READ MORE .CLIMATE/WATER/WEATHER UPDATES The Texas blackouts showed how climate extremes threaten energy systems across the U.S. Homeland Security News Wire Pundits and politicians have been quick to point fingers over the debacle in Texas that left millions without power or clean water during February’s deep freeze. Many have blamed the state’s deregulated electricity market, arguing that Texas prioritized cheap power over reliability. But climate extremes are wreaking increasing havoc on energy systems across the U.S., regardless of local politics or the particulars of regional grids. READ MORE The 2021 tornado season may be more destructive because of La Niña Homeland Security Today This year’s tornado season could be more severe than usual across the USA, in part because of La Niña. The climate pattern called La Niña – a natural cycle marked by cooler-than-average ocean water in the central Pacific Ocean – is one of the main drivers of weather around the world, especially during the late fall, winter and early spring. READ MORE Glacier burst — a killer disaster; but the solution lies in managing cascading risks United Nations Escap On 7 February 2021, the Nanda Devi glacier broke off in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, in the outer western Himalayas. At least 61 people were killed and around 143 are still missing. This disaster is not unique. In June 2013, the adjoining town of Kedarnath witnessed a cascade of devastating floods and landslides that killed more than 5,700 people and caused large-scale destruction of bridges and roads, which left about 300,000 pilgrims and tourists trapped in the valleys for many days. Such Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) pose a serious threat to mountainous communities across Bhutan, India, Nepal and Pakistan; from the Himalayas to the Caucasus, Pamir, Hindu Kush-Karakoram and Tien Shan mountain ranges. READ MORE PRODUCT SHOWCASE Reach Your Prospects Every Week Thousands of industry professionals subscribe to association news briefs, which allows your company to push messaging directly to their inboxes and take advantage of the association's brand affinity.Connect with Highly Defined Buyers and Maximize Your Brand Exposure   LEARN MORE   Match Vaccine Supply with Resident Demand Address challenges around vaccine appointment scheduling. Avoid system crashes that frustrate and confuse residents. Data and targeting features increase reach and facilitate two-way communication. Automate appointment signup to provide clear status information. Generate vaccination heatmaps to discover and address problem areas. Request a Demo!   LEARN MORE   Future hurricane seasons might start two weeks early The Verge Next year’s Atlantic hurricane season could begin on May 15th if officials decide this year to move its formal start date up by two weeks. The decision will likely be made this spring, during meetings held by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and World Meteorological Organization (WMO). READ MORE .CYBERSECURITY NEWS Feds up share of FEMA grants that must be spent on cybersecurity Route Fifty The Department of Homeland Security will require more federal grant money to go toward cybersecurity projects in an effort to help state and local governments protect critical infrastructure, Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced Thursday. In the past, DHS has required that a minimum of 5% of Federal Emergency Management Agency grants be dedicated to cybersecurity. The department will now up that requirement to 7.5%—a change that will bolster cybersecurity funding for state and local governments by $25 million, Mayorkas said. READ MORE 2020 was a tough year for health-care cybersecurity Government Technology The global health care and pharmaceutical industries bore the brunt of cyberattacks in 2020 as nation-state hackers and criminals targeted companies looking for information on COVID-19 as well as vaccine development, cybersecurity research firm CrowdStrike said in a report made public Monday. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rage around the world with new variants appearing on multiple continents, forcing widespread closures despite the availability of vaccines, the health care industry is likely to remain in the crosshairs of hackers, the 2021 Global Threat Report from CrowdStrike said. READ MORE U.K. launches self-assessment tool and awareness campaign for small business cybersecurity Homeland Security Today Bespoke advice to help small businesses combat rising online threats is being offered through a new digital tool launched by the U.K.’s leading cybersecurity experts. As part of the cross-government Cyber Aware campaign, GCHQ’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has created the Cyber Action Plan to help micro businesses and sole traders securely navigate the increasingly digital landscape they operate in. READ MORE .EM RESOURCES IAEM-USA Region 1 webinar recording on CHC response to COVID-19 has been posted IAEM IAEM-USA Region 1 held a Feb. 25 webinar on “Community Health Center (CHC) Response to COVID-19.” Jacqueline Johnson, M.Ed., COO, Caring Health Center, Springfield, Massachusetts, spoke about what a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) is, how their service differs from other healthcare providers, what their response was to COVID-19 (how their operations changed, how they coordinated across CDCs, etc.) and what changes they see in the world of CHCs as we plan for vaccine rollouts. Watch the webinar here. .NEW INSIGHTS Assessing social equity in disasters EcoWatch Disasters stemming from hazards like floods, wildfires, and disease often garner attention because of their extreme conditions and heavy societal impacts. Although the nature of the damage may vary, major disasters are alike in that socially vulnerable populations often experience the worst repercussions. For example, we saw this following Hurricanes Katrina and Harvey, each of which generated widespread physical damage and outsized impacts to low-income and minority survivors. READ MORE The disasters keep coming but not the funds for FEMA The Hill The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s response and recovery success is reliant on one financial account — the disaster relief fund. Congress funds the disaster relief fund based on historical needs as well as the full funding needed for catastrophic recovery. In the past, when unplanned disaster needs arise, Congress has passed supplemental appropriations similar to the recent COVID-19 supplementals. READ MORE Vaccine websites violate disability laws, create inequality* Emergency Management Many COVID vaccination registration and information websites at the federal, state and local levels violate disability rights laws, hindering the ability of blind people to sign up for a potentially lifesaving vaccine, a KHN investigation has found. Across the country, people who use special software to make the web accessible have been unable to sign up for the vaccines or obtain vital information about COVID-19 because many government websites lack required accessibility features. READ MORE .IAEM CERTIFICATION UPDATES New AEM®/CEM® Study Guide now available IAEM IAEM has published a new version of the AEM/CEM exam study guide on the IAEM website. Use this updated version as you prepare for the IAEM certification exam. A new version of the New Zealand exam will go live on May 15, 2021. Use the reference lists in the updated study guide to prepare for the new version of the exam. .IAEM MEMBER NEWS IAEM member Joseph R. Sastre passed away on Feb. 15, 2021 IAEM Long-time IAEM member Joseph R. “Joe” Sastre, 64, passed away on Feb. 15, 2021, at home with his family in New Britain, Connecticut, after a valiant battle with cancer. His life was one of public service. He worked for 25 years in the Milford Police Department, retiring as a lieutenant. He served as the director of Milford Police Department’s Training Academy and was involved in several statewide educational programs. When he retired, he began a new career as manager of emergency communications and emergency management in Groton, Connecticut, becoming involved with statewide and national emergency management as well as national homeland security. After his second retirement, he began teaching emergency management as an adjunct professor at the University of New Haven. IAEM members will remember him for his work as IAEM’s representative on the First Responder Network Authority’s (FirstNet) Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC). In her last email communication with Joe, IAEM CEO Beth Armstrong wrote to him: “You have served your profession, your fellow citizens, and this association with honor. Your work is deeply appreciated, and we will keep you in our thoughts and prayers with esteem and affection.” IAEM offers deepest condolences to Joe’s wife Vicki, their three children, and their nine grandchildren, as well as his two surviving siblings and many nieces and nephews. A celebration of Joe’s life will be held privately by his family, when they are all able to be together post-COVID. View details about Joe’s family and life here, and take the opportunity to post a tribute. .GRANT ANNOUNCEMENTS DHS announces funding opportunity for $1.87 billion in preparedness grants Homeland Security Today Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas today announced the release of the funding notice for eight different types of preparedness grants worth nearly $1.87 billion. Together, these programs provide more than $1.8 billion in critical funding to assist our state and local partners in building and sustaining capabilities to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism and other disasters. READ MORE .SURVEY REQUESTS EMAP seeks input on a Business Consultant Subscription and Training IAEM The Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP) is planning to launch a Business Consultant Subscription and Training in 2021. The goals of the EMAP Business Consultant Subscription and Training are to provide consultants with an understanding of the intent and application of the Emergency Management Standard; how the elements of the Emergency Management Standard can be addressed in the plans, programs, processes, and procedures of public and private sector emergency management programs; and how the EMAP Accreditation Process can better assist programs. In anticipation of the launch of the EMAP Business Consultant Subscription and Training, EMAP is conducting market research to determine the level of interest in the initiative among consultants, contractors, and consulting firms. Please help EMAP with their research by completing this online survey. .EM CALENDAR Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP) to hold Mar. 16 webinar on 'Communications and Warning Standard Review' IAEM EMAP has scheduled this webinar on Mar. 16, 2021, 11:30 a.m.-1:00. p.m. EST. Have you struggled to understand how to approach and navigate through the Communications and Warning Standard Area? Do you know what EMAP is looking for in the planning and testing of your communication, notification, and warning systems? These are all questions that the webinar will strive to address. The Communications and Warning Standard Area can be a challenging standard area due to its structure and requirements. Learn more about the intent and application of the Communications and Warning Standard Area. Register online. NHSA is hosting their annual conference on Aug. 30-Sept. 2 at the MGM Grand — speaker applications now being accepted IAEM The National Homeland Security Association (NHSA) brings together professionals in homeland security, law enforcement, fire and emergency management at the National Homeland Security Conference (NHSC). Attendees will include officials in federal agencies, nonprofit agencies, business owners, universities, and decision makers, who will learn about emerging trends in homeland security and see the new equipment and technology available to support their mission. The 2020 conference was held virtually, so NHSA is excited to welcome attendees to Las Vegas, Nevada, for the 2021 conference at the MGM Grand, Aug. 30-Sept 2, 2021. The call for presentations is now open. For more information on speaking, visit the event website. Register now. Natural Hazards Center and FEMA to co-host Mar. 9 webinar on climate change research IAEM The Natural Hazards Center has partnered with FEMA and the National Science Foundation to create the Mitigation Matters Research Program. The program provides small grants to researchers to conduct studies on hazard mitigation policies and implementation practices. As part of the Making Mitigation Work series, the Natural Hazards Center and FEMA will host a webinar, “Climate Change Research from Mitigation Matters Award Recipients.” Speakers will include: Brianna Castro, Harvard University; Kelly Dunning, Auburn University; and Nicole Hutton, Old Dominion University. Pre-registration is required to attend the webinar on Mar. 9, 1:00-2:00 p.m. EDT. Register online. .AROUND THE WORLD Indonesia's Mount Sinabung volcano spews ash into sky Reuters via U.S. News & World Report Indonesia's Mount Sinabung volcano sent a cloud of hot ash as high as 5 km (3.1 miles) on Tuesday, in its first big eruption since August last year, the country's volcanology centre said. Mount Sinabung's activity has increased since last year and the alert for the volcano in North Sumatra province has been placed at the second-highest level. READ MORE An earthquake swarm is underway in Iceland, with over 10.000 earthquakes detected in the past 7 days, hinting that the region could head for an eruption Severe Weather Europe A powerful earthquake swarm has begun on the Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland on February 24th. Over 10.000 earthquakes have been detected since the beginning of the earthquake swarm. After the long series of strong earthquakes, magma movement is now also being detected. This increases the risk of a potential volcanic eruption on the peninsula, as long as the earthquake swarm continues. READ MORE The Louvre moves its treasures as climate change brings more floods to Paris* Thomson Reuters Foundation When the River Seine that runs through Paris overflowed this month, officials at the Louvre Museum were relieved some of their most valuable items were safely stored in northern France. The world's largest and most visited museum, with almost 10 million visitors annually, had already transported some 100,000 at risk art pieces to the new Louvre Conservation Center in Lievin, some 190 km north. The reason? Climate change. READ MORE Flooding in Kentucky sparks rescues, evacuations for seniors ABC News Up to 5 inches of rain has slammed parts of Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia and Maryland, leaving residents stranded, roads washed out and buildings flooded. READ MORE Earthquake rattles Greece with preliminary magnitude of at least 6.0; some damage reported The Associated Press via USA Today An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of at least 6.0 struck central Greece Wednesday and was also felt in neighboring Albania and North Macedonia, and as far as Kosovo and Montenegro. One man was injured by falling debris but there were no other immediate reports of serious injury. Local officials reported structural damage, mainly to old houses and buildings that saw walls collapse or crack. READ MORE   IAEM Dispatch Connect with IAEM Jason Zimmerman, Director of Publishing, MultiView, 469-420-2686 | Download media kit Bob Kowalski, Executive Editor, MultiView, 469-420-2650 | Contribute news International Association of Emergency Managers 201 Park Washington Court  |  Falls Church, VA 22046-4527  Elizabeth B. Armstrong, MAM, CAE, IAEM CEO, IAEM Executive Director Dawn M. Shiley, CAE, IAEM Dispatch POC, IAEM Communications and Marketing Manager (703) 538-1795  |  Contact Us  |  www.iaem.org/ Click here to unsubscribe.  Learn how to add us to your safe sender list so our emails get to your inbox. ADVERTISE SUBSCRIBE PAST ISSUES   7701 Las Colinas Ridge, Ste. 800, Irving, TX 75063