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Sept. 3, 2020

ANNUAL CONFERENCE UPDATE

IAEM virtual annual conference attendees will have free access to pre- and post-conference training IAEM IAEM is offering a variety of free training courses from DHS/FEMA as an added benefit for registered attendees of the IAEM Reimagined Virtual Conference. The courses and workshops are scheduled before and after IAEM Reimagined: The IAEM Virtual Conference in November, providing many opportunities to participate. These training options can help satisfy requirements for the IAEM Certification Program. Attendance/course completion certificates will be supplied by the training provider. Register now for IAEM Reimagined to receive the opportunity to register for free trainings, on a first come, first served basis. In addition, the conference offers more than 50 hours of educational content.

IAEM virtual conference sponsorships will increase visibility for companies and organizations IAEM Sponsorship opportunities are available for IAEM Reimagined: The Virtual Annual Conference. There are options for every budget. Contact Kate McClimans to learn more about reaching IAEM’s audience.

IAEM-OCEANIA COUNCIL NEWS

Further tsunami detection buoys deployed SunLive The deployment of five more DART buoys is being welcome by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters and Civil Defence Minister Peeni Henare. DART stands for Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunami. READ MORE

IAEM-USA COUNCIL NEWS

FEMA releases interim policy on COVID-19 work and costs eligible for public assistance IAEM The Federal Emergency Management Agency on Sept. 1 released its interim policy, “FEMA Policy 104-009-19 COVID 19 Pandemic: Work Eligible for Public Assistance.” The interim policy defines the framework, policy details, and requirements for determining the eligibility of work and costs under the Public Assistance Program to ensure consistent and appropriate implementation across all COVID-19 emergency and major disaster declarations. Except where specifically stated otherwise in this policy and other disaster-specific COVID-19 policies, assistance is subject to Public Assistance Program requirements as defined in Version 3.1 of the Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide (PAPPG). This interim policy supersedes the FEMA Fact Sheet dated Mar. 19, 2020, “Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic: Eligible Emergency Protective Measures,” for work performed on or after Sept. 15, 2020. This interim policy will be updated or revised as required by changes in the status of the COVID-19 pandemic.

IAEM-USA addresses support for PPE and disinfectants to remain covered under PA for COVID-19 IAEM The International Association of Emergency Managers USA Council (IAEM-USA) President Teri Smith, CEM, CPM, sent a letter to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Pete Gaynor on Aug. 31, expressing IAEM-USA concerns about reports that FEMA intends to eliminate personal protective equipment (PPE) and disinfectants as eligible reimbursable expenses under Public Assistance for COVID-19. Supporting a previous Aug. 25 letter from other emergency management related organizations, the IAEM-USA letter states that “PPE is a fundamental need for all COVID-19 related operations and is the definition of an ‘emergency protective measure.’ Shifting policy guidance in the middle of a pandemic is impractical, causes confusion, and disrupts operations in states and localities. It also imposes significant bureaucratic and administrative burdens at a time when state and local resources are critically strained. IAEM-USA maintains its long-standing request that FEMA waive the state cost share for COVID-19 assistance, which has not been addressed.” The association called on FEMA to retain its current guidance on emergency protective measures, while requesting clear guidance on eligibility of funding streams across the federal government.

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FEMA announces regulation update for the FMA grant and mitigation planning programs IAEM On Aug. 28, FEMA published for public comment in the Federal Register updates to the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) grant program and mitigation planning regulations to synchronize the requirements enacted by the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (BW-12). In addition, FEMA is replacing substantially similar terms and definitions in BW-12 to better align with the Code of Federal Regulations Title 2 part 200: Uniform Administrative Guidance. This update of outdated terms and definitions also impacts FEMA's Property Acquisition and Relocation for Open Space, mitigation planning and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program regulations. Since the passage of BW-12, FEMA has implemented these updates and is in now making the changes administratively in statute. The 60-day public comment period is open until Oct. 27. Visit regulations.gov and provide comments to Docket ID: FEMA-2019-0011.

New $1 billion federal-state agreement aims to reduce wildfire risks MSN As flames crackle across California, state and federal officials have launched a plan to disrupt the cycle of wildfires that regularly choke the region with smoke and have gotten more dangerous and destructive over the years. READ MORE

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IAEM NEWS

Contribute an article by Sept. 21 on ‘Visioning the Future of Emergency Management’ for the IAEM Bulletin conference issue IAEM In October, the IAEM Editorial Committee will publish the fourth 2020 IAEM Bulletin special focus issue on the topic of the IAEM Reimagined Virtual Annual Conference & EMEX theme, “Visioning the Future of Emergency Management.” Your article should be related in some way to the overall conference theme, and the length should be 750-1,500 words. Email article submissions in Word format (along with any questions) to IAEM Bulletin Editor Karen Thompson by Sept. 21, 2020. If you are not familiar with the Bulletin, the March issue on “Black Swan Events: Pandemics” is posted at the top of the IAEM Bulletin web page, plus you can read the author guidelines here.

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

EM NEWS

A burning chemical plant may be just the tip of Hurricane Laura’s damage in this area of oil fields and industry* The Conversation Hurricane Laura plowed through the heart of Louisiana’s oil and chemical industries as a powerful Category 4 storm, leaving a chlorine plant on fire and the potential for more hazardous damage in its wake. READ MORE

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT

Hurricanes and wildfires are colliding with the COVID-19 pandemic – and compounding the risks Government Executive With the “extremely dangerous” Hurricane Laura hitting Louisiana and Texas and wildfires menacing the western U.S., millions of Americans are facing the complex risks of a natural disaster striking in the middle of a pandemic. READ MORE

A Pandemic of Wildfire, Part 1 Discover The blaze captured in the false-color satellite image above is just one small part of a much bigger wildfire, which is just one among hundreds that have scorched Siberia since winter ice and snow melted in May. READ MORE

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A Pandemic of Wildfire, Part 2 Discover For days on end, smoke from 2020's burning season formed an acrid, smothering blanket over vast stretches of territory, causing health-threatening deterioration of air quality in highly populated areas of California, Colorado and other areas. READ MORE

After Laura, learning how to recover from a hurricane during a pandemic NPR Hurricane Laura is the first major test of whether the Gulf Coast is prepared to handle two disasters at once. Coronavirus case numbers in Southwest Louisiana were already spiking at an alarming rate. Then a Category 4 hurricane came ashore. READ MORE

CLIMATE WEATHER UPDATES

California’s lightning fires grew big, fast in 2020 TNS via Emergency Management Although lightning fires have been scorching the state since prehistoric times, the speed with which the SCU and LNU lightning complex fires became the second- and third-largest blazes ever recorded in California has startled emergency officials and strained firefighting resources. READ MORE

When smoke is in the air, all eyes turn to this NOAA weather model Homeland Security Today With smoke from western wildfires poised to spread from coast to coast this week, people will be looking to a NOAA smoke model for guidance on everything from how it might impact their area, to the weather, to scheduling school recesses. READ MORE

Hurricane Laura predictions more accurate with better modeling, faster computers ABC News On Aug. 25, the National Hurricane Center classified the tropical storm Laura as a hurricane, and later announced that it might rapidly intensify over the next 24 hours. On Aug. 26, just 15 hours after that announcement, that forecast came true: Laura was a Category 4. READ MORE

EM RESOURCES

NCA to offer CERT training using the updated 2020 FEMA CERT curriculum IAEM The National CERT Association (NCA) is proud to announce the “Nationwide Rollout” of the Hybrid Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training (updated with the 2020 FEMA CERT Curriculum). This online training is FREE for all CERT programs (Nationally/Internationally). The Nationwide Rollout will start Sept. 22, 2020, with a series of webinars hosted by FEMA. Register online or visit www.OnlineCERT.org for more information. Send questions to OnlineCERT@utah.edu.

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT

NEW INSIGHTS

US flood strategy shifts to ‘unavoidable’ relocation of entire neighborhoods Homeland Security News Wire For years, even as seas rose and flooding worsened nationwide, policymakers stuck to the belief that relocating entire communities away from vulnerable areas was simply too extreme to consider — an attack on Americans’ love of home and private property as well as a costly use of taxpayer dollars. READ MORE

In an era of coronavirus, do not forget security Domestic Preparedness Against the backdrop of a global pandemic, the United States is experiencing an historic rise in gun violence and civil unrest. Social issues, such as a dramatic increase in unemployment, a rise in domestic violence, an increase in substance abuse, social isolation, mental health issues, and uncertainty surrounding when the pandemic will end are leading to increased anxiety and frustration. READ MORE

DISASTER TECHNOLOGY NEWS

Storm-resilient communications requires layers of options GCN Hurricane Laura may be the first major storm to make landfall in the United States this summer, but it may not be the last, according to predictions. As Laura demonstrated when it took out power, telecommunications and internet infrastructure when it hit Louisiana on Aug. 27, these natural disasters can test first responders’ ability to communicate. READ MORE

Amateur drone to aid in natural disaster damage assessment Homeland Security News Wire It wasn’t long after Hurricane Laura hit the Gulf Coast Thursday that people began flying drones to record the damage and posting videos on social media. Those videos are a precious resource, say researchers at Carnegie Mellon University, who are working on ways to use them for rapid damage assessment. READ MORE

Africa CDC launches web-based tool to better manage public health emergency workforce deployments African Union The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), in partnership with the International Health Regulations (IHR) Strengthening Project of Public Health England (PHE), launched a new web-based tool, AVoHC Net, to facilitate rapid deployment and better administration of a standby workforce for public health emergencies across Africa. READ MORE

IAEM MEMBER NEWS

First National Bank employee receives promotion The Tribune-Democrat Jason Dobronz has been promoted to director of corporate resilience and physical security at First National Bank, the largest subsidiary of F.N.B. Corp. Dobronz, based in Pittsburgh, reports to Charles Casalnova, executive vice president of human resources and corporate services. READ MORE

FEMA Podcast Episode 73: Women in Emergency Management features three IAEM members IAEM In March, FEMA joined the nation in celebrating Women’s History Month. To commemorate the month by honoring the contributions of the many women serving in emergency management, FEMA hosted a panel discussion on “Women in Emergency Management: Riding the Tides of Change.” This episode of the FEMA Podcast, which aired on Women’s Equality Day, Aug. 26, featured a conversation with the four incredible women who participated in the panel. These women shared their candid thoughts on the early days of FEMA and emergency management and how women have and will shape the evolution of disaster response, recovery and preparedness. Featured on this episode were three IAEM members: Kay Goss, former associate administrator in charge of National Preparedness, Training and Exercises; Libby Turner, federal coordinating officer; and Chauncia Willis, CEO of the Institute for Diversity and Inclusion in Emergency Management. Jane Cage, chairman of the Joplin Citizens Advisory Recovery Team, also participated.

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EM CALENDAR

FEMA to offer free webinar series on disaster public assistance purchasing IAEM The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) scheduled six sessions of a free online webinar open to the whole community for Public Assistant applicants impacted by Hurricane Laura. This one-hour training will help participants understand how to purchase in compliance with federal rules during emergencies such as Hurricane Laura and other exigent circumstances. FEMA provides financial assistance to state, local, tribal and territorial governments, houses of worship and other nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, and other non-federal entities. All FEMA grant programs are subject to federal procurement rules, which simplify and expedite the procurement process in order to more quickly meet recovery needs in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. A session already took place on Sept. 2, but the five remaining webinars are still available. Click on the linked date to access the Adobe Connect training link for the offering of your choice: Sept. 3, 3:00 p.m. EDT; Sept. 8, 10:00 a.m. EDT; Sept. 9, 11:00 a.m. EDT; Sept. 10, 2:00 p.m. EDT; and Sept. 11, 3:00 p.m. EDT. The phone-only conference line and access code for all webinars is 1-800-320-4330, 428092#.

Making Cities Resilient: Developing and implementing local disaster risk reduction strategy to respond to COVID19 and to better prepare for the future PAHO The aim of this training is to strengthen an understanding on making cities resilient and to provide suite of tools to develop an evidence based local disaster risk reduction planning with multi-stakeholder engagement and in alignment with the national DRR strategies and Sendai Framework. READ MORE

FEMA co-hosts a webinar for mitigation planning on Sept. 8 IAEM On Sept. 8, 1:00-2:00 p.m. EDT, the Natural Hazards Center and FEMA is hosting a mitigation webinar highlighting how ArcGIS can assist with mitigation plans. The webinar, “ArcGIS Capabilities for Mitigation Planning: A StoryMap and Other Technological Advances," features the state of Indiana's planning efforts. The presentation will focus on how ArcGIS capabilities support each phase of a hazard mitigation planning process, from performing a detailed risk assessment, to collaborating across stakeholder groups and sharing mitigation project information with the public. Webinar participants will learn how The Polis Center at Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis, use their work on the State of Indiana's 2019 mitigation plan update using HAZUS analysis tools, ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS StoryMaps. The team created a successful government-university partnership that incorporated feedback of dozens of stakeholders into a finished product, Landslide Guide for Residents of Puerto Rico. Register to participate.

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IAEM-ASIA NEWS

As monsoon death toll reaches 134, experts say Pakistan lacks modern flood warning system The Weather Channel Even as the country’s financial capital Karachi battles intense monsoon flood, experts have warned that Pakistan lacks modern weather forecast radars for timely prediction of flooding. Over the last one week, intense monsoon downpour over Karachi has plagued the city with waterlogging, flash floods and power cuts. READ MORE

Welcome to India’s first two ‘Tsunami Ready’ villages Science Two coastal villages in Odisha have been declared the first two ‘Tsunami Ready’ villages in the Indian Ocean Region. While parts of the country are still coping with the COVID-19 pandemic, the two villages celebrated the announcement that came through in the first week of August. READ MORE

AROUND THE WORLD

'Many people are still missing': Afghanistan families devastated by flash floods* The Guardian Less than a week after flash floods killed at least 116 people – including Khoja Zada’s 35-year-old son – and injured 120 more in Charikar, the capital of Afghanistan’s Parwan province, Zada’s house lies destroyed, each room filled almost to the ceiling with what is now dry mud. Like dozens of others, the family has lost everything and is homeless; caught between tiredness and sadness. READ MORE

Sudan floods: 89 died this rainy season Dabanga The Sudanese National Civil Defence Council reported yesterday that 89 people and 5,379 head of livestock have died because of this year’s heavy rainfall and ensuing floods. More than 3,000 acres of farmland have been destroyed. READ MORE

Hurricane Laura's Louisiana death toll up to 14; power outages could last a month Monroe News-Star via USA Today Louisiana's Hurricane Laura death toll rose by two to 14 Sunday as cleanup efforts were hampered by power outages that may last a month and dry water spigots in many of the hardest-hit areas. READ MORE

South and North Korea brace for two typhoons within a week CNN Two powerful typhoons are hurtling toward the Korean Peninsula, threatening to bring more flooding and devastation to an area that has already been battered by one of the wettest monsoon seasons in recent history. READ MORE

IAEM Dispatch   Connect with IAEM Dennis Hall, Director of Publishing, 469-420-2656 | Download media kit Bob Kowalski, Executive Editor, 469-420-2650 | Contribute news Elizabeth B. Armstrong, IAEM CEO, IAEM-USA Executive Director Dawn M. Shiley, IAEM Dispatch POC, IAEM Communications & Marketing Manager *Article contributed by the Emergency Manager's Weekly Report. International Association of Emergency Managers 201 Park Washington Court | Falls Church, VA 22046-4527 | 703-538-1795 | Contact Us 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