How to help Katrina victims
Hurricane Katrina tore through the Gulf States Monday, bringing massive destruction and floods that have caused even more damage to hundreds of communities throughout the area. President Bush has declared federal diasters areas in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi, and FEMA is bringing in extensive federal resources. VDEM, through a national emergency response network, is also working to send personnel to affected states.

Many Virginians are eager to help in any way they can. At this time, FEMA is asking that citizens please donate money rather than goods. They are also requesting that volunteers not "self-dispatch" to any affected area, but instead coordinate with volunteer organizations in order to best direct aid where it is needed most. FEMA recommends a number of reputable organizations for donations.

Web site redesign
This issue of EM Update comes to you one day late to accommodate our new Web site, which makes getting preparedness information easier and faster. User surveys influenced the improved site design, which features which features easier navigation, an emergency managers section and a special kids section. Visit VDEM's Web site at www.vaemergency.com to get preparedness information for your home or business.

First link in Northern Virginia communications network
The city of Alexandria and Arlington County and have built a high-speed fiber optic connection that links each jurisdiction's Institutional Network, or I−Net. The dedicated, secure fiber link eliminates the need to use the Internet to exchange information between the two jurisdictions, making the exchange much faster. The link is the first step in creating a series of Northern Virginia regional interconnections that will include all the National Capitol Region jurisdictions. Future applications for the link include: connecting emergency operation centers of the two jurisdictions; videoconferencing meetings; sharing GIS and criminal identification databases; integrated traffic management between neighboring communities. Emergency responders used this new interconnection for video conferencing during the Pentagon's Gallant Fox emergency exercise in June.

Online Individual Assistance tool
FEMA introduced online applications for disaster assistance in the fall of 2004, and now those who register for assistance can view their individual case status online. The Individual Assistance Center shows:

• Eligibility status by category
• Amount of eligible assistance and when it was paid (if applicable)
• Applicant's addresses and phone numbers currently on file
• Insurance information provided by the applicant
• Information requested from the applicant by FEMA
• A listing of written correspondence between the applicant and FEMA
• Referrals to other federal/state/voluntary agencies for assistance
• The status of any inspections conducted by FEMA

However, applicants will not be able to view a copy of their completed disaster application, full-text copies of written correspondence between the applicant and FEMA or detailed inspection results.

Plain English for law enforcement
FEMA is urging law enforcement across the country to stop using "10 codes," numerical codes used to communicate with dispatchers and each other. The codes save time and keep sensitive information confidential, but their definitions vary between localities and make it difficult for different jurisdictions to work together. FEMA recommends using plain English to solve the problem, and asks law enforcement communities to comply by September 2006. Those that have not moved toward compliance might not continue to receive preparedness funding.

Funding sources that might be affected by NIMS compliance
The National Incident Management System Integration Center has compiled a preliminary list of federal preparedness grant programs to identify funding sources that might be affected in connection with NIMS implementation requirements. The list includes state and local entities such as cooperative agreements and memorandums of understandings as well as grants and contracts. This should not be considered a definitive list of all federal preparedness grants and agreements, just those that might be affected by NIMS compliance.

Best Practices...
Falls Church Alert system
The City of Falls Church can now notify citizens in the area about an emergency through their cell phone, pager, personal digital assistant or other mobile device. The Falls Church Alert network is free and relays information about life safety, fire, severe weather, accidents involving utilities or roadways, or a disaster such as a terrorist attack. Sign up for alerts.

Conferences...
Coordinator's Briefings
These eight hours of training spread over two days provide an opportunity for emergency managers to build relationships while receiving valuable updates. The 2005 Coordinator's Briefings will be in Williamsburg, Oct. 4-5 at the Crown Plaza; Bristol, Oct. 18-19 at the Holiday Inn and Suites; and Charlottesville, Nov. 9-10 at the Omni. Registration is available online.

Interoperability
The 2005 Virginia Interoperable Communications Conference will be held Oct. 4-5 at the Ramada Plaza Resort in Virginia Beach. The conference, sponsored by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, will feature panel discussions, video presentations, lectures and communications exhibitors. More conference information and online registration is available at the state's interoperability Web site.

Training...
Public health emergency law
"Public Health Emergency Law" is a course designed for non-lawyer professionals in public health and emergency management organizations, first responders, and those active in public health emergency preparedness. The course, developed by the Centers for Disease Control, consists of six PowerPoint™ lecture units, which are contained on a CD-ROM that was sent to all state emergency management directors this month. The disk also contains an interactive case study and supplemental materials. For more information and to obtain the materials free of charge, contact McKing Consulting.

Produced by the Virginia Department of Emergency Management
10501 Trade Court, Richmond, Virginia 23236