New grant opportunity
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has established the Repetitive Flood Claims Program to provide $10 million in funding to reduce or eliminate the long-term risk of flood damage to structures insured under the National Flood Insurance Program. The program's goal is to fund the acquisition of severe repetitive loss properties that have had one or more claim payments for flood damages. Funds will be awarded nationally on a competitive basis. Applications are due June 30. For more information, contact Hazard Mitigation Program Manager Mark Slauter at (804) 897- 6500, ext. 6585.

211 call centers
VDEM is working with the Virginia Department of Social Services to explore how 211 can be effectively incorporated into emergency response plans across the state. 211 is a statewide human services information and referral system mandated by the Virginia General Assembly in 2003. VDSS is testing the system, which launched in February 2006 and currently operates call centers seven days a week, 365 days a year in Richmond, Tidewater and central, northwest and southwest Virginia.

Gate installation along I-64
The Virginia Department of Transportation started gate installation along the I-64 hurricane evacuation route in late April, providing a faster and safer way of closing on-ramps with minimum manual labor during hurricane evacuations and other emergencies. In the event of a Category 4 or 5 hurricane, the governor retains the option of issuing a traffic direction reversal of I-64 to evacuate citizens more efficiently. In a traffic reversal, westbound traffic on I-64 will flow onto the eastbound lanes from the Norfolk side of the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel to the I-295 interchange in Richmond. To prevent eastbound traffic from entering the interstate, each on-ramp along the evacuation route will have two gates, one at the top of the ramp and one at the bottom. VDOT officials expect to complete phase one of the installation by July 1. For more information, contact Stephany Hanshaw at VDOT's Hampton Roads Smart Traffic Center.

Perceptions of those affected by Hurricane Katrina
According to a recent study, of the people who did not evacuate the Gulf States before Hurricane Katrina made landfall, 32 percent said they stayed as a matter of choice and 28 percent said they did not have the means to leave. Most of those who chose to stay said they did not want to leave their homes; other reasons included not wanting to leave their pets or family members. Those without the means to leave said they did not know where to go, have a car, have the ability to leave without assistance or have access to other transportation. The Fritz Institute, which conducted the study, recommends that local organizations take the lead in providing effective disaster preparedness information so that, before a disaster strikes, citizens will have a plan to cope with the destruction, the appropriate supplies, the right identification and documents to claim assistance and an accurate expectation of the type and duration of available assistance. The institute studied more than 1,000 respondents in November 2005 and January 2006 through online, telephone and in-person interviews. They report, called "Perceptions of the Affected," is available online.

Virginia Emergency Management Certification Program
The Virginia Emergency Management Association's executive committee has approved changes to the Virginia Emergency Management Certification Program, a joint effort between VEMA and VDEM to recognize individuals for their accomplishments in emergency management. The changes update certification requirements to bring them in line with current expectations and responsibilities of emergency management professionals, including the National Incident Management System, Incident Command System and the National Response Plan. Certification is available at three levels: Professional Emergency Manager, Associate Emergency Manager and Certified Emergency Management Assistant. As of March, more than 120 individuals had achieved certification in the program, which is open to support staff, administrative personnel, volunteers, technical specialists, program managers and others at the local, state and federal levels, and private, volunteer and nonprofit organizations. Requirements and applications are available online.

Training...
Emergency Planning and Special Needs Populations
This course provides the skills and knowledge to prepare for, respond to and recover from emergency situations for those who provide emergency planning or care of seniors, people with disabilities and special needs groups. The 20-hour, videoconference course is offered at 14 locations throughout the state June 8-9. Enrollment deadline is May 18.

Disaster Cost Recovery Workshop
VDEM is sponsoring a series of Disaster Cost Recovery Workshops throughout the Commonwealth in May and June. These free, half-day workshops are open to individuals responsible for assisting localities and nonprofit organizations in recovering the costs associated with disaster through Public Assistance. Discussions will cover tips and techniques for to ensure that the Federal Emergency Management Agency will reimburse all eligible costs by addressing methods for correctly inspecting and documenting damaged sites, properly recording labor and equipment hours, and completing required finance forms. Registration information is available online.

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