March 13, 2008
Gov. Tim Kaine declared a state of emergency March 5 after severe weather destroyed buildings, knocked down trees and caused power outages for nearly 10,000 residents. The National Weather Service confirmed one F1 tornado in Big Stone Gap that damaged 46 buildings, including six destroyed homes. Wind also damaged buildings in Essex, Goochland, Louisa and Westmoreland counties. The Virginia departments of Corrections and Transportation continue to remove debris, and VDEM is coordinating local requests for assistance.
Current news releases and situation reports are available at http://www.vaemergency.com.
Gordon Barwell
Gordon Barwell, director of the Local Support Services Division, died Sunday, March 2. Born in Melbourne, Australia, Gordon enlisted in the Royal Australian Army Corps in 1969. His distinguished career included service in Vietnam, America and Malaysia. He served as the Instruction Branch Chief teaching at the Australian Command and Staff College and Commanding Officer of the 1st Armored Regiment. He retired as a lieutenant colonel after 25 years of service.
In 1994, Gordon immigrated to the United States and joined VDEM in 1997. He was the only person to serve as director of Local Support Services since the division was created in 2003. Prior to leading LSS, Gordon served as Senior Training and Development Coordinator and as Chief of State Plans and Special Projects. During his time at VDEM, he received commendations for his contributions during response efforts for Sept. 11 and hurricanes Isabel and Katrina.
He earned a Masters degree in Management Studies from Australian National University and Professional Development Series Certification in Emergency Management.
Gordon is survived by his wife, daughter and son.
2008 statewide tornado drill
The National Weather Service and VDEM will hold the annual statewide tornado drill March 18 at 9:45 a.m. The Code of Virginia requires that all public schools participate in at least one tornado drill per year, and participation in this drill would fulfill that requirement. However, if this drill date or time is not convenient, schools are welcome to choose an alternative date or time. Private schools, businesses and families are also encouraged to participate. Last year, more than 210,000 students, businesses and families participated in the drill.
Learn how to conduct a drill and register online at http://www.vaemergency.com/threats/tornado/index.cfm.
Sales tax holiday
The General Assembly passed legislation last year that established a new Hurricane and Emergency Preparedness Equipment sales tax holiday, May 25-31. The annual holiday is a temporary period during which purchases of certain items are exempt from the sales and use taxes. In addition to the specific items exempted for each holiday period, dealers may also elect to absorb the tax on any item during that period. The Virginia Department of Taxation is currently working with other state agencies to finalize a list of exempted items.
New NIMS compliance objectives
The Department of Homeland Security has released FY08 NIMS Compliance Objectives and Metrics and the NIMS Five-year Training plan. The "Tier" system has been eliminated and replaced with a list of specific final requirements for FY08, proposed requirements for FY09 and FY10, and Training Plans for FY 08 through FY12.
In the coming weeks VDEM will compare the new requirements to the FY07 requirements and identify those items that have moved from the former "Tier 2" level to mandated FY08 requirements.
As the State Administrative Agency for NIMS compliance, VDEM will be work with the Office of Commonwealth Preparedness and the Commonwealth Preparedness Workgroup to determine what the state and local governments need to do to become compliant.
As in previous years, compliance is due by Sept. 30, 2008. With the late release, however, VDEM anticipates that DHS will make allowances for additional time.
Compliance documents are available from FEMA's Web site at http://www.fema.gov/emergency/nims/nims_compliance.shtm.
NIMS document comment period
The Incident Management Systems Integration Division has developed a Draft NIMS Intelligence/Investigations Function Guidance Document and Field Operations Guide to assist emergency responders to efficiently and effectively prevent, protect against, respond to, recover from and mitigate the effects of incidents. The document is open to comment Feb. 25 - March 26. Download and review the document at http://www.iaem.com/publications/news/documents/IntelligenceInvestigationsGuidanceandFOGFeb2008.pdf. E-mail comments to NIMScomments@hsi.dhs.gov or send an e-mail to request a comment form.
WebEOC replaces Online EOC
On March 5, WebEOC effectively replaced Online EOC as the primary reporting channel between localities and the Virginia Emergency Operations Center. All online reporting will be done through WebEOC, a Web-based crisis management information system used by the Commonwealth to provide real-time situational information and track requests for state assistance.
Online EOC has been renamed "Restricted Access Area" and will become a secure file library; all online reporting forms on Online EOC have been removed.
For assistance accessing the site or accounts, contact the WebEOC Team at webeocsupport@vdem.virginia.gov.
VDEM also has WebEOC training sessions scheduled at the VEOC on March 27 and at Blue Ridge Community College on May 14. The class is designed for local government emergency managers and planners who use the state's WebEOC system to communicate with the VEOC. Topics include: how WebEOC is used, accessing WebEOC, using WebEOC to complete a situation report, submitting an initial damage assessment, and requesting and tracking a locality's request for assistance from the state. Register using the VDEM Training Calendar at http://www.vaemergency.com/train/calendar_course.cfm?id=100.
Training...
Damage Assessment for Initial Assistance and Public Assistance
VDEM has scheduled four Disaster Damage Assessment Training workshops. Local government personnel and volunteers with specific responsibility for field damage assessments and recording damages in the field should attend Disaster Damage Assessment Training. The workshops will train personnel on the Federal Emergency Management Agency standard for conducting damage assessments. Registration is available for the first two classes in Henrico County on April 1 and in Salem on April 3 at VDEM's Training Calendar at http://www.vaemergency.com/train/calendar_course.cfm?id=101. Registration for the Tidewater and Northern Virginia classes will be posted soon.
All workshop materials and damage assessment forms are available in VDEM's Recovery Center at http://www.vaemergency.com/recover/index.cfm.
Debris Management
U.S. Army Corps of Engineer instructors will provide training on the issues and actions necessary to plan for and manage debris resulting from all types of disasters and emergencies. Emergency managers and planners, public works staff and waste management personnel are encouraged to attend. Class is April 8 in Harrisonburg, Va.
Register at http://www.vaemergency.com/train/calendar_course.cfm?id=11. The deadline for registration is March 18.
Training at EMI:
- Basic Crisis Counseling Grants
This course will provide state mental health departments with the knowledge and tools necessary to complete the Crisis Counseling Program grant application and manage a Crisis Counseling Program during a federally declared disaster. The four-day class is Aug. 25-29. - Recovery from Disaster: The Local Government Role
This course is for local disaster recovery teams consisting of emergency managers, city/county administrators, public works directors, building inspectors and community planners. The course focuses on the roles and responsibilities of each team member, and provides guidance on developing a local disaster recovery plan. The four-day class is Aug. 11-14.
Registration for both classes and more information are available at http://www.training.fema.gov/EMIGrams.
Creating Vigilant, Prepared and Resilient Communities for Homeland Security
This free two-day course provides an opportunity for community members to use their collective skills, knowledge and resources to address existing or potential homeland security threats at the local community level. Topics include: Critical Thinking, Leadership, Community Policing, Homeland Security, Impact of Fear, Community Responsibility, Ethics, Action Planning, Group Presentation, Problem-Based Learning, and Group Dynamics. Those interested in building partnerships and working collaboratively to make their community vigilant, prepared and resilient for homeland security threats should attend. Local governments should send a team of six to eight public safety staff, volunteers, school representatives and elected officials.
Class is April 10-11, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Virginia Baptist Resource Center in Richmond. Register online by April 1 at http://www.vcpionline.org.
EM Update is the best way to communicate best practices and to get a heads up on issues that might affect you. Articles include case studies, cost/resource-saving local programs, examples of partnerships and regional cooperation and recognition of emergency managers who receive awards and honors in the field.
Please don't hesitate to contact the editor whenever you have a project that might benefit localities or want to highlight an important issue concerning Virginia's emergency response community. Contact Jolie Shank at (804) 897-6510 or by e-mail at pio@vdem.virginia.gov.
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by the Virginia Department of Emergency Management
10501 Trade Court, Richmond, Virginia 23236