In a community like Chatham County that is vulnerable to hurricanes, flooding, and sea level rise, the question is not if, but when a major disaster will occur. ese events can result in the loss of lives and change the fabric of our society. Most communities around the nation do not have the plans in place to appropriately position themselves to recover from catastrophic events over months and years. Chatham County is working to develop a plan for these types of events. e Disaster Recovery and Redevelopment Plan (DRP) is being cultivated by Chatham Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) in collaboration with partners across the County, including local governments, community partners, employers, and the general public. Once completed, the Plan will guide the County’s recovery efforts that cause a long-term impact to infrastructure, housing, local economy, and the health, social, cultural, historic, environmental fabric of the community. e Plan envisions a flexible recovery timeline for the County, customizable recovery goals and objectives, as well as incorporation of the entire community and their role in long-term recovery. e Plan is being created with the understanding that recovery following each disaster is unique, and that recovery may last a few weeks to a few years depending on the event. In order to incorporate the whole community, CEMA has used Federal Recovery Support Functions (RSFs) which will serve as the coordinating structures for key functional areas (community planning, the economy, social services, housing, infrastructure, natural and cultural resources, and Community Organizations Active in Disaster [COAD]) during recovery operations. Consider each RSF to be the spoke of the County’s overall recovery wheel, where subject matter experts and key stakeholders provide comprehensive support to advance critical recovery operations. CEMA is developing tools and resources to help the RSFs activate and sustain operations during recovery so that each group has the necessary resources to recover and rebuild aſter a disaster. e County is also initiating a redevelopment initiative that will be incorporated into the Plan. e redevelopment initiative will look at existing plans, policies and procedures to identify how the County can build back with increased resilience and stainability. Simply put, CEMA’s efforts are positioning Chatham County to be in a better position to recover from a disaster smarter, faster, and stronger. The Mission of the Chatham Emergency Management Agency is to protect lives and property from the threat of all types of major emergencies and disasters, both natural and man-made. December 2014 Volume 4, Issue 3 It's your community. Wouldn't you like to have a say in the recovery process? INFORMATION WHEN YOU NEED IT HEALTH NEWS INSIDE THIS ISSUE CEMA will soon start participating in the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) program which allows staff to send emergency text messages to county residents ,as well as out of town visitors. Pg 3 Stay up-to-date with the latest in health trends and preventative measures to keep you healthy during the colder months. Pg 8 Nearly 100 Chatham County staff and municipal employees attended the May 27th kickoff meeting Becoming Disaster Resistant: Pg 3 Cold Weather Pet Safety: Pg 5 Chatham County Work Assignment Policy: Pg 11 Recovery CEMA Signal Chatham County’s Long-term Disaster Recovery Plan
Transcript
InacommunitylikeChathamCountythatis vulnerable to hurricanes, flooding, and sea levelrise,thequestionisnotif,butwhenamajordisasterwill occur. These events can result in the loss oflives and change the fabric of our society. Mostcommunities around the nation do not have theplans inplace toappropriatelyposition themselvestorecoverfromcatastrophiceventsovermonthsandyears.ChathamCountyisworkingtodevelopaplanforthesetypesofevents. TheDisasterRecoveryandRedevelopmentPlan (DRP) is being cultivated by ChathamEmergency Management Agency (CEMA) incollaboration with partners across the County,including local governments, community partners,employers,andthegeneralpublic.Oncecompleted,thePlanwillguidetheCounty’srecoveryeffortsthatcausealong-termimpacttoinfrastructure,housing,local economy, and the health, social, cultural,historic, environmental fabric of the community.ThePlanenvisionsaflexiblerecoverytimelinefortheCounty,customizablerecoverygoalsandobjectives,as well as incorporation of the entire communityand their role in long-term recovery. The Plan isbeingcreatedwiththeunderstandingthatrecoveryfollowingeachdisasterisunique,andthatrecoverymaylastafewweekstoafewyearsdependingontheevent. In order to incorporate the wholecommunity, CEMA has used Federal RecoverySupport Functions (RSFs) which will serve as thecoordinating structures for key functional areas(communityplanning,theeconomy,socialservices,housing, infrastructure, natural and culturalresources, and Community Organizations Active
in Disaster [COAD]) during recovery operations.ConsidereachRSFtobethespokeoftheCounty’soverallrecoverywheel,wheresubjectmatterexpertsand key stakeholders provide comprehensivesupport to advance critical recovery operations.CEMAisdevelopingtoolsandresourcestohelptheRSFsactivateandsustainoperationsduringrecoveryso that each group has the necessary resources torecover and rebuild after a disaster. The County isalso initiating a redevelopment initiative that willbe incorporated into thePlan. Theredevelopmentinitiative will look at existing plans, policies andprocedures to identify how the County can buildbackwithincreasedresilienceandstainability. Simplyput,CEMA’seffortsarepositioningChathamCountytobeinabetterpositiontorecoverfromadisastersmarter,faster,andstronger.
The Mission of the Chatham Emergency Management Agency is to protect lives and property from the threat of all types of major emergencies and disasters, both natural and man-made.
December 2014 Volume 4, Issue 3
It's your community. Wouldn't you like to have a say in the recovery process?
nearly 100 Chatham County staff and municipal employees attended the May 27th kickoff meeting
BecomingDisasterResistant:Pg3
ColdWeatherPetSafety:Pg5
ChathamCountyWorkAssignmentPolicy:Pg11
Recovery
CEMAsignalChatham County’s Long-term
Disaster Recovery Plan
2 : The Mission of the Chatham Emergency Management Agency is to protect lives and property from the threat of all types of major emergencies and disasters, both natural and man made.CEMA SIGNAL
Now that the 2014 AtlanticHurricane Season is behind us,it is time to start thinking aboutwinterweather.Althoughsnowandice aren’t as commonly associatedwith Georgia as other parts of thecountry, even small amounts inSavannah can cause significantproblems, such as hazardous roadconditionsandpoweroutages.
Terminology As we prepare for colder months, knowing winter weathertermswillhelpyouputyourpersonalpreparednessplan intoaction.Herearethreekeywinterweathertermstobefamiliarwith:• Awinter storm watch is issuedwhensignificantwinterweather,
• A winter weather advisory indicates that winter weather isimminentandmaycauseinconveniences;monitormediaforyourlocalimpacts.Awinterweatheradvisorymeansweatherisexpectedtocauseinconveniences,butdoesnotmeetwarningcriteria.Thisisthetimetoputyourwinterweathersafetyplanintoaction.
Preparedness Tips Now is the perfect time to take the proper precautions toensurethatyourhomeandvehiclearereadyforthewinterseason.Hereareafewtipstogetyoustarted:• PrepareaReadykitofemergencysuppliesforyourhome.Include
athree-daysupplyofnonperishablefood,water,aflashlightwithextra batteries, a NOAA Weather Radio, adequate clothing andblanketstokeepyouwarm,aswellasadditionalsuppliesfortheuniqueneedsofyourfamily,suchasmedications.
• Create an emergency communications plan so family memberswillknowwhotocontact ifseparatedduringastorm.Designateatleastoneout-of-towncontactwhoallfamilymemberscancall.
• Make sure you have a cell phone with an emergency chargingoption(car,solarhandcrank,etc.)incaseofapowerfailure.
• Winterizeyourhomebyplacingweatherstrippingarounddoorsand windows. During cold weather, use outdoor faucet coversorallowfaucetstodrip,andopencabinetdoorstoletheatreachuninsulatedpipesundersinksandappliancesnearexteriorwalls.
Driving During Winter Weather It’s always best to minimize travel during hazardous winterweather.However,ifyoucan’tpostponeyourtrip,besureyouknowthebasicsofwinterweatherdrivingandarefullyequippedtosafelymakethejourney!
If you must drive: • Maintainatleastahalftankofgasduringthewinterseason.• KeepanextraReadyKitinthetrunkofyourcar.Inadditiontothe
• Don’t stop when going up ahill. Build some momentumon a flat roadway before youtakeonthehill.
• Do not use cruise controland avoid abrupt steeringmaneuvers.
• Be mindful of road crewsworking to clear the snowandicefromtheroadway.
• Motoristsshouldnotpassadumptruckspreadingthesalt/gravelmixture, as gravel may bounce up and could break windshields.Followatleast100feetbehindallvehicles.
• Beware of black ice, especially on bridges, overpasses and shadyareas. Four-wheel-drive may help your vehicle get going in theslushystuff,butit'sofnousewhenyou'retryingtosteerorsafelystoponaslipperyroadsurface.
4 : CEMA SIGNAL The Mission of the Chatham Emergency Management Agency is to protect lives and property from the threat of all types of major emergencies and disasters, both natural and man made.
ESF 02: Communications
Wireless Emergency Alerts With collaboration from the Federal CommunicationsCommission(FCC),FederalEmergencyManagementAgency(FEMA)and the wireless industry, the group developed a text-like messagingsystem that alerts cell phone owners of an emergency. This latestrevisionofthesystemisknownasWirelessEmergencyAlertsorWEA.Bycreatingthisprogram,WEAenableddevicesautomaticallyalertcelldevicesoncelltowersacrosstheUnitedStates.Thisprogramhasgrownovertheyearssinceitwasoriginallydesigned.SomeofthefirstnamesoftheprogramwerePLAN(PersonalLocalizedAlertingNetwork)andCMAS(CommercialMobileAlertSystem). This isnotamandatoryprogramforcellproviderstoprovidethistypeofservicetocellphones.Itwasnotuntilaround2012thatcellprovidersstartedtocomplywiththenewlysetguidelinesforsendingalertstocelldevices. Bydefault,allcellphonesthatareWEAcompliantaresettoalertforthefollowingmessages:• AlertsissuedbythePresidentoftheUnitedStates.• Alertsinvolvingimminentthreatstosafetyoflife.• AMBERAlerts.• ExtremeWeatherWarnings You can partially opt out of some of these messages. Threeof these fourmessagescanbe turnedoff. Youcan turnoffalerts forAMBER Alerts, Extreme Weather Warnings and Alerts involvingimminent threats tosafetyof life. TheonlymessageyouCANNOTturn off is an emergency alert issued by the President of the UnitedStates. WEA works by allowing Pre-authorized National, State orLocal governments the ability to send alerts regarding public safetyemergencies such as sheltering in place or evacuation orders due toa chemical spill, terrorist threat or severe weather. These alerts aresent through participating wireless carriers and delivered to the celldevices.Thesefreemessagesaredeliveredinstantlytocellulardevicesinthetargetedareas.YoucanliveinonepartoftheUnitedStates,visitanotherpartoftheCountry,andifthereisaWEAmessagefortheareayouarein,youwillreceivethemessage.Whenthemessagearrives,ifyouhavetheringersetto“on”,yourphonewillplayauniquesoundtoalertyouthatyouhaveaWEAmessage.Thesemessagesarenomorethan90charactersandincludethefollowing:• Whoissendingthealert• Whatishappening• Whoisaffected• Whatactiontotake If youhavenot receivedaWEAmessageonyourphone,yourphonemightnotbe:WEAcompatibleor in a participating cellular provider. Contact yourwireless provider to find out if your phone can beupdatedtoallowWEAmessagesoriftheyparticipatein this program. Pre-paid phones can receive thesemessagestooaslongasthephoneisWEAcompatible.(Seeattachedimage).Chatham Emergency Management Agency will soonstartparticipatinginthisprogram.CEMApurchasedsoftwaretoallowtheagencytheabilitytoissuelocalizedemergencymessages toresidents inChathamCountyaswellasoutoftownvisitors.
: 5 CEMA SIGNAL
Cold Weather Pet Safety You’re probably already awareof the risks posed by warm weather andleavingpetsinhotcars,butdidyouknowthatcoldweatheralsoposesseriousthreatsto your pets’ health? Cold weather mayworsen some medical conditions such asarthritis.Yourpetshouldbeexaminedbyaveterinarianatleastonceayear,andit’sasgoodatimeasanytogethim/hercheckedtomakesure(s)heisreadyandashealthyaspossibleforcoldweather.Here are some tips to keep your pets safe during cold weather:• Know the limits:Justlikepeople,pets’
coldtolerancecanvaryfrompettopetbasedontheircoat,bodyfat,activitylevel,andhealth.Beawareof your pet’s tolerance for cold weather, and adjust accordingly.Youwillprobablyneed to shortenyourdog’swalks inverycoldweather to protect you both from weather-associated healthrisks.Arthriticandelderlypetsmayhavemoredifficultywalkingonsnowandiceandmaybemorepronetoslippingandfalling.Long-hairedor thick-coateddogs tendtobemorecold-tolerant,butarestillatriskincoldweather.Short-hairedpetsfeelthecoldfaster because they have less protection, and short-legged petsmaybecomecoldfasterbecausetheirbelliesandbodiesaremorelikelytocomeintocontactwithsnow-coveredground.Petswithdiabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, or hormonal imbalances(suchasCushing’sdisease)mayhaveahardertimeregulatingtheirbodytemperature,andmaybemoresusceptibletoproblemsfromtemperatureextremes.Thesamegoesforveryyoungandveryoldpets.Ifyouneedhelpdeterminingyourpet’stemperaturelimits,consultyourveterinarian.
• Stay inside: Cats and dogs should be kept inside during coldweather.It’sacommonbeliefthatdogsandcatsaremoreresistantthanpeopletocoldweatherbecauseoftheirfur,butit’suntrue.Likepeople,catsanddogsaresusceptibletofrostbiteandhypothermiaand should be kept inside. Longer-haired and thick-coated dog
breeds, such as huskies and other dogs bredfor colder climates, are more tolerant of coldweather; but no pet should be left outside forlongperiodsoftimeinbelow-freezingweather.• Check the paws: Check your dog’s pawsfrequently for signs of cold-weather injury ordamage,suchascrackedpawpadsorbleeding.• Wipe down:Duringwalks,yourdog’sfeet,legsandbellymaypickupdeicers,antifreeze,orother chemicals that could be toxic. When yougetbackinside,wipedown(orwash)yourpet’sfeet,legsandbellytoremovethesechemicalsandreduce the risk that your dog will be poisoned
after(s)helicksthemoffofhis/herfeetorfur.• Collar and chip: Manypetsbecomelostinwinterbecausesnow
fittingcollarwithup-to-dateidentificationandcontactinformation.Amicrochipisamore permanent means of identification,butit’scriticalthatyoukeeptheregistrationuptodate.• Stay home:Hotcarsareaknownthreat to pets, but cold cars also posesignificantrisktoyourpet’shealth.Petsthatareyoung,old, ill,or thinareparticularlysusceptible to cold environments andshouldneverbeleftincoldcars.• Prevent poisoning: Clean upanyantifreezespillsquickly,asevensmallamounts of antifreeze can be deadly.Make sure your pets don’t have access tomedication bottles, household chemicals,
potentiallytoxicfoodssuchasonions,xylitol(asugarsubstitute)andchocolate.• Make some noise: Awarmvehicleenginecanbeanappealingheat source for outdoor and feral cats, but it’s deadly. Checkunderneath your car,bang on the hood,and honk the hornbefore starting theengine to encouragefeline hitchhikers toabandon their roostunderthehood.
• Avoid ice: Whenwalking your dog,stay away from frozen ponds, lakes and other water. You don’tknow if the ice will support your dog’s weight, and if your dogbreaksthroughtheiceitcouldbedeadly.Andifthishappensandyouinstinctivelytrytosaveyourdog,bothofyourlivescouldbeinjeopardy.
• Play dress-up: Ifyourdoghasashortcoatorseemsbotheredbythecoldweather,considerasweaterordogcoat.Haveseveralonhand,soyoucanuseadrysweaterorcoateachtimeyourdoggoesoutside.
• Be prepared:Coldweatheralsobringstherisksofseverewinterweather and power outages. Prepare a disaster/emergency kit,and include your pet in your plans. Have enough food, waterandmedicine (includinganyprescriptionmedicationsaswellasheartworm and flea/tick preventives) on hand to get through atleast5days.
Continued on page 17
6 : The Mission of the Chatham Emergency Management Agency is to protect lives and property from the threat of all types of major emergencies and disasters, both natural and man made.CEMA SIGNAL
Wildfire Protection Planning A Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) providesa community with a road map to reduce its risk from wildfire. ACWPPisdesignedthroughcollaborationbetweenstateandlocalfireagencies, homeowners and landowners, and other interested partiessuchascitycouncils,utilities,homeownersassociations,environmentalorganizations,andotherlocalstakeholders.Theplanidentifiesstrategicsitesandmethodsforriskreductionandstructuralprotectionprojectsacrossjurisdictionalboundaries. Comprehensiveplansprovidelong-termguidanceforgrowth,reflecting a community's values and future expectations. The planimplements the community's values and serves to protect naturaland community resources and public safety. Planning also enablescommunities to address their development patterns in the WildlandUrbanInterfaceanddeterminehowtheycanreducetheirriskthroughalternativedevelopmentpatterns.Theformallegalstandingoftheplananditscentralroleinlocalgovernmentdecisionmakingunderscorestheopportunitytousethisplanningprocessasaneffectivemeansforreducingwildfirerisk. The extreme weather conditions that are conducive towildfire disasters (usually a combination of extended drought, lowrelative humidity and high winds) can occur in this area of Georgiaasinfrequentlyasevery10-15years.Thisisnotaregularevent,butasthe number of homes that have been built in or adjacent to forestedorwildlandareasincreases,itcanturnawildfireundertheseweatherconditions intoamajordisaster.Wildfiresmove fastandcanquicklyoverwhelm the resources of even the best equipped fire department.Advanceplanningcansavelives,homesandbusinesses. A CWPP includes a locally assessed evaluation of thewildland urban interface areas of the county, looking at the criticalissuesregardingaccess totheseareas,risktoproperties fromgeneralissues such as building characteristics and “fire wise” practices andresponse from local fire fighting resources. It further incorporates alocallydevisedactionplantomitigatetheserisksandhazardsthoughplanning, educationandotheravenues thatmaybecomeavailable toaddress the increasing threat of wildland fire. The CWPP does notobligatethecountyfinanciallyinanyway,butinsteadlaysafoundationforimprovedemergencyresponseifandwhengrantfundingisavailabletothecounty. InAugust,ChathamEMAwiththeassistanceofTheGeorgiaForestryCommissionandlocalESF-4Partners,conductedcommunity
assessmentsandbegandevelopingaCountyCWPP.TheCWPPwillbeavailableuponcompletionandthefindingsandrecommendationswillbecomepartoftheCounty’sHazardsMitigationPlan. TheobjectivesoftheCWPPwillbetohelpsetprioritiesfortheimplementation of wildfire mitigation measures in Chatham County.Theplanwillincludeprioritizedrecommendationsfortheappropriatetypesandmethodsoffuelreductionandstructureignitabilityreductionthatwillprotectourcommunitiesandessentialinfrastructure.Itwillalso includeaplan forwildfiresuppressionandcommunity-centeredactionsto:• Educatecitizensonwildfire,itsrisks,andwaystoprotectlivesand
properties,• Supportcommunityfirerescueandsuppressionentities,• Focusoncollaborativedecision-makingandcitizenparticipation,• Developandimplementeffectivemitigationstrategies,and• Develop and implement effective community ordinances and
codes. CoastalareasofGeorgia,includingChathamCounty,donothavetofallvictimtothistypeofdisaster.Homes(andcommunities)canbedesigned,builtandmaintainedtowithstandawildfireeveninthe absence of fire equipment and firefighters on the scene. It takesplanningandcommitmentatthelocallevelbeforethewildfiredisasteroccursandthatiswhattheCWPPisallabout.
Pooler fire Department; Mr. willard "will" fell, CwPP specialist
with the Georgia forestry
Commission; Chief ferman
Tyler, Bloomingdale
fire: discuss wildland and
urban interface issues in western Chatham County
communities.
: 7 CEMA SIGNAL
OnaSaturdayinFebruary1981,threebrothersweretogetheronPalomarMountainapproximately60milesnortheastofSanDiego,CA.Theywerewalkingonapopularnaturetrailahalf-milefromtheircampingsitewheretheirparentswerepreparinglunch.Twoofthebrothersbelievedthattheir9-year-oldbrotherJimmywasracingthembacktocamp.ButJimmyneverarrived. Overthecourseofthreedays,nearly400volunteerssearchedfortheboy.ItwasthelargestinthehistoryofSanDiegoCounty.Hisbodywasfinallyfound,curledupnexttoatreeinaravine,abouttwomilesfromthecampground. He had died from hypothermia. The tragedy gnawed atvolunteers,but twotook itpersonally.AbTaylor,aBorderPatrolagentandrenownedtracker,andTomJacobs,afree-lancewriterandphotographer,bothhadbeenmembersofthesearchteamlookingforJimmy.ItwasthefirsttimeinMr.Taylor’sthirty-oneyearsasatrackerthathehadfailedtofindamissingchild alive. The experience prompted him to collaborate with Jacobs in thedevelopmentofaneducationalprogramdesignedtoteachchildren,ages5-12,
verybasicprinciples for staying safe in thewilderness.Theprogramderives itsname from itsprimarymessage:Ifyouarelost,stayput–hugatree–untilhelparrives.
Survival Tips for Children1.Hug a tree–Onceyouknowyouarelost,hugatree!Oneofthegreatestfearsmanyofushaveisbeingalone.Huggingatreeorotherstationaryobjectandeventalkingtoitcanhelpcalmyoudown,andpreventpanic.Bystayinginoneplace,youwillbefoundfarmorequickly,andwon’tbeinjuredinafall.
2.Always carry a whistle and a trash bag–Wheneveryougohiking,youshouldcarryawhistleonalanyardaroundyourneckandatrashbag.Bymakingaholeinthesideofthebag(soyoudon’tsuffocate!)foryourface,andputtingitoveryourhead,itwillkeepyoudryandwarm.Thewhistlecanbeheardfromfartherawaythanyourvoice,evenwhenyouareyellingveryloudly.Andittakeslessenergytouse.3.Your parents won’t be angry with you–Timeandagain,childrenhaveavoidedsearchersbecausetheywereashamedofgettinglost,andafraidofpunishment.Anyonecanbecomelost,evenadults!Sodon’tbeashamed.Justadmitit,acceptitandtakeactionstobecomfortablewhileyouwaitforthesearcherstoarrive.Yourparentswillbesohappytoseeyouagain,andtoknowthatyouaresafe.Sothere’snoneedtobefrightenedorworriedaboutthat.Andtheywillbesoproudofyouforusingyourheadsinceitisyourbestsurvivaltool.4.Make yourself big–Fromahelicopter,peoplearehardtoseewhentheyarestandingup,whentheyareinagroupoftrees,orwearingdarkclothing.Findyourtreetohugnearasmallclearingifpossible.Wearabrightlycoloredjacket(redandorangeareeasytoseefromfaraway)whenyougointothewoodsorthedesert.Liedownwhenthehelicopterfliesover.Ifitiscoldandyouarerested,makecrossesoran“SOS”usingbrokentwigs,branches,rocksorbydraggingyourfootinthedirt.5.Animals are afraid of humans—Ifyouhearanoiseatnight,yellatit!Ifitisananimalitwillrunawayto
protectitself.Ifitisasearcher,youwillbefound.6.You have hundreds of friends looking for you–Manychildrenwhoarelostdon’trealizethatiftheywilljustsitdownandstayput,oneofthemanysearcherswillfindthem.Thesearcherswillbeyellingyourname,buttheyarenotangry.Theyarejustworriedaboutyouandwanttofindyouasquicklyaspossible.Don’tbeafraidtoletthemknowwhereyouare.
Left: Ab Talor teaches "Hug-A-Tree" to school children in 1980
Right: Children practice "Hug-A-Tree" techniques with East-ern Oregon Search and Rescue in September 2014
8 : CEMA SIGNAL The Mission of the Chatham Emergency Management Agency is to protect lives and property from the threat of all types of major emergencies and disasters, both natural and man made.
Message From the Director Continued
TheGeorgiaDepartmentofPublicHealth(DPH)hasconfirmedtheflu-relateddeathsoftwoelderlyfemalesintheCoastalHealthDistrict–onefromChathamCountyandonefromEffinghamCounty.Thesearethefirstforourarea,butbringthenumberuptosevenconfirmedflu-relateddeathsinthestateofGeorgia.TheCoastalHealthDistrictismadeupofBryan,Camden,Chatham,Effingham,Glynn,Liberty,Long,andMcIntoshcounties. TheCenters forDiseaseControlandPrevention(CDC)recommendseveryonesixmonthsandoldergetvaccinatedagainsttheflu.Theinfluenzavirusisverycontagiousandisspreadmainlybydropletsfrominfectedpeoplewhentheycough,sneeze,ortalk.Whilethefluvaccinemaynotprotectagainsteverystrainofflu it isstill thebestprotectionagainst theflu.AntiviralmedicationssuchasTamiflu®orRelenza®areanimportantsecondlineofdefenseagainsttheflu.Treatmentwithantiviraldrugsisespeciallyimportantforpeopleathighriskofseriousflucomplicationsorpeoplewhoareverysickwithflu.Antiviraldrugsworkbestwhenstartedwithintwodaysofcomingdownwiththeflu,soitisimportanttocallyourdoctorassoonasthefirstsymptomsappear.There are also several simple, everyday precautions people can take to avoid getting and spreading the flu including:• Coveryourcough(trytocoughintothecrookofyourelbow,notyourhand).• Washyourhandsfrequentlywithsoapandwater.Ifsoapandwaterisnotavailableuseanalcohol-basedhandsanitizer.• Cleancommonsurfaceslikecountertopsanddesks.• Avoidtouchingyoureyes,noseormouthbecausegermsspreadthisway.• Stayhomefromworkorschoolandawayfromotherswhenyou’resick. Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. According to the CDC,symptomsstartonetofourdaysafterthevirusentersthebodywhichmeansthatyoumaybeabletopassontheflutosomeoneelsebeforeyouknowyouaresick,aswellaswhileyouaresick.
Two Flu-Related Deaths Confirmed in Coastal Health District
ESF 08: Public Health & Medical ServicesSally Silberman, Public Information Officer for the
Coastal Health District
Continued from page 2
Stopped or Stalled?• Remaininyourvehiclewhererescuersaremostlikelytofindyou.
• Run the engine and heater about 10 minutes each hour to keepwarmandtoconserveyourbatteryandgasoline.Whentheengineisrunning,openadownwindwindowslightlyforventilationandperiodicallyclearsnowfromtheexhaustpipe.Thiswillprotectyoufrompossiblecarbonmonoxidepoisoning.
Winter Weather Outlook WhatdoeswinterhaveinstoreforGeorgians?Recentwintershaveconsistedofprogressivelycolder temperatures,heavieramountsof snowand thicker layersof ice.Since1929,Atlantahasaveraged2inchesofsnowperyearbuttheaveragehasincreasedto3.4inchesoverthepastfiveyears.AccordingtotheNOAAClimatePredictionCenterwinteroutlook,thepatternofcoldertemperaturesandabovenormalchances of precipitation is likely to continue during the upcomingwinter. While research continues into what the upcoming winterseason might have in store, one key factor meteorologists examine
whencreatinglong-rangeoutlooksistheexistingsnowpackinSiberia.ResearchshowsarelationshipbetweenthesizeoftheSiberiansnowpackinOctoberandtheamountofarcticairbuildupanditsaccompanyingimpactontheJetstreamflow.TheOctober2014Siberiansnowpackwasthesecondhighestonrecordsince1967withonlythewinterof1976havingmore.Thatcouldmeanacold,wetwinterisinstore. Do not wait until a winter storm is imminent to prepareyourhomeand family.This is the time tomakeaplanandbuildanemergencykit.Remember,survivingasmallorlargestormdependsalotofhowpreparedyouare.Youplayaroleinyoursafetyandthesafetyofyourfamily.ToreviewWinterWeatherPreparednesstips,visitourwebsiteatChathamEmergency.org.
Clayton Scott, CEMA Director
: 9
Rising from the AshesCEMA SIGNAL
ESF 11b: Natural & Cultural Resources, Denise McCoy, Geologist, O'BRIEN & GER
TheHancockCountyCourthouseinSparta,GA,experiencedamassivefireonMonday,August 11, 2014, which destroyed almost everything in the building, leaving only the exteriorbrick walls standing and in need of stabilization. The fire continued to burn for several weeks,particularly due to nearly one ton of coal that had been left in the building's basement from aformerfurnaceheatingsystem.Modernsteelelevatordoorsandotherhollowsteeldoorsmeltedcompletely,indicatingthefire’stemperatureexceeded1000degrees.Salvagedfireproofsafesandcabinetscontainedpilesofashwhenopened.
Thedisaster response to the lostanddamagedrecords fromtheNCH(natural/cultural/historical, ESF11-C) community within the state was executed according to preparedness.Volunteers from both Heritage Emergency Response Alliance, Atlanta and Savannah HeritageEmergencyResponsecontacted localHancockCountyofficialsandoffered theirassistance,and
communicatedinformationtotheirmembers.ThreeprequalifiedvendorsunderthestatewideDepartmentofAdministrativeServicescontractforrecoveryofdamagedrecordsallrespondedandprovidedcostestimatesinatimelyfashion.OnFriday,September5th,afivepersonteamfromtheGeorgiaArchivesrespondedtoaninvitationtomakeasitevisitandassessment.VirtuallynopaperrecordsoftheCountyCommissionsurvivedthefire. Upon further investigation, the team concluded that about 20% of the paper recordsfrom the Superior Court and about 90% of the records from the Probate Court survived the firewithvaryingdegreesof substantialdamage,butpossibly couldbe saved. Theyweremovedbyanonprofessional team into a building behind the former courthouse which has a good roof, airconditioning,and lockeddoors. Mostof thedamagedrecordsare invaryingdegreesofwetness,andsomeonsetofmoldwasobserved,whichcanbeexpectedtoworsen.Somerecordswerestillsohotwhenmoved,theyburnedthroughtheplasticbagstheyhadbeenplacedintoformoving.Some
portion of the county's public records do exist induplicate formats in off-site locations, most eithermicrofilmordigital,howeverprecisedeterminationoftheextentofsurvivalofpermanent(i.e.,archival)publicrecordscannotbemadeatthistimebecausecomprehensiveonsiteandoff-siterecordsinventoriesmaybeincomplete. Although the County has insurance through the Association County Commissioners ofGeorgia, at this timenoplanshavebeenmadebyofficials toutilize any insurance settlementfundsforpublicrecordsrecoveryandrestoration.Thereareplanstotrytorestoreasmuchofthehistoric1881structureaspossible.Inmid-October,HancockCountyawardedthecontractforconstructionmanagementofthecourthouserebuildingandrestorationtoJ.W.Spratlin&Sons,Construction,ofLincolnton,GA.Itisunclearatthistimewhetherornottheirworkwillincluderecoveryandrestorationofsurvivingrecordsanddocuments.
LEPC Website Re-design Major changes are coming to the Local Emergency Planning Committee’swebsite (www.lepc.com). The LEPC is a group that develops emergency responseplanspertinenttochemicalreleases,andprovidesinformationaboutchemicalsinthecommunitytothecitizens. Thenewwebsite isbeingdesignedbySperos,a localInternetTechnologycompany.WiththenewrevisionstotheLEPCwebsite,youwillnowbeabletoviewthe website easily on any internet capable device, such as phones and tablets. Thenewwebsitedesignwillalsoincludeaneventscalendarwhichwillaidcommunityoutreachandawareness,andalsonotifythecitizensofthepublicmeetingsthatareheldmonthly,andencouragecitizenstoattend. Variousformswillalsobeaddedforcommunitygroupstovolunteertheirresourcesintheeventofanemergency.Withlocalcompaniesvolunteeringequipment,itwillhelpimproveemergencyplanning,aswellasemergencyresponseandrecoveryintheeventofachemicalemergency.Ifyouhaveanyresourcesthatyouwouldliketovolunteerintheeventofanemergency,pleasecheckbacksoontoregisterandhelpyourcommunitywhenitneedsyouthemost!
ESF 10: Oil & Hazardous Materials Response
10 :
James T. Roberts, CPP, has beenselected as the 2014 recipient of theRoy N. Bordes Council Member Awardof Excellence. ASIS President RichardWidup, Jr., CPP, will honor Robertsand present the award at Tuesday’sNetworkingLuncheon. This annual award recognizes amember of ASIS International who hasexhibitedselflessdevotionasavolunteer,emphasizing significant contributions atthecouncilleveloveranextendedperiodoftime. Roberts certainly meets thosecriteria. He has been actively involved
in all aspects of council activity since 1988, when he served for twoyears on the Healthcare Services Committee. In 2001, he joined theLawEnforcementLiaisonCouncil (LELC),wherehehasservedwithdistinctiontothepresent.BrianeGrey,currentLELCchair,nominatedRoberts for this honor, noting that he has been a major force indeveloping a new tool in public-private crime-fighting partnerships.First appointed to the council’s Operation Cooperation committee,heworkedtoraisetheprofileoftheCertifiedProtectionProfessionalprogramwithintheU.S.MarshalsService. Eventually, Roberts was appointed as the first chair ofthe LELC/International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)liaison committee. Using the 2009 study titled OPERATIONPARTNERSHIP, Roberts identified and extracted the need-to-knowitems,updatedandexpandedthem,andreworkedthemintoaneasy-to-use implementation document. The two-year process resulted inOPERATION PARTNERSHIP: A Primer on Getting Started, a 23-pageASISdocumentusedtothisdaybysecurityprofessionals,chiefsof police, business leaders, and members of local governments toimplementjointcrime-fightingpartnerships.
Bordes Award Recognizes RobertsCEMA SIGNAL The Mission of the Chatham Emergency Management Agency is to protect lives and property from the threat of
all types of major emergencies and disasters, both natural and man made.
Critical Workforce Sheltering Every spring, before the start of hurricane season, CEMA meets with each
municipality to discuss critical workforce sheltering needs. This year was no different.Theteammetwiththemunicipalitiesandalsoemailedoutinformationtodifferentcountydepartmentsthatwouldneedtoshelterintheeventofahurricane.
CEMAhasmutualaidagreementsinplacewithseverallocationswithinChathamCountyforCategory2stormsandlower,aswellassomeoutsideofChathamCountyintheeventofaCategory3orhigherhurricane.Thisyearweinvitedthoseshelteringwithustoparticipateintoursofeachfacility.Wetouredthefacilitiestoensuretheywouldmeettheneeds of partners sheltering and to determine what resources we as workers will need tobringwithus.SomeofthethingswewerelookingforwereiftherewasenoughrefrigerationspaceforPublicHealthandtheirvaccines,lodgingandshowerspace,andtoseeifthekitchenwouldbeusableforfeedingworkers.Wealsomadesuretherewerehookupsforgenerators.Ifgeneratorswereonsite,theyweresurveyedtoensurethefacilitycouldhavepowerintheeventofapoweroutage.
AstheLELC’scurrentvicechair,Robertsservesasapointofcontact for the other ASIS councils. He provided advice to the ASISStrategicPlanningCommitteeonLELC’sstrategicdirection.Toensureleadershipdevelopmentwithin thecouncil,hehasensuredthateachnewcouncilmemberispairedwithaseasoned,knowledgeablementorfromthecouncil’srosterwhoisabletoteachthenewmemberwhatheorsheneedstoknow.Thisawardisnamedafteranothertirelesscouncilvolunteer. For more than 30 years before his untimely death, Roy N.Bordeswasa leaderon thePhysicalSecurityCouncil andultimatelyserved as a council vice president. Bordes was a well-known regularspeakeratASISeducationalprogramsandfrequentlyledsessionsattheannualseminar.
CEMA staff Visits a Critical workforce shelter
On behalf of CEMA, I would like to congratulate you on earning this tremendous and well deserved honor. We are lucky to have someone of your caliber so dedicated to making their community a safer place. From CERT to CCOAD, your continuous support and dedication makes you an invaluable part of our agency and volunteer programs. You are selfless, you lead by example and are a shining example of what a volunteer should be. Thank you for your years of service to CEMA.Clayton ScottDirector, Chatham Emergency Management Agency
Chatham County Implements an Emergency Work Assignment Policy
Duringemergencyanddisasteroperations,Chatham County will face situationsrequiring theuseofadditionalpersonnel.As a result, every Chatham Countyemployee must be classified into one offour Categories for assignment during
emergencyoperations.ThisPolicyimplementsproceduresfordefiningemployee work responsibilities during an approaching or declaredemergencyandtherecoveryperiodfollowinganemergencyordisaster. Inorder toaccomplish this,Countyemployeeswill log intotheCountyEmployeeDisasterDatabaseandcompletetheEmergencyWork Assignment Package and will update this package anytimepertinent information changes. Supervisors will review employees’Emergency Work Assignment Package at least annually. In addition,the Chatham County Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) willreviewcounty-wideEmergencyWorkAssignmentPackagesannuallybeforethestartoftheAtlantichurricaneseason.Category 1 – Department Continuity of Operations (COOP) Team: Staff members in this category manage the Department’sCOOP. Generally, the COOP Team is made up of the minimumcontingent required to meet the department’s needs of safeguardingandrestorationofassets,resourcesandessentialservices.Category 2 – Critical Workforce (CWF) Pre-Assigned: OtherthanCategory1COOPTeammembers,employeesinthiscategoryarepre-assignedpost-disasterfunctions.MostCategory2employeesarerequiredtoshelterwithCEMAduringthestorm.Othersmayberequiredtoreturnfortheirassignmentimmediatelyafterthestormpasses.Category 3 – Critical Workforce (CWF) Available for Assignment: ThiscategoryincludesthosestaffmembersthathavenotbeendesignatedinCategory1or2above.TheseemployeesareavailableforassignmentbytheCountytomeetpre-andpost-disasterstaffingneeds.SomeoftheseemployeesmayberequiredtoshelterwithCEMAduringthestorm;othersmayberequiredtoreturnforassignmentimmediatelyafterthestormpasses.Category 4 – Special Circumstance Staff: Somestaffmayhaveaspecialcircumstancethatisidentifiedinadvanceofanevacuationoremergencyeventwhichrequire themto be excused from emergency or disaster response and recoveryduties.Thesestaffmembersarenotrequiredtoreportduringdisasterconditionsuntiltheareaisrenderedsafe.
Chatham County Disaster Readiness Program In conjunctionwith thisPolicy,CEMAhasbeenpresentingDisasterReadinessTrainingtoCountyemployeesoverthepastseveralmonths.Duringthispresentation,wediscusstheimportanceofhavingaFamilyEmergencyPlan,whichincludescaringforpets,keepingyourvitaldocumentstogetherandreadytogo,havinganEmergencySupplyKit,andmore. TheEmergencyWorkAssignmentsarereviewedandeachoftheCategoriesareexplainedindetail.KnowingthatCategory1,COOPOperationsandCategory2,CriticalWorkforceAssignedarecommittedtospecificjobs,theCategory3,CriticalWorkforceAvailableforAssignmentarethemainfocusofthisProgram. TheCountyhasplans to activate a Disaster Employee Reception Center (ERC) once
Category3EmployeesarerecalledtoChathamCounty.Manycurrentpositions will not be needed during Disaster conditions, but manyotherjobswillbecreated.Employeeswillberecalledasjobsarecreatedandwehavetheabilitytohouseandfeedthem.Aspartoftheprocess,CountyEmployeeshavebeenaskedtocompleteaskillssurveytodaythatwillbeusedtomatchthemtojobs.AttheERC,theemployeewillclock-in, receivea jobassignment, a safetybriefing, job trainingandtransportedtoaworklocation.Attheendoftheirshift,theywillbetransported back to the ERC, clock-out and report to their assignedhousing site. At the end of this training, the Employees are giveninstructionsonregisteringintheEmployeeDisasterDatabase.WewillbereviewingthisdatabaseandprocessinformationstartinginJanuary2015.What is an Emergency Operations Center (EOC)?
As the CEMA has reached out to many of the CountyemployeesthroughtheDisasterReadinessProgram,onthelistofjobsthatwewillneedtobefilledincludetheEmergencyOperationsCenter.There were always questions about what the EOC does. An EOC isthephysicallocationwhereanorganizationcomestogetherduringanemergencytocoordinateresponseandrecoveryactionsandresources.Thisiswherethecoordinationofinformationandresourcestakesplace.TheEOCisnotanincidentcommandpost;rather,itistheoperationscenterwherecoordinationandmanagementdecisionsare facilitated.TheEOCoperatesusingtheIncidentCommandSystem(ICS). ICS provides a management structure and system forconductingemergencyoperations.It isapplicabletosmallscaledailyoperational activities as well as major mobilizations. ICS, providesEOC and operational staff with a standardized operational structureandcommonterminology.Becauseofthis,ICSprovidesausefulandflexible management system that is adaptable to incidents involvingmulti-jurisdictional or multi-disciplinary responses. ICS providesthe flexibility needed to rapidly activate and establish an emergencyoperation. Strong management and staffing are needed during EOCoperations.EOCsshouldbeactivatedassoonaspossibletoensurethatrapiddecisionmakingcanoccur.CEMAoffersEOCStaffTrainingforworkinginthisenvironmentandWebEOCTrainingforworkingwiththemanagementsoftware.
CEMA SIGNAL
ESF 05: Emergency Management
12 : CEMA SIGNAL The Mission of the Chatham Emergency Management Agency is to protect lives and property from the threat of all types of major emergencies and disasters, both natural and man made.
Emergency Power Assessments ThispastAugust,membersoftheUSArmy’s249thEngineerBattalion(PrimePower)descended
uponChathamCounty toconducta two-week trainingexercisehowever, thiswasnot the typeof exercisethatgrabbednewspaperheadlines.Theteamofninepersonnelvisitedmorethan60criticalpublicfacilitiesidentified throughout the County to assess the electrical infrastructure and power generation needs in theeventamajordisaster.
“PrimePower”isaUSArmyCorpsofEngineersassetthat provides a crucial mission for the Armed Forces operatingoverseasandtheAmericanpublicduringdisasters.TheBattalionis headquartered at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia and possesses fivegeographicallydispersedcompaniesinthecommandstructure.Ft.
BelvoirishometoTheHeadquartersCompanyandaLineCompany,Ft.Bragg,NorthCarolinaandSchofieldBarracksinHawaiialsohostLineCompanies,andaReserveLineCompanycallsCranston,RhodeIslandhome.Thelocationsallowthe249thEngineerBattaliontosupport themilitaryandthenationwhendutycalls.TheArmyCorpsofEngineersplaysacriticalroleinsupportingESF3,PublicWorksandEngineering.CouplingtheirelectricalexpertisewithCorpsofEngineersprojectmanagementandlogisticsspecialists,the“PowerTeam”bringsalotofcapabilitytobearfordisasterresponse. TheCriticalFacilityPowerAssessmentsprovidedbythe249th’sTeamtoChathamCountyEmergencyPlannersincludedacomprehensivelistofthetypeofgeneratorandwiringrequiredtogeteachofthefacilitiesbackupandrunningonemergencypower.Inthehandsofanexperiencedelectrician,thislististheblueprintforrapidlyrestoringpowerutilizinggeneratorsupport.Conductingthese pre-event assessments in other areas has demonstrated that after a disaster, power can berestored toa facilityup to24hours faster,whichcanbecrucialduring the initial responsephasefollowinganevent.Furthermore,theassessmentcanbeusedbyfacilitiestopre-installequipment,liketransferswitchesandevengenerators,tomakepowerrecoveryevenfaster. Soldiers assigned to Prime Power spend a lot of time deployed, either for real-worldmissions,trainingexercisesorattendingschools.Asonemayimagine,theSoldierswhoareassignedtothe249tharehighlytrained,educated,andexperienced.IttakesauniquekindofSoldierwhocanwalkintoanabandoned,ordamagedpowergenerationfacilityandwithinashortperiodoftimeestablishpowertoanentirecity.ThedeploymentscheduleisintensefortheSoldierandtheirfamilies…someSoldiersaveragemorethan250deployeddaysperyear.Itisachallengingbutrewardingmissionforthesehighlytrainedprofessionals,whosemissionsspantheglobe.
International lineman's rodeo, Photo Courtesy of Prime Power's facebook Page
ESF 07: Logistics
CEMA Website Gets a Makeover Theinternethaschangedthewaypeoplegatherinformation.Howoftendoyoufindyourself"googling"topicsthroughoutday,onlytofinallylandonawebsitethatyouthinkcanhelpyou,butyoucan'tseemtofindwhatyou're lookingfor.Knowingtheimportanceoftheweb,CEMAhasmadeitatopprioritytohaveanyandallemergencypreparedness plans and information available on the website. But asmoreplanswereaddedovertheyears,thewebsitebecameaclutteredrabbit hole of outdated resources and information. The saying goes,"Onceit'sontheinternet,it'soutthereforever,"andinthecaseoftheCEMAwebsite,thatwasverytrue. Withabackgroundintelevisionnewsandnewmedia,CEMA'sPublic Information Officer saw the opportunity to give the website amuch needed facelift. With the help of Heidel Design, a clean, userfriendlylayoutwascreatedandtheresultshouldbeeasiernavigation.With user engagement in mind, you will find our twitter feed at thetopofthepage,alongwithhowtogetCEMAupdatesviatextmessageandhowtosignupforCEMAAlerts.Thenewwebsiteisevenmobilefriendly! We you enjoy the new website and use it frequently whenpreparingsafetyplansforyourfamilyorbusiness. ContactMeredithLey at [email protected] if you have questions or wantadditionalinformation.
ESF 15: External Affairs
: 13 CEMA SIGNAL
CEMA Debuts New BullEx Fire Suppression Training System
Emergenciescanhappenintheblinkof an eye, so knowinghowtorespondquicklyand effectively is key.On November 20, theChatham EmergencyManagement Agencyand Firehouse Subsjoined together tocelebrate the donationof much neededequipment thatcould help savelives. Thanks to theFirehouseSubsPublicSafety Foundation’s generous funding, CEMA has acquired a BullExFireSuppressionUnitforthepurposeoftrainingcommunityvolunteerson the safe and proper use of fire extinguishers through hands-on
instruction and demonstrations.Beforethegrant,CEMAhadtorelyon donated fire extinguishers andsupplies.Thesystemisworthmorethan$10,000. CEMA has an active
volunteer program known as theCommunity Emergency ResponseTeamorCERT.Theprogramworksto harness the power of residentsand ensure they are trained torespondtoemergencysituationsin
their communities. When emergencies happen, CERT members cangivecriticalsupporttofirstresponders,provideimmediateassistanceto victims, and organize spontaneous volunteers at a disaster site.CERT members also assist with non-emergency educational projects
that help improve the safety of our community. Every year, CEMAtrainsapproximately60newCERTmembers,bringingthenumberofcertifiedvolunteerstonearly400.ChathamCERTmembersareexcitedabout thisdonationandtohave theopportunity to trainonthenewsystem. In 2005, Firehouse Subs created the Firehouse Subs PublicSafety Foundation with the mission of providing funding, life-savingequipment, and educational opportunities to first-responders andpublicsafetyorganizations.Throughthenon-profitprogram,FirehouseSubshasgiven$11milliontohometownheroesin41statesandPuertoRico,includingmorethan$816,300inGeorgia. Each Firehouse Subs restaurant recycles leftover, five-gallonpicklebucketsandsells themtoguests for$2.Donationcanistersonregister counters explain the non-profit’s mission and collect sparechange,whiletheRoundUpProgramallowsgueststo“roundup”theirbilltothenearestdollar.AllfundsraisedbenefittheFoundation.
left: CEMA's new BullEx fire suppression system on DisplayBelow: firehouse staff Member Tests system
right: CEMA PIo, Meredith ley Tests new system
left: Members of CEMA, southiside fire, firehouse subs and other Grant recipients smile for the Camera
CEMA Director Clayton scott Interviewed by wToC
ssfD's Garron Cole Demonstrates the BullEx system
ESF 15: External Affairs
14 : The Mission of the Chatham Emergency Management Agency is to protect lives and property from the threat of all types of major emergencies and disasters, both natural and man made.
CEMA SIGNAL
Food Assistance for Disaster Relief Nothingismoreimportantthanprovidingfoodwhenpeoplefindthemselvessuddenly,andoftencritically,inneedfollowingastormorman-madedisaster.AspartoftheNationalResponseFramework,theUnitedStatesDepartmentofAgriculture(USDA)FoodandNutritionService(FNS)providesnutritionassistancetothosemostaffectedbyan
emergency. The Robert T. StaffordDisaster Relief and EmergencyAssistance Act provides theSecretary of Agriculture with theauthority to operate a DisasterSupplementalNutritionAssistanceProgram(D-SNAP)whenaffected
areashavereceivedaPresidentialmajordisasterdeclarationandwhencommercialchannelsoffooddistributionareavailable.TheFoodandNutrition Act of 2008 provides the Secretaryof Agriculture with the authority to establishtemporary emergency standards of eligibilityforhouseholdswhoare survivorsofadisasterthat disrupts commercial channels of fooddistribution after those channels have beenrestored. D-SNAP in Government DisasterResponse. D-SNAPisoneimportantpartofabroadergovernmentresponseintheaftermathof a disaster. Effective collaboration andcommunication among various governmentagenciesisessentialtoservethoseinneedintheaftermathofadisaster. USDA Role: The Federalgovernment’s National Response FrameworkdesignatesvariousEmergencySupportFunctions(ESFs)tocoordinateandleverageFederalresourcestoassistStateandlocaldisasterresponseandrecoveryefforts.USDAistheleadagencyforESF-11,Agricultureand Natural Resources, which includes disaster nutrition assistance.Different ESFs may be activated depending on the type and severityofadisaster.FNSstaffparticipatesattheNationalandRegionallevelwhenESF-11isactivated.
FNS Role: FNS provides disaster nutrition assistance in three ways: •ProvidesUSDAFoodsforsheltersandothermassfeedingsites;•ProvidesUSDAFoodsfordistributiondirectlytohouseholdsinneedincertainlimitedcircumstances,and• Approves D-SNAP operations and provides funding for 100% ofdisasterbenefitsand50%ofStateadministrativecosts. TheapprovalofaD-SNAPplanisnota legaldeterminationbyFNSofcompliancewithFederalCivilRights laws. FNSsupportsthe State’s efforts to provide D-SNAP benefits by providing policyguidance, training, and technical assistance to State agencies as theyplan, implement, and assess their D-SNAP activities. FNS providesapprovalforStateD-SNAPPlansandStateapplicationstooperatetheD-SNAP and uses the information provided in post-disaster reviewsand assessments to improve D-SNAP policy, training, and technicalassistance.
The State Role: The primary responsibility for providingemergencyfoodassistancerestsattheStatelevel.Stateagenciesmustdesign their own D-SNAP Plans and update them annually. After adisasterstrikes,theymustevaluatetherequirementtoestablishfeedingprograms and if needed, notify USDA of the types and quantities offoodthatrelieforganizationsneedforemergencyfeedingoperations.FNS then supplies food to disaster relief organizations such as theRed Cross and the Salvation Army for mass feeding or householddistribution.FNSalsoauthorizesStatestoprovideD-SNAPbenefits.Once a D-SNAP has been approved, the State agency is responsibleforeffectivelyimplementingtheprogram,ensuringprogramintegrity,complyingwithCivilRightslaws,andsubmittingdailyreports.Onceprogramoperationsclose,theStatemustperformpost-disasterreviewsandreporttheirfindingstoFNS. Local Responsibilities:WithinChathamCounty,Emergency
Support Function # 11B, the Food and WaterGroup (ESF-11B) is responsible for directingand coordinating operations and follow-through as needed to support NutritionAssistance and Food Safety Programs priorto, during, and following an emergency and/ordisaster. Theseefforts includebutmaynotlimitedto:1. Determining nutrition assistance needs.Thisisaccom plishedby:a. Identifying, securing, and distributingfood, bottled beverages, and supplies, andsupporting the provisions for sanitary foodstorage distribution, and preparation duringemergenciesand/ordisastersb.arrangingfordeliveryofsuppliesand
a.Inspections to verify food safety aspects of slaughter andprocessingplants,productsindistributionandretailsites,andimportfacilitiesatportsofentryb.laboratoryanalysisoffoodsamplesc.controlofproductssuspectedtobeadulteratedd.orderingplantclosuresifneedede.surveillanceprogramslookingforfood-bornediseasef. fieldinvestigations
line forms at salvation Army Canteen
ESF 11b: Nutrition Assistance
: 15 CEMA SIGNAL
Following an event like a tornado, earthquake, or even ahurricane,whatexactlyaretherolesoflocalPolice,FireandEMSUnits?Naturallyofcourse,eachofthethreearmsofpublicsafetyprovideacalmingpresenceduringtimesofdisaster.Forthemajorityofus,thereissomethingreassuringaboutseeingagroupoffiremenarrivingatascene,paramedicsmanagingadifficult situation,andevenamarkedsquadcarpatrollingthestreets.Yes,astrongfirstresponderpresence
in these situations can help easevictims’fearsandconcerns. At first glance, thespecific role of first respondersafter a disaster is pretty direct.Police provide public safety andkeep ‘lawandorder’. Firefighterslimit the spread of existing orpotentialfires.AndEMSworkersprovide medical assistance. Inreality, their roles are quitevaried, in depth – and obviouslyinvaluable.Whatotherservicesdotheyprovide? Police may be involvedwith search and rescue, trafficand crowd control, site security
operationstopreventlooting,andcoordinatingoperationswithbothgovernment and non-government agencies. To prepare, most locallaw enforcement agencies undergo specialized disaster managementtraining.Whileeachdisasterisdifferent,theplansthatgointoeffectarestructuredandorganized.Withpropertraining,lawenforcementcanbequiteefficientinexecutingtheirduties. Firefightersfindthemselvesjustasbusyinavarietyofrolesincludingcontrollingfiresthatthreatencriticalinfrastructure,dealingwith hazardousmaterials,providingprimary medicalcare, transportingvictimstohospitals,conducting searchand rescue, andconducting theirown coordinationwith governmentand non-g o v e r n m e n ta g e n c i e s .Firefighters playan important roleindisastermanagement. Inadditiontohandlingfires,theyalsorelyontheirdisasterrelieftrainingandoffersomeofthesamerolesaslocallawenforcement. EMS Units are kept busy providing advanced medical care,transporting victims to hospitals, assisting with search and rescueoperations,whilealsocoordinatingwithothergovernmentandnon-governmentagencies.EMSworkersandmedicswork inpartnership
with the firefighters to treat and transport victims to temporaryshelters, but their duties can be expanded because ‘of the moment’,helpingwhoevermaybeinneed. Disaster response includes the immediate mobilization ofemergencyserviceprovidersandfirstresponders.Oncethe‘firstwave’of emergency services personnel assess the situation, local agenciesmay coordinate with National Guard, Coast Guard, FEMA and RedCrossofficials. To support first responders, many communities have alsodeveloped trained civilian volunteers. While police, fire and EMSemergency workers can be quickly overwhelmed during naturaldisasters, volunteers that have advanced training can be extremelyvaluable. These organized volunteers are referred to as CommunityEmergency Response Teams (CERTs), though there are many otherlocalvolunteerorganizationwithincommunitiesacrossthecountry. ChathamCountyhasestablishedbothCERTandSearchandRescueTeamstrainedtoassistourcommunities’FirstResponders.Ifyouare interested inbeingapartofeitherof thesevolunteer teams,pleasecontactCEMAat201-4500.
savannah Port fire, february 8, 2014
l to r: search and rescue Team Members work with Mosquito Control, CErT Members learn Cribbing, CErT Member Participates in Cribbing Drill
ESF 13: Public Safety & Security
first responders working I-95 Accident
Police, Fire & EMS Services after a Disaster
16 : The Mission of the Chatham Emergency Management Agency is to protect lives and property from the threat of all types of major emergencies and disasters, both natural and man made.CEMA SIGNAL
Immediatelyfollowingadisaster,thefirststepoftheprocessbegins with the PreliminaryDamage Assessment (PDA)produced by a team comprisedof a FEMA representative and astate representative. The teamvisitstheimpactedareatoassessthe extent of damage caused bythe disaster and to determine ifthe costs of recovery and repairaremorethanwhatthelocalandstategovernmentsarecapableofsupporting.OncetheneedforFederalassistancehasbeendeterminedtheGovernorinitiatesarequestthroughthe regional FEMA office for a disaster declaration. After receivingthe Governor’s request, the President of the United States makes thedecisiontodeclareamajordisasterorexistenceofanemergency.ThisdeclarationactivatesFederalprogramstoassisttheaffectedareaswithrecovery efforts. Information gathered during the PDA determineswhatFederalprogramsareactivated. Oncethedeclarationhasbeenmadeandtheeligibleprogramsareactivated, theStatewillholdanApplicants’Briefingtodiscussallpertinent information relating to the Public Assistance process suchas:applicanteligibility,workandcosteligibility.Atthistime,funding,documentation and record keeping requirements will be discussed.Duringthebriefing,theapplicantisencouragedtosubmittheRequestforPublicAssistance(RPA)form.IftheformisnotsubmittedattheApplicants’ Briefing, it must be submitted within thirty days of the
Disaster Declaration. The RPAofficiallystarts thegrantprocessandopensthemanagementfilesforallfutureissuesregardingthegrant and other areas that mayaffectthefunding. After submission of theRPA, the applicant meets withthe appointed Public AssistanceCoordinator (PAC) and theApplicant Liaison during aKickoff Meeting. During this
meeting, the PAC and Liaison review the RPA and the applicant’sindividualneeds;fromthisinformationanactionplaniscreated.Theactionplandetailseachareaofrecoveryandallowsforfuturegroupingofareasintomanageableprojects.ThePACandLiaisonalsoprovideassistanceinidentifyingareasofSpecialConsiderations. Theseareascan include historic, environmental, and hazard mitigation areas.Special Considerations are handled on different Project WorksheetsandthePACprovidesadditionalguidanceforSpecialConsiderations. Whenall areasaffectedby thedisasterhavebeen identified,theapplicantandPACbegintheProjectFormulation.Duringthisstep,multipleworkitemsareconsolidatedintosingleprojectstoassistwithprojectmanagementandfunding.Atthistime,projectsarecategorizedintosmallprojectsandlargeprojects.Smallprojects
The Disaster Finance ProcessAfter a disaster, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance process for receiving Federal grant funds must be followed in order to assure reimbursement for all eligible expenses. The following flow-chart shows an overview of the process:
How Georgia Power Prepares Whenastormthreatens,GeorgiaPowersupportstheircustomers24/7.TheirStormCentercoordinatestheircompany'sstormreadinessefforts,aswellascrewsfromsistercompanieswithinSouthernCompanyandneighboringutilities;tomakesuretheygettheircustomerslightsbackonasquicklyaspossible.StormCenterfunctionsinclude:• Monitoringweatherandstagingcrewsinadvanceofthestorm.• CoordinatingcrewmovementsinGeorgiaandwithothercompanies.• Coordinatingandpreparingdamageassessmentteamsandsupportforourstormoperations.• Servingasacommunicationsystemformedia,GEMA,andotherorganizations.• Postingtimelystormupdatesontwitter.com/georgiapower
Priority One - Get Power On Restorationstartsatthepowerplants,whichkeepworkingeveninthemostseverestorms.Theyworkfirstonthelargetransmissionlinesgoingoutfromtheplantacrossthestatetostrickenareas.Concentratingrestorationeffortsbeginonthemaindistributionlinesservingcommunities.Returningtooperationvitalcommunityservices-hospitals,emergencyandpublicsafetyservices,andwaterandsewagestations-isapriority.Theyalsofocusonrepairsthatreturnpowertothegreatestnumberofcustomersintheleastamountoftime.Finally,theyrepairsmallerlinesuntilcrewsgetdowntoindividuallinesinneighborhoods.DuringapoweroutageatmidnightinJulyonWilmingtonIsland,theGAPowerCrewwasonsceneimmediatelyandrestoredpowerwithin15minutes.ThissituationinvolvedatransformerandGeorgiaPowerrespondedwiththeavailablepartstoquicklyrestorepower.Thisistheidealsituation.
ESF 12: Energy
Continued on page 19
: 17 CEMA SIGNAL
Continued from page 5
Be prepared: Coldweatheralsobringstherisksofseverewinterweatherandpoweroutages.Prepareadisaster/emergencykit,andincludeyourpetinyourplans.Haveenoughfood,waterandmedicine(includinganyprescriptionmedicationsaswellasheartwormandflea/tickpreventives)onhandtogetthroughatleast5days.Provide shelter: Wedon’trecommendkeepinganypetoutsideforlongperiodsoftime,butifyouareunabletokeepyourdoginsideduringcoldweather,providehim/herwithawarm,solidshelteragainstwind.Makesurethattheyhaveunlimitedaccesstofresh,non-frozenwater(bychangingthewaterfrequentlyorusingapet-safe,heatedwaterbowl).Thefloorofthesheltershouldbeoffoftheground(tominimizeheatlossintotheground)andthebeddingshouldbethick,dryandchangedregularlytoprovideawarm,dryenvironment.Thedoortothesheltershouldbepositionedawayfromprevailingwinds.Spaceheatersandheatlampsshouldbeavoidedbecauseoftheriskofburnsorfire.Heatedpetmatsshould
alsobeusedwithcautionbecausetheyarestillcapableofcausingburns.Recognize problems: If your pet is whining, shivering, seems anxious, slows down or stopsmoving,seemsweak,orstartslookingforwarmplacestoburrow,getthembackinsidequicklybecausetheyareshowingsignsofhypothermia.Frostbiteishardertodetect,andmaynotbefullyrecognizeduntilafewdaysafterthedamageisdone.Ifyoususpectyourpethashypothermiaorfrostbite,consultyourveterinarianimmediately. Feed well: Keepyourpetatahealthyweightthroughoutthewinter.Somepetownersfeelthatalittleextraweightgivestheirpetsomeextraprotectionfromcold,butthehealthrisksassociatedwiththatextraweightdon’tmakeitworthdoing.Watchyourpet’sbodyconditionandkeeptheminthehealthyrange.Outdoorpetswillrequiremorecaloriesinthewintertogenerateenoughbodyheatandenergytokeepthemwarm–talktoyourveterinarianaboutyourpet’snutritionalneedsduringcoldweather. ESF 11a: Animal Response, American Veterinarian
Medical Foundation
Cold Weather Pet Safety Continued
DEnnIs JonEsDEPuTy DIrECTor
ClAyTon s. sCoTT DIrECTor
This newsletter focuses on activities and accomplishments for each Emergency support function and other areas of the Emergency Management system throughout Chatham County. The newsletter is an available conduit for our partners who may have an interest in submitting a short article or to advertise an upcoming meeting, training event or exercise. for those interested in submitting content for the upcoming newsletter, please follow the submission criteria below:
• Article Submissions: Include Article Title, Author name, Title and Agency
• Meeting Notices: Include Meeting Title, Date, Time, location and Point of Contact (name, Phone and Email Address)
• Training Notice: Include Training Title, Date(s), Time(s), location, Prerequisites, registration Deadline, Costs, Point of Contact (name, Phone and Email Address)
• Exercise Notices: Include Exercise Title, Date(s), Time(s), location and Point of Contact (name, Phone and Email Address)
• Editorial Note: The Editor has the discretion to edit submissions. If changes are considered substantive, the author will be contacted to review the changes prior to publication.
Chatham Emergency Management Agency 124 Bull street, suite 140savannah, GA 31401(912) 201-4500 (office)www.ChathamEmergency.orgfacebook and Twitter: ChathamEMA
Have an Idea for the Signal?
18 : CEMA SIGNAL The Mission of the Chatham Emergency Management Agency is to protect lives and property from the threat of all types of major emergencies and disasters, both natural and man made.
Congratulations October 2014 CERT Class
Congratulations to the newest members of the Chatham County Community EmergencyResponseTeam.Morethanadozenresidentslearnedfirst-handwhatitwouldbelikefollowingadisaster. Theparticipantstookpartinthe20hourtrainingwheretheylearnedbasicfirstaid,firesuppression,lightsearchandrescue,aswellasotherskills.Theprogramtaughtresidentshowtotakecareofthemselvesandtheirneighborsafteradisaster,beforefirstrespondersarrive.TheclasstookpartintheirfinalsimulationonOctober11thatSouthsideFireStation#3.IfyouareinterestedintakingaCERTclasscontacttheCEMAoffice.Trainingisfree.
A Word No One Wants to Hear
Themoviesglamorizeitandthepublicfearsit.It’sawordnoonewantstohear,especiallywhen it applies to a dangerousand potentially deadly virus:“Outbreak.”The recent outbreak of Ebolain threeWestAfricancountrieshasputtheworldonheightenedalert and served as a wake-upcallwhenitcomestocontrollinginfectious disease. When suchdiseases emerge, public health focuses on tracking the disease andfindingthosewhomighthavecomeintocontactwithdisease. Public health’s primary roles when it comes to infectiousdiseases include providing guidance on infection control practicestohealthcareproviders;providingassistancetohealthcareprovidersto coordinate specimen testing if a patient meets testing criteria;identifyingandcontactingthosewhowereexposedtothediagnosedpatientandwhomightbeatriskforinfection(alsoknownascontacttracing); and disseminating public information regarding risk andpreventivemeasures. Publichealthauthoritiesareincommunicationwithhospitals,other healthcare organizations, and community partners to ensurethatprocessesareinplacetoprotectthepublic’shealthwhen,andif,infectiousdiseasesfindtheirwayintoourcommunity.PublichealthalsoplaysanactiveroleintheRegionJCoastalHealthcareCoalition,amulti-agencycoalitiondedicatedtocoordinatingaregionalresponsetodisastersandemergenciesthatmayaffectcoastalGeorgia.Inmid-October,close to200coalitionmembersandotherpartneragenciesgatheredatMemorialUniversityMedicalCenterforadiscussionthatcenteredonEbolapreparedness. “It is always a good thing when community partners cometogether to talkaboutpreparedness and responsewhether it appliesto preventing the spread of infectious disease or getting ready forhurricaneseason,”saidDianeZ.Weems,M.D.,DistrictHealthDirectorfortheCoastalHealthDistrict.
The Functional MedicalNeeds Plan is updated eachyear.Thecrucialinformationthatisincorporatedintothisplan requires our partnersto ensure the information isaccurate from year to year.The Functional MedicalNeeds registry this year wasmanagedbythePublicHealthCommunity Care Nurses.CitizenswithFunctionalandMedicalneedscancall(912)
691-7443toregisterthemselvesasacitizenneedingassistanceintheeventofanevacuation. Prior to hurricane season, locations of FMN registrant’shomes will be identified and mapped by the County GeographicInformation System (GIS). Registrants requiring ambulancetransportation will also be mapped by Emergency Medical Service(EMS)providers.Mappingthelocationsoftheregistrant’swillallowEMS toknowwhere togo tohelpassistwith theevacuationof theregistrants.
Functional Medical Needs Update
Volunteers
ESF 08: Public Health & Medical ServicesSally Silberman, Public Information Officer
for the Coastal Health District
ESF 08: Public Health & Medical Services
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costbetween$3,040and$68,500tocomplete;whilelargeprojectscostbetween$68,500and$121,600tocomplete. Multipleprojectscanbecombined to reach thresholds or to group similar projects togetherfortrackingpurposes.Onceestablished,eachprojectistrackedonanindividualProjectWorksheet(PW). After the project formulation, the projects are reviewed forconfirmation of eligibility, compliance, accuracy and to ensure theapplicant receives themaximumamountofavailableassistance. ThePACreviewseachPWforcompleteness.APACisauthorizedtoapproveany requests below $100,000; all other requests are forwarded to thePublicAssistanceOfficer(PAO)forapprovalandfunding. ThePAOadvisestheFederalCoordinatingOfficeronPublicAssistanceProgrammatters,workswithStatecounterpartstoensurethePublicAssistanceprogrammeetstheApplicant’sneedsandensuresthecomplianceofallPublicAssistancelaws,regulations,andpolicies. Obligation,theprocessofmakingFederalfundsavailable,fallsupon FEMA as projects are approved. Through this process, FEMAnotifiestheGrantee(typicallytheStateinwhichthedisasteroccurred)that the funds are available and ready for distribution to the Sub-grantees (approved applicants). FEMA obligates funding as projectsare approved and then distributes progress payments to the Granteeasactualcostsaredocumentedandsubmittedforpayment.TheSub-granteemustsubmitdocumentationofincurredcostsuponcompletion
ofeachlargeproject.ThisissubmittedtotheGranteeforreviewandcertification of compliance of FEMA standards. The Grantee thensubmitsthepaperworktoFEMAforfinalreviewandeitherobligationorde-obligationofprojectfunding. Aftereachlargeprojecthasbeencompleted,theGranteegoesthroughacloseoutprocess. Duringthisprocess,allrecoveryworkiscompleted,appealsareresolvedandeligiblecostshavebeenreimbursed.Ifanyprojectsarerejectedforpayment,theSub-granteehassixtydaystofileanappealandprovidesupportingdocumentation.Afterafinalanswer on the appeal, the Sub-grantee finishes the closeout processand retains all documentation for possible future auditing purposes.Once all projects opened under the entire Disaster Declaration arecompleted, thedisaster isclosedout. Thedisastercloseoutmaynotoccurforseveralyearsdependingontheextentofthedamageandthetimelineofrecoveryprojects. Throughout theprocessofDisasterFinance, it is imperativethattheGranteedocumentsallactivitiesrelatedtoeachproject. Thedocumentationshouldbeginatthepreparationofapossibledisasterasthesecostsmaybereimbursableunderanapprovedmitigationprojectworksheet. For additional information on the Disaster Finance process,pleasevisitwww.fema.gov.
20 : CEMA SIGNAL The Mission of the Chatham Emergency Management Agency is to protect lives and property from the threat of all types of major emergencies and disasters, both natural and man made.
Engineering Success When a disaster occurs, we often think about the valuablecontributionsmadebyfirstresponders,butemergencyresponseeffortsrequiremore than that. In fact, theFederalEmergencyManagementAgency requires its rescue teams to employ at least one professionalengineer.Firstrespondersareprotectedbylawsthatshieldthemfromexposure to liability when they perform the functions of a rescueoperationingoodfaith.Professionalengineers,however,oftenarenotprotected from liability for personal injury or death. Currently, only30 states, including Georgia, have Good Samaritan laws that grantprotection to engineers who provide emergency services during adisaster. AsprovenbythereliefeffortsfollowingtheexplosionattheSugar Refinery, Hurricanes Sandy, Irene, Katrina and Rita, and the9/11 terrorist attacks, professional engineers’ expertise in assessingstructural,mechanical,electrical,orotherinfrastructureisinvaluabletoassistingfederal,state,orlocalgovernmentsthatmayhavelimitedresourcesduringemergencies.AftertheBostonMarathonbombings,professional engineers were asked to provide structural engineeringassessmentstodeterminewhethercertainBostonbuildingsweresafeforinvestigators. It is crucial that the federal and state governments establishliability protections that provide immunity for design professionalsduring exigent circumstances and declared emergencies so that they
canquicklyvolunteertheirserviceswithoutbeingdeterredbyliabilityconcerns.Inreturn,thegovernmentwouldbeabletoquicklymobilizedesignprofessionalstoadequatelyevaluatethreatstothepublic’shealthandsafety. National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) supportsthe adoption of Good Samaritan laws that provide immunity fromliability for any personal injury, wrongful death, property damage,or other loss caused by a professional engineer’s acts, errors, oromissionsintheperformanceofvoluntaryengineeringservices.Suchlaws eliminate the liability deterrent that may discourage engineersfrom providing voluntary services, thereby promoting professionalengineers’ voluntary participation in emergency relief efforts. GoodSamaritan laws covering engineers also allow states and localities toinclude voluntary engineering assistance in their disaster plans. Itshouldalsoincludeprotectionfordesignprofessionalsrespondingtosmalleremergenciesthatmightnotbefullscaledisasters. HopefullytheFederal,StatesandLocalGovernmentswillallprovidetheprotection.
