DISASTER RESEARCH 418

December 17, 2004

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. FY 2005 PDM Grant Applications Now Being Accepted
  2. FY 2005 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP)
  3. New Fire Corps Program Launched
  4. IIASA Young Scientists Summer Program 2005
  5. National Fire Codes: Request for Comments
  6. FEMA's Multiyear Flood Hazard Identification Plan
  7. Welcome to a New Graduate Research Assistant
  8. Jobs, Jobs, Jobs
  9. Some New Web Resources
  10. Conferences and Training

1) FY 2005 PDM Grant Applications Now Being Accepted

The grant application period for the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Predisaster Mitigation (PDM) program for fiscal year (FY) 2005 has opened. Approximately $255 million is available for competitive grants, technical assistance, and program support for FY 2005. As PDM funds are available until expended, this amount consists of approximately $13 million FY 2003 funds, approximately $144.6 million FY 2004 funds, and approximately $97 million FY 2005 funds. PDM grants are to be awarded on a competitive basis and without reference to state allocations, quotas, or other formula-based allocation of funds.

The FY 2005 PDM program guidance documents provide information and guidance on implementing the PDM program, including program requirements, eligibility, and grants management. These guidance documents, along with more information about the program, are available at http://www.fema.gov/fima/pdm.shtm. The deadline for application submission is March 14, 2005, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

2) FY 2005 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP)

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released a "Fiscal Year 2005 Homeland Security Grant Program Guidelines and Application Kit" to provide a single application kit and program guidance for the State Homeland Security Program (SHSP), the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI), the Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program (LETPP), the Citizen Corps Program (CCP), the Emergency Management Performance Grants (EMPG), and the Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS) Program Grants. Through this program, state and local emergency prevention, preparedness, and response personnel will receive over $2.5 billion in grant funding to enhance and improve homeland security efforts.

These six programs have been integrated into a single solicitation to better facilitate the organization, coordination, and management of state and local homeland security funding and prevention, preparedness, and response efforts across the nation, and help ensure that all available federal homeland security funding is leveraged for maximum impact. The consolidation will also strengthen coordination across the six programs and encourage regional collaborative preparedness efforts. This 156-page document is available for free online at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/odp/docs/fy05hsgp.pdf. For additional information, visit the DHS Office of Domestic Preparedness (ODP) on the Web at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/odp/ or contact the ODP helpline at (800) 368-6498.The deadline for submission of an HSGP application is January 16, 2005.

3) New Fire Corps Program Launched

In December, Fire Corps was officially launched to support and supplement fire departments with community volunteers trained to handle nonemergency activities. Through its partnerships with fire service organizations and local Citizen Corps Councils across the country, Fire Corps will actively involve citizens in public education, training, and volunteer efforts focused on fire prevention and safety. Member activities may include assisting fire department personnel with administrative duties, performing education and outreach efforts to encourage fire safety and prevention, supporting community emergency response team training in emergency preparedness and basic response techniques, and other nonsuppression activities.

Fire Corps is a partnership between the National Volunteer Fire Council, the International Association of Fire Chiefs Volunteer Combination Officers Section, the International Association of Fire Fighters, and the U.S. Fire Administration. Learn more about Fire Corps by visiting http://www.firecorps.org/.

4) IIASA Young Scientists Summer Program 2005

The International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis' (IIASA) annual Young Scientists Summer Program (YSSP) is a three-month (June through August) research program for graduate students in math, engineering, and natural and social sciences whose interests correspond with IIASA's ongoing research in the areas of energy and technology, environment and natural resources, and population and society.

Widely recognized and highly regarded, the YSSP offers a unique opportunity to acquire international experience, enhance research skills, and become part of a worldwide network of interdisciplinary and cross-cultural specialists. Since 1977, 1,253 graduate students from 65 countries have participated.

The application deadline for the summer of 2005 is January 15, 2005. Find out more, including eligibility requirements and how to apply, at http://www.iiasa.ac.at/Admin/YSP/yssp2005/about-program.html or contact Margaret Goud Collins, U.S. Committee for IIASA National Academy of Sciences, W541 500 5th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001; (508) 548-2502; fax: (202) 334-2231; e-mail: mcollins@nas.edu.

5) National Fire Codes: Request for Comments

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is once again seeking input on a variety of issues related to fire safety codes and standards. The notice "National Fire Codes: Request for Comments on NFPA Technical Committee Reports" (see the November 19, 2004, Federal Register, Vol. 69, No. 223, pp. 67705-67706) requests comments on the technical reports that will be presented at the NFPA's November 2005 meeting. Twenty-seven reports are published in the 2005 November Cycle Report on Proposals and will be available on January 7, 2005. For a copy of the report, visit http://www.nfpa.org/ or request a copy from the NFPA Fulfillment Center, 11 Tracy Drive, Avon, MA 02322. Comments are due by March 25, 2005.

A second notice, "National Fire Codes: Request for Proposals for Revision of Codes and Standards" (see the November 19, 2004, Federal Register, Vol. 69, No. 223, pp. 67703-67705), requests proposals from the public to amend existing fire safety codes and standards or develop new ones. The purpose of this request is to increase public participation in the system used by the NFPA to develop its codes and standards. One of the codes up for review is "NFPA 1600: Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity," which has recently been endorsed by the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (the 9/11 Commission) as the proposed national preparedness standard for private sector emergency preparedness.

For more information about the codes, proposal deadlines, or how to submit comments and proposals, visit http://www.nfpa.org/Codes/ or read the notices in the Federal Register, which can be found in any federal repository library or online at http://www.access.gpo.gov/.

6) FEMA's Multiyear Flood Hazard Identification Plan

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and its flood-mapping partners have prepared a Multiyear Flood Hazard Identification Plan (MHIP), the first-ever national look at how FEMA and its partners plan to update flood maps. Developed in cooperation with state, local, and regional entities and other partners, the MHIP outlines a five-year schedule and budget for conducting flood studies and providing reliable digital flood hazard data and maps to support the National Flood Insurance Program.

The MHIP is available on FEMA's Flood Hazard Mapping Web site at http://www.fema.gov/fhm/mh_main.shtm. The MHIP is a living document that will be formally updated twice a year. The stakeholder comment period for this version ends on January 31, 2005. Comments can be made through the Flood Hazard Mapping Web site. Call (877) 336-2627 with questions, or find and e-mail a map specialist at http://www.fema.gov/fhm/tsd_emap.shtm.

7) Welcome to a New Graduate Research Assistant

The Natural Hazards Center has hired a new graduate research assistant. Christine Bevc moved to Colorado from Orlando, Florida, this year to pursue a PhD in sociology with a concentration in environmental sociology at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Bevc, who has a bachelor's degree in liberal studies with a triple minor in sociology, environmental studies, and health sciences, received her masters in applied sociology in May 2004 from the University of Central Florida. Her master's thesis looked at the physical and psychological impacts of chronic contamination around a Superfund site. Natural disasters, acute and chronic technological disasters, GIS applications, research methods, and environmental sociology top the list of her current research interests. Her recent research has focused on the Florida hurricanes and their impact on community solidarity along with the use of the National Guard and local law enforcement. Welcome Christine!

8) Jobs, Jobs, Jobs

[Below are a few recent job vacancies that are related to some of the myriad activities in which DR readers engage. Please contact the organizations directly for more information.]

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EPI Program Assistant
Emergency Preparedness Initiative, National Organization on Disability

The EPI program assistant performs a variety of tasks related to the development of the National Organization on Disability's (NOD) Emergency Preparedness Initiative (EPI). The EPI's mission is to ensure that emergency managers address disability concerns and that people with disabilities are included in the emergency planning process. The EPI seeks to increase communication and cooperation between emergency managers and the disability community, and to educate people with disabilities about what they can do to be prepared. The assistant works under the direct supervision of the EPI Program Officer. This position interacts with a variety of emergency management personnel from field-level first responders to local, state, and federal officials in both the emergency management arena and the special needs community.

Work duties include, but are not limited to:

  • Assisting with research and planning activities related to emergency preparedness for people with disabilities;
  • Creating and maintaining a database of emergency management officials, disability professionals, and other external persons, agencies, and organizations of assistance to EPI;
  • Drafting letters, reports, and technical memoranda; developing charts and graphics needed for EPI-related meetings, major conferences, and planned campaigns; and assisting with the maintenance and annual review of numerous EPI projects;
  • Attending committee meetings, conferences, workshops, and disaster drills/exercises throughout the year (at the discretion of the EPI program officer) and providing detailed after-action reports on all activities related to such attendance and participation;
  • Assisting in identifying additional funding sources for emergency preparedness initiatives through competitive grant applications and alternative funding sources;
  • Assisting in grant proposal development and implementation of grant tasks; and
  • Assisting the EPI program officer in supporting the emergency preparedness and occupational safety component of the human relations program within the NOD.

Prerequisites for this position include a working knowledge of principles and practices of emergency management planning, public administration, intergovernmental coordination, or a related field. Candidate should have a basic understanding of statistics, knowledge of research methods and quantitative measures, ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, elected officials, public safety officials, and the general public. The position requires the ability to work independently and a desire to continue professional development. Candidate must possess communications skills needed to address a range of audiences, with varying degrees of ability, educational levels, and subject-matter knowledge. Candidate should possess traits of dependability, teamwork, and integrity. Candidate must also possess an ability to manage several projects simultaneously.

The position also requires proficiency in the use of word processing, spreadsheet-relational database software programs, and computer graphics, such as desktop publishing. The candidate should be proficient in computer technology in order to produce presentable reports for publishing and/or visual aids for presentations to high-level audiences.

The ideal candidate would hold an undergraduate degree in planning, public administration, government, emergency management, public safety, or a related field. Related appropriate field or equivalent experience or training in a public safety-related job, or a minimum of two-three years of experience in human services, field emergency medical services, social services, volunteer services, or nonprofit agencies may be considered to fulfill the prerequisites.

The range of responsibility/involvement in the above tasks and the educational background and experience level of the applicant will determine the salary (salary range: $30-35,000). Relocation assistance is not available.

Interested parties should submit the following:

  • A resume indicating job experience, achievements, program involvement, length of service, dates of employment, and supervisory contact name, and number;
  • Three professional references and three character references (family members and current supervisors are ineligible for these reference requirements); and
  • A writing sample related to the following question: How would you increase awareness of emergency preparedness for people with disabilities and how do you suggest people with disabilities become involved in emergency preparedness?

Applications are due January 7, 2005. Submit applications to Hilary Styron, EPI, NOD, 910 Sixteenth Street NW, 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20006. No phone calls please. Incomplete application packages will not be considered. Initial interviews will be conducted over the phone. Selected candidates will then be invited to come for a personal interview.

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Projects Manager
Biological, Nuclear, Incendiary, Chemical, and Explosives Training Center, Denver Health

Description: Research project manager for bioterrorism project working with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and a team of physicians, researchers, and other federal agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

This position requires a bachelor's degree plus experience with managing projects, facilitating meetings, ensuring project deliverables are met, and writing progress reports. Knowledge of Web interface technology or GIS a plus.

Find out more and apply online at http://www.denverhealth.org/.

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Program Associate
Ecosystems Services, Winrock International

Winrock International has an opening in Arlington, Virginia, for a program associate in its Ecosystem Services unit. Ecosystem Services fulfills Winrock's mission of balancing human and environmental needs worldwide by providing high-quality resource surveys and analysis of data on land use and forests and their carbon content and other eco-assets. This program associate will provide technical support to the unit's implementation of applied research initiatives and project activities, both in the field and in the Virginia office.

The position requires at least a master's degree with five+ years of experience or a PhD with two-three years of experience in forestry, ecosystem ecology, or a closely related field (applicable experience attained during course of study can be included). The successful candidate's work history must reflect experience with design, implementation, analysis, and reporting of field projects in domestic and international settings. Skills required include proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and a statistical software package.

Applicants should send a current resume, cover letter, and reference contacts by December 31, 2004, to HRM-Program Associate, Winrock International, 2101 Riverfront Drive, Little Rock, AR 72202-1748; fax: (501) 280-5090; e-mail: jobs@winrock.org; http://www.winrock.org/. E-mail is the preferred method of receiving applications.

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Multiple Positions
New York City Office of Emergency Management

The New York City Office of Emergency Management is seeking to fill the following positions.

  • Training and exercise specialist
  • Community outreach-disaster education coordinator
  • GIS application developer

Find out more about these positions at http://nyc.gov/html/oem/html/about/jobs.html.

9) Some New Web Resources

[Below are some new or updated Internet resources we've discovered. For an extensive list of useful Internet sites dealing with hazards, see http://www.colorado.edu/hazards/resources/.]

http://www.fema.gov/doc/nims/nims_implementation_plan_template.doc
http://www.fema.gov/txt/nims/nims_ics_position_paper.txt
Two new documents have been added to the National Incident Management System (NIMS) Integration Center's Web site. The first is a template for a basic NIMS Implementation Plan, which is specifically designed for federal departments and agencies, but adaptable for other units of government. The second reviews the development of the various versions of the ICS and addresses uncertainties about NIMS ICS and the impact it will have on systems and processes currently in place. Additionally, it explains how NIMS ICS works, describes how it is different from previous systems, and discusses the future of NIMS ICS training.

http://www.meted.ucar.edu/resources_access.htm
Hurricane Strike! an entertaining multimedia educational product, is now available in three versions (all at no charge) to meet the needs of students with hearing, motor, and visual impairments. This Web site provides access to Web versions as well as instructions on how to order a master CD for those who want to publish and distribute free CD copies.

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pastall.shtml
This Web page on the National Hurricane Center's site features an archive of information related to past hurricane seasons and includes links to Hurricane Season Tropical Cyclone Reports that contain comprehensive information on individual storms, including synoptic history, meteorological statistics, casualties and damages, and the postanalysis best track.

http://159.121.112.22/hazards/hazards.html
The goal of Oregon's Department of Land Conservation and Development's Natural Hazards Program is to provide for protection of people and property from natural hazards through sound land use planning. In addition to a special section on emergency preparedness, the main sections of the department's new Web site feature four natural hazards common to Oregon: floods, landslides, earthquakes, and wildfires.

http://1906centennial.org/
The 1906 Earthquake Centennial Alliance was formed to commemorate the legendary quake. The alliance unites policy makers, scientists, engineers, historians, teachers, and emergency responders in an exploration of lessons learned and risk reduction measures. More information about the alliance, the participants, and planned activities is available at this site.

http://www.fema.gov/pdf/fima/fema467-6-10-04.pdf
Issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in May 2004, this new floodplain management bulletin is written in a FAQ (frequently asked questions) format to clarify the elevation certification process as it pertains to new and substantially improved structures within the floodplain.

http://www.publichealthlaw.net/Resources/BTlaw.htm
The Center for Law & the Public's Health at Georgetown & Johns Hopkins Universities has released three checklists for voluntary use by county, city, state, and federal public health agencies in assessing their legal preparedness for public health emergencies. The checklists are "Civil Legal Liability and Public Health Emergencies," "Interjurisdictional Legal Coordination for Public Health Emergency Preparedness," and "Local Government Public Health Emergency Legal Preparedness and Response."

http://www.nimsonline.com/
NIMSonline.com was launched on October 1, 2004, to support federal, state, local, and tribal efforts to implement the National Incident Management System (NIMS). As an independent, multijurisdictional, and multidiscipline clearinghouse, this Web site provides current NIMS news and open-source document access and serves as an information guide for the developing NIMS Community.

10) Conferences and Training

[Below are some recent announcements received by the Natural Hazards Center. A comprehensive list of upcoming hazards-related meetings and training is available from our web site: http://www.colorado.edu/hazards/conf.html.]

SAR-The Americas 2005. Sponsor: The Shephard Group. Miami, Florida: March 8-10, 2005. This search and rescue (SAR) event will present a broad range of perspectives and issues, providing critical information and insight into the business of lifesaving, both today and in the future. Leading questions in policy, vision, and development strategies will be discussed and debated by leaders in this critical humanitarian mission. For more information, contact the Shephard Group, 111 High Street, Burnham, SL1 7JZ, UK: +44 (0) 1628 604311; e-mail: info@shephard.co.uk; http://www.shephard.co.uk/.

Seismological Society of America Annual Meeting. Host: Nevada Seismological Laboratory. Incline Village, Nevada: April 27-29, 2005. Among the topics to be explored at this conference are earthquake source physics, seismic hazard of the Great Basin, predicting ground motions, promoting public earthquake safety, advances in signal processing methods for seismic data analysis, and the September 28, 2004, mw6 Parkfield earthquake. Field trips are planned for April 29 and 30. Abstracts are due January 14, 2005. For more information, contact John G. Anderson, Nevada Seismological Laboratory, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557; (775) 784-4265; fax: (775) 784-4165; e-mail: jga@seismo.unr.edu; http://quake.seismo.unr.edu/ssa2005/.

2005 NDMS Disaster Response Conference: Catastrophic Care for the Nation. Sponsors: National Disaster Medical System (NDMS), Chesapeake Health Education Program (CHEP). Orlando, Florida: April 30-May 4, 2005. The purpose of this conference is to promote interaction between local, state, and federal public health practitioners and policy makers. Experts from a host of agencies and volunteer and academic entities will present on key topics such as counter-terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, clinical medicine, mental health, response teams, and international coordination. For more information, contact CHEP, Building 82H-1st Floor, Perry Point, MD 21902; (410) 642-1857; http://www.ndms.chepinc.org/.

14th World Congress on Disaster and Emergency Management. Sponsor: World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine Edinburgh, Scotland: May 10-16, 2005. More than 1,000 delegates from around the world are expected to attend this congress to exchange ideas and discuss advances in disaster and emergency medicine. Topics include civilian/military collaboration in disaster medicine and relief, children in disasters, politics and disaster, and rural emergency medical services. A mass-gathering education emergency exercise will immediately precede the congress. Abstracts are due January 5, 2005. For more information, contact Concorde Services, 4B 50 Speirs Wharf, Port Dundas, Glasgow G4 9TB, Scotland, UK: +44 0 141 331 0123; e-mail: info@wcdem2005.org; http://www.wcdem2005.org/.

1st Alexander von Humboldt International Conference on the El Nino Phenomenon and Its Global Impact. Sponsors: European Geosciences Union, International Research Center on El Nino. Guayaquil, Ecuador: May 16-20, 2005. El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) will be the focal point of this conference. Topics will include ENSO in climate history, recent major El Nino events and their impacts, ENSO prediction, El Nino and global warming, and socioeconomics. For more information, contact the EGU Office, c/o Alexander von Humboldt, Max-Planck-Strasse 13, D-37191 Katlenburg-Lindau, Germany; +49 (5556) 1440; e-mail: egu@copernicus.org; http://www.copernicus.org/EGU/topconf/avh1/.

Happy Holidays! See you in 2005.

Questions for the readership and contributions to this e-newsletter are encouraged. Questions and messages should be indicated as such and sent to hazctr@colorado.edu.

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