FEMA Public-Private Partnerships
No man is an island and neither is the Federal Emergency Management Agency—which is why FEMA has launched a new website to encourage private businesses to work with the agency in providing a port in the storm. The public-private partnerships site shares examples of partnerships from around the United States that help the government leverage the private sector to get supplies and services to those in need.
Assessment of Intraseasonal to Interannual Climate Prediction and Predictability
Whether you’re a weather junkie or you just need to know if you should wear a sweater to work, forecasts can be invaluable. But for those who need to keep an eye on the weather over the course of weeks and years, accuracy can be an issue. This report by the National Academies takes a look at what needs to be done to improve the accuracy of these types of forecasts, as well as how methods for making and communicating forecasts can be more accessible.
Colorado's Flood Decision Support System
This new Colorado Water Conservation Board map site was developed for use by developers, floodplain managers, emergency managers, the media, and the public. Users can display map data layers that include floodplain boundaries, historical floods, multi-hazard assessment, community information, and real-time weather and flood outlook. For those unhappy with the outlook, a weather modification map viewer is also available. Community officials may request access to additional map layers, such as those related to dam safety, by emailing Carolyn Fritz.
Geeks Without Borders
Geeks are in line to be the latest humanitarians to shed boundaries for the good of communities in need. Set to launch Oct. 10, GWOB will “assist people whose survival is threatened by lack of access to technology or communications due to violence, neglect, or catastrophe.” Using a three-pronged approach that includes a communication hub, crowd sourcing, and problem solving, the group plans to kick off its geeky aid campaign with a 24-hour hackathon devoted to developing applications for those in need.
Pipeline Emergencies
After the recent San Bruno explosion of a gas transmission line, its good to know that there’s a site out there dedicated to “zero pipeline incidents.” Although that goal is blown, there’s plenty on the site to keep responders in the know about how to address such incidents. With textbooks, an instructor program, scenario-based exercises, and lots of online training opportunities, Pipeline Emergencies provides safety training and a place to exchange ideas with others.
NIST Wildland-Urban Interface and Wildland Fires
It may not be pretty, but this functional page created by the National Institute of Standards and Technology gives handy access to NIST work in the area of the wildland-urban interface and wildland fires. Included in the offerings are media stories, field studies, laboratory work, fire modeling, and statistics. Postdoctoral opportunities are also listed.
Coastal Climate Adaptation
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Coastal Services Center has put together an extensive collection of resources for anyone interested in climate change adaptation in coastal states. Visitors will find adaptation plans, case studies, policies and legislation, and outreach and training materials among the many offerings arranged by type or by state. A forum and calendar of events is also provided.