Guidance for Emergency Responders in U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico
This Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guide was created to help protect emergency responders and aid workers responding to recent hurricane events in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The guide offers information on chemical and biological hazards that could be encountered, health notices on risks such as disease outbreaks and other threats, and advice on pre-trip planning and communication while in the field.
Integrating Social and Behavioral Sciences Within the Weather Enterprise
Advances in forecasting science and weather prediction have markedly increased how effectively we can now respond to disasters, but until we are able to integrate human behavior into hazards scenarios, communities will still remain at risk. This report from the National Academies of Sciences examines current expertise in social and behavioral sciences and offers guidance to overcome the challenges of integration, including developing a research agenda and identifying arrangements that can help better combine social science and weather research.
World Tsunami Awareness Day
As World Tsunami Awareness Day approaches on November 5, the U.N. Office of Disaster Risk Reduction has compiled a list of resources to help educate people about tsunamis and what can be done to mitigate their impacts. This website includes stories of lessons learned, upcoming educational events, blog post from tsunami and disaster experts, and a range of resources available to help you educate your own community.
Refreshed National Incident Management System
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has released and updated version of the National Incident Management System known as NIMS. The new document, which was released on October 17, includes updates based on insights from stakeholders, emergency exercises, and past disasters. The latest version provides clarification on terminology, personnel certification, NIMS application to incident personnel at multiple levels, and the relationship between incident command systems, emergency operations centers, and policy groups.
Cybersecurity Virtual Training Environment
With data breaches in the news more than ever, emergency agencies need to know how to keep themselves and those they serve cybersecure. The Department of Homeland Security offers a wide range of free, online training for government employees and veterans through its Federal Virtual Training Environment. Classes are available for all levels of proficiency and include topics such as ethical hacking and surveillance, risk management, and malware analysis.