SPIA Index
The Sperry-Piltz Ice Accumulation Index, or SPIA, predicts the “projected footprint, total ice accumulation, an resulting potential damage from approaching ice storms.” It is (as the site advertises) what the Fukita Scale is to tornadoes or what the Saffir-Simpson Scale is to hurricanes. In other words, it lets you know when to batten down the hatches. The index rates storms from 0 (not a big deal) to 5 (outages of several weeks). The index uses clear and colorful maps to present its forecasts. And if you didn’t think ice storms are all that damaging, check out the photos in the “See the SPIA Gallery” section.
A Guidebook for Integrating NIMS for Personnel and Resources at Airports
Airport personnel looking to beef up their incident management plans will appreciate this new publication from the Transportation Research Board. The guide covers ways to incorporate the National Incident Management System into existing response plans. It includes sample airport plans, and it even provides a matrix of suggested training for airport staff.
Interior Geospatial Emergency Management System (IGEMS)
IGEMS provides an interactive map with an overview about current natural hazard events in the United States. Clear and easy to use, this site is useful for people who travel across state lines, especially by car. For instance, the first day we checked it out, we were shocked to find a high wind watch in Cheyenne and Laramie, Wyoming, when we were scheduled to drive up that way. High winds in Wyoming… who knew?!?
National Incident Command System (NICS)
The Next Generation Incident Command System is a “mobile, web-based command and control environment for dynamically escalating incidents from first alarm to extreme scale that facilitates collaboration across [multiple] levels of preparedness, planning, response, and recovery for all-risk/all-hazards events.” About 255 emergency management agencies in California have been testing the system. The site provides login for training or for use in real incidents—once you’ve registered.
Hurricane Sandy Grant Information Tool
Even though Hurricane Sandy is more than a year in the past, there are still plenty of nonprofit organizations struggling to meet the needs of people affected. Luckily, the New York Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery has an answer. The Hurricane Sandy Grant Information Tool offers a wealth of information on grants and other resources available to nonprofits serving the state. The tool contains information on cash awards and other types of assistance, and it even includes a section on grant writing, so your organization can improve its chances of getting the help it needs.
Community Disaster Resilience for Buildings and Infrastructure Lifelines
This new program of the National Institute of Standards and Technology has big plans to make communities more resilient by focusing on the role played by buildings and infrastructure. The program will start by developing a framework guidance for disaster resilience and then follow up by creating a disaster resilience panel. Check out the website for more information about the program and NIST’s plans for engaging a broad range of stakeholders in the process, including a series of workshops on the topic.