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DETACHMENT OF GEORGIA
SONS OF THE AMERICAN LEGION
FOR GOD AND COUNTRY
Homeland Security

 

Zeste C. Debro, Chairman

2017-2018

 

 

Individual and Community Preparedness eBrief

u s d h s f e m a

August 31, 2017

In this issue:

 

Apply for Hurricane Harvey Disaster Assistance 

Apply for Assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov

If you have been impacted by Hurricane Harvey, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers resources to help you recover.

 

Visit www.fema.gov/hurricane-harvey for trusted recovery information. To find and apply for assistance, visit www.disasterassistance.gov.

 

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Help Those Impacted By Hurricane Harvey

How to Help After a Disaster

Whether you want to donate cash, goods, or services to assist in the Hurricane Harvey response, make sure you do so responsibly with information from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

 

Learn the safest and most effective ways to donate or volunteer with these FEMA guidelines:

  • Cash is the most efficient method of donating. Cash offers voluntary agencies the most flexibility in obtaining needed resources and pumps money into the local economy to help businesses recover.
  • Donate through a trusted organization. Find trusted national and state level agencies to donate or volunteer from the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster.
  • Affiliate with existing non-profit organizations before coming to the disaster area. Contact and affiliate with an established organization to ensure that you receive training to respond in the most effective way.
  • Be safe. Do not self-deploy. Wait until it is safe to travel to volunteer sites and authorities identify opportunities to help.
  • Be patient. There will be volunteer needs for many months, often years, after the disaster.

 

If you need help in determining who to give to, the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster website has a list of major non-profits active in disaster work or contact your FEMA Voluntary Agency Liaison for guidance. For more information, visit www.fema.gov/volunteer-donate-responsibly

 

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Turn Around Don't Drown

Turn Around Don't Drown

In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, take a moment to review flood safety information. When you see flood waters ahead: Turn Around Don't Drown.

 

Stay safe by avoiding flood waters altogether.

 

If you come upon flood water, you may not know how deep the water is or what is in the water that you cannot see including hazardous materials, sharp items, or downed power lines. Consider these facts to be flood smart:

  • Just six (6) inches of moving water can knock you down.
  • Just one (1) foot of water can sweep your vehicle off the roadway.
  • If your vehicle is trapped in rapidly moving water, stay in the vehicle.
  • If water is moving at a high velocity and is rapidly rising in the vehicle, exit the vehicle immediately, seek refuge on the roof of the vehicle, and signal for help. 
  • If your vehicle stalls, leave it immediately (unless water is moving at a high velocity) and move to higher ground. Rapidly rising water can engulf the vehicle and its occupants, sweeping them away.

 

For more information on how to prepare and stay safe download the Prepareathon How to Prepare for a Flood guide.

 

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Make a Plan During National Preparedness Month 

National Preparedness Month Logo

Friday, September 1, marks the beginning of National Preparedness Month (NPM) 2017. 

 

This year's theme is Disasters Don't Plan Ahead. You Can. In addition to the overarching theme for the month, each week has a theme highlighting different preparedness actions.

 

The focus for the first week of NPM, September 1-9, is, Make a Plan for Yourself, Family, and Friends. Learn how to plan with the following steps from the Ready Campaign:

 

National Prepareathon Day, September 15, is the perfect time for families, businesses, and organizations to take a few minutes to discuss their emergency plan. It is a day of action when families, organizations, and entire communities can practice their plan and better prepare for hazards and other emergencies.

 

If you plan to host a preparedness event, we encourage you to share it on the Prepareathon website. You can find more resources for National Preparedness Month, including the NPM social media toolkit, at www.ready.gov/september

 

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Important Dates to Remember

 

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Disclaimer: The reader recognizes that the federal government provides links and informational data on various disaster preparedness resources and events and does not endorse any non-federal events, entities, organizations, services, or products. Please let us know about other events and services for individual and community preparedness that could be included in future newsletters by contacting citizencorps@fema.dhs.gov.

 

 

Hurricane Season Is Almost Here

 

Get Ready for a Hurricane Now

The start of hurricane season is right around the corner.  According to FEMA's 2015 National Household Survey, two out of every three Americans are aware of what to do should a hurricane affect the area in which they live or work.  

 

This week, during National Hurricane Preparedness Week (May 7-13) learn the steps you can take to prepare for a hurricane.

 

The Pacific hurricane season begins May 15 and the Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1. The Ready Campaign has resources to help you prepare your family and promote hurricane preparedness in your community.

 

It is important to take some time to prepare with your family, colleagues, neighbors, or community group to assess your risk, develop plans, assemble supplies, and conduct emergency drills.   

 

 

For information on hurricane preparedness both at home and for the workplace, visit the Prepareathon Hurricane page to download the How to Prepare for a Hurricane Guide, the Prepare Your Organization for a Hurricane Playbook, or watch the When the Waves Swell animated video.

 

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Check Off One Preparedness Item for National Pet Week

 

Don't Forget About Fido Pet Preparedness Graphic

This week, during National Pet Week(May 7-13), take some steps to ensure your pets have what they need when severe weather or other emergencies hit.

 

The Ready Campaign offers some considerations to plan for your animals in an emergency. Identify what you can do now to check some items off your list.

 

Actions you can take include:

  • Ensure that your pet has a legible ID at all times. This includes making sure tags are up-to-date and securely fastened to your pet's collar. Microchipping your pet is painless and can ensure information is available even if a collar is lost.

  • Keep a current photo of your pet for identification purposes.
  • Prepare a pet emergency kit.  Download this pet owner's fact sheet for a full list of items to include in your pets kit.
  • Identify shelters. For public health reasons, many emergency shelters cannot accept pets. Find out which motels and hotels in the area you plan to evacuate to allow pets well in advance of travelling.
  • Have a secure pet carrier, leash or harness for your pet so they don't escape if they get scared.

 

 

Learn more about preparing your pets at Ready.gov/Animals

 

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Apply Today for the 2017 FEMA Individual and Community Preparedness Awards

 

ICP Awards Application Period Open

Please help spread the word about the 2017 FEMA Individual Community Preparedness Awards! Download an application form and apply today! You can also nominate an individual or organization who inspires you to prepare. 

 

For example, if you know someone who used outreach and messaging techniques not only to raise awareness about hazards and disaster preparedness, but also to persuade members of the public, organizations, and community sectors to take action to prepare, they may be eligible for the Awareness to Action award.  Learn more about this category and others and act today so you don't miss an opportunity to recognize someone or be recognized yourself!

 

 

To be considered for any of this year's awards, send all applications to fema-icp-awards@fema.dhs.gov by May 30, 2017 at 11:59 p.m. EDT and feature program activities occurring between January 1, 2016 and May 30, 2017. For more information on how to apply, visit: http://www.ready.gov/preparedness-awards.

 

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CERT Webinar: Building and Maintaining Community Preparedness Partnerships among CERT Programs and Medical Reserve Corps

 

On Tuesday, May 23, the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Individual and Community Preparedness Division invites you to a webinar featuring community preparedness partnerships among local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) programs and the Medical Reserve Corps. Speakers will share how they built and continue to maintain these successful partnerships to better prepare and respond to a disaster. 
 

Title: Building and Maintaining Community Preparedness Partnerships Among CERT Programs and the Medical Reserve Corps

Date: Tuesday, May 23

Time:  3 – 4:30 p.m. EDT

Featured Speakers

  • Tyler Krska, National CERT Program Lead, FEMA

  • David Richardson, Health Officer, Township of Manalapan, New Jersey
  • Kim Silverstein, Volunteer Coordinator, Township of Manalapan, New Jersey
  • Carla R. Mitchell, National Technical Assistance Coordinator, Medical Reserve Corps Program,  U.S. Department Health and Human Services


How to Join the Webinar:


We hope to that you will be able to join us on May 23!

 

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Important Dates to Remember

 

 

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Disclaimer: The reader recognizes that the federal government provides links and informational data on various disaster preparedness resources and events and does not endorse any non-federal events, entities, organizations, services or products. Please let us know about other events and services for individual and community preparedness that could be included in future newsletters by contacting citizencorps@fema.dhs.gov.

Contact Us

 

 

 

 

NOVEMBER 10, 2016

Warning Signs of Hypothermia

Snowman

While hypothermia generally occurs at very cold temperatures, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says that it can happen even at cool temperatures (above 40°F) if a person becomes chilled from rain, sweat, or submersion in cold water.

 

As winter approaches, it's important to know the warning signs of hypothermia and what to do if you notice those signs.

 

Warnings Signs of Hypothermia

Adults:

  • Body temperature below 95 degrees
  • Uncontrollable shivering
  • Exhaustion
  • Confusion, fumbling hands
  • Memory loss, disorientation
  • Incoherence, slurred speech
  • Drowsiness

 

Infants:

  • Bright red, cold skin
  • Very low energy

 

If someone is suffering from hypothermia, get medical attention immediately and begin warming the person until help arrives. Find several ways to warm a person on the CDC's Hypothermia page

 

If you must go outside, prevent hypothermia by: 

  • Wearing several layers of loose fitting, lightweight, warm clothing rather than one layer of heavy clothing. The outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent.
  • Wear mittens, which are warmer than gloves.
  • Cover all of your body. Wear a hat and a scarf, covering your mouth to protect your face and to help prevent loss of body heat.

 

 

For more information on how to prepare for the winter, visit the America's PrepareAthon! Winter Storm section.

 

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Stay Warm with Home Heating Safety

Space Heater

According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), half of all home heating fires occur in December, January and February. So now is the time to make sure your home heating device is safe, before the weather turns bitter cold. Follow these USFA heating tips to maintain a fire safe home this winter.

  • Keep anything that can burn at least three (3) feet from all heat sources including fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators, space heaters or candles.
  • Never use an oven to heat your home.
  • Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected annually by a qualified professional.

 

 

For more information on how to keep specific heating devices safe, such as a furnace, space heater, kerosene heater, fireplace or wood stove, visit the USFA's Heating Fire Safety page.

 

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Are You Prepared for La Niña?

Winter Storm Preparedness

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released their Winter Outlook , which predicts La Niña conditions that favor a warmer, drier South and a cooler, wetter North. Winter storms can occur anywhere and bring freezing rain, ice, snow, high winds or a combination of all these conditions. They can cause power outages that last for days or weeks; making it hard to keep warm and making travel very dangerous. Prepare now in case a winter storm hits, and you are home for several days without power and heat.

  • Gather emergency supplies, make a family emergency communication plan, and discuss emergency notifications and expectations with your workplace and/or schools.
  • Install battery-powered or battery back-up carbon monoxide detectors.
  • If you have a generator, keep it outside and have an electric cord long enough to keep the generator at least 20 feet from any door, window, or vent.
  • Make specific plans for how you will avoid driving.
  • Be alert to changing weather conditions using local alerts, radio, and other news sources for information and instructions.

 

 

Find additional tips by visiting the America's PrepareAthon! Winter Storm section and downloading the How to Prepare for a Winter Storm Guide

 

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Webinar: Celebrating National Native American Heritage Month through Community Preparedness

In observance of National Native American Heritage Month, FEMA's Individual and Community Preparedness Division and the Office of External Affairs, Tribal Affairs will host a webinar on Wednesday, November 30 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. ET focusing on disaster preparedness and resilience efforts serving tribal communities. You'll hear several leaders who have worked to put preparedness into action by developing successful community-based initiatives and receive related program resources.

Title:  Celebrating National Native American Heritage Month through Community Preparedness

 

Date: Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Time: 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET)

Featured Speakers:                                 

  • Tim Zientek, Director of Emergency Management, Potawatomi Nation
  • Jeff Hansen, Director of Emergency Management, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
  • Hailey Starr and Sarah Clark, Muckleshoot Tribal School
  • Milo Booth, National Tribal Affairs Advisor,  Office of External Affairs, FEMA

 

How to Join the Webinar: 


We hope that you will be able to join us on November 30!

 

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Dates for Your Calendar

 

 

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Disclaimer: The reader recognizes that the federal government provides links and informational data on various disaster preparedness resources and events and does not endorse any non-federal events, entities, organizations, services or products. Please let us know about other events and services for individual and community preparedness that could be included in future newsletters by contacting citizencorps@fema.dhs.gov.


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Ready Campaign

Give the Gift of Your Time

Community service is often one of the most rewarding ways to spend free time. During my year as a national service volunteer, I learned that giving time to your community or other communities is one of the most gratifying things you can do. 
 
Giving your time to help communities across the country to be more prepared is incredibly important. There are many ways to do so: 

This week is a great time to consider spending some time serving your community as Sunday, September 11th was commemorated as a day of service--honoring the first responders and civilians that lost their lives 15 years ago. 

Individuals taking a selfie volunteering in neighborhood
  
Whichever volunteer opportunity you choose to partake in to help prepare your community, your community will be both better prepared and thankful for it. 
 
--Jessica Stapf,
Digital Storyteller at FEMA

 

The FEMA Ready Campaign Team

 


This email was sent to conyers77@yahoo.com on behalf of: Ready Campaign · U.S. Department of Homeland Security · Washington, DC 20528 · 202-282-8000 Powered by GovDelivery

 

 

 

  • Hot Pets? Not cool! Even with the windows rolled down, only minutes in a hot car can be deadly for your pet. 
  • Make sure you drink LOTS of water to stay hydrated and prevent dehydration, heat stroke & more. 
  • During extreme heat drink plenty of water, even if you don't feel thirsty.

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