Emergency response

TONAWANDA, N.Y., (11/02/09) - The New York National Guard along with local officials from Erie County and the cities of Tonawanda, Buffalo and Niagara Falls joined with other state, regional and federal officials to formally announce the launch of the largest emergency response exercise to have ever been conducted in Western New York.

"Vigilant Guard is an opportunity for military and civilian professionals to train together and prepare for a potential catastrophe we all naturally hope will never happen," said Brig. Gen. Michael Swezey, commander of the Guard's Joint Task Force 6, based in Buffalo.    » read more »

March 6, 2009 -- DENTON, TEXAS -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help fight the Tuscola Fire following a request for a fire management assistance declaration from the State of Texas on Thursday.

At the time of the request, the fire was threatening approximately 350 homes in and around the communities of Tuscola and Potosi, in Taylor County. The fire threatened buildings, infrastructure, and utilities in the area. Voluntary evacuations were issued for twenty people, two homes burned, and US highways 83 and 84 were closed due to the fire. The fire started on Thursday and had burned in excess of 150 acres of private land.    » read more »

March 6, 2009 -- DENTON, TEXAS -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help fight the Taloga Fire following a request for a fire management assistance declaration from the State of Oklahoma on Thursday.

At the time of the request, the fire was threatening approximately 372 homes in and around the community of Taloga, in Dewey County. The fire threatened buildings, roads and bridges, infrastructure, utilities, recreation, equipment, fishing streams and spawning sites, and wildlife in the area. Voluntary evacuations were issued for over 200 people. The fire started on Thursday, and had burned in excess of 20,000 acres of State and private land.    » read more »

March 9, 2009 -- OLYMPIA, Wash. -- The $9 million in disaster assistance that has gone to residents affected by the mid- January, severe winter weather is partly the result of the extensive community relations effort of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Washington Emergency Management Division (WEMD). These officials spread throughout the state, knocking on doors and talking to people affected by the January 6-16, 2009, severe winter storm, landslides and flooding. They are encouraging people from 15 designated counties to apply for disaster assistance before the deadline of March 31.    » read more »

Fugate Will Appear With DHS Secretary Napolitano Tomorrow in New Orleans

March 4, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – Today, President Obama announced his intent to nominate the Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, Craig Fugate to be his FEMA Administrator.

On the nomination of Craig Fugate, President Obama said, "From his experience as a first responder to his strong leadership as Florida’s Emergency Manager, Craig has what it takes to help us improve our preparedness, response and recovery efforts and I can think of no one better to lead FEMA. I’m confident that Craig is the right person for the job and will ensure that the failures of the past are never repeated.    » read more »

Lansing, Saginaw; Allegan, Eaton, Mason counties affected

June 16, 2008 -- LANSING - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today issued an executive order activating the Michigan National Guard to assist jurisdictions operating under a state of emergency because of storms that swept the state earlier this month. The jurisdictions include the cities of Lansing and Saginaw and the counties of Allegan, Eaton and Mason.    » read more »

May 29, 2008 -- Lincoln, Neb. -- Preliminary reports of tornadoes and severe storm conditions around Kearney indicate damage. The State has activated Nebraska’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Lincoln.

Due to a damaged power line, the portion of Interstate-80 between Aurora and York will be closed immediately.

EOC includes cooperation between several key state agencies, including:
the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nebraska State Patrol, State Fire Marshall, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Roads, Nebraska National Guard, and the Department of Environmental Quality.    » read more »

March 27, 2008 -- TOTOWA- Working to help equip Passaic County first responders in a difficult county budget climate, U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg and U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. today joined Passaic County Prosecutor James Avigliano to deliver $267,900 in federal funding specifically earmarked for the Passaic County Prosecutor’s emergency communications network. Senator Robert Menendez, who was unable to attend today’s announcement, also played a critical role in securing the funds.    » read more »

Bureaucratic red tape has delayed first responder reconstruction projects after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita

February 26, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) today sent the following letter to FEMA Administrator David Paulison, raising concerns about ongoing reconstruction delays, funding disparities, and bureaucratic red tape for first responder resources and projects in New Orleans.    » read more »

Statewide radio network will aid first responders

December 20, 2007 -- A group charged with establishing a plan to implement statewide communications interoperability has been formed by Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius.

The Kansas Statewide Interoperability Executive Committee, created by Executive Order 07-27, will develop the policies, procedures and guidelines of a statewide system designed to allow emergency service providers the ability to communicate with one another over a radio network.    » read more »

December 19, 2007 -- BURLINGTON – The Vermont Department of Health achieved a high rating (a score of 9 out of 10 possible points) in the fifth annual Trust for America’s Health “Ready or Not? Protecting the Public’s Health from Disease, Disasters, and Bioterrorism” report.

The report contains state-by-state scores based on 10 key indicators to assess health emergency preparedness capabilities. Only seven states received a rating of 10 out of 10.    » read more »

Rhode Island Governor Donald L. Carcieri today announced that Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Executive Director Robert Warren’s state employment has been terminated, effective immediately. The decision was made jointly by Governor Carcieri and Major General Robert Bray, to whom the EMA Executive Director reports.

Major General Bray, the Adjutant General of the State of Rhode Island and the commanding general of the Rhode Island National Guard, will assume the responsibilities of EMA Executive Director until an interim replacement is named.    » read more »

"We cannot let red tape keep us from getting people the immediate help they need."

December 5, 2007 -- Salem - Oregon Governor Kulongoski today asked President Bush for an expedited federal declaration of emergency. In a letter sent to the President, the Governor wrote,

"I formally request that you declare a major disaster for the State of Oregon as a result of the severe storm and flooding which began on December 1, 2007 and has critically impacted Clatsop, Columbia, Lincoln, Tillamook and Yamhill Counties.    » read more »

Outlines Other Changes Recommended In Witt Report

Nov. 16, 2007 -- HARRISBURG – In his ongoing efforts to bolster response and preparedness in Pennsylvania, Governor Edward G. Rendell today proposed dramatic changes in state operations to lessen the impact of future emergencies and natural disasters.    » read more »

IBM and Key Business Partners Incorporate Industry's Most Advanced Security Capabilities Into City's "Operation Virtual Shield" Project

CHICAGO, IL - 27 Sep 2007: IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced a new project with the City of Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) to implement one of the most advanced city-wide intelligent security system ever conceived. The engagement is a part of Chicago's Operation Virtual Shield, a project that encompasses one of the world's largest video security deployments.    » read more »