Preparedness

Grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will enhance state, local public health emergency preparedness efforts

June 16, 2008 -- SPRINGFIELD – Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today announced that Illinois will receive nearly $20 million from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to further enhance state and local preparedness for public health emergencies.

The CDC recently notified the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) that the Department will receive $19.9 million, as part of a $705 million package that is being awarded nationwide to public health departments in states and territories, as well as in four major metropolitan areas. The City of Chicago will also receive $11.4 million as part of this package.    » read more »

Federal Coordinator Doug O'Dell and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Brigadier General Michael Walsh Discuss Levee Protection in New Orleans

May 30, 2008 -- New Orleans, LA. – General Doug O’Dell, federal coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding, along with Brigadier General Michael Walsh of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), recently hosted a media conference call to discuss hurricane protection in New Orleans in preparation for the upcoming hurricane season beginning June 1.

A levee wall in New Orleans: Photo by AuthenticEccentric (CC)    » read more »

HONOLULU -- The Coast Guard is urging all mariners to practice safe boating and be prepared for the 2008 hurricane season, which begins June 1 and ends Nov. 30.

Hurricane preparedness is a shared responsibility. Government agencies have a responsibility to alert citizens and respond to those in distress.

Hurricane aftermath: Photo by Scott Baldwin (CC)

Those in the path of an approaching storm have an individual responsibility to stay alert, heed warnings and insure the safety of themselves and their families.    » read more »

BALTIMORE, Md. (05/28/2008) - Hurricane season doesn’t officially start until June 1, but the Maryland National Guard and the Baltimore County Fire Department aren’t waiting until then to get acquainted.

On May 17, a small detachment of Maryland Guard Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment (Security & Support) in Edgewood, Md., with two, high clearance five-ton trucks and a Humvee traveled to Baltimore County Fire Department’s (BCFD) station #17 to rehearse and train with the counties swift water and flood rescue teams.    » read more »

May 14, 2008 -- FT. LAUDERDALE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today, in his second address to more than 2,600 emergency managers, first responders, and volunteer agencies, praised their commitment to public service. He also encouraged all Floridians to prepare for the 2008 hurricane season during the general session of the 22nd Annual Governor’s Hurricane Conference.

Florida hurricane damage: Photo by Zaylea (CC)    » read more »

May 13, 2008 -- JEFFERSON CITY -- Missouri Governor Matt Blunt and Mark James, Director of the Department of Public Safety, today cautioned Missourians to be prepared as more bad weather is in the forecast for the southwest region of the state.

“Tornadoes are often times Mother Nature’s most violent storms, and the devastation I witnessed yesterday is as devastating as it is heartbreaking,” Gov. Blunt said.

Tornado: Photo by OAR/ERL/National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL)    » read more »

05/09/2008 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued Executive Order S-03-08, which boosts the state's preparedness for wildfire season and directs the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) to immediately mobilize critical firefighting resources and personnel to save lives and homes statewide.

California Governor Schwarzenegger takes action on firefighting: Photo courtesy California Governor's office    » read more »

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command will exercise their response abilities to a variety of events during an intensive eight-day national level exercise in May. National Level Exercise 2-08 will run May 1-8 and will exercise national capabilities to prepare and respond to multiple incidents including both natural disasters and terrorist incidents.

C-130H aircraft: Photo by Tech. Sgt. Joe Zuccaro

The exercise will include hurricane preparedness and response and Defense Support to Civil Authorities coordination in response to a weapon of mass destruction terrorist attack.    » read more »

Guard validates emergency plans with disaster response exercise

CAMP BEAUREGARD, La. - The Louisiana National Guard finished months of preparation with a joint Disaster Response Exercise April 2-6 in New Orleans.

The training brought together nearly 600 participants from the National Guard, Coast Guard, local, state and federal agencies to complete an exercise that simulated a category two hurricane hitting the greater New Orleans metropolitan area.

Soldiers help an injured role player during a Disaster Response Exercise: Soldiers were given different missions simultaneously to test the Louisiana National Guard’s ability to respond to an emergency. US Army photo by Thomas Benoit    » read more »

Agency of Agriculture releases recommendation for hoop house installation at Half Pint Farm and the Intervale Center

April 15, 2008 -- Montpelier, Vt – The Agency of Agriculture released its decision to allow the construction of a hoop house at the Intervale Center and Half Pint Farm. Working collaboratively with the various partners involved including FEMA, the Intervale Center, the farmer, ANR and the city of Burlington, parameters for the construction have been established to ensure that the availability of flood insurance to residents of the city of Burlington is not jeopardized.

Hoop house: Photo by Justin Henry (CC)    » read more »

April 2, 2008 -- JEFFERSON CITY -- Missouri Governor Matt Blunt tonight urged Missourians who were impacted by flooding last week to be prepared as more flooding is expected.

“The National Weather Service indicates several more inches of rain will fall across the state impacting areas impacted by the recent flooding,” Gov. Blunt said.

Coast Guard members assisting with Missouri flood relief: Photo by Coast Guard News (CC)    » read more »

March 31, 2008 -- JEFFERSON CITY -- Missouri Governor Matt Blunt and officials within the Department of Public of Safety warned Missourians today about the potential hazards associated as more flooding is expected today.

“As Missouri families continue dealing with the effects of recent flooding, I encourage them to take extra precautions to keep themselves and their property safe,” Gov. Blunt said.

Flooding on the Missouri River: (file photo)    » read more »

February 1, 2008 -- With an approaching storm bringing freezing rain to parts of the State, the Maine Center for Disease Control warns Maine citizens to be very careful using gas-powered generators, kerosene heaters or other heating or power sources during power outages. If not used safely, they can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas formed when burning most types of fuels. Using gas-powered generators, kerosene heaters, charcoal grills, and gas grills can cause poisoning if CO gas builds-up in closed in spaces.    » read more »

Commission reports lack of preparedness for chemical, biological or nuclear attack

January 31, 2008 -- WASHINGTON – Today, the Commission on the National Guard and Reserve issued its final report, which asserted that those branches of the Armed Forces are not adequately prepared to respond to chemical, biological or nuclear attacks on the homeland. According to the report: “Because the nation has not adequately resourced its forces designated for response to weapons of mass destruction, it does not have sufficient trained, ready forces available.    » read more »

January 30, 2008 -- FRANKFORT, KY – Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear announced today the signing of an executive proclamation declaring February 3rd – 9th, 2008 as Earthquake Preparedness Week in Kentucky.

The Governor and Kentucky Division of Emergency Management (KyEM) officials recognize the need to be aware of the risks and to be prepared for all natural and man-made disasters, including earthquakes.    » read more »