Thursday, September 1, 2011

FYI: National Preparedness Month - Emergency Preparedness

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Focus on Fire Safety: Emergency Preparedness

Disaster preparedness became a renewed priority for our Nation as a direct response to 
the devastation of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Following the tragedies 
of that day, government at all levels has worked more closely with civic and private sector
organizations and the public to prepare for emergencies. Americans need to become fully
aware, trained, and practiced on how to respond to potential threats and hazards.
Preparedness starts with YOU! Everyone should:
  1. Have an emergency supply kit.
  2. Make a family escape plan.
  3. Be informed about the types of emergencies 
Each person's needs and abilities are unique but every individual can take important 
steps to prepare for all kinds of emergencies – including fire emergencies - and put plans in place.

Prepare for a Fire Emergency

In less than 30 seconds, a small flame can get completely out of control and turn 
into a major fire. It only takes minutes for a house to fill with thick black smoke
and become engulfed in flames. By preparing for a fire emergency, you can greatly
reduce your chances of becoming a fire casualty.
  • Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement.
  • Test your smoke alarms once a month and change the batteries at least once a year.
  • Replace smoke alarms every 8-10 years or as the manufacturer guidelines recommend.
  • Plan your escape from fire. The best plans have two ways to get out of each room.
  • Practice fire escape plans several times a year. Practice feeling your way out of the house in the dark or with your eyes closed.
  • Purchase only collapsible escape ladders evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratory (UL).
  • Check that windows are not stuck, screens can be taken out quickly, and that security bars can be properly opened.
  • Make sure everyone in your family understands and practices how to properly operate and open locked or barred doors and windows.
  • Consider installing residential fire sprinklers in your home.
Contact your local fire department on a non-emergency phone number if you need help or have questions about fire safety in your home.

FOCUS: The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caribbean_Disaster_Emergency_Response_Agency
The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA)[1] is an inter-regional supportive network of independent emergency units throughout the Caribbean region. Formed on September 1, 2005 as the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA) it under-went a name change to CDEMA in September 2009.

The participating member states and agencies of the CDEMA include:
Country Organisation
 Anguilla Unknown / Only a coordinator
 Antigua and Barbuda National Office of Disaster Services (NODS)
 Bahamas Disaster Management Unit
 Barbados Department of Emergency Management
 Belize National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO)
 British Virgin Islands Department of Disaster Management
 Dominica Office of Disaster Management (ODM)
 Grenada National Disaster Management Agency (NaDMA)
 Guyana Civil Defense Commission
 Haiti Civil Protection Directorate
 Jamaica Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM)
 Montserrat Disaster Management Coordination Agency
 Saint Kitts and Nevis National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)
 Saint Lucia National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO)
 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO)
 Suriname National Coordination Center For Disaster Relief (NCCR)
 Trinidad and Tobago Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM)
 Turks and Caicos Islands Department of Disaster Management & Emergencies

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Exercise: Upcoming Event. PG County MD. USPS


http://www.mema.state.md.us/calendar/index.asp


Prince George's County/USPS Full Scale Exercise
Date9/14/2011
Time1:00 AM - 1:00 AM EST
LocationUS Postal Service Southern Distribution Center
CityCapitol Heights
StateMD
Description
SponsorsPrince George's County Office of Homeland Security
ContactsTyrone Wells
Contact Emailtnwells@co.pg.md.us
TopicNone

FYI. Maryland Disaster Assistance Centers

http://www.mema.state.md.us/newsroom/post/2011/08/31/Open-Disaster-Assistance-Centers-St-Mary%E2%80%99s-and-Calvert-County.aspx

Open Disaster Assistance Centers: St. Mary’s and Calvert County

by mema_admin August 31, 2011
St. Mary’s County has opened a Disaster Assistance Center. It will be opened from 8-5 Thursday and Friday. The location is 23115 Leonard Hall Drive, Room , 4, Leonardtown, MD 20650.
Calvert County will open a Disaster Assistance Center at Courthouse Square Building located at 205 Main Street Prince Frederick, MD.  The time of operations will be Noon to 7pm Thursday, 9am to 7pm Friday and 9am to 7pm on Saturday. 
The State will provide support with the following agencies:
·                     Maryland Insurance Administration
·                     Department of Human Resource
·                     Maryland Department of Aging
·                     Department of Labor License and Regulation
·                     Department of Housing and Community Development

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