Friday, September 2, 2011

FYI: 7.1 magnitude earthquake strikes off Alaska

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44370205/ns/us_news-environment/

7.1 magnitude earthquake strikes off Alaska

Tsunami warning issued for Aleutian Islands


A tsunami warning is in effect for parts of the Aleutian Islands of Alaska after a 7.1-magnitude earthquake was recorded in the ocean.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake struck in the waters at about 6:55 a.m. ET, and there are no initial reports of injuries or damage.

The tsunami warning is in effect for coastal areas of Alaska from Unimak Pass to Amchitka Pass.
The areas are very remote and not heavily populated, according to Jessica Sigala, a geophysicist with the USGS in Golden, Colo.

Reuters reported that The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said it did not see a threat of a widespread destructive tsunami.

The quake struck 107 miles southeast of Atka, Alaska, at a depth of 22.1 miles.

FYI: Disaster No-Go For Elk Grove Village, Illinois


http://www.journal-topics.com/news/article_f5623102-d4cc-11e0-b486-0019bb30f31a.html

Disaster No-Go For Elk Grove Village


Posted: Thursday, September 1, 2011 1:57 pm | Updated: 3:29 pm, Thu Sep 1, 2011.
Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson expressed disappointment upon learning the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) would not declare a disaster for heavy flooding that occurred on July 23.

No disaster declaration means no county, state or federal assistance to the village for flood damages and no financial assistance to residents whose damages exceed their insurance costs.

Johnson said he was counting on a 75% reimbursement for $185,000 in damages the village sustained in the storm including major damage to one ambulance, one fire engine, three police squad cars and building damage. Close to 7 inches of rain fell in about three hours in the early morning of Saturday, July 23.

Cook County Dept. of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Executive Director Michael Masters told the Journal IEMA's review found damages from the July 23 storm "insufficient for the process to move forward for federal assistance."

Elk Grove Village submitted a report to county department late last month saying 96 properties, 84 single-family homes, 10 multi-family residential buildings and two commercial or industrial properties saw basement flooding; and 33 properties suffered water damage up to the first floor, including 11 single-family homes, two multi-family properties, eight industrial, five commercial and six office units. Twelve properties also experienced other storm damage to vehicles, storage units and trees.

Because the City of Chicago's damages from the July 23 storm were minimal, the county and state did not reach the financial threshold of damage to qualify as a disaster area, according to well-informed sources.

FYI: Haiti: Market Inauguation

www.flickr.com
The U.S. Government, through USAID, inaugurated a market in Acul du Nord. The market was built in partnership with the Acul du Nord municipality as part of the U.S. Government's investment in Haiti's Northern region.

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

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