Friday, December 18, 2015

Operation HOPE and ForUsAll Partner to Offer Critical Retirement Benefits to Underserved Small Business Owners and Employees

http://www.operationhope.org/pressrelease/nid/1869

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December 17 2015

Operation HOPE and ForUsAll Partner to Offer Critical Retirement Benefits to Underserved Small Business Owners and Employees

OAKLAND, CA -- December 17, 2015 - Operation HOPE (HOPE) announced today that the organization has partnered with ForUsAll on a new initiative that will offer retirement planning education and resources  to small business owners seeking a 401(k) solution for their employees.
The partnership will bring a viable solution to employees of these small businesses, who otherwise would not have saved for retirement an option to now do so. With five out of six small businesses not offering a 401(k) plan to employees, that leaves 56% of Americans without a retirement plan at work.
“Working together with ForUsAll we will achieve a mutual goal of providing opportunities designed to bring financial dignity to both employees of small businesses as well as the small business owners themselves,” said Market President Northwestern Region for Operation HOPE, Tyrone Cosey.
- See more at: http://www.operationhope.org/pressrelease/nid/1869#sthash.5wDhFkPU.dpuf

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Small Business Expertise Sought to Help Solve Homeland Security Challenges

http://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/news/2015/12/14/small-business-expertise-sought-help-solve-homeland-security

Small Business Expertise Sought to Help Solve Homeland Security Challenges

Release Date: 
December 14, 2015
For Immediate Release
DHS Science & Technology Press Office
Contact: John Verrico(202) 254-2385
Washington D.C. — The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced it is seeking proposals from small businesses to address technical challenges in homeland security.  Beginning December 16, 2015, DHS will accept proposals for its upcoming Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program FY 16.1 joint solicitation which covers 13 technical areas from two DHS organizations, the Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) and the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO).
The Pre-Solicitation notice for DHS SBIR FY 16.1, is published in FedBizOpps.gov (Solicitation Number: HSHQDC-16-R-00012) and details topics, descriptions and technical contacts for the pending solicitation.
S&T is seeking technical solutions in 10 topic areas while DNDO is focusing on three topic areas. These are organized under the following titles:
  • Security Systems Video/Audio Interoperability Device – sought by S&T
  • Applicability of Blockchain Technology to Privacy Respecting Identity Management – S&T
  • Malware Prediction for Situational Understanding and Preemptive Cyber Defense  – S&T
  • Autonomous Indoor Navigation and Tracking of First Responders – S&T
  • Internet of Things Low-Cost Flood Inundation Sensor – S&T
  • Low-Cost, Real-Time Data Analytics for Underserved EMS Agencies – S&T
  • Real-Time Assessment of Resilience and Preparedness – S&T
  • Using Social Media to Support Timely and Targeted Emergency Response Actions – S&T
  • Blockchain Applications for Homeland Security Analytics – S&T
  • Remote Identity Proofing Alternatives to Knowledge Based Authentication/Verification – S&T
  • Smartphone/Smart device Toolkit for Virtual and Actual Radiation Detection, Identification, and Localization – DNDO
  • Plastic Composite Based Scintillators for Multi-Signature Radiation Detectors – DNDO
  • Portable Linear Accelerator (linac) for Active Interrogation Systems for Radiological Gamma Isotope Source Replacement – DNDO
“It is vitally important that we cast a wide net to find highly innovative solutions to the Nation’s homeland security challenges,” said DHS Under Secretary for Science and Technology Dr. Reginald Brothers. “We know that America’s small businesses are creative problem solvers and engines of innovation and we want to hear from them. We encourage eligible, U.S. small businesses to explore the topic areas presented in this funding opportunity and submit proposals that capture their best thinking.  We are particularly interested in receiving proposals from under-represented groups, such as women-owned small businesses and socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses.”
The S&T topics in the joint solicitation are developed by S&T program managers and generally address DHS needs.
Proposals submitted to this joint solicitation are due no later than 2 p.m. ET on January 20, 2016.  All offerors must submit proposals through the online proposal submission system at https://sbir2.st.dhs.gov.
For more information about the DHS S&T SBIR Program visit the program portal: https://sbir2.st.dhs.gov
The DHS S&T SBIR Program was initiated in 2004 with the goal of increasing the participation of innovative and creative U.S. small businesses in federal research and development programs and challenging industry to bring innovative homeland security solutions to fruition.
Review Date: 
December 14, 2015

Saturday, December 12, 2015

Webinar: Dec. 16, 2015. Partnership Resources to Help Prepare Houses of Worship for Emergencies


Webinar: Partnership Resources to Help Prepare Houses of Worship for Emergencies

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is pleased to invite you to a webinar to help connect faith-based and community organizations with federal government tools, resources, and partners to help prepare their houses of worship for all hazards, including active shooter incidents. Access resources, recorded webinars, trainings and more today at www.fema.gov/protecting-houses-worship

This webinar is a collaborative effort between the DHS Center for Faith-based & Neighborhood Partnerships, a center of the White House Office of Faith-based & Neighborhood Partnerships, and FEMA.

Title: Partnership Resources to Help Prepare Houses of Worship for Emergencies  

Date: Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Time:  2:00 - 3:15 p.m. (EST)

How to Join the Webinar:

This link is also contained in the invitation below, “Adobe Connect Registration Web Link.”

This webinar will offer closed captioning.

Thursday, December 10, 2015

CERT Program Management. Start your program. Under community control.

Special Note: 

Establish a 4 person team in your community to attend both Program Manager and Train-the-trainer courses to establish your CERT Team of 20 or more individuals.

Many jurisdictions CERT Teams, management and coordination are under local law enforcement control.
Local law enforcement are one of the tools, and entities to coordinate your training, and response to disasters\emergencies.  

Control your CERT TEAM.  Utilize 'UNIFIED COMMAND' to hand-over incident command upon their and Fire\EMS arrival.

Contact your local Emergency Management Office\Agency to sponsor your application for training.

BEMA


Course Name:
E0427 Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program Manager

March 3-4, 2016    (with Train-the-Trainer course)
May 12-13, 2016    (with Train-the-Trainer course)
June 24-25, 2016    (with Train-the-Trainer course)
August 18-19, 2016    (with Train-the-Trainer course)
September 29-30, 2016    (with Train-the-Trainer course)
This course prepares participants to establish and sustain an active local CERT program.
Course Name:
E0428 Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Train-the-Trainer

February 29-March 2, 2016
May 9-11, 2016
June 20-22, 2016
August 15-17, 2016
September 26-28, 2016
This course prepares participants to deliver FEMA’s CERT Basic Training course.

Monday, December 7, 2015

Situational Awareness. Mental Health, HIV\AIDS drugs during and trauma following disasters

     FYI...

         Individuals under mental healthcare treatment, and individuals prescribed 
         psychotropic medication must also consider an adequate supply 
         during times of disasters.

         Additional consideration for CDC Stockpile or 'Push Packs'

         BEMA

Emergencies and HIV/AIDS

People living with HIV need to plan to stay safe and healthy during a natural disaster or other emergency.  An emergency  may make it harder for you to take your HIV medications or have access to your health care providers or your pharmacy. To avoid interruptions in HIV treatment or access to medications, you should always have a 10–14 day supply of all your medications on hand and take other precautions.  Learn More >>
HIV/AIDS Ribbon

FDA approves vaccine for use after known or suspected anthrax exposure

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a new indication for Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed to prevent disease following suspected or confirmed exposure to anthrax bacteria. The vaccine’s new use is approved for people 18 through 65 years of age in conjunction with recommended antibiotic treatment. Anthrax disease, especially the inhalation form, is often fatal if not promptly treated. Learn More >>
Anthrax

Disaster Distress Helpline

If you are feeling distressed in the wake of a disaster or tragedy, like the violence in San Bernardino, having someone to talk to can help.  SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline provides crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.  Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.  Learn More >>
Person talking on the phone

Planning for & responding to mass shootings: Resources for emergency medical professionals 

In the wake of a mass shooting, like this week's tragedy in San Bernardino, being ready to quickly and effectively get people the care they need saves lives.  If you are an emergency medical professional, check out these lessons learned, tools and promising practices that can help you plan for and respond to a mass shooting.  Learn More >>
Ambulance


Join the Conversation on Meeting Next-Generation Challenges in Medical Countermeasures

Safe and effective drugs, vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics help us tackle a wide range of public health threats from emerging infectious diseases to terrorist threats. If you are interested in helping the nation prepare for these threats, register today for the Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasures Enterprise Stakeholders Workshop on January 6-7, 2016. Learn More >>
Pill in hand

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