White House Internship Program application cycle closes on Sunday, April 17, 2016

LAST CHANCE TO APPLY FOR

THE WHITE HOUSE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM AND THE D.C. SCHOLARS PROGRAM AT THE WHITE HOUSE

IN THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION

Do you know leaders interested in interning at the White House for the Obama Administration?  Encourage them to apply today for the Fall 2016 White House Internship Program – the final internship opportunity in the Obama Administration.  This select group of young men and women from across the country dedicate their time, talents, energy, and service to better the White House, the community, and the nation.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens, 18 years of age or older before the first day of the internship, and meet at least one of the following criteria:

·        Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program at a college, community college, or university (two-to-four year institution)

·        Graduated from an undergraduate or graduate degree program at a college, community college, or university (two-to-four year institution) no more than two years before the first day of the internship

·        A veteran of the United States Armed Forces who possesses a high school diploma or its equivalent and has served on active duty, for any length of time, in the two years preceding the first day of the internship

Every summer since the start of the Obama Administration in 2009, graduating high school seniors from public and charter high schools in the District of Columbia have been invited to apply for a part-time summer internship opportunity at the White House through the D.C. Scholars Program at the White House. 

Additional information on both programs, including eligibility requirements, application materials, and internship timelines are available on our website: https://www.whitehouse.gov/participate/internships/about. 

How can you help?

·        Promote the White House Internship Program at your alma mater.  Email internship_info@who.eop.gov for more information.

·        Encourage eligible applicants to apply before the deadline – the final intern application cycle in the Obama Administration!  The Fall 2016 White House Internship Program application cycle closes on Sunday, April 17, 2016 at 11:59 PM, EST and the application for the D.C. Scholars Program at the White House closes on Sunday, April 24, 2016 at 11:59 PM EST.  Application questions should be directed to intern_application@who.eop.gov and DCScholar_Info@who.eop.gov.

·        Distribute the attached flyers to potential applicants and other contacts who may be interested in the program.

• DC Scholars Flyer 2016.pdf

WHIP Flyer_Fall 2016 White House Internship Program.pdf

EPA GRANT PROGRAM SEEKING WATER-SAVING DEVICES OF TOMORROW

U.S. EPA, BUREAU OF RECLAMATION PARTNER WITH WESTERN WATER DISTRICTS ON GRANT PROGRAM

SEEKING WATER-SAVING DEVICES OF TOMORROW

Next round of Innovative Conservation Program grants focuses on water/energy nexus projects

Three of the West’s largest municipal water agencies have partnered with federal agencies to kick off the latest round of an expanded competitive grant program aimed at discovering the next generation of water-saving devices and technologies.

For the first time, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is participating with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation as well as the Central Arizona Project, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and Southern Nevada Water Authority in the Innovative Conservation Program.  The program, which includes Southern California Gas Co., seeks to advance water-saving efforts by finding new and innovative methods for using supplies more efficiently.

“As Western states brace for another year of drought, many are regarding dry conditions as the new normal," said Tomás Torres, EPA’s water division director for the Pacific Southwest. "By supporting the ICP, we’re investing in innovative solutions to help communities meet the challenges of tomorrow—today.”
This year’s $500,000 ICP cycle focuses on water-saving devices, technologies and strategy proposals that address the water/energy nexus.  Awards will be made in two funding categories: up to $30,000 and between $30,000 and $100,000.  Proposals that address other aspects of water-use efficiency also will be considered.  All proposals are due May 23.

Since Metropolitan and Reclamation began the ICP in 2001, the program has awarded 57 grants totaling $1.85 million during the first five two-year funding cycles.  Overall, the ICP has yielded 262 proposals totaling $27 million in funding requests from public agencies, community-based organizations, private companies, entrepreneurs, research institutes and equipment manufacturers.

“These kinds of successful programs with our partners are an important tool in Reclamation's Colorado River water management responsibilities as we face the effects of years of drought and the influences of climate variability," said Reclamation’s Lower Colorado Regional Director Terry Fulp.

Inventive approaches funded in previous cycles include the development of a pressurized water broom that replaces the need to use a hose to clean patios, driveways and other large surface areas, saving up to 250,000 gallons of water over its lifetime, and an X-ray film-processing unit that recycles more than 90 percent of the 1 million gallons a typical machine uses in a year in a hospital or medical center.

The last ICP round supported the investigation of plant-sensor based irrigation in vineyards for both wine quality and yield, and several projects on soil amendments that maintain the health of the grass while significantly minimizing the amount of water applied.

“Ongoing efforts to reduce Colorado River water demands have yielded water savings throughout the Colorado River Basin, and this program provides another tool to further those efforts through water-related innovations and public-private partnerships,” said John Entsminger, Southern Nevada’s general manager.

Proposals will be evaluated through a competitive review process based on project innovations; a water/energy saving and research plan; market impact potential; cost effectiveness; ICP focus and project preparedness.
Metropolitan General Manager Jeffrey Kightlinger said the ICP fosters fresh and innovative approaches and inspires creative ideas and strategies to reduce water use. “As the Southland adapts in response to California’s record drought, it is essential that we continue to seek out new projects and methods that help make water conservation sustainable."

Central Arizona Project's General Manager Ted Cooke called the Innovative Conservation Program “another example of collaborative, proactive measures taken by municipal Colorado River water agencies to address the impacts of the persistent drought throughout the Colorado River Basin.

“It’s an important tool to address long-term imbalances in the system as well as near-term risks of shortage,” Cooke said.  “CAP strongly supports this conservation program, which ultimately benefits the health of the river system.”

More information on the Innovative Conservation Program, including proposal submission instructions and a list of past projects is available at http://bewaterwise.com/icp.html

###

Contractor Opportunity. District of Columbia. RFP. Full-Scale Family Assistance Center

Please post to the BEMA listserve to share this opportunity with your members.

The District of Columbia (The District), Office of Contracting and Procurement (OCP) on behalf of the Department of Human Services (DHS), Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is seeking a Contractor to provide services to initiate, coordinate, and develop a complete full-scale Family Assistance Center (FAC) Plan for the District of Columbia. 

Your presence has been requested to participate in the Request For Proposal (RFP) listed below.   If you are interested in being invited to the solicitation and would like to register in the Procurement Automated Support System (PASS) please follow the steps below: 

• Go to website: ocp.dc.gov

• Go to - Opportunities and support
• Click - Vendor Registration process
• Click - Register or log into e Sourcing
• Click - Register as a new Supplier (Vendor then fills in their information and in 48hrs they will be able to log into their account)

The solicitation RFP can be viewed at http://dcdhs.dc.gov/node/1145992

If you have additional questions concerning the solicitation please contact; Willandria Blount, Contract Specialist at 202-671-4491 or willandria.blount@dc.gov. 

For questions concerning registering in PASS contact the Office of Contracting and Procurement Customer Contact Center at (202)724-4477.  PASS is the District Government’s e-Procurement system that supports the full range of the District procurement of goods and services.

Willandria D. Blount

Contract Specialist

District of Columbia Government

Office Of Contracting and Procurement

Department of Human Services

64 New York Avenue, NE

Washington, DC  20002

Office:  202-671-4491

Email:  Willandria.blount@dc.gov

FEMA on-line course on Religious and Cultural Literacy and Competency in Disasters

The DHS Center for Faith-based & Neighborhood Partnerships and Federal Emergency Management Agency have partnered to produce FEMA Independent Study Course-505: Religious and Cultural Literacy and Competency in Disaster (https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-505).

This free on-line training course provides actionable information and resources for first responders, emergency managers and the general public seeking to increase their religious and cultural literacy and competency as it relates to disasters. This is the only FEMA approved course on the topic is available to be taken via FEMA Emergency Management Institute.

This five-hour course:

·       Explains why we engage religious and cultural communities in disaster, and how religious and cultural diversity and practice is not only protected by law but how it strengthens emergency management’s capabilities.

·       Defines the meaning of religious and cultural literacy and competency in disaster management.

·       Describes how religious and cultural language differs from government culture and language.

·       Identifies the skills needed to competently engage religious and cultural leaders and groups in the field.

Describes each step in the six step “LEADER” process.

Global Health Security. Situation Awareness. U.S. Drug Supply.

As Spring and Summer approaches SA (situation awareness) on U.S., and worldwide drug supply should be monitored for future outbreaks for the upcoming seasons by all EM professionals in the health & human services, and public health sectors.

Counterfeit drug use in all jurisdictions should also be of major concern with immediate detection and prosecution.  No fines, prosecution and incarceration internationally.

BEMA

http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/drugshortages/default.cfm

A drug receives Resolved status when the Drug Shortages Staff (DSS) determines that the market is covered, based on information from all manufacturers. The market is considered covered when supply is available from at least one manufacturer to cover total market demand. However, some manufacturers may not have all presentations available. DSS monitors the supply of products with Resolved status. For the most current supply information, contact the manufacturers.

Examples from DSS….

Generic Name or Active Ingredient	Status
Acetohydroxamic Acid (Lithostat) Tablets	Currently in Shortage
Ammonium Chloride Injection	Currently in Shortage
Anagrelide Hydrochloride Capsules	Currently in Shortage
Aprepitant (Emend) Capsules	Resolved
Atropine Sulfate Injection	Currently in Shortage
Azathioprine Tablet	Resolved
Barium Sulfate for Suspension	Resolved
Bupivacaine Hydrochloride (Marcaine, Sensorcaine) Injection	Resolved
Caffeine Anhydrous (125mg/mL); Sodium Benzoate (125mg/mL) Injection	Currently in Shortage
Calcium Chloride Injection, USP	Currently in Shortage
Calcium Gluconate Injection	Currently in Shortage
Cefazolin Injection	Currently in Shortage

Black Emergency Managers Association
1231  Good Hope Road  S.E.
Washington, D.C.  20020
Office:   202-618-9097
bEMA

     

"It is my belief that the best results in business come from a creative process, from the ability to see things differently from everyone else, and from finding answers to problems that are not bound by the phrase 'we have always done it this way.' "  Wayne Rogers

A 501 (c) 3 organization.  All membership dues and contributions are tax deductible.

Situational Awareness (ZIKA). PAHO set guidelines to ID and confirm ZIKA virus, other information

PAHO, laboratories set guidelines to identify and confirm Zika virus

READ MORE >>

CDC Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response (PHPR)

CIDRAP Update: A Case Hints At Other Severe Birth Defects Tied To Zika

By Ruth McClure Brazilian Experts Investigate If The Common Culex Mosquito Is Transmitting Zika Virus Ruth McClure in CDC Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response (PHPR)

Webinar. March 2016. “Update/Brief on the Newest Procedures in IPAWS."

“Update/Brief on the Newest Procedures in IPAWS."  

This month’s speaker is Mr. Antwane Johnson who is the Director of the Integrated Public Alert Warning System (IPAWS).  

Mr. Johnson is one of the Directors for the National Continuity Programs.  He will be discussing the policy of the United States to have an effective, integrated, and comprehensive system to alert and warn the American people facing immediate serious situations.  

IPAWS is a National System for local alerting to radio and television as Emergency Alert System broadcasts; cellular phones as Wireless Emergency Alerts; NOAA All Hazards Weather, Radio, Internet applications, and websites.  

This policy is expanded to enable state and local officials to alert local populations during local emergencies and provide for better and more accurate handling of alert reception and rebroadcast.

Invited By:     FEMA-Continuity Webinar (FEMA-ContinuityWebinar@fema.dhs.gov)
When:             Wednesday, March 2, 2016
Time:              2:00 PM - 3:00 PM, Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Speaker:         Antwane Johnson, Director, Integrated Public Alert Warning System (IPAWS), National Continuity Programs

Connection Options for Webinar:   

1) Webinar (Do not need to dial into Audio Conference. Webinar can be heard through computer speakers.) 

Click:   https://share.dhs.gov/mar2016

• Enter as a guest.
• Type your FIRST and LAST name.
• Click “Enter Room.”

  
2) Audio Conference (Can be used if having trouble hearing Webinar through computer speakers. Please Dial In Prior to the Meeting Start Time.) 

While participating in the teleconference, please mute your phone.

• Audio Conference Dial-In Number: 1-800-320-4330
• Audio Conference pin: 769214

  
Technical Support 
If your screen freezes or locks up during the Webinar, click the “Refresh” button, or close the window out and reopen.
For technical support questions, contact:  

• Adobe Connect Help Desk: 800-422-3623 or
• E-mail: FEMA-ContinuityWebinar@fema.dhs.gov         

If you have never attended a Connect Pro meeting before, please use the following instructions to test your computer connection before the meeting:
Conduct an Adobe Connect connection diagnostic test at: 

http://helpx.adobe.com/adobe-connect/kb/connection-test-connect-meeting.html 

If the test run is successful, your computer should be ready for any Adobe Connect web meeting.  If not, you may be advised to install some “add on” features after the test, please do so as advised.  If the Internet cannot display the page, please go to the advanced tab, Internet Options, and under Security check the box use TLS 1.0. 

Test your connection: http://helpx.adobe.com/adobe-connect/kb/connection-test-connect-meeting.html

To get a quick overview: http://www.adobe.com/products/adobeconnect.html
 “NCP’s vision is to be the Nation’s center of excellence for government continuity planning, guidance, and operations. Our mission is to serve the public by protecting our Nation’s constitutional form of government”. 
  
For additional information please contact us: 
  
Email:
FEMA-STTLContinuity@fema.dhs.gov: continuity of operations information for State, Territorial, Tribal and Local government.
FEMA-ContinuityWebinar@fema.dhs.gov: information on the monthly webinar series

Website:
http://www.fema.gov/continuity-operations: continuity news, tools, guidance, and other useful resources.

Continuity Updates:

Please help us get this message out by forwarding this bulletin to others and encouraging them to sign up for their own email updates by clicking here: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSFEMA/subscriber/new?topic_id=USDHSFEMA_1010: