Coping with the aftermath of a natural disaster or other traumatic event Call 1-800-985-5990

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Have You Been Affected by a Natural Disaster? Coping with the aftermath of a natural disaster or other traumatic event can take a toll on anyone. It's important to know that you are not alone in these moments and there is help available. SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline offers 24/7 crisis counseling and emotional support to those in need. Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746. USAGov 1800 F Street, NW Washington, DC 20405 USA

Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment. Updated July 2019

FEMA Releases 2019 National Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment

The Federal Emergency Management Agency today released the latest National Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA). The National THIRA is the process through which FEMA identifies catastrophic threats and hazards, the consequences of those threats and hazards, and the capabilities the nation needs to address those hazards.

The 2019 National Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA): Overview and Methodology is available on FEMA’s website at https://www.fema.gov/national-risk-and-capability-assessment. The document outlines FEMA’s approach to that process, which uses the same standardized impact and target language that states, tribes, territories and members of the Urban Area Security Initiative grant program use for their THIRAs. For more information on the community THIRA, stakeholders are encouraged to consult the Comprehensive Preparedness Guide 201, 3^rd edition, which outlines the steps in this standardized approach.

FEMA designed the THIRA methodology to support collaboration between state and local governments, federal agencies, and other emergency management entities. Because the National THIRA process described in this document uses the same language as the community THIRA, FEMA and federal departments and agencies will be able to compare state, tribal, territorial, urban area and—eventually—federal and national preparedness estimates against the national-level assessment. This common assessment will allow FEMA and other federal agencies to track progress over time and provide concrete answers in specific, measurable terms to the question: “How prepared is the nation?”

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Zero-waste classroom philosophy. Next Generation Leaders. Leading. July 2019

U.S. EPA honors Berkeley teacher with environmental education award

  

SAN FRANCISCO — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced that Jacqueline Omania, a teacher at Oxford Elementary School in Berkeley, Calif., is one of 11 winners to receive the Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators (PIAEE). The PIAEE awards recognize innovative educators who bring environmental education into their classrooms through hands-on, experiential approaches.

“Ms. Omania’s dedication to her students has rippled throughout the community as her students reach out to their peers and families to share what they have learned,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Mike Stoker. “She has gone above and beyond in her teaching career to better her student’s understanding of our natural world and conservation of its precious resources.”

Ms. Omania has helped her students think critically about how they generate waste in their daily lives and ways to reduce it. She created the Plastic-Free Planet curriculum and leads an Heirs to Our Oceans chapter for students that meets weekly during lunch and provides a space for students to connect, practice public speaking and plan action projects both at school and in the greater community.

“I am so honored to receive this award. I dedicate it to my students who inspire me daily with their persistence and passion to work together to solve the complex environmental challenges of our times,” said 3^rd grade Oxford Elementary School teacher Jacqueline Omania.

After learning about the ways landfill waste affects our environment, Ms. Omania’s class decided to challenge themselves to adopt a zero-waste classroom philosophy. After changing many personal habits and classroom practices, the students were able to reduce the waste they generated during the school year to one quart-sized jar. These efforts saved nearly two dumpsters’ worth of landfill waste and more than 4,000 disposable plastic utensils. Her class was also involved in helping the City of Berkeley pass its Disposable-Free Dining Ordinance by collecting signatures and speaking at various venues about the problems of plastic pollution and their vision of a zero-waste city.

Two teachers in EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region received an honorable mention in this year’s awards:  Kelly Porter of Edison High School in Huntington Beach, Calif., and Rachna Nath of Arizona College Preparatory’s Erie Campus in Chandler, Ariz.

From across the country, 19 educators and 200 students were recognized for their remarkable efforts that promote environmental education and stewardship. Eleven educators received the Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators, and eight educators were recognized with an honorable mention distinction. Additionally, the 200 student award recipients – who worked as a team or individually on 17 projects – received the President’s Environmental Youth Award.  Altogether, EPA received 162 project applications from 26 states.

Established by the 1990 National Environmental Education Act, PIAEE supports, encourages and nationally honors outstanding kindergarten through high school educators who integrate environmental and place-based, experiential learning into school curricula and school facility management across the country. Under the act, the White House CEQ assists EPA in administering the awards program.

The PIAEE program seeks to recognize, support and bring public attention to the outstanding environmental projects performed by these innovative teachers who go beyond textbook instruction to incorporate methods and materials that utilize creative experiences and enrich student learning. The program recognizes up to 20 elementary and secondary (K-12) education teachers, school administrators, and their local education agencies and provides funding to help support those educators in their environmental education work.

For a list of past PIAEE winners, visit: https://www.epa.gov/education/presidential-innovation-award-environmental-educators-piaee-winners

For information on environmental education at EPA, visit: www.epa.gov/education

Next Generation making a difference. Students Receive Environmental Youth Award July 2019

The Next Generation are making a difference.

BEMA International

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 25, 2019

Southern California students honored with President’s Environmental Youth Award

LOS ANGELES — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded the President’s Environmental Youth Award (PEYA) to a student project led by Lila Copeland, 17, of Ocean Preparatory High School in Los Angeles.  The award, one of 17 given nationwide to projects involving 200 students, honors exceptional contributions to environmental education and stewardship.
“This project has made a real difference and benefitted students across Los Angeles County,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Mike Stoker.  “We are honored to recognize the next generation of environmental stewards who will help create a more sustainable future.”

At the age of 10, Lila founded Earth Peace, a nonprofit organization in California, which in 2015 launched the Healthy Freedom Campaign to add a fully plant-based lunch option at Los Angeles public schools every day of the school year.  In 2017, the board of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) – the nation’s second largest public-school district – ratified a resolution based on the campaign and launched a pilot plant-based menu option in seven schools.  Participation in the program was reported to reach as high as 51% on days when a preferred plant-based meal option was served.  Today the program has expanded to more than 80 schools.
 

Lila Copeland, 17, was awarded the 2018 Presidential Environmental Youth Award.

​“Making a change to plant-based foods in our diets is one of the most impactful things we can do to protect the environment for future generations,” says Healthy Freedom Campaign director Lila Copeland.  “Every student can make this positive change right where they are.”

Also receiving awards with Lila are team members Zion Flores, Felix Hemstreet, Kohana Porter and Nikita Totka.  The campaign ultimately hopes to bring plant-based meal options to all California schools.

From across the country, 19 educators and 200 students were recognized for their remarkable efforts that promote environmental education and stewardship.  Eleven educators received the Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators, and eight educators were recognized with an honorable mention distinction.  Additionally, the 200 student award recipients – who worked as a team or individually on 17 projects – received the President’s Environmental Youth Award.  Altogether, EPA received 162 project applications from 26 states.

Established by the 1990 National Environmental Education Act, the PEYA program promotes local environmental awareness among our nation’s youth and encourages positive community involvement.  EPA Headquarters works with staff located in EPA’s 10 regional offices in the selection of award recipients across the country.

For a list of past PEYA winners, visit: www.epa.gov/education/presidents-environmental-youth-award-peya-winners

Prince George's County Police Department is now accepting applications for Citizen’s Police Academy, July 23, 2019

Change from within and outside concurrently.

Prince George's County Police Department is now accepting applications for Citizen’s Police Academy,

The Training and Education Division of the Prince George's County Police Department is now accepting applications for Citizen’s Police Academy, Session #45. The scheduled start date will be Monday, September 16, 2019 and end with a graduation ceremony on Monday, December 16, 2019. All classes are from 6pm to 9pm. Most classes will be held at the FOP Lodge, 2905 Old Largo Rd, Upper Marlboro, MD, 20772.

Please see the attached form for further details. In order to participate in the training program, participants must live or work in Prince George’s County, nominated by a law enforcement officer and, approved by the District/Division Commander or Civilian Manager. Additional nomination forms and further instructions may be obtained at any of the seven District stations.
A nomination form is attached to this email.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Sgt. Erica Johnson via email ELJohnson@co.pg.md.us or call 301-516-5609.

PLEASE RSVP by C.O.B on September 6, 2019.

Disasters Strike....Dental Care is just as important. July 23, 2019

When disasters strike dental care is just as important as mental and physical health.

BEMA International

Emergency Care for Dental Traumas

Health

Dental care can be challenging for communities during an emergency or crisis situation. Patients may not have access to proper dental services or quality care, and dentists may have limited access to advanced equipment and supplies. In this 10-minute interactive guide, you will learn basic guidelines for proper care of traumatic dental injuries in an emergency including enamel fractures, crown and root fractures, luxation, and avulsion. This Ready to Go Mobile Guide was created in partnership with White Smile and was designed to benefit dentists and dental assistants working in an emergency or crisis situation.

Get Started

FEMA Revises Tribal Consultation Policy. July 2019

FEMA Revises Tribal Consultation Policy

FEMA has updated the FEMA Tribal Consultation Policy, which guides how FEMA engages tribal governments with regular and meaningful consultation and collaboration on policies and programs that have tribal implications. The policy was updated to reflect current authorities, best practices, tribal input, and recommendations from the Governmental Accountability Office (GAO) report titled "Tribal Consultation: Additional Federal Actions Needed for Infrastructure Projects (GAO-19-22)".

This updated policy supersedes the FEMA Tribal Consultation Policy dated August 12, 2014.

 

FEMA Youth Preparedness Council members announced. July 2019

FEMA Announces New Youth Preparedness Council Members

Today, FEMA announces the 2019–2020 Youth Preparedness Council.

FEMA selected eight new and seven returning members of the council based on their dedication to public service and community involvement.

FEMA created the Youth Preparedness Council in 2012 to bring together young leaders from across the country who are interested in supporting disaster preparedness. The council is made up of 15 members who are in the eighth – 11th grade.

New 2019 Youth Preparedness Council Members include:

·        •  Maxwell Hahn of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

·        •  Megan Wright of Calhoun, Georgia

·        •  Jordan Lin of Decatur, Georgia

·        •  Banan Garada of Urbana, Illinois

·        •  Wyatt Reed of Paragould, Arkansas

·        •  Sibi Raja of Broomfield, Colorado

·        •  Madeline Ortiz of Palmer, Alaska

·        •  Hsin Ya Huang of Eugene, Oregon

Returning Youth Preparedness Council Members include:

·        •  Maryam Choudhury of Windsor, Connecticut

·        •  Katerina Corr of New York, New York

·        •  Mackenzie Hinson of Mount Olive, North Carolina

·        •  Hannah Schultz of Marine City, Michigan

·        •  Camden Larsen of Grand Forks, North Dakota

·        •  RJ Cárdenas of Murrieta, California

·        •  Grace Harris of Folsom, California

FEMA created the Youth Preparedness Council in 2012 to bring together young leaders from across the country who are interested in supporting disaster preparedness. The council is made up of 15 members who are in the eighth – 11th grade.  The council provides an avenue to engage young people and hear their perspectives, feedback, and opinions. The members meet with FEMA staff throughout their term to provide input on strategies, initiatives, and projects.

Each council member will participate in the 2019 Youth Preparedness Council Summit, scheduled for July 16–17, in Washington, D.C. The Summit gives members the opportunity to share their ideas and questions with national organizations; plan their preparedness project; and meet with FEMA community preparedness staff, who serve as their ongoing support and mentors.

To learn more about the FEMA Youth Preparedness Council, visit the FEMA Website.

VOTE

VOTE....

Register as many new voters as possible.

Homelesss.  If their able to register to vote focus on legislation so that the homeless can vote.

Next Generation Leaders.  Voter registration at high school events.  Colleges and Universities.

KEEP LISTING LOCAL ELECTIONS that can pop-up at anytime for important representatives coming into office.

VOTE.

COMMUNITY IMPERATIVE

It begins with a thought.

It begins with a meaning.

It begins by making it a priority following family, and long before the 'financial imperative'



​

Imperative (Noun)

something that needs to be done or given attention immediately:

The government has a moral imperative to provide equal access to high-quality education for all children.

BEMA International and NDRN Collaboration. Disability Justice Approaches Nationally and Globally.

The Black Emergency Managers Association International (BEMA International), and the National Disability Rights Network (NRDN) are collaborating on the upcoming National Preparedness Month in September 2019.  Two vital webinars conducted by the NDRN on disability approaches to disaster assistance and humanitarian actions available September 4^th & 5^th at 1:00 PM ET.

Register early to participate.

BEMA International

Session One | A Disability Justice Approach to Disaster Assistance Date:          September 04, 2019 Time:          01:00 PM [Eastern Time] Duration:     1 Hour 15 Minutes    An interactive virtual workshop on Disability Justice approaches to disaster assistance that recognizes histories of harm and centers communities of color. The session will be co-facilitated by Justice Shorter who serves as the Disaster Protection Advisor for NDRN and Valerie Novack who is currently a Portlight Fellow at the Center for American Progress. Together, they will guide participants through critical questions that call for a nationwide reimagining of how we prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters/emergencies. Interested participants can Click here to register.

Session Two | Disability Justice Approaches to Humanitarian Action Date:          September 05, 2019 Time:          01:00 PM [Eastern Time] Duration:     1 Hour 15 Minutes    With a particular focus on global humanitarian action, this thought provoking session will feature Disability Justice approaches that recognizes historical trauma and centers on underserved communities. Join us as we pose critical questions that call for a collective reimagining of international development, foreign policy and humanitarian interventions. The session will be facilitated by Justice Shorter who serves as NDRN’s Disaster Protection Advisor and Valerie Novack who is currently a Portlight Fellow at the Center for American Progress. We welcome disaster/emergency management professionals worldwide, international development practitioners and anyone else with an interest in disability-centered humanitarian assistance. Interested participants can Click here to register.

 Please just let me know if you have any additional questions or contributions.

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

     

“We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history there is such a thing as being too late. Procrastination is still the thief of time. Life often leaves us standing bare, naked and dejected with a lost opportunity . . . This may well be mankind’s last chance to choose between chaos or community.”         Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., ‘Where Are We Going From Here:  Chaos or Community’.

SBA Awards $100,000 for Veteran Owned Small Business Growth Pilot Training Program. July 8, 2019

PRESS OFFICE

SBA Awards $100,000 for Veteran Owned Small Business Growth Pilot Training Program   WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration today announced a partnership with the Veteran Entrepreneurial Training and Resource Network (VETRN) to establish a pilot training program for military veterans who are small business owners and their immediate family members. The Veteran Owned Small Business Growth Training program will equip these entrepreneurs with the resources and networks necessary to grow their small businesses. An award of $100,000 from President Donald Trump’s salary from the second quarter of fiscal year 2018 will fund the program. Starting in September 2019, this 26-week program based in Portsmouth, New Hampshire will feature 13 weeks of Saturday morning classroom sessions with 12 to 20 participants, as well as 13 weeks of peer-to-peer mentoring sessions. The course curriculum will include strategic planning, financial management, cash flow forecasting, marketing the small business, sales methods, human resources, developing a growth plan, access to capital, legal issues, and government contracting. “While programs exist that help veterans start their small business, there is a critical need for programs that assist existing business owners with growing their business,” said SBA Acting Administrator Chris Pilkerton. “Adding VETRN to the SBA resource network will enable us to fill this gap and empower veterans with the training, mentorship, tools, and network they need to achieve their long-term goals.” Applicants must be a current business owner with at least one year of operation and one employee (not including the owner), and annual revenues of $75,000 or more. Also required is the passion, dedication and commitment to grow the small business. Veteran business owners interested in finding out more information or applying for the September 2019 program can visit the VETRN website to complete an application, or send an email to info@vetrn.org. To learn more about other SBA veterans programs and resources, visit www.sba.gov/vets. ###

Release Date: July 3, 2019  Release Number: MA19-37

Contact: carol.chastang@sba.gov  www.sba.gov/news Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Blogs & Instagram