Recommendations for Improving National Nurse Preparedness for Pandemic Response: Early Lessons From COVID-19. June 2020

Recommendations for Improving National Nurse Preparedness for Pandemic Response: Early Lessons From COVID-19

This report describes myriad factors that influence nursing workforce development and training for pandemic response as well as the safety and support needed during pandemics at the government, system, organization, and individual levels. Also identified are some of the relevant stakeholders who can influence decision making at these levels. The report identifies gaps and proposes short- and long-term recommendations for ways to improve the readiness, safety, and support of the national nursing workforce for COVID-19 and future pandemics.

Flashback: Emergency Management: The State of Preparedness

Emergency Management: The State of Preparedness

By Kay C. Goss

The United States has built a solid foundation for emergency preparedness, which is based on the whole community concept of bringing together all levels of government, the private and nonprofit sectors, and the public. However, this 2016 article reminds communities that they must continue to work together and build strong leaders in order for the nation to withstand the many natural and human-caused incidents that may occur.

Flashback: Preparing the Next Generation of Emergency Service Leaders

Preparing the Next Generation of Emergency Service Leaders By Anthony S. Mangeri In a world where disasters and other emergency incidents occur every day, emergency service leaders are responsible for bringing calm and structure in the midst of crisis. Some of these leaders will begin this path as early as high school, while others will migrate to the emergency services as their roles and responsibilities change. As this 2013 article emphasizes, education is key for building strong leaders that can successfully tackle any future disaster.

Systems Failure: Comfort Zone. Reactionary Approaches Built in System

When diversity & inclusion are designed in your platform, there is no need to be reactionary when a crisis arises.

In your annual corporate, or expense account budget for membership in professional associations who do you support?

Your Comfort Zone.  Which do you feel comfortable supporting with an annual membership payment?

By July 2020 the dust shall settle and we shall return to business as usual.

BEMA International

The meaning of BEMA

be·ma /ˈbēmə/ Learn to pronounce noun 1.     the altar part or sanctuary in ancient and Orthodox churches. o   the podium or platform in a synagogue from which the Torah and Prophets are read. noun: bimah; plural noun: bimahs; noun: bima; plural noun: bimas o   HISTORICAL the platform from which orators spoke in ancient Athens.

                  

Black Emergency Managers Association International

Mission & Vision
MISSION Provide information, networking, educational & professional development opportunities, and to advance the emergency management and homeland security profession within Black, Latino, African-Descent, disenfranchised, and vulnerable population communities.  To assist and ensure diversity and community involvement in all phases of emergency management, and climate change to include grant opportunities, training, preparedness, etc. with emphasis on the long-term recovery of communities.
VISION Premier association of African-Descent Homeland Security & Emergency Management professional emergency managers. Be the premier African-Descent 'all-inclusive' association fulfilling our primary mission, and not exclude any individual, entity, or organization with an interest in the principles of emergency management in all communities. BEMA’s commitment to diversity by being open and inclusive as we leverage the strength found in the rich diversity of our membership and interactions with all communities.  Our inclusive culture extends to valuing diversity of thinking, backgrounds, experiences and culture.  This allows us to work locally with others across all borders to develop and deliver lifesaving services to communities. Diversity Vision: Fully embrace and promote inclusion across all divisions separating people, and communities. Diversity Defined: Diversity in its broadest sense encompasses all the characteristics, experiences and cultural influences that make each of us unique individuals. The differences and similarities can be categorized into several different dimensions: Internal – those we’re born with like gender and ethnicity; External – those which change over time like age; and Situational – characteristics that change based upon life choices, such as marital status and vocation.

IAEM News Release.  Reaction to a Crisis

News Release Leslie Luke Appointed IAEM-USA Diversity and Equity Advisor June 16, 2020 (Falls Church, Va.) – Today, IAEM-USA President Teri Smith, CEM, CPM, appointed Leslie Luke, deputy director of the Los Angeles County Chief Executive Office, Office of Emergency Management, as IAEM-USA diversity and equity advisor. The IAEM-USA Board of Directors approved the appointment during its meeting held today. Mr. Luke is the current chair of IAEM-USA’s Diversity Committee, which formed in 2011. As an association that values diversity, the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) is committed to equality and justice. The Diversity Committee recently issued a statement that provided actions necessary to lead the organization and our members’ organizations to social equity. The new IAEM advisory position further elevates the importance of diversity and equity throughout IAEM programs. “As a board, we play a critical role in creating an organization that prioritizes, supports, and invests in diversity, inclusion, and equity,” stated IAEM-USA President Teri Smith, CEM, CPM. “We believe that we are better able to do this work effectively and with authenticity by having a diversity and equity advisor who advises the president, executive director, and board members on equity and diversity issues. The new advisor will suggest ways to promote diversity and develop a welcoming and inclusive organizational climate.” “Today’s decision by the board to add a diversity and equity advisor demonstrates the board’s commitment to making their processes, discussions and decision-making more inclusive, open and representative of the membership,” said Mr. Luke. “Strategically and operationally a board that is open to change and embraces diversity leads from a position of strength and sets itself up for future success and growth.” Mr. Luke joined Los Angeles County in 2013 after spending 25 years in San Diego County where ten of those years were with their Office of Emergency Services. He has been the Recovery Operational Area lead for seven federally declared disasters and numerous State of California declared disasters. He was a member of the FEMA Innovation Team and responded twice following Superstorm Sandy. Throughout his career, Mr. Luke has served on and participated with numerous Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Task Forces, projects and initiatives. He has worked closely with the California Office of Emergency Services on various statewide initiatives. He is a member of the California Emergency Services Association (CESA), a member of the CESA Legislative Committee, and past vice chair of IAEM Region 9. Mr. Luke holds a bachelor’s degree from the Union Institute and University. He is a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard School of Public Health National Preparedness Leadership Initiative, and the FEMA National Disaster Recovery Leadership Academy. IAEM-USA, the nation’s largest emergency management professional association, is a non-profit professional organization representing more than 5,000 emergency management and homeland security professionals for local communities, state and federal disaster officials, private sector, non-governmental organizations and others involved in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from all types of disasters including acts of terrorism. IAEM provides: access to the largest network of emergency management experts who can provide advice and assistance; the Certified Emergency Manager program; annual scholarships; a comprehensive monthly newsletter; and more. ###

Beginning June 22, there will be a five-day HURREVAC webinar serie

FEMA Holds HURREVAC Webinar Series

Beginning June 22, there will be a five-day HURREVAC webinar series that includes training sessions each day at 2 p.m. ET. HURREVAC is the decision support tool of the National Hurricane Program administered by FEMA, the USACE and the NOAA National Hurricane Center. Sign up to participate in each day's live session, or visit the HURREVAC website to watch recordings of the sessions after they have ended.

·       June 22: Day 1 Registration
Intro to web-based HURREVAC and general overview of the program.

·       June 23: Day 2 registration
Wind forecast features and tools to support understanding of potential wind timing and intensity.

·       June 24: Day 3 registration
Evacuation timing features and tools to support evacuation decisions.

·       June 25: Day 4 registration
Storm surge and other program tools.

·       June 26: Day 5 registration
Using HURREVAC to answer scenario-based questions.

Recordings of prior years' webinar sessions on HURREVAC are posted on the User Guides and Tutorials page. For more information visit the HURREVAC website.