Monday, October 17, 2011

Trauma: Crisis Counseling for Texas Wildfire Survivors

http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=58814

Free Crisis Counseling Can Help Texas Wildfire Survivors Cope 

Release Date: October 17, 2011
Release Number: 4029-051

» More Information on Texas Wildfires


AUSTIN, Texas -- Texans who survived the recent wildfires -- or saw neighbors or family experience loss -- can be experiencing post-disaster stress that is as real as the destruction itself.

Because of this, free crisis counseling is available to Texans in the 23 counties designated for Individual Assistance under the major disaster declaration. The program, funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and administered by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS), is open to any child or adult who is experiencing disaster-related stress.

“FEMA funds this program after major disasters because counseling can help people understand that their emotional reactions to the disaster, such as grief, frustration, anger and fear, are normal,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Kevin L. Hannes of FEMA. “We know that the right support and coping skills can help most survivors pick up the pieces and go on with their lives.”

Trained counselors are provided by the network of state Community Mental Health Centers. Calls to the crisis lines are free of charge, as are face-to-face follow-up sessions for adults and children whose needs cannot be fully served through phone counseling.

   Central Texas
  • Bastrop, Caldwell, Fayette and Williamson Counties: Bluebonnet Trails Community Services, crisis line 800 -841-1255
  • Colorado County, Texana Center, crisis line 800-633-5686
  • Hill County, Heart of Texas Region Mental Health Mental Retardation (MHMR) Center, crisis line 866-572-3451
  • Travis County,  Austin Travis County Integral Care, crisis line 512-472-4357
Southeast Texas
  • Grimes and Leon Counties, MHMR Authority of Brazos Valley, crisis line 888-522-8262
  • Houston County, Burke Center, crisis line 800-392-8343
  • Montgomery and Walker Counties, Tri-County Services, crisis line 800-659-6994
Northeast Texas
  • Anderson County, ACCESS Anderson Cherokee Community Enrichment Services, crisis line 800-621-1693
  • Cass, Gregg, Harrison, Marion, Rusk  and Upshur Counties, Community Healthcore, crisis line 800-832-1009
  • Henderson and Smith Counties,  Andrews Center Behavioral Healthcare System, crisis line 877-934-2131
  • Navarro County, Lakes Regional MHMR Center, crisis line 877-466-0660
  • Waller County, Texana Center, crisis line 800-633-5686
Residents of other Texas counties may call 2-1-1, the central point of contact for health and human services throughout the state.

The State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center in Bastrop is staffed with crisis counselors, and appointments are not necessary. Registered survivors from any of the designated counties can drop by the Bastrop center to speak with a counselor.

The Bastrop recovery center is at the Bastrop High School 9th Grade Academy, 1602 Hill Street, Bastrop, Texas 78602. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Another resource is the TDSHS website addressing post-disaster mental health. It lists frequent reactions to catastrophic events and methods of coping specifically for families, children and older adults.

Texans can register online at http://www.disasterassistance.gov/, via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov, or by telephone via FEMA’s toll-free numbers: 1-800-621-3362 or TTY 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 1-800-621-3362. Operators are available from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week.

Follow FEMA tweets about the Texas disaster at http://www.fema.gov/goodbye/goodbye.jsp?url=http://www.twitter.com/femaregion6. Other online resources are blog.fema.gov, http://www.fema.gov/goodbye/goodbye.jsp?url=http://www.facebook.com/fema and www.youtube.com/fema.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Last Modified: Monday, 17-Oct-2011 14:41:59

Trauma: Kids can help in preparing for disasters.

http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=58812


Kids Can Overcome Fears as They Help Prepare for a Future Disaster 

Release Date: October 15, 2011
Release Number: 4025-070
» More Information on Pennsylvania Tropical Storm Lee
» More Information on Pennsylvania Hurricane Irene
HARRISBURG, Pa. -- When kids go through a storm or tornado or other kind of disaster they may feel helpless, experts with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) say. Even if they do not experience it themselves, seeing or hearing about what happened to a friend or classmate can be unsettling. Helping plan for their own family in case of a disaster can help kids overcome their fears.
Let children help put together a family disaster kit. Have them list what you will need to put in your kit in order to be prepared. Take them with you to shop for items you do not have in the house.
Here are the basic emergency supplies for a basic family disaster kit:
  • Three-day supply of non-perishable food.
  • Three-day supply of water - one gallon of water per person, per day.
  • Portable, battery-powered radio or television and extra batteries.
  • Flashlight and extra batteries.
  • First aid kit and manual.
  • Sanitation and hygiene items (moist towelettes and toilet paper).
  • Matches and waterproof container.
  • Whistle.
  • Extra clothing.
  • Kitchen accessories and cooking utensils, including a can opener.
  • Photocopies of credit and identification cards.
  • Cash and coins.
  • Special needs items, such as prescription medications, eye glasses, contact lens solutions, and hearing aid batteries.
  • Items for infants, such as formula, diapers, bottles, and pacifiers.
  • Other items to meet your unique family needs (pet supplies, for example).
If you live in a cold climate, think about how you will keep warm if you lose power. You will need warm clothing and bedding supplies. Be sure to include one complete change of clothing and shoes per person, including:
  • Jacket or coat.
  • Long pants and long sleeve shirt.
  • Sturdy shoes.
  • Hat, mittens, and scarf.
  • Sleeping bag or warm blanket (per person).
For more information and for activities for children in preparing and coping with a disaster go online at www.ready.gov/kids.
FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

6th annual Caribbean Conference on Comprehensive Disaster Management. December 5 – 9, 2011

Welcome to the 6th annual Caribbean Conference on Comprehensive Disaster Management. The Caribbean’s premier conference on Disaster Risk Management!

The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), in association with its partners, and in collaboration with the Government of Trinidad and Tobago through the Office for Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM), will host the 6th Annual Caribbean Conference on Comprehensive Disaster Management under the theme “CDM: Reflection, Introspection, Moving Forward” at the Hyatt Regency, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, December 5 – 9, 2011.


The conference is the region’s premier event on disaster risk management bringing together the region’s largest gathering of professionals in the fields of disaster management and professionals from sectoral and thematic fields, who have specific responsibilities in this area. Attending this event is an excellent opportunity to improve disaster risk management awareness and exchange information on good practices, while building stronger professional networks.

This Conference provides the platform for reflection, dialogue on initiatives and issues to advance the Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) agenda and measures progress in the region within the context of the Enhanced Comprehensive Disaster Management Strategy and Programming Framework 2007-2012. 

Comprehensive Disaster Management is the regional contribution to the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015, a blue print for global action in Disaster Risk Reduction.  As such, the Comprehensive Disaster Management Conference is a regional event of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) global platform and is structured to promote good practice, share ongoing research, chart the way forward for the advancement of CDM in the Caribbean and to provide a unique opportunity for facilitating networking among disaster management actors. 

The 6th Caribbean Conference on Comprehensive Disaster Management celebrates the achievement of 20 years of institutionalized disaster risk management in the region. The Conference will assist in charting the way forward beyond the current regional 2007-2012 strategy on Comprehensive Disaster Management.

CONFERENCE THEME
The theme “CDM: Reflection, Introspection, Moving Forward” focuses on:
Reflection: An opportunity to look back at the genesis of institutionalized disaster management in the Caribbean region, celebrate successes and give careful consideration to those gaps which remain
Introspection: A space to examine thoughts and perspectives on where we are today in the agenda of disaster risk management
Moving Forward: Distilling spaces of opportunity and repositioning of the Comprehensive Disaster Management agenda.
The Conference features an exciting week of activities from Monday, 5th to Friday 9th December, 2011.

CONFERENCE OBJECTIVES
  1. To celebrate achievements and successes within the CDEMA System 1991 – 2011 and identify gaps
  2. To facilitate exchanges and lesson learning among CDM Stakeholders in related practice, research, products and tools
  3. To assess progress in the implementation of the Comprehensive Disaster Management Strategy 2007-2012
  4. To identify strategic opportunities for the management of disaster risk beyond 2012
  5. To identify opportunities and strategic approaches for mainstreaming disaster risk management at the level of decision and policy makers in Ministries of Finance and Economic Planning
EXPECTED RESULTS
  1. Achievements, successes and gaps within the CDEMA system 1991 - 2011 identified
  2. Compendium of good practices and lessons learnt in CDM implementation
  3. Status of CDM implementation of the CDM Strategy 2007 – 2012 assessed
  4. Strategic opportunities for CDM beyond 2012 identified
  5. Opportunities and strategic approaches for deeper engagement of High level Policy Makers in Ministries of Finance and Economic Planning distilled.
CONFERENCE FEATURES
  1. Opening Ceremony
  2. Professional Development Sessions
  3. Plenary and concurrent sessions built around research, case studies and other writings
  4. Panel Discussions
  5. Poster presentations
  6. Conference Exhibition
  7. Youth Session
  8. Film Festival
  9. Conference Tour
20th Anniversary Awards Ceremony


About the CDM Conference

The Annual Caribbean Conference on Comprehensive Disaster Management is the region’s premier event on disaster risk management. Organized by the Coordinating Unit of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), the Conference is our region’s largest gathering of professionals in the fields of disaster management and professionals from sectoral and thematic fields who have specific responsibilities in this area. Attending this event is an excellent opportunity to improve disaster risk management awareness and exchange information on good practices, while building stronger professional networks.

Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) is the Caribbean’s regional contribution to the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015, a blue print for global actions in Disaster Risk Reduction. In that regard, the Conference is a regional event of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) global platform and is structured to promote good practice, share ongoing research and chart the way forward for the advancement of CDM in the Caribbean. Read more...

RCPGP Ground Zero Tour. New York City, 12/12/11

http://www.eventbrite.com/org/1444464968?s=5254164

Regional Catastrophic Planning Team NY-NJ-CT-PA

RCPGP Ground Zero Tour 12/12/11 6PM - 8PM 2011-12-12 18:00:00 2011-12-12 20:00:00

911 Memorial Trinity Place
Thames Street
New York NY | View map
We have reserved 60 tickets (first come/first served) for a group tour of the 9/11 Memorial at Ground Zero.  The memorial is a short walk...
Currently, Regional Catastrophic Planning Team NY-NJ-CT-PA does not have any events

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Domestic Violence Awareness Month....Statistics

Statistics on Domestic Violence
"Somewhere in America, a woman is raped every 2 minutes"

  • Of the almost 3.5 million violent crimes committed against family members, 49% of these were crimes against spouses.
  • 84% of spouse abuse victims were females, and 86% of victims of dating partner abuse at were female.
  • Males were 83% of spouse murderers and 75% of dating partner murderers.
  • 50% of offenders in state prison for spousal abuse had killed their victims. Wives were more likely than husbands to be killed by their spouses: wives were about half of all spouses in the population in 2002, but 81% of all persons killed by their spouse.
  • Women are more likely to be victims of sexual violence than men: 78% of the victims of rape and sexual assault are women and 22% are men.
  • Most perpetrators of sexual violence are men. Among acts of sexual violence committed against women since the age of 18, 100% of rapes, 92% of physical assaults, and 97% of stalking acts were perpetrated by men. Sexual violence against men is also mainly male violence: 70% of rapes, 86% of physical assaults, and 65% of stalking acts were perpetrated by men
  • In 8 out of 10 rape cases, the victim knows the perpetrator. Of people who report sexual violence, 64% of women and 16% of men were raped, physically assaulted, or stalked by an intimate partner. This includes a current or former spouse, cohabitating partner, boyfriend/girlfriend, or date.
If you are being abused, remember:
  • You should not blame yourself for being battered or mistreated (Love should not hurt)
  • You are not the cause of your partner's abusive behavior
  • You deserve to be treated with respect
  • Everyone deserves to be happy and safe
  • Your children should not have to live in fear
  • Never be afraid to contact the police if you are being threatened or stalked
If you are being abused, consider:
  • Identify safe places in your house. Know where to go if your abuser attacks or begins and argument with you that you believe may escalate towards violence. If possible, head for a room with a phone and an outside door or window.
  • Come up with a code word. Establish a word, phrase, or signal you can use to let your children, friends, neighbors, or co-workers know that you're in danger and the police should be called.
Protecting Our Children Who Witness Violence in the Home:
Children who grow up in homes and experience violence often struggle with:

  • Higher levels of aggression
  • Anger
  • Hostility
  • Oppositional Behavior
  • Disobedience
  • Fear
  • Anxiety
  • Withdrawal and Depression
  • Challenges in school
  • Inability to focus
  • Poor peer, sibling, and social relationships
  • Issues with self esteem and self worth
Ending Abuse:
Ending Domestic abuse begins and ends with becoming more informed and educating families about resources to support healing.

Resources
Contact you local Police Department. Dial 911. This call may save your life!

Friday, October 14, 2011

2011 National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend. Live on the Web!

Watch the 2011 National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend Live on the Web

You can view both major Memorial Weekend events live via satellite. The Foundation will broadcast both the Candlelight Service and the National Memorial Service.

We encourage you to contact your local cable provider and ask them to broadcast these Services on one of the public access channels.



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