Wednesday, October 18, 2017

FEMA NAC (National Advisory Council) RESPONSE Act Subcommittee

https://www.fema.gov/response-act-subcommittee

FEMA NAC(National Advisory Council)

RESPONSE Act Subcommittee

Recent legislation directed FEMA to establish the Railroad Emergency Services Preparedness, Operational Needs, and Safety Evaluation (RESPONSE) Subcommittee under its National Advisory Council (NAC) to provide recommendations regarding emergency responder training and resources related to hazardous materials incidents involving railroads.

Subcommittee Members

The RESPONSE Subcommittee is composed of federal and other government officials, as well as experts that represent the rail industry; rail labor; those who offer oil for transportation by rail; emergency response providers, emergency response training providers; tribal organizations; vendors, developers, and manufacturers of systems, facilities, equipment, and capabilities for emergency responder services; and other technical experts.

Kathleen M. Fox (Subcommittee Co-Chair)
Acting Deputy Administrator
Protection and National Preparedness, FEMA

Chris Howell (Subcommittee Co-Chair)
NAC Member (Vice Chair, Response and Recovery Subcommittee)
Director, Tribal Relations
BNSF Railway

Howard McMillan (Subcommittee Co-Chair)
Executive Director
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

Karl Alexy
Director, Office of Safety Analysis
Federal Railroad Administration

David Bierling
Research Scientist
Texas A&M Transportation Institute

Patrick Brady
General Director, Hazardous Materials Safety
BNSF Railway

Robert Wayne (Bobby) Breed
Vice President and General Manager
Specialized Response Solutions, National Response Corporation

Reggie Cheatham
Director, Office of Emergency Management, Office of Land and Emergency Management
Environmental Protection Agency

Rick Ferguson
Senior Specialist Emergency Response, Land Transportation
Shell Oil Company

Peter Ginaitt
NAC Member (Preparedness and Protection Subcommittee)
Environmental Health and Safety Officer and Emergency Manager
Rhode Island Public Transit Authority

Scott Gorton
Manager, Freight Rail Industry Engagement, Office of Security Policy and Industry Engagement
Transportation Security Administration

Kaylynn Gresham
Director Emergency Management Homeland Security
Oneida Nation

Robert Hall
Director, Office of Railroad, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Investigations
National Transportation Safety Board

Yvonne Hayes
Assistant General Chairman for GC 851 and Chairperson for Local 1138
International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) Transportation Division

Ronald Hewitt
Director, Office of Emergency Communications
Department of Homeland Security

Renee Loh
Former Executive Director
North Dakota Firefighter’s Association

Tim McLean
Chief, Casselton Fire Department
Casselton, North Dakota

Joseph Molina
Chief, Vancouver Fire Department
Vancouver, Washington

Gregory Noll
Representative, Inter Agency Board (IAB)
Program Manager, South Central (PA) Regional Task Force

Bill Offerman
National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) Executive Board
Fire Chief Elwood Fire Protection District
Elwood, Illinois

Capt. Anthony Popiel
Deputy Director, Incident Management and Preparedness Policy
United States Coast Guard

Sonya Proctor
Director, Surface Division, Office of Security Policy and Industry Engagement
Transportation Security Administration

Glen Rudner
Hazardous Materials Compliance Officer
Norfolk Southern Corporation

William Schoonover
Associate Administrator, Office of Hazardous Materials Safety
Pipeline Hazardous and Materials Safety Administration

Roland Shook
Representative, Transportation Community Awareness and Emergency Response (TRANSCAER)
Global Associate Director of Emergency Services and Security
Dow Chemical Company

Lisa Stabler
President, Transportation Technology Center, Inc.
Association of American Railroads

IG Investigation Needed. USVI. What happened to VITEMA? October 18. 2017.

What has happened to the Virgin Islands of the U.S. Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA)?

Website has been in maintenance mode for over six-months, and still not operational.
                     vitema.gov

Does it still exist?  Leadership? 

FEMA previous mitigation and other grants and funding to VITEMA?

Why has the of U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism taken the lead on all efforts from information flow, response, recovery, evacuations, and other key VITEMA basic areas of responsibility?

BEMA International


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 16, 2017
Governor Kenneth Mapp announces the appointment of Clifford Graham (right) as Chairman of the VI Hurricane and Resiliency Advisory Group during a press conference on Monday. Graham is the President and CEO of the West Indian Company Limited (WICO).
GOVERNOR MAPP CREATES HURRICANE AND RESILIENCY ADVISORY GROUP TO GUIDE RECONSTRUCTION EFFORTS

ST. THOMAS, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS – Governor Kenneth E. Mapp on Monday announced the creation of an expert advisory committee to help guide reconstruction and resiliency efforts in the U.S. Virgin Islands in the wake of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. The VI Hurricane and Resiliency Advisory Group, under the Office of the Governor, includes local officials and community members, as well as business and environmental experts, and thought leaders from around the United States.

Under the Governor’s direction, the group will perform a quantitative assessment of the hurricane damage and outline risks facing the USVI from potential future natural hazards looking ahead 30 years, including how those risks may evolve with climate change. They will also set the course for the USVI’s long-term security and economic recovery, with a special focus on making the Territory’s critical infrastructure, homes, and businesses more resilient to future storms and other natural disasters.

The VI Hurricane and Resiliency Advisory Group will also focus on:

  • The ongoing planning, coordination and implementation of USVI response and recovery efforts across the human services, infrastructure, housing and economic sectors.
  • The development of a centralized process to attract, coordinate and leverage federal, private-sector and philanthropic funding and volunteer efforts.
  • The development and implementation of a coordinated economic recovery plan, with a particular focus on the tourism industry and all related services.
  • Tracking and monitoring distribution and spending of federal disaster assistance funding and private donations, including the Community Fund for the Virgin Islands, administered by the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands.
  • The near- and long-term actions needed to increase the USVI's resilience from natural hazards, including policy recommendations and guidelines and prioritization for infrastructure investments.

“We’re bringing together experts from many disciplines to help the U.S. Virgin Islands build back as fast and smart as possible to enhance the long-term resiliency and economic health of our islands, while protecting our communities from future storms,” Governor Mapp said.

“The members of the VI Hurricane and Resiliency Advisory Group care deeply about our Territory and will work hard alongside us to rebuild stronger and better than ever before,” the Governor added. “I am tremendously appreciative and encouraged by the level of assistance and cooperation we have received.”

Clifford Graham , President and CEO of the West Indian Company (WICO) port facilities and Havensight Mall on St. Thomas, will serve as Chairman of the group. Mr. Graham previously served two terms as a senator in the Legislature of the U.S. Virgin Islands, overseeing the Finance and Rules Committees and was the long-time Executive Director of the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority .
Governor Mapp has appointed United States Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams (right) to the VI Hurricane and Resiliency Advisory Group.
The VI Hurricane and Resiliency Advisory Group also includes:

Dr. Jerome M. Adams – United States Surgeon General. Dr. Adams is an anesthesiologist and a vice admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. On September 5, 2017, he was sworn in by Vice President Mike Pence as the 20th Surgeon General of the United States. Prior to his appointment as Surgeon General, Dr. Adams served as the Indiana State Health Commissioner. He also holds a Masters in Public Health from the University of California, Berkeley.

Elizabeth Armstrong – General Manager of the Buccaneer Hotel on St. Croix, which her family has owned and operated since 1947. Ms. Armstrong led a successful $25 million capital renovation of every aspect of the Buccaneer resort, while maintaining its authenticity and cultural heritage. She also serves as chairwoman of the Governing Board of the V.I. Water and Power Authority, Vice Chair of the Virgin Islands Next Generation Network, and is a past president of the St. Croix Hotel and Tourism Association.

Valdamier Collens – Commissioner for the USVI Department of Finance and Executive Director of the Virgin Islands Public Finance Authority. Commissioner Collens formerly served as the Chief Financial Officer for the Virgin Islands Port Authority and as Assistant Commissioner for the Department of Finance.

Vivek Daswani – President and Owner of Royal Caribbean. Mr. Daswani has worked to develop and expand his family’s retail operations in the U.S. Virgin Islands for the past 20 years and is an integral part of the local business community and tourism industry. He has served on the boards of the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands and the V.I. Institute of the Performing Arts.
Judith Enck – Visiting Scholar at Pace University Elisabeth Haub School of Law. Ms. Enck brings more than 37 years of experience in the environmental field, most recently as a former EPA Region 2 Administrator, which includes New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and seven tribal nations. Prior to her role at the EPA, Ms. Enck served as the New York State Deputy Secretary for the Environment.

Andrew Farkas – Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Island Capital Group, a real estate and merchant banking firm with significant interests in the USVI. Mr. Farkas was previously Chairman and CEO of Insignia Financial Group, a global real estate services company. He is an avid philanthropist and sailor.

Eugene Farrell – Chief of Staff to Governor Kenneth E. Mapp. Prior to assuming his current position, Mr. Farrell served as the Governor’s Senior Policy Advisor for Justice, Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Operations. He comes with more than 30 years of management and leadership experience in the U.S. Armed Forces, Civilian Emergency Response System and as a business owner. He currently serves as a board member on the Virgin Islands Economic Development Commission.

Novelle E. Francis, Jr.  – Senator, Legislature of the Virgin Islands. Senator Francis is serving his second term representing the St. Croix district. He is a former Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety and presently chairs the Committee on Rules and Judiciary. Senator Francis has extensive experience in emergency management and response, having served for 25 years in the Virgin Islands Police Department, where he attained the rank of Commissioner. He was heavily involved in updating the Territory's emergency response plan after Hurricane Marilyn and remains committed to ensuring the improvement of the Virgin Islands' disaster management policies and procedures.

Daryl Griffith – Acting Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer for the V.I. Housing Finance Authority. Mr. Griffith works to increase access to housing and community development opportunities throughout the USVI. Prior to his work with the Housing Finance Authority, Mr. Griffith was a Vice President and Commercial Relationship Manager with Sun Trust Bank, where he worked with business owners to access capital and grow their companies.

Anthony Hurley – Associate Managing Director with Witt O’Briens, an emergency and security risk management firm. Mr. Hurley brings 37 years in the utility industry, working for five electric utilities across three states. Mr. Hurley has an extensive background in emergency management and hurricane recovery, having supported emergency responses to Hurricanes Isabel, Francis, Ivan, Katrina, Rita, Irene, Sandy, Harvey, and now Irma and Maria.
       
Hans Lawaetz – President of Annaly Farms, Inc. Mr. Lawaetz is a St. Croix businessman and cattle farmer. He served as a U.S. Air Force Captain after graduating from Cornell University. Lawaetz has served on the boards of the V.I. Conservation District, Good Hope School, St. Croix Landmark Society, the Virgin Islands Olympic Committee and the 2017 V.I. Transfer Centennial Commission. He is currently President of the St. Croix Friends of Denmark Society.

John McInnis III – Director of the Kenny Chesney Foundation and CEO of McInnis Industries, a construction company his family founded in 1970 that has grown to more than $1 billion. Mr. McInnis and his company have been instrumental in several national emergency cleanup operations including Hurricanes Ivan and Katrina, and the BP Horizon oil spill. The McInnis Family is also the majority owner in one of the world’s most famous road house beach bars, The Flora-Bama, on the Alabama/Florida state line.

Beverly Nicholson-Doty – Commissioner of Tourism for the USVI. Commissioner Nicholson-Doty oversees the advertising and marketing strategy for the entire USVI, as well as its national and international tourism-related efforts and product development. Raised on St. Thomas, in 2004, she was appointed President of the USVI Hotel & Tourism Association. She has also served as Chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Council of Ministers and Commissioners.

Basil Ottley – Director of Policy for the Office of Insular Affairs within the U.S. Department of the Interior. Mr. Ottley coordinates federal policies for the territories of American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands while also overseeing U.S. federal assistance provided to Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and the Republic of Palau. Before joining the Department of the Interior, he was elected to the 27th Virgin Islands Legislature in November 2006.

Geri Purvis – Individual Assistance Branch Director Geri Purvis has worked with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for nearly 15 years and has responded to more than 25 disaster operations throughout her time serving in the field of emergency management. She has worked in Individual Assistance, Fraud Investigation and External Affairs. She has recently responded to Hurricane Sandy, Hurricane Irene and several disasters across the United States as a member of the Region II Incident Management Assistance Team. Ms. Purvis represents the areas of Mass Care, Emergency Assistance, Housing, and Human Services.
       
Marjorie Roberts – Head of Marjorie Rawls Roberts, P.C., a law firm specializing in tax, corporate/securities, estate planning, and business law. Her practice focuses on representing major U.S. and international companies seeking to do business in the USVI. She formerly served as Technical Advisor and Chief Counsel to the USVI Bureau of Internal Revenue, as well as General Counsel, Vice President, and Director for Globalvest Management Company, LP, a St. Thomas-based investment company.

Harriet Tregoning – Immediate past Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Office of Community Planning and Development at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. At HUD, Ms. Tregoning focused on helping states and cities across the country build a strong foundation for resilience in the face of a changing climate. Ms. Tregoning was previously Director of the District of Columbia Office of Planning and served as Director of Development, Community and Environment at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Disasters are Driving Hunger.



Disasters are driving world hunger

GENEVA, 16 October 2017 - “World hunger is on the rise and the estimated number of undernourished people has increased from 777 million in 2015 to 815 million in 2016”, according to Ms. Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett Director, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) - Liaison Office in Geneva.

Opening a panel discussion on Integrating Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction in the Agriculture Sectors on Friday for the 2017 International Day for Disaster Reduction, Ms. Birkett said, “In developing countries the agriculture sector absorbs about 22% of the total damage and losses caused by natural hazards. And, if one just considers drought, this figure rises to 84%. No sector is more sensitive than agriculture and no solution to climate change and disasters will be complete without agricultural inputs.”

http://www.unisdr.org/archive/55471


UNISDR Communications

United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR)
Geneva, Switzerland
UNISDR.org
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#switch2sendai 

MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES NYC SERVICE CENTER TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS & FAMILIES RECOVERING FROM HURRICANE MARIA, IRMA, & HARVEY

THE CITY OF NEW YORK
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
NEW YORK, NY 10007 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 16, 2017
CONTACTpressoffice@cityhall.nyc.gov, (212) 788-2958

MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES NYC SERVICE CENTER TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS & FAMILIES RECOVERING FROM HURRICANE MARIA, IRMA, & HARVEY

NYC service center will provide information and assistance for individuals affected by recent hurricanes 

NEW YORK—Mayor de Blasio announced today that a service center will open next week to support displaced individuals and families from Puerto Rico, Texas, Florida, the U.S. Virgin Islands and other Caribbean islands following recent hurricanes. The center will be open starting on Thursday, October 19 at the Julia De Burgos Latino Cultural Center located at 1680 Lexington Avenue in Manhattan.

“New York City will help those affected by recent hurricanes in any way we can. We’ve been sending donations and emergency responders to affected areas, and now we’re setting up a central location to help displaced people in our city receive essential services and assistance,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.

“This is a humanitarian crisis the likes our city has ever experienced and we must do everything we can to help our fellow Puerto Ricans who have given so much to our city and to our country,” said Speaker Melissa Mark Viverito. “Where the federal government has come up short, New York has always stepped up and it is no different in this case. This city is prepared to help Boricuas from the island with the resources and providing essential services during this dire time of need”

The City’s service center will offer in-person support and access to services to individuals affected by the hurricanes, and will be open from 9 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday, 10 AM to 4 PM on Saturday, and 1 PM to 5 PM on Sunday. The City of New York is urging individuals planning to visit the service centers to make an appointment beginning October 18 by visiting nyc.gov or call 311. (Note: the center will be closed Saturday, October 21.)

New York City government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community-based organizations will be on-site to help connect families and individuals to critical services, including enrollment in public benefits and health insurance, food assistance, and mental health counseling.
 Services provided at the center include but are not limited to:
  • Department of Social Services will assist with enrollment in SNAP benefits, cash assistance, and public health insurance, and help connect people with emergency food assistance. English and Spanish speakers will be available to assist with enrollment.
  • Department of Health and Mental Hygiene will provide mental health counseling, health insurance support, emergency pharmacy assistance and will refer individuals to medical care in collaboration with NYC Health + Hospitals. They will also provide information on immunization assistance targeted toward school enrollment.
  • Department for the Aging will provide meals to seniors, assist in case management, and assist with senior employment.
  • Department of Education will provide information and assistance for displaced students.
  • Human Resource Administration’s Office of Civil Justice will convene several legal providers to provide legal consultation to individuals in need.
  • American Red Cross of Greater New Yorkwill assist in disaster relief management — including referrals, distribution of emergency supplies, and applying for assistance — and mental health counseling. 
  • Animal Care and Control and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will provide veterinary care and pet supplies.
  • The New York Disaster Interfaith Services will provide spiritual care to those in need.  
“New York City is home to one of the largest Caribbean diasporas in the United States, and we want to ensure that our fellow Americans from Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands are accepted and integrated fully into our community.  My administration will work hand in hand with Mayor de Blasio so that Brooklyn can support families affected by these hurricanes,” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams.

"As we've unfortunately learned all too well here in New York, few things are more critical during and after a crisis than clear information and cross-agency coordination," said Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer. "Cross agency service centers offering one stop shopping and ability to cut through red tape may not seem like much  against the backdrop of the terrible tragedy unfolding in Puerto Rico and the other areas affected by recent hurricanes, but they can make a huge difference in the lives of the affected families."

“Those individuals and families affected by these natural disasters need our help, and that includes being prepared to assist those who decided to leave their homes and come to New York City. This service center will provide those seeking refuge from these disasters with a one-stop shop for critical services, and I appreciate Mayor de Blasio’s efforts to make life a little bit easier for those who are being forced from their homes due to these natural disasters,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

U.S. Representative Nydia M. Velázquez said, "The bond between the Island of Puerto Rico and New York is deeply rooted, and over one million Puerto Ricans call New York home. Let's be clear, Puerto Ricans will always have a true friend and ally in New York and we will continue to assist our fellow U.S. citizens on the Island. I'm proud of what the City and regular New Yorkers are doing to help Puerto Rico and other hurricane-affected areas. I commend the Mayor for his leadership in this area.”

“I commend Mayor de Blasio on today’s announcement to open the NYC service center to support individuals and families who have been affected by the recent unprecedented storms we’ve witnessed so far this hurricane season,” said U.S. Representative Adriano Espaillat. “Connecting families and individuals to critical services through a centralized hub where they can sign up for public benefits, health insurance, food assistance, and mental health programs, puts us one step closer to helping bring about some resemblance of normalcy for displaced individuals as they work to rebuild their lives.”

"Once again, our City rises to the occasion in order to provide our fellow Americans affected by Hurricanes Irma, Harvey and Maria the assistance they require in their time of need," said State Senator Gustavo Rivera. "I applaud the ongoing efforts of our City's administration that, unlike the lackluster and in some cases negligent response from the federal government, continues to set up safety nets for those displaced by these recent natural disasters. I urge my fellow New Yorkers to spread the word about this service center so that those who need the assistance are able to receive it immediately."

Assembly Assistant Speaker Felix W Ortiz said, “We must do all we can to assist our friends and relatives recovering from Hurricanes Irma, Harvey and Maria. In addition to our ongoing efforts to send supplies, medicine and food to Puerto Rico, Mexico and other communities seeking to recover, we should also be prepared to welcome those without homes to  New York. Friendly service centers are a step in the right direction to help our brothers and sisters. Our efforts are far from over."

"The recent natural disasters in Puerto Rico, the Caribbean, Texas, and Mexico have left so many without the basic resources needed to survive. I am proud of East Harlem, New York City and the State for remaining committed to helping the victims of these tragedies," said Assembly Member Robert J. Rodriguez. "The new Service Center will connect displaced victims with life-saving services to help get them back on their feet."

“I just returned from a week in some of the hardest hit areas in the mountainous regions of Puerto Rico.  I met with people who lost everything, received little or no outside assistance and have been as self-sufficient as possible.  As New Yorkers we are obligated to help fellow Americans who are traumatized make a safe transition and avoid further trauma,” said Council Member Fernando Cabrera.

“Our American family in Puerto Rico deserves all of the support we can give,” said Council Member Rafael Espinal. “As a New Yorker I know firsthand the impact Puerto Ricans have had on our culture, economy and values. I commend Mayor de Blasio for staying committed to providing aid and doing all New York City can to step up in this time of need.”

“It is a proud day for New York as we establish a new Open Service Center for the victims of Hurricanes Maria, Irma, and Harvey. Millions of families have been affected, homes destroyed, and livelihoods lost. It is never easy to pick up the pieces when we lose so much, as an individual or as a community. Nor is it easy to pick up and move to a new place in the wake of such a disaster. This new Center sends a clear message to the victims of these hurricanes. You are welcome in New York City. As government agencies and non-profits work to integrate fellow citizens, we must all remember to make newcomers feel welcome. With a dangerously delayed  response, and grave uncertainty about how much longer the Trump Administration will provide aid to victims in Puerto Rico, I ask that everyone contribute whatever they can to help the victims. It is sad that the President may forsake our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico, but let it be clear that the people of New York will never do so. We stand together,” said Council Member Carlos Menchaca.

"Our city is taking proactive measures to assist those most impacted by the recent natural disasters. I find it deeply gratifying that Mayor de Blasio is utilizing every resource at his disposal to help displaced families and individuals. The opening of a New York City service center will advance our relief efforts and provide vital support during this recovery process,” said Council Member Annabel Palma

Council Member Rafael Salamanca said, “I’m proud to call myself a New Yorker as we work to lead the charge on providing relief to all of those effected by the hurricanes,” said Council Member Rafael Salamanca, Jr. “People are still hurting – in Puerto Rico, USVI, in Florida and in Texas. It’s why I’m encouraging everyone who may know a victim of the hurricanes to direct them to these great resources.”

Council Member Ritchie Torres said, “I want to thank the Mayor for committing our City’s agencies to supporting families displaced by these horrible disasters. We must continue to show our fellow Americans and the world that New York City will be a lasting bastion of support for those in need.”


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