Sheltering in Place

Great Video from the Red Cross

Will You Be Ready in 2011?

Posted by: Rachel Racusen, Director, Public AffairsThe current snowstorms blanketing the East Coast are another reminder that its important to take simple steps now to be prepared -- and to Resolve to be Ready for emergencies in 2011.As we get closer to the New Year, today our Deputy Administrator, Rich Serino, teamed up with the head of Massachusetts Public Safety, Mary Beth Heffernan, to urge everyone to consider making a new year's resolution that could make a real difference in the next snowstorm, flood, or hurricane:
"Nearly half of Americans make New Year’s resolutions. This year, why not make one that is easy to keep and could save your life: Resolve to be ready for disasters. It only takes a few simple steps and it starts with making a family emergency communications plan in advance of a disaster and staying informed.For example, consider how you would get in touch with your children if their school was locked down. What if you were in a car accident and your cell phone was broken? What if another flood knocked out power for days?We need you to do your part to become a member of our team, by getting ready now, because when disaster strikes, those of us who should have and could have gotten ready will be competing with our most vulnerable citizens for food, water and the critical resources of our first responders. We all share responsibility."This message isn't just important for the Massachusetts and East Coast residents digging out from mounds of snow -- it applies to all of us.So with the countdown to New Year's eve on, join us. Will you Resolve to be Ready in 2011?- Rachel (Read the full op-ed in the Boston Herald from Deputy Administrator Serino and Mary Beth Heffrnan)

Winter Driving Emergency Kit

Article found on Washington State Department of Transportation Website

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/winter/emergencykit.htm

Be prepared pack an emergency car kit...
Make your own kit like this one or you can buy one at many local retail stores. Jumper cables to restart engine
Cat litter or sand for tire traction
Shovel to scrape snow away from tires
Ice scraper to clear windshield
Warm clothes gloves, a hat, sturdy boots, warm jacket and even a change of clothes
Blankets to keep warm inside the vehicle
Flashlights and extra batteries for increased visibility
First aid kit also pack necessary medications in case you are stuck on the road
Food pack items containing protein such as nuts and energy bars, also canned fruit and a portable can opener are good additions
Water bring enough for each person in your car and any pets
AM/FM radio to listen to traffic reports and emergency messages
Also consider...
Bring a fully charged cell phone if you have one with a list of emergency numbers (don't forget your phone charger)
Flares or reflective triangle
Make sure your gas tank is full
Baby formula and diapers if you have a small child
If you find yourself stranded, be safe and stay in your car, put on your flashers, call for help and wait until it arrives

Winter Driving Safety Tips

Driving Safety Tips from http://www.weather.com/

Driving Safety Tips Index
Driving in Snow and Ice
The best advice for driving in bad winter weather is not to drive at all, if you can avoid it.
Don't go out until the snow plows and sanding trucks have had a chance to do their work, and allow yourself extra time to reach your destination.
If you must drive in snowy conditions, make sure your car is prepared (TIPS), and that you know how to handle road conditions.
It's helpful to practice winter driving techniques in a snowy, open parking lot, so you're familiar with how your car handles. Consult your owner's manual for tips specific to your vehicle.
Driving safely on icy roads
Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.
Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.
Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.
Keep your lights and windshield clean.
Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.
Don't use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads.
Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads, which will freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.
Don't pass snow plows and sanding trucks. The drivers have limited visibility, and you're likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind.
Don't assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble on winter roads.
If your rear wheels skid...
Take your foot off the accelerator.
Steer in the direction you want the front wheels to go. If your rear wheels are sliding left, steer left. If they're sliding right, steer right.
If your rear wheels start sliding the other way as you recover, ease the steering wheel toward that side. You might have to steer left and right a few times to get your vehicle completely under control.
If you have standard brakes, pump them gently.
If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS), do not pump the brakes. Apply steady pressure to the brakes. You will feel the brakes pulse — this is normal.
If your front wheels skid...
Take your foot off the gas and shift to neutral, but don't try to steer immediately.
As the wheels skid sideways, they will slow the vehicle and traction will return. As it does, steer in the direction you want to go. Then put the transmission in "drive" or release the clutch, and accelerate gently.
If you get stuck...
Do not spin your wheels. This will only dig you in deeper.
Turn your wheels from side to side a few times to push snow out of the way.
Use a light touch on the gas, to ease your car out.
Use a shovel to clear snow away from the wheels and the underside of the car.
Pour sand, kitty litter, gravel or salt in the path of the wheels, to help get traction.
Try rocking the vehicle. (Check your owner's manual first — it can damage the transmission on some vehicles.) Shift from forward to reverse, and back again. Each time you're in gear, give a light touch on the gas until the vehicle gets going.
More Tips
Sources: National Safety Council, New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Washington State Government Information & Services

Winter Holiday Safety
Winter holidays are a time for families and friends to get together. But that also means a greater risk for fire. Following a few simple tips will ensure a happy and fire-safe holiday season.
Holiday decorating
-Be careful with holiday decorations. Choose decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant.
-Keep lit candles away from decorations and other things that can burn.
-Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both.
-Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Connect no more than three strands of mini light sets and a maximum of 50 bulbs for screw-in bulbs. Read manufacturer’s instructions for number of LED strands to connect.
-Use clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords do not get damaged.
-Keep decorations away from windows and doors.
Holiday Entertaining
-Test your smoke alarms and tell guests about your home fire escape plan.
-Keep children and pets away from lit candles.
-Keep matches and lighters up high in a locked cabinet.
-Stay in the kitchen when cooking on the stovetop.
-Ask smokers to smoke outside. Remind smokers to keep their smoking materials with them so young children do not touch them.
-Provide large, deep ashtrays for smokers. Wet cigarette butts with water before discarding.-Before Heading Out or to Bed
-Blow out lit candles when you leave the room or go to bed.

-Turn off all light strings and decorations before leaving home or going to bed.
FACTS
• One-quarter of home decoration fires happen in December.
• More than half of the
December home decoration fires are started by candles.
• Half of the holiday decoration fires happen because decorations are placed too close to a heat source.
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Your Source for SAFETY Information
NFPA Public Education Division • 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169
www.nfpa.org/education

Holiday Safety Tips from the American Acadamy of Pediatrics

http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/novtips.cfm

2010 HOLIDAY SAFETY TIPS
click here to send these tips to a friend
Consejos de Seguridad Para Las Fiestas
(PDF File)
The holidays are an exciting time of year for kids, and to help ensure they have a safe holiday season, here are some tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Please feel free to excerpt these tips or use them in their entirety for any print or broadcast story, with acknowledgment of the source.
Trees
When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label "Fire Resistant."
When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green, needles are hard to pull from branches and when bent between your fingers, needles do not break. The trunk butt of a fresh tree is sticky with resin, and when tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose many needles.
When setting up a tree at home, place it away from fireplaces, radiators or portable heaters. Place the tree out of the way of traffic and do not block doorways.
Cut a few inches off the trunk of your tree to expose the fresh wood. This allows for better water absorption and will help keep your tree from drying out and becoming a fire hazard.
Be sure to keep the stand filled with water, because heated rooms can dry live trees out rapidly.

Lights
Check all tree lights-even if you've just purchased them-before hanging them on your tree. Make sure all the bulbs work and that there are no frayed wires, broken sockets or loose connections.
Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and a person touching a branch could be electrocuted.
Before using lights outdoors, check labels to be sure they have been certified for outdoor use. To hold lights in place, string them through hooks or insulated staples, not nails or tacks. Never pull or tug lights to remove them.
Plug all outdoor electric decorations into circuits with ground fault circuit interrupters to avoid potential shocks.
Turn off all lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short out and start a fire.
Decorations
Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials to trim a tree. Choose tinsel or artificial icicles of plastic or nonleaded metals.
Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens. Always use non-flammable holders, and place candles where they will not be knocked over.
In homes with small children, take special care to avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable. Keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children to prevent them from swallowing or inhaling small pieces. Avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food that may tempt a young child to eat them.
Wear gloves to avoid eye and skin irritation while decorating with spun glass "angel hair." Follow container directions carefully to avoid lung irritation while decorating with artificial snow sprays.
Remove all wrapping papers, bags, paper, ribbons and bows from tree and fireplace areas after gifts are opened. These items can pose suffocation and choking hazards to a small child or can cause a fire if near flame.
Toy Safety
Select toys to suit the age, abilities, skills and interest level of the intended child. Toys too advanced may pose safety hazards for younger children.
Before buying a toy or allowing your child to play with a toy that he has received as a gift, read the instructions carefully.
To prevent both burns and electrical shocks, don’t give young children (under age ten) a toy that must be plugged into an electrical outlet. Instead, buy toys that are battery-operated.
Children under age three can choke on small parts contained in toys or games. Government regulations specify that toys for children under age three cannot have parts less than 1 1/4 inches in diameter and 2 1/4 inches long.
Children can have serious stomach and intestinal problems – including death -- after swallowing button batteries and magnets. Keep them away from young children and call your health care provider immediately if your child swallows one.
Children under age 8 can choke or suffocate on uninflated or broken balloons. Remove strings and ribbons from toys before giving them to young children.
Watch for pull toys with strings that are more than 12 inches in length. They could be a strangulation hazard for babies.
Parents should store toys in a designated location, such as on a shelf or in a toy chest, and keep older kids’ toys away from young children.
Food Safety
Bacteria are often present in raw foods. Fully cook meats and poultry, and thoroughly wash raw vegetables and fruits.
Be sure to keep hot liquids and foods away from the edges of counters and tables, where they can be easily knocked over by a young child’s exploring hands. Be sure that young children cannot access microwave ovens..
Wash your hands frequently, and make sure your children do the same.
Never put a spoon used to taste food back into food without washing it.
Always keep raw foods and cooked foods separately, and use separate utensils when preparing them.
Always thaw meat in the refrigerator, never on the countertop.
Foods that require refrigeration should never be left at room temperature for more than two hours.
Happy Visiting
Clean up immediately after a holiday party. A toddler could rise early and choke on leftover food or come in contact with alcohol or tobacco.
Remember that the homes you visit may not be childproofed. Keep an eye out for danger spots.
Keep a list with all of the important phone numbers you or a baby-sitter are likely to need in case of an emergency. Include the police and fire department, your pediatrician and the national Poison Help Line, 1-800-222-1222. Laminating the list will prevent it from being torn or damaged by accidental spills.
Traveling, visiting family members, getting presents, shopping, etc., can all increase your child's stress levels. Trying to stick to your child's usual routines, including sleep schedules and timing of naps, can help you and your child enjoy the holidays and reduce stress.
Fireplaces
Before lighting any fire, remove all greens, boughs, papers, and other decorations from fireplace area. Check to see that the flue is open.
Use care with "fire salts," which produce colored flames when thrown on wood fires. They contain heavy metals that can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation and vomiting if eaten. Keep them away from children.
Do not burn gift wrap paper in the fireplace. A flash fire may result as wrappings ignite suddenly and burn intensely.
2010 - American Academy of Pediatrics

© COPYRIGHT AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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American Academy of Pediatrics, 141 Northwest Point Blvd., Elk Grove Village, IL, 60007, 847-434-4000

Winter Weather

Article from CDC




www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/about.asp
Article found on CDC Website
About Winter Weather

Highlights
You may have to cope with power failures and icy roads.
Many homes will be too cold.
Space heaters and fireplaces increase the risk of household fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.
Exposure to cold temperature can cause other serious health problems.
When temperatures drop below normal, heat can leave your body more rapidly.
When winter temperatures drop significantly below normal, staying warm and safe can become a challenge. Extremely cold temperatures often accompany a winter storm, so you may have to cope with power failures and icy roads. Although staying indoors as much as possible can help reduce the risk of car crashes and falls on the ice, you may also face indoor hazards. Many homes will be too cold—either due to a power failure or because the heating system isn't adequate for the weather. When people must use space heaters and fireplaces to stay warm, the risk of household fires increases, as well as the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Exposure to cold temperatures, whether indoors or outside, can cause other serious or life-threatening health problems. Infants and the elderly are particularly at risk, but anyone can be affected. To keep yourself and your family safe, you should know how to prevent cold-related health problems and what to do if a cold-weather health emergency arises.
The emergency procedures outlined here are not a substitute for training in first aid. However, these procedures will help you to know when to seek medical care and what to do until help becomes available.
What Is Extreme Cold?
What constitutes extreme cold and its effects can vary across different areas of the country. In regions relatively unaccustomed to winter weather, near freezing temperatures are considered “extreme cold.” Whenever temperatures drop decidedly below normal and as wind speed increases, heat can leave your body more rapidly. These weatherrelated conditions may lead to serious health problems. Extreme cold is a dangerous situation that can bring on health emergencies in susceptible people, such as those without shelter or who are stranded, or who live in a home that is poorly insulated or without heat.
Next


Content source: National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH)/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), Office of Noncommunicable Diseases, Injury and Environmental Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP), National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD)

Winter Tips from the CDC

Winter Weather Tips From the Center for Disease Control

http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/takesteps/#

Winter Weather: Take Steps

Taking preventive action is your best defense against having to deal with extreme cold-weather conditions. By preparing your home and car in advance for winter emergencies, and by observing safety precautions during times of extremely cold weather, you can reduce the risk of weather-related health problems.
Before a StormPlan ahead. Prepare for a winter storm before it hits.More
During a StormFind out what you can do to protect yourself and your family during a winter storm.More
After a StormLearn how to clean up safely after a winter storm.More

Content source: National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH)/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), Office of Noncommunicable Diseases, Injury and Environmental Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP), National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD)

Article found on The Weather Channel www.weather.com

Flooding Safety and PreparednessIn recent years, floods and flash floods have caused billions of dollars in damage. One of the most common and widespread of all natural hazards, floods also are the number one weather-related killer. A flood can occur anywhere along the Mississippi River in South, along waterways in New England, and even in the desert.
Watches and WarningsWhen a flood or flash flood is possible in your area, there are four key alerts to look for: A flood watch is issued when high flow or overflow of water from a river is possible in the specified time period. It can also apply to heavy runoff or drainage of water into low-lying areas. These watches are generally issued for flooding that is expected to occur at least 6 hours after heavy rains have ended. Flood warnings are issued when flooding conditions are actually occurring or are imminent in the warning area.A flash flood watch is issued when flash flooding is possible in or close to the watch area. Flash flood watches are generally issued for flooding that is expected to occur within 6 hours after heavy rains have ended. Flash flood warnings are issued when flash flooding is actually occurring or imminent in the warning area. It can be issued as a result of torrential rains, a dam failure, or an ice jam.
Be WeatherReadyLearn more about measures you can take before a flood occurs, what to do during a flood, and recovery after a flood or flash flood.

FEMA News Release

November 23, 2010
No: HQ-10-221
Contact: FEMA News Desk
Phone: 202-646-3272
News Release

FEMA: PREVENT FIRES THIS THANKSGIVING

WASHINGTON- As our nation comes together to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and its United States Fire Administration (USFA) would like to remind all residents to Put a Freeze on all Fires.

According to data from the USFA, an estimated 2,000 Thanksgiving Day fires in residential buildings occur annually in the United States, resulting in an estimated average of five deaths, 25 injuries and $21 million in property loss each year. The leading cause of all Thanksgiving Day fires in residential buildings is cooking. In addition, these fires occur most frequently in the afternoon hours from noon to 4 p.m. And unfortunately, smoke alarms were not present in 20 percent of Thanksgiving Day fires that occurred in occupied residential buildings.

"Disasters can happen any time, any where, but some emergencies at home can be avoided by taking a few simple steps for safety," said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. "And don't forget this holiday season, while gathered around the table with family and friends, is a great time to talk about your family emergency plan, and what you would do in the case of a disaster."

FEMA and USFA have issued a special report examining the characteristics of Thanksgiving Day fires in residential buildings. The report, Thanksgiving Day Fires in Residential Buildings, was developed by USFA's National Fire Data Center and is further evidence of FEMA's commitment to sharing information with fire departments and first responders around the country to help them keep their communities safe during this holiday. Read the report for more information.

The USFA also suggests these safety cooking tips:

Make sure you have smoke alarms on every level of your home, outside each sleeping area, and in every bedroom. Test smoke alarms monthly and replace them if they are 10 years old or older.
Keep a close watch on your cooking. You should never leave cooking food unattended.
Keep oven food packaging and other combustibles away from burners and heat sources.
Heat cooking oil slowly and watch it closely; it can ignite quickly.
Don't wear loose sleeves while working over hot stove burners - they can melt, ignite or catch on handles of pots and pans spilling hot oil and other liquids.
Have a "kid-free zone" of at least three-feet around the stove and areas where hot foods or drinks are prepared or carried.
Keep a lid nearby to smother small grease fires. Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan and turn off the stovetop. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cool.

"Thanksgiving marks the start of a very busy time for all firefighters," said Acting Fire Administrator Glenn Gaines. "Holiday decorations, heating, and increased indoor cooking all present just some of the causes of residential fires. Your place of residence should be the safest place of all. Protect it with working smoke alarms and know what to do if a fire should occur."

Deep-fried turkey has quickly grown in popularity but safety experts are concerned that backyard chefs may be sacrificing fire safety for good taste. If you absolutely must use a turkey fryer, please use the following tips:

Turkey fryers should always be used outdoors a safe distance from buildings and any other flammable materials.
Never use turkey fryers in a garage or on a wooden deck.
Make sure the fryers are used on a flat surface to reduce accidental tipping.
Never leave the fryer unattended. Most units do not have thermostat controls. If you do not watch the fryer carefully, the oil will continue to heat until it catches fire.
Never let children or pets near the fryer even if it is not in use. The oil inside the cooking pot can remain dangerously hot hours after use.
To avoid oil spillover, do not overfill the fryer.
Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts when touching pot or lid handles. If possible, wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from oil splatter.
Make sure the turkey is completely thawed and be careful with marinades. Oil and water do not mix, and water causes oil to spill over causing a fire or even an explosion hazard.
The National Turkey Federation (NTF) recommends thawing the turkey in the refrigerator approximately 24 hours for every five pounds in weight.
Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby. Never use water to extinguish a grease fire. If the fire is manageable, use your all-purpose fire extinguisher. If the fire increases, immediately call the fire department for help.
Read more fire safety tips for cooking this holiday season.
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.

Emergency Preparedness : Stocking Emergency Disaster Supplies

Great video from www.ehow.com on how to prepare an emergency kit. Go to www.ready.gov for more great tips.

Winter Weather Safety and Awareness
Photo by Arno Krum, Stony River Lodge, AK
Winter 2010-2011 Temperature and Precipitation OutlookBe safe in winter weather. Learn more about: Snow, Ice, Cold, Strong Winds, and Wind ChillWeather Awareness Safety Events in Your State

Information from NOAA NWS for more information go to: http://www.weather.gov/om/winter/

Volunteers Are Needed!
Especially to Get Cars Parked Safely and Efficiently.
Are you that volunteer?
New Castle County’s magical Holiday Open House will be held December 3rd,
4th and 5th at Rockwood Mansion. With the help of volunteers hundreds of
visitors will enjoy the beautifully decorated Victorian country house and fun
seasonal activities for the whole family.
Parking Assistance—This is a good way for teams of AmeriCorps members,
CERT Trainees, Volunteers In Police Service and Citizen Corps teams to reconnect
and practice some of the skills you have learned. Your experience with and
interest in public safety will be especially helpful as we direct hundreds of drivers
to successfully and safely enter, park and exit this special event. This is an
important task and responsible volunteers are needed. Training is
provided. Reflective vests and flashlights are provided.
Fri and Sat evenings — 5 to 9pm. Be sure to dress for the weather! A bonus is
that you can enjoy the fresh air and stars while surrounded by thousands of brilliant
holiday lights. (15 volunteers needed per night)
Volunteering at this event is popular & lots of fun.
Sign up ASAP!
To sign up contact Susan Eggert:
Seggert@nccde.org or (302) 395-5651.

Information from Ready.gov, go to www.ready.gov for more information

Winter Storms and Extreme Weather
While the danger from winter weather varies across the country, nearly all Americans, regardless of where they live, are likely to face some type of severe winter weather at some point in their lives. That could mean snow or subfreezing temperatures, as well as strong winds or even ice or heavy rain storms. One of the primary concerns is the winter weather's ability to knock out heat, power and communications services to your home or office, sometimes for days at a time. The National Weather Service refers to winter storms as the “Deceptive Killers” because most deaths are indirectly related to the storm. Instead, people die in traffic accidents on icy roads and of hypothermia from prolonged exposure to cold. It is important to be prepared for winter weather before it strikes.

New Castle County Communication Corps.: Ham Radio Class Announced

New Castle County Communication Corps.: Ham Radio Class Announced

NCC Citizen Corps receives an award.

DEMA Director Jamie Turner and Citizen Corps Program Manager Bob George present New Castle County Emergency Management and NCC Citizen Corps with a Certificate of Appreciation. The award is in recognition of the hard work of all of the member organizations of NCC Citizen Corps.
Keep up the good work!

Skywarn Storm Spotter Class Announced -November 6

The New Castle County Citizen Corps Council will be hosting a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(NOAA) combined Basic and Advanced Storm Spotter class on Saturday November 6, 2010 from 10:00am – 4:00 pm at the Paul J. Sweeney Public Safety Building located at 3601 N. DuPont Hwy New Castle, DE 19720 in the Community Room. Lunch will be provided. For Directions to the Paul J. Sweeney Public Safety Building go here: http://www2.nccde.org/Buildings/SweeneyPublicSafetyBldg/default.aspx For information the Storm Spotter program go here: http://www.volunteer.noaa.gov/weather_stormspotter.html To register for this FREE class, email: citizencorps@nccde.org with your name, email, and phone number or call (302) 395-2700 by October 28.

Volunteers Needed! September 28th!

Please see the message from New Castle County Department of Community Services below:

Volunteers Needed! Tues. September 28, 8:30am to 12pm
Parking Guides for Job Fair
Rockwood Mansion and Carriage House
610 Shipley Road (Entrance from Washington Street Extension)

Many people are seeking employment so a large turnout is expected.
Volunteers will help guide attendees to parking areas. Training provided at 8:30am.
Dress for the weather and bring emergency vests if available.

ASAP Please Contact: Susan Eggert at seggert@nccde.org or 395-5651.

New Journal Article Highlights Preparedness

This Article in The New Journal reminds Citizens to Get a Kit, Make a Plan and Be Informed.

http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20100921/HEALTH/9210356

September 24, 2010 Citizen Corps Council Meeting Agenda

New Castle County Citizen Corps Council
September 24, 2010 10:00 am
New Castle County
Paul J. Sweeney Public Safety Building
3601 N. DuPont Hwy
New Castle, DE 19720

• Welcome and introductions

• Welcome to the Civil Air Patrol

• Review and approval of June 2010 meeting minutes

• NCC Citizen Corps update – Family Preparedness day review
– Upcoming CERT – September 25 and 26
– Funding update

• Open group discussion / new business

• Set action items and agenda for next meeting

• Adjourn

Family Emergency Preparedness Day -Saturday! 11am-3pm Glasgow Park

Come out to Glasgow Park located at the corner of Route 896 and Route 40 for the 6th Annual Family Preparedness Day, this Saturday from 11:00am -3:00pm. Learn ways that your family can be prepared for emergencies. There will be free food, give aways, training, and fun. Jake's Hamburgers and Rita's will be providing food and WSTW 93.7 FM will be broadcasting live.

Honorable Mention - 2010 National Citizen Corps Achievement Awards

New Castle County Citizen Corps received this notification from the National Office of Citizen Corps

New Castle County Citizen Corps Council (DE)

We are writing to let you know that your Council has been selected to receive a 2010 National Citizen Corps Achievement Award HONORABLE MENTION in the category of Outstanding Citizen Corps Council – Serving a Population under 750,000.

Your Council’s efforts to improve community resilience deserve special commendation and we are delighted to recognize your achievements in this critical mission. As an Honorable Mention, your Council will receive a certificate from FEMA and will be promoted on the National Citizen Corps website and in other Citizen Corps materials. Our office will be in contact with you to learn more about your activities and best practices.

The award submissions were all impressive and it was a challenging process to select the finalists and the eventual winner. Thank you again for your application and, more importantly, what you are doing in your community to make our nation safer, stronger, and better prepared to manage any emergency situation.

Sincerely,

The National Office of Citizen Corps
FEMA Community Preparedness Division

Congratulations Washoe County Citizen Homeland Security Council on your win in this category!

National Citizen Corps Achievement Awards Finalists Announced

The New Castle County Citizen Corps Council has been named as a finalist in the 2010 Citizen Corps Achievement Awards in the category - Outstanding Citizen Corps Council Award – Serving a Population under 750,000.

The Winners will be announced during National Preparedness month in September!

thank you to all the Citizen Corps Partners for making this possible!
from:
http://www.citizencorps.gov/councils/awards/

Delaware Family Emergency Preparedness Day - September 11, 11:00am- 3:00pm

Come out for the 6th Annual Delaware Family Emergency Preparedness Day on September 11th, 2010 from 11:00 am to 3:00pm at Glasgow Park. For more information contact Marny McLee at (302) 659-2243 or log on to DELAWARECITIZENCORPS.ORG

Maryland Evacuation Exercise in Ocean City needs volunteers

From our Partners in Maryland:

The Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives in Maryland, is still looking for additional volunteers to assist with its evacuation exercise in Ocean City, Maryland, on Wednesday August 11, 2010 begining at 8:00am

The point of contact is:
Angela Bernstein
abernstein@goci.state.md.us
410-926-8956


OCEAN CITY
 8am arrival at the Ocean City Convention Center (4001 Coastal Highway)

 Parking is free and open to the public in the Convention Center lots

 Check-in with Angela Bernstein (a general liability waiver will be signed on- site, please contact me ahead of time if a waiver needs to be sent prior to the exercise for parent/guardian signature)

 Volunteers will receive a general briefing/overview of the morning’s activities which are scheduled to be as follows:

o Each volunteer will be given an “identity” with accompanying documentation
o Upon receiving the paperwork each volunteer will go through an intake/registration process with DHR and be divided into groups of 50
o Each group of 50 will board a bus and travel to Perdue Stadium in Salisbury
o Once the group has arrived in Salisbury they will be required to exit the bus and provide identifying paperwork to the DHR staff on site
o At this location the volunteers will be tracked and transferred to another bus which is theoretically heading to Towson but in actuality will be returning to Ocean City

 Once in Ocean City the activities will be complete (approximately 12-12:30)

 Food and drinks will be provided upon the conclusion of the exercise


Thank you for your support.

Patrick Delaney joins the local Red Cross as Chief Executive Officer

From our American Red Cross Partners:

The American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula welcomes Patrick Delaney as the new Chief Executive Officer. Patrick has over 20 years experience in management, strategic planning, fundraising, community mobilization, sales and constituent care. Most recently, he served as the state Director of Donor Development for the American Cancer Society, Pennsylvania Division. In that role, he was instrumental in bringing stability, leadership and vision to the major gift operation. He developed and implemented the first Major Gift Strategic Plan in the history of the Society. Prior to this role, Patrick was the Regional Vice President for the American Cancer Society in the Philadelphia market.

Patrick has a BA in Political Science from Albright College in Reading, PA and has been with the non-profit sector for a decade. Prior to this, he served in the banking industry.
from: http://www.redcrossdelmarva.org/news080210.htm

The New Castle County Citizen Corps would like to extend a warm welcome to Patrick. We look forward to continuing our strong partnership.

CERT National Program Office Announces CERT Animal Response I and II

The CERT National Program Office is pleased to announce the release of two new supplemental training modules, CERT Animal Response I and CERT Animal Response II. The new Animal Response modules are the first in a series of supplemental training modules building on the disaster response training that program participants receive in the CERT Basic Training course. The supplemental modules are designed to expand the skills of CERT members and teams, and to increase CERT’s ability to support emergency response professionals. The Animal Response modules, as well as other CERT supplemental training to be released in the future, are intended for those who have completed the basic training.

The Animal Response modules generally address pets, service animals, “for-profit” livestock, wildlife, exotic animals and non-commercial livestock such as horses. CERT Animal Response I (three hours) will teach CERT members emergency preparedness for animal owners, animal-related functions in emergency management and how to recognize specific animal behaviors.

CERT Animal Response II (four hours) will teach members their role in responding to animal issues and the skills needed when they encounter animals while performing their broader CERT response functions. As in all CERT training, these new supplemental modules also feature CERT responder safety.

The training materials for each module include an Instructor Guide, Participant Manual and PowerPoint file. CERT instructors may download the materials from the National CERT website. Please go to Training Materials on the CERT home page and then select CERT Supplemental Training, http://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/training_downloads.shtm#animal.

We hope you enjoy the new CERT supplemental modules and that you find these additional training resources useful.

If you know of others who would be interested in receiving CERT updates, please have them subscribe at the following website: http://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/subscribe.shtm.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to community resilience and to CERT!

Sincerely,
CERT National Program Office
Individual & Community Preparedness Division
Federal Emergency Management Agency

Come out for National Night Out!

National Night Out
The New Castle County Police Citizen Advisory Councils are proud to, once again, announce their participation in the 27th Annual National Night Out. This event, sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch, will take place on Tuesday, August 3, 2010 from 6 – 8 p.m. at two locations: Delcastle Parkland on McKennas Church Road, Wilmington and Woodshaven Kruse Park on Darley Road, Claymont. Last year, 36 million people participated nationwide.
More DetailsReleased: 7/21/2010 from: http://www2.nccde.org/police/default.aspx

NCCVFA Night with Blue Rocks July 15th!

Join the New Castle County Volunteer Firefighters Association at Frawley Stadium, with the Wilmington Blue Rocks to support your local volunteer fire company.

Bring your family and friends to the ballpark for an action packed baseball game and enjoy the fun, family atmosphere of Blue Rocks baseball.

The New Castle County Volunteer Firefighter Association (NCCVFA) is an organization of 21 volunteer fire companies and 1 career fire company that operate in New Castle County, Delaware.

Funds received from this event will benefit programs at these volunteer companies. For more information about the NCCVFA, please visit www.nccvfa.org.

The Emergency Services Corps works to support these companies and the NCCVFA. For more information about the Emergency Services Corps or to become an everyday hero by volunteering at your local fire company, please visit www.beafirefighter.org.
Please contact Stefani Rash at (302) 472-5718 or srash@bluerocks.com with any questions.

Another Record Setting Hot Day. The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for all of New Castle County until 8:00pm on July 7, 2010. Stay cool and be safe. Go to

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/heat/index.shtml for more information on Heat Warnings

June 2010 Citizen Corps Council Minutes

• Welcome and introductions.

o Those in attendance (in order of sign in): Robert Altieri (Smyrna Police CAPS), Tom Hickey (Emergency Transportation Volunteers), Tom Halladay (Emergency Transportation Volunteers), Bill Whealtey (CPAW/VIPS), Sonia Trudeau (NCC Police), Bobbie Merrill (First state ACP), Elizabeth Lee Roberts (CPAW), Nicole Desmarais (Public Health/DMRC), Jerry Picard (American Red Cross), S/Lt. Hudson (NCC Police), Marissa Favata-Gallen (Emergency Services Corps), Brian Bannon (NCC OEM).


• Review and approval of March 2010 meeting minutes – approved as presented http://ncccitizencorps.blogspot.com/2010/03/march-citizen-corps-council-meeting.html

• NCC Citizen Corps update
o Disaster Assessment update – This partnership with the Red Cross provides capability in Citizen Corps and Red Cross volunteers in times of disaster. As with all New Castle County Citizen Corps partnerships and programs, the Council served as a referral to the existing Red Cross program which will continue to run under the guidance of the Red Cross. We conducted a tabletop exercise with Disaster Assessment volunteers and provided them with a t-shirt as a token of our appreciation.

o Grant update – FY 2007 grant has been closed and reimbursement paperwork has been forwarded to DEMA.

• FY 2008 Grant funds will likely be depleted before the end of the grant period. VIPS, CPAW, and Communications Corps all have budget requests in that need to be processed.

o NCC CERT update – CERT backpacks and materials are being purchased from the FY 2008 grant money to support upcoming classes. A CERT class was held in Claymont that trained 29 new CERT members. Thanks to the Claymont Fire Company for the use of their training room. The next CERT class will likely be in September.


• Citizen Corps program guide discussion – final guide review. Typographical errors, graphics issues, and verbiage were reviewed and suggestions made on the paper copy. After all comments are received it will go to each organization for a final review and printing. The program guide will be published on paper and on a web page. NCC OEM is exploring ways to develop a Google ad words account to drive hits to a county site as a portal to OEM and citizen Corps Partners’ preparedness information

• Open group discussion
o CPAW – Bill Whealtey provided an overview of CPAW – Crime Prevention Area Watch. For info log on to http://cpawde.org/

Bill Whealtey advises that he is organizing a CERT Team in the Brookside area. This group will be built using the same structure and volunteers CPAW.

“Betty “ Roberts discussed how CPAW and the County Police cleaned up Iron Hill Park

o VIPS – The County Police are looking to add 3 more VIPS members to provide administrative support, investigative support, and citizen outreach and education. For more info contact NCC Police Community Services 302-395-8050 or http://www.nccde.org/police

The police run numerous programs to support the Community such as Senior Roll Call, Heroin Alert program, Project Life Saver, and the Hispanic Liaison Officer Program.

S/Lt Hudson provided an overview of Project Life Saver and asked for assistance in promoting this valuable program– see attached for more information or go to http://www.projectlifesaver.org/

Ofc Trudeau discussed a safety Day event at Hampton Walk on August 7th from 12- 3pm for more info contact 395-8057

o Smyrna Police – Robert Altieri advises that the Citizen Auxiliary Program (CAP) in Smyrna supports the police department in a variety of ways: training, parades, crossing guard duty, maintaining a business contact list, logistical support for DUI checkpoints, and other support.

o Emergency Services Corps (ESC) – Marissa Favata included an overview of the Emergency Services Corps and provided statistics and an overview about the members’ activities. ESC is an AmeriCorps program administered by the YMCA of Delaware whose mission is to recruit and retain volunteer firefighters in New Castle County. More info is available at http://beafirefighter.org

o Emergency Transportation Volunteers – Tom Hickey introduced his new Deputy Director Tom Halladay and discussed the continuing efforts to coordinate transportation volunteers with Emergency Operations center (EOC) activities including sending an EOC representative during the next emergency. The lack of liability insurance for ETV members and the lack of funding continue to be challenges for this group.

o Delaware Medical Reserve Corps (DMRC) – Nicole Desmarais discussed the DMRC and the possibility of aligning future activities among Citizen Corps groups with DMRC systems and programs. The Department of Public Health hosts the ESARVIPS program (https://servde.org/ ) to register, notify, and track volunteers. Efforts to utilize this system more widely continue.

o Red Cross – Jerry Picard provided and overview of the Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula. 97% of Red Cross responders are volunteers. The Red Cross provides support in medical/mental health area, sheltering, damage assessment, support to those affected by fires, and services to the armed forces. The Citizen Corps partnership serves as a conduit to existing Red Cross programs and services and volunteers need to comply with all the existing prerequisites, etc. to be eligible to volunteer.

o NCC OEM - Brian Bannon announced a volunteer opportunity to act as a victim for an exercise at the NCC Airport on July 10, 2010. See http://ncccitizencorps.blogspot.com/2010/06/volunteers-needed-exercise-saturday-10.html for details


• Set action items and agenda for next meeting – next meeting set for September 24, 2010 at 10:00 am at the Paul J. Sweeney Public Safety Building. The Program Guide’s effectiveness will be reviewed at this meeting to assess the next step in promoting preparedness and Citizen Corps partners.

• Adjourn

Project Lifesaver - New Castle County Police

Project Lifesaver helps provide rapid response to save lives and reduce potential for serious injury for adults and children who wander due to Alzheimer’s, Autism, Down Syndrome, dementia and other related disorders. A preprogrammed personal radio transmitter is placed on an individual who may wander away from the safety of their homes. These transmitters, unobtrusive for the client to wear, have the ability to assist emergency agencies in locating those who may have become unable to help themselves. This program has saved the lives of many who otherwise may have succumbed to the elements while lost.

For more information or to enroll contact:

New Castle County Police Department
Community Services Unit
(302) 395-8050
www.nccpd.com

Volunteers needed - exercise Saturday, 10 July 2010.

Here is a message from DEMA requesting volunteers to role play in an upcoming exercise

All,

We are seeking volunteers to act as victims for a New Castle County airport full scale exercise scheduled for Saturday, 10 July 2010. This will be a mass casualty type scenario. The exercise will be held at the NCC Airport. We need 40 volunteers for approximately 4 hours. Please ensure volunteers are at least 16 years old. We will provide breakfast, lunch, and goodie bags for all volunteers who participate in the exercise.

-- 40 volunteers arriving at 8:00 am at the Hercules hanger. Directions will be sent out on a future date.

If you would like to participate please email or call


Deirdre Gleason at; deirdre.gleason@state.de.us

Wk: 302-659-2296

Cp: 302-242-7547

Help at the DE State Fair?

It is that time of year again for the DE State Fair! The fair runs from July 23-31, 2010. As in the past DEMA will have a booth at the fair which is manned by staff and volunteers. Are you available to help man the booth on the above dates from either 11 am to 4 pm or 4 to 9 pm?

If you are interested please contact Rosanne Pack DEMA Public Information Officer at 659-2210 or email her at rosanne.pack@state.de.us.

Preparedness Night at the Blue Rocks

Hey baseball fans, come out for a night of fun and education at the Wilmington Blue Rocks on June 3rd. There will be special preparedness events and lots of information to help you and your family take care of yourselves in case of an emergency.

First pitch is 7:05 p.m. See you there!

Ham radio class in June!

New Castle County Communications Corps is a group of volunteer organizations who have radio communications capabilities and go into action in times of emergency or disaster to assist Public Safety and Emergency Management entities, primarily at the County level. Their mission is to train volunteers in communications methods, media, modes, and services to enhance communications throughout the county during emergencies where the normal communications infrastructure may be disabled or overloaded.

There is something in amateur radio, or Ham radio, for virtually everyone, including building your own equipment, chatting (called rag-chewing), contacting different states and countries, and engaging in emergency/disaster communications. Ham radio was the first thing talking after Hurricane Katrina, the attacks of September 11, and the earthquakes in Haiti (and we're still there).

For more information please visit: http://ncccommcorps.blogspot.com

Upcoming events include:

New Castle County Citizen Corps and its Communication Corps partner are sponsoring an Amateur Radio Technician class all four Fridays in June (4, 11, 18, and 25) 2010. Books will be supplied at no cost to registered students.

New Castle County Communications Corps conducts routine testing. The testing fee is $15.00 cash or check payable to ARRL-VEC. The next test is: June 26th at WDEL/WSTW, 2727 Shipley Road, Wilmington from 10AM - 12PM.

For more information on the class or test, please contact Robbie McCray at 302-689-3622 or via email to w3rsm@ncceog.org.

To register for the class, please send an email to citizencorps@nccde.org or call 302-395-2700.

April CERT class still has openings!

The April CERT class, scheduled on Saturdays April 17 and 24 from 9 am to 4 pm, still has openings. Contact Jessi Schimmel at 302-395-2700 or jschimmel@nccde.org to register today!

What: CERT- FREE Community Emergency Response Team training. A two-day class. Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided. FREE CERT bag provided to participants.We will cover: disaster preparedness, fire suppression, terrorism awareness, light search and rescue, First Aid, CPR, AED, and other topics.

Where: Claymont Fire Company, 3223 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont De 19703

April 18-24 is Delaware Week of Service

April 18-24 is the first Delaware Week of Service! The First Lady, Carla Markell, has asked everyone to take a bit of time out of their busy schedule to volunteer and help make our communities better places to live and work. For loads more information and tons of volunteer opportunities, check out www.volunteerdelaware.org!

March Citizen Corps Council meeting minutes

New Castle County Citizen Corps Council

March 12, 2010 Agenda

Posted at http://ncccitizencorps.blogspot.com/

• Welcome and introductions

o Those in attendance (in order of sign in): Marny McLee (DEMA Citizen Corps), Tom Hickey (Emergency Transportation Volunteers), Alfonzo Dowe, Sr. (NCCPD), Evelyn Lemmons (ESC), Richard Jester (CPAW), Dave Carpenter (NCCOEM), Jessi Schimmel (ESC/NCCOEM), Robbie McCray (ARES/RACES), Susan Eggert (Community Services), Marissa Favata (ESC/NCCOEM), Jerry Picard (Red Cross).

• Review and approval of December 2009 meeting minutes

o Approved as presented.

• NCC Citizen Corps update

o CERT changes and programming update

 The curriculum has been updated and made a bit more uniform. We took the national version and adjusted it to the specifics of New Castle County. We also adopted the national instructor and participant guides. These too were adjusts to reflect the changes made in the curriculum.

 A thus-far quite successful class of 24 students is being hosted in Brookside by CPAW. The second half of the class will be tomorrow.

 The next class will be hosted on April 17 and 24 at Claymont Fire Company. Anyone interested may contact Jessi Schimmel at jschimmel@nccde.org or 302-395-2700.

 Discussion of advertising CERT on NCCTV, the Weather Channel, in residential neighborhoods and online. We also pointed out that right now people are coming to us so quickly, we can’t advertise too widely because our classes are full.

o New VIPS leader

 Sgt. Claudine Malone has taken over the VIPS program. She was not able to be at this meeting, but sent Alfonzo Dowe Sr. in her place.

o Disaster Assessment update

 The January class was very successful, we had 35 people in attendance. Now we are trying to schedule a follow-up tabletop exercise to re-engage the volunteers and distribute t-shirts we purchased for them.

 We are working with the Red Cross to schedule this exercise.

 There was also a discussion of the relationship between CERT and Disaster Assessment classes. CERT classes are considered a basic level of training available to anyone. Disaster Assessment is a greater commitment and higher level of training offered through the Red Cross. All Disaster Assessment volunteers are Red Cross volunteers and have been through their orientations and background checks.

 Also discussed the differences between Red Cross responsibilities and County/State responsibilities when it comes to disaster assessment. Red Cross uses this as a tool to figure out what human services are necessary. The County and the State are much more tied into the infrastructure and the upward process of getting a FEMA disaster declaration.

• Discussion about Communication Corps functioning during February snow storms and update on upcoming classes

o A special thanks to Robbie McCray for all his efforts during the Feb. snow storms. The Communications Corps spent almost 500 hours during the snow storm to help to bring additional information in from the field, they staffed a Red Cross shelter, help transport staff and supplies, and performed other invaluable services.

o Robbie showed a PSA from ARRL (American Radio Relay League) about why people should join amateur radio groups.

o FCC-licensing classes will be held on all four Friday’s in June from 8 am to 4 pm in the Public Safety Building.

o The test for the licenses will be on June 26 at WDEL.

• Discussion of Emergency Transportation Volunteers functioning during February snow storms

o Formed in 2003 after the President’s Day storm, ETV is a conglomeration of eight organizations that transports medical and essential personnel during inclement weather in their personal vehicles, using personal time, fuel and insurance. ETV covers the entire state of DE, has 39 dedicated volunteers and access to up to 200 volunteers.

o ETV, OEM and Public Health are working to craft a limited liability agreement that will remove some of the onus from the individual drivers.

o ETV and OEM are also working together to get background checks on all volunteers (need funding) and to create membership cards for the drivers on the road.

• Citizen Corps program guide information

o Jessi is putting together a program guide about Citizen Corps to help increase membership and awareness of our organizations.

o It will be both digital and print.

o Please contribute your voice and send any text about your organization and the point of contact information to Jessi at jschimmel@nccde.org.

• Open group discussion

o Discussion of distributing Citizen Corps volunteer opportunities to county employees through program guide as well.

o How to help distribute the Happenings Guide for Community Services, several members took stacks.

 Better, low-cost distribution ideas? Please let Susan Eggert know.

o Blue Rocks Day is June 3rd. This will be a preparedness presentation put out by DEMA, Wilm OEM, and NCCOEM. If you would like a table, please let Dave Carpenter know.

o Discussion of how to use unassociated volunteers at the time of a disaster and how a volunteer reception center helps/hinders the problem.

o Agreed to share info about tabling and events to help spread the word about all of our groups.

• Set action items and agenda for next meeting

o Review of program guide.

• Adjourn