**September 17, 2007 FEMA Emergency Management Higher Education Project
Report**

\(1\) CATASTROPHE BONDS:

Mowbray, Rebecca. \"Katrina Fanning Cat Bond Growth - High-Stakes Bets
Help Insurers Pay Claims.\" New Orleans Times-Picayune, September 17,
2007. Accessed at:

<http://www.nola.com/business/t-p/index.ssf?/base/money-1/1189922810135210.xml&coll=1>

\[Excerpts: \"When buying a catastrophe bond, an investor is essentially
paying into a fund that could be used to pay out insurance claims. The
money they pay for the bond sits in a trust account and is eventually
returned to the investor, plus a handsome return, if no major disasters
occur and no claims need to be paid out. But if an earthquake or
hurricane hits according to the terms laid out in the insurance
company\'s bond offering, the investors lose their money\....

\"The reinsurance industry isn\'t able to underwrite the very large and
very rare events\.....For that reason I believe the insurance market
will evolve where the capital markets will provide relief for the
super-large catastrophic risks.\"\.... many believe catastrophe bonds
are here to stay as a tool for insurance companies to spread risk
because of their unique ability to target freak incidents, such as a
hurricane hitting Long Island, N.Y. Catastrophe bonds in general are
narrowly defined and are issued to cover specific types of disasters
that could occur in specific parts of the world within certain time
frames\....

Some view the explosion in catastrophe bonds as evidence that private
financial markets can handle the cost of the nation\'s worst disasters
without resorting to government intervention.\"\]

\(2\) FEMA \-- AND 2004 FLORIDA HURRICANES AND NEWSPAPER LAWSUIT:

Eberle, Terry. \"Terry Eberle: Following the FEMA Money.\" Florida
Today, September 17, 2007. At:

<http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070917/COLUMNISTS0202/709170304/1086>

\[Excerpt: \"During the past few weeks, FEMA and readers have had a lot
to say about our lawsuit to gain access to the agency\'s records from
the 2004 hurricane season. In most cases, the information was wrong.
Whether it was on purpose or ignorance, I can\'t say. Now it is time to
set the record straight. Why did we sue? The four Gannett newspapers in
Florida sued for you, the taxpayer\.... We believe part of our role is
to document how your money is spent by your public officials\....

The lawsuit cost us tens of thousands of dollars \-- a course of action
we were forced to take because FEMA refused to release the records under
the Freedom of Information Act. We argued in two courts before
winning\...

What were we after? We were after the money \-- where did it go and how
much was spent? Who got the money and what did they spend it on? We
wanted to map the money trail and compare it to where the storms did
their damage. Was money going to areas not suffering damage? Were people
in great need getting the money they deserved? We found \$42 million was
spent in areas that never received winds of more than 39 miles an hour.
And that only one in five people who sought help got it in the first
storm to hit Florida\....

Did we ask for Social Security numbers? We never wanted nor did we ask
for Social Security numbers, although this was erroneously stated in a
letter to many people that FEMA wrote. They knew we didn\'t ask for it,
and they knew that they were not going to give it to us. Yet, it was in
their letter. We brought it to their attention, but it took days before
they decided to rewrite the letter, correct their errors and send out
the right letters. By then, the damage was done to us and you. What we
really asked for were addresses, so we could plot where the money was
going and compare it to where the storms struck. Through these
addresses, we could knock on doors and find out how people were
helped\....

Did FEMA have to spend \$1.1 million to notify everyone because of our
request? No. We would have notified people in the newspaper and online.
This was not required from the court ruling. They chose to do it.\"\]

Payne, Melanie. \"Some FEMA Payments Questionable.\" The News Press
(FL), September 16, 2007. At:
<http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070916/NEWS01/70916016/1075>

\[Excerpt: \"Three years after hurricanes battered Florida and the
government distributed \$1.2 billion in disaster aid, reports of fraud
continue to surface\.... And with the publication last month of a
database of disaster aid payments - obtained after The News-Press sued
the government for addresses of aid recipients - residents for the first
time could see which homes received financial aid resulting in reports
of questionable payments, including\...: A woman who received about
\$25,000 from FEMA after claiming that hurricanes Charley, Frances and
Ivan damaged a house she doesn\'t own and may have moved out of two
years earlier\....

After the 2004 hurricanes, FEMA created a fraud prevention and
investigation unit in the Florida Long-Term Recovery Office in Orlando,
John Philbin, the director of external affairs for the agency wrote in a
recent letter to the editor of The News-Press. The agency is \"dedicated
to rooting out fraudulent activity,\" Philbin wrote. But, he said,
\"FEMA occasionally errs on the side of helping people.\" That mindset
is part of the problem, said Leslie Paige, media director for the
Citizens Against Government Waste in Washington, D.C. \"If you don\'t
put your foot down early on you see an expansion of the behavior, \'If
you can get it for free from the government, get it,\'\" Paige said.
\"It is the responsibility of an agency giving money out to put
reasonable standards on it and enforce them. Or they\'ll see a
progressively more avaricious public taking advantage of a flawed
system.\"\]

\(3\) MENTAL HEALTH AND PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT IN EMERGENCY SETTINGS:

Inter-Agency Standing Committee. IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and
Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings. Geneva, Switzerland: World
Health Organization, IASC, September 14, 2007, 99 pages. Accessed at:

[[http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2007/pr46/en/index.html]{.underline}](http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2007/pr46/en/index.html)

\[Excerpts from Press Release: \"\...protecting and promoting mental
health and psychosocial well-being is the responsibility of all
humanitarian agencies and workers. Until now, many people involved in
emergency response have viewed mental health and psychosocial well-being
as the sole responsibility of psychiatrists and psychologists\.... when
communities and services provide protection and support, most
individuals have been shown to be remarkably resilient. While this is
increasingly recognized, many actors identified the need for a coherent,
systematic approach that can be applied in large emergencies. The
guidelines address this gap. The guidelines have been published by the
IASC, a committee that is responsible for world-wide humanitarian policy
and consists of heads of relevant UN and other intergovernmental
agencies, Red Cross and Red Crescent agencies, and NGO consortia. The
guidelines have been developed by staff from 27 agencies through a
highly participatory process\....

The guidelines lay out the essential first steps in protecting or
promoting people\'s mental health and psychosocial well-being in the
midst of emergencies. They identify useful practices and flag
potentially harmful ones, and clarify how different approaches
complement one another.\"\]

\(4\) MITIGATION:

Institute for Business and Home Safety. The Benefits of Modern Wind
Resistant Building Codes on Hurricane Claim Frequency and Severity.
Tampa, FL: IBHS, August 10, 2007, 6 pages. Accessed at:
[[http://www.ibhs.org/newsroom/view.asp?id=538]{.underline}](http://www.ibhs.org/newsroom/view.asp?id=538)

\[From Press Release: \"A study of losses in the hardest hit area of
Florida during Hurricane Charley in August 2004 shows the effectiveness
of modern engineering-based building codes and supports the need to
strengthen the wind-resistance of homes built before 1996. The
study\...finds that when a home was built made a big difference in the
damage it sustained as a result of Charley. The findings are based on an
examination of closed insurance claim files for Charlotte County,
Fla\....

The Institute\'s analysis of claims data refines that information to
help determine how the age of the home, construction standards and
building materials affected claim frequency and the extent of damage -
or the actual financial impact on homeowners.

IBHS study findings include:

Homes built before 1996 suffered an average loss of \$24 per square foot
or \$48,000 for a 2,000-square foot home, according to claims filed
after the hurricane. The policyholders paid approximately \$2,600 on
average through their hurricane deductible.

The severity of the loss dropped by 42 percent to \$14 per square foot
for homes built between 1996 and 2004, when modern engineering-based
building codes were in place and builders and building officials were
educated about the requirements.

When looking at building components, the study found damage to post-1996
homes resulted in:

44% fewer total roof covering replacements 38% fewer claims for window
glass and/or frame damage 32% fewer total garage door replacements
Instead, newer homes needed only partial roof covering replacement,
window damage was primarily limited to screens, and garage door repairs
were minor, such as track adjustments or dent repairs.

\"While early reports confirmed the effectiveness of Florida\'s newer
building codes in decreasing the amount of damage, this claims research
helps make a clear argument for the need to upgrade existing homes,\"
said Tim Reinhold, IBHS vice president and director of engineering.
\"These findings reinforce our recommendations to install window and
door protection, impact resistant garage doors and enhance roof strength
when homes are re-roofed in all hurricane-prone areas. Retrofitting
older homes will go a long way toward addressing the issue of the
availability and affordability of homeowners insurance.\"\]

\(5\) NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM:

Clovis News Journal (NM). \"Flood Protection Shouldn\'t Fall On Rest Of
Us.\" September 13, 2007. At:

<http://www.cnjonline.com/opinion/flood_23060___article.html/homeowners_homes.html>

\[Excerpts: \"How can\...and others like her afford to rebuild time and
again? Because the taxpayers are subsidizing their dreams. Under a
federal program begun in 1968, homeowners can purchase flood insurance
for a little more than \$700 for every \$100,000 of property coverage.
The policies also provide coverage for \$30,000 worth of contents. USA
Today reports that without taxpayer subsidies, the rates would be about
46 percent higher\.... The program takes in somewhere in the
neighborhood of \$2 billion in premiums each year. If that doesn\'t
cover what the program must pay out in claims, it borrows from the
government. That borrowing has topped \$17 billion for Katrina claims
alone. Since the program takes in only \$2 billion a year, and
hurricanes and other flooding events such as those we\'re seeing in the
Midwest and Texas happen pretty much every year, how will the program
repay the money it has borrowed? Our guess is those \"loans\" will
simply be written off and the taxpayers will take the loss.

Those with a vested interest understandably defend subsidized flood
insurance and other taxpayer-funded expenditures that make their way of
life possible in flood-prone areas\.... If people in flood-prone areas
want to risk their property with each storm, that\'s their choice and it
should be their responsibility. The rest of us shouldn\'t have to pick
up the tab.\"\]

\(6\) NATIONAL RESPONSE FRAMEWORK:

Denver Post. \"Emergency Plan a Recipe for Disaster\" (Editorial).
September 14, 2007. Accessed at:
[[http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_6885551]{.underline}](http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_6885551)

\[Excerpts: \"The Bush administration\'s draft blueprint on handling
disasters is something of a disaster itself. The flabby umbrella
document was supposed to be a collaborative effort to untangle the
bureaucracy that was so ineffective in dealing with Hurricane Katrina.
But the framework reads more like a plan to avoid federal responsibility
for handling a disaster than a true effort to coherently assemble the
resources necessary to handle a big emergency. This draft ought to go
back to the drawing board. The proposed plan is thin on important detail
and cedes significant responsibility to local and state responders, who
say their voices were ignored in creating the document\... The draft was
written by 10 senior administration officials behind closed doors\....

That\'s something administration officials contest. They\'ve said they
consulted hundreds of state and local officials in devising the plan.
Albert Ashwood, Oklahoma chief of Emergency Management, recently told
Congress that such claims should be viewed critically. \'You will be
told this is a national document, developed over many hours of
collaboration between all levels of government and all disciplines,\' he
said. \'Let me be the first to say you should have a shovel nearby when
you hear this.\'\....

The inability of the Department of Homeland Security to work
cooperatively to merely form a plan to respond to disasters is a warning
sign. This country needs a disaster- response agency that has a clear
mission and the ability to work with state and local officials. The
draft document gives every indication that such cooperation is
impossible under the current structure.\"\]

\(7\) NATIONAL RESPONSE FRAMEWORK And NIMS WEBCAST, SEPTEMBER 19, 2007:

From Press Release:

\"On September 10, 2007, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and
the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released the draft of the
new National Response Framework (NRF) for a 30 day comment period.

A combination nationwide Web cast, teleconference, and television
broadcast regarding the NRF will take place on September 19, 2007 from
1:30-2:30 PM EST from the studio of the National Preparedness Network
(PREPnet)\...located at the National Emergency Training Center (NETC) in
Emmitsburg, Maryland.

The broadcast is intended to serve as both a discussion on the NRF and
also as a means to receive questions and input on this draft document.
The NRF document and supporting information can be obtained and viewed
at
[[http://www.fema.gov/emergency/nrf/]{.underline}](http://www.fema.gov/emergency/nrf/)

The presentation, entitled \"A Discussion on the National Response
Framework (NRF),\" is intended to enhance understanding of the NRF,
National Incident Management System (NIMS), and how all levels of
government, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector will
work together in a unified approach to emergency management during
all-hazards responses.

It will be presented by Mr. Dennis Schrader, Deputy Administrator of
FEMA\'s National Preparedness Directorate (NPD) and Mr. Al Fluman,
Acting Director of FEMA\'s Incident Management System Division
(IMSD)\.... The presentation can be accessed, as noted, by the following
information:

Distribution Methods:

Dish TV Network

Web Cast via the Internet

Access Instructions:

Locations with Dish TV receivers can tune to Channel 9602 at the
allotted time to view the broadcast.

Those wishing to access the discussion via the Internet Web cast can go
to
[[http://www.vodium.com/goto/fema/nrf.asp]{.underline}](http://www.vodium.com/goto/fema/nrf.asp)
and click on the National Response Framework (NRF) link that will be
displayed there. Visiting that site prior to the Web cast is important
in order to assure that any connectivity issues involved with individual
computer settings are addressed before the broadcast.\"\]

\(8\) PANDEMIC:

Broward County \[FL\] School Board. Broward County Public Schools
Pandemic Action Plan. Broward County, FL: School Board of Broward
County, September 12, 2006, 14 pages. Accessed at:

[[http://www.browardschools.com/info/pdf/draft_checklist.pdf]{.underline}](http://www.browardschools.com/info/pdf/draft_checklist.pdf)

Contra Costa County (CA), Office of Education. Pandemic Flu School
Action Kit. Website:

[[http://www.cccoe.k12.ca.us/about/flu/resources_flu_action_kit.html]{.underline}](http://www.cccoe.k12.ca.us/about/flu/resources_flu_action_kit.html)

Department of Education. Emergency Planning: Pandemic. Website:

[[http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/safety/emergencyplan/pandemic/index.html]{.underline}](http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/safety/emergencyplan/pandemic/index.html)

Department of Education. Pandemic Flu: A Planning Guide for Educators.

Washington, DC: DoE, November 18, 2006. Accessed at:

<http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/safety/emergencyplan/pandemic/planning-guide/index.html>

Department of Education. Pandemic Planning: Examples of State and Local
Plans and Planning Efforts. Washington, DC: DoE, November 20, 2006.

Accessed at:

<http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/safety/emergencyplan/pandemic/sampleplans/index.html>

\[Abstract: \"The Department of Education has gathered information on
state and local pandemic planning efforts to help others begin or refine
their pandemic influenza plans. After examining plans and information
from school districts across the country, a panel of experts in the
field of emergency management identified\...examples of strong planning
efforts or useful resources.\"\]

Orange County (CA), Department of Education. Emergency Preparedness

Website.
[[http://emergency.ocde.us/Home.htm]{.underline}](http://emergency.ocde.us/Home.htm)
\[Includes Pandemic Planning Tools for Schools information.\]

Seattle Public Schools. Biological Incident Annex: Pandemic Influenza
Management Plan (Emergency Management Plan). Seattle, WA: Seattle Public
Schools, Safety & Security Department, April 2006, 19 pages. Accessed
at:

<http://www.ercm.org/views/documents/SeattlePS_PandemicInfluenzaMgmtPlan.doc>

\(9\) PREPAREDNESS:

Department of Education. \"\$27 Million in Readiness and Emergency
Management Grants Awarded to 32 States: 91 School Districts To Use Funds
To Help Improve Readiness and Emergency Management\" (Press Release).
Washington, DC: DoE, August 29, 2007. Accessed at:

[[http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2007/08/08292007.html]{.underline}](http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2007/08/08292007.html)

FOCUS St. Louis. St. Louis Regional Preparedness. St. Louis MO: FOCUS
St. Louis, September 11, 2007, 44 pages. Assessed at:

[[http://www.focus-stl.org/prog/initiatives/infr-disa.cfm]{.underline}](http://www.focus-stl.org/prog/initiatives/infr-disa.cfm)

\[Excerpts: \"After a year of deliberation and research\...the FOCUS St.
Louis Regional Disaster Preparedness Task Force released a report to the
community assessing the region\'s state of preparedness and offering
nearly 20 recommendations pointing the way to a safer, better prepared
region. The report also includes compelling data regarding the
likelihood of specific disasters for this region, the potential effects
of these disasters, and research displaying the lack of synergy among
our numerous governmental, private/business, communications, education,
and emergency response systems\....\"

Mega-disasters have a widespread effect on a region and significant
adverse impacts on economic activity, property, and/or human life. A
major earthquake, a severe tornado, a chemical spill (intentional or
accidental), or a deadly virus infecting the metropolitan area can cause
extensive damage. Experts estimate that in any given year, a
mega-disaster in the bi-state region could surpass \$1.7 billion in
economic loss and cause more than 1,700 deaths. These are only
predictions-the reality could actually be far worse\....\"

There are three main elements that must be addressed to ensure that the
bi-state region, as a whole, can be better prepared for a
disaster-communication, advance organizational preparation, and
individual preparedness.\"

The major recommendations, in brief, are:

\* Develop a Regional Emergency Coordination Plan.

\* Establish a communication and coordination system for secondary
responders.

\* Strengthen grassroots networks for communication and assistance at
the local level.

\* Coordinate efforts among regional public, private, and civic
organizations for a sustained public awareness campaign.

\* Establish a sophisticated and all-encompassing public emergency
communication system.

\* Standardize communication between public safety units and government
entities.

\* Educate the public on how the region\'s emergency communication
system functions.

\* Establish communication systems for highrisk/disadvantaged
populations.

\* Require mandatory training of all officials (elected, appointed, and
appropriate staff ) in an emergency decision-making position.

\* Identify and protect the critical transportation infrastructure.

\* Develop a plan and process to support the needs of families at or
below poverty level.

\* Establish a team of social service organizations and volunteers to
train local groups using a common curriculum.

\* Support law enforcement agencies to continue vigorous anti-terrorism
activities.

\* Establish a \"Disaster Preparedness Day.\"

\* Educate residents about being prepared for emergencies.

\* Educate businesses on the need to have disaster plans and business
continuity plans in place.

\* Ask every major business to commit to promoting individual
preparedness education within their company.

\* Establish or identify a regional mechanism to pursue continued
funding of emergency preparedness operations.\]

Kennedy, Mike. \"Preparing the Plan.\" American School and University
Magazine, Vol. 70. No. 12, pp. 12-14, July 19, 2007. Accessed at:

[[http://asumag.com/security/preparing_the_plan/]{.underline}](http://asumag.com/security/preparing_the_plan/)

\[Abstract: \"Reviews the results of a 2007 U.S. General Accounting
Office report
([[http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d07609.pdf]{.underline}](http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d07609.pdf))
assessing the effectiveness of school districts in establishing
requirements and providing resources for emergency management planning,
what school districts have done to plan and prepare for emergencies, and
the challenges school districts have experienced in planning for
emergencies.\"\]

Utah State Office of Education. Emergency Preparedness Planning Guide
for Utah Schools 2007. Salt Lake City, Utah: Utah School Safety
Committee, January 2007, 93 pages. Accessed at:

<http://www.schools.utah.gov/finance/facilities/safety/documents/EmergencyPreparedPlanningGuide2007.pdf>

\[Abstract: Assists Utah schools in compliance with state regulations
mandating emergency preparedness plans for schools. The guide outlines
responsibilities for school officials and staff; criteria, components,
and organization of an emergency preparedness plan; hazard analysis;
communications and evacuation plans; and specific advice for itemized
threats. Appendices include the text of the state rule, additional
advice for specific age groups, sample forms, and a list of recommended
first aid equipment and supplies.\"\]

\(10\) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES \-- RISKS, HAZARDS, DISASTERS, AND WHAT
TO DO ABOUT THEM:

Labbe, J. R. \"Giuliani\'s Wrong: Terrorism, Disaster Aren\'t the
Same.\" Fort Worth Star-Telegram, September 14, 2007. Accessed at:

<http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=621918&category=OPINION&newsdate=9/14/2007>

\[Excerpts: \"Rudy Giuliani recently announced the 15 people he\'s asked
to help him keep his commitment to \"ensure American communities are
prepared for terrorist attacks and natural disasters.\" It\'s
inconsequential that Giuliani\'s advisers are all white men. But they
need to have experience in planning for and responding to natural
disasters \-- much more likely occurrences than terrorist attacks. The
diversity question that does matter concerns geography, not gender or
race. Seven of the homeland security advisory board members are New
Yorkers. One is the terrorism preparedness coordinator for Indianapolis.

Another is the former director of homeland security for Minnesota. The
rest mostly worked in the D.C. area. But there\'s no Floridian emergency
coordinator, for example, who could bring hurricane preparedness
experience. No Texan, who could bring hurricane and tornado experience.
Nary a West Coaster with earthquake or wildfire experience. Rudy\'s list
comes up short, regardless of how fervently his campaign staff says
otherwise\....

Elliott Bundy, Giuliani\'s campaign spokesman, tried mightily to
underscore the diversity of experience represented on the board while
emphasizing the mayor\'s own experience in New York as well as that
garnered while \"traveling the country and talking to people in places
like the Gulf Coast and New Orleans.\" \'Round these parts, that\'s
called campaigning. About all it has in common with a tornado is hot
air.\"\]

\(11\) PRINCIPLES OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT \-- ENDORSED BY IAEM:

Received word today from the President of the International Association
of Emergency Managers, Mike Selves, and from the IAEM Executive
Director, Elizabeth Armstrong, that a majority of the IAEM Board of
Directors has endorsed the \"Principles of Emergency Management\"
documents produced by the Emergency Management Roundtable. IAEM will
soon be placing the \"Principles of Emergency Management\" monograph and
one-page summary document on the IAEM Website (both documents have also
been forwarded to the EMI Webmaster for upload to the EM HiEd Project
website \-- EM Principles \"tab.\") IAEM Headquarters also sent a copy
of the IAEM logo to us to add to the documents being placed on the FEMA
website.

\[Background: An Emergency Management Roundtable group of stakeholders
produced a draft consensus document on the eight core Principles of
Emergency Management last May. Last week at an EM Roundtable meeting at
FEMA\'s Emergency Management Institute, the Principles were unanimously
approved. Stakeholder group representatives are now forwarding the
\"Principles\" documents to their respective organizations for similar
endorsement. Last Friday the FEMA EMI Superintendent, Dr. Cortez
Lawrence, asked that copies of the \"Principles\" be framed and placed
in every EMI classroom.

The Principles of Emergency Management, in brief, are:

1\. Comprehensive - emergency managers consider and take into

account all hazards, all phases, all stakeholders and all impacts
relevant to disasters.

2\. Progressive - emergency managers anticipate future disasters and

take preventive and preparatory measures to build disaster-resistant and
disaster-resilient communities.

3\. Risk-driven - emergency managers use sound risk management

principles (hazard identification, risk analysis, and impact analysis)
in assigning priorities and resources.

4\. Integrated - emergency managers ensure unity of effort among all

levels of government and all elements of a community.

5\. Collaborative - emergency managers create and sustain broad and

sincere relationships among individuals and organizations to encourage
trust, advocate a team atmosphere, build consensus, and facilitate
communication.

6\. Coordinated - emergency managers synchronize the activities of

all relevant stakeholders to achieve a common purpose.

7\. Flexible - emergency managers use creative and innovative

approaches in solving disaster challenges.

8\. Professional - emergency managers value a science and

knowledge-based approach based on education, training, experience,
ethical practice, public stewardship and continuous improvement.

\(12\) RESPONSE:

Arizona Department of Education and Arizona Division of Emergency
Management. Arizona School Site Emergency Response Plan Template.
Phoenix, AZ: September 2006, 79 pages. Accessed at:
[[http://www.ade.az.gov/sa/health/schoolsafety/safetyplans/]{.underline}](http://www.ade.az.gov/sa/health/schoolsafety/safetyplans/)

\[Abstract: \"Provides school districts with comprehensive guidelines to
follow in case of any of nineteen types of emergencies. Checklists,
communication instructions, staff responsibilities, job descriptions,
and a wide variety of forms for inventory, release, skills assessment,
and site review are included.\"\]

\(13\) SOCIAL VULNERABILITY APPROACH TO DISASTERS:

Received from Dr. Brenda Phillips with the Fire and Emergency Management
Program at Oklahoma State University, the following very good news:

\"I am pleased to let you know that a team of editors have signed a
contract with Taylor & Francis to publish Social Vulnerability to
Disasters based on the FEMA Social Vulnerability Course materials; the
book will be published as a CRC Press Imprint under Taylor and Francis.
The book will be edited by Brenda Phillips, Cheryl Childers, Deborah
Thomas, and Alice Fothergill. Chapter authors will include Elaine
Enarson, Betty Morrow, Ben Wisner, Lori Peek, Lynn Blinn-Pike, Nicole
Dash, Elizabeth Davis, Alan Clive, Brenda Phillips, Deborah Thomas and
Cheryl Childers. The Taylor and Francis editor for the book is Mark
Listewnik.\"

For further information, Professor Phillips can be reached at:

<brenda.phillips@okstate.edu>

\(14\) SPECIAL NEEDS POPULATIONS:

American Psychological Association. Reactions and Guidelines for
Children Following Trauma/Disaster. Washington, DC: APA, 2007.

Accessed at:
[[http://www.apa.org/practice/ptguidelines.html]{.underline}](http://www.apa.org/practice/ptguidelines.html)

Department of Homeland Security. Interagency Coordinating Council on
Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities. Website.
August 13, 2007.

Accessed at:
[[http://www.dhs.gov/xprepresp/committees/editorial_0591.shtm]{.underline}](http://www.dhs.gov/xprepresp/committees/editorial_0591.shtm)

\[\"The purpose of the Council is to: Consider, in their emergency
preparedness planning, the unique needs of agency employees with
disabilities and individuals with disabilities whom the agency serves;
Encourage, including through the provision of technical assistance,
consideration of the unique needs of employees and individuals with
disabilities served by State, local, and tribal governments, and private
organizations and individuals in emergency preparedness planning; and
Facilitate cooperation among Federal, State, local, and tribal
governments and private organizations and individuals in the
implementation of emergency preparedness plans as they relate to
individuals with disabilities.\"\]

Kailes, June Isaacson. Disaster Resources for People with Disabilities
and Emergency Managers. September 16, 2007. Website. Accessed at:

[[http://www.jik.com/disaster.html]{.underline}](http://www.jik.com/disaster.html)

National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies. Is
Child Care Ready?: A Disaster-Planning Guide for Child Care Resource &
Referral Agencies. Arlington, VA: NACCRRA, 2006, 114 pages. Accessed at:

[[http://www.naccrra.org/disaster/docs/Disaster_Guide_MECH.pdf]{.underline}](http://www.naccrra.org/disaster/docs/Disaster_Guide_MECH.pdf)

\[Abstract: \"This guide is a practical toolkit to help child care
programs\--both in child care centers and providers\' homes\--keep
children safe and their businesses open during and after natural
disasters, terrorist attacks, chemical emergencies, and other
catastrophes. It discusses preparing for disasters and restoring child
care after a disaster.\"\]

National Child Welfare Resource Center for Organizational Improvement.
Coping With Disasters and Strengthening Systems: A Framework for Child
Welfare Agencies. Washington, DC: Children\'s Bureau, US Department of
Health and Human Services, February 2007, 58 pages. Accessed at:

[[http://muskie.usm.maine.edu/helpkids/rcpdfs/copingwithdisasters.pdf]{.underline}](http://muskie.usm.maine.edu/helpkids/rcpdfs/copingwithdisasters.pdf)

\[From Introduction: \"Across the country, natural disasters, man-made
crises, or medical events can affect the routine ways child welfare
agencies operate and serve children, youth and families. It is
especially important for agencies caring for vulnerable populations-such
as abused and neglected children-to do what they can to prepare for
these disasters. Federal statute, under the Child and Family Services
Improvement Act of 2006, now requires States and Tribes to develop plans
in preparation for a disaster.

This publication has a dual purpose-to help managers think through what
they might put in place to cope with disasters, and to highlight how
taking these steps can improve systems for serving children and
families.\"\]

\(15\) TERRORISM:

Topeka Capital-Journal. \"Homeland Security - Low Priority.\" September
14, 2007. Accessed at:
[[http://cjonline.com/stories/091407/opi_199377246.shtml]{.underline}](http://cjonline.com/stories/091407/opi_199377246.shtml)

\[Excerpt: \"Terrorism in the Heartland. It just isn\'t something most
of us dwell on as we go through our day-to-day routine. Sure, we know
terrorists are out there plotting against the United States, and we
expect they will try to repeat their success of 9/11 sometime,
somewhere. Just not here. Terrorists strive for the sensational. In the
U.S., that means targets that can be easily recognized by people around
the globe, are in densely populated areas and lie within a stone\'s
throw of enough television cameras to ensure immediate, worldwide
exposure\.... We suspect a harbor with the Statue of Liberty in the
background would suit a terrorist\'s purposes just fine. For when it
comes to terrorism, style points are as important as substance. In
Kansas, there are few style points to be had.\"\]

B.Wayne Blanchard, Ph.D., CEM

Higher Education Project Manager

Emergency Management Institute

National Emergency Training Center

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Department of Homeland Security

16825 S. Seton, K-011

Emmitsburg, MD 21727

\(301\) 447-1262, voice

\(301\) 447-1598, fax

wayne.blanchard@dhs.gov

[[http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/edu]{.underline}](http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/edu)

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