Emergency Info Online, Fourth Edition

Welcome to Emergency Info Online

What is Emergency Info Online?

Emergency Info Online is a website and printer-friendly resource directory established to provide information regarding organizations involved in emergency preparedness and communications, particularly as they relate to the Emergency Alert System and individuals with disabilities. The directory includes information about and reports from government agencies and commissions, private and not-for-profit organizations, and foreign and international groups pertaining to their work involving response, recovery, and communications during times of emergency, with an additional focus on the accessibility of such communications for people with disabilities.

Prepared by John Cavanagh, Matt Kaplowitz, Anne Malia, Jessica Malia, and Ken Takeuchi

Last updated 04/01/08

 

Updates

03/14/08
FEMA Changes Organizational Stuctures to Strengthen Preparedness Levels

The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced the transfer of specific preparedness administrative and operational authority roles from FEMA Headquarters to FEMA Regional Administrators. This transfer of responsibilities was put into effect to enhance FEMA's capability to develop a National preparedness system.

This transfer of authority includes personnel associated with the:

• Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program
• Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program
• Community Preparedness
• Assistance to Firefighters Grant program
• Continuity of Operations
• Regional Investment Officers

The National Preparedness Divisions, run by regional-level Federal Preparedness Coordinators, will lead FEMA's efforts to coordinate the broad scope of preparedness missions for all-hazards. Also, the plan includes the formation of a new Grant Programs Division to be established within each Region. This will serve as the central location for business management of regional grants, and program management for certain national preparedness homeland security grant programs. For more information, visit FEMA at http://home.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?published=1&id=42934

02/01/08
The Institute of Medicine’s Research Priorities in Emergency Preparedness and Response

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) requested that the Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommend a set of near-term research priorities for emergency preparedness and response in public health systems for use at schools of public health and related fields. These priorities will be used to help develop a research agenda and inform research funding opportunity announcements during the 2008 fiscal year. The IOM report recommends that priority be given to the following four areas of research:

• Enhancing the usefulness of training
• Improving communications in preparedness and response
• Creation and maintenance of sustainable preparedness and response systems
• Generation of criteria and metrics to measure effectiveness and efficiency.

The full report can be downloaded at http://www.iaem.com/publications/news/documents/EmergPreparednessResearchPriorities.pdf

08/30/07
President Bush Declares September “National Preparedness Month”

On August 30th, 2007 George Bush signed a proclamation that officially designates this September as National Preparedness Month. In doing so, the president called upon all Americans to raise their awareness about the importance of emergency preparedness. President Bush said, “Protecting America's homeland and citizens is the shared responsibility of the entire Nation. Individuals can prepare themselves and their families for emergencies by taking simple steps such as organizing an emergency supply kit, making a personal preparedness plan, becoming informed about different threats, and getting involved in preparing their community. These activities create a culture of preparedness and can help save lives.”

Since 2004, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been using September as a time to promote disaster readiness and also to encourage Americans to become active in preparing for possible emergencies. DHS annually gathers hundreds of volunteer organizations to establish a National Preparedness Coalition in order to develop and host preparedness related events. The president’s official endorsement should strengthen this growing initiative. George Bush said, “I call upon the people of the United States to recognize the importance of preparing for potential emergencies and to observe this month by participating in appropriate events, activities, and preparedness programs.”

The president had strong praise for the Nation’s emergency responders. He said,” This month is also an opportunity to pay tribute to America's first responders who put themselves at risk for the safety of their fellow citizens. These brave police officers, firefighters, and emergency service personnel exemplify the compassion and commitment that help strengthen our country. We will be forever grateful for their service and sacrifice.”