IAEM-Europa News

• Don't miss the free download of the March 2019 IAEM Bulletin issue on mentors (20 Mar 2019) The members-only IAEM Bulletin special focus issue honoring mentors has been published, and it is available to the public. The March issue on “Honor the Past, The People We Remember,” has been selected as IAEM’s current “sample issue” and is downloadable from the IAEM Bulletin web page. If you are not a member of IAEM, this issue will let you know what you’re missing. IAEM also wanted to further honor mentors by sharing the articles about them with a broader audience of emergency management professionals. Please share this issue with others. The IAEM Editorial Work Group will consider articles about the person who made the most difference in your EM career in future issues of the IAEM Bulletin. Contact Karen Thompson, editor, with any questions at Thompson@iaem.com. 

• France Shares Lessons Identified at the Global Resilience Summit (19 Oct 2016) Christian Sommade, IAEM-Europa National Representative for France and Executive Director of the French High Committee for Civil Defence, outlined the impact and outcomes of recent events in France at the Global Resilience Summit in London. His presentation gave an honest and open appraisal of France's preparedness prior to those tragic events and its effort since to build resilience within its cities and society. This also gave IAEM-Europa President Arthur Rabjohn, CEM, an opportunity to renew his association with Christian and to discuss the programme to "Push the Restart Button" on IAEM-Europa.

• IAEM-Global Board Appoints Arthur Rabjohn, CEM, as Interim IAEM-Europa President (12 Oct 2016) The IAEM-Global Board has appointed Arthur Rabjohn, CEM, as Interim IAEM-Europa Council President. Arthur is a long-time active IAEM member, past president of the IAEM-Europa Council, and past chair of the IAEM-Global Board (2008-2009).

• IAEM-Global Now Represented at the Institute of Civil Protection & Emergency Management (09 Aug 2015) IAEM-Global Board Chair Ellis Stanley Sr. has appointed IAEM-Europa member Tim Pettis as the IAEM-Global Representative to the Board of the Institute of Civil Protection & Emergency Management (ICPEM). Tim Pettis can be reached at +44-07092358960; tim.pettis@btopenworld.com. The ICPEM offers members the opportunity to network with experienced practitioners and academics in the fields of civil protection, emergency management, resilience & associated disciplines. The mission of the ICPEM, which is headquartered in Birmingham, UK, is to bring together emergency professionals, academics and business, in order to provide an informed and influential voice on all aspects of civil protection and emergency management.

• Changes to the IAEM-Oceania and IAEM-Europa CEM Education Requirements (12 Aug 2013) Currently, Oceania and Europa CEM candidates may substitute experience for a degree in the education requirements component of the credential. This waiver will expire at the end of 2013.

As an interim step to enable Oceania and Europa CEM candidates to transition to the full education requirement, a compromise was recommended by the Global CEM Commission for the next two years. From Jan. 1, 2014 through Dec. 31, 2015, 2015, Oceania and Europa CEM candidates can satisfy the education requirement with a:

• Bachelor's (Baccalaureate) degree in any discipline; or
• Master's degree in any discipline; or
• Graduate level qualification specifically in emergency management plus relevant experience e.g.
  
• Graduate/Postgraduate Certificate in Emergency Management + 4 years emergency management experience; or
• Graduate/Postgraduate Diploma in Emergency Management or Advanced Diploma in Emergency Management/Public Safety(Emergency Management) + 2 years emergency management experience.

This interim step will expire at the end of 2015. At that time, all Oceania and Europa CEM candidates must have a bachelor's degree to satisfy the education requirements for the CEM credential. This will bring Oceania and Europa CEM candidates in line with USA CEM candidates.

• UK to Hold Olympic Security Test in London This Week (21 Feb 2012) Britain is planning a massive Olympics security exercise this week centering on a mock emergency on the London subway system — a test that evokes uncomfortable reminders of the deadliest attack on the city since World War II. The security test announced Monday envisions that an emergency takes place on the busiest days of the 2012 London Olympics. Authorities declined to reveal the exact scenario that emergency services will be addressing, since dealing with a surprise is part of the test.
  
  "It is testing communications right from the very bottom from the constable or fire officer who is responding right the way up to Cobra, (the government's emergency committee)," Assistant Commissioner Chris Allison, the national Olympic security coordinator, told reporters at Scotland Yard. The public will see police and emergency services hustling to the shuttered Aldwych Tube station starting at midmorning Wednesday and people being "evacuated" from the stop as part of the test, dubbed "Forward Defensive." The Aldwych station, located on the Strand in central London, has been used in art exhibits, plays and films — offering a venue complete with dusty platforms, narrow staircases and aging electrical systems. Read the full article here.
   
• Influenza Activity Reported to be Slowly Increasing in Countries Scattered Across Europe (03 Feb 2012) Influenza activity is slowly increasing in countries scattered across Europe and is currently dominated by A(H3N2) viruses though with A(H1N1) also being important in some of the severe cases. This is reported in the latest edition of the Weekly influenza surveillance report (WISO) for week 3 (16-22 Jan 2012).
  
  Low influenza activity was notified by 23 of the 27 countries reporting while Bulgaria, Iceland, Italy and Spain reported medium activity. Eight countries reported local or regional spread and nine countries reported increasing clinical activity trends relative to the previous week.
  
  Of 1092 sentinel specimens collected and tested during week 3/2012, 320 (29.3%) were positive for influenza virus. This percentage is higher than in week 2/2012 and continues an upward progression since December 2011. Of 1468 influenza A viruses subtyped from sentinel and non-sentinel sources since week 40/2011, 1389 (94.6%) were of the H3 subtype. Since week 40/2011, no resistance to neuraminidase inhibitors has been reported. Further information can be found in the ECDC/CNRL Report on Influenza virus characterisation, December 2011.
  
  Since week 40/2011, 237 severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) cases have been reported by six countries. One hundred and three were laboratory-confirmed influenza cases and of those viruses typed or subtyped, 15 were A(H1N1)pdm09, 48 were A(H3) and six were type B influenza viruses. Read the full report: Weekly influenza surveillance overview week 3/2012 (16-22 January)
   
• Cooperation in Disaster Management: The European Union and the United States Take a Major Step Forward (28 Nov 2011) Kristalina Georgieva, European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response, and W. Craig Fugate, Administrator of the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Department of Homeland Security, met today in Brussels to discuss the priorities for cooperation between the European Commission and FEMA in disaster management and emergency response. The meeting highlights the signature of an administrative agreement between the European Commission and FEMA. With it, the two partners commit to fostering cooperation in disaster risk reduction, resilience and response to disasters.
  
  "The floods in Australia, the storms in the US, the triple disaster in Japan – these recent examples remind us that even the best-prepared and the most developed countries can be seriously affected by major disasters. Meanwhile, the economic crisis has squeezed the resources available for disaster management everywhere. In the face of such serious and complex challenges, cooperation in disaster response and risk reduction is more important than ever. This is why the European Commission and FEMA are taking our cooperation to the next level, stepping up our joint efforts to prevent disasters, prepare for the unavoidable ones and respond in a way that is both efficient for our citizens and practical for our budgets," said Commissioner Georgieva.
  
  The agreement and the regular dialogue between the European Commission and FEMA are part of the comprehensive approach of the EU to strategic partners such as the USA, Japan and Russia and neighbouring countries. This approach aims to share knowledge and exchange best practices and to be able to work together in the event of major disasters. For more details, click here.
   
• IAEM-Spain Recognized by the Spanish Government (25 Sept 2011) The IAEM-Spain Chapter of the IAEM-Europa Council has been recognized by the government of Spain as a non-profit professional association and is now included in the National Registry of Associations in Spain. "This is another major milestone reached in the development of IAEM-Spain and IAEM-Europa," stated Arthur Rabjohn, CEM, IAEM-Europa President.
   
• First Joint Emergency Management Office in England Established (09 Sept 2011) Emergency planners from Lincolnshire County Council, Lincolnshire Police, NHS Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue and the Environment Agency will now be working more closely together, in a national first. The new Joint Emergency Management Service (JEMS) will be based at the county council’s Emergency Centre at Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Headquarters in Lincoln. Representatives from partner organisations are creating the joint service, which will be the first multi-agency team of its kind in England. David Powell, Head of Emergency Planning at Lincolnshire County Council, said, "As well as avoiding duplication of work, co-locating staff from a range of public sector organisations will help us to understand each other’s needs and plans more effectively. Although we’ve been working well as partner organisations together for some time, this will help us in our shared aims and re-enforce our joint approach in planning for emergencies. It is also a more efficient way of working for all involved."
   
• UK Releases New Emergency Planning Guidance for Mining Waste (03 Sept 2011) The Major Accident Off-site Emergency Plan (Management of Waste from Extractive Industries) (England and Wales) Regulations 2009 has been released in the UK. This document provides guidance on creating off-site emergency plans for Category A waste sites. It is particularly aimed at the competent authority that will have to draw up and implement such plans in an emergency. It also provides the operators of Category A sites with an understanding of their obligations under the regulations. Download the document here.
   
• IAEM-Europa and Associação National dos Alistados das Formações Sanitárias Sign Memorandum of Partnership (31 Aug 2011) A Memorandum of Partnership has been signed between IAEM-Europa and the Associação National dos Alistados das Formações Sanitárias (National Association of Listed Sanitary Formations) in Portugal. ANAFS supports the sharing of information and the enhancement of emergency management efforts at local, regional, national and international levels and the continued participation of all agencies and departments, national and international involved in emergency management. Learn about the work of ANAFS at www.anafs.com.
   
• New IAEM-Europa Council Officers Announced (22 Aug 2011) IAEM-Europa President Arthur Rabjohn, CEM, announced that the only nominations received in response to the call for nominations are as follows:
  • President - Luc Rombout
  • Vice President - Juan Perez Martinez (Jose Antonio Aparicio Florido, stepped down in favour of his Spanish colleague so he can concentrate on IAEM Spain)
  • Secretary - Kristien Byl
  • Treasurer - Alvaro Pemartin

"I am grateful to these members for stepping up to lead our Council," stated President Rabjohn. "Of course, huge thanks go to Michael Kay (outgoing Vice President) and Laura Shapland (outgoing Secretary) for their contributions to the achievements of IAEM-Europa over the past four years. The handover will take place at a ceremony at the start of EMEC Europa, set for October in Munich. Your Council, your representatives..."

• IAEM-Europa and Portuguese Association of Volunteer Firefighters Sign Memorandum of Partnership (19 Aug 2011) IAEM Europa and the Portuguese Association of Volunteer Firefighters (APBV) have signed a Memorandum of Partnership (MOU) and will begin working together to develop emergency management in Portugal. APBV sets out to increase cultural and professional training for its members through the publication of documents, professional courses and training. IAEM will work to cooperate with APBV to assist them raise the profile of emergency management and provide international opportunities for its members to interact across the EM community. Arthur Rabjohn, CEM, IAEM-Europa President, stated, "I am glad that we have been able to put this MOP in place. It is a step towards creating IAEM-Portugal and perhaps a new IAEM-Iberia Region in the future."
   
• Prince Charles Supports UK Award for Emergency Management (29 July 2011) Young people from across Cornwall had a royal appointment this week with HRH The Prince of Wales and Chief Constable Stephen Otter. Youngsters from uniformed youth teams including the police cadets, Scouts, and fire cadets took part in a private meeting with His Royal Highness on Monday evening, July 11, 2011. The meeting was also attended by Chief Constable Stephen Otter, Assistant Chief Constable Paul Netherton, Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall Lady Mary Holborow and community leaders from other agencies.
    
  The meeting, held in Cornwall, was set up in the wake of the floods that hit the county in November of last year. At the time the Chief Constable and The Prince of Wales discussed how young people could become more involved in emergency management and be better prepared for a major incident in the community. Following Monday’s meeting, The Prince of Wales has agreed to help develop a new award which could be gained by uniformed youth teams across all agencies.
    
  Cornwall Council, The Scouting Association and Shelterbox have already launched a Community Safety Badge across the peninsula and other parts of the country. The badge has been introduced in Cornwall, Devon and Essex with hundreds of young people now taking up the challenge to be better prepared in an emergency. Cornwall Council Emergency Management Officer Tony Garvin, who is a member of the Local Resilience Forum Warning and Informing Group and Scout leader in Cornwall, devised the badge and has led on the project. He said: “With support from the charity Shelterbox, I developed a new community safety badge for Cornwall Scouts which has been successfully introduced across Cornwall, Devon and Essex with 700 Scouts already receiving it. “It wouldn’t take too much for this to be developed further and moved to national platform to include all uniformed youth teams.”
    
  Ideas already being planned include putting together a ‘grab bag’ which could be used in an emergency and looking at ways young people could warn and help vulnerable members of the community. Devon and Cornwall Assistant Chief Constable Paul Netherton, who led Monday’s presentation to The Prince of Wales, said: “This is an exciting opportunity for young people to assist and provide a service to the community in times of need. “We certainly wouldn’t want to put young people in harm’s way at any time, but there are ways in which they can help the community prepare for an emergency situation. “I am really pleased The Prince of Wales is interested in taking an active role in supporting this community venture and we believe it has great possibilities for the future.”
   
  At Monday’s meeting the Prince of Wales spoke about his time as a HM Coastguard cadet in Scotland and how the involvement of young people was close to his heart. The project will now progress with the ultimate aim being the creation of a ‘Prince of Wales Award’ in community safety.

• Falmouth Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre Recognized for Contribution to International Search & Rescue (08 July 2011) The International Maritime Organization, a UN agency, on July 7 announced that Falmouth Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre has been recognised, alongside Stavanger (Norway), for its contribution to international search and rescue. In endorsing this award the 106th session of the Council of the International Maritime Organization has acknowledged the dedicated performance and continued display of professionalism over many years. Sir Alan Massey, Chief Executive of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: "I'm delighted that the International Maritime Organization has recognised that the skills of coastguards can cross oceans, allowing search and rescue professionals to coordinate rescues thousands of miles away. I'd like to congratulate all the staff in Falmouth. I know the work they do is highly regarded by mariners across the world and we are extremely proud of the Falmouth team."
  
  Watch Officers from MRCC Falmouth have been invited to attend the awards ceremony that will be held on Monday 21 November at the 27th Session of the IMO Assembly. A total of 38 nominations from 14 Member States and one non-governmental organisation in consultative status with IMO were received. They were first considered by an Assessment Panel, which was chaired by the IMO Secretary-General and consisted of experts nominated by various international non-governmental organizations in consultative status with IMO. A panel of judges then met, led by the Chairman of the IMO Council, with the participation of the Chairmen of IMOs Maritime Safety, Marine Environment Protection, Legal, Technical Co operation, and Facilitation Committees.
   
• Ukraine to Join 112 System in Preparation for EURO 2012 (08 July 2011) Emergencies Minister Viktor Baloha said that a 112 emergency phone number will be launched in the four Ukrainian Euro 2012 cities of Kyiv, Donetsk, Kharkiv, and Lviv by the beginning of the sports event. “By the start of Euro 2012 (European soccer championship), the 112 system will be available in all cities that are hosting the championship,” he said at a press conference on July 1 in Kyiv. Access to the 112 service will be open to both fixed-line and mobile phones. Baloha said that the 112 system will be implemented throughout Ukraine by the end of 2012, start of 2013. The corresponding draft law is ready, according to the minister and negotiations have been conducted with foreign experts who have deployed similar systems. Our partners at the European Emergency Number Association (EENA) are to be congratulated on this development. Read more.
   
• Exercise Programme to Test Government Readiness for London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games (05 July 2011) A comprehensive programme of exercises to test the government, police and other key agencies’ readiness for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games was announced by Home Secretary Theresa May today. With a year to go until the games begin, the Home Office, supported by DCMS, the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG), the police and other partners, have developed a bespoke programme of exercises ranging from table top discussions to live play exercises. The exercises will test how those involved will manage the unprecedented nature and scale of the games which involves multiple sporting events and parallel celebrations, often taking place at the same time in different parts of the country. They will test all aspects of games-time planning at all levels, including their effectiveness, resilience and the decision-making capability of key games-time structures. These exercises will test a range of scenarios that could impact on the smooth running of the games such as long queues or crowds at Olympic and Paralympic venues, transport disruption and a terrorist attack. The exercises will test how government departments, police and emergency services respond, how they work together, how they work with the games organiser and how information is shared with the public. The exercise programme includes three strategic command post exercises and one live exercise that will run in September and December this year and in spring 2012. These are supported by a wide range of local level and table-top exercises, and workshops. Learn more.
   
• "Introduction to IAEM" Video Now Available with Spanish Subtitles from the IAEMSpain Chapter of IAEM-Europa (05 June 2011) A Spanish-subtitled version of the "Introduction to IAEM" video was put together by the IAEM-Spain Chapter, under the leadership of Chapter President José Antonio Aparicio Florido (aparicioflorido@iaem.es). The video was reviewed by IAEM-Europa President Arthur Rabjohn, CEM, and is posted in the AVI and MP4 formats as a resource. There are plans to add additional formats of the Spanish-subtitled video. Download video here.
   
• Tim Pettis, CEM, has taken up the post of Olympic Resilience Coordinator at the Civil Contingencies Secretariat (05 June 2011) This role will primarily focus on the the delivery of the sailing events within the 2012 Olympics at the venue in Dorset, England. "I am always pleased when one of our members achieves the recognition they deserve and secure a position of note within their national emergency management structures. I am pleased to bring to our association's attention the success of one of our members from England who has recently been appointed to high profile positions within Englands Resilience Programme," stated Arthur Rabjohn, CEM, IAEM-Europa President. "I'm sure you all join me in wishing Tim every success in his new role, and I know that he will continue to promote our association and the Principles of Emergency Management through his work."