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Justin Kates Sworn in as IAEM-USA (9 Nov. 2023) On Nov. 8, Justin Kates, CEM, took office as the 2023-2024 president of the USA Council of the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM-USA). He was sworn in at the President’s Banquet held in conjunction with the Annual Conference in Long Beach, California. Other sworn officers were IAEM-USA First Vice President Carrie Speranza, CEM, IAEM-USA Second Vice President Josh Morton, MPA, CEM, SCCEM, and IAEM-USA Treasurer Walter English, III, CEM, VaPEM. See the full press release.
President IAEM-USA sent an email of support and expressions of sympathy to members in Hawaii (29 Aug 2023) Today, IAEM-USA sent and email to all members in Hawaii to let them know that their "colleagues at IAEM are holding them and their coworkers, and the people of Hawaii in our thoughts and prayers." The letter offers resources and advice and encourages members to reach out to other members. Read the letter.
IAEM and NEMA release the 2021 EMPG ROI Report (6 Apr 2021) Each year, IAEM and NEMA join forces to complete an exhaustive survey on how our members utilize the Emergency Management Performance Grants (EMPG). The resulting report highlights how these funds are utilized. This year’s version includes some data on the CARES Act funding and covers other issues such as:
Download the report.
FEMA to Help Pay Funeral Costs for COVID-19 Related Deaths (24 Mar 2021) In early April, FEMA will begin providing financial assistance for funeral expenses incurred after Jan. 20, 2020, for deaths related to coronavirus (COVID-19) to help ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the pandemic. The policy was finalized today, and FEMA is now moving rapidly to implement this funeral assistance program nationwide. See the FEMA Advisory for eligibility requirements, documentation that must accompany applications, application instructions, and contacts at FEMA Office of External Affairs. Additional guidance is being finalized and will be released to potential applicants and community partners as soon as possible. In the meantime, people who have COVID-19 funeral expenses are encouraged by FEMA to keep and gather documentation. The information in the advisory also is posted on the FEMA website.
IAEM Bulletin 2021 special focus issue topics announced; first topic is ‘COVID-19: Emergency Management a Year Later’ with articles due by Mar. 31 (09 Mar 2021) The IAEM Editorial Committee has announced the 2021 special focus topics for the IAEM Bulletin, the association’s official monthly newsletter. At least four times a year, the IAEM Bulletin includes a special focus section on a selected topic of interest to emergency management professionals. This year the overall focus will be on various aspects of the 2021 conference theme, “IAEM 2021: Looking Back to Look Ahead,” and the first special focus topic to appear in our April issue will be “COVID-19: Emergency Management a Year Later.” A year ago, we were struggling with even calling COVID-19 a problem. How have the experiences of dealing with the pandemic influenced you and your approach to emergency management? What have we learned about ourselves and the opportunities for growth, development, change and synergy as we move into the next new normal? The article submission deadline is Mar. 31, 2021. Email articles 750 to 1,500 words in Word or text format to IAEM Bulletin Editor Karen Thompson. Visit the IAEM Bulletin webpage to learn about the rest of the 2021 special focus issue topics.
FEMA Seeks Members for the National Advisory Council (02 Mar 2021) The FEMA National Advisory Council is seeking qualified individuals to share their emergency management expertise by serving on the National Advisory Council. The application period is open for up to 12 discipline-specific and Administrator-selected positions, who will advise the FEMA Administrator on all aspects of emergency management. Individuals appointed to the council will bring their experience and diversity of views to provide the Administrator with consensus recommendations on a broad range of issues. Discipline-specific positions include cybersecurity, communications, in-patient medical provider, elected local official, emergency management, and emergency response provider. If you want to serve on the National Advisory Council, submit your application package to FEMA-NAC@fema.dhs.gov, by 11:59 p.m. EST, Mar. 12. For details regarding applications, visit the FEMA NAC membership application page.
IAEM-USA EM Program Data Requested for Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) Annual Survey (25 Jan 2021) Deadline: Feb. 26, 2021.
BC Management Released 19th edition of its BCM Compensation Study (19 Jan 2021) With the release of its latest BCM Compensation Study, BC Management is celebrating the 19th anniversary of its data research initiatives. All organizations that support this study will be highlighted in the complimentary report, which will be distributed to study respondents and available to the entire industry upon request. All professionals who participate in the 2021 BCM Compensation Study will receive a customized BCM Compensation Dashboard. This dashboard will not only be of great value to study participants in providing customized BCM program data points (by industry or company revenues) and customized BCM compensation data points (by years of experience or job title), but also will increase the efficiency in assessing data trends internally for the PDF reports. It’s important to note that no personal or company information will be shared in the customized dashboards. The study will close at 11:00 p.m. EST, Feb. 28.
CISA publishes updated guidance that supplements Emergency Director 21-01 (19 Jan 2021) The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has issued new guidance that supplements Emergency Directive 21-01 and supplemental guidance version 1 that were issued on Dec. 18, 2020. While the emergency directive is aimed at federal civilian agencies, CISA encourages the broader cyber community to review and consider taking these actions as part of your event management and mitigation. All federal agencies operating versions of the SolarWinds Orion Platform, other than those identified as “affected versions,” are required to use at least SolarWinds Orion Platform version 2020.2.1HF2. The National Security Agency (NSA) has examined this version and verified that it eliminates previously identified malicious code. Given the number and nature of disclosed and undisclosed vulnerabilities in SolarWinds Orion, all instances that remain connected to federal networks were required to be updated to 2020.2.1 HF2 by close of business on Dec. 31, 2020. View all edits and information relating to ED 21-01, which are posted online. To report an intrusion or Indicators of compromise, please submit via the CISA reporting portal https://us-cert.cisa.gov/report. Questions directly regarding ED 23-01 should be sent to Cyberdirectives@cisa.dhs.gov.
Volunteers Needed to Participate in Emergency Management Job Analysis (19 Jan 2021) IAEM is seeking volunteers representing all functions of emergency management and all EM job types such as within the military, local-state-federal-tribal governments, campus-based, within healthcare systems, private sector and others to participate in an updated job analysis for emergency managers. A job analysis is a systematic process used to identify the tasks, duties, responsibilities and working conditions associated with a job and the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics required to perform that job.
The selected subject matter experts will be expected to participate in approximately 16 hours of virtual work sessions (likely in February 2021, dates are TBD based on panelist availability), guided by a facilitator to identify the knowledge and skills of emergency managers. There will be some light follow-up work needed this spring (about 2-3 hours).
To apply: All volunteers must be working full-time in the field of emergency management. Individuals will be notified of the results after the deadline and selection. Complete this Google Form by Jan. 24. Questions can be directed to IAEM Program Manager Kate McClimans at KMcClimans@iaem.com.
IAEM-USA Letter of Support of the Nomination of Alejandro Mayorkas for DHS Secretary (12 Jan 2021) IAEM-USA President Judson M. Freed, CEM, sent a letter of support to Senator Gary Peters, Incoming Chairman, and Senator Rob Portman, incoming ranking member, of the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, on Jan. 12, 2021. The IAEM-USA Council strongly supports the nomination of Alejandro Mayorkas to be secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). “Having served with distinction as the deputy secretary of DHS (2013-2016), and previously as the director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (2009-2013), Alejandro Mayorkas is uniquely qualified to lead the Department of Homeland Security,” stated Freed. “While his skill set has not been focused specifically on emergency management, we have no doubt he understands the vital role that DHS, through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), plays in supporting state and local emergency management professionals in keeping our communities safe in times of disaster.”
IAEM's report to President-Elect Biden's Transition Team also presents the association's recommendations in regard to ongoing COVID-19 response and recovery, including: clearly define roles of HHS, public health “emergency preparedness” agencies, FEMA, and state and local emergency management during this pandemic and all future public health emergencies; assure funding for state and local government response and recovery efforts; and reinstate the Administrator of FEMA as a designated member of the President’s cabinet as provided for in PL 109-295. Additional "first actions" also are addressed. Download the full report here.
The IAEM Annual Memorial Service, IAEM-USA Business Meeting, and IAEM-Global Report (10 Nov 2020) The IAEM Annual Memorial Service, IAEM-USA Council Business Meeting, and IAEM-Global Report took place virtually with IAEM-USA members on Nov. 10, 2020, a week prior to the "IAEM Reimagined" Virtual Annual Conference. Members can download the presentation from the IAEM-USA Business Meeting here. To learn who was honored at the IAEM Annual Memoriam Service, visit the In Memoriam page.
FEMA issued RFI seeking input on measuring the impact HSGP has had on preparedness (11 Aug 2020) The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Preparedness Assessment Division (NPAD) recently issued a request for information (RFI) in the Federal Register seeking input on measuring the impact that the Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) has had on state, local, tribal and territorial (SLTT) preparedness. The HSGP includes a suite of risk-based grants to assist SLTT efforts in preventing, preparing for, protecting against, and responding to acts of terrorism. HSGP funding also can be used to enhance preparedness for other catastrophic events (e.g., hurricanes, wildfires) when the use of such funds has a nexus to preventing, preparing for, protecting against, and responding to terrorism. Comments must be received by Nov. 9, 2020. Obtain details and follow the instructions on submitting comments online. For further information, contact Bethany Slater, program analyst, Measures and Standards Branch, NPAD, National Preparedness Directorate, FEMA/DHS, Bethany.Slater@fema.dhs.gov.
Samish Indian Nation Seeks Input from its Citizens Regarding Update of Hazard Mitigation Plan (01 July 2020) The Samish Indian Nation is beginning a planning process to update its hazard mitigation plan, for the purpose of enhancing resilience to natural disasters throughout the Tribal Planning area. The project, which will take around nine months to complete, is funded by a planning grant from FEMA. During this process, Samish citizens will be asked to contribute by sharing knowledge of the area’s vulnerability to hazards based on past occurrences. Public involvement will be solicited via a multi-media campaign that will include public meetings, web-based information, questionnaires, maps, and updates on the plan’s progress via a website. An informational website has been established on the need and purposes for the Nation’s hazard mitigation planning. The website will serve as the primary means for the public to gain information on the plan, as well as to gain information on ways to participate in the planning process. The public is highly encouraged to provide input on all phases of this plan’s development. Questions or comments should be directed to David Strich, Samish emergency management specialist, at dstrich@samishtribe,nsn.us or to Bev O’Dea, project consultant, at bevodea@bridgeviewconsulting.org.
Emergency Management Performance Grants (EMPG): 10 Years of the Nation's Return on Investment, 2020 Edition (14 May 2020) For the past 10 fiscal years, IAEM and NEMA have offered a joint report to Congress detailing the return on investment realized by the Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) program. EMPG is the only source of federal funding provided directly to state and local governments for all of the functions that help build a robust emergency management system. In celebration of 10 years of this report, this year’s iteration represents a cumulative examination of the work conducted through this program for the past decade, including through Fiscal Year 2019. Over the past 10 years, recipients of this grant have consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to building all-hazards emergency management capacity at the state, local, and tribal levels of government.
Notice of Funding Opportunity Coming Soon for COVID-19 FY 2020 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program ( 22 Apr 2020) The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be announcing soon the release of the notice of funding opportunity for $100 million through the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program – COVID-19 Supplemental (AFG-S). The supplemental award will provide financial assistance directly to eligible fire departments, nonaffiliated emergency medical service (NAEMS) organizations, and State Fire Training Academies (SFTA) for critical Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and supplies needed to respond to the coronavirus public health emergency. Review the notice once it’s available online at both the FEMA website and the Grants.gov website before beginning the application process. Details about the AFG Program are online, and you are encouraged to check the FEMA website for the latest on whole-of-America COVID-19 response to find out what other help is available.
Help IAEM Provide COVID-19 Info to Fit Your Needs by Completing this Short One-Minute Survey (02 Apr 2020) IAEM and the Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS) are partnering to develop real-time education, data and emergent practice sharing for emergency management leaders. The COVID-19 pandemic has created opportunities to accelerate distance learning to support you during these trying times. We appreciate your participation in this short, 1-minute (!) survey to determine topics of interest, as you navigate the consequences in our cities and states. The survey will close at 5:00 p.m. EDT, April 10. Please click here to complete the survey. Thank you for being part of the latest initiative in our ongoing collaboration to support the educational needs of the IAEM membership.
Illness monitor for U.S. COVID-19 outbreak hot spots now available through online portal (04 Mar 2020) As the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak continues to spread, information is a key element needed by U.S. emergency managers for planning. A resource available now via an online portal has been developed by IAEM member Eric Kant, in partnership with IAEM and NEMA. Based on the portal activated during the past four years to provide consolidated open source information during hurricane responses, the Illness Monitor for U.S. Hot Spots is updated regularly with the latest trending illnesses and information related to the COVID-19 outbreak. The portal provides: a real-time illness monitor; a COVID-19 FAQ, which charts cases; and a COVID-19 GIS Hub. Watch the short video tutorial for a demonstration of how the site provides valuable information to users. Thanks to Sitscape, the portal has rapid visual interactive Exploratory Data Discovery (EDA). With just a few mouse-clicks, users can create visually engaging and highly interactive visualizations of data from Sickweather and SABER. Direct questions to UnitifedPortal@TrustedOps.com.
IAEM Editorial Committee Announces 2020 Special Focus Issues; First Deadline Is Mar. 16 (26 Feb. 2020) The IAEM Editorial Committee’s selections for the four 2020 special focus issue topics, which have been Board-approved, will begin with the April issue of the IAEM Bulletin on the topic of “Black Swan Events: Pandemic.” The deadline for article submissions is Mar. 16, 2020. When it comes to a pandemic, we can look at what we have learned in order to be prepared. Articles could look at past incidents that offer lessons in how to best prepare. Specific topics could be: H1N1, SARS, MERS, or Spanish flu. How best can we learn how to prepare for a virus that is new? What can we learn from what has already happened with the coronavirus? As emergency managers, we learn from what has happened in the past to help us plan for the future. Events and incidents have precipitated change over the decades. Emergency management has a long and impressive history of major accomplishments through its professional growth. Events and incidents have precipitated change over the decades. Consider the improvements you have experienced and witnessed, as well as the failures. Article length is 750-1,500 words, and author guidelines are online. A full list of 2020 special focus issue topics is posted here. Direct questions to Bulletin Editor Karen Thompson.
Journal of Emergency Management announces call for papers for special issue on Puerto Rico (29 Jan 2020) The Journal of Emergency Management (JEM) Editorial Review Board invites the submission of original research, papers and case studies supporting a special issue titled “Analysis of Pre- and Post-Disaster Management and Recovery in Puerto Rico from Hurricane Maria.” The special issue will be led by guest editor Fernando I. Rivera, Ph.D., who specializes in research in sociology, public health and disasters in Puerto Rico. Dr. Rivera is joined by special issue consultant Damarys Acevedo-Markey, PE, an environmental engineer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who has been instrumental in USACE's post-disaster recovery analysis. JEM’s goal is to bring together a complete and comprehensive accounting of the event and its post mortem. This may include a pre-disaster assessment of the island's state of preparation as well as any post-disaster response, research, mitigation and recovery. Manuscripts must be submitted online, using the manuscript submission link. Select the "Special Issue on Puerto Rico and Hurricane Maria" in the Section/Category of the General Info tab to designate it for this special issue. Manuscripts will be accepted through Oct. 1, 2020. Questions should be directed via email to jem@pnpco.com, or by calling 781-899-2702, ext. 114.
BC Management invites participants in its 18th Edition BCM Compensation Study (15 Jan 2020) BC Management welcomes survey participants in its 18th Edition Business & Continuity Management Compensation Study. The online study includes two choices based on employment status, one for permanently employed or unemployed professionals and one for independent contractors/consultants. Participants will receive a complimentary report, which will be published in April 2020. Deadline for participation is Feb. 25, 2020, 11:00 p.m. EST. For more information, watch an informational video on LinkedIn.
Local and tribal emergency managers are needed to complete the EMPG funding survey for IAEM and NEMA by Jan. 31 (08 Jan 2020) IAEM-USA is conducting the 13th annual survey seeking information from U.S. local government and tribal emergency management offices about Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) funding. This is a joint effort with the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA). NEMA is using a separate survey monkey for state directors to report on state activities. IAEM is seeking input from local and tribal jurisdictions. NEMA will analyze the state data, and IAEM-USA will analyze the local and tribal data. Once the data has been compiled, IAEM and NEMA will write a joint report to be distributed to key policy makers on Capitol Hill and within the Trump Administration. The narrative questions in the survey are of particular importance. Examples of how EMPG was directly related to an emergency response or emergency management program activity, help “paint the picture” of the importance of EMPG. The survey is available here. To help gather the data needed to complete the survey, a PDF-version of the survey is available here. The deadline to complete the survey is 6:00 p.m. EST, Jan. 31. Should you need to exit the survey prior to completing it, you may return to your survey from the same computer before the deadline to finish by following the survey link. If you have any technical problems or questions with the survey, please contact Kyler Bartee at kbartee@iaem.com. If you have any questions about the survey questions, please contact Thad Huguley at thad@iaem.com.