INTERAGENCY COORDINATING COUNCIL ON EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES
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Monthly Updates - March 2008

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ICC Monthly Highlights

National Response Framework in Effect

The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is advising stakeholders and partners that the National Response Framework (NRF), successor to the National Response Plan went into effect on Saturday, March 22, 2008. The release of the NRF followed an extensive process of outreach and coordination between the Department and key stakeholders representing federal, tribal, state and local governments, non-governmental agencies and associations, and the private sector.

Since January 22, FEMA has been conducting outreach and training efforts for emergency managers and federal, state and local officials at all levels of government about the concepts and principles of the NRF. The NRF is intended for senior elected and appointed leaders, such as federal department and agency heads, state governors, mayors, tribal leaders, city managers and the private sector and Emergency Management practitioners.

The NRF focuses on response and short-term recovery, articulates the doctrine, principles and architecture by which the nation prepares for and responds to all-hazard disasters across all levels of government and all sectors of communities. The NRF also focuses on preparedness and encourages a higher level of readiness across all jurisdictions in a streamlined document that is less bureaucratic and more user-friendly than its predecessor.

The NRF is designed to be scalable, flexible and adaptable, always in effect, and articulates clear roles and responsibilities among local, state, and federal officials. Part of the educational and outreach efforts include the release of the on-line training course "IS-800.B National Response Framework, An Introduction," which can be found at: http://www.training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/IS800b.asp.

In addition to the NRF base document going into effect on March 22, 2008, the Emergency Support Function Annexes and Support Annexes are also in effect and can be accessed on-line at the NRF Resource Center (http://www.fema.gov/nrf). The annexes are a total of 23 individual documents designed to provide concept of operations, procedures and structures for achieving response directives for all partners in fulfilling their roles under the NRF.

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ICC Monthly Updates

US Department of Homeland Security

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Announces New Academic Centers of Excellence

DHS has announced the selection of 11 universities to serve as important partners for conducting multi-disciplinary research and creating innovative learning environments for critical homeland security missions. These universities will partner to lead one of five new Centers of Excellence and receive a multi-year grant of up to $2 million per year, over a period of four to six years.

The five new Centers of Excellence, located across the country, will study border security and immigration; explosives detection, mitigation, and response; maritime, island and port security; natural disasters, coastal infrastructure, and emergency management; and transportation security.

The Centers of Excellence program is managed by the Science and Technology Directorate's Office of University Programs. For more information about University Programs and current Centers of Excellence, visit http://www.dhs.gov/universityprograms.

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Department of Transportation

DOT Participates in Summit on Emergency Preparedness and At-Risk Populations

On March 5, representatives of the U.S. Department of Transportation, along with other federal partners, attended a one-day summit on Emergency Preparedness and At-Risk Populations hosted by Booz Allen Hamilton. The summit convened Federal, state, and local government agencies, non-profit organizations, and private-sector firms that conduct emergency preparedness, response, and recovery activities for populations with special needs. Participants discussed the need to create a forum for collaboration between the public, private, and non-profit sectors to address issues such as emergency preparedness that no single sector has the ability to unilaterally address. The summit also included presentations from emergency first-responders and a table-top exercise on emergency mitigation, preparedness, and response. David Schneider with U.S. DOT provided participants with a list of projects and resources on emergency preparedness and transportation for populations with special needs.

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Department of Education

NIDDR Convenes National Videoconference and Webcast

On March 19th, 2008, The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) convened a National videoconference and webcast to solicit input from the public on the content and direction of their long-range (2010-2014) research plan. The draft of the Long-Range Plan will be published in the Federal Register by October 1, 2008. For those who were unable to participate in this webcast, NIDRR is also accepting written input through March 31, 2008. This input be provided via the web at http://www.neweditions.net/nidrrlrp/input/, via e-mail using this address: NIDRR-Mailbox@ed.gov or via regular mail using this address: Donna Nangle, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Room 6029, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC, 20202-2700. NIDRR's Long-Range Plan for Fiscal Years 2005–2009 can be accessed at http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/nidrr/policy.html.

The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) generates, disseminates, and promotes use of knowledge that will improve the ability of individuals with disabilities to perform activities in the community, including the pursuit of employment, and increase the capacity of society to provide full opportunities and supports for participation. NIDRR is located within the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) at the U.S. Department of Education (Department).

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National Council on Disability

NCD Announces Upcoming Quarterly Meeting

The National Council on Disability (NCD) will hold a quarterly meeting at the Westin Arlington Gateway, 801 North Glebe Road, Arlington, VA, beginning Monday, April 21, 2008, at 8:30 a.m. and ending Wednesday, April 23 at 12:30 p.m. The meeting agenda will include sessions on emergency preparedness, healthcare, employment, and several other subjects of interest to the disability community. The meeting is open to the public. Times are designated for public comment, supported by a toll-free call-in line, and public input is encouraged and greatly appreciated. Written comments may submitted by e-mail, fax, or mail.

Public comment sessions will be held Monday, April 21 from 5:00 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. EDT and on Tuesday, April 22 from 4:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. EDT. The toll-free call-in number is 888-455-9639, and the pass code is "NCD Meeting." A reception at the hotel for meeting participants, audience members, and stakeholders from the disability community is scheduled for Tuesday, April 22 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., immediately following the day's session.

NCD is an independent federal agency and is composed of 15 members appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. NCD provides advice to the President, Congress, and executive branch agencies to promote policies, programs, practices, and procedures that guarantee equal opportunity for all individuals with disabilities, regardless of the nature or severity of the disability; and empower individuals with disabilities to achieve economic self-sufficiency, independent living, and inclusion and integration into all aspects of society.

For more information, please contact NCD’s Director of External Affairs, Mark S. Quigley, at mquigley@ncd.gov or by telephone at 202-272-2004 (V), 202-272-2074 (TTY), and or visit their Web site at http://www.ncd.gov.

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Recently Released Resources

National Guidance Under Development to Protect At-risk Populations During an Influenza Pandemic
A unique partnership has been created to help protect the most vulnerable people in America during one of the worst public health catastrophes imaginable—an influenza pandemic. The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) has received a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to develop recommendations for state, territorial, tribal, and local health officials on how to protect at-risk populations during an influenza pandemic. ASTHO is being assisted by the Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy (CIDRAP) at the University of Minnesota, the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), and The Keystone Center. The suggestions put forward by subject matter experts and community stakeholders will be the basis for a set of detailed national recommendations that describe how to:

  • Collaborate with and engage at-risk populations
  • Locate and quantify at-risk populations
  • Communicate with and educate at-risk populations
  • Provide services, both clinical and non-clinical, to at-risk populations
  • Test, exercise, measure, and improve preparedness levels of at-risk populations

ASTHO and CIDRAP staff members are incorporating vital feedback into the guidance document, along with examples of promising practices and tools that planners can use to advance their own efforts. These national recommendations will be made public on the Web site in April, to make it possible for the public-at-large to comment and provide suggestions.
To visit the CIDRAP home page, go to http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/
To visit the ASTHO home page, go to http://www.astho.org

Kansas University Develops Online Disaster Training to Assist People with Disabilities
Targeting staff in county health departments and hospitals, emergency managers, disaster relief teams and professionals working with people with disabilities, "Ready, Willing and Able" was developed by the University's Research and Training Center on Independent Living. The course addresses the needs of people with sight, mobility, hearing and cognitive disabilities and covers disability etiquette, terminology, communications and assistance techniques during disasters. The course was created in partnership with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment's Center for Public Health Preparedness and the Health Resources and Services Administration. It is available free of charge through TRAIN, an online training system for public health and safety workers. To register, go to http://ks.train.org (for workers in Kansas and the Kansas City metropolitan area) or http://www.train.org (for those in other states). The course number is 1010882. For more information, see http://www.news.ku.edu/2008/march/7/disaster.shtml.

Social Problems Perspectives, Disaster Research and Emergency Management: Intellectual Contexts, Theoretical Extensions, and Policy Implications
This paper is a revision and expansion of Thomas E. Drabek's 2006 E.L. Quarantelli Theory Award Lecture, presented at the American Sociological Association meeting in 2007. This essay explores the intellectual contexts wherein disasters are defined as non-routine social problems. The argument is advanced that this theoretical orientation can both open new doors for researchers and assist emergency management professionals in critically reviewing existing policy and future proposals. The essay is comprised of five sections: 1) introduction (how I came to this topic); 2) social problems perspectives (key insights from past and recent analyses); 3) disaster research (sampling of theoretical issues and conclusions relevant to a social problems orientation); 4) emergency management (selected policy areas and implications) and 5) conclusions (payoffs for future theory and application). The paper may be found at: http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/edu/docs/Drabek%20-%20Quarantelli%20Theory%20Award%20Lecture%20-%20Social%20Problems%20.doc

New National Science Foundation (NSF) Solicitation: Communicating Hurricane Information
In a joint announcement, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and NSF call for proposals focusing on advancing fundamental understanding of the communication of hurricane outlooks, forecasts, watches, and warnings both to decision makers (e.g., emergency managers, elected officials) and to the general public. NOAA and NSF anticipate making approximately a total of 6-12 awards for research projects. These awards will be for one to three years. NOAA and NSF expect to have at least $2,000,000 available to support total award sizes (including indirect costs) not to exceed $400,000. This maximum is the total for the project, not a yearly maximum. Projects that exceed this maximum amount of $400,000 will be returned without review. Full proposals are due by 5 p.m. on June 3, 2008. The solicitation is available at: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503246&org=SES&from=home.

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Upcoming Events

April 1-2, 2008
Partners in Emergency Preparedness
Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center
Tacoma, WA 98402
The Partners in Emergency Preparedness Conference is the largest and most successful regional emergency preparedness conference in the Pacific Northwest. Partners in Emergency Preparedness annually hosts over 500 people representing business, schools, government, the nonprofit sector, emergency management professionals, and volunteer organizations. The Partners Conference attracts top-notch speakers with expertise that includes earthquake research, contingency planning, school preparedness, technology, news media, and public health. Speakers and exhibitors provide cutting-edge information on subjects such as business continuity planning, school safety, public health preparedness, homeland security, and public information. For more information, see: http://capps.wsu.edu/conferences/emergencyprep/.

April 17-18, 2008
Community Preparedness: Addressing the Needs of Diverse Populations
The Yale Center for Public Health Preparedness
New Haven, Connecticut
The aim of this conference is to provide supportive and exemplary methods of emergency response for state and local planners in an effort to reach all community members in an emergency. For more information, see http://publichealth.yale.edu/ycphp/conference.html.

May 5-9, 2008
16th Annual National VOAD Conference
Little Rock, AR
The Annual meeting of Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD) brings together VOAD members and interested persons to learn about new policies that impact VOADs, share innovative ideas that can be adapted, and strengthen existing relationships and build new ones. For more information, see http://www.nvoad.org/annualconf1.php.

May 7-9, 2008
10th Annual Midwest Emergency Preparedness & Response Conference
Winnebago County Local Emergency Planning Committee
Cliffbreakers Riverside Resort, Rockford, IL
Attendees of this annual conference will come away with information to conduct their activities safely, in compliance with current standards and laws, begin awareness and preparation for emergency events, fulfill other training and response requirements. For more information, see http://www.winn-lepc.org/pages.php?id=5.

May 12-16, 2008
Governor's Hurricane Conference
Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
The Governor's Hurricane Conference was created to provide a forum to supply the training and knowledge necessary to respond to yet another hurricane strike. The 2008 Governor's Hurricane Conference will focus on the impacts of this season and the lessons learned, and it will provide attendees with the tools to prepare themselves for the next hurricane response. For more information, see http://www.flghc.org/.

May 12-16, 2008
2008 Governors Hurricane Conference
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
This conference addresses the challenges Floridians face heading into the 2008 Hurricane Season. It is devoted to a variety of courses that will train those responsible for maintaining the public's health and safety during hurricane emergencies. Additionally, over 100 workshops will be offered that provide ways to prepare, respond, recover and mitigate the consequences of hurricanes. For more information, see http://www.flghc.org/.

May 18-21, 2008
7th UCLA Conference on Public Health and Disasters
Torrance, California
This multidisciplinary conference will unite academicians, researchers, practitioners, and policy makers from public health, mental health, community disaster preparedness and response, social sciences, government, media, and non-governmental organizations to study the public health consequences of natural and intentional disasters. The conference seeks to provide an annual forum that promotes a dialogue and exchange of ideas between local health departments and others involved in improving emergency public health preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery. It is designed for public health professionals as well as individuals and organizations from both the public and private sectors involved in emergency public health preparedness and response. Topics will be relevant to public health and medical practitioners, emergency medical services professionals, researchers, and managers involved in the wide range of emergency public health issues resulting from natural and human-generated disasters. For more information, see http://www.cphd.ucla.edu.

June 1-4, 2008
Public Risk Management Association's 29th Annual Conference
Anaheim, CA
PRIMA's 2008 Annual Conference sessions include topics in human resources, law/legal, financing, public administration, risk management, schools, terrorism and much more! Additionally, attendees will have access to state-of-the-art risk management products and services at our industry-leading trade show. The Annual Conference attracts companies featuring safety, workers' compensation, finance, insurance, training and software geared specifically to the risk management professional. For more information, see http://www.primacentral.org/content.cfm?sectionid=5.

June 2-3, 2008
National Conference on Emergency Evacuation
Morial Convention Center
New Orleans, LA
This two-day conference focuses on the role of transit and transportation providers in the event of natural or man-made disaster. Topics will include planning, lessons learned, coordination, agreements, training and recovery. Leaders in the field of transportation and emergency planning will join transit professionals who have experienced disaster evacuation and operations. The conference will provide useful tools, information and resources for participants to use in their communities. The conference will be ideal for any transit system manager and board member; state and local government and elected officials; state and local human service organization representatives; state transit associations; and many others. For more information, see http://www.mccno.com/.

June 2-5, 2008
11th Annual FEMA Emergency Management Higher Education Conference
Emergency Management Institute
Emmitsburg, MD
One goal of FEMA is to encourage and support the dissemination of hazard, disaster, and EM-related information in colleges and universities across the U.S. In the future, more and more emergency managers in government as well as in business and industry will come to the job with college education that includes a degree in emergency management. In order to build disaster resistant and resilient communities, a broad range of college students and professionals need courses that introduce them to hazards, disasters, and what to do about them. In support of this effort, the Emergency Management Institute in Emmitsburg, Maryland, has undertaken several projects with the aim of promoting college-based emergency management education for future emergency managers and other interested personnel. One of those projects is the annual FEMA EM Higher Education Conference. For more information, see http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/edu/educonference08.asp.

June 2-6, 2008
World Safety Conference & Expo 2008
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Las Vegas, NV
NFPA offers this event for professionals in fire protection, life safety, electrical, and security. Education tracks include: Building & Life Safety; Codes & Standards; Detection & Suppression; Disaster Preparedness / Business Continuity; Fire & Emergency Response; Industrial Fire Safety and Security; necforum™; Premises Security; Public Education; and Research. For more information, see http://www.nfpa.org/categoryListWSCE.asp?categoryID=1059&cookie_test=1.

June 2-6, 2008
National Conference on Animals in Disaster (NCAD) 2008
The Humane Society of the United States
Sacramento, CA
The Humane Society offers practical training, guest speakers, workshops for emergency managers and responders, animal care and control professionals, veterinary professionals, and volunteers. For more information, see http://www.hsus.org/hsus_field/hsus_disaster_center/conference/national_conference_2008.html.

June 15-18, 2008
18th World Congress on Disaster Management (WCDM)
"Resilience - Individual, Community, Business"
Toronto, Ontario
CANADA
WCDM is a premier annual event that addresses issues common to all aspects of disaster and emergency management. The conference program includes speakers from many parts of the world and provides excellent opportunities for training and networking among those in the fields of emergency planning/management, business continuity, emergency response, risk management, IT disaster recovery, disaster management research, emergency communications, emergency health, security, HR, environmental, community planning, as well as for the organizations which supply and service these professions. For more information, see http://www.wcdm.org/aboutwcdm.html.

Annual Hazards Research and Applications Workshop
July 12-15, 2008
Broomfield, Colorado, USA
The Natural Hazards Center invites proposals for session topics for the 2008 Annual Hazards Research and Applications Workshop. The annual workshop is designed to bring members of the research and applications communities together for face-to-face networking and discussion of cutting-edge issues related to hazards and disasters and society's efforts to deal with them. To submit a session idea, go to http://www.colorado.edu/hazards/workshop/current.html. Session topics must be submitted by November 2, 2007, to be considered.

November 15-20, 2008
IAEM 56th Annual Conference & EMEX 2008 "Putting a New Spin on Emergency Management"
Kansas City (Overland Park), Kansas
The IAEM Annual Conference provides a forum for current trends and topics, information about the latest tools and technology in emergency management and homeland security, and advances IAEM committee work. Sessions encourage stakeholders at all levels of government, the private sector, public health and related professions to exchange ideas on collaborating to protect lives and property from disaster. For more information, see http://www.iaem.com/events/annual/intro.htm.

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Join the ICC Listserv!

The Interagency Coordinating Council on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities (ICC) has created a listserv. Please join our listserv to receive the ICC's Monthly Updates and Quarterly Newsletter, Emergency Preparedness NOW, and access other information pertinent to emergency preparedness and individuals with disabilities.

To join please visit http://listserv.access.gpo.gov/archives/icc-dispreppubs-l.html or go to http://listserv.access.gpo.gov/ and click "Online Mailing List Archives," then select "ICC-DISPREPPUBS-L" and complete the subscription form. For more information about the ICC please visit www.disabilitypreparedness.gov.

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About the Interagency Coordinating Council on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties oversees the implementation of Executive Order 13347, Individuals with Disabilities in Emergency Preparedness, which was signed by President Bush in July 2004. This Executive Order is designed to ensure the safety and security of individuals with disabilities in all-hazard emergency and disaster situations. To this end, the Executive Order created an Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC) on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities. The ICC is comprised of senior leadership from more than 20 Federal departments and agencies. Its mission is to ensure that people with disabilities and their specific needs are fully integrated into all aspects of our nation's emergency management system; including mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. The Secretary of Homeland Security is the Chair of the ICC, and he has delegated that role to Mr. Daniel Sutherland, the DHS Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. The Council organizes its activities around nine Focus Areas:

  1. Emergency Communication
  2. Emergency Preparedness in the Workplace
  3. Emergency Transportation
  4. Health & Human Services
  5. Housing
  6. State, Local & Tribal Government Outreach
  7. Nongovernmental Outreach
  8. Policy
  9. Research

For more information about the ICC please visit http://www.disabilitypreparedness.gov.

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