Here are the links to the suggested answers for the Documentation Exercise.
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Here is the link to the FEMA website where you may take the Self-Study ICS courses. http://training.fema.gov/IS/NIMS.aspx
Good Luck!
Americans Remain Complacent as Devastating Disasters Strike
New Study Reveals Finds Many Americans Largely Unaware of Local Emergency Communications
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 19, 2012) – Despite a record-breaking year of federally declared disasters in 2011, including floods, tornadoes, hurricanes and wildfires, many Americans still lack basic awareness of their local emergency communications systems. At the BE Safe America Congressional Briefing presented by Safe America Foundation at the U.S. Capitol, Federal Signal Corporation today announced the findings of the 2012 Public Safety Survey, which takes a hard look at how knowledgeable and prepared Americans are for emergencies. While the survey found that more than 56 percent of Americans believe they are aware of the steps they need to take should disaster strike, the results uncover a shocking lack of knowledge—and even indifference—surrounding emergency alerts and notifications.
“Not only is it necessary to create a thorough preparedness and response plan for an emergency or disaster, it’s critical that people are as educated as possible about the emergency communications systems in place within their communities—which can prove lifesaving,” said Len Pagano, President and CEO, Safe America Foundation. “We were surprised to see just how many people remain unaware of the alerting systems in their area, and even more disconcerting, how many are apathetic in their response to emergency scenarios and communications.”
Conducted for the third consecutive year by Zogby International, the survey found that 71 percent of Americans are unsure if they have a personal alerting and notification system (ANS) in their area, which includes a combination of options for calls, text and email message notifications. Yet, respondents said they would be more motivated to take action in an emergency by ANS alerts than any other communication, ahead of traditional warning sirens, radio and TV public services announcements and even word-of-mouth communication from friends and family.
The survey also showed that the public is largely unaware of their local warning sirens. More than half (57 percent) of those surveyed do not know when sirens in their area are tested, and 70 percent are unaware of the sounds and sirens associated with various warnings. In fact, more than one in four respondents did not know if their community has a warning siren system at all.
“With all of the options available to keep the public informed of nearby disasters or emergencies, we were alarmed to see how many people aren’t aware of the existing notification systems in their communities,” said Joe Wilson, president of the Industrial Systems Division, Safety and Security Group at Federal Signal. “In times of crisis, people need to act fast—or risk waiting until it’s too late. Now more than ever, it is essential that we educate communities on the emergency communications options available to them, and to drive the sense of urgency surrounding swift response to emergency alerts.”
Even severe weather conditions do not motivate Americans to take action. Less than one half (47 percent) of survey respondents would take action based on a potential severe weather warning and one-third (33 percent) of respondents would require actual property damage or injury in order to care strongly about public safety awareness. Further, one in four respondents (28 percent) would require confirmation of severe weather, such as an actual tornado sighting, flood waters or a visible fire in order to take immediate action. A shocking 1 in 12 people said that nothing would cause them to care.
“We were shocked to see that the public could be so complacent when it comes to awareness and response to emergency communication,” said Wilson. “The fact that people could receive a warning that wouldn’t motivate them to action is extremely concerning, particularly with 99 FEMA major disaster declarations issued last year alone.”
Survey findings show that the public continues to rely on community officials to ensure public safety. In fact, results found that more than half of respondents (58 percent) trust local and regional government to ensure sufficient public safety standards, communication and planning in their area. Yet, only 29 percent feel that their community officials currently are investing in, or giving government attention to, their public safety. In terms of potential contributing factors, more than one-third feel that the economy has had a negative impact on the level of investment in their community.
“Preparedness starts with awareness,” said Wilson. “As emergency managers strive to support their community with effective programming and planning, it’s imperative that the public stay informed of what communications systems local officials and emergency managers currently have in place—and more importantly, that communities are prepared to respond efficiently and effectively.”
For more information on the 2012 Federal Signal Public Safety Survey, visit http://www.alertnotification.com/.
The Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG) serves the Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Fayette, Hays, Lee, Llano, Travis and Williamson Counties. Go to this website to register for free cell phone emergency notifications within the region: http://wireless.capcog.org/ENS/Intro.aspx
Does Your Home Have a Working Smoke Alarm? A Fire Escape Plan?
Three people died in two separate fires in Austin this morning. In one incident, two boys died and the Austin Fire Department stated that there were no working smoke alarms in the house. Even though firefighters made a valiant rescue just five minutes after receiving the call, the boys were too badly injured to save.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says in a report published in 2011, “Almost two-thirds of home fire deaths resulted from fires in properties without working smoke alarms.” The report continues with this startling finding – “In one-fifth of all homes with smoke alarms, none were working.”
Make sure your home and family are protected. The NFPA offers these tips:
- Choose a smoke alarm that bears the label of a recognized testing laboratory.
- Install a smoke alarm in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of your home, including the basement.
- For the best protection, interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound.
- Replace all smoke alarms, including alarms that use 10-year batteries and hard-wired alarms, when they are 10 years old or sooner if they do not respond properly when tested.
- Test your smoke alarms at least every month, using the test button or an approved smoke substitute and clean the units, both in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions.
- Smoke alarms with non-replaceable (long-life) batteries are designed to remain effective for up to 10 years. If the alarm chirps, warning that the battery is low, replace the entire smoke alarm.
- For smoke alarms with any other type of battery, replace batteries at least once a year. If that smoke alarm chirps, replace only the battery.
- An ionization smoke alarm is generally more responsive to flaming fires and a photoelectric smoke alarm is generally more responsive to smoldering fires. For the best protection, or where extra time is needed to awaken or assist others, both types of alarms, or combination ionization and photoelectric alarms, are recommended
For safety tip sheets on a variety of topics, go to www.nfpa.org/safetytips.
The next step is to develop and practice a home fire escape plan.
According to an NFPA survey, only one of every three American households have actually developed and practiced a home fire escape plan.
While 71% of Americans have an escape plan in case of a fire, only 45% of those have practiced it. •
One-third of American households who made an estimate thought they would have at least 6 minutes before a fire in their home would become life-threatening. The time available is often less. And only 8% said their first thought on hearing a smoke alarm would be to get out!
http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files/pdf/public%20education/escapeplanningtips.pdf
You may also visit any area fire station. The firefighters will be able to provide you with more information.
Save a Life with These CPR Apps
By Suzanne Kantra, Techlicious.com
Apps can help you manage your own health; whether it’s to help you quit smoking or manage your diabetes. Now, there are CPR apps that can even help your save someone else’s life.
If a friend or family member went into cardiac arrest, would you know what to do? I think I would, having been certified for years in CPR, but in the heat of the moment, you never know. Plus, I haven’t been through training since the guidelines for CPR were updated by the American Heart Association in 2010 to a rate of 100 compressions per minute, with a pattern of 30 compressions and two breaths.
The apps listed here follow these new guidelines and provide a good refresher should you find yourself in need of administering CPR. They all walk you through the process of administering CPR with pictures, voice prompts and/or videos.
Team Life CPR
This app is designed for use on the scene, as you’re performing CPR. When you launch the app, it goes directly into walking you through performing CPR on an adult. It includes 3 minutes of counting for chest compressions and breaths.
Price: $1.99 in iTunes and Android Market
CPR/Choking
Developed by doctors and the University of Washington, this app gives brief video overviews of the steps you should take to perform CPR on adults, kids and infants. It doesn’t have the timer built-in for tempo, but it does cover choking.
Price: Free in iTunes, Android Market and Windows Phone Marketplace
PocketCPR
PocketCPR walks you through the steps of performing adult CPR with pictures and voice prompts. In addition, it guides you to hold your iPhone in your hand so it can ensure you’re getting the proper depth with your compressions. It has a compression timer and prompts for breaths. You can also take a CPR course through the app as an in-app purchase for $3.99.
Price: Free in iTunes
CPR App
Designed to help those who’ve already taken a CPR class, this app provides a verbal walk through of CPR for adults, children and infants. It also includes instruction for two-person CPR, choking and rescue breathing.
Price: $3.99 in iTunes
