FEMA CALLS FOR 2013 INDIVIDUAL AND COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS AWARDS SUBMISSIONS

WASHINGTON - The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is pleased to announce the application period for the 2013 Individual and Community Preparedness Awards is now open.

These awards recognize outstanding individuals, organizations, Citizen Corps Councils and programs working to make our communities safer, stronger and better prepared for any disaster or emergency event. Submissions will be accepted April 22 through June 5, 2013.

To be considered for this year’s Awards, all submissions must be received by June 5, 2013 at 11:59 p.m. E.D.T. and are required to feature program activities taking place during the period of January 1, 2012 through June 5, 2013.  FEMA will review all entries and select the finalists.  A distinguished panel of judges from the emergency management industry will select a winner in each of the following categories:

·         Outstanding State Citizen Corps Council Initiatives ·         Outstanding Local Citizen Corps Council Initiatives ·         Outstanding Community Emergency Response Team Initiatives ·         Outstanding Achievement in Youth Preparedness ·         Preparing the Whole Community ·         Awareness to Action ·         Community Preparedness Heroes

Winners of the 2013 FEMA Individual and Community Preparedness Awards will be announced in Fall 2013.

Whether it is an individual or a faith-based, non-profit, private sector, community-based, or tribal organization – everyone makes a difference in our community. Acknowledge the work you or someone you know has done to build a more resilient nation and submit an application.

Visit the following website for information on the Awards and to download instructions for submitting an application: www.ready.gov/citizen-corps-awards.

Please conserve water

Altus --- The City of Altus is now in Stage 3 water conservation,
according to City Manager Elizabeth Gray.

Using the new guidelines, water customers are asked to restrict
outside watering only one day per week on a specified day  between
12:00 midnight to 5:00 a.m. for automatic sprinkler systems and 8:00
p.m. to 12:00 midnight for hose-end sprinkler systems.

Also, there should be no washing of pavement and no filling of empty swimming pools.

"We thank you for your participation in conserving water," said Gray.

For more information on restrictions and a water zone map see the City
of Altus website at http://www.cityofaltus.org/ or visit the utility
office at Altus City Hall, 509 S Main,  to pick up a copy.

HazMat Awareness class coming to the #AltusOK area

Class: Hazardous Materials Awareness for WMD-HazMat Emergencies Certification (47231)

Starts: Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Schedule Breakdown:

• Dates: 4/30/2013 - 4/30/2013 Times: 9:00:00 PM - 10:00:00 PM

Location:
Friendship Fire Department
15993 South County Road 210
ALTUS, OK 73521-8478
Map

Registration Fee: $0.00

For more information on this event, please click here.

For participation in the course, please call 800-304-5727.

Cancellation Policy:
The student or organization representative that has registered a student for a Fire Service Training (FST) course must notify FST at least five (5) business days prior to the start of the course.
For more details, please click here.

If you have questions or will be unable to attend this class, call 1-800-304-5727.

FEMA Seeks Applicants for Youth Preparedness Council

Washington – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is seeking nominations for participants in the Agency’s Youth Preparedness Council (YPC). 

The Youth Preparedness Council provides an opportunity for young leaders to serve as a member of a distinguished national council; to complete a youth preparedness project of their choosing; to learn about youth disaster preparedness from the leadership at FEMA and other national organizations dedicated to youth preparedness; to voice their opinions, experiences, and share innovative ideas and solutions; and to participate in the Youth Preparedness Council Summit where the council meets with emergency management leadership to discuss steps to strengthen the nation’s resiliency against all types of disasters.

Participants are expected to represent the youth perspective on emergency preparedness and relay information within their communities. Each council member is expected to develop and complete one preparedness-related project specific to his/her region and interests. In addition to attending the Summit in the summer of 2013, council members will potentially participate in national, regional, state, tribal and local preparedness meetings and present their work. It is expected that members will meet with FEMA on a regular basis via conference call to provide ongoing input on strategies, initiatives and projects throughout the duration of their term.

Anyone between the ages of 12 and 17, who is engaged in individual and community preparedness, is encouraged to apply or be nominated to serve on the Youth Preparedness Council. An individual may apply on his/her own behalf, or can be nominated by an adult familiar with his/her youth preparedness activities. Individuals interested in applying must submit a completed application form, a narrative, and a letter of recommendation. The letter of recommendation can be from any adult, including a parent, guardian, community first responder, or teacher. Applications that do not include a letter of recommendation will not be reviewed. Individuals interested in nominating a young leader to the council should complete the application form and narrative, but a letter of recommendation is not mandatory. Specific information about completing and submitting the application and attachments can be found on the application.

All applications and supporting materials must be received no later than 11:59 E.D.T. on April 19, 2013 in order to be eligible.

Council members will be selected based on vacancies and announced in May 2013. Once selected, members serve on the Council for one year, with the option to extend for an additional year, based on a formal request by FEMA.

For more information about the Youth Preparedness Council and FEMA’s work on youth preparedness, and to access the application materials, please visit www.ready.gov/youth-preparedness.

If you have any further questions, please contact Citizen Corps at (202) 786-9550 or CitizenCorps@dhs.gov  .

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.